Hotline After Dark -- The Family Man

Pres. Bush spoke with CNN's Collins while aboard the USS Intrepid in NYC yesterday, during which he discussed Pres.-elect Obama and his own presidency.

Bush, asked what kind of advice he gave Obama during their WH meeting: "To the extent he asked my advice, you know I -- and he may want to ask it again. And the best way to make sure he feels comfortable asking it again is for me not to tell you in the first place what I advised him. So we had a very private conversation. It was relaxed. It was interesting to watch a person who is getting ready to assume the office of the president. This will be a fantastic experience for he and his family. ... He didn't need my advice about supporting the military. He knows he must do that. And we had a good conversation. I was very pleased. And I remember the conversation I had with my predecessor, Bill Clinton. As a matter of fact, I called him yesterday and, you know, I said, Bill, I'm getting ready to meet with the new president and I remember how gracious you were to me and I hope I can be as gracious to President-Elect Obama as you were to me."

More Bush: "One impression I can share you is that one of the things that President-Elect Obama was really interested in after we had our policy discussions was his little girls -- how would they like the White House. And it was interesting to watch him go upstairs. And he wanted to see where his little girls were going to sleep. And, clearly, this guy is going to bring a great sense of family to the White House. ... He wants to make sure that, first and foremost, he's a good dad. And I think it's going to be an important part of his presidency."

After the jump, more Bush, WH meeting leaks and McCain on Leno.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

Collins: "This is your first interview since the election. ... So, you know I'm going to ask you, how did you think that turned out? What was your impression?"

Bush: "My choice didn't win. I was for John McCain. I felt he battled hard. But I meant what I said after the election, that the election of Barack Obama is an historic moment for our country. There are a lot of people in America who did not believe they would ever see this day. And it is good for our country that people have hope in the system and feel vested in the future."

More Bush: "And so President-elect Obama has a great opportunity, and I really do wish him all the best. I mean, I am just as American as he is American. And it is good for our country that the president succeeds. And so the transition that we're working with him on is a genuine effort to help him be able to deal with the pressures and the complicated issues of the presidency."

Collins: "I imagine that you probably have a moment in your presidency that you are most proud of and a moment that I'm sure you most regret."

Bush: "You know, I regret saying some things I shouldn't have said. ... Like 'dead or alive.' Or 'bring 'em on.' You know, and my wife reminded me that, hey, as president of the United States, you better be careful what you say. I mean, I was trying to convey a message. I probably could have conveyed it more artfully. You know, being on this ship reminds me of when I went to the USS Abraham Lincoln, and they had a sign that said 'Mission Accomplished.' I regret that that sign was there. It was a sign aimed at the sailors on that ship. However, it conveyed a broader knowledge. To some it said, 'Well, Bush thinks the war is over in Iraq,' when I didn't think that. But nevertheless, it conveyed the wrong message. So there are things I've regretted."

More Bush: "I've had a lot of reasons to be, you know, proud, I guess, is the right word. I'm proud every time I stand in front of the United States military. I am proud to be the commander in chief of people who are so selfless and so courageous that they would volunteer to serve our country in a time of war. I'm proud when I see people feed the hungry. I'm proud when I'm in Africa and see volunteers helping citizens dying of HIV/AIDS. I'm proud to know there are young kids raising money to buy mosquito nets to help us defeat malaria on the continent of Africa. I cannot tell you what an inspiring experience it's been to be the president of this country, because we're a nation full of generous, courageous, decent people" ("Situation Room," 11/11).

DRIP, DRIP, DRIP

There was also talk about leaks concerning the Bush/Obama WH meeting:

Mike Huckabee: "This is not totally atypical when there's a transition going on. I know that both sides probably want there to be a very smooth transition. It's not in the best interest of anybody for there to be anything other than not only civil conversations but extraordinarily confidential conversations. The campaign is over. There is no more time for politics. This is serious business. ... And I hope that there won't be this kind of leakage from whatever meetings that are going to be held over the next few weeks, because, frankly, that's not helpful to us" ("Hannity & Colmes," FNC, 11/11).

Newsweek's Wolffe, asked who is responsible for the leaks: "The Bush White House style, I can tell you from bitter experience, is that they do not leak out private conversations. And that's clearly where the displeasure was. I would hate to put a finger on it, but let's just say, someone close to the president-elect obviously shared information that the White House wasn't ready to" ("1600," MSNBC, 11/11).

Time's Halperin: "I think they will smooth this over, and they will go back to the way it's been, which is good for the country. There needs to be a smooth transition that doesn't have politics. The substance, though, of what was discussed, assuming the reports are accurate, I think, is interesting. It is, again, the kind of grand bargain, where both sides give something. ... That's what is going to be needed for an energy-environment compromise. That's what is going to be needed for a lot of these problems" ("AC 360," CNN, 11/11).

Karl Rove: "Walking out of your first meeting with the president of the United States, the president-elect should not be having his people go leak it to the press. That is not very presidential, and not a good way to get started" ("O'Reilly Factor," FNC, 11/11).

WE WONDER WHY HE DIDN'T GO ON LETTERMAN

McCain made his first post-election appearance on the "Tonight Show." Some highlights:

McCain, on his campaign against Obama: "You've got to have a respectful campaign. And that doesn't mean it isn't tough. I mean, campaigns are tough. And they should be, because you're seeking the most important position in the world. But there's a difference between being tough and being personal or angry. ... You know, one thing I think Americans don't want it's a sore loser. And ... I get to go back to the United States Senate and work on a lot of issues and continue to serve."

McCain, asked if the choice of Sarah Palin hurt his campaign: "No. ... Look, I'm so proud of her. And I'm very grateful that she agreed to run with me. She inspired people. She still does. And look, I couldn't be happier with Sarah Palin. And she's going back to be a great governor, and I think she will play a big role in the future of this country."

McCain, on whether he ever considered asking Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) to be his VP: "I have never known a finer man than Joe Lieberman. And I believe I won the nomination because, right before the New Hampshire primary ... he came out and supported me. It mattered. Independent voters voted with us. I love Joe Lieberman."

Jay Leno: "Well, it might cost him his chairmanship now."

McCain: "Well, I hope not. I hope not. Because Joe's a wonderful person. ... I don't, obviously, know what's going to happen. ... He's a 'independent Democrat.'"

Leno: "Okay. Would you want him to be an 'independent Republican'? ... Try to get him over on the other side? Kind of lure him over, get him some clothes?"

McCain: "Take him to Neiman Marcus?" (NBC, 11/11).