Bush channels Oprah in nostalgic speeches

Lately President Bush has been getting a bit sentimental about saying goodbye. With less than six months left on his presidency, he tells most audiences how much he loves them and how honored he's been to serve as their president. It's a bit unexpected, sort of like he's channeling Oprah.    

Today in a speech at the Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, he told the West Virginia Coal Assn. that he marvels at the country's entrepreneurial spirit.

"I love the fact that people go from nothing to something ... I love the fact that we've got people who understand the dangers we face ... I marvel at the fact that we've got a country where people say, 'I want to serve and to wear the uniform of the United States.'... And I am constantly amazed at the millions of acts of kindness and compassion that take place on a daily basis in the United States of America ... We've got people who feed the hungry, provide care for the homeless, love a neighbor in need -- and it doesn't require one law from Washington D.C. ...This is a compassionate, decent, fantastic country, and it's been my honor to be your president for seven and a half years. I'm proud to be here with you. I'm proud to call you friend.

Bush has reason to call the folks in West Virginia friends. Back in 2002, having been elected with the unexpected help of the state's five electoral votes, Bush slapped a tariff on imported steel to help West Virginia steel makers. It was a surprise to voters who believed his free-trade rhetoric from the campaign.

But today he might have sensed that he had gone a little heavy on the feel-your-joy thing. So he quickly shifted into guy-joke territory.

"This is not a farewell address," he said to laughter. "I'm sprinting to the finish."

-- Johanna Neuman

Photos: Oprah, Lefteris Pitarakis / Associated Press; President Bush, Yves Logghe / Associated Press