Bush delivers final televised address

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-16-2009 13:48

Pics: Bush to deliver farewell speech

Five days before handing over power, President George W. Bush has given his final televised address as president of the United States.

In Thursday's speech at the White House, he defended his actions to avert a collapse of the financial system and to protect America from another terrorist attack.

U.S. President George W. Bush delivers a nationally- televised farewell address from the White House in  Washington,January 15, 2009.  REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES)

But, he also acknowledges setbacks during his tenure and said he would do it differently given a second chance.

Unpopular but unbowed, US President George W. Bush defended his tumultuous two terms in his farewell address on Thursday night, claiming a series of successes at home and abroad.

On national security, he highlighted his administration's efforts to equip the nation with new tools to monitor terrorists and foil their plots.

He acknowledged that some of his actions in response to September 11th had been controversial, but he stood by them.

George W. Bush, US President, said, "There is legitimate debate about many of these decisions, but there can be little debate about the results. America has gone more than seven years without another terrorist attack on our soil."

Bush's presidency began with the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil. And it ends with the worst economic collapse in three generations.