Bush`s last full-blown, formal news conference was July 15. He refused to hold another during the final months of last year`s presidential campaign, concerned that the questions would be mostly related to political events and wanting to stay out of GOP nominee John McCain`s spotlight. But even though aides had suggested that would change after the election, Bush still declined to participate in a wide-ranging question-and-answer session until now, just eight days before leaving office.
He has been granting a flurry of legacy-focused interviews as he seeks to shape the view of his presidency on his way out the door.
