Each president elect has gone into office believing he could accomplish the things his predecessor/s "wouldn't". Each one has found that that it isn't quite that easy.
As both candidates had said, the new American President could expect a huge test, early in his administration. The outgoing president is going the extra distance to bring his replacement up to speed - something that is not, in any way, required of him - also something that I would expect from a member of his family. George W. Bush is basically an honest, caring man. He loves our country and has done what he felt was the best he could for it. Although, often, I have disagreed with his decisions, I also haven't automatically condemed every one, simply because they were his. There are a number of people in Washington who have damaged the country to a major degree, because their first priority was to thwart the president. From the day of his first election they tried to find something to hang him with - with no success, mind you - so instead, they chose to portray him as a demon. He has been made responsible for every unpleasant occurance in the world, from war to weather to little Johnny flunking math.
If the Clintons had shown any concern for what followed them, the intell gathered during their eight years might have helped Mr Bush make some better decisions in the beginning of his presidency. Instead, their attitude said clearly, "You wanted it, now you've got it, figure it out for yourself."
I give high points to President George Bush for the unprecedented helping hand and early running start he is extending to the freshman senator/president elect. I profoundly hope that this inexperienced, untested man can have a positive effect on our country. I heard him speak, in person, twice, and both times I was left with an impression of a charismatic and compelling speaker who didn't say much.
When the administrations change in two months, I will stand and give my applause to the retiring President, who, I feel, has done his best in a bad situation - It may not have always been the right move, but it was his honest best. I will welcome in the new President with hope for the future and the fear that ALWAYS accompanies radical change in life for anyone with any sense. (Courage is not the absence of fear, it is the willingness to face fear and continue.) I will give him the respect due the leader of our country and I will not jump on his every word looking for something to ridicule (Those tactics were the reason I left the Democratic party, forty years ago, in the middle of working on a campaign and have been registered an independent ever since.)
I wish our future President Obama (and ourselves) success and prosperity.