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The Washington Post

Top US Democrat Nancy Pelosi has admitted something of a Freudian slip.
In a conversation with host Jonathan Karl on ABC’s This Week, the US House Minority Leader discussed US President Donald Trump’s 100 days in office and whether the Democratic Party could work with him.
“I see everything as an opportunity. And I’ve never have seen so much willingness to help win. And winning means winning for the American people, that either we win or whoever wins understands the priorities of the American people,” Pelosi said.
“And they are not with President Bush.”
She caught her mistake right away.
“Oh, excuse me,” Pelosi said, looking surprised and putting a hand over her heart.
“I’m so sorry, President Bush! I never thought I’d pray for the day that you were president again.”
WATCH: Nancy Pelosi admits something about George W. Bush


She was referring to George W. Bush, the 43rd US president. Democrats famously opposed him on numerous fronts, including the Iraq War and the privatisation of Social Security.
Pelosi acknowledged as much - but, well, what a difference several years and two administration changes make.
“And so you asked the question, how would I work with a Republican president? The way we worked with President Bush,” Pelosi told Karl.
“We got a great deal accomplished. ... Biggest energy bill in the history of our country, a tax bill that helped low-income working families that we wanted and we wanted to be big and we found our common ground. The list goes on and on.”

When Bush left office in 2009, he was one of the least popular presidents in recent history, particularly among Democrats. According to Gallup, Bush’s approval ratings steadily declined over his two terms, ending with a second-term average of just 37 per cent.
After office, Bush remained largely out of the political spotlight, taking up painting and appearing to maintain a tenuous but respectful relationship with Barack and Michelle Obama after they moved into the White House.
Many contrasted Trump’s hardline rhetoric against Muslims with Bush’s actions in the wake of the September 11, 2001, attacks. Many have pointed out that, within a week of the attacks, then-President Bush publicly urged people not to conflate the terrorists’ actions with the Islamic faith, even quoting from the Koran to make his point.
“The face of terror is not the true faith of Islam. That’s not what Islam is all about. Islam is peace. These terrorists don’t represent peace. They represent evil and war,” Bush said in a speech at the Islamic Centre of Washington.

“America counts millions of Muslims amongst our citizens, and Muslims make an incredibly valuable contribution to our country. Muslims are doctors, lawyers, law professors, members of the military, entrepreneurs, shopkeepers, moms and dads. And they need to be treated with respect. In our anger and emotion, our fellow Americans must treat each other with respect.”
The curious re-imagining of Bush 43 continued throughout a contentious election - bolstered by a photo of a warm embrace between Bush and Michelle Obama in September that went viral - and into the early weeks of Trump’s presidency.
After the Ellen show posted a video of the former president joking about his inner “Rembrandt” and learning to paint, viewers flooded the comments with unexpected praise.
At a Saturday event billed as “Not the White House Correspondents’ Dinner,” comedian Will Ferrell captured some of this sentiment when he emerged on stage in character as George W. Bush - and was met with cheers and applause.
WATCH: Will Ferrell as George W. Bush


Ferrell ambled slowly to the front of the stage, smoking a cigarette and soaking in the reception. He let a brief pause fill the room before holding out his arms to the audience.
“How do you like me now, huh?” he said in Bush’s characteristic drawl, grinning.
“Quick presidential update: I’m doing quite well, thank you,” Ferrell-as-Bush said.
“History’s proven kinder to me than many of you thought.”


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Donald Trump's first 100 days

As Trump marked 100 days in office, Nancy Pelosi let this one slip: 'I never thought I'd pray for the day' when George W. Bush was president again

George W. Bush jokingly makes a face as he tries to open a locked door as he leaves a press conference in Beijing in 2005. File photo: AP

US President George W. Bush (L) greets Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-CA, as he arrives to deliver his annual State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the US Capitol in Washington 23 January 2007. AFP PHOTO/Larry Downing/Pool

U.S. President George W. Bush (R) reacts as he listens to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) during the annual Radio and Television Correspondents Association dinner at a hotel in Washington March 28, 2007. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES)

After flip-flops and missteps, how will Trump deal with his next 100 days?

‘Trump is going to be judged on three things: did he keep his promises to voters; did he revive this economy; and did he get out of this low growth rut’

DAY 63 - in this March 23, 2017, file photo, President Donald Trump gestures while sitting in an 18-wheeler truck while meeting with truckers and CEOs regarding healthcare on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

U.S. President Donald Trump waves on stage at a rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. April 29, 2017. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

DAY 97 - In this April 26, 2017, file photo, President Donald Trump, center, speaks at a National Teacher of the Year event in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

DAY 9 - In this Jan. 28, 2017, file photo, President Donald Trump speaks on the phone with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

Trump

U.S. President Donald Trump signs an executive order in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Friday, April 21, 2017. The tax code became too expensive and burdensome under former President Barack Obama's administration, making a review of 2016 and 2017 tax rules necessary, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said. Photographer: Pete Marovich/Bloomberg

DAY 98 - In this April 27, 2017 photo, President Donald Trump pats a U.S. Marine on the back after he and first lady Melania Trump walked Argentine President Mauricio Macri and his wife Juliana Awada to their vehicle outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Donald Trump on Day 1 of his presidency: at his inauguration at the US Capitol in Washington. Photo: AP

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When Bush left office in 2009, he was one of the least popular presidents in recent history
