Text of President George W. Bush's news conference

By ASSOCIATED PRESS | Monday, January 12, 2009

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BUSH: Thank you.

Tapper?

We have been through a lot together. As I look to the room, I see Jake, Mike, Herman, Ann Compton. Just seemed like yesterday that -- that I was on the campaign trail and you were analyzing my speeches and my policies.

And I see a lot of faces that travel with me around the world and -- to places like Afghanistan and Iraq and Africa. I see some new faces, which goes to show there's some turnover in this business.

Through it all, it's been -- I have respected you. Sometimes I didn't like the stories that you wrote or reported on. Sometimes you misunderestimated me.

But always the relationship, I have felt, has been professional, and I appreciate it.

I appreciate -- I do appreciate working with you.

My friends say, "What is it like to deal with the press corps?" I say, "These are just people that are trying to do the best they possibly can."

And -- and so, here at the last press conference, I'm -- I'm interested in answering some of your questions, but mostly I'm interested in saying thank you for the job.

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