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I have known George W. Bush slightly since we were both in high school, and I studied him closely as governor. He is neither mean nor stupid. What we have here is a man shaped by three intertwining strands of Texas culture, combined with huge blinkers of class. The three Texas themes are religiosity, anti-intellectualism, and machismo.

Everybody thinks the Bushes are from Texas. I've been there twice.

Next time I tell you someone from Texas should not be president of the United States, please pay attention.

I loved covering presidential politics - not so much because of the candidates but because of the people it allowed me to talk to.

I've covered the White House and been yelled at by presidents.

My film about Bush didn't prevent his reelection.

I had supported Governor George W. Bush over Senator John McCain in the 2000 Rhode Island presidential primary.

When George W. Bush hit the campaign trail in 2000, the precious possession he brought with him from home was his personal feather pillow. The theme of the Bush years was obliviousness. He was famously unavailable for debate and dialogue. He was deaf to countervailing voices. He hit the sack early and always got a good night's sleep.

And, you know, I watched him in Texas where he stood on his principle but he also reached out to members of the other party to try to work with them, to try to forge agreement where he could in keeping with his conservative principles to make Texas a better place.