Special Report: Bush's Military Record

Special Report:
Bush's First Post-Election Press Conference

Bush is back for a second term and he's cockier and more defensive than ever. In his first press conference after the election, Bush displayed his thinly-veiled disdain for the press, opening with the line, "Yesterday I pledged to reach out to the whole nation, and today I'm proving that I'm willing to reach out to everybody by including the White House press corps." Bush was quick to lay new ground rules for his press conferences, citing "the will of the people" as justification for the "one-part question rule" and the "no follow-up question rule." When asked if he felt more "free" after winning a second term, Bush stated bluntly: "Let me put it to you this way. I earned capital in the campaign, political capital, and now I intend to spend it. It is my style."

Source: President's Post-Election Press Conference Transcript, Nov. 4, 2004.