EX-PRESIDENTS

Bush Ends 'Silence'

Takes potshots at Obama on economy.

For awhile, former President Bush and former Vice President Vice Cheney were night and day in their approach to retirement, with Bush saying that the new president "deserves" his silence and Cheney instead declaring a one-man war on all things Obama. That distinction seems to be breaking down, as Bush—while not mentioning Obama by name—seemed to indirectly criticize him in a speech and Q&A session Wednesday in Pennsylvania. In an apparent swipe at Obama's economic plan, Bush said that "it's going to be the private sector that leads this country out of the current economic times we're in," and added, "You can spend your money better than the government can spend your money." Asked whether Obama was leading the country to "socialism," Bush said "We'll see."