Bush delivers final televised address

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During his last public appearance as president, Bush defended his actions in rescuing the country's ailing financial sector.

George W. Bush, US President, said, "Facing the prospect of a financial collapse, we took

decisive measures to safeguard our economy. The toll would be far worse if we had not acted."

The outgoing president also tried to reassure recession-weary Americans.

George W. Bush, US President, said, "Together, with determination and hard work, we will restore our economy to the path of growth. We will show the world once again the resilience of America's free enterprise system."

Leaving office with the highest disapproval rating since Richard Nixon, Bush said...

George W. Bush, US President, said, "You may not agree with some tough decisions I have made, but I hope you can agree that I was willing to make the tough decisions."

But even as he focused on what he saw as his successes, Bush will leave president-elect Barack Obama with two unfinished wars, a bitter conflict in Gaza and a U.S. economy deep in recession.

Editor:Zhang Yun