Bush Kicks Off Book Tour In Dallas
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM/AP) - Former President George W. Bush didn't travel far from home for his first book signing.
Bush appeared at a Borders bookstore about a mile from his Dallas home on Tuesday morning, when his book was released. Hundreds of people lined up before dawn Tuesday to get a chance to meet Bush and get the book signed. Many fans even arrived Monday afternoon to be at the front of the line.
"We just love him," said Carol Shead. "We think he's a wonderful person, personally, and we love him. We love his example."
Coppell High School senior Kaeli Cantwell joined her mother in line on Monday night. The 18-year-old student told The Associated Press that she has always admired Bush, and wanted to "tell him he was a really good President."
"Once in a lifetime opportunity," added Terry Jones, the first person in line. "How often do you get to meet a President? That's something."
Jones and his wife Tammy said that when they told Bush how long they'd waited, he told them he was signing the books "with admiration."
Wearing a coat and tie, and accompanied by security personnel, Bush sat down at the table to start signing books and greeting customers about 30 minutes before the event's scheduled start time.
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His book, "Decision Points," outlines the process that the two-term president went through to make various decisions throughout his life. Topics include the September 11 terrorist attacks, his decisions to send troops to Afghanistan and Iraq, and the response to Hurricane Katrina.
Bush has a string of appearances lined up to coincide with the book release, including appearances on Oprah Winfrey's show and a stop to speak with Jay Leno on NBC's "The Tonight Show."
The former President already sat down with NBC's Matt Lauer, saying that a comment from rapper Kanye West marked the lowest point of his presidency. "He called me a racist," Bush told Lauer. "I didn't appreciate it then and I don't appreciate it now. It's one thing to say that I don't appreciate the way he's handling his business. It's another thing to say that a man's a racist. I resent it. It's not true. And it's one of the most disgusting moments of my presidency."
Around 2,500 fans total made it to the signing Tuesday morning, wrapping around the Borders bookstore where the event was held.
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