In one of his first exit interviews, President Bush appeared on ABC Nightly News Monday. Host Charles Gibson asked the President about the troubled economy.

President Bush: “I’m sorry it’s happening, of course. Obviously, I don’t like the idea of people losing jobs or being worried about their 401(k)s. On the other hand, the American people got to know that we will safeguard the system. I mean, we’re in. And if we need to be in more, we will.”

During the same interview, President Bush discussed the invasion of Iraq.

Charles Gibson: “What were you most unprepared for?”

President Bush: “Well, I think I was unprepared for war. In other words, I didn’t campaign and say, 'Please vote for me, I'll be able to handle an attack.’ In other words, I didn’t anticipate war. Presidents — one of the things about the modern presidency is that the unexpected will happen.”