President Bush began his new life in an "insulated bubble" the day he left Washington toting a plane of teary-eyed friends watching a rosy video tribute on the Bush era. Low approval ratings? Bah. "He lives squarely in the remaining 33%" who supported him, writes Washington Post's Eli Saslow in a lengthy look at Bush's post-presidential world.
Weekends are spent at the ranch, where George's day begins with a long walk, chainsaw in hand. The former first couple spends most weekdays in their conservative Dallas neighborhood, with nary a sign of the political sniping about his record in DC. Neither Bush cooks, so they order takeout from a local market or rely on friends who know not to ask about what he calls his "L word"—his legacy. (More George W. Bush stories.)