Ex-Prez Bush: Kanye Calling Me a Racist Was My Worst Moment

The "decider" was actually the "dissenter" when it came to the war in Iraq.

In his first one-on-one interview since leaving office, former President George W. Bush says he was against the war to topple Saddam Hussein.

"I was a dissenting voice," he said in an interview with NBC's Matt Lauer set to air next week. "I didn't want to use force. I mean, force is the last option for a president. And I think it's clear in the book that I gave diplomacy every chance to work."

However, Bush continues to believe that the world is a better place because of the invasion, which cost the lives of more than 4,000 U.S. troops and more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians, according to the most conservative estimates.

"I will say definitely the world is better off without Saddam Hussein in power," he said, "as are 25 million people who now have a chance to live in freedom."

The 43rd president conducted the sit-down to kick off the promotional tour for his autobiography about his years in the White House. 'Decision Points' hits stores on Nov. 9, and covers topics such as 9/11 and his campaigns for office.

Bush also reveals what he described in the book as the worst moment in his presidency: being called a racist by singer Kanye West.

"I resent it. It's not true," the ex-president said. "It was one of the most disgusting moments in my presidency."

The remark, which Bush said he did not actually witness but heard about later, occurred during a telethon for Hurricane Katrina victims. West had taken the stage and told the audience, "George Bush doesn't care about black people."

"My record was strong, I felt, when it came to race relations and giving people a chance," Bush told Lauer during the NBC interview.

Source: New York Daily News

Kevin Eason is a freelance editorial cartoonist and illustrator from New Jersey. His brand of satire covers news events in politics, entertainment, sports and much more. Follow him on Facebook.