Takeaways from George W. Bush’s visit with Mitch Daniels at Purdue

As protestors hanged him in effigy on campus, Bush talked 9/11, immigration, painting and what’s next for ‘My Man Mitch.’ Plus, some WL grousing on Mitch Daniels Blvd. Name changes on campus. And more

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Former President George W. Bush was at ease Tuesday night on Purdue’s Elliott Hall of Music stage, taking frequent digs at his former charge and covering the bases of life after the White House, during an hourlong Q&A with Purdue President Mitch Daniels.

With protests on campus that had students hanging Bush in effigy, the sold-out conversation in Elliott Hall of Music was the 40th and final installment of Daniels’ Presidential Lecture Series before he steps away as university president at the end of 2022.

Daniels worked as Bush’s first budget director, from January 2001 to mid-2003. When he left, Daniels took one of the monikers Bush hung on him, “My Man Mitch,” and used it during two successful campaigns for Indiana governor in 2004 and 2008.

Former President George W. Bush, right, talks with Purdue President Mitch Daniels during a sold-out event at Elliott Hall of Music Tuesday evening. (Photo: Purdue University)

Bush entered the Elliott stage recalling that slogan and proceeded to dominate a fast-paced, and often funny, conversation that covered his time in the White House, his family and a nudge at Daniels about what’s next for him.

Here are a few takeaways.