George W. Bush reaffirmed that there would be a smooth transition of power for President Barack Obama as he takes the presidential position in January in a prepared statement read at the Rose Garden at The White House on November 5, 2008. Bush called Obama's victory "the triumph of the American story." The statement was the first public appearance by Bush in nearly a week, an effort by the Bush administration to "blunt the effect of his low popularity ratings" on Election Day. The Washington Times: Bush: Obama win is King's dream 'fulfilled' (November 5, 2008)