Credit goes to Obama and Bush on bin Laden mission

When President George W. Bush left office in January 2009, he knew he was leaving behind what he would describe later as "unfinished business": tracking down Osama bin Laden.

"I wanted badly to bring bin Laden to justice," Bush wrote in his autobiography, "Decision Points." "The fact that we did not ranks among my great regrets."

Although that mission was accomplished by Bush's successor, the former president and members of his administration basked in salutes of shared triumph this week.

Bush said in a statement issued late Sunday that President Obama had called to tell him of bin Laden's death.

"I congratulated him and the men and women of our military and intelligence communities who devoted their lives to this mission," Bush said. "They have our everlasting gratitude."

Said former Vice President Dick Cheney: "President Obama and his national-security team acted on the intelligence when it came in and they deserve a lot of credit, too."

Former Bush adviser Karen Hughes also joined in the chorus Monday, calling bin Laden's death "a victory for justice and peace."

On Sunday, Bush said, "This momentous achievement marks a victory for America, for people who seek peace around the world, and for all those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001. The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America has sent an unmistakable message: No matter how long it takes, justice will be done."

About a dozen supporters gathered near the former president's high-security Dallas home until a thunderstorm started about midnight. A handful of red, white and blue balloons remained outside the gate on the street leading to his home Monday morning, and several U.S. flags were planted in the flower beds.

A sign on the gate read in small letters, "President Obama forgot to say,... " then continued in letters big enough to be read from the road, "Thank you President Bush." A sign left on the rain-soaked road read: "Winning! Obama 1, Bush 0."

Hughes said it wasn't about one administration versus another.

"I think it took the combined efforts of two administrations," she said. "Both administrations deserve credit. I think both presidents deserve credit, and most of the credit should go to the military and intelligence."

Former Bush White House chief of staff Andy Card also said he credits the resolve of both presidents, Bush for putting bin Laden "on track to be brought to justice," and Obama for approving the operation that resulted in the terrorist's death.