George Bush released from hospital Calling it a "wonderful day" for the ex-president, the spokesman said Mr Bush had understood the need to be in hospital but was delighted to be out. He's not a man whose known to enjoy to sit still for too long, and as along as he didn't need to be in the hospital he wanted to get out. He's a very happy former president today," Mr McGrath added. No more tests were scheduled but the spokesman said they would "take these things one day at a time." Doctors had hoped to have the elder statesman home for Christmas, but he was instead forced to spend the holiday season in the hospital, where he was joined by his wife Barbara, son Neil and grandson Pierce. Mr Bush, a Republican, served only one term in the White House, from 1989 to 1993, despite sending US troops to victory in the first Gulf War in which an American-led coalition expelled Saddam Hussein's invading forces from Kuwait.