The groundbreaking on the George W. Bush Presidential Center at Southern Methodist University here culminated an elaborately orchestrated return to the public stage for the nation’s 43rd president, who released his memoir, “Decision Points,” last week and gave a flurry of television and print interviews offering his take on his tumultuous eight years in office. "Two years after your tour at the White House ended," Cheney said to Bush, "judgments are a little more measured than they were. “When times have been tough or the critics have been loud, you’ve always said you had faith in history’s judgment, and history is beginning to come around.” 
 
 Mr. Bush responded by hailing his No. As former Vice President Dick Cheney put it, “this may be the only shovel-ready project in America.” 
 
 Mr. Cheney’s attendance was a rare public appearance since his long hospital stay for heart trouble earlier this year. It was also the first time the men appeared together since the release of Bush's new memoir, "Decision Points," in which the former president writes that he considered replacing Cheney as his running mate during the 2004 re-election bid. "Here's what I say: Dick Cheney was the right pick in the year 2000, and as I stand here, there is no doubt in my mind he was the right pick then, he was a great vice president of the United States, and I'm proud to call him friend."
– George W. Bush and Dick Cheney were best buds again today, giving each other high praise as they shared a stage for the first time since their final tense days in office, reports ABC News. The groundbreaking at Bush's presidential library at SMU also marked a rare appearance by Cheney since his heart trouble earlier this year. He appeared "much thinner" and used a cane, and didn't stick around long after the ceremony, reports the New York Times. Cheney on Bush: “Two years after you left office, judgments are a little more measured than they were. When times have been tough or the critics have been loud, you’ve always said you had faith in history’s judgment, and history is beginning to come around.” Bush on Cheney: "As I stand here, there is no doubt in my mind he was the right pick then, he was a great vice president of the United States, and I’m proud to call him friend."