WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- President Bush Monday said he was disappointed his choice to head the DHS did not work out but added he felt confident of the vetting process.
"I was disappointed that the nomination of Bernard Kerik did not go forward, (but) in retrospect, he made the right decision to pull his name down," Bush said in a surprise news conference Monday. "And he made that decision."
Kerik pulled his name out of the running for director of the Department of Homeland Security after questions emerged during his background check about business dealings, among other issues. Kerik said he was withdrawing from consideration for the post because he realized he failed to pay taxes on a domestic worker.
Despite the problems that emerged during the vetting process, Bush said he felt confident about the process.
"We vetted people in the first term. We're vetting people in the second term. And I've got great confidence in our vetting process," Bush said.
