In an interview with Doro Bush Koch, part of which aired on National Public Radio, said he is proud he "did not sell his soul in order to accommodate the political process," The Hill reported. The Republican president said he "came to Washington with a set of values, and I'm leaving with the same set of values."

Bush, who oversaw wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, also he would like to be remembered as someone who "liberated 50 million people and helped achieve peace."

His efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, provide prescription drugs for seniors and passage of the No Child Left Behind Act were other areas he expressed pride.

While Bush said the president must be cautious about "faith in the public arena," he said he reads the Bible every day and feels people's prayers have an impact on him. However, he said "politicians should not be judgmental people based upon their faith."

The interview with Koch was recorded for the oral-history organization StoryCorps for the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress, ABC News reported.

"I surrounded myself with good people," Bush said. "I carefully considered the advice of smart, capable people and made tough decisions."