Bush thinks Palin unqualified, friends say

DALLAS, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- George W. Bush has avoided politics since leaving the Oval Office, but he privately scorns Sarah Palin and is critical of Barack Obama, friends say.

The former president has told friends Palin is unqualified for his old office and Sen. John McCain never should have put her on the ticket, the New York Daily News reported Friday.

"Naming Palin makes Bush think less of McCain as a man," a Republican with knowledge of his thinking told the Daily News. "He thinks McCain ran a lousy campaign with an unqualified running mate and destroyed any chance of winning by picking Palin."

Preparing for the Tuesday launch of his memoir, "Decision Points," Bush has made a point of giving Obama a public pass but thinks he has failed as president, friends said.

"He's got a great life and he knows it," an old friend told the News. "He's so relieved to be out of Washington; you have no idea."