George W. Bush seeks 'anonymity'

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- Former U.S. President George W. Bush says he has no plans to stump for votes or campaign funds for Republican candidates.

Bush told C-Span he would like to "regain anonymity," Politico reported Friday. The interview is to be aired this weekend.

Bush has granted few interviews since he left office two years ago, although he has been somewhat more forthcoming since the publication of his memoir, "Decision Points."

"I don't want to be on these talk shows giving my opinion, second-guessing the current president," he said. "I think it's bad for the country, frankly, to have a former president criticize his successor. It's tough enough to be president as it is without a former president undermining the current president."

Bush's predecessor has been an active campaigner and fundraiser for Democratic candidates. But Bill Clinton, who has become friends with former President George H.W. Bush, the man he defeated in 1992, has avoided harsh criticism of the younger Bush and even appeared with him at one event in Canada.

George W. Bush has made some speeches for large fees, generally with little publicity.