WICHITA, Kan. (AP) Former president George W. Bush spoke to about 5,000 people at the Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting, giving the chamber its first sold-out crowd.
The Wichita Eagle reports that Bush on Thursday talked about the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the principles that guided his presidency, and some of his policy decisions.
Bush also said he regretted using the phrase “Bring it on,” during early fighting in Iraq. But he defended sending troops to Iraq.
Before the event, about 40 Occupy Wichita participants gathered to protest both Bush and the chamber.
Eight local businesses contributed to cover Bush’s speaker fee, which according to published reports ranges from $100,000 to $150,000. Hawker Beechcraft flew him to Wichita.
Ticket prices for the speech ranged from $25 to $125.
