Washington, Dec 15 : George W Bush, who advocated war throughout his presidential rein, has started showing his sensitive side at the fag end of his term at the White House and has started speaking about "love".

It seems that for President Bush love is in the air, the Washington Post reported.

Standing on Friday before a welcoming crowd at Texas A&M University, he talked about the "unconditional love" he received from his father, the "gift of love" given by a couple who care for foster children, and his eagerness to return to the "place I love" once he leaves office.

The US President who once dared militants to "bring `em on" is getting a bit misty in his final weeks, taking frequent opportunities to explore his sensitive side while discussing his legacy -- from the importance of his Christian faith to his conviction that, sometimes, all we need is love, The Post reported.

In his weekly radio address on Saturday, Bush referred to the "loving influence of God" and called on those battling addiction "to seek treatment, because your life is precious to the people who love you."

In defending federal anti-drug programs recently, Bush said: "Government must not fear places of love."

In a television interview, he pondered God's love and how he seeks to show "appreciation for that love." At a meeting with children of prisoners this month, he extolled the virtues of loving those who are less fortunate.

"Oh, it takes some time, it takes a little bit of extra love, but by helping a child, you can really help the country," he said in North Carolina.

Such touchy-feely rhetoric is not entirely foreign for Bush, who first ran for the presidency as a `"compassionate conservative" and spoke frequently about his religious faith and the need to "love a neighbor" in his 2000 campaign.

But during eight years that have included war, partisan battles and an economic catastrophe, Bush's kinder and gentler side has not often been on such full display.

The wave of presidential emoting comes as part of an effort by Bush and his aides to highlight the positive side of his legacy as he nears his final month in office, while also bidding farewell to world leaders and longtime colleagues. (ANI)