George W. Bush

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Our gains are not measured in the losses of others. They are counted in the conflicts we avert, the prosperity we share and the peace we extend.
Our gains are not measured in the losses of others. They are counted in the conflicts we avert, the prosperity we share and the peace we extend.

George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is the 43rd President of the United States, a son of George H. W. Bush, the husband of Laura Welch Bush, and a grandson of Prescott Bush.

Contents

[edit] Sourced

[edit] 1997

[edit] 1998

  • You don't get everything you want. A dictatorship would be a lot easier.

[edit] 1999

  • Victory means exit strategy, and it's important for the President to explain to us what the exit strategy is.
  • I would define the mission as to restoring Kosovo so the Kosovoians can move back in and at the same time teach Mr. Milosevic that NATO and its allies and the United States will not tolerate genocide.
  • The important question is, how many hands have I shaked?
  • I watched his interview with her, though. He asked her real difficult questions, like 'What would you say to Governor Bush?' 'What was her answer?' I wonder. 'Please,' Bush whimpers, his lips pursed in mock desperation, 'don't kill me.'
    • From: "Devil May Care" by Tucker Carlson, Talk Magazine, September 1999, p. 106 (During the Larry King-Karla Faye Tucker exchange, Tucker never actually asked to be spared)
  • I don't believe witchcraft is a religion and I think the military should be re-examine their standards.
    • ABC morning show on the topic of possibly barring pagans from military service as brought to the floor by then Congressman Barr.
  • My appointees to the [Texas] board of pardons and paroles reflect my no-nonsense approach to crime and punishment. They believe people who commit crimes against innocent Texans should pay the consequences; they believe sentences imposed by juries should be carried out.

[edit] 2000

  • One of the great things about books is, sometimes there are some fantastic pictures.
  • I know how hard it is for you to put food on your family.
  • Will the highways on the Internet become more few?
  • The state can do what they want to do. Don't try to trap me in this state's issue like you're trying to get me into.
  • We ought to make the pie higher.
  • I understand small business growth. I was one.
  • Reading is the basics for all learning.
  • I was raised in the west. The west of Texas. It's pretty close to California. In more ways than Washington, D.C., is close to California.
  • I hope we get to the bottom of the answer. It's what I'm interested to know.
  • It's clearly a budget. It's got a lot of numbers in it.
  • I think we all agree, the past is over.
  • This case has had full analyzation and has been looked at a lot. I understand the emotionality of death penalty cases.
  • I want you to know that farmers are not going to be secondary thoughts to a Bush administration. They will be in the forethought of our thinking.
  • I have a different vision of leadership. A leadership is someone who brings people together.
  • I don't know whether I'm going to win or not. I think I am. I do know I'm ready for the job. And, if not, that's just the way it goes.
  • Well, I think if you say you're going to do something and don't do it, that's trustworthiness.
  • The best way to relieve families from time is to let them keep some of their own money.
  • We can do better in Washington D.C. We can have new leadership in Washington D.C., leadership that will lift this country's spirits and raise our sights. George P. knows what thousands of other youngsters know, that just because the White House has let us down in the past, that doesn't mean it's going to happen in the future. George P. joins us in a campaign that's going to restore honor and dignity to the White House.
  • I know that the human being and the fish can coexist peacefully.
  • I think we ought to raise the age at which juveniles can have a gun.
  • Families is where our nation finds hope, where wings take dream.
  • We need to send a message to terrorists that there is going to be a price to pay. If you mess with the United States and kill our citizens, there will be a serious price to pay. I will decide what that consequence is when I'm the president.
  • I will swear to not, to uphold the laws of the land.
  • They want the federal government controlling Social Security like it's some kind of federal program.
  • I told all four [congressional leaders] that I felt like this election happened for a reason; that it pointed out — the delay in the outcome should make it clear to all of us — that we can come together to heal whatever wounds may exist, whatever residuals there may be. And I really look forward to the opportunity. I hope they've got my sense of optimism about the possible, and enthusiasm about the job. I told all four that there are going to be some times where we don't agree with each other, but that's okay. If this were a dictatorship, it would be a heck of a lot easier... [Bush laughs out loud, audience laughs out loud] ...just so long as I'm the dictator [more laughter].
    • Online NewsHour interview, Washington, DC, (December 18, 2000)' during his first trip to Washington as President-elect. The last sentence is also included in Fahrenheit 9/11.
  • I am mindful of the difference between the executive branch and the legislative branch. I assured all four of these leaders that I know the difference, and that difference is they pass the laws and I execute them.

[edit] 2001

  • I'm going to work with every Cabinet member to set a series of goals for each Cabinet.
  • I want everybody to hear loud and clear that I'm going to be the president of everybody.
  • The thing that's important for me is to remember what's the most important thing.
  • Home is important. It's important to have a home.
  • I think there is some methodology in my travels.
  • I suspect that had my dad not been president, he'd be asking the same questions: How'd your meeting go with so-and-so?... How did you feel when you stood up in front of the people for the State of the Union Address- state of the budget address, whatever you call it.
  • We'll be a great country where the fabrics are made up of groups and loving centers.
  • I've coined new words, like 'misunderstanding' and 'Hispanically'.
    • Radio and Television Correspondents' Dinner (March 29, 2001)
  • First, we would not accept a treaty that would not have been ratified, nor a treaty that I thought made sense for the country.
  • There's no question that the minute I got elected, the storm clouds on the horizon were getting nearly directly overhead.
  • For every fatal shooting, there were roughly three non-fatal shootings. And, folks, this is unacceptable in America...And we're going to do something about it.
  • Anyway, I'm so thankful and so gracious- I'm gracious that my brother Jeb is concerned about the hemisphere as well.
  • As I'm sure you can imagine, it is an unimaginable honor to live here.
  • It's my honor to speak to you as the leader of your country. And the great thing about America is you don't have to listen unless you want to.
  • She was neat.
    • on meeting Queen Elizabeth II, Times of London (July 18, 2001)
  • I know what I believe. I will continue to articulate what I believe and what I believe- I believe what I believe is right.
  • Dealing with Congress is a matter of give and take. The president doesn't get everything he wants, the Congress doesn't get everything they want. But we're finding good common ground. A dictatorship would be a heck of a lot easier, there's no question about it.
  • A great people has been moved to defend a great nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.
    America was targeted for attack because we're the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining.
    Today, our nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature. And we responded with the best of America — with the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could.
  • I can hear you, the rest of the world hears you. And the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon.
  • I'm not going to fire a $2 million missile at a $10 empty tent and hit a camel in the butt.
    • Spoken at a September 13, 2001 meeting with the four senators from New York and Virginia. Reported in "A President Finds His True Voice", Newsweek (September 24, 2001)
  • Nobody can threaten this country. Oh, they may be able to bomb buildings and obviously disrupt lives.
  • Lucky me, I hit the trifecta.
    • Statement to budget director Mitchell Daniels, mid-September; as quoted by him in an address to the OMB Conference Board (October 16, 2001) repeated as a dubious joke through 2002: at Robin Hayes for Congress and Elizabeth Dole for Senate luncheon, Charlotte NC, February 27; [2] at Latham for Congress Luncheon, DesMoines IA, March 1;[3] at Saxby Chambliss for Senate Dinner, Atlanta GA, March 27;[4] at Graham for Senate Luncheon, Greenville SC, March 27;[5] at Cornyn for Senate Luncheon, Dallas TX, March 29;[6] at Fisher for Governor Reception, Philadelphia PA, April 3;[7] at Leaders of the Fiscal Responsibility Coalition, Eisenhower Executive Office Bldg, April 16;[8] at Heather Wilson for Congress Luncheon, Albuquerque NM, April 29;[9] at Simon for Governor Luncheon, Santa Clara CA, May 1;[10] at Taft for Governor Luncheon, Columbus OH, May 10;[11] at 14th Annual World Pork Expo, DesMoines IA, June 7;[12] at 21st Century High Tech Forum, Eisenhower Executive Office Bldg, June 13;[13] at Texans for Rick Perry, Houston TX, June 14.[14]
  • This crusade, this war on terrorism is going to take a while.
  • The English translation is not as eloquent as the original Arabic, but let me quote from the Koran, itself: In the long run, evil in the extreme will be the end of those who do evil. For that they rejected the signs of Allah and held them up to ridicule.
    The face of terror is not the true faith of Islam. That's not what Islam is all about. Islam is peace. These terrorists don't represent peace. They represent evil and war.
  • Our war on terror begins with al Qaeda, but it does not end there. It will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped and defeated.
  • America has no truer friend that Great Britain. Once again, we are joined together in a great cause – so honored the British Prime Minister has crossed an ocean to show his unity of purpose with America. Thank you for coming, friend.
    • Address to a Joint Session of Congress and the American People, September 20, 2001.
  • Americans are asking 'Why do they [terrorists] hate us?' They hate what they see right here in this chamber: a democratically elected government. Their leaders are self-appointed. They hate our freedoms: our freedom of religion, our freedom of speech, our freedom to vote and assemble and disagree with each other.
  • We are fully committed to working with both sides to bring the level of terror down to an acceptable level for both.
  • Well, you know, I think the American people are sacrificing now. I think they're waiting in airport lines longer than they've ever had before.
    • Press conference, in response to reporter asking why he hasn't called for any sacrifices from the American people (in the war on terror), and whether he intends to do so. (October 11, 2001)
  • I was sitting outside the classroom waiting to go in, and I saw an airplane hit the tower — the TV was obviously on. And I used to fly, myself, and I said, well, there's one terrible pilot. I said, it must have been a horrible accident.
  • I couldn't imagine somebody like Osama bin Laden understanding the joy of Hannukah.
  • "We're going to get [Bin Laden] Dead or alive, it doesn't matter to me." 12/14/2001 [18] Bush's words elsewhere was that he is "determined" to capture Bin Laden dead or alive, and is confident about succeeding [19]

[edit] 2002

  • I want to thank you for taking time out of your day to come and witness my hanging.
    • at the dedication of his gubernatorial portrait in Austin, Texas (January 4, 2002)
  • Not over my dead body will they raise your taxes.
  • I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them.
  • I've been to war. I've raised twins. If I had a choice, I'd rather go to war.
  • States like these, and their terrorist allies, constitute an axis of evil, arming to threaten the peace of the world. By seeking weapons of mass destruction, these regimes pose a grave and growing danger. They could provide these arms to terrorists, giving them the means to match their hatred. They could attack our allies or attempt to blackmail the United States. In any of these cases, the price of indifference would be catastrophic.
    • Bush referring to Iraq, Iran, and North Korea as an "Axis of Evil" in his State of the Union Address (January 29, 2002)
  • We've tripled the amount of money- I believe it's from $50 million up to $195 million available.
  • Sometimes when I sleep at night I think of [Dr. Seuss's] Hop on Pop.
  • And so, in my State of the- my State of the Union- or state- my speech to the nation, whatever you want to call it, speech to the nation- I asked Americans to give 4,000 years- 4,000 hours over the next- the rest of your life- of service to America. That's what I asked- 4,000 hours.
  • This foreign policy stuff is a little frustrating.
  • Given the goals of rogue states and terrorists, the United States can no longer solely rely on a reactive posture as we have in the past. The inability to deter a potential attacker, the immediacy of today’s threats, and the magnitude of potential harm that could be caused by our adversaries’ choice of weapons, do not permit that option.We cannot let our enemies strike first.
  • Sometimes things aren't exactly black and white when it comes to accounting procedures.
  • I hope the message that we fight not a religion, but a group of fanatics which have hijacked a religion is getting through. I understand the propaganda machines are cranked up in the international community that paints our country in a bad light. We'll do everything we can to remind people that we've never been a nation of conquerors; we're a nation of liberators. And I would ask the skeptics to look at Afghanistan, where not only this country rout the Taliban, which was one of the most barbaric regimes in the history of mankind, but thanks to our strength and our compassion, many young girls now go to school for the first time.
  • There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again.
  • "..Terror is bigger than one person..So I don't know where [Bin Laden] is..You know, I just don't spend that much time on him, Kelly, to be honest with you. ...I'll repeat what I said. I truly am not that concerned about him."
  • There's no bigger task than protecting the homeland of our country.
  • I had a cordial meeting at the meeting last night. We greeted each other cordially.
    • after meeting with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder (November 21, 2002)

[edit] 2003

  • The war on terror involves Saddam Hussein because of the nature of Saddam Hussein, the history of Saddam Hussein, and his willingness to terrorize himself.
  • I'm an optimist because I believe that I'm right. I'm a person at peace with myself. It was our turn to face a serious threat to peace.
    • Conversation with Spanish Prime Minister José María Aznar, Crawford, Texas, February 22, 2003 [21]
  • You're free. And freedom is beautiful. And, you know, it will take time to restore chaos from order- order out of chaos. But we will.
  • We found the weapons of mass destruction. We found biological laboratories. You remember when Colin Powell stood up in front of the world, and he said, Iraq has got laboratories, mobile labs to build biological weapons. They're illegal. They're against the United Nations resolutions, and we've so far discovered two. And we'll find more weapons as time goes on. But for those who say we haven't found the banned manufacturing devices or banned weapons, they're wrong, we found them. -George W. Bush, May 29, 2003 [22]
  • In any conflict, your fate will depend on your action. Do not destroy oil wells, a source of wealth that belongs to the Iraqi people. Do not obey any command to use weapons of mass destruction against anyone, including the Iraqi people. War crimes will be prosecuted. War criminals will be punished. And it will be no defense to say, "I was just following orders."
    • speaking directly to the Iraqi people during a national address, 2003-03-17 [23]
  • Every Iraqi atrocity has confirmed the justice and the urgency of our cause. (Applause.) Against this enemy we will accept no outcome except complete victory.
  • I said you were a man of peace. I want you to know I took immense crap for that.
  • I think war is a dangerous place.
  • The United States is committed to the worldwide elimination of torture and we are leading this fight by example.
  • I'm the master of low expectations... I'm also not very analytical. You know I don't spend a lot of time thinking about myself, about why I do things.
  • If it feels good do it. If you've got a problem blame somebody else.
  • There are some that feel like if they attack us that we may decide to leave prematurely. They don't understand what they are talking about if that is the case. Let me finish. There are some who feel like the conditions are such that they can attack us there. My answer is, bring 'em on. [28], [29]
  • The best way to get the news is from objective sources, and the most objective sources I have are people on my staff who tell me what's happening in the world.
    • FOX interview w/ Brit Hume, 2003 Sep 23 — cf. the chestnut that those with the king's ear have the power
  • I don't know of anybody in my administration who leaked classified information. If somebody did leak classified information, I'd like to know it.
  • See, free nations are peaceful nations. Free nations don't attack each other. Free nations don't develop weapons of mass destruction.
  • We're fighting on many fronts, and Iraq is now the central front. Saddam holdouts and foreign terrorists are trying desperately to undermine Iraq's progress and to throw that country into chaos. The terrorists in Iraq believe their attacks on innocent people will weaken our resolve. That's what they believe. They believe that America will run from a challenge. They're mistaken. Americans are not the running kind.
  • Saddam's rape rooms and torture chambers and children's prisons are closed forever. His mass graves will claim no victims.
  • I love freedom of speech.
    • Said in reference to a protest by Greens member Bob Brown during his address to the Australian Parliament as Brown was ordered to leave the parliament. October 23, 2003 [33]
  • The enemy in Iraq believes America will run, that's why they're willing to kill innocent civilians, relief workers, coalition troops. America will never run. America will do what is necessary to make our country more secure.
  • My Geordie is probably just about as bad as my English.
  • So what's the difference?
    • 2003 Dec 16, to Diane Sawyer, as she presses about the administration's verbiage about Iraqi WMD vs. the fact none were used or found [37][38]

[edit] 2004

  • So, thank you for reminding me about the importance of being a good mom and a great volunteer as well.
  • A submarine could take this place out.
    • While surveying the Arkansas River by the Clinton Presidential Center, quoted by the Guardian, Little Rock, Arkansas, November 18, 2004.
  • Returning to the moon is an important step for our space program. Establishing an extended human presence on the moon could vastly reduce the costs of further space exploration, making possible ever more ambitious missions. Lifting heavy spacecraft and fuel out of the Earth's gravity is expensive. Spacecraft assembled and provisioned on the moon could escape its far lower gravity using far less energy, and thus, far less cost. Also, the moon is home to abundant resources. Its soil contains raw materials that might be harvested and processed into rocket fuel or breathable air. We can use our time on the moon to develop and test new approaches and technologies and systems that will allow us to function in other, more challenging environments. The moon is a logical step toward further progress and achievement.
  • No President has ever done more for human rights than I have.
  • This is my chance to help this lady put some money in her pocket. Let me explain how the economy works. When you spend money to buy food it helps this lady's business. It makes it more likely somebody is going to find work. So instead of asking questions, answer mine: are you going to buy some food?
    • Remarks by the President to the Press Pool, Nothin' Fancy Cafe, Roswell, New Mexico — Whitehouse Transcript[39], Office of the Press Secretary, January 22, 2004.
  • Just remember, it's the birds that's supposed to suffer, not the hunter.
  • Then you wake up at the high school level and find out that the illiteracy level of our children are appalling.
  • Right here in the Oval Office I sat down with Mr. Pachachi and Chalabi and al-Hakim, people from different parts of the country that have made the firm commitment, that they want a constitution eventually written that recognizes minority rights and freedom of religion.
  • I'm a war president. I make decisions here in the Oval Office in foreign policy matters with war on my mind.
  • There is no such thing necessarily in a dictatorial regime of iron-clad absolutely solid evidence. The evidence I had was the best possible evidence that he had a weapon.
  • America's economy is strong and getting stronger.
  • I fully understand it takes time for free societies, truly free societies to evolve. I don't expect instant success.
  • They could still be hidden, like the fifty tons of mustard gas in a turkey farm.
    • Washington, D.C., about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq (April 13, 2004)
  • Secondly, there are such things as roving wiretaps. Now, by the way, any time you hear the United States government talking about wiretap, it requires — a wiretap requires a court order. Nothing has changed, by the way. When we're talking about chasing down terrorists, we're talking about getting a court order before we do so. It's important for our fellow citizens to understand, when you think Patriot Act, constitutional guarantees are in place when it comes to doing what is necessary to protect our homeland, because we value the Constitution.
  • He married a Texas girl, I want you to know. Karyn is with us. A West Texas girl, just like me.
    • to Bill Frist, Nashville, Tennessee (May 27, 2004)
  • My meetings with [Ahmed Chalabi] were very brief. I mean, I think I met with him at the State of the Union and just kind of working through the rope line, and he might have come with a group of leaders. But I haven't had any extensive conversations with him.
  • Today I'm going to give you some reasons for you to put me back in office, but perhaps the most important reason of all is so that Laura will be the First Lady for four more years.
  • Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we.
  • Tribal sovereignty means that; it's sovereign. I mean, you're a — you've been given sovereignty, and you're viewed as a sovereign entity. And therefore the relationship between the federal government and tribes is one between sovereign entities.
    • When asked what sovereignty would mean for Native Americans in the 21st century
    • August 6, 2004 [46]
  • That's why I cut the taxes on everybody. I didn't cut them. The Congress cut them. I asked them to cut them.
    • Unity Journalists of Color Convention, Washington, D.C. (August 6, 2004)
  • This young century will be liberty's century. By promoting liberty abroad, we will build a safer world. By encouraging liberty at home, we will build a more hopeful America. Like generations before us, we have a calling from beyond the stars to stand for freedom. This is the everlasting dream of America.
  • I hope you leave here and walk out and say, 'What did he say?'
  • I don't think you can win it. But I think you can create conditions so that those who use terror as a tool are less acceptable in parts of the world.
    • In response to the question of whether we can win the war on terror (August 30, 2004) [47]
  • In this different kind of war, we may never sit down at a peace table. But make no mistake about it, we are winning, and we will win.
    • Speech at the national convention of the American Legion, in Nashville, Tennessee (August 31, 2004) [48]
  • I think it's very important for the American president to mean what he says. That's why I understand that the enemy could misread what I say. That's why I try to be as clearly as I can.
  • I believe it is the job of a President to confront problems, not pass them on to future Presidents and future generations.
  • I hear there's rumors on the internets [pause] that we're going to have a draft. We're not going to have a draft, period.
  • I wasn't happy when we found out there wasn't weapons [of mass destruction in Iraq]
  • Our health care system is the envy of the world.
  • I just don't think I ever said I'm not worried about Osama bin Laden. It's kind of one of those exaggerations.
  • In all due respect, I'm not so sure it's credible to quote leading news organizations about — oh, never mind.
  • I made it very plain: We will not have an all-volunteer army. [Crowd boos] Let me restate that. We will not have a draft. [Crowd Cheers]
  • September the 4th, 2001, I stood in the ruins of the Twin Towers. It's a day I will never forget.
  • A political candidate who jumps to conclusions without knowing the facts is not a person you want as your commander in chief.
  • Now that I've got the will of the people at my back, I'm going to start enforcing the one-question rule. That was three questions.
  • Again, he violated the one-question rule right off the bat. Obviously, you didn't listen to the will of the people.
  • America would do it again for our friends.
    • at July 6th 2004, Normandy, France [57]
  • I have earned capitol, and I intend to spend it.

[edit] 2005

  • Because the — all which is on the table begins to address the big cost drivers. For example, how benefits are calculate, for example, is on the table; whether or not benefits rise based upon wage increases or price increases. There's a series of parts of the formula that are being considered. And when you couple that, those different cost drivers, affecting those — changing those with personal accounts, the idea is to get what has been promised more likely to be — or closer delivered to what has been promised. Does that make any sense to you? It's kind of muddled. Look, there's a series of things that cause the — like, for example, benefits are calculated based upon the increase of wages, as opposed to the increase of prices. Some have suggested that we calculate — the benefits will rise based upon inflation, as opposed to wage increases. There is a reform that would help solve the red if that were put into effect. In other words, how fast benefits grow, how fast the promised benefits grow, if those — if that growth is affected, it will help on the red. (4 February 2005)[58]
  • I think people attack me because they are fearful that I will then say that you're not equally as patriotic if you're not a religious person. ... I've never said that. I've never acted like that. I think that's just the way it is. (Washington Times, 12 January 2005)
  • Who could have possibly envisioned an erection- an election in Iraq at this point in history?
  • Asked why his administration had been unable to locate and arrest Osama Bin Laden: Because he's hiding. (16 January 2005) [60]
  • After all, Europe is America's closest ally.
  • And there is a new history now that has been done, and that history needs to be included in the process.
  • This notion that the United States is getting ready to attack Iran is simply ridiculous. (Short pause) And having said that, all options are on the table. (Laughter) (25 February 2005) [62]
  • "Hello, what's your name?"
    "My name is Mr. Fischer, what's your name?"
    "Bush. I'm Mr. Bush."
    • Dialogue with German foreign minister and Vice Chancellor Joschka Fischer during his visit in Germany, 24. February 2005 [63]
  • Well, we've made the decision to defeat the terrorists abroad so we don't have to face them here at home.
  • I can only speak to myself.
  • I made it very clear to the Congress that the use of federal money, taxpayers' money to promote science which destroys life in order to save life is — I'm against that. And therefore, if the bill does that, I will veto it. (emphasis added) AP, 21 May 2005
  • See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in, to kind of catapult the propaganda. — May 24, 2005 [65]
  • I was going to say he's a piece of work, but that might not translate too well. Is that all right, if I call you a 'piece of work'?
    • to Jean-Claude Juncker, the Prime Minister of Luxembourg (June 20, 2005)
  • On United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, the United States reaffirms its commitment to the worldwide elimination of torture. Freedom from torture is an inalienable human right, and we are committed to building a world where human rights are respected and protected by the rule of law…Throughout the world, there are many who have been seeking to have their voices heard, to stand up for their right to freedom, and to break the chains of tyranny. Too many of those courageous women and men are paying a terrible price for their brave acts of dissent. Many have been detained, arrested, thrown in prison, and subjected to torture by regimes that fail to understand that their habits of control will not serve them well in the long-term. — June 26 [66]
  • I don't think anybody anticipated the breach of the levees. They did anticipate a serious storm. But these levees got breached. And as a result, much of New Orleans is flooded. And now we are having to deal with it and will. — September 1, 2005. [67]
  • My thoughts are, we're going to get somebody who knows what they're talking about when it comes to rebuilding cities.
  • What I intend to do is lead an investigation to find out what went right and what went wrong.... I think one of the things that people want us to do here is to play a blame game. We've got to solve problems. We're problem-solvers. There will be ample time for people to figure out what went right and what went wrong. What I'm interested in is helping save lives. That's what I want to do.
    • Answering a question regarding Katrina aftermath and what went wrong with government response — September 6, 2005. [68]
  • I understand not everybody agrees with the decisions I've made, but that's not unique to Central or South America. Truth of the matter is, there's people who disagree with the decisions I've made all over the world. But that's what happens when you make decisions.
  • Wow! Brazil is big!
    • upon seeing a map of Brazil at a meeting with Brazilian President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (November 6, 2005)
  • As Iraqi forces gain experience and the political process advances, we will be able to decrease our troop level in Iraq without losing our capability to defeat the terrorists. These decisions about troop levels will be driven by the conditions on the ground in Iraq and the good judgment of our commanders, not by artificial timetables set by politicians in Washington.
  • There was no evidence that Saddam Hussein was involved with the attack of 9/11, I’ve never said that and never made that case prior to going into Iraq.[73]
  • I think we are welcomed. But it was not a peaceful welcome.

[edit] 2006

  • "As you can possibly see, I have an injury myself — not here at the hospital, but in combat with a cedar. I eventually won. The cedar gave me a little scratch. As a matter of fact, the Colonel asked if I needed first aid when she first saw me. I was able to avoid any major surgical operations here, but thanks for your compassion, Colonel."
    • After visiting with wounded (amputee) veterans from the Amputee Care Center of Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas, Jan. 1, 2006
  • There is an enemy out there. They read newspapers.
  • One of the hardest parts of my job is to connect Iraq with the war on terror.
    • September 7, 2006 interview with Katie Couric [YouTube]
  • I like my buddies from West Texas. I liked them when I was young, I liked them when I was middle-age, I liked them before I was president, and I like them during president, and I like them after president.
  • I want to share some thoughts with you before I answer your questions [...] First of all, I expect this conversation we're about to have to stay in the room. I know that's impossible in Washington.
  • Pakistan "will be a steadfast partner…. A force for freedom and moderation in the Arab world."
  • I say I listen to all voices, but mine’s the final decision. And Don Rumsfeld is doing a fine job. He’s not only transforming the military, he’s fighting a war on terror. He’s helping us fight a war on terror. I have strong confidence in Don Rumsfeld. I hear the voices, and I read the front page, and I know the speculation. But I’m the decider, and I decide what is best. And what’s best is for Don Rumsfeld to remain as the Secretary of Defense.
  • I aim to be a competitive nation.
  • I would say the best moment of all was when I caught a 7.5 pound perch in my lake.
    • Revealing his "best moment since he took office in 2001" to a German newspaper reporter, Bild am Sonntag. [74]
    • (Note: the largest recorded perch in the U.S. is still under 5 pounds.)
  • You never know what your history is going to be like until long after you're gone.
  • I would say the best moment of all was when I caught a 7.5 pound largemouth bass in my lake.
    • in German newspaper Bild am Sonntag, about the best moment of his presidency (May 7, 2006)
  • Eventually, these people will have trials and they will have counsel and they will be represented in a court of law.
  • I think- tide turning- see, as I remember- I was raised in the desert, but tides kind of- it's easy to see a tide turn- did I say those words?
  • I traveled to Baghdad to personally show our nation's commitment to a free Iraq, because it is vital for the Iraqi people to know with certainty that America will not abandon them after we have come this far. The challenges that remain in Iraq are serious. We face determined enemies who remain intent on killing the innocent, and defeating these enemies will require more sacrifice and the continued patience of our country. But our efforts in Iraq are well worth it, the mission is necessary for the security of our country, and we will succeed.
  • Germany is whole again.
    • during visit in Stralsund, Germany, July 13th, 2006, televised by German TV-stations
  • You know, one of the hardest parts of my job is to connect Iraq to the war on terror.
  • In the long term, we’ve got to defeat an ideology of hate with an ideology of hope. There’s a reason why people like (al-Qaida leader Osama) bin Laden are able to recruit suiciders, because if you don’t have hope, you’re attracted to an ideology which says, it’s OK to kill people and kill yourself.
  • The Terrorists brought us to our knees, but not in the way they intended to. They brought us to our knees and united us all in prayer.

(September 11, 2006)

  • If there’s any comparison between the compassion and decency of the American people and the terrorist tactics of extremists, it’s flawed logic. It’s just — I simply can’t accept that. It’s unacceptable to think that there’s any kind of comparison between the behavior of the United States of America and the action of Islamic extremists who kill innocent women and children to achieve an objective.
  • I know the American people understand the stakes in Iraq. They want to win. They will support the war as long as they see a path to victory. Americans can have confidence that we will prevail because thousands of smart, dedicated military and civilian personnel are risking their lives and are working around the clock to ensure our success.
  • I know many Americans are not satisfied with the situation in Iraq. I'm not satisfied, either. And that is why we're taking new steps to help secure Baghdad, and constantly adjusting our tactics across the country to meet the changing threat. But we cannot allow our dissatisfaction to turn into disillusionment about our purpose in this war. We must not look at every success of the enemy as a mistake on our part, cause for an investigation, or a reason to call for our troops to come home. We must not fall prey to the sophisticated propaganda by the enemy, who is trying to undermine our confidence and make us believe that our presence in Iraq is the cause of all its problems
  • If I did not think our mission in Iraq was vital to America's security, I'd bring our troops home tomorrow. I met too many wives and husbands who have lost their partners in life, too many children who won't ever see their mom and dad again. I owe it to them and to the families who still have loved ones in harm's way to ensure that their sacrifices are not in vain.
  • You know, when I campaigned here in 2000, I said, I want to be a war President. No President wants to be a war President, but I am one.
  • So if you happen to bump into a Democrat candidate, you might want to ask this simple question: What's your plan? If they say they want to protect the homeland, but oppose the Patriot Act, ask them this question: What's your plan? If they say they want to uncover terrorist plots, but oppose listening in on terrorist conversations, ask them this question: What's your plan? If they say they want to stop new attacks on our country, but oppose letting the CIA detain and question the terrorists who might know what those plots are, ask them this question: What's your plan? If they say they want to win the war on terror, but call for America to pull out from what al Qaeda says is the central front in this war, ask them this question: What's your plan?...The truth is, the Democrats can't answer that question. Harsh criticism is not a plan for victory. Second-guessing is not a strategy.
  • ...Hunt asked me the question one week before the campaign, and basically it was, are you going to do something about Rumsfeld and the Vice President? And my answer was, they're going to stay on. And the reason why is I didn't want to inject a major decision about this war in the final days of a campaign. And so the only way to answer that question and to get you on to another question was to give you that answer.
    • The President's reasoning for telling reporters in the Oval Office that the current Defense Secretary, Donald H. Rumsfeld, would be staying on, although Bush had already selected potential replacements. Given at a news conference (November 8, 2006)
  • Make no mistake about it, I understand how tough it is, sir. I talk to families who die.
    • on facing the challenges of war, Washington, D.C. (December 7, 2006)
  • Because of your work, children who once wanted to die are now preparing to live.
  • You know, I think an interesting construct that General [Peter] Pace uses is, "We're not winning, we're not losing."
  • ...I believe that we're going to win; I believe that -- and by the way, if I didn't think that, I wouldn't have our troops there. That's what you got to know. We're going to succeed.
    • In response to a question concerning Bush stating two months prior "Absolutely we're winning" in Iraq and then saying in the Washington Post "We're not winning, we're not losing." Press Conference from the White House Indian Treaty Room (December 20, 2006)
  • ...The battle against the Sunnis - Sunni extremists - some of them Saddamists, some of there are al Qaeda, but all of them aiming to try to drive the United States out of Iraq before the job is done.
    • Press conference