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George W. Bush Quotes
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George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States from 2001 to 2009. He was also the 46th Governor of Texas from 1995 to 2000. After graduating from Yale University in 1968 and Harvard Business School in 1975, he worked in the oil industry. Bush married Laura Welch in 1977 and ran unsuccessfully for the House of Representatives shortly thereafter. He later co-owned the Texas Rangers baseball team before defeating Ann Richards in the 1994 Texas gubernatorial election. Bush was elected president in 2000 after a close and controversial win over Democratic rival Al Gore, becoming the fourth president to be elected while receiving fewer popular votes than his opponent.

From a prominent political family, he is the eldest son of Barbara and George H. W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States, making him only the second president to assume the nation's highest office after his father, following the lead of John Quincy Adams. His brother, Jeb Bush, a former Governor of Florida, was a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination in the 2016 presidential election. His paternal grandfather, Prescott Bush, was a United States Senator from Connecticut.

The September 11 terrorist attacks occurred eight months into Bush's first term as president. Bush responded with what became known as the Bush Doctrine: launching a "War on Terror", an international military campaign that included the war in Afghanistan in 2001 and the Iraq War in 2003. He also promoted policies on the economy, health care, education, Social Security reform, and amending the Constitution to prohibit same-sex marriage. He signed into law broad tax cuts, the Patriot Act, the No Child Left Behind Act, the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, Medicare prescription drug benefits for seniors, and funding for the AIDS relief program known as PEPFAR. His tenure included national debates on immigration, Social Security, electronic surveillance, and torture.

In the 2004 Presidential race, Bush defeated Democratic Senator John Kerry in another relatively close election. After his re-election, Bush received increasingly heated criticism from across the political spectrum for his handling of the Iraq War, Hurricane Katrina, and other challenges. Amid this criticism, the Democratic Party regained control of Congress in the 2006 elections. In December 2007, the United States entered its longest post-World War II recession, often referred to as the "Great Recession", prompting the Bush administration to obtain congressional passage of multiple economic programs intended to preserve the country's financial system. Nationally, Bush was both one of the most popular and unpopular presidents in history, having received the highest recorded presidential approval ratings in the wake of the September 11 attacks, as well as one of the lowest approval ratings during the 2008 financial crisis.

Bush left office in 2009, returning to Texas where he purchased a home in Dallas. In 2010, he published his memoir, Decision Points. His presidential library was opened in 2013. His presidency has been ranked among the worst in historians' polls published in the late 2000s and 2010s.

✵ 6. July 1946  •  Other names George Walker Bush, Джордж Буш
George W. Bush photo
George W. Bush: 675 quotes11 likes

George W. Bush Quotes

“United States can't impose peace. We can encourage the development of a state…. We can facilitate that. But we can't force people to make hard decisions. They're gonna have to do that themselves…. Gotta ask yourselves, why don't they want there to be a democracy. The answer is, because it doesn't fit in with their ideological vision.”

George W. Bush

Oct. 17, 2007 press conference, talking about the Palestinians (not the Iraqis)
2000s, 2007

“My fellow citizens, the dangers to our country and the world will be overcome. We will pass through this time of peril and carry on the work of peace. We will defend our freedom. We will bring freedom to others and we will prevail.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2003, Invasion of Iraq (March 2003)

“Deep in my heart I know [Osama bin Laden] is on the run, if he's alive at all. Who knows if he's hiding in some cave or not; we haven't heard from him in a long time. And the idea of focusing on one person is -- really indicates to me people don't understand the scope of the mission. Terror is bigger than one person. And he's just -- he's a person who's now been marginalized. … as I say, we haven't heard much from him. And I wouldn't necessarily say he's at the center of any command structure. And, again, I don't know where he is. I -- I'll repeat what I said. I truly am not that concerned about him. I know he is on the run.”

George W. Bush

March 13, 2002 Press Conference at The James S. Brady Briefing Room http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2002/03/20020313-8.html <br class="br">2000s, 2002

“The United States and Great Britain share a mission in the world beyond the balance of power or the simple pursuit of interest. We seek the advance of freedom and the peace that freedom brings.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2003, Remarks on U.S.-British relations and foreign policy (November 2003)

“In a time of testing, we cannot find security by abandoning our commitments and retreating within our borders. If we were to leave these vicious attackers alone, they would not leave us alone. They would simply move the battlefield to our own shores. There is no peace in retreat. And there is no honor in retreat.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2006, State of the Union (January 2006)

“The United States of America is a friend to the Afghan people, and we are the friends of almost a billion worldwide who practice the Islamic faith. The United States of America is an enemy of those who aid terrorists and of the barbaric criminals who profane a great religion by committing murder in its name. This military action is a part of our campaign against terrorism, another front in a war that has already been joined through diplomacy, intelligence, the freezing of financial assets and the arrests of known terrorists by law enforcement agents in 38 countries.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2001, Invasion of Afghanistan (October 2001)

“Any suggestion that a segregated past was acceptable or positive is offensive and it is wrong. Recent comments by Senator Lott do not reflect the spirit of our country. He has apologized and rightly so. Every day our nation was segregated was a day that America was unfaithful to our founding ideals, and the founding ideals of our nation, and in fact the founding ideals of the political party I represent, was and remains today the equal dignity and equal rights of every American.”

George W. Bush

Regarding comments made by Trent Lott (12 December 2002), as quoted in &quot;Lott&#x27;s Remarks on Segregation &#x27;Wrong and Offensive&#x27;&quot; https://web.archive.org/web/20150921020713/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/lott-remarks-on-segregation-wrong-and-offensive-1.1107399 (13 December 2002), The Irish Times <br class="br">2000s, 2002

“You have lifted a shadow of fear for many families. God bless you and may God bless the victims.”

George W. Bush

Air Force One phone call https://web.archive.org/save/http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2002-10-25/article/15626?headline=Bush-praises-law-community-for-capturing-sniper-suspects--By-Ron-Fournier- to Charles A. Moose (24 October 2002), as quoted in &quot;Bush Praises Law Community For Capturing Sniper Suspects&quot; (25 October 2002), by Ron Fournier, Berkeley Daily Planet. <br class="br">2000s, 2002

“Recently a courageous group of Arab and Muslim intellectuals wrote me a letter. In it, they said this: "The shore of reform is the only one on which any lights appear, even though the journey demands courage and patience and perseverance." The United Nations was created to make that journey possible. Together we must support the dreams of good and decent people who are working to transform a troubled region -- and by doing so, we will advance the high ideals on which this institution was founded.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2006, United Nations General Assembly speech (September 2006)

“To leave behind Earth and air and gravity is an ancient dream of humanity. For these seven, it was a dream fulfilled. Each of these astronauts had the daring and discipline required of their calling. Each of them knew that great endeavors are inseparable from great risks. And each of them accepted those risks willingly, even joyfully, in the cause of discovery.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2003, Columbia space shuttle disaster (February 2003)

“I'm pleased that you all are here to witness the signature of the Secure Fence Act of 2006. This bill will help protect the American people. This bill will make our borders more secure. It is an important step toward immigration reform.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2004, Signing of Secure Fence Act of 2006

“In citizens like these, we see the best of our country – resilient and hopeful, caring and strong. These virtues give me an unshakable faith in America. We have faced danger and trial, and there is more ahead. But with the courage of our people and confidence in our ideals, this great Nation will never tire … never falter … and never fail.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2009, Farewell speech to the nation (January 2009)

“Our war on terror is well begun, but it is only begun. This campaign may not be finished on our watch — yet it must be and it will be waged on our watch.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2002, State of the Union address (January 2002)

“When people live in freedom, they do not willingly choose leaders who pursue campaigns of terror. When people have hope in the future, they will not cede their lives to violence and extremism. So around the world, America is promoting human liberty, human rights, and human dignity. We are standing with dissidents and young democracies, providing AIDS medicine to bring dying patients back to life, and sparing mothers and babies from malaria. And this great republic born alone in liberty is leading the world toward a new age when freedom belongs to all nations.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2009, Farewell speech to the nation (January 2009)

“I want to thank you for letting me share this special day with you. I wish you all the very best. Stay in touch with your friends. Love your family. Treat this day as a step toward a lifetime of learning. And go forth with confidence. May God bless you.”

George W. Bush

2010s, 2015, Remarks at the SMU 100th Spring Commencement (May 2015)

“I'm fortunate to know many of the trustees. Well, for example I'm good friends with the Chairman, Mike Boone. And there’s one trustee I know really well, a proud graduate of the SMU Class of 1968 who went on to become our nation’s greatest First Lady. Do me a favor and don’t tell Mother. I know how much the trustees love and care for this great university. I see it firsthand when I attend the Bring-Your-Spouse-Night Dinners. I also get to drop by classes on occasion. I am really impressed by the intelligence and energy of the SMU faculty. I want to thank you for your dedication and thank you for sharing your knowledge with your students. To reach this day, the graduates have had the support of loving families. Some of them love you so much they are watching from overflow sites across campus. I congratulate the parents who have sacrificed to make this moment possible. It is a glorious day when your child graduates from college — and a really great day for your bank account. I know the members of the Class of 2015 will join me in thanking you for your love and your support. Most of all, I congratulate the members of the Class of 2015. You worked hard to reach this milestone. You leave with lifelong friends and fond memories. You will always remember how much you enjoyed the right to buy a required campus meal plan. You'll remember your frequent battles with the Park ‘N’ Pony Office. And you may or may not remember those productive nights at the Barley House.”

George W. Bush

2010s, 2015, Remarks at the SMU 100th Spring Commencement (May 2015)

“African peoples are now writing your own story of liberty. Africans have overcome the arrogance of colonial powers, overcome the cruelty of apartheid, and made it clear that dictatorship is not the future of any nation on this continent. In the process, Africa has produced heroes of liberation, leaders like Mandela, Senghor, Nkrumah, Kenyatta, Selassie and Sadat. And many visionary African leaders, such as my friend, have grasped the power of economic and political freedom to lift whole nations and put forth bold plans for Africa's development.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2003, Hope and Conscience Will Not Be Silenced (July 2003)

“In Afghanistan, a determined people are working to overcome decades of tyranny, and protect their newly free society. They have strong support from all 26 nations of the NATO Alliance. I appreciate the United Nations' decision this week to renew the mandate for the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. The United Nations is also an active civilian presence in Afghanistan, where experts are doing important work helping to improve education, facilitate humanitarian aid, and protect human rights. We must continue to help the Afghan people defend their young democracy so the Taliban does not return to power, and Afghanistan is never again a safe haven for terror.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2008, Address to the United Nations General Assembly (September 2008)

“From historical burdens such as slavery and injustice to the celebration of faith, much of the origin of African-American music reflects our national story. The work songs, shouts and hollers, spirituals, and ragtime of an earlier era laid the creative foundation for many of America' s most distinctive and popular musical genres. These include rhythm and blues, jazz, hip hop, gospel, rap, and the roots of rock and roll.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2001, Black Music (June 2001)

“America rejects bigotry. We reject every act of hatred against people of Arab background or Muslim faith. We reject the ancient evil of anti-Semitism, whether it is practiced by the killers of Daniel Pearl, or by those who burn synagogues in France. We reject every act of hatred against people of Arab background or Muslim faith. America values and welcomes peaceful people of all faiths; Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu and many others. Every faith is practiced and protected here, because we are one country. Every immigrant can be fully and equally American because we're one country. Race and color should not divide us, because America is one country.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2002, Compassionate Conservatism (April 2002)

“To retreat before victory would be an act of recklessness and dishonor and I will not allow it.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2005, Address to the Nation on Iraqi Elections (December 2005)

“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.”

George W. Bush

1 June 2004, remarks on Iraqi Interim Government http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2004/06/20040601-2.html <br class="br">2000s, 2004

“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.”

George W. Bush

In response to the question of whether we can win the war on terror (August 30, 2004) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5866571/ <br class="br">2000s, 2004

“Haven't we already given money to rich people? This second tax cut's gonna do it again. Didn't we already, why are we doing it again?… shouldn't we be giving money to the middle?”

George W. Bush

Remarks during a 2002 White House meeting referring to Bush's second tax cut proposal, as recalled by then-Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill. Reported in Ron Suskind (2004), The Price of Loyalty, ISBN 0-7432-5545-3.
Attributed, Private/attributed

“Iran aggressively pursues these weapons and exports terror, while an unelected few repress the Iranian people's hope for freedom.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2002, State of the Union address (January 2002)

“I appreciate that. It wasn't just Kanye West who was talking like that during Katrina. I cite him as an example. I cited others as well.”

George W. Bush

2010s, 2010, Interview on Today (November 2010)

“[T]he facts are that thousands of small businesses - Hispanically owned or otherwise - pay taxes at the highest marginal rate.”

George W. Bush

Speech http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=45784 to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, (March 19, 2001) <br class="br">2000s, 2001

“Well, actually, he forgot Poland.”

George W. Bush

Responding to John Kerry&#x27;s criticism of Bush&#x27;s &quot;Coalition of the Willing&quot;. 1st Presidential Debate, September 30, 2004 http://www.debates.org/pages/trans2004a.html <br class="br">See: You forgot Poland on Wikipedia <br class="br">2000s, 2004

“The way out of this recession, the way to create jobs, is to grow the economy by encouraging investment in factories and equipment, and by speeding up tax relief so people have more money to spend. For the sake of American workers, let's pass a stimulus package.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2002, State of the Union address (January 2002)

“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?”

George W. Bush

to Jean-Claude Juncker, the Prime Minister of Luxembourg (June 20, 2005) http://www.europeanvoice.com/article/imported/juncker-is-a-piece-of-work-but-is-that-good-/52663.aspx <br class="br">2000s, 2005

“Good jobs depend on sound tax policy. Last year, some in this hall thought my tax relief plan was too small; some thought it was too big. But when the checks arrived in the mail, most Americans thought tax relief was just about right. Congress listened to the people and responded by reducing tax rates, doubling the child credit, and ending the death tax. For the sake of long-term growth and to help Americans plan for the future, let's make these tax cuts permanent.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2002, State of the Union address (January 2002)

“And I hope you will join me — I hope you will join me in expressing thanks to one American for the strength and calm and comfort she brings to our nation in crisis, our First Lady, Laura Bush.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2002, State of the Union address (January 2002)

“Growing up in Texas gave me many things I'm thankful for. And one of them is an appreciation of the Hispanic culture. In Texas, it's in the air you breathe; Hispanic life, Hispanic culture and Hispanic values are inseparable from the life of our state, and have been for many generations. The history of Mexican-American relations has had its troubled moments, but today our peoples enrich each other in trade and culture and family ties.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2001, Radio address (May 2001)

“Somebody said: "Well, you did that to make us like you." No, no. It's not a reason you do things, to be liked. It's the right thing to do, to save lives.”

George W. Bush

2010s, 2011, Speech at the Gerald R. Ford Foundation (2011)

“The situation in Iraq is unacceptable to the American people; and it is unacceptable to me. Our troops in Iraq have fought bravely. They have done everything we have asked them to do. Where mistakes have been made, the responsibility rests with me.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2007, Address to the Nation (January 2007)

“The United States is committed to the worldwide elimination of torture, and we are leading this fight by example.”

George W. Bush

26 June 2003 http://www.politicalposts.com/news/index.asp?id=180606 http://www.sltrib.com/2003/Nov/11212003/commenta/commenta.asp. <br class="br">2000s, 2003

“Our first priority must always be the security of our nation, and that will be reflected in the budget I send to Congress. My budget supports three great goals for America: We will win this war; we'll protect our homeland; and we will revive our economy.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2002, State of the Union address (January 2002)

“I got some hands I didn't want to play.”

George W. Bush

2010s, 2011, Q&A with Former President George W. Bush (January 2011)

“The American flag flies again over our embassy in Kabul. Terrorists who once occupied Afghanistan now occupy cells at Guantanamo Bay. And terrorist leaders who urged followers to sacrifice their lives are running for their own.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2002, State of the Union address (January 2002)

“The brutal nature of the extremists increasingly clear, the coalition of nations confronting terror is growing stronger. Over the past 7 years, Afghanistan and Iraq have been transformed from regimes that actively sponsored terror to democracies that fight terror. Libya has renounced its support for terror and its pursuit of nuclear weapons. Nations like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are actively pursuing the terrorists. A few nations – regimes like Syria and Iran – continue to sponsor terror. Yet their numbers are growing fewer, and they're growing more isolated from the world.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2008, Address to the United Nations General Assembly (September 2008)

“We will build new ships to carry man forward into the universe, to gain a new foothold on the moon, and to prepare for new journeys to worlds beyond our own.”

George W. Bush

Speech on new space exploration initiatives http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2004/01/20040114-3.html (January 14, 2004) <br class="br">2000s, 2004

“That's why I cut the taxes on everybody. I didn't cut them. The Congress cut them. I asked them to cut them.”

George W. Bush

Unity Journalists of Color Convention http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6375-2004Aug16.html, Washington, D.C. (August 6, 2004) <br class="br">2000s, 2004

“I believe women will lead the democracy movement in the Middle East.”

George W. Bush

2010s, 2011, Speech at the Gerald R. Ford Foundation (2011)

“I think that the vice president is a person reflecting a half-glass-full mentality, and that is he's been able to look at – as have I, and I hope other Americans have – the fact that the tyrant was removed, 12 million people voted, there is an Iraqi constitution in place that is a model for – and unique for the Middle East.”

George W. Bush

In an NPR interview http://www.iranfocus.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=10032 referring to Vice-President Dick Cheney (January 31, 2007) <br class="br">2000s, 2007

“But the stakes for America are never small. If our country does not lead the cause of freedom, it will not be led. If we do not turn the hearts of children toward knowledge and character, we will lose their gifts and undermine their idealism. If we permit our economy to drift and decline, the vulnerable will suffer most.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2001, First inaugural address (January 2001)

“[R]arely is the question asked: Are… is our children learning?”

George W. Bush

Campaign speech http://articles.latimes.com/2000/jan/14/news/mn-53988/2, Florence, South Carolina, (January 11, 2000) Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ej7ZEnjSeA&amp;feature=related <br class="br">2000s, 2000

“Succeeding in Iraq also requires defending its territorial integrity and stabilizing the region in the face of extremist challenges. This begins with addressing Iran and Syria. These two regimes are allowing terrorists and insurgents to use their territory to move in and out of Iraq. Iran is providing material support for attacks on American troops. We will disrupt the attacks on our forces. We'll interrupt the flow of support from Iran and Syria. And we will seek out and destroy the networks providing advanced weaponry and training to our enemies in Iraq.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2007, Address to the Nation (January 2007)

“If we don't stop extending our troops all around the world in nation-building missions, then we're going to have a serious problem coming down the road.”

George W. Bush

Quotation is from the October 3, 2000 Presidential debate with Al Gore, but is taken out of context. Bush was paraphrasing Colin Powell and Norman Schwarzkopf: <br class="br">The other day, I was honored to be flanked by Colin Powell and General Norman Schwarzkopf, who stood by my side and agreed with me. They said we could, even though we&#x27;re the strongest military, that if we don&#x27;t do something quickly, we don&#x27;t have a clearer vision of the military, if we don&#x27;t stop extending our troops all around the world in nation-building missions, then we&#x27;re going to have a serious problem coming down the road. And I&#x27;m going to prevent that. I&#x27;m going to rebuild our military power. It&#x27;s one of the major priorities of my administration. http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2000/debates/transcripts/u221003.html <br class="br">Attributed, Misquotations

“Through much of the last century, America’s faith in freedom and democracy was a rock in a raging sea. Now it is a seed upon the wind, taking root in many nations. Our democratic faith is more than the creed of our country, it is the inborn hope of our humanity, an ideal we carry but do not own, a trust we bear and pass along. And even after nearly 225 years, we have a long way yet to travel.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2001, First inaugural address (January 2001)

“To the loves of my life: Laura, Barbara, and Jenna”

George W. Bush

Dedication
2010s, 2010, Decision Points (November 2010)