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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   quotes 11   likes

George W. Bush Quotes

“If anyone doubts this, let them look to Afghanistan, where the Islamic 'street' greeted the fall of tyranny with song and celebration. Let the skeptics look to Islam's own rich history, with its centuries of learning, and tolerance and progress. America will lead by defending liberty and justice because they are right and true and unchanging for all people everywhere.”

George W. Bush

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

People , Justice , History , Learning

“The most powerful force in the world is not a weapon or a nation but a truth: that we are spiritual beings, and that freedom is "the soul's right to breathe."”

George W. Bush

1990s, A Distinctly American Internationalism (November 1999)

Truth , World , Soul , Freedom

“In the images of celebrating Iraqis we have also seen the ageless appeal of human freedom. Decades of lies and intimidation could not make the Iraqi people love their oppressors or desire their own enslavement. Men and women in every culture need liberty like they need food and water and air. Everywhere that freedom arrives, humanity rejoices and everywhere that freedom stirs, let tyrants fear.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2003, Mission Accomplished (May 2003)

Love , Women , Men , People

“This noble pledge has endured trying hours in the United Nations history, and it still guides our work today. Yet the ideals of the charter are now facing a challenge as serious as any since the U. N.'s founding, a global movement of violent extremists. By deliberately murdering the innocent to advance their aims, these extremists defy the fundamental principles of international order. They show contempt for all who respect life and value human dignity. They reject the words of the Bible, the Koran, the Torah, or any standard of conscience or morality. They imperil the values of justice and human rights that gave birth to the United Nations, values that have fueled an unprecedented expansion of freedom across the world.”

George W. Bush

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

Life , World , Justice , History

“Abroad, our nation is committed to an historic, long-term goal — we seek the end of tyranny in our world. Some dismiss that goal as misguided idealism. In reality, the future security of America depends on it.”

George W. Bush

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

World , Reality , Future , Dependency

“Interestingly enough, Americans now understand we have a problem.”

George W. Bush

April 26, 2005 http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/04/20050426-3.html
2000s, 2005

Understanding , Problem

“Earn capital to spend capital.”

George W. Bush

Presidential Leadership speech http://www.c-span.org/video/?326958-1/presidents-clinton-george-w-bush-leadership (9 July 2015)
2010s, 2015

“I suspected there would be a good-size crowd once the word got out about my hanging.”

George W. Bush

At the National Portrait Gallery unveiling of his portrait (19 December 2008), quoted in David Byers, " President Bush attends his own hanging http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/world/americas/article1998914.ece", The Times (December 19, 2008); Christine Lagorio, " A Public Hanging (Of Sorts) For The Bush Family http://www.cbsnews.com/news/a-public-hanging-of-sorts-for-the-bush-family/", CBS News (December 19, 2008).
2000s, 2008

“I'm asking Congress to pass my Zero Down Payment Initiative. We should remove the 3 percent down payment rule for first time home buyers with FHA-insured mortgages.”

George W. Bush

Remarks to the National Association of Home Builders, Columbus, Ohio, October 2, 2004 http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2004/10/20041002-7.html
2000s, 2004

Home , Time

“The American people have responded magnificently, with courage and compassion, strength and resolve. As I have met the heroes, hugged the families, and looked into the tired faces of rescuers, I have stood in awe of the American people.”

George W. Bush

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

People , Family , Courage

“The world must know that this administration will not blink in the face of danger, and will not tire when it comes to completing the missions that we said we would do.”

George W. Bush

Press conference, Crawford, Texas http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2001/12/20011228-1.html (December 28, 2001)
2000s, 2001

World

“[the U. S. mission in Somalia] Started off as a humanitarian mission and it changed into a nation-building mission, and that's where the mission went wrong. The mission was changed. And as a result, our nation paid a price. And so I don't think our troops ought to be used for what's called nation-building.”

George W. Bush

Presidential debate, October 11, 2000 http://www.debates.org/?page=october-11-2000-debate-transcript
2000s, 2000

Thinking , Change

“Every nation, in every region, now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2001, Freedom and Fear Are at War (September 2001)

Decision

“It is impossible to get help where it is most needed when any group is targeted for legal discrimination and stigma.”

George W. Bush

2010s, 2014, U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Spousal Program (August 2014)

Help

“Numerous remarks that were previously attributed (in some cases correctly) to Dan Quayle”

George W. Bush

See, for example, Margo Kingston (2000-11-20), " From the lips of a likely leader of the free world ... http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/11/20/1069027245968.html", Sydney Morning Herald.
Attributed, Misattributed

“This issue doesn't seem to resignate with the people.”

George W. Bush

Portland, Oregon, (October 31, 2000) http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/WolfFiles/story?id=90907&page=1
2000s, 2000

People

“I respect the jury’s verdict. But I have concluded that the prison sentence given to Mr. Libby is excessive. Therefore, I am commuting the portion of Mr. Libby’s sentence that required him to spend thirty months in prison.”

George W. Bush

Statement on I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby decision http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19570172/ (July 2, 2007)
2000s, 2007

“The stem cell debate was an introduction to a phenomenon I witnessed throughout my presidency: highly personal criticism. Partisan opponents and commentators questioned my legitimacy, my intelligence, and my sincerity. They mocked my appearance, my accent, and my religious beliefs. I was labeled a Nazi, a war criminal, and Satan himself. That last one came from a foreign leader, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. One lawmaker called me both a loser and a liar. He became majority leader of the U. S. Senate. In some ways, I wasn't surprised. I had endured plenty of rough politics in Texas. I had seen Dad and Bill Clinton derided by their opponents and the media. Abraham Lincoln was compared to a baboon. Even George Washington became so unpopular that political cartoons showed the hero of the American revolution being marched to the guillotine. Yet the death spiral of decency during my time in office, exacerbated by the advent of twenty-four-hour cable news and hyper-partisan political blogs, was deeply disappointing. The toxic atmosphere in American politics discourages good people from running for office.”

George W. Bush

Source: 2010s, 2010, Decision Points (November 2010), p. 121

Death , War , People , Disappointment

“Americans are sacrificing. I mean, we are. You know, we pay a lot of taxes. Americans sacrificed when they, you know, when the economy went into the tank. Americans sacrificed when, you know, air travel was disrupted. American taxpayers have paid a lot to help this nation recover. I think Americans have sacrificed.”

George W. Bush

In response to reporter Brian Williams' question as to whether, after 9/11, the president should have asked all Americans to sacrifice for their country, NBC News interview, August 29, 2006 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNIOmbm3KYg&feature=related
2000s, 2006

Travel , Thinking , Help

“Freedom is a universal human desire… and a force for peace and prosperity in the world.”

George W. Bush

"The Struggle for Human Rights and Human Freedom" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mW33AxBe06o (June 2013)
2010s, 2013

World , Peace , Freedom , Universe

“…a clear lesson I learned in the museum was that outside forces that tend to divide people up inside their country are unbelievably counterproductive. In other words, people came from other countries — I guess you'd call them colonialists — and they pitted one group of people against another.”

George W. Bush

Press Availability with President Kagame of Rwanda (February 19, 2008) http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2008/02/20080219-6.html http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/20/bush-outside-forces-tend-to-divide-people-up
2000s, 2008

People , Learning , Country

“In America, enslaved Africans learned the story of the exodus from Egypt and set their own hearts on a promised land of freedom. Enslaved Africans discovered a suffering savior and found he was more like themselves than their masters. Enslaved Africans heard the ringing promises of the Declaration of Independence and asked the self-evident question, 'Then why not me?' In the era of America's founding, a man named Olaudah Equiano was taken in bondage to the New World. He witnessed all of slavery's cruelties, the ruthless and the petty. He also saw beyond the slave-holding piety of a time to a higher standard of humanity.”

George W. Bush

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

World , Question , Freedom , Suffering

“All fathers and mothers, in all societies, want their children to be educated, and live free from poverty and violence. No people on Earth yearn to be oppressed, or aspire to servitude, or eagerly await the midnight knock of the secret police.”

George W. Bush

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

Children , People , Secret , Education

“It was just a coat hanger, and … it didn’t hurt any more than a cigarette burn.”

George W. Bush

Attributed by Gary Trudeau (2004-07-14) http://www.nbcnews.com/id/5439743
Attributed, Private/attributed

Hurt

“The next priority of my budget is to do everything possible to protect our citizens and strengthen our nation against the ongoing threat of another attack. Time and distance from the events of September the 11th will not make us safer unless we act on its lessons. America is no longer protected by vast oceans. We are protected from attack only by vigorous action abroad, and increased vigilance at home.”

George W. Bush

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

Home , Time

“You are either with us or you are against us in the fight against terror.”

George W. Bush

Press conference http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2001/11/20011106-4.html, with President Jacques Chirac of France. (November 6, 2001)
2000s, 2001

Fight

“Given the nature and reach of our enemies, we will win this conflict by the patient accumulation of successes, by meeting a series of challenges with determination and will and purpose. Today we focus on Afghanistan, but the battle is broader. Every nation has a choice to make. In this conflict, there is no neutral ground. If any government sponsors the outlaws and killers of innocence, they have become outlaws and murderers themselves. And they will take that lonely path at their own peril.”

George W. Bush

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

Nature , Success

“One of the most powerful engines of development and prosperity is trade and investment, which create new opportunities for entrepreneurs, and help people rise out of poverty, and reinforce fundamental values like transparency and rule of law. For all these reasons, many in these chambers have conducted free trade agreements at bilateral and regional levels. The most effective step of all would be an agreement that tears down trade barriers at the global level. The recent impasse in the Doha round is disappointing, but that does not have to be the final word. I urge every nation to seize this opportunity to lift up economies around the world and reach a successful Doha agreement as soon as possible. Beyond Doha, our nations must renew our commitment to open economies, and stand firm against economic isolationism. These objectives are being tested by turbulence in the global financial markets. Our economies are more closely connected than ever before, and I know that many of you here are watching how the United States government will address the problems in our financial system.”

George W. Bush

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

People , World , Law , Disappointment

“In the late 1930s, as Britain refused to adapt to the new realities of war, Winston Churchill observed, "The era of procrastination, of half-measures, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays, is coming to a close. In its place we are entering a period of consequences."”

George W. Bush

1990s, A Period of Consequences (September 1999)

War , Reality

“And yes, I'm aware our national security team met on this issue. And I approved…. I told the country we did that. And I also told them it was legal. We had legal opinions that enabled us to do it.”

George W. Bush

In an interview http://www.miamiherald.com/519/story/492943.html regarding his awareness that his top national security advisors had discussed the details of harsh interrogation tactics to be used on detainees (April 11, 2008)
2000s, 2008

Country

“Thanks to the work of our law enforcement officials and coalition partners, hundreds of terrorists have been arrested. Yet, tens of thousands of trained terrorists are still at large. These enemies view the entire world as a battlefield, and we must pursue them wherever they are. So long as training camps operate, so long as nations harbor terrorists, freedom is at risk. And America and our allies must not, and will not, allow it.”

George W. Bush

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

World , Law , Freedom , Training

“We've deployed thousands of National Guard members to assist the Border Patrol. We've upgraded technology at our borders. We've added infrastructure, including new fencing and vehicle barriers. We're adding thousands of new beds in our detention facilities so we can continue working to end catch and release] at our southern border. During the course of my administration we have apprehended and sent home more 6 million people entering our country illegally. And I thank the Border Patrol for their hard work. The Secure Fence Act builds on this progress. The bill authorizes the construction of hundreds of miles of additional fencing along our southern border.”

George W. Bush

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

People , Home , Country

“I know that the families of our military are praying that all those who serve will return safely and soon. Millions of Americans are praying with you for the safety of your loved ones and for the protection of the innocent. For your sacrifice, you have the gratitude and respect of the American people. And you can know that our forces will be coming home as soon as their work is done.”

George W. Bush

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

Love , People , Family , Home

“And on this terrible day of mourning, it's hard to imagine that a time will come when life at Virginia Tech will return to normal. But such a day will come. And when it does, you will always remember the friends and teachers who were lost yesterday, and the time you shared with them, and the lives they hoped to lead. May God bless you. May God bless and keep the souls of the lost. And may His love touch all those who suffer and grieve.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2007, Virginia Tech Prayer Vigil (April 2007)

Love , Life , God , Hope

“From New Orleans and the back roads of the Mississippi Delta to Harlem and Chicago, black musicians set enduring and distinctive standards for American creativity. The blues of Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith, the gospel of Mahalia Jackson, the jazz of Duke Ellington, and the soul of Marvin Gaye claim fans of all ages from around the world. The trumpeting genius of Louis Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie illustrate the exceptional musicianship so prominent in various genres of African-American music.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2001, Black Music (June 2001)

Age , World , Music , Soul

“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.”

George W. Bush

Acceptance speech at Republic National Convention (September 2, 2004)
2000s, 2004

World , Dreams , Hope , Home

“Yesterday began like any other day. Students woke up, and they grabbed their backpacks and they headed for class. And soon the day took a dark turn, with students and faculty barricading themselves in classrooms and dormitories -- confused, terrified, and deeply worried. By the end of the morning, it was the worst day of violence on a college campus in American history -- and for many of you here today, it was the worst day of your lives.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2007, Virginia Tech Prayer Vigil (April 2007)

History

“The success of any nation is impossible without the political participation, the economic empowerment, the education, and health, of women.”

George W. Bush

2010s, 2014, U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Spousal Program (August 2014)

Women , Health , Education , Success

“And this afternoon, I have a message for the Iraqi people: You will not have to fear the rule of Saddam Hussein ever again. All Iraqis who take the side of freedom have taken the winning side. The goals of our coalition are the same as your goals — sovereignty for your country, dignity for your great culture, and for every Iraqi citizen, the opportunity for a better life.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2003, Remarks on the Capture of Saddam Hussein (December 2003)

Life , People , Fear , Freedom

“There are no longer torture chambers or rape rooms or mass graves in Iraq.”

George W. Bush

April 30, 2004, welcoming Paul Martin to the Whitehouse White House press release http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2004/04/20040430-2.html
2000s, 2004

“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.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2001, A Great People Has Been Moved to Defend a Great Nation (September 2001)

Way , Nature , Evil , Help

“If we're an arrogant nation, they'll resent us. If we're a humble nation, but strong, they'll welcome us.”

George W. Bush

Presidential debate http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/july-dec00/for-policy_10-12.html (11 October 2000).
2000s, 2000

Strong

“Our military and our nation are entering another period of consequences – a time of rapid change and momentous choices.”

George W. Bush

1990s, A Period of Consequences (September 1999)

Change , Time

“America would do it again for our friends.”

George W. Bush

at July 6, 2004, Normandy, France http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/06/06/dday.main/index.html
2000s, 2004

“I've got to tell you, I don't miss the limelight. At all. Kind of weird to say it.”

George W. Bush

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

“As the years passed, most Americans were able to return to life much as it had been before Nine-Eleven. But I never did. Every morning, I received a briefing on the threats to our nation. And I vowed to do everything in my power to keep us safe.”

George W. Bush

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

Life

“Moses wasn’t the only one who could mangle his language. Fortunately, Moses recognized the call to serve something greater than himself. He answered the call, led his people, and history was made. You, too, will be called at some point. The question, as Mark aptly and artfully laid out, is: Will you be optimistic and hopeful, or pessimistic and cynical? Here are three reasons why you should be optimistic and hopeful. One, you are graduating from a great university. Your SMU degree will open the door to a wide variety of career options. Millions will never have had this opportunity. SMU has laid a foundation so you can reason, and continue to learn throughout your life. It has given you the tools to be productive citizens.”

George W. Bush

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

Life , People , Hope , History

“Yet, some explorers do not return. And the loss settles unfairly on a few. The families here today shared in the courage of those they loved. But now they must face life and grief without them. The sorrow is lonely; but you are not alone. In time, you will find comfort and the grace to see you through. And in God's own time, we can pray that the day of your reunion will come.”

George W. Bush

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

Love , Life , God , Family

“No one can deny the success of freedom, but some men rage and fight against it. And one of the main sources of reaction and opposition is radical Islam—the perversion by a few of a noble faith into an ideology of terror and death.”

George W. Bush

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

Death , Men , Faith , Freedom

“I don't know where he [Osama Bin Laden] is. I have no idea and I really don't care.”

George W. Bush

This misquotation is frequently attributed to a White House press conference, March 13, 2002 http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2002/03/20020313-8.html
Correct quote should read: "And, again, I don't know where he [Osama Bin Laden] is. I — I'll repeat what I said. I truly am not that concerned about him."
The relevant parts of the White House transcript reads:
: THE PRESIDENT: Deep in my heart I know the man 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. His network, his host government has been destroyed. He's the ultimate parasite who found weakness, exploited it, and met his match. He is — as I mentioned in my speech, I do mention the fact that this is a fellow who is willing to commit youngsters to their death and he, himself, tries to hide — if, in fact, he's hiding at all. So I don't know where he is. You know, I just don't spend that much time on him, Kelly, to be honest with you. I'm more worried about making sure that our soldiers are well-supplied; that the strategy is clear; that the coalition is strong; that when we find enemy bunched up like we did in Shahikot Mountains, that the military has all the support it needs to go in and do the job, which they did.
: Q: But don't you believe that the threat that bin Laden posed won't truly be eliminated until he is found either dead or alive?
: THE PRESIDENT: Well, 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. I was concerned about him, when he had taken over a country. I was concerned about the fact that he was basically running Afghanistan and calling the shots for the Taliban.
Attributed, Misquotations

Idea