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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

“We know that dictators are quick to choose aggression, while free nations strive to resolve differences in peace. We know that oppressive governments support terror, while free governments fight the terrorists in their midst. We know that free peoples embrace progress and life, instead of becoming the recruits for murderous ideologies.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2004, Speech to United Nations General Assembly (September 2004)

Life , People , Peace , Support

“Universal human dignity, that unites our country.”

George W. Bush

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

Universe , Country

“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.”

George W. Bush

Statement, Washington, D.C., (July 26, 2001); as quoted in the Seattle Seattle Post-Intelligencer (July 27, 2001) http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/32902_bush27.shtml.
2000s, 2001

Question

“We had an accountability moment, and that's called the 2004 elections.”

George W. Bush

Remarks during interview aboard Air Force One, (14 January 2005) http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A12450-2005Jan15.html
2000s, 2005

“"We support the election process. We support democracy, but that doesn't mean that we have to support governments that get elected as a result of democracy." Bush commenting about the Palestinian elections that resulted in Hamas coming to power in the Gaza Strip. March 29, 2006”

George W. Bush

"Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush" http://books.google.co.kr/books?id=1mEa-o1LGa8C, p.617
2000s, 2006

Democracy , Support

“This means people of every race, ethnicity and religion can be fully and equally American. It means that bigotry or white supremacy in any form is blasphemy against the American creed. It means the very identity of our nation depends on the passing of civic ideals to the next generation.”

George W. Bush

2010s, 2017, Speech at "Spirit of Liberty: At Home, In the World" event (2017)
Context: Our identity as a nation – unlike many other nations – is not determined by geography or ethnicity, by soil or blood. Being an American involves the embrace of high ideals and civic responsibility. We become the heirs of Thomas Jefferson by accepting the ideal of human dignity found in the Declaration of Independence. We become the heirs of James Madison by understanding the genius and values of the U. S. Constitution. We become the heirs of Martin Luther King Jr. by recognizing one another not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. This means people of every race, ethnicity and religion can be fully and equally American. It means that bigotry or white supremacy in any form is blasphemy against the American creed. It means the very identity of our nation depends on the passing of civic ideals to the next generation.

People , Religion , Dependency

“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.”

George W. Bush

When asked what sovereignty would mean for Native Americans in the 21st century http://www.democracynow.org/2004/8/10/bush_on_native_american_issues_tribal
August 6, 2004[citation needed]
2000s, 2004

“The federal government and the state government must not fear programs who change lives, but must welcome those faith-based programs for the embetterment of mankind.”

George W. Bush

Remarks at a luncheon http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/WCPD-2002-08-26/html/WCPD-2002-08-26-Pg1411.htm for gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon in Stockton, California, August 23, 2002.
2000s, 2002

Fear , Faith , Change

“And to the children who miss your Mom or Dad so much today, you need to know, they love you, and that love will always be with you. They were proud of you. And you can be proud of them for the rest of your life.”

George W. Bush

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

Love , Life , Children , Moms

“Our nation stood guard on tense borders; we spoke for the rights of dissidents and the hopes of exile; we aided the rise of new democracies on the ruins of tyranny. And all the cost and sacrifice of that struggle has been worth it, because, from Latin America to Europe to Asia, we've gained the peace that freedom brings.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2005, Address to the National Endowment for Democracy (October 2005)

Peace , Hope , Democracy , Freedom

“We are not this story's author, who fills time and eternity with His purpose. Yet His purpose is achieved in our duty, and our duty is fulfilled in service to one another. Never tiring, never yielding, never finishing, we renew that purpose today; to make our country more just and generous; to affirm the dignity of our lives and every life. This work continues. This story goes on. And an Angel still rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm.”

George W. Bush

Bush concluded his address with these lines, paraphrasing a quotation by John Page he had used earlier within it: We know the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong. Do you not think an angel rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm?. Page himself, in a letter to Thomas Jefferson (20 July 1776), was quoting a phrase from Ecclesiastes 9:11: I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to the intelligent, nor yet favour to men of knowledge; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
2000s, 2001, First inaugural address (January 2001)

Life , Angels , Time , Country

“Thank you all very much for your hospitality. We've just had a wide-ranging discussions on the matter at hand. Like the good folks standing with me, the American people were appalled and outraged at last Tuesday's attacks. And so were Muslims all across the world. Both Americans and Muslim friends and citizens, tax-paying citizens, and Muslims in nations were just appalled and could not believe what we saw on our T. V. screens. These acts of violence against innocents violate the fundamental tenets of the Islamic faith, and it's important for my fellow Americans to understand that. 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.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2001, Islam is Peace (September 2001)

People , World , Faith , Quotes

“This is not to underestimate the historical obstacles to the development of democratic institutions and a democratic culture. Such problems nearly destroyed our country – and that should encourage a spirit of humility and a patience with others. Freedom is not merely a political menu option, or a foreign policy fad; it should be the defining commitment of our country, and the hope of the world. That appeal is proved not just by the content of people’s hopes, but a noteworthy hypocrisy: No democracy pretends to be a tyranny. Most tyrannies pretend they are democracies. Democracy remains the definition of political legitimacy. That has not changed, and that will not change.”

George W. Bush

2010s, 2017, Speech at "Spirit of Liberty: At Home, In the World" event (2017)

People , World , Hope , Democracy

“The American people need to know that we're facing a different enemy than we have ever faced. This enemy hides in shadows, and has no regard for human life. This is an enemy who preys on innocent and unsuspecting people, runs for cover. But it won't be able to run for cover forever. This is an enemy that tries to hide. But it won't be able to hide forever. This is an enemy that thinks its harbors are safe. But they won't be safe forever.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2001, Freedom and Democracy Are Under Attack (September 2001)

Life , People , Thinking

“As yesterday's positive report card shows, childrens do learn when standards are high and results are measured.”

George W. Bush

In speech http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN2623880720070926 to schoolchildren in New York City, urging Congress to reauthorize the No Child Left Behind Act, (September 26, 2007) Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ej7ZEnjSeA&feature=related
2000s, 2007

Children , Learning

“My administration has a job to do and we're going to do it. We will rid the world of the evil-doers.”

George W. Bush

As quoted in " "Bush vows to rid the world of 'evil-doers" at CNN http://archives.cnn.com/2001/US/09/16/gen.bush.terrorism/ (16 September 2001)
2000s, 2001

World , Evil

“Extending the reach of political freedom is essential to prevailing in the great struggle of our time, but it is not enough. Many in this chamber have answered the call to help their brothers and sisters in need by working to alleviate hopelessness. These efforts to improve the human condition honor the highest ideals of this institution. They also advance our security interests. The extremists find their most fertile recruiting grounds in societies trapped in chaos and despair, places where people see no prospect of a better life. In the shadows of hopelessness, radicalism thrives. And eventually, that radicalism can boil over into violence and cross borders and take innocent lives across the world.”

George W. Bush

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

Life , People , World , Sister

“To uphold the world's words of the charter in the face of this challenge, every nation in this chamber has responsibilities. As sovereign states, we have an obligation to govern responsibly, and solve problems before they spill across borders. We have an obligation to prevent our territory from being used as a sanctuary for terrorism and proliferation and human trafficking and organized crime. We have an obligation to respect the rights and respond to the needs of our people.”

George W. Bush

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

People , World , Problem

“The career of Marian Anderson, the world-class contralto who was denied permission to sing in Constitution Hall because of her race, symbolizes the achievements of so many black American musicians. Performing instead at the Lincoln Memorial in 1939, she drew an audience of 75,000 and inspired the world not only with her rich musical gifts, but also with her determination and courage.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2001, Black Music (June 2001)

World , Music , Courage , Memory

“Saddam's rape rooms and torture chambers and children's prisons are closed forever. His mass graves will claim no victims.”

George W. Bush

18 October 2003, to the Philippine Congress http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2003/10/20031018-12.html
2000s, 2003

Children

“Eventually, these people will have trials and they will have counsel and they will be represented in a court of law.”

George W. Bush

In reference to prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay, quoted in http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2225793,00.html
2000s, 2006

People , Law

“I love the military of the United States, and we are a lucky nation to have people who volunteer to serve.”

George W. Bush

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

Love , People

“The saddest thing of all is to know a lady's life has been saved from AIDS but died from cervical cancer.”

George W. Bush

As quoted in "Former President Bush and wife Laura visit Africa to promote initiative to fight cervical, breast cancer" https://web.archive.org/web/20130522023945/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/bushes-visit-africa-promote-initiative-fight-cervical-breast-cancer-article-1.1109613 (22 May 2013), by Meghan Neal, New York Daily News.
2010s, 2013

Life

“Sixty-three years ago, representatives from around the world gathered in San Francisco to complete the founding of the Charter of the United Nations. They met in the shadow of a devastating war, with grave new dangers on the horizon. They agreed on a historic pledge: To reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, and unite their strength to maintain international peace and security.”

George W. Bush

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

War , World , Peace , Faith

“Five days from now, the world will witness the vitality of American democracy. In a tradition dating back to our founding, the presidency will pass to a successor chosen by you, the American people. Standing on the steps of the Capitol will be a man whose story reflects the enduring promise of our land. This is a moment of hope and pride for our whole nation. And I join all Americans in offering best wishes to President-elect Obama, his wife Michelle, and their two beautiful girls.”

George W. Bush

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

People , World , Beauty , Hope

“It is a ridiculous notion to assert that because the United States is on the offense, more people want to hurt us. We are on the offense because people do want to hurt us.”

George W. Bush

Remarks on Intelligence Reform, at the Rose Garden http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2004/08/20040802-2.html, August 2, 2004
2000s, 2004

People , Hurt

“[O]ne of the great goals of this nation's war is to restore public confidence in the airline industry. It's to tell the traveling public: Get on board. Do your business around the country. Fly and enjoy America's great destination spots. Get down to Disney World in Florida.”

George W. Bush

Remarks at Chicago's O'Hare Airport (September 21, 2001) http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2001/09/20010927-1.html
2000s, 2001

War , World , Travel , Confidence

“Nations in this chambers have supported the efforts of dissidents and reformers and civil society advocates in newly free societies throughout the new United Nations Democracy Fund. And we appreciate those efforts. And as young democracies around the world continue to make brave stands for liberty, multilateral organizations like the United Nations must continue to stand with them.”

George W. Bush

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

World , Democracy , Support , Effort

“Our enemies send other people's children on missions of suicide and murder. They embrace tyranny and death as a cause and a creed. We stand for a different choice, made long ago, on the day of our founding. We affirm it again today. We choose freedom and the dignity of every life.”

George W. Bush

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

Life , Death , Children , People

“There's always a temptation, in the middle of a long struggle, to seek the quiet life, to escape the duties and problems of the world, and to hope the enemy grows weary of fanaticism and tired of murder. This would be a pleasant world, but it's not the world we live in. The enemy is never tired, never sated, never content with yesterday's brutality. This enemy considers every retreat of the civilized world as an invitation to greater violence.”

George W. Bush

2000s, 2005, Address to the National Endowment for Democracy (October 2005)

Life , World , Hope , Problem

“Good jobs depend on expanded trade. Selling into new markets creates new jobs, so I ask Congress to finally approve trade promotion authority. On these two key issues, trade and energy, the House of Representatives has acted to create jobs, and I urge the Senate to pass this legislation.”

George W. Bush

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

Housing , Dependency

“Our nation is shocked and saddened by the news of the shootings at Virginia Tech today…Schools should be places of safety, and sanctuary, and learning. When that sanctuary is violated, the impact is felt in every American classroom and every American community. Today our nation grieves with those who have lost loved ones at Virginia Tech. We hold the victims in our hearts; we lift them up in our prayers; and we ask a loving God to comfort those who are suffering today.”

George W. Bush

Statement on the massacre at Virginia Tech University from the Diplomatic Room of the White House http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9603915 (April 16, 2007)
2000s, 2007

Love , God , School , Communication

“It's viewed as an anti-Russian device. Well, it's not.”

George W. Bush

Commenting on missile defence shield at a news conference in Kiev following talks with the Ukrainian president http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/04/01/bush.nato/index.html?iref=hpmostpop
2000s, 2008

“America is a great force for freedom and prosperity. Yet our greatness is not measured in power or luxuries, but by who we are and how we treat one another. So we strive to be a compassionate, decent, hopeful society.”

George W. Bush

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

Hope , Freedom

“We're not going to have any casualties.”

George W. Bush

Pat Robertson claims that Bush said this to him in Nashville, Tennessee before the March 2003 invasion of Iraq. Bush campaign advisor Karen Hughes, who was not working in Washington at the time of the invasion, claimed in 2004 that Bush did not say this. See John King (2004-10-21), " No casualties? White House disputes Robertson comment http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/10/19/robertson.bush.iraq/index.html," CNN.com.
Attributed, Disputed

“Liberty can be delayed, but it cannot be denied.”

George W. Bush

Remarks to the People of Hungary (June 22, 2006) http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2006/06/20060622-6.html
2000s, 2006

“While the most visible military action is in Afghanistan, America is acting elsewhere. We now have troops in the Philippines, helping to train that country's armed forces to go after terrorist cells that have executed an American, and still hold hostages. Our soldiers, working with the Bosnian government, seized terrorists who were plotting to bomb our embassy. Our Navy is patrolling the coast of Africa to block the shipment of weapons and the establishment of terrorist camps in Somalia.”

George W. Bush

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

Help , Training , Country

“After four years of sitting through lectures, I have a feeling you’re not in the mood for another one. What I have learned about graduation speeches is that they’re too long and rarely remembered. So I’ll keep this short. I just can’t attest to how memorable it will be. I’ve also learned that it’s important to refer to someone associated with the University. So I picked one, an SMU trustee, who by the way is not here, Reverend Mark Craig. Now, I asked Mark to deliver the sermon at the First United Methodist Church in Austin before my second inauguration as Governor of Texas. I still remember his Fort Worth twang as he talked about Moses. God called Moses to action, and Moses repeatedly found excuses not to act. 'Who am I that I should go to Pharoah, and bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt? Oh, my Lord, I pray, send some other person. I have sheep to tend. And the people won't believe me. I'm not a very good speaker.”

George W. Bush

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

God , People , Way , Feeling

“Because Africans and Americans share a belief in the values of liberty and dignity, we must share in the labor of advancing those values. In a time of growing commerce across the globe, we will ensure that the nations of Africa are full partners in the trade and prosperity of the world. Against the waste and violence of civil war, we will stand together for peace. Against the merciless terrorists who threaten every nation, we will wage an unrelenting campaign of justice. Confronted with desperate hunger, we will answer with human compassion and the tools of human technology. In the face of spreading disease, we will join with you in turning the tides against AIDS in Africa.”

George W. Bush

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

Hunger , War , World , Disease

“Fellow citizens. For eight years, it has been my honor to serve as your President. The first decade of this new century has been a period of consequence. A time set apart. Tonight, with a thankful heart, I have asked for a final opportunity to share some thoughts on the journey we have traveled together and the future of our nation.”

George W. Bush

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

Travel , Time , Future , Heart

“This terrorist surveillance program has helped prevent terrorist attacks. It remains essential to the security of America. If there are people inside our country who are talking with al Qaeda, we want to know about it — because we will not sit back and wait to be hit again.”

George W. Bush

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

People , Waiting , Help , Country

“In Iraq, the fight has been difficult, yet daily life has improved dramatically over the past 20 months, thanks to the courage of the Iraqi people, a determined coalition of nations, and a surge of American troops. The United Nations has provided the mandate for multinational forces in Iraq through this December. And the United Nations is carrying out an ambitious strategy to strengthen Iraq's democracy, including helping Iraqis prepare for their next round of free elections. Whatever disagreements our nations have had on Iraq, we should all welcome this progress toward stability and peace, and we should stand united in helping Iraq's democracy succeed.”

George W. Bush

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

Life , People , Peace , Democracy

“Around the globe, nations are turning these words into action. Members of the United Nations are sharing intelligence with one another, conducting joint operations, and freezing terrorist finances. While terrorists continue to carry out attacks like the terrible bombing in Islamabad last week, our joint actions have spared our citizens from many devastating blows.”

George W. Bush

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

Intelligence

“You want the country to go back to normal, but the presidency couldn't go back to normal.”

George W. Bush

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

Country

“I've made it clear to the Prime Minister and Iraq's other leaders that America's commitment is not open-ended. If the Iraqi government does not follow through on its promises, it will lose the support of the American people; and it will lose the support of the Iraqi people. Now is the time to act.”

George W. Bush

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

People , Support , Time

“It is one of the problems we have; people die of stigma.”

George W. Bush

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

People , Problem

“The United States was founded on the belief that all men are created equal. Every Election Day, millions of Americans of all races, religions, and backgrounds step into voting booths throughout the Nation. Whether they are rich or poor, old or young, each of them has an equal share in choosing the path that our country will take. And every ballot they cast is a reminder that our founding principles are alive and well.”

George W. Bush

radio address https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2008/11/20081101.html (1 November 2008)
2000s, 2008

Men , Religion , Country

“America and Afghanistan are now allies against terror. We'll be partners in rebuilding that country. And this evening we welcome the distinguished interim leader of a liberated Afghanistan, Chairman Hamid Karzai.”

George W. Bush

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

Country

“God tells us', wrote Equiano, 'that the oppressor and the oppressed are both in his hands. And if these are not the poor, the broken-hearted, the blind, the captive, the bruised which our Savior speaks of, who are they?' Down through the years, African-Americans have upheld the ideals of America by exposing laws and habits contradicting those ideals. The rights of African-Americans were not the gift of those in authority. Those rights were granted by the author of life and regained by the persistence and courage of African-Americans themselves. Among those Americans was Phillis Wheatley, who was dragged from her home here in West Africa in 1761 at the age of 7. In my country she became a poet and the first noted black author in our nation's history. Phillis Wheatley said, 'In every human breast God has implanted a principle which we call love of freedom. It is impatient of oppression and pants for deliverance'. That deliverance was demanded by escaped slaves named Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth, educators named Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. DeBois and ministers of the Gospel named Leon Sullivan and Martin Luther King Jr.”

George W. Bush

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

Love , Life , God , Truth

“Now that conflict has come, the only way to limit its duration is to apply decisive force. And I assure you, this will not be a campaign of half measures, and we will accept no outcome but victory.”

George W. Bush

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

Way , Decision , Victory