Quotes about presidency (2338 quotes, page 24)

“But I don’t believe in a civil war. No matter how agitated the atmosphere gets and no matter how hard the president and his advisers try to aggravate the situation, I am absolutely confident of the people’s common sense.”

Boris Yeltsin (1931–2007) 1st President of Russia and Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR

1990s, There won't be a civil war (1991)

Confidence , War , People , Self-confidence

“My name is Jimmy Carter, and I’m running for President.
It’s been a long time since I said those words the first time, and now I’ve come here after seeing our great country to accept your nomination.”

Jimmy Carter (1924) American politician, 39th president of the United States (in office from 1977 to 1981)

Pre-Presidency, First Presidential Nomination Acceptance Speech (1976)

Time , Country

“What business is it of ours to ask whether the French nation thinks proper to be governed by a king, an emperor, a president, or a consul? Our object and our duty is to cement the closest ties of friendship between ourselves and our nearest neighbour... There is nothing, I am convinced, in the real interests of England and France which can stand in the way of the most cordial friendship between the two nations.”

Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston (1784–1865) British politician

Speech http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1849/feb/02/the-address-in-answer-to-the-speech#column_206 in the House of Commons (2 February 1849)
1840s

Business , Thinking , Way , Friendship

“We live in a society where... presidents and candidates for president of both parties are always saying "God Bless America" and "This is the greatest ever" and they're not talking about the real facts of what's going on.”

David Cay Johnston (1948) Investigative journalist and author

David Cay Johnston; How The One Percent Enrich Themselves at Government Expense (Jun 23, 2009)

God

“I'm willing to lead, but I'm not willing to preside over people who are cannibals.”

Newt Gingrich (1943) Professor, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives

https://www.nytimes.com/1998/11/08/us/the-speaker-steps-down-excerpts-from-phone-call-about-gingrich-s-future.html
THE SPEAKER STEPS DOWN; Excerpts From Phone Call About Gingrich's Future
The New York Times
Associated Press
November 8, 1998.
1990s

People

“We won’t have a president that threatens people with jail for just criticizing him”

Donald J. Trump (1946) 45th President of the United States of America

On the campaign trail for Joe Biden in [ Obama Hits Campaign Trail In South Florida, Criticizing Trump's Behavior As Worse Than Florida Man https://www.wlrn.org/2020-10-25/obama-hits-campaign-trail-in-south-florida-criticizing-trumps-behavior-as-worse-than-florida-man October 25, 2020
2020, October 2020

People

“Everybody calls me Mr. President. It's true. It's a funny thing.”

Donald J. Trump (1946) 45th President of the United States of America

Quoted by * 2019-07-17
Analysis: The 51 most outrageous lines from Donald Trump's NC rally
Chris Cillizza
WLOS.com
https://wlos.com/news/local/analysis-the-51-most-outrageous-lines-from-donald-trumps-nc-rally
2019, July 2019

“Total honesty is what we as citizens deserve from our president”

Melania Trump (1970) Slovenian model, wife of Donald Trump and First Lady of the United States

As quoted by * 2020-08-26
Fact Check: Second night of RNC riddled with dishonesty as Melania Trump appeals for 'total honesty'
CNN staff
CNN
https://edition.cnn.com/2020/08/25/politics/rnc-night-two-fact-check/index.html
2020

“As a result of the great choice of the people, I have been given the honoured responsibility of presiding over the new administration of the republic. I am very grateful to each and every one of you; with your support, I promise to follow this great call to duty.”

Roh Moo-hyun (1946–2009) 9th President of the Republic of Korea

Excerpts from inaugural address (25 February 2003)

People , Support

“After a revolution there must be a period of cleansing, retribution and reeducation, presided over by a ruthless leader. It is the only way to root out the entrenched decadence.”

David Lane (white nationalist) (1938–2007) American white supremacist, convicted felon

Drugs and Governments
Focus Fourteen

Way

“Nowadays, men are acting like women and women like men. Thus, the rise in female presidents in the world.”

Mwanandeke Kindembo (1996) Congolese author

World , Women , Men

“I know now that I'm definetely never gonna be president. Not unless everyone gets real cool about a bunch of stuff really quickly.”

John Mulaney (1982) American actor and comedian

The Comeback Kid (2015)

“Today I promise you that I will speak gavel fairly, firmly, and with responsibility. Always respecting the rules and the presidents of this house.”

Tip O'Neill (1912–1994) American politician

Housing

“If the President had his way, we’d have a nuclear war every week.”

Henry Kissinger (1923–2023) United States Secretary of State

Source: Henry Kissinger on Nixon, as quoted in Bass, G. J. (2014). The Blood telegram: Nixon, Kissinger, and a forgotten genocide. chapter 19

Way , War

“I am not your President; Donald Trump is still your President.”

Joe Biden (1942) 47th Vice President of the United States (in office from 2009 to 2017)

2021, October 2021
Source: 21 October 2021 https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2021/10/21/remarks-by-president-biden-at-the-10th-anniversary-celebration-of-the-dedication-of-the-dr-martin-luther-king-jr-memorial/

“We have a criminal justice system in this country. We have civil litigation. And former Presidents are not immune from being held accountable by either one.”

Mitch McConnell (1942) US Senator from Kentucky, Senate Majority Leader

2021, February

Justice , Country

“I didn’t have any choice... What choice did I have? He’s the president.”

Colin Powell (1937) Former U.S. Secretary of State and retired four-star general

Source: Quoted in Colin Powell Was a Nice Man Who Helped Destroy Iraq, Peter Maass, https://theintercept.com/2021/10/18/colin-powell-dead-iraq/ The Intercept, (October 18, 2021)

“It’s just like in the military — you argue, you debate something, but once the president has made a decision, that becomes a decision for the Cabinet.”

Colin Powell (1937) Former U.S. Secretary of State and retired four-star general

Source: As quoted from CNN's ‘Larry King Live’ in Colin Powell Leaves Many Leadership Lessons For Corporate Executives, Forbes, October 18, 2021

Decision

“After years of litigation, I was pleased to have had the opportunity to tell my side of this ridiculous story — Just one more example of baseless harassment of your favorite president”

Donald J. Trump (1946) 45th President of the United States of America

Source: " Trump faces a pile of civil lawsuits as depositions begin https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-faces-pile-civil-lawsuits-depositions-begin-n1281612" (October 18, 2021)

“Angels in the house always die in the books they preside over because early ascension into heaven is their reward—and because their goodness makes them boring.”

Maureen Corrigan (1955) American journalist and writer

Source: Leave Me Alone, I'm Reading (2005), Chapter 4 (p. 141)

Housing , Books , Angels

“You cannot trust this President to do what's right for the country.”

Adam Schiff (1960) American politician

Source: " Rep. Adam Schiff: ‘You Can’t Trust This President to do What’s Right for This Country’ https://www.facebook.com/NowThisDaily/videos/rep-adam-schiff-you-cant-trust-this-president-to-do-whats-right-for-this-country/471259693815622/" Facebook video (January 2020?)

Country

“I would like to remind you that I am not only the -- not only the legitimate president of Ukraine, but I’m also the chief of staff, the commander of the army.”

Viktor Yanukovych (1950) Ukrainian politician who was the President of Ukraine

Source: "Transcript: Ukraine’s Viktor Yanukovych on the situation in his country" in The Washington Post https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:DGoGVKRGNYMJ:https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/transcript-ukraines-viktor-yanukovych-on-the-situation-in-his-country/2014/03/11/ffb8fefe-a942-11e3-8599-ce7295b6851c_story.html+&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us (11 March 2014)

“We live in a world where the Taliban has a huge presence on Twitter, yet your favorite American president has been silenced”

Donald J. Trump (1946) 45th President of the United States of America

Source: " Trump announces social media platform launch plan, SPAC deal https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/20/trump-announces-social-media-platform-launch-plan-spac-deal.html" (October 20, 2021)

Silence , World

“Glass ceilings are being smashed every day in Israel, and I'm proud that during my time in the President's Residence, another one is being broken by a worthy and promising officer.”

Isaac Herzog (1960) Israeli politician

Source: Isaac Herzog (2021) cited in " Israeli president’s pick for military secretary makes history https://www.jns.org/israeli-presidents-pick-for-military-secretary-makes-history/" on Jewish News Syndicate, 21 December 2021.

Time

“220,000 deaths.
If you hear nothing else I say tonight, hear this:
Anyone who is responsible for that many deaths should not remain President of the United States.”

Joe Biden (1942) 47th Vice President of the United States (in office from 2009 to 2017)

2020, October 2020
Source: 22 October 2020 tweet https://twitter.com/joebiden/status/1319446692236791814 about Donald Trump as of December 2021 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-59645307 the death toll under Biden's administration surpassed 800,000

Death

“Dear Mr. President:
It appears proper that I should bring to your notice the fact that the record shows that I shall attain the age of 64 years on November 23rd next- one month from today.
I am as always at your service.
Most sincerely yours,
Ernest J. King
Admiral, U.S. Navy”

Ernest King (1878–1956) United States Navy admiral, Chief of Naval Operations

Source: Letter from King to Franklin D. Roosevelt on 23 October 1942, notifying the President that King was about to reach mandatory retirement age, at which time he could only be kept in the Navy at the desire of the President. Roosevelt hand-wrote on the same letter "So what, old top? I may even send you a birthday present!" and had it sent back to King. As quoted in Fleet Admiral King: A Naval Record (1952), by Ernest King and Walter M. Whitehill, p. 412

Appearance , Sincerity , Age

“I as President of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic in such a destructive situation made every possible effort to return the dialogue to normal and prevent an escalation of tension with Moldova.”

Vadim Krasnoselsky (1970) politician

Source: Vadim Krasnoselsky (2021) cited in " Commentary by Vadim Krasnoselsky regarding the next appeal to the President of the Republic of Moldova https://novostipmr.com/en/news/21-12-24/commentary-vadim-krasnoselsky-regarding-next-appeal-president" on Novosti Pridnestrovya, 24 December 2021.

Effort

“As president, I am obliged to protect the safety and well-being of our citizens, to ensure the unity of Kazakhstan.”

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (1953) Kazakh politician

Source: Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (2021) cited in: " Kassym-Jomart Tokayev: “We Will Come Out of This Crisis Even Stronger” https://astanatimes.com/2022/01/kassym-jomart-tokayev-we-will-come-out-of-this-crisis-even-stronger/" in The Astana Times, 5 January 2021.

“I don't rap for dead presidents, I'd rather see the president dead”

Eminem (1972) American rapper and actor

"We As Americans" (2004)
2000s

Dead

“They are not my forces. They are military forces that belong to the government.… I don't own them. I am [the] president. I don't own the country so they are not my forces.”

Bashar al-Assad (1965) President of Syria

Interview with Barbara Walters (7 Dec. 2011) on the military escalation of the Syrian conflict

Country

“"You must tell them that there must be a new union or there will be chaos," he [Shevardnadze] implored me. That evening, when I hosted republic leaders for dinner — a mixed group of presidents, prime ministers, and foreign ministers — I saw around the table and in the conversation a microcosm of the post-coup Soviet Union’s potential — and its problems. Whatever euphoria that they felt with their post-putsch independence declarations had given way to a marked degree of realism. "Independence sounds nice, but we have to live, and we have to be practical," observed the Prime Minister of Moldova, Valeriu Muravsky. That was the persistent theme that I heard from every one of the republic leaders, with the sole exception of the Georgian Prime Minister, Vissarion Gugushvili, though even he spoke of the need for economic cooperation once Georgian independence was recognized internationally.”

James Baker (1930) Former U.S. Secretary of State

The Politics of Diplomacy: Revolution, War and Peace 1989-1992 (1995) by James Addison Baker, p. 531
1990s

Problem , Way

“We have a president who believes in science fiction. I believe in science fact. Climate change is real and we're in the midst of a climate crisis. We need a #GreenNewDeal and as president, on day one, America will rejoin the Paris Agreement.”

Kamala Harris (1964) United States Senator from California

2019, Summer 2019

Science , Change

“In every single crisis we have had that I have been around, going back to Jimmy Carter and the hostages all the way through to this moment, presidents’ ratings have always gone up in a crisis, but that old expression, the proof is going to be in eating the pudding. What’s it going to look like?”

Joe Biden (1942) 47th Vice President of the United States (in office from 2009 to 2017)

29 March 2020 https://news.grabien.com/story-joe-biden-you-know-old-expression-proof-going-be-eating-pudd
2020, March 2020

Way

“Right now, everyone is very emotional about what’s going on. And you know what? The overwhelming majority are those who support the president emotionally. There are so many people who want to support the president — not just emotionally, but also in their actions. They’re the overwhelming majority.”

Dmitry Peskov (1967) Russian politician

"'The traitors will disappear on their own' Dmitry Peskov on the coming 'purification of Russian society'" https://meduza.io/en/feature/2022/03/18/the-traitors-will-disappear-on-their-own, Meduza, 18 March 2022

Support , People