George W. Bush

My trip to Asia begins here in Japan for an important reason. It begins here because for a century and a half now, America and Japan have formed one of the great and enduring alliances of modern times. From that alliance has come an era of peace in the Pacific.

Remarks by the President to the Diet, Tokyo, Japan. (February 18, 2002), 2002

After all, this is a guy that tried to kill my dad at one time.

On Saddam Hussein, remarks in Houston, Texas, (September 26, 2002), 2002

We must stop the terror. I call upon all nations to do everything they can to stop these terrorist killers. Thank you. Now watch this drive.

Statements to reporters during an interview on a golf course (August 4, 2002); publicized in the film Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004) by Michael Moore, and also quoted at Common Ground (July 2004), 2002

My pro-life position is I believe there's life. It's not necessarily based in religion. I think there's a life there, therefore the notion of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.

Quoted in the San Francisco Chronicle (January 23, 2001), 2001

My plan reduces the national debt, and fast. So fast, in fact, that economists worry that we're going to run out of debt to retire.

Presidential Radio Address (24 February 2001), 2001

I'm hopeful. I know there is a lot of ambition in Washington, obviously. But I hope the ambitious realize that they are more likely to succeed with success as opposed to failure.

Interview with the Associated Press (18 January 2001), 2001

I looked the man in the eye. I found him to be very straightforward and trustworthy. We had a very good dialogue. I was able to get a sense of his soul; a man deeply committed to his country and the best interests of his country. And I appreciated so very much the frank dialogue.

On Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin, in a press conference with Putin (16 June 2001), 2001

It was amazing I won. I was running against peace and prosperity and incumbency.

June 14, 2001, to Göran Persson, unaware he was still on live TV, as quoted in "The President in Europe: The President; Plain-Talking Bush Is Using His Charm On European Stage" by Frank Bruni in The New York Times (16 June 2001)., 2001

What we Republicans should stand for is growth in the economy. We ought to make the pie higher.

Republican primary debate in Columbia, South Carolina (February 15, 2000)., 2000

This is Preservation Month. I appreciate preservation. It's what you do when you run for president. You've got to preserve.

Speaking at observance of Perseverance Month, Fairgrounds Elementary School, Nashua, NH, January 27, 2000, 2000

The state can do what they want to do. Don't try to trap me in this state's issue like you're trying to get me into.

Governor Bush on gay marriage, Larry King Live (February 15, 2000), 2000

If the terriers and barriffs are torn down, this economy will grow.

Campaign speech (7 January 2000), Rochester, New York., 2000

If you're a single mother with two children—which is the toughest job in America, as far as I'm concerned—you're working hard to put food on your family.

Speech to the Nashua Chamber of Commerce in New Hampshire (27 January 2000), quoted in Fort Worth Star-Telegram (28 January 2000) "Campaign 2000 Highlights From The Campaign Trail Yesterday", 2000

I watched his interview with her, though. He asked her real difficult questions, like 'What would you say to Governor Bush?' 'What was her answer?' I wonder. 'Please,' Bush whimpers, his lips pursed in mock desperation, 'don't kill me.'

From: "Devil May Care" by Tucker Carlson, Talk Magazine, September 1999, p. 106., 1999

My appointees to the [Texas] board of pardons and paroles reflect my no-nonsense approach to crime and punishment. They believe people who commit crimes against innocent Texans should pay the consequences; they believe sentences imposed by juries should be carried out.

From: "George W. Bush on Crime", OnTheIssues, attributed to "A Charge to Keep", p.151-152. Dec 9, 1999., 1999