George W. Bush Quotes

No matter how tough Iraq became, removing Saddam Hussein was the right thing to do for the sake of peace and for the 25 million people we liberated.

Using tax payers' money to provide liquidity to Wall Street so that the country wouldn't head into a depression was the right decision, in my judgment.

There are a lot of tactical decisions that, if I could have done them over, I would have.

I would like people to understand the rationale for my embryonic stem cell research decision and how the process became distorted over time.

My post-presidency is evolving.

I am a passionate person when it comes to freedom.

I believe that we're in an ideological struggle; I believe the only way to marginalize those who murder the innocent, to achieve our ideological objectives, is to spread democracy and freedom.

I walked away from Kyoto because it would damage America's economy, you bet. It would have destroyed our economy. It was a lousy deal for the American economy. I felt there was a better way.

One thing is clear: The Iraqi people are showing incredible courage. The United States of America must understand that it's in our interests that we help this democracy succeed.

So long as I'm the president, we will. I clearly see the challenge. I see the challenge of what these threats pose to our homeland, and I see the challenge of what these threats pose to the world.

If you say, "Are you going to change your strategic objective?", it means you're leaving before the mission is complete, and we're not going to leave before the mission in Iraq is complete.

The fundamental question facing Iraq government is whether or not we will stand with reformers across the region. It's really the task. And we're going to stand with this government.

That's really the fundamental question we face here in the beginning of this 21st century is whether or not we believe as a nation and others believe it is possible to defeat this ideology.

Our job is to help Iraq forces be better equipped, to help their police be able to deal with these extremists and to help their government succeed.

Iraq will succeed because the Iraqis will see to it that they succeed. And our job is to help them succeed. That's our job.

Sometimes I'm frustrated. Rarely surprised. Sometimes I'm happy, you know. But war is not a time of joy.

You know, nobody likes to see innocent people die. Nobody wants to turn on their TV on a daily basis and see havoc wrought by terrorists.

The question is: Shouldn't Hezbollah disarm? And ultimately they should. And it's necessary for the Lebanese government to succeed.

I understand gas prices are like a hidden tax - not a hidden tax; it's taking money out of people's pockets. I know that.

Those who heralded the decision not to give law enforcement the tools necessary to protect the American people just simply don't see the world the way we do.

I believe in the universality of freedom and therefore want to be involved in the freedom movement.

I believe that women will lead the democracy movement.

One of the biggest sacrifices in running for President, if there is one, is the loss of anonymity.

George H. W. Bush. He's been a classy guy in his post-presidency.

George H. W. Bush is gracious. And I'm not saying any of the former presidents aren't gracious, I'm just saying, this man is gracious.

Each of us will figure out our own way.

I can only give my life in a way that makes me comfortable.

I feel a special kinship with our military personnel, veterans, and their families. After all, two of my decisions sent them into harm's way.

I'm just beginning to get a sense for ways I can use golf - or perhaps mountain biking at some point in time - to stay focused on causes that are dear to my heart.

I don't want to be in the press.

There's a lot that I want to accomplish.

I believe that freedom is a gift from an Almighty to every man, woman, and child; that is a principle that was important to me during my presidency and I think it's an important principle.

Markets are the best way to allocate resources.

All human life is precious.

I worry about protectionists, which is another way of saying less competition, less trade around the world. And I view those as twins of negativity.

How do you measure whether or not a strategy of economic growth that is articulated by a very smart, capable economist actually yields growth? You can't. But you can influence.

I would like to remembered as President as somebody who did not compromise principles in order to try to be loved or liked.

Some people are going to like the decisions I made, some people are not going to like the decisions that I made. That's just the way it is.

If someone came to me and said, "Your strategy in your post-presidency is brilliant," as if I had figured out a way to make me look better, to me, that analysis is amusing.

Bill Clinton and I are friends; we see each other on the speaking circuit. He likes to be visible. I don't. And I draw no judgment either way.

What ends up happening is people form images and the image they form is, in some ways, what they want it to be. The idea of trying to correct the image is something I'm not interested in doing.

I'm comfortable with time. Time will change.

Perceptions change with time and you can't rush it, in my judgment.

I'm uncomfortable trying to rush change of perception, except to the extent that I'm going to write a book.

If you are young child and you've lost mother and dad to AIDS and rich nations sit on the sidelines not caring, you will become a frustrated person and a hopeless person.

1992 was the worst year of my life, to watch my dad lose. It was a painful experience. Yet when I became president, it was so much easier to be president.

It was much easier for me to endure the belittling than it was to watch my dad get belittled.

I think all presidents should take the long view of history.

As I look back over my life, I've been an active person - obviously I was self-absorbed for a period of time.

I really don't want to in the press, genuinely don't want to be in the press.