75 George W. Bush Quotes on Policy

George W. Bush quotes on policy

3. Victory means exit strategy, and it's important for the President to explain to us what the exit strategy is.

4. I would define the mission as to restoring Kosovo so the Kosovoians can move back in and at the same time teach Mr. Milosevic that NATO and its allies and the United States will not tolerate genocide.

9. I don't believe witchcraft is a religion and I think the military should be re-examine their standards.

15. We ought to make the pie higher.

22. This case has had full analyzation and has been looked at a lot. I understand the emotionality of death penalty cases.

23. I want you to know that farmers are not going to be secondary thoughts to a Bush administration. They will be in the forethought of our thinking.

31. I think we ought to raise the age at which juveniles can have a gun.

36. They want the federal government controlling Social Security like it's some kind of federal program.

41. I want everybody to hear loud and clear that I'm going to be the president of everybody.

48. First, we would not accept a treaty that would not have been ratified, nor a treaty that I thought made sense for the country.

50. For every fatal shooting, there were roughly three non-fatal shootings. And, folks, this is unacceptable in America...And we're going to do something about it.

62. I want justice. And there's an old poster out West, I recall, that says, 'Wanted: Dead or Alive'.

70. Every nation, in every region, now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists. [17]

72. We are fully committed to working with both sides to bring the level of terror down to an acceptable level for both.

73. Well, you know, I think the American people are sacrificing now. I think they're waiting in airport lines longer than they've ever had before.

77. 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.

82. Not over my dead body will they raise your taxes.

91. Given the goals of rogue states and terrorists, the United States can no longer solely rely on a reactive posture as we have in the past. The inability to deter a potential attacker, the immediacy of today's threats, and the magnitude of potential harm that could be caused by our adversaries' choice of weapons, do not permit that option.We cannot let our enemies strike first.

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

100. There's no bigger task than protecting the homeland of our country.

101. I don't know why you're talking about Sweden. They're the neutral one. They don't have an army.

103. The war on terror involves Saddam Hussein because of the nature of Saddam Hussein, the history of Saddam Hussein, and his willingness to terrorize himself.

111. The United States is committed to the worldwide elimination of torture and we are leading this fight by example.

114. There are some that feel like if they attack us that we may decide to leave prematurely. They don't understand what they are talking about if that is the case. Let me finish. There are some who feel like the conditions are such that they can attack us there. My answer is, bring 'em on. [28], [29]

148. 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.

149. That's why I cut the taxes on everybody. I didn't cut them. The Congress cut them. I asked them to cut them.

153. In this different kind of war, we may never sit down at a peace table. But make no mistake about it, we are winning, and we will win.

157. I believe it is the job of a President to confront problems, not pass them on to future Presidents and future generations.

158. I hear there's rumors on the internets [pause] that we're going to have a draft. We're not going to have a draft, period.

159. I wasn't happy when we found out there wasn't weapons [of mass destruction in Iraq]

160. Our health care system is the envy of the world.

163. I made it very plain: We will not have an all-volunteer army. [Crowd boos] Let me restate that. We will not have a draft. [Crowd Cheers]

169. And as a result of the United States military, Taliban no longer is in existence.

171. Because the - all which is on the table begins to address the big cost drivers. For example, how benefits are calculate, for example, is on the table; whether or not benefits rise based upon wage increases or price increases. There's a series of parts of the formula that are being considered. And when you couple that, those different cost drivers, affecting those - changing those with personal accounts, the idea is to get what has been promised more likely to be - or closer delivered to what has been promised. Does that make any sense to you? It's kind of muddled. Look, there's a series of things that cause the - like, for example, benefits are calculated based upon the increase of wages, as opposed to the increase of prices. Some have suggested that we calculate - the benefits will rise based upon inflation, as opposed to wage increases. There is a reform that would help solve the red if that were put into effect. In other words, how fast benefits grow, how fast the promised benefits grow, if those - if that growth is affected, it will help on the red. (4 February 2005)[59]

179. This notion that the United States is getting ready to attack Iran is simply ridiculous. (Short pause) And having said that, all options are on the table. (Laughter) (25 February 2005) [63]

181. Well, we've made the decision to defeat the terrorists abroad so we don't have to face them here at home.

184. Interestingly enough, Americans now understand we have a problem. - April 26, 2005 [65]

194. We do not torture.

200. One of the hardest parts of my job is to connect Iraq with the war on terror.

209. Ages of experience have taught us that the commitment of a husband and wife to love and to serve one another promotes the welfare of children and the stability of society. Government, by recognizing and protecting marriage, serves the interests of all.

219. You know, one of the hardest parts of my job is to connect Iraq to the war on terror.

237. Some say our approach is really just more troops for the same strategy. In fact, we have a new strategy with a new mission: helping secure the population, especially in Baghdad. Our plan puts Iraqis in the lead.... Members of Congress have a right to express their views, and express them forcefully. But those who refuse to give this plan a chance to work have an obligation to offer an alternative that has a better chance for success. To oppose everything while proposing nothing is irresponsible.

238. Well, no question decisions have made things unstable. But the question is can we succeed. And I believe we can. Listen, I'd like to see stability and a unified Iraq. A young democracy will provide the stability we look for. I will tell you that if we just isolate ourselves from the Middle East and hope for the best, we will not address the conditions that had led young suiciders to get on airplanes to come and attack us in the first place.

244. What we're trying to do with this reinforcement of our troops is to provide enough space so that the Iraqi government can meet certain benchmarks or certain requirements for a unity government to survive and for the country to be strong.

246. It can be tempting to look at the challenges in Iraq and conclude our best option is to pack up and go home. That may be satisfying in the short run, but I believe the consequences for American security would be devastating. If American forces were to step back from Baghdad before it is more secure, a contagion of violence could spill out across the entire country. In time, this violence could engulf the region. The terrorists could emerge from the chaos with a safe haven in Iraq to replace the one they had in Afghanistan, which they used to plan the attacks of September the 11th, 2001. For the safety of the American people, we cannot allow this to happen.

251. It makes no sense to tell the enemy when you plan to start withdrawing. All the terrorists would have to do is mark their calendars and gather their strength -- and begin plotting how to overthrow the government and take control of the country of Iraq. I believe setting a deadline for withdrawal would demoralize the Iraqi people, would encourage killers across the broader Middle East, and send a signal that America will not keep its commitments. Setting a deadline for withdrawal is setting a date for failure -- and that would be irresponsible.

252. As you watch the developments in Baghdad, it's important to understand that we will not be able to prevent every al Qaeda attack. When a terrorist is willing to kill himself to kill others, it's really hard to stop him. Yet, over time, the security operation in Baghdad is designed to shrink the areas where al Qaeda can operate, it's designed to bring out more intelligence about their presence, and designed to allow American and Iraqi forces to dismantle their network. We have a strategy to deal with al Qaeda in Iraq. But any time you say to a bunch of cold-blooded killers, success depends on no violence, all that does is hand them the opportunity to be successful. And it's hard. I know it's hard for the American people to turn on their TV screens and see the horrific violence. It speaks volumes about the American desire to protect lives of innocent people, America's deep concern about human rights and human dignity. It also speaks volumes about al Qaeda, that they're willing to take innocent life to achieve political objectives. The terrorists will continue to fight back. In other words, they understand what they're doing. And casualties are likely to stay high. Yet, day by day, block by block, we are steadfast in helping Iraqi leaders counter the terrorists, protect their people, and reclaim the capital. And if I didn't think it was necessary for the security of the country, I wouldn't put our kids in harm's way. ...Either we'll succeed, or we won't succeed. And the definition of success as I described is sectarian violence down. Success is not, no violence. There are parts of our own country that have got a certain level of violence to it. But success is a level of violence where the people feel comfortable about living their daily lives. And that's what we're trying to achieve.

257. If you want to kill the bill, if you don't want to do what's right for America, you can pick one little aspect out of it, you can use it to frighten people. Or you can show leadership and solve this problem once and for all, so the people who wear the uniform in this crowd can do the job we expect them to do.

258. I'll see you at the bill signing.

269. Sometimes we must fight terror with tyranny. Press Conference (November 7, 2007 press conference, talking about Pakistan)

277. Goodbye, from the world's biggest polluter.

282. Dick Cheney and I do not want this nation to be in a recession. We want anybody who can find work to be able to find work.

283. The California crunch really is the result of not enough power-generating plants and then not enough power to power the power of generating plants.

284. Rarely is the question asked, ...is our children learning?

295. The protection of America itself will assume a high priority in a new century. Once a strategic afterthought, homeland defense has become an urgent duty. For most of our history, America felt safe behind two great oceans. But with the spread of technology, distance no longer means security.

296. Let me be clear. Our first line of defense is a simple message: Every group or nation must know, if they sponsor such attacks, our response will be devastating.

304. In the defense of our nation, a president must be a clear-eyed realist. There are limits to the smiles and scowls of diplomacy. Armies and missiles are not stopped by stiff notes of condemnation. They are held in check by strength and purpose and the promise of swift punishment.

306. American foreign policy must be more than the management of crisis. It must have a great and guiding goal: to turn this time of American influence into generations of democratic peace.

318. The advance of freedom is the calling of our time; it is the calling of our country. From the Fourteen Points to the Four Freedoms, to the Speech at Westminster, America has put our power at the service of principle. We believe that liberty is the design of nature; we believe that liberty is the direction of history. We believe that human fulfillment and excellence come in the responsible exercise of liberty. And we believe that freedom - the freedom we prize - is not for us alone, it is the right and the capacity of all mankind.

324. We did not charge hundreds of miles into the heart of Iraq and pay a bitter cost of casualties and liberate 25 million people only to retreat before a band of thugs and assassins.

345. We're facing a radical ideology with inalterable objectives: to enslave whole nations and intimidate the world. No act of ours invited the rage of the killers - and no concession, bribe, or act of appeasement would change or limit their plans for murder.

349. In Iraq, there is no peace without victory. We will keep our nerve and we will win that victory.

353. In a complex and challenging time, the road of isolationism and protectionism may seem broad and inviting - yet it ends in danger and decline. The only way to protect our people ... the only way to secure the peace ... the only way to control our destiny is by our leadership - so the United States of America will continue to lead.

371. If we don't stop extending our troops all around the world in nation-building missions, then we're going to have a serious problem coming down the road.

373. We can touch so many more children with this new policy.January 11, 2004

376. Stop throwing the Constitution in my face. It's just a goddamn piece of paper!

380. We're not going to have any casualties.

383. Ike had lots to do. First off, he had to clean up the big mess left by Franklin Roosevelt, a President who wasted so much taxpayer money on needless and wasteful social programs that us Republicans had to impose a two-term limit.

385. Every time they say tax the rich, the rich dodge and you pay.

386. If your platform is the destruction of Israel, it means you're not a partner in peace, and we're interested in peace

393. If affirmative action means what I just described, what I'm for, then I'm for it.

400. We won't be proven wrong [:] I believe that we will find the truth. And the truth is, he was developing a program for weapons of mass destruction. [102]

421. It is complex

433. The third part of our plan to strengthen border enforcement is to stop people from crossing the border illegally in the first place. (5 December 2005)

446. This is the dysfunctions and motivations of the Bush administration laid bare.