George Walker Bush (b.1946) is an American Republican-party political leader. He served as America’s 43rd president 2001–09.
Born to George Herbert Walker Bush, the 41st president, and educated at Yale and Harvard, George W. Bush served as governor of the state of Texas 1995–2000. He became president in one of the tightest and most contentious presidential elections in American history. Democratic Party candidate Al Gore legally challenged the precision of the vote count in the state of Florida but lost in the U.S. Supreme Court.
Following the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001, Pentagon in Washington, D.C., Bush launched a “war on terror” against the Taliban establishment in Afghanistan and ordered the invasion of Iraq in 2003.
In his first term, Bush enjoyed high approval ratings amongst Americans, but by the end of his second term, his ratings were the lowest recorded for any previous American president.
In retirement, Bush took up painting as a hobby and published the monograph Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief’s Tribute to America’s Warriors (2017) with 98 portraits of American war-veterans and accompanying essays about them written by Bush himself.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by George W. Bush
This was not an act of terrorism, but it was an act of war.
—George W. Bush
Topics: Terrorism
We’re in a fight for our principles and our first responsibility is to live by them.
—George W. Bush
Topics: Responsibility
I went to Washington to challenge the soft bigotry of low expectations.
—George W. Bush
Topics: Deception/Lying
We will starve terrorists of funding, turn them one against another, drive them from place to place, until there is no refuge or no rest. And we will pursue nations that provide aid or safe haven to terrorism. Every nation, in every region, now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists.
—George W. Bush
Topics: Terrorism
I take great comfort in having people around who can walk in my office and tell me what’s on their mind. Part of my job is—they say, what’s your job? My job is decision-maker. I make a lot of decisions. Obviously, some of which you’ve seen, and a lot of them you don’t. And they’re big ones and little ones. But you make a lot of decisions. And if you don’t—if you’re uncertain about all the facts surrounding a decision, you’ve got to rely upon people. And you’ve then got to create an environment in which people are willing to come in and say, here’s what’s on my mind.
It’s important at the presidential level. It’s important in business. You’ve got to have people comfortable about saying, Here’s what I think you ought to do, Mr. CEO. You’ve got to listen and have a—I’ve always believed in a flat organizational chart. I think the worst thing that can happen for decision-makers is to get a filtered point of view.
—George W. Bush
Topics: Decisions
I understand small business growth. I was one.
—George W. Bush
Topics: Business
We believe the American people can spend their money better than the government can spend it.
—George W. Bush
Topics: Taxes
We know that dictators are quick to choose aggression, while free nations strive to resolve differences in peace.
—George W. Bush
America will never seek a permission slip to defend the security of our people.
—George W. Bush
America is the land of the second chance – and when the gates of the prison open, the path ahead should lead to a better life.
—George W. Bush
You don’t get everything you want. A dictatorship would be a lot easier.
—George W. Bush
Prayer has comforted us in sorrow and will help strengthen us for the journey ahead.
—George W. Bush
Topics: Prayer, Sorrow
If you’re sick and tired of the politics of cynicism and polls and principles, come and join this campaign.
—George W. Bush
Topics: Politics
Reality challenges and rewards. I believe our best days are yet to come.
—George W. Bush
Topics: Challenges
We will stand up for our friends in the world. And one of the most important friends is the State of Israel. My administration will be steadfast in support Israel against terrorism and violence, and in seeking the peace for which all Israelis pray.
—George W. Bush
The tyrant has fallen, and Iraq is free.
—George W. Bush
The best way to relieve families from time to time is to let them keep some of their own money.
—George W. Bush
Topics: Taxes
It is clear our nation is reliant upon big foreign oil. More and more of our imports come from overseas.
—George W. Bush
Topics: Nation
Everywhere that freedom stirs, let tyrants fear.
—George W. Bush
I don’t think you should support the death penalty to seek revenge. I don’t think that’s right. I think the reason to support the death penalty is because it saves other people’s lives.
—George W. Bush
I have a different vision of leadership. A leadership is someone who brings people together.
—George W. Bush
Topics: Leadership
The deliberate and deadly attacks which were carried out yesterday against our country were more than acts of terror. They were acts of war.
—George W. Bush
Some of the scientists, I believe, haven’t they been changing their opinion a little bit on global warming? There’s a lot of differing opinions and before we react I think it’s best to have the full accounting, full understanding of what’s taking place.
—George W. Bush
Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America;These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.
—George W. Bush
Topics: Terrorism
I glance at the headlines just to kind of get a flavor for what’s moving. I rarely read the stories, and get briefed by people who are probably read the news themselves.
—George W. Bush
Topics: News
Over time it’s going to be important for nations to know they will be held accountable for inactivity. You’re either with us or against us in the fight against terror.
—George W. Bush
Topics: Terrorism
If the terriers and bariffs are torn down, this economy will grow.
—George W. Bush
Topics: Economy
We do not create terrorism by fighting the terrorists. We invite terrorism by ignoring them.
—George W. Bush
Topics: Terrorism
We’re pursuing a strategy of freedom around the world, because I understand free nations will reject terror. Free nations will answer the hopes and aspirations of their people.
—George W. Bush
Topics: Aspirations
The most important job is not to be governor, or first lady in my case.
—George W. Bush
Topics: Jobs, Funny quotes
The story of America is the story of expanding liberty: an ever-widening circle, constantly growing to reach further and include more. Our nation’s founding commitment is still our deepest commitment: In our world, and here at home, we will extend the frontiers of freedom.
—George W. Bush
Topics: America
I am a person who looks long-term, and I recognize the path we need to take. There will be moments when people are unhappy and disgruntled with some decision-making. Nonetheless, what matters most is to reach the destination. And my job as President is to see clearly where I want to go and be steadfast in my resolve to realize that vision.
—George W. Bush
Topics: Unhappiness
Grief and tragedy and hatred are only for a time. Goodness, remembrance and love have no end, and the Lord of life holds all who die and all who mourn.
—George W. Bush
Topics: Forgiveness
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