341 quotes
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.
A Distinctly American Internationalism (1999)
Our nation, this generation, will lift the dark threat of violence from our people and our future. We will rally the world to this cause by our efforts, by our courage. We will not tire, we will not falter and we will not fail.
Freedom and Fear Are at War (2001)
The situation in Iraq is unacceptable to the American people; and it is unacceptable to me. Our troops in Iraq have fought bravely. They have done everything we have asked them to do. Where mistakes have been made, the responsibility rests with me.
Address to the Nation (2007)
In Iraq, there is no peace without victory. We will keep our nerve and we will win that victory.
Address to the National Endowment for Democracy (2005)
That's why I cut the taxes on everybody. I didn't cut them. The Congress cut them. I asked them to cut them.
You know, I think an interesting construct that General [Peter] Pace uses is, "We're not winning, we're not losing."
I said you were a man of peace. I want you to know I took immense crap for that.
My conviction comes down to this: we do not create terrorism by fighting the terrorists. We invite terrorism by ignoring them.
Address to the Nation on Iraqi Elections (2005)
Our war on terror is well begun, but it is only begun. This campaign may not be finished on our watch — yet it must be and it will be waged on our watch.
State of the Union address (2002)
No act of the terrorists will change our purpose, or weaken our resolve, or alter their fate. Their cause is lost; free nations will press on to victory.
Mission Accomplished (2003)
It's more of a theological perspective. I do believe there is an Almighty, and I believe a gift of that Almighty to all is freedom. And I will tell you that is a principle that no one can convince me that doesn't exist.
A doctor in rural South Africa describes his frustration. He says, "We have no medicines. Many hospitals tell people, you've got AIDS, we can't help you. Go home and die." In an age of miraculous medicines, no person should have to hear those words.
We got a leader in Iran who has announced that he wants to destroy Israel. So I've told people that if you're interested in avoiding World War III, it seems like you ought to be interested in preventing them from have the knowledge necessary to make a nuclear weapon.
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.
My argument is that it really matters, if you're interested in peace. If peace is your goal, which it's got to be a goal for any American president, it matters a lot whether people live in a free society.
Speech at the Gerald R. Ford Foundation (2011)
...they want the federal government controlling Social Security, like it's some kind of federal program.
I'm interested in politics, but I'm out of politics. You know, I like to watch it.
Speech at the Gerald R. Ford Foundation (2011)
To the loves of my life: Laura, Barbara, and Jenna
Decision Points (2010)
There ought to be limits to freedom. We're aware of the site, and this guy is just a garbage man, that's all he is. Of course I don't appreciate it. And you wouldn't, either.
Abroad, our nation is committed to an historic, long-term goal — we seek the end of tyranny in our world. Some dismiss that goal as misguided idealism. In reality, the future security of America depends on it.
State of the Union (2006)