The Complete Bush Quotes

January 10, 2002
President Calls for Review of Pension Regulations and Corporate Disclosure Rules
The Oval Office
***
Well, first of all, Iran must be a contributor in the war against terror; that our nation and our fight against terror will uphold the doctrine, either you're with us or against us; and any nation that thwarts our ability to rout terror out where it exists will be held to account, one way or the other.

January 27, 2002, President Welcomes the NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers
***
"You fight evil by being an LA Laker that convinces somebody to be a mentor for some child in inner-city Los Angeles who wonders whether there's any love or hope in the world. That's how you fight evil."

***
"We will be in that theater with our military until we bring al Qaeda to justice. This is a dangerous phase of the first theater in the war on terror because there's a lot of caves." -G.W. Bush

 

January 30, 2002
President Asks Seniors to Get Involved in USA Freedom Corps
Remarks by the President at Florida Welcome
Daytona Beach International Airport
Daytona Beach, Florida
***
"I'll give you an interesting idea that took place in Maine. They've got Maine lobstermen are now patrolling the coast on a volunteer basis to make sure that somebody in a -- somebody carrying something they don't want to carry in a boat shows up on the coast. I mean, there's all kinds of ways to serve the community."

***
"We need a policy that has reliable energy for America. Imagine an employer wondering whether or not they're going to run out of energy. That person is not likely to hire somebody."

 

January 31, 2002
Georgia Welcomes President Bush
Remarks by the President at Georgia Welcome
Atlanta Mariott Marquis, Atlanta, Georgia
***
"I'm the President of a land of people who are so compassionate and so decent and so kind, that evil people can't possibly, possibly put that into their calculation." --G.W. Bush

***
"I said in my State of the Union that I stand in awe of the American people, and you know what I'm talking about."

 

February 6, 2002
Exchange With Reporters During Tour of NYPD Command and Control Center
New York, New York
***
BUSH: "...jobs ought to be what the people up there in Washington are asking themselves -- how do we create jobs, so people can find work."

[Q from audience]: "Why can't they get it done?"

BUSH: "You're asking the wrong man, I'm in the executive branch of government."

***
"We're a country based on fabulous values. ...Right is on our side. And we'll prevail, because we're a fabulous nation, and we're a fabulous nation because we're a nation full of fabulous people."

 

February 8, 2002
Photo Opportunity with President Hinckley of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Administration Building
Salt Lake City, Utah
***
Q Mr. President, are you confident about the security situation at the Games?

THE PRESIDENT: I'm so confident about the security condition, I've come.

 

February 27, 2002, President Discusses Welfare Reform and Job Training,
Remarks by the President to the Chamber of Commerce,
Charlotte, North Carolina
***
"And, therefore, the budget I'm submitting and the reform that I hope that Congress will insist upon recognizes that premarital counseling can work, conflict resolution after marriage is important, anti-gambling -- help the old man get off the gambling habit will help."

***
"Yesterday in Washington, D.C., I met with a guy hooked on crack cocaine. He found the Lord."

 

March 1, 2002
Presidential Q&A with Pool Reporters
Remarks by the President to Travel Pool
The Printer, Inc., Des Moines, Iowa
***
"And I'm not going to miss the moment, by leading the world to a more freedom-loving world."

 

March 1, 2002
President Reiterates Call for Retirement Security Reform
Remarks by the President on Retirement Savings
The Printer, Inc., Des Moines, Iowa
***
"Listen, we're doing everything we can to protect the homeland of the country."

 

March 8, 2002
President Discusses War & Economy in Florida
America II Electronics Management
St. Petersburg, Florida
***
"Look, here's the thing. We're fighting leaders of the murderers that sent people to commit suicide missions. They're real brave. They say, you go ahead and commit suicide, I'm going to find a cave -- we'll send youngsters to their death; in the meantime I'm going to try to find a deep cave somewhere. And so when you fight people like that, you never know."

 

April 30, 2002
President Speaks to Community Leaders in Los Angeles
First African Methodist Episcopal Renaissance Center
***
"Well, thank you all very much. My fellow Americans." (Laughter.)

***
"As John told me, the aftermath of the civil unrest as part of the world began to rebuild, becoming a more hopeful place, and John quickly pointed out, partly because of the leadership of the two men I just named."

***
"These are folks from the religious community, community-based community, the business leaders. We had bankers."

***
THE PRESIDENT: I know firsthand. I know what faith can mean in somebody's life. That's why I remind people I'm just a humble sinner who sought redemption. And I -- (applause) --

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Preach, Mr. President. (Laughter.)

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I don't want to get too far. (Laughter.)

 

***
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim the years 2002-2011, as National Bone and Joint Decade.

 

June 8, 2002
President Bush Meets with Egyptian President Mubarak
Camp David, Maryland
***
Q Do you agree with President Mubarak that there needs to be a deadline for a Palestinian state to give the Palestinian people hope?

PRESIDENT BUSH: Yes. Here's the timetable I have in mind. We need to start immediately in building the institutions necessary for the emergence of a Palestinian state which, on the one hand, will give hope to the Palestinian people and, on the other hand, say to the world, including the neighborhood, that there is a chance to defeat -- to live in peace, to defeat terror. And that's important. ...We're not ready to lay down a specific calendar, except for the fact we need to get started quickly, soon, so that we can seize the moment.

 

June 13, 2002
21st Century High Tech Forum
***
"I saw some really innovative health programs. I remember going to the Texas Tech Medical Center, and seeing a fellow have his ear examined by a nurse practitioner in I think it was Alpine, Texas. And the picture was clear and the specialist was able to diagnose the disease."

 

June 14, 2002
Visit to the Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans Headquarters Summer Enrichment Camp
Houston, Texas
***
"Before I talk about service, I want to say something about Karachi. We fight an enemy that are radical killers, that's what they are. You know, they claim they're religious people, and they blow up Muslims. They have no regard for individual life."

 

June 14, 2002
Remarks by the President in Texans for Rick Perry Reception
Hyatt Regency
Houston, Texas
***
"Texas must not go backwards. Texas must continue to have strong accountability systems, so that this business about just shuffling children through the system stops. You see, it's easy to quit on a young, black child."

***
"For the good of the American people I call upon Congress to think about not turf, but security. (Applause.)"

 

June 17, 2002
President Calls for Expanding Opportunities to Home Ownership
St. Paul AME Church
Atlanta, Georgia
***
PRES: I find it most interesting that we would be talking about how we help people in a church. After all, that's why churches exist.

AUDIENCE: Mm-hmm.

***
"It will help a lot to build homes where people can -- where when fully implemented, people will be able to say, I own my home."

***
"Fannie Mae will establish 100 partnerships with faith-based organizations that will provide home buyer education and help increase homeownership for their congregations. I love the partnership."

***
"You know, one of the things Presidents can do, is they can call the old conference."

 

June 18, 2002, President Reiterates Goal on Homeownership, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Washington, D.C .
***
"Let me first talk about how to make sure America is secure from a group of killers, people who hate -- you know what they hate? They hate the idea that somebody can go buy a home."

***
"I want to thank the choir for coming, the youngsters for being here. I just want you to know that, when we talk about war, we're really talking about peace."

 

July 8, 2002
President Urges Congress to Support Nation's Priorities
Press Conference
James S. Brady Briefing Room
***
Q Yes, Mr. President. The NAACP is meeting this week in Houston, as you probably know. And there's been some criticism that you've not attended their convention since the 2000 campaign. How would you respond to that, and respond generally to suggestions from some critics that your civil rights record in the administration is not a stellar one?

THE PRESIDENT: Let's see. There I was, sitting around the leader with – the table with foreign leaders, looking at Colin Powell and Condi Rice.

 

July 10, 2002
President to Federal Employees on Homeland Security
DAR, Constitution Hall
Washington, D.C.
***
"Everybody wants to be a war correspondent. They want to go out there and see the tanks moving across the plains or the airplanes flying in formation and -- but that's not the way this war is going to be fought all the time."

***
"Only in America do we have somebody as dedicated as people like Chung, who are willing to sacrifice on behalf of the United States of America."

***
"You know, the threats we face are real. I mean, it is real."

***
"We're in a different kind of war than we're used to. There'll be moments where it seems like we're not at war."

***
"History has -- people are saying, what is this country all about? Well, I'll tell you what we're about. We're going to do what's necessary to say -- to do our most important job. We are can-do people."

 

July 15, 2002
Roundtable Interview of the President by Polish Journalists
The Roosevelt Room
***
"But my favorite vacation spot is my own ranch in the state I love. And I like to get out and fool around on the land."

 

July 15, 2002, Bob Riley for Governor and Alabama Republican Party Victory
***
"The heady days of the '90s, the boom days of the '90s, it was like we were on a binge where there was no -- the horizon was forever going up."

 

July 17, 2002
President Bush
President Kwasniewski (Poland) Hold Joint Press Conference
The East Room
***
"And the -- I believe this economy is going to come back, and I think it's going to help improve their financial picture when it does."

***
"In terms of the Russia-U.S. relationship, it's a strong relationship. But the -- and it's a relationship which is important, because it helps Russia think westward. And Poland can be a part of that, of course. The President has had great visits with President Putin, and he's talked about the benefits of thinking West."

 

July 29, 2002
Sanford for Governor and South Carolina Republican Party - Victory 2002 Luncheon
North Charleston Convention Center
Charleston, South Carolina
***
"You saw the great spirit of America recently in Pennsylvania. When their miners were trapped, people prayed for their deliverance. Americans spent hours trying to figure out how best to save those miners, came up with a plan, successfully got each and every one of them out. I want to thank God for the prayers of the American people for helping them,and thank God for their savior -- their saving."

 

August 13, 2002
Remarks by the President at the Small Investors & Retirement Security Session
Economic Forum, Waco, TX
***
"...you talk about some of these fancy financial instruments being designed to inflate revenues, for example. And it takes a fairly sophisticated soul to find out what's going on. And the fundamental question, who is that sophisticated soul, and it seems like to me the sophisticated soul is the recommenders of the stocks."

***
"And my question is, you know, apart from government, how best can industry police itself. How best for -- as I one time said, I said, they'll sell or buy you depending upon what's in their interest, and how best to protect the unsophisticated. Now, a person accumulating a lot of assets from these practices, are pretty darned sophisticated."

 

August 13, 2002
President at the Economic Forum Plenary Session
Jones Concert Hall
Baylor University
Waco, Texas
***
"But a lot of that money has nothing to do with national emergency, and I'll give you one example: a new facility for storing the government's collection of bugs and worms."

***
"I want those who wear the hard hats, who are willing to take risks by suspending themselves above the land, by building commercial projects that are significant in size -- I want them working."

 

August 13, 2002
President at the Corporate Responsibility Session - Economic Forum
Waco, TX
***
"Wait until you see who's here when you go to lunch. It's really impressed."

***
"But this is a unique land we're in. There is a moral compass amongst by far the vast majority of us. And that's what makes America so great."

***
"I think this is a very important day. It's important for all of us here, but more importantly, or as importantly, it's important for people who are paying attention to what is said here."

 

August 22, 2002
Gordon Smith for Senate Reception
Executive Tower Hotel
Portland, Oregon
***
"That's not the way Gordon thinks, nor do I think, for that matter."

***
"I went up on the mountain today, in the midst of a burn, to talk about how best to prevent those burns from happening in the first place, ..."

***
"People that hide in caves and send youngsters to their death -- that doesn't impress us at all. All that does is make us want to get into the cave with them, and bring them out. That's what that does."

 

August 22, 2002
President Announces Healthy Forest Initiative
The Compton Arena
Central Point, Oregon
***
"We've got to make sense -- it makes sense to encourage people to make sure that the forest not only are healthy from disease, but are healthy from fire. That's what we've got to do here in America."

***
"And so therefore, in the face of this recession, which turned out to be a recession, which turned out to be a recession, the tax cut came at the right time in American economic history."

***
"We ought to have a President -- and I will use that tool to open up markets for Oregon farm and ranch products." (Applause.)

***
"You can't measure progress by which hedge row we've taken. This is a different kind of war."

 

August 22, 2002
President Tours Area Damaged by Squires Fire
Squires Peak Fire Area
Ruch, Oregon
***
Q Mr. President, do you have any reaction to President Musharraf's rewriting of the Pakistani constitution?

THE PRESIDENT: My reaction about President Musharraf, he's still tight with us on the war against terror, and that's what I appreciate.

 

August 29, 2002
Remarks by the President at Back to School Event
Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School
Little Rock, Arkansas
***
"I had the honor of meeting them and talking to them and visiting about how best to implement a strategy that not only encourages every child to learn, but a strategy that continues to raise the standards that raises the bar."

***
"So when you hear talk about the department of homeland security, it's really meant to make sure that we coordinate at the federal level all these agencies involved with some sense of homeland security."

***
"We've got a big task at hand. I just wanted you to know. I want to give you an update so that when you read the newspapers or watch television about this war, that it's a different kind of war."

***
"So the mind-set has got to be that every child can learn. It's a mind-set you have here in Arkansas, by the way. You do, you believe it. I can feel it. I've been to this -- this isn't my first time to go to an Arkansas school. Certainly you've got it at this school."

***
"You got to measure in order to know. In order to correct problems early, before they're too late, you must measure."

***
"If you don't have any ambitions, the minimum wage job isn't going to get you to where you want to get, for example. In other words, what is your ambitions; and oh, by the way, if that is your ambition, here's what it's going to take to achieve it. It's kind of a reality check."

***
"Thousands of students who didn't really realize the value of raising the bar have gone -- taken extra credits, and have learned new language."

 

September 2, 2002
President Bush Thanks America's Workers at Labor Day Picnic
Carpenters Joint Apprenticeship Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
***
"Look, anybody who wants to join a union can do so in this crowd, with the homeland security department."

***
"They try to find the darkest cave, the deepest cave, and then they send youngsters to their suicidal deaths. It's a different kind of hater than we're used to."

***
"And finally, in order to make sure the economy continues to grow and there's jobs, we've got to be wise about how you spend your money."

***
"That's a better country, a country that understands that Medicare serves an important purpose."

***
"When you own something, it makes America a better place."

 

September 5, 2002
Remarks by the President at Anne Northup for Congress Luncheon
Seelbach Hilton
Louisville, Kentucky
***
"They don't have formations and flotillas. They're resourceful killers, is what they are."

***
"See, if you're not a battleground, if you don't have to worry about your people getting attacked because of vast oceans protecting you, then you can think one way."

***
"No, this enemy, these killers hit America. They in so doing created an opportunity to achieve peace."

***
"Anne was right, we are enforcing the doctrines, however. We're enforcing the doctrines of this first war of the 21st century. One of the doctrines is, if you harbor one of these people you're just as guilty as they are. If you feed a terrorist, harbor a terrorist, hide a terrorist, you're just as guilty as those who murdered thousands of innocent citizens on September the 11th. And the Taliban found out what we meant. See, it's important in the world, when you say something, that you do it. (Applause.) But what was important about that action was not only did we uphold doctrine, but more importantly, we liberated a country."

 

September 5, 2002
Remarks by the President at Louisville, Kentucky Welcome
Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center
Louisville, Kentucky
***
"And I'm worried about the health and security of our country, I am. And we've got a lot of work to do. I'm not worried about our future because I'm optimistic about America."

***
"And there's a lot of brave folks on the hunt. Probably some of your relatives. And if you've got a relative in the United States military, or if you're in the United States military, this nation is incredibly proud of what your relative is doing."

 

September 5, 2002
Chris Chocola for Congress, and Indiana Victory 2002 Finance Dinner
Century Center
South Bend, Indiana
***
"See, this is a different kind of war. And part of my responsibilities as your President is to remind people about the realities that we face in America. One of the realities is, is that these people hide in caves."

***
"This is one of these kind of wars where things happen and you just don't know about it."

***
"There's no doubt in my mind that we should allow the world worst leaders to hold America hostage, to threaten our peace, to threaten our friends and allies with the world's worst weapons."

 

September 7, 2002
Remarks by the President and Prime Minister Tony Blair in Photo Opportunity
Camp David, Maryland
***
"This world faces some serious threat -- and threats -- and we're going to talk about it."

***
"There's all kinds of ways to change regimes."

 

September 16, 2002
Remarks by the President on the Budget
Sears Manufacturing
Davenport, Iowa
***
"You've just got to understand that about the nature of the enemy. They hate us because we love."

***
"So we've got to worry about how much we spend. And by the way, there's plenty of money up there."

***
"It's a different kind of enemy than we have fought in the past. These are the kind that don't have tanks and formation of aircraft or flotilla of ship."

***
"Troops that made a huge sacrifice -- they're sacrificing for freedom. They fight at mountain -- on mountaintops in thin air. They -- looking down caves."

***
"But I also made it clear, this: that unless they're action from the nations at the United Nations, that that's not satisfactory, as far as the United States is concerned."

 

September 16, 2002
Jim Nussle for Congress Luncheon
Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds
Davenport, Iowa
***
"Any time -- any time you introduce a candidate as 'Mr. Chairman,' that ought to tell you something about whether or not you want a change or not."

***
"The other day, as you know, the country went on a higher status of alert, for a reason -- the noise level began to gin up."

***
"This guy is just another killer, and we got him. He, along with several thousand others we have gotten. And another like number hadn't been quite so lucky, they weren't got -- they were gotten the ultimate way."

 

September 17, 2002
Remarks by the President at Lamar Alexander for Senate Luncheon
Nashville Convention Center
Nashville, Tennessee
***
"Remember, the doctrine, either you're with us or you're with the enemy -- and that doctrine still stands. (Applause.) And as a result, over a couple thousand of them have been hauled in, and that number -- about the same number met a different fate. They weren't as lucky. And another doctrine still stands. It says, if you harbor a terrorist, if you feed a terrorist, if you house a terrorist, you're just as guilty as those who murdered thousands of innocent American lives."

 

September 17, 2002
Teaching American History and Civic Education
East Literature Magnet School
Nashville, Tennessee
***
"We didn't need any more theory in Washington. We needed people that actually done."

***
"They had great faith in America, faith -- so much faith in the ideals of our country that they were willing to trust their teenage children with a stranger in a foreign country."

***
"There's an old saying in Tennessee -- I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee -- that says, fool me once, shame on -- shame on you. Fool me – you can't get fooled again."

 

September 19, 2002
Republican Governors Association Fall Reception
National Building Museum
Washington D.C.
***
"A strong America is an America in which people who want to work and can't find a job are able to do so."

***
"We used to think, well, there's a little conflict going over there, or perhaps a leader over here who is a despicable person couldn't hurt us."

***
"You see, if the enemy hides in caves, and a different kind of enemy, different kind of war, we need a collection of friends sharing intelligence, cutting off money, routing these people out." ***
"It's found particularly in places that exist because of the universal dictum that people should love their neighbors just like they should be loved themselves." (Applause.)

***
"I don't know if you remember that doctrine I laid out; said, either you're with us or you're with the enemy."

 

September 23, 2002
Doug Forrester for Senate Event
Sovereign Bank Arena
Trenton, New Jersey
***
"I say priorities. I say priorities. The most important priority we have today and tomorrow is to protect the homeland. That's the most priority in America. (Applause.)"

***
"We love the idea that people can debate and speak their mind, and holler and whoop about politics. They hate it."

***
"You've got to just know, any time we get a hint, a whiff, a suggestion that somebody might be trying to come back to America -- we're moving."

***
"We've got freedom-loving countries sharing information with us. No, we're moving hard."

***
"This is an enemy which, it used to be you could count an enemies tanks or the size of its fleet, the number of aircraft they had, and say, oh, gosh, we're making progress."

***
"The other day, as you noticed, there was a fellow hiding in the dark caves -- or dark corners, not caves, it was in the city, dark -- dark corners of a city in Pakistan."

 

September 23, 2002
President Calls on Congress to Act
Army National Guard, Aviation Support Facility
Trenton, New Jersey
***
"An energy bill will be good for national security. We need an energy bill that encourages consumption [sic],..." ("[sic]" from official transcript)

***
"No, it's a different kind of war than our nation has seen in the past. One thing that's different is oceans no longer keep us safe."

 

September 24, 2002
Photo Opportunity with NCAA Spring Champions
The East Room
***
"If you ever follow college track, you know that LSU has been dominate, to say the least. And once again, they have been dominate."

 

September 28, 2002, Matt Salmon for Governor and Rick Renzi for Congress Dinner, Phoenix Civic Plaza, Arizona
***
"It's not a glamorous war according to the TV shows and stuff. It's just one person at a time."

***
"It's really important for you to tell them that we value each life, no matter where that life lives."

***
"It broke our heart, but it also made us joyous when we realized upholding the doctrine that said, if you harbor a terrorists, you're just as guilty as the terrorists, not only allowed the United States to keep its word, but we freed people."

***
"They talked to their loved ones. They said the word 'love' a lot."

 

October 4, 2002
Massachusetts Victory 2002 Reception
The Seaport Hotel
Boston, MA
***
"See, after the enemy hit us on September the 11th, it distorted market."

***
"When your economy is kind of ooching along, it's important to let people have more of their own money."

***
"We've got a border. We need to know who's coming in our country, what they're bringing in the country, why they're bringing what they're bringing into their country." (Applause.)

 

October 8, 2002
Tennessee Welcome
McGhee Tyson Airport
Alcoa, Tennessee
***
"It's important to get somebody in there who... ...stands tall when sometimes the winds of public opinion may be drifting a different way; somebody you can count on; somebody, when they turn up the butane, the political butane, you know where they stand."

***
"And let me share with you right quick the philosophy, because it's important to understand the philosophy behind educational excellence -- at least our philosophy."

***
"When times are slow -- (applause) -- when times are slow, the best way to encourage economic growth is not to increase the size of government, but to increase the size of money in our citizens' pockets." (Applause.)

 

October 9, 2002
White House Reception for Hispanic Heritage Month
The East Room
***
"Not only we must chase down the al Qaeda one by one, which we continue to do to this very day, but we've also got to deal with threats that are real."

 

October 11, 2002
Remarks on U.S. Humanitarian Aid to Afghanistan
Presidential Hall
Dwight David Eisenhower Executive Office Building
***
"We got the Taliban gone. We'd like to get disease and hunger gone, as well."

 

October 15, 2002
Conference on Minority Homeownership
George Washington University
***
"This is -- an ownership society is a compassionate society."

***
"Two-thirds of all Americans own their homes, yet we have a problem here in America because few than half of the Hispanics and half the African Americans own the home."

***
"We started talking about it and I said, well, you know, I'm the kind of fellow, I don't like to lay out a goal and don't mean it. I think it's not -- I don't think it's fair for the American people to be -- to have a President or anybody else, for that matter, lay out a goal and just kind of say it, but don't mean it. I mean it."

 

October 17, 2002
Unity Luncheon
Atlanta Marriott Marquis Hotel
Atlanta, Georgia
***
"Economic issue is a big issue."

***
"It used to be that oceans could protect us. We used to be able to sit back here in America and feel safe and confident, because there's two vast oceans to protect us from potential enemies."

***
"We're aware of the threat. And so we're on -- we're on full game all the time. That's our job."

***
"Sometimes you'll see us making progress and sometimes you won't. Sometimes those people who chatter on the cables will be talking about it, sometimes you're just not going to hear. It's a manhunt, one at a time."

 

October 17, 2002
The President on Education
Read-Patillo Elementary School
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
***
"It must make you feel proud to know you've got a school which has defied the so-called odds, and now you're an A. It's important to know you've got an A in your midst. It's also important to know whether your school is not an A."

***
"They need, if need be -- now, many teachers don't need to be retrained – but the idea of teaching teachers on a curriculum which works is an incredibly important part of having a successful program."

 

October 18, 2002
President Discusses Tax Relief Impact
Southwest Missouri State University
Springfield, Missouri
***
"I've known the Gatlin Brothers for a long time, and I really appreciate the three brothers coming. I'm -- Larry is my good buddy. He is a fine, fine, fine American. And Steve and Rudy are as well. I hope you're enjoying them as much as I've enjoyed knowing them. And I'm real proud their here. I want to thank the Gatlin boys for coming today." (Applause.)

***
Obviously, my job is not only to deal with threats that we find in these dark caves, but also to anticipate threats."

***
"You can express yourselves, right in the ballot box."

***
"We are in a different kind of war, and we're still at war. We're in a war unlike the past."

 

October 18, 2002
President Highlights Education
The University Center
Rochester Community and Technical College Fieldhouse
Rochester, MN
***
"He's got his priorities straight. You lost your hockey team and he got you another one." (Applause.)

***
"We want our medicine to be affordable and accessible. We want people to have access to the health care and we need it to be affordable."

***
"The other day a guy named Abu Sayyaf -- I mean Bin al-Shibh, he popped his head up."

***
"And one of the goods -- and part of that good, part of that good is to achieve peace. If we're tough -- and we'll be tough -- if we speak plainly about terror -- which we'll do -- if we stay the course and remain strong, I believe that we can achieve peace, I truly believe it."

 

October 21, 2002
Remarks by the President and NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson in Photo Opportunity
The Oval Office
***
"NATO is an incredibly important part of U.S. foreign policy. I appreciate the alliance."

 

October 27, 2002
Arizona Welcome Dodge Theater
Phoenix, Arizona
***
"In order to protect the American people, we must see clearly the threats we face. We can't have any fuzziness anymore, because the oceans aren't there."

***
"People were flying across the country -- people were flying across the country, people were flying across the country that day. They weren't sure what was going on. They were on cell phones, using the modern technology to learn that the airplane they were on was being used as a weapon. Some of them didn't panic. Probably all of them didn't."

 

October 28, 2002
Colorado Welcome
Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum
Denver, Colorado
***
"You all suffered a lot of burning here in the west. Because we've had lousy forest policy, forest policy that didn't make any sense; forest policy that just said, let's just ignore the forest, let's just let this kindling build up, let's create a dangerous situation. And then all of a sudden, lightening struck, or man may strike, and these forests that have been not tended to, forests that have been ignored, caught on fire and our heritage was destroyed."

***
"See America is still under threat. Oh, we can play like we are aren't; we can play like there's not a threat out there, but that's just not the way I am."

***
"It's going to take a while. It's not an easy lift. It's going to take a while. This isn't one of these instant gratification deals. This is going to take a while to get it done."

***
"See, these are the kinds of people that hide in caves. They don't fly airplanes like the one I used to fly, the 102, or they don't sit in tanks."

 

October 28, 2002
New Mexico Welcome
Riner Steinhoff Soccer Complex
Alamogordo, New Mexico
***
"They're dangerous; they're determined; they're based upon -- they base their sentiments upon hatred."

***
"I went to the United Nations; I said to them as clearly as I could, in Western language -- (laughter and applause) -- I said, you can be an effective body to help us keep the peace, you can be an effective U.N., or you can be the League of Nations."

***
"Now, it's hard to tell progress sometimes because this is a different kind of war. I'm sure we've got some vets out there who remember the wars where, yes, we're making progress because we destroyed some tanks, or we're making progress because we shot some airplanes out of the sky."

 

October 31, 2002
West Virginia Welcome
Charleston Civic Center
Charleston, West Virginia
***
"And that's why I went to the United States Congress and asked them to join with me in the creation of a department of homeland security, so we can better protect the homeland, so we can get the agencies involved with homeland security to work together, to set as their priority your protection, and if need be, to work together to change cultures, so that the number one priority is in fact the protection of the homeland."

***
"This enemy doesn't have tanks, they don't have ships. They hide in caves. They live in -- they kind of ooch around -- (laughter) -- the dark corners of the world, and send youngsters to their suicidal deaths."

 

October 31, 2002
Indiana Welcome
South Bend Regional Airport
South Bend, Indiana
***
"We had some good news today. We had some good news today. The third quarter was -- showed positive growth. And that's positive. That's good news."

***
"I need to be able to move the right people to the right place at the right time to protect you, and I'm not going to accept a lousy bill out of the United Nations Senate." (Applause.)

***
"But if the United States won't act, won't fulfill their responsibilities to keep the peace, and if Saddam Hussein will not disarm -- their choices, by the way -- the United States of America, in the name of peace and in the name of freedom, will lead a coalition and disarm Saddam Hussein." (Applause.)

***
"You've just got to know, amongst all the talk about getting them and war and all that, that my vision is for a peaceful world."

 

October 31, 2002, South Dakota Welcome, Northern State University, Barnett Center, Aberdeen, South Dakota
***
"Thanks for having me here. The next time you get me to come back, let's go pheasant hunting." (Applause.)

***
"I want to thank you all who have voted. I want to thank you who are fixing to vote."

***
"My call to you is, in order to fight evil, is to do some good."

 

November 1, 2002
Pennsylvania Welcome
Harrisburg International Airport
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
***
"We're kind of bumping along. And that's not good enough."

***
"Be wary of those who say, we must revisit the tax relief plan. That's Washington code word for, we're fixing to get back in your pockets." (Laughter.)

***
"Listen, if we think we've got something going on, we're going to do something about it."

***
"Look at Bali, Indonesia. See, the world kind of said, well, maybe they're not that dangerous. And all of a sudden they go to Bali, Indonesia and just over--in a minute's time take innocent life after innocent life after innocent life. They don't care. And so we've got to get them."

***
"These guys were flying across the airplane, guys and girls flying across the airplane -- the country in an airplane. They heard the plane was going to be used as a weapon. Imagine."

***
"No, there's a lot of issues we can work on, there's no more important issue, though, is to protect you."

***
"No, this issue on homeland defense is incredibly important if you're a clear-eyed realist. And I'm a clear-eyed realist."

 

November 1, 2002
New Hampshire Welcome
Pease International Tradeport Airport
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
***
"They don't have ships. They hide in caves. They send suiciders out."

 

November 1, 2002
Kentucky Welcome
Kentucky International Convention Center
Louisville, Kentucky
***
"She bases her decisions on a deep -- (applause) -- a deep-seated philosophy. She's decency, she's great."

***
"She worked hard to make sure transportation was effective in this part of the world."

***
"One of the biggest problems we've got is our economy. It's just bumping along. It's not going like it should."

***
"And it's our fervent love of freedom, and the fact that we're not going to change, which really irritates the enemy. See, they don't like us."

***
"The homeland was secure by geography."

 

November 2, 2002
Tennessee Welcome
Tri-Cities Regional Tn/Va Airport
Blountville, Tennessee
***
"I also want to thank my friend, Darrell Waltrip. (Applause.) There he is. (Laughter.) I've known him for quite a while. He's looking younger and I'm looking older. (Laughter.) Keeps asking me whether or not he can drive the presidential limousine. (Laughter.) No. (Laughter.) He's a good, solid man. One of the reasons Hilleary is going to win is because he's going to win the NASCAR vote." (Applause.)

***
"Talk it up with people who may not pay attention to the politics as much as we do."

 

November 2, 2002
Atlanta, Georgia Welcome
Cobb Galleria Centre
Atlanta, Georgia
***
"I appreciate Sonny, I appreciate him being straightforward, down to earth, tells it like it is. That's why he's going to be a fine governor. I appreciate him being straightforward, down to earth, tells it like it is. That's why he's going to be a fine governor. And I appreciate the fact that he set education as a priority. That's why he's going to be a fine governor. I appreciate the fact that he has actually met a payroll before. (Laughter.) That's why he's going to be a fine governor. (Applause.) No, I appreciate Sonny being here."

***
"It doesn't matter what they're putting on the TV screens. I know the definition of ally."

***
"This is a different kind of war. In the old days you used to say, well, you destroyed so many tanks or airplanes -- we're making progress. That's not the way this war is conducted. They don't have tanks. They've got caves and they've got suiciders."

***
"They don't understand a country like we do."

 

November 2, 2002
Savannah, Georgia Welcome
Executive Aviation Hangar
Savannah International Airport
Garden City, Georgia
***
"There are a lot of Democrats in this part of the world that know the difference between a balanced budget and not."

***
"Oh, there's some positive signs, but too many people can't find work in America. That's how I gauge whether or not we're doing fine in the economy."

***
"They told their loved ones good-bye over modern devices -- cell phones."

 

November 2, 2002
Florida Welcome
University of South Florida - Sun Dome
Tampa, Florida
***
"When he [Jeb Bush] hears the hurt, he doesn't go around and say, well, if you're hurting, I'll only try to help you if you're a Republican."

 

November 3, 2002
Illinois Welcome
Illinois Police Academy
Springfield, Illinois
***
"No, there's a lot of work we can do to make sure people get back to work. I'm not going to pay attention to the numbers; what I'm going to pay attention to is whether or not the human being is working."

 

November 4, 2002
Iowa Welcome
U.S. Cellular Center
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
***
"I can't imagine anybody in their right mind getting rid of a chairman. It doesn't make any sense. Maybe I'm missing something when some Iowa citizens say it makes sense to get rid of powerful chairmen. That's not the politics I remember."

***
"Of course, we've got a -- our economy is kind of bumping along. It's not as strong as it should be. It's bumping and bumping."

***
"Things have changed in the medical world. Technology has changed. There's new discoveries which make it easier for people to become healthy."

***
"Times have changed. Used to be oceans could protect us, and therefore, we could see a gathering threat and maybe deal with it, or maybe not"

 

November 4, 2002
Arkansas Welcome
Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport
Bentonville, Arkansas
***
"The best thing that can happen to Arkansas, and the best thing that can happen to America is to put Tim Hutchinson back in the U.S. Senate. (Applause.) And I know something about being a government."

***
"I appreciate the Gatlin Boys being here."

***
"Can the children read and write and add and subtract? If you believe every child can do that, it's a legitimate question then to ask the question."

***
"See, we've been warned. We're now aware that they're out there. We're aware of how mean they are."

***
"In other words, if there are certain work rules that prevent me from putting the right people at the right place at the right time to protect you, I have had -- up to now, and if the Senate, some senators get their way, I won't have-- the ability to suspend those rules. That's what you want."

***
"See, this is a different kind of war. It's a kind of war instead of trying to knock down airplanes and sink ships, we're looking in caves."

***
"In the old days -- the old days not all that long ago, I might add – oceans protected us. It's not all that long ago that we could kind of settle back and say, well, there's a gathering threat over here, but we don't have to worry about it at home because of our geography -- oceans can protect us."

***
"And here at home, we can be a better tomorrow -- better America, too. And that's important to realize."

***
"The solid truth of the matter is, when you find -- if you want to help heal the hurt -- if you want to hurt [sic] people and help people in pain, the best way to do so is to call upon the great strength of the country, which is the compassion of our fellow Americans."

 

November 4, 2002
Missouri Welcome The Family Center
St. Louis, Missouri
***
"I'm a country and western fan, and one of my favorites is Randy Travis. I'm proud that Randy is here, and Elizabeth is here. (Applause.)"

***
"By geography, America was safe, we assumed."

 

November 12, 2002
District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Operations Center
Washington, D.C.
***
"On September the 11th, 2001, our nation was confronted by a new kind of war. See, we're at war. This is a war."

***
"It's also a war where the enemy doesn't show up with airplanes that they own, or tanks or ships. These are suiciders."

***
"You're already on the front lines. Now you got another line. There's another front to do our duty to the American people."

***
"We've deployed detection equipment to look for weapons of mass destruction. Whoever would have thought that this country needed to use technologies to prevent people from smuggling in weapons of mass destruction?"

***
"See, every morning I go into that great Oval Office and read threats to our country -- every morning. As a matter of fact, there hadn't a morning that hadn't gone by that I haven't saw -- seen or read threats. Some of them are blowhards, but we take every one of them seriously. It's the new reality."

***
"When the department is created, we've got to do it right. It is our chance to do it right. And I will not give up national security authority at the price for creating a department we badly need to secure America."

***
"We're calling on all these nations that love freedom to join us in an international manhunt."

 

November 13, 2002
Remarks by the President After Meeting with the Cabinet
The Cabinet Room
***
"I think that, first of all, I appreciate the wisdom of Chairman Greenspan. He uses the word, soft spot. I use the words, bumping along."

 

November 18, 2002
Interview of the President in European Print Roundtable
The Roosevelt Room
***
"We're [NATO] going into a new period. And the idea of having members that are willing to shoulder their share of the burden of keeping the peace with the new threats is good, but -- and this spirit of understanding what totalitarianism can mean and understanding the responsibilities of being free nations -- that come with being a free nation is very important at this summit."

***
THE PRESIDENT: And so, with that, I'll answer some questions. Why don't we start here. You are from?

Q Yes, sir. I am from Romania.

THE PRESIDENT: That's good.

***
"[When I visit Romania] I will be able to point to statues of heroic liberators, people who believed in freedom, that freedom was ingrained in their soul; and, on the other hand, point to a balcony where the dictator had his -- he realized reality."

***
Q I'm from Lithuania and Lithuania was recognized 11 years ago -- by your father, President Bush --

THE PRESIDENT: Forty-one, we call him

***
"Freedom is essentially a human condition. It's not an American gift; it is God's gift to the world. I believe that. I believe that everybody -- the Almighty recognizes, through His mercy and grace that people are -- the freedom of each individual."

***
"It was exciting times for Americans to watch the change in the Soviet Union, because it meant that the days of significant animosity could be ending."

***
"The enemy doesn't travel in army formations. They're killers. They take theaters; they crash airplanes into buildings; they bomb resorts."

***
"First of all, the map is more than just countries on a piece of paper; the map is an attitude."

***
Q Although -- Mr. President, although, yes -- recognize the annexation and occupation of Lithuanian, to most Americans our country was unknown territory for a long time. And can you recall when did you first and what hear about Lithuania? And what did you think of Lithuania at that time? And what do you think now?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, there's a lot of Lithuanian Americans who kept the hope alive of a free and independent Lithuania in America -- not so much in my home state of Texas, mainly in the midwest. And I think a lot of people took pity on the people of Lithuania, given the circumstances. And the government took its position. But there was a patience by our leadership that eventually freedom would prevail.

Lithuania is kind of a -- it's got kind of a -- all the Baltics, for that matter, have got an interesting kind of romance because it's a small country, it's totally overwhelmed, divided up, it's kind of handed out as pieces of a -- pieces of a settlement that saddened a lot of Americans. But nobody ever gave up hope, I think. Most Americans never gave up hope that the Baltics would some day be able to realize their vast potential.

I'm going to tell you an interesting story -- this is from another Baltic country. It's from the Prime Minister of Estonia, came to see me. I'm very hesitant to put words into another leader's mouth -- they tend to do it to me, and I don't like it, so I would paraphrase, loosely paraphrase. He was there at the time when -- and one of the things I do is welcome a lot of leaders to America, it's an interesting experience. I have done so with the Lithuanian leadership, as well.

And I said -- this is the day where I told our Congress we were going to encourage a national debate and dialogue on Iraq. And I started to give him my rationale as to why I was thinking about Iraq. He said, you don't need to talk to me -- this is paraphrasing now -- about Iraq. He said, our country has watched democracies go soft in the face of totalitarianism and we lived in slavery for 50 years.

Now, that's a paraphrase for the American press. But the point I want to make to you is that he was clear about obligations we have. That's what I think about the Baltics. The spirit -- and Romania, for that matter, and the Czech Republic as embodied in the works and thoughts of Vaclav Havel. That's what I think about your country. You know, I firmly believe that -- again, I keep repeating myself, but it's on my mind because this is exactly what we're dealing with at the NATO expansion. And this is the concept of how precious freedom is for people. It is a -- and it has a lot to do, frankly, with my thinking about Iraq, too.

The fact that people are tortured and subjugated, aren't free to realize their potential, really bothers me. I think we have an obligation to work to free people. There's all kinds of ways to do it, but we have that obligation. It doesn't happen as quickly sometimes as we would like. But that's an obligation of all of us who have got -- who live in free countries. You have that obligation. But there's no doubt you'll recognize that obligation because you're freshly free from subjugation. And that's what I was talking about, about the invigoration of the soul of NATO. That's what I think about when I think about the Baltics.

***
"Imagine a Saddam Hussein with a nuclear weapon. It's certainly not an ingredients for peace; quite the contrary. And so the NATO countries understand that."

 

November 18, 2002
Interview of the President by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
The Library
***
"The threats we face are global terrorist attacks. That's the threat. And the more you love freedom, the more likely it is you'll be attacked."

***
"We value every life, everybody counts. And in my judgment, the more people relate to the United States and work with the United States, the more likely it is they will work to improve the human condition. And that's what we spend a lot of time doing."

***
"And you're right, there's some leaders there that need work with, and we're prepared to work with them."

***
"But this issue is bigger than one person. If -- the war on terror is a group of fanatics."

***
THE PRESIDENT: Make no mistake about it, we'll prevail. Thank you, sir.

Q Thank you, sir.

THE PRESIDENT: Is there any doubt in your mind we'll prevail?

Q Not anymore. (Laughter.)

 

December 3, 2002
Terrell for Senate and Louisiana Republican Party Luncheon
The Fairmont Hotel
New Orleans, Louisiana
***
"Sometimes, Washington is one of these towns where the person -- people who think they've got the sharp elbow is the most effective person."

 

December 12, 2002
President Bush Implements Key Elements of his Faith-Based Initiative
Downtown Marriott Hotel
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
***
"We have that obligation, to recognize the world changed for America on September the 11th, 2001. Before that date, it seemed like we could use the oceans to protect us from gathering dangers. We could be confident that nobody could possibly hurt America -- hurt Americans on America soil."

 

December 20, 2002
President Welcomes Quartet Principals to White House
Remarks by President Bush, Secretary General Kofi Annan, Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moeller,
and Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov in Photo Opportunity with the Quartet Principals
***
"We're assuming our responsibilities. The people in the neighborhood must assume their responsibilities."

***
"I want to thank you, all, for coming. We're on our holiday season. It is the season of peace on Earth. We confirmed that today in this meeting."

***
Q Trent Lott question?

THE PRESIDENT: I would have -- but we ran out of time. (Laughter.) We ran out of time. They eat up your time. We had only so much time available. They ate up your time. I'm sorry. (Laughter.)

Q You can drop by later.

THE PRESIDENT: We could do that, you're right. But we're due at Christmas parties.

 

December 20, 2002
President Bush Speaks to the People of Iran
Radio Address by the President to the People of Iran on Radio Farda
***
THE PRESIDENT: I'm pleased to send warm greetings to the people of Iran and to welcome you to the new Radio Farda broadcast.

For many years, the United States has helped bring news and cultural broadcasts for a few hours every day to the Iranian people via Radio Freedom. Yet the Iranian people tell us that more broadcasting is needed, because the unelected few who control the Iranian government continue to place severe restrictions on access to uncensored information. So we are now making our broadcast available to more Iranians by airing news and music and cultural programs nearly 24 hours a day, and we are pleased to continue Voice of America and VOA TV services to Iran.

The people of Iran want to build a freer, more prosperous country for their children, and live in a country that is a full partner in the international community. Iranians also deserve a free press to express themselves to help build an open, democratic and free society.

My thoughts and prayers are with the Iranian people, particularly the families of the many Iranians who are in prison today for daring to express their hopes and dreams for a better future. We continue to stand with the people of Iran in your quest for freedom, prosperity, honest and effective government, judicial due process and the rule of law. And we continue to call on the government of Iran to respect the will of its people and be accountable to them.

As I have said before, if Iran respects its international obligations and embraces freedom and tolerance, it will have no better friend than the United States of America.

Best wishes for a bright future, filled with knowledge and information and freedom.

 

December 31, 2002
President Visits Coffee Shop
Remarks to the Press Pool
The Coffee Station
Crawford, Texas
***
"We are really happy to be spending New Year here in Crawford, Texas. We'll be having our New Year's hamburger here in a minute." (Laughter.)

***
Q Sir, why should we be more worried about Saddam Hussein, who has no nuclear weapons, than Kim Chong-il, who is unstable and does have nuclear weapons?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, first of all, I think it's important to remember that Saddam Hussein was close to having a nuclear weapon. We don't know whether or not he has a nuclear weapon.

***
THE PRESIDENT: Heck, it wasn't all that long ago that a U.S. leader never spoke to the Chinese leader. And right here in Crawford we had a dialogue where we both committed ourselves to working in a way to convince Kim Chong-il that it's not in his country's interests to arm up with nuclear weapons. And I believe that can be resolved peacefully.

Listen, thank you all. I'm thinking about a little nature walk in a couple of days. Anybody interested?

Q How far is it, how long is it?

THE PRESIDENT: About four miles. I know you're interested.

Q Did you keep last year's resolution to eat less cheeseburgers?

THE PRESIDENT: A matter of fact, it's an interesting question she asked: did I keep last year's resolution to eat less cheeseburgers. (Laughter.) And the answer is, yes, to the extent that I'm now comfortable in having a cheeseburger today. (Laughter.)

I hope you all are enjoying yourself here.

MRS. BUSH: Happy New Year, everybody.

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