The Complete Bush Quotes

January 4, 2007
President Bush Welcomes Chancellor Merkel of Germany to the White House
Cross Hall
***
"Secondly, Syria knows exactly what she needs to do in order to
reenter the nation -- reenter the -- you know, to be viewed as a
nation that's constructive."

***
PRESIDENT BUSH: No back rubs. (Laughter.)

 

January 10, 2007
President's Address to the Nation
The Library
***
"Victory will not look like the ones our fathers and grandfathers
achieved. There will be no surrender ceremony on the deck of a
battleship."

***
"We go forward with trust that the Author of Liberty will guide us
through these trying hours. Thank you and good night."

 

January 11, 2007
President Bush Presents Medal of Honor to Corporal Jason Dunham
The East Room
***
"I welcome the Vice President's presence, Secretary of Defense Bob
Gates, Senator Ted Stevens, Senator John McCain, Senator Craig Thomas
-- I don't know if you say former Marine, or Marine. Marine."

***
"I appreciate the Chaplain for the Navy -- excuse me, for the Marine
Corps. I didn't mean to insult you."

***
"He was born in a small town in upstate New York. He was a normal
kind of fellow, he loved sports."

***
"His mom was a school teacher. She figured out the best way to
improve her son's spelling was to combine his love for sports with
her ability to educate. And so she taught him the words from his
reading list when they played the basketball game of 'horse.'"

***
"He was the kind of person who would stop patrols to play street
soccer with the Iraqi schoolchildren."

 

January 11, 2007
President Bush Visits with Military Personnel and Families at Fort Benning
Georgia Freedom Hall, Fort Benning, Georgia

***
"You know, I knew that right after the attacks, the American psyche
being what it is, people would tend to forget the grave threat posed
by these people. I knew that. As a matter of fact, I was hoping that
would happen so that life would go on."

***
"The Third Brigade Combat Team of the Third Infantry Division took up
the sledgehammer to help liberate Baghdad."

***
"I believe that 2005 would have been a -- we would have completed a
lot of the mission and that would had been training the Iraqis so
they would be in the lead, that they would be in a position to uphold
the wishes of the 12 million people that voted."

***
"They don't believe in freedoms, like freedom to worship. I, frankly
-- well, speaking about religion, these are murderers. They use
murder as a tool to achieve their objective. Religious people don't
murder."

***
"The best way to defeat the totalitarian of hate is with an ideology
of hope -- an ideology of hate -- excuse me -- with an ideology of
hope."

***
"It's important for our citizens to understand that the terrorists
and extremists are as brutal an enemy as this country has ever faced.
There are no rules of warfare. They don't -- they will kill you in a
minute in order to achieve an objective."

***
"As I said last night, we have defied the pessimists, and we will do
so again in this first battle of the 21st century."

President Bush Welcomes World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals to the White House
East Room
***
"You know, I featured myself as a baseball guy at one time."

***
"I don't know if you still do this program, but somebody told me the
other day that there is a program where they match a -- you know,
dogs that need an owner with somebody that needs help, from having a
pet around."

 

January 22, 2007
President Bush Calls March for Life Participants
***
"I appreciate so very much the devotion to such an honorable cause,
and the good work everyone is doing to defend life."

***
"And we believe every human life has value, and we pray for the day when
every child is welcome in life and protected into law." (Applause.)

***
"Nellie, what I'm saying is, is that we're building a culture of life here."

 

January 24, 2007
President Bush Meets with the Joint Chiefs and Combatant Commanders
The Cabinet Room
***
"I'm looking forward to our discussion about the theaters in which
you are representing America."

 

January 25, 2007
President Bush Participates in a Roundtable on Health Care Initiatives
Saint Luke's East -- Lee's Summit
Lee's Summit, Missouri
***
"The reason why I emphasize the information technology aspects of this
hospital is that part of the role of the government is to encourage
people to make decisions to help hold the cost of health care down."

***
"One of the interesting things about medicine is that medicine tends to
have lagged behind the rest of our economy when it comes to information
technology, and yet under Rich's leadership this facility and its sister
facilities are doing some real interesting reforms, we'll talk about a
little bit."

***
"We believe the private sector is the best delivery of health care."

***
"Health care is an interesting industry, isn't it, where a lot of
times you have no idea about the price of the service you're paying for."

***
"The other thing that's interesting what Rich [Hastings, President
and CEO of St. Luke's Health System] is doing, availability of health care,
they've got like a specialist sitting in Kansas City capable of analyzing
somebody's graphs in a remote region, which, again, remember it's
affordability and availability for health care."

***
"Jones -- Dan Jones, where do you live?

MR. JONES: In St. Louis, Missouri.

THE PRESIDENT: Home of the mighty Cardinals?

MR. JONES: Yes, sir. Yes, Mr. President.

THE PRESIDENT: They came to the White House recently.

 

January 29, 2007
President Bush Meets with Members of Securing America's Future Energy
Roosevelt Room
***
"And I'm going to continue to call upon citizens' groups and concerned
citizens to work with members of Congress so we can -- I can sign a
comprehensive plan that will assure the American people that as we look
forward into the 21st century that we'll be more energy dependent [sic] and
good stewards of the environment."

 

January 30, 2007
President Bush Meets with Small Business Leaders in Illinois
Sterling Family Restaurant
Peoria, Illinois
***
"You can't have a good business unless you have somebody willing to lead
that business."

 

January 30, 2007
President Bush Discusses Economy
Caterpillar, Inc.
East Peoria, Illinois
***
"I really want to thank the good folks at Caterpillar for letting me come
by. I like it when they say, Team Caterpillar."

***
"We're going to run into a constraint pretty soon, though. It turns out
corn is needed for more than just ethanol. You got to feed your cows and
feed your hogs."

 

January 31, 2007

President Bush Delivers State of the Economy Report
Federal Hall
New York, New York
***
"Yesterday, I went to the Caterpillar plant in Peoria, Illinois --
that's where they make big bulldozers."

 

February 1, 2007
President Bush Attends National Prayer Breakfast
Hilton Washington Hotel
Washington, D.C.
***
"You know, it's is an amazing country, isn't it, when people from all
walks of life gather to recognize our dependence on an Almighty God, and to
ask him for blessings in our life."

***
"Isn't that interesting -- you're working a rope line and people come up
and say, Mr. President, I am praying for you and your family."

 

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
February 3, 2007
Statement on Atrocity in Baghdad
***
Another atrocity in Baghdad today has targeted the innocent people of
Iraq. Free nations of the world must not stand by while terrorists commit mass
murder in an attempt to derail democratic progress in Iraq and
throughout the greater Middle East.

The United States stands with the people of Iraq. We will support the
freely elected Iraqi government and its security forces, to help bring
those responsible for today's atrocity to justice, and to deliver
greater security to the people of Baghdad.

# # #

 

February 5, 2007
President Bush Meets with the Cabinet
The Cabinet Room
***
"I appreciate the fact that the Iraqi government is anxious to get
security inside the capital of the country. That's a good sign. It's a good sign
that there's a sense of concern and anxiety."

 

February 6, 2007
President Bush Discusses Fiscal Responsibility
Micron Technology Virginia
Manassas, Virginia
***
"Ninety-five percent of the customers in the world live outside the
United States. I mean, we're 5 percent of the population; 95 percent is
elsewhere."

***
"First thing that's for sure, this economy is strong. I hope you feel it."

***
"Real wages are up. That's positive if you rely upon a wage."

***
"One of the lessons of September the 11th is that chaos and safe haven
overseas could cause an enemy to come and harm us, and I'm never
going to forget the lesson."

***
"I really am upbeat about the future of the country. I feel great
about it. All you've got to do is come to Micron and feel good about life."

 

February 7, 2007
President Bush Discusses the National Parks Centennial Initiative
Harry F. Byrd, Sr. Visitor Center
Shenandoah National Park
Luray, Virginia
***
"We believe that we've got a fantastic chance to enhance habitats in the
Park System. Laura, for example, really cares about the bird
population of the country, and the Park System has a lot of habitat -- as do I, by the
way, as much as you do." (Laughter.)

***
"The iPod is hip amongst some of the younger citizens here in the
country, people we want to encourage to come to the parks, so we need to make
sure to apply that technology with educational opportunities, as somebody
goes walking through our parks."

 

February 26, 2007
President Bush Meets with the National Governors Association
The State Dining Room
***
"You got to know something, that a lot of my thinking was defined on September the 11th. I wake up every day thinking about another attack. And that's my job."

***
"Another exciting technological breakthrough is going to come with cellulosic ethanol. It's a long, fancy word for making gasoline -- or making ethanol out of product other than sugar and corn, like switchgrass or wood chips."

 

February 27, 2007
President Bush Welcomes the 2006 NBA Champion Miami Heat to the White House
The East Room
***
"And then, of course, probably one the most well-known figures in the United States of America is a fellow that's hard to miss -- (laughter) -- a fellow Texan -- (laughter) -- big Shaq." (Applause.)

***
"Standing next to Shaq is an awe-inspiring experience." (Laughter.)

 

March 1, 2007
President Bush Visits Samuel J. Green Charter School
New Orleans, Louisiana
***
"I'm a strong proponent of the restoration of the wetlands, for a lot of reasons. There's a practical reason, though, when it comes to hurricanes: The stronger the wetlands, the more likely the damage of the hurricane [sic]."

 

March 1, 2007
President Bush Meets with Gulf Coast Grant Recipients
At Home of Cheryl and Ernie Woodward
Long Beach, Mississippi
***
"And today, we are able to sit in a homeowner -- the word is 'home.'"

 

March 5, 2007
President Bush Discusses Western Hemisphere Policy
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
Washington, D.C.
***
"Los corazones de las personas aqui in America son grandes. It's in our interests that we get good health care to citizens in our neighborhood."

***
"The more employers there are in your neighborhood, the more likely it is you're going to find a better job. That's not really sophisticated math or economics, it just happens to be the truth -- la verdad."

 

March 6, 2007
Roundtable Interview of the President by Foreign Print Journalists
Roosevelt Room
***
"You know, people have reputations that precede them in life"

***
"As China's demand for oil continues, if there's not a corresponding increase in international supply, what happens in China affects the ability of someone in Latin America to be able to keep more money -- in other words, the gas prices go up."

***
"Look, I dare -- I go a lot of places and there are street rallies. And my attitude is, I love freedom and the right for people to express themselves. I bring a message of goodwill to Uruguay and to the region."

***
"When I grew up in Texas, the border, la frontera, was like a third world on both sides of the border. And then in the early '90s, NAFTA was passed. But there wasn't instant successes. It took a while for people to realize how the inevitable adjustments that will come when people start accessing market. And if you were to go down to the border today, you'd be stunned at the prosperity on both sides of the border because of trade."

***
"There will be the argument over the -- whatever. Since I've been President, we've dealt with Mexico on a variety of fronts, like I think tomatoes or corn, whatever -- avocados, exactly, por cierto. Cement."

***
"We believe it ought to be up to the people, the long-suffering people of that island[Cuba] to decide their fate, not the fate -- not to be decided because somebody is somebody's brother; the fate ought to be decided because that's what the people want."

 

March 6, 2007
President Bush Discusses Care for America's Returning
Wounded Warriors, War on Terror at American Legion
Renaissance Hotel
Washington, D.C.
***
"We stopped an al Qaeda plot to fly a hijacked airplane into the tallest building on the West Coast."

 

March 7, 2007
Interview of the President by Natalia Orozco, RCN TV of Colombia
The Map Room
"I recognize there's still a lot of drogas coming here."

***
"And the truth of the matter is Colombia has changed to the better as a
result of the Plan Colombia. There's still bad activities going on, but
it's a lot less than it was before."

March 7, 2007
Interview of the President by Enrique Gratas, Univision
The Map Room
***
"Well, first of all, I think I plan to accomplish -- one -- the main thing
is to kind of disabuse people of the notion that America doesn't care about
the neighborhood."

***
"We're going to have Border Patrol agents, but instead of having a system
that encourages people to sneak in, we ought to have a system that says,
you're welcome to come in on a legal basis to do work America is not doing.
I mean, it makes no sense to have a system that doesn't recognize reality."

 

March 10, 2007
President Bush and President Vázquez of Uruguay Participate in Joint Press
Availability
Visitors Center
Anchorena Park, Uruguay
***
"And so I've been -- I'm really looking forward to this trip. I'm
especially looking forward to the asado. I appreciate the -- I appreciate
your willingness to cook some Uruguayan beef."

***
"You thought I was teasing about blueberries, but I wasn't. It turns out
Uruguay produces a fantastic blueberry. And the fundamental question is,
will that blueberry -- will the blueberry grower be able to sell product
into the United States? So we talked about a variety of produce."

 

March 11, 2007
President Bush and President Uribe of Colombia Participate in a Joint Press
Availability
Casa de Nariño
Bogotá, Colombia
***
"It's amazing, isn't it, that we live in a society where you've got part of
your country where people just kidnap somebody who is hear trying to help,
without any regard to whether or not -- how their family feels."

***
"Words are easy to say in politics in the international diplomacy."

 

March 12, 2007
President Bush and President Berger of Guatemala Participate in Joint Press
Availability
The National Palace
Guatemala City, Guatemala
***
"He also mentioned to me that there's some conspiracies about how children
are being left behind in Guatemala. No es la verdad."

***
"It also turns out narco-traffickers oftentimes leave behind the poison as
they head to other markets. In other words, the local population can become
deeply affected by drogas."

 

March 13, 2007
President Bush and President Calderón of Mexico Exchange Luncheon Toasts
Hacienda Temozón
Mérida, Mexico
***
"Relations between Mexico and the United States are muy importante."

 

March 28, 2007
President Bush Discusses Economy, War on Terror During Remarks to the
National Cattlemen's Beef Association
Holiday Inn on the Hill
Washington, D.C.
***
"Every time we break down a barrier to trade, it makes it more likely
somebody who's raising a cow will have an opportunity to sell that
cow into a better market."

***
"If you manufacture a good that is sold overseas, you're making more
money that somebody who's not exporting. Isn't that an interesting fact?"

***
"When I'm talking to leaders and they've got an issue with American
beef, it's on the agenda. I say, if you want to get the attention of the
American people in a positive way, you open up your markets to U.S. beef."

***
"We've captured hundreds of fighters that are spreading sectarian
violence. In other words, we're after killers. We're after -- we don't say, this
religious group, or this religious group."

***
"Some call this civil war; others call it emergency [sic] -- I call it pure evil."

 

March 28, 2007
President Bush Attends Radio and Television Correspondents' Annual
Dinner Washington Hilton
Washington, D.C.
***
"I'm glad to see everybody here is enjoying themselves. Don't think I
haven't noticed all the drinking that's been going on." (Laughter.)

***
"I have to admit we really blew the way we let those attorneys go.
You know you botched it when people sympathize with lawyers."
(Laughter and applause.)

***
"But between the Congress and the press, there is a lot of scrutiny
in this job. Not a day goes by that I don't get scrutineered one way or the
other. (Laughter.) The press is a lot tougher the second term. It's reached the
point I sometimes call on Helen Thomas just to hear a friendly voice." (Laughter.)

***
"Considering what's next -- President Clinton, of course, wrote a very
successful presidential memoir, with 10,000 pages or something.
(Laughter.) I'm thinking of something really fun and creative for mine -- you know,
maybe a pop-up book." (Laughter and applause.)

***
"People Magazine recently had a photo of the Senator [Barack Obama]
there on the beach in Hawaii, his sleek, hairless pecs glistening in the surf.
(Laughter.) It shows how biased the press is. Have you ever seen a shot
like that of Denny Hastert?" (Laughter.)

 

March 31, 2007
President Bush Welcomes President Lula of Brazil to Camp David
Camp David
***
"As I say, we have no problem with the Iranian people. As a matter of
fact, we just sent a wrestling team to Iran, all attempting to make it
clear to the Iranian people that we're interested in having a constructive
relationship, and it is the decisions of their government that are
preventing that from happening."

 

April 2, 2007
President Bush Presents the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy to
the United States Naval Academy Football Team
Rose Garden
***
"This year's team was among the Navy's best ever. That says a lot.
This is a team that had the most rushing yards in the nation. That says a lot."

***
"Veteto -- Greg is his first name, was, like, the punter on the team, and
for two games in a row, he was never used. And, yet, I think he didn't mind."

***
"It's a remarkable country when people make such a noble decision to
serve their country in a time of war."

April 4, 2007
President Bush Visits with the Troops at Fort Irwin, California
Fort Irwin, California
***
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, all. (Applause.) I've been waiting all day to say, Hoo-ah!

AUDIENCE: Hoo-ah!

***
"Ours is a remarkable country when people volunteer to serve our
country in a time of war. The amazing thing about our United States military is
thousands and thousands have signed up knowing full well that we're a
nation at war."

***
"See, what changed on September the 11th is oceans can no longer protect
the people in the United States from harm."

 

April 9, 2007
President Bush Visits Yuma Sector Border Patrol in Arizona
Yuma Sector Border Patrol
Yuma, Arizona
***
Q What most impresses you, Mr. President?

THE PRESIDENT: The hard work being done.

END 9:38 A.M. MST

 

April 12, 2007
President Bush Discusses the Reauthorization of the No Child Left
Behind Act
Roosevelt Room
***
"There is a universal belief that the No Child Left Behind Act needs
to be reauthorized, and I want to thank you all for working with us to get
this piece of legislation reauthorized."

***
"I strongly support the notion that when we find a child falling behind
that there ought to be extra federal help so that child can catch
back up early, before it's too late."

***
"Reauthorizing No Child Left Behind Act is an important state, an
important move; it's an important piece of legislation necessary to keep this
country not only competitive, but also a country of great hope."

***
"I also want to comment on today's bombing of the Iraqi parliament.
First of all, I strongly condemn the action. It reminds us, though, that
there is an enemy willing to bomb innocent people in a symbol of democracy."

***
"There is a type of person that would walk in that building and kill
innocent life -- and that is the same type of person that is willing to
come and kill innocent Americans."

 

April 16, 2007
President Bush Discusses the Iraq War Supplemental
The East Room
***
"The families gathered here understand that we are a nation at war. Like
me, they wish we weren't at war -- but we are."

***
"The families gathered here understand that our troops want to finish the job."

***
"Families gathered here understand that America is not going to be safe
until the terrorist threat has been defeated. If we do not defeat the
terrorists and extremists in Iraq, they won't leave us alone -- they
will follow us to the United States of America."

 

April 18, 2007
President Bush Visits the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
Washington, D.C.
***
"I thank very much Elie Wiesel for joining us. He is a -- he's a big
figure in the life of the world, as he should be."

 

President and Mrs. Bush Release 2006 Tax Return
***
President and Mrs. George W. Bush reported taxable income of $642,905
for the tax year 2006. This resulted in a total of $186,378 in
federal income taxes paid by President and Mrs. Bush.

The President's 2006 income included salary earned as President and
investment income from the trusts in which their assets are held.

President and Mrs. Bush contributed $78,100 to churches and
charitable organizations, including the Crawford Volunteer Fire
Department, the Federal Government's Combined Federal Campaign,
Operation Smile, Martha's Table, the Salvation Army, Susan G. Komen
Foundation, and the Yellow Ribbon Support Center.

# # #

 

April 19, 2007
President Bush Discusses the Global War on Terror in Tipp City, Ohio
Tipp City High School
Tipp City, Ohio
***
"And I will tell you, one reason -- this may sound counterintuitive,
but a good marriage is really good after serving together in Washington, D.C.
It's been an amazing experience to be a husband and then a dad as
President of the United States."

***
"It really speaks to the strength of this country, doesn't it, that total strangers
here in Ohio are willing to hold up people in Virginia in prayer."

***
"My job is a job to make decisions. I'm a decision -- if the job
description were, what do you do -- it's decision-maker. And I make a
lot of big ones, and I make a lot of little ones. Interestingly enough, the
first decision I made happened right before I got sworn in as President.
I was at the Blair House, which is across the street from the White House,
getting ready to give my inaugural address. And the phone rang, and the
head usher at the White House said, "President-elect Bush." I said, "Yes."
He said, "What color rug do you want in the Oval Office?" (Laughter.) I
said, this is going to be a decision-making experience." (Laughter.)

***
"And so, if you were to come in the Oval Office, what you would see is this
fantastic rug that looks like the sun. And it just sets the tone for the Oval Office."

***
"My decision making was deeply affected by the attack of September the
11th, 2001. It was a -- it was a moment that defined a dangerous world to
me with absolute clarity. I realized then that this country was no longer
invulnerable to attack from what may be happening overseas."

***
"They can't stand the thought of freedom being the prevailing attitude in
the world because their view is, if you don't believe in what I believe in,
you probably shouldn't be around."

***
"Nobody ought to ever hope to be a war President, or a presidency -- a
President during war."

***
"In other words, if what happens overseas matters to the United States,
therefore, the best way to protect us is to deal with threats overseas. In
other words, we just can't let a threat idle; we can't hope that a threat
doesn't come home to hurt us. A lesson of that terrible day was, threats
overseas can come home to hurt us. And so the fundamental question --
and this has led to constructive debate -- it's, what do you do about it?"

***
"And now we're involved in -- I call it a global war against terror. You
can't call it a global war against extremists, a global war against radicals,
a global war against people who want to hurt America; you can call it
whatever you want, but it is a global effort."

***
"I happen to think there will be an additional dividend when we
succeed -- remember the rug? I'm optimistic we can succeed."

***
"People often ask me, what are we seeing on TV? What's happening with
the violence? Here's my best analysis: One, the spectaculars you see are al
Qaeda inspired."

***
"It's an interesting war, isn't it, where asymmetrical warfare is -- and
that means people being able to use suicide bombers -- not only,
obviously, kills a lot of innocent people, like which happened yesterday in
Iraq, but also helps define whether or not we're successful."

***
"Think about that: if our definition [of success in the war] is no more
suiciders, you've just basically said to the suiciders, go ahead."

***
"Isn't it interesting, when you really take a step back and think about
what I just said, that al Qaeda is making serious moves in Iraq, as is
surrogates for Iran."

***
"There's a -- by the way, every new phase of history has its own unique
features to it. For example, you've got a kid in the battlefield and
he's emailing home every day. Or, four-hour [sic] news cycles. There's a
lot of -- asymmetrical warfare, or $50 weapons are sometimes used to defeat
expensive vehicles. In other words, these are different times."

***
"Isn't it interesting that it's the democracies of the Middle East
that are having the most problem with the extremists? I think it is."

***
"As I've told you, on the rug -- the reason I brought up the rug was
to not only kind of break the ice, but also to talk about strategic thought.
The President's job is to think not only about today, but tomorrow. The
President's job is not only think about the short-term security of the
United States, but to think about the little guys, you know -- what the
world will look like 20 or 30 or 40 years from now."

 

April 20, 2007
President Bush Visits East Grand Rapids, Discusses Global War on Terror
East Grand Rapids High School
East Grand Rapids, Michigan
***
"Remember, we believe most of the spectaculars, like the ones you saw
-- I can't tell you for certain Wednesday's bombing was al Qaeda. In other
words, I don't have the -- I can speculate. But I can tell you a lot
of the spectacular bombings have been al Qaeda."

 

April 23, 2007
President Bush Congratulates NFL Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts
South Lawn
***
Secretary Rice, if you want to come in, please, yes. (Applause.) So
you're a big Dungy fan, aren't you?

SECRETARY RICE: Yes, sir.

THE PRESIDENT: That's right, that's what I thought.

***
"I thank you very much for the "Bleed Blood Blue Drive" [SIC] -- that's
hard for a guy from West Texas to say -- (laughter) -- "Bleed Blood Blue
Drive" [SIC] in which you've encouraged 2,000 people to donate blood."

 

April 30, 2007
President Bush Meets with EU Leaders, Chancellor Merkel of the Federal
Republic of Germany and President Barroso of the European Council and
President of the European Commission
Rose Garden
***
"As I reminded the people around the conference table today, the United
States could shut down our economy and emit no greenhouse gases, and
all it would take is for China in about 18 months to produce as much as we had
been producing to make up the difference about what we reduced our
greenhouse gases to."

 

May 2, 2007
President Bush Discusses War on Terror, Economy with Associated General Contractors of America
Willard Hotel
Washington, D.C.
***
"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."

May 10, 2007
President Bush Discusses U.S. Department of Defense Briefings
The Pentagon
***
"First of all, I'll miss Tony Blair. He is a political figure who is
capable of thinking over the horizon. He's a long-term thinker."

***
"I remind people -- I reminded them that last fall, late fall -- I had been one
of these people that get endlessly polled -- you know, these surveys and
the pollsters calling people all the time, it looks like -- and if they had asked
my opinion, I'd have said, I disapprove of what was going on in Iraq."

***
"We can debate Iraq -- and should. There should be no debate about making sure
that money gets there on a timely basis so our kids can do the job we've asked them to do."

 

May 15, 2007
President Bush Welcomes Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt of
Sweden to the White House
Oval Office
***
"I assured him that we're committed to achieving a world that trades more
freely; that we recognize we have obligations to do -- to deal with our agricultural subsidies in order to move the Doha Round forward; that Sue Schwab is committed
to working with our European counterparts, as well as President Lula of Brazil,
Prime Minister Singh of India -- two countries that represent others involved in the
Doha Round -- and we believe that it's possible, very possible that we'll be successful."

 

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 15, 2007
***
President and Mrs. Bush Saddened by Death of Jerry Falwell

Laura and I are deeply saddened by the death of Jerry Falwell, a man
who cherished faith, family, and freedom. As the founder of Thomas
Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia, Jerry lived a life of
faith and called upon men and women of all backgrounds to believe in
God and serve their communities. One of his lasting contributions was
the establishment of Liberty University, where he taught young people
to remain true to their convictions and rely upon God's word
throughout each stage of their lives.

Today, our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Macel and the rest
of the Falwell family.

# # #

 

May 2, 2007
President Bush Discusses War on Terror, Economy with Associated General
Contractors of America
Willard Hotel
Washington, D.C.
***
"The most important fact about our new strategy, it is fundamentally
different from the previous strategy. The previous strategy wasn't working
the way we wanted it to work. It's interesting, they run polls -- and I
accept that -- and it said, you know, we don't approve of what's happening
in Iraq."

***
"The strategy is also being carried out in what's called surrounding belts.
This is the areas that kind of arc around the capital, and it's a place
where there's been a lot of planning and plotting and attacking."

***
"I don't need to remind you who al Qaeda is. Al Qaeda is the group that
plot and planned and trained killers to come and kill people on our soil."

***
"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."

***
"I share with people -- and I do this quite often -- but I find it
incredibly ironic that during my time as President, certainly one of my
best friends, and soon to be another best friend, are the prime ministers
of Japan."

***
"It's interesting, people get their news all different kinds of ways. This
is an interesting, different type of war."

***
"Information is moving -- you know, nightly news is one way, of course, but
it's also moving through the blogosphere and through the Internets."

***
"The question is, who ought to make that decision? The Congress or the
commanders? And as you know, my position is clear -- I'm the commander
guy."

***
"You know, no matter what you may be hearing, it's -- people, when they get
in that Oval Office and take a look at the realities of the world will, I
suspect, subscribe to the -- that we just need to be not only vigilant, but
pressuring."

***
"You know, the interesting debate that we're now confronted with is this
ideological debate about whether or not it's worth it to spread freedom.
Should we spread freedom? Can the spread of freedom take root in dangerous
parts of the world? And is it worth it? Does it make sense? As you can
tell, I'm a strong proponent of spreading freedom."

***
"I told you -- I also, obviously, believe in the universality of
motherhood."

***
"One of the unique aspects of my presidency is I can predict to you that --
with relative certainty that a violent part of the world, the Far East, is
stable and headed in the right direction, absent one spot."

 

May 3, 2007
President Bush Discusses Comprehensive Immigration Reform
with Clergy in Washington, D.C.
Asamblea de Iglesias Cristianas, Centro Evangelistico
Washington, D.C
***
"I've talked to people who work for corporate America -- Andy works for
Marriott International, a corporation that understands that it's very
helpful, it's in their interest to help people assimilate."

***
"Francisco said, when you learn English, doors open up for you. And I
appreciate that beautiful sentiment, because it's true."

 

May 5, 2007
President Bush Discusses Physical Fitness Month, Encourages Americans to Exercise
U.S. Secret Service Training Facility
Beltsville, Maryland
***
"I appreciate Mike Leavitt, who is the Secretary of Health and Human
Services, for joining us today. He knows what I know, that if someone takes
care of their body through good exercise, that it is -- it's the beginning
of really good health policy for the United States."

 

May 7, 2007
President Bush Welcomes Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to the White House South Lawn
***
"The settlers at Jamestown planted the seeds of freedom and democracy on
American soil."

***
"You helped our nation celebrate its bicentennial in 17 -- in 1976. (Laughter.)
She gave me a look that only a mother could give a child." (Laughter.)

 

May 16, 2007
President Bush Participates in Roundtable on
Employment Eligibility Verification System
Embassy Suites
Washington, D.C.
***
"The best way, and, frankly, the only way to get a comprehensive bill
done that will matter and deal with this issue once and for all is for the
bipartisan approach that we're now working on to come to fruition, that
it's got to be a bipartisan bill that is -- is that bill our Secretaries
are working on with members from both parties in the Senate."

 

May 17, 2007
President Bush Participates in Joint Press Availability with
United Kingdom Prime Minister Blair
Rose Garden
***
"You know, it's interesting, like trying to do a tap dance on his political
grave, aren't you? I mean, this -- you don't understand how effective
Blair is, I guess, because when we're in a room with world leaders and he
speaks, people listen."
***

***
"There's a lot of blowhards in the political process, you know, a lot of
hot-air artists, people who have got something fancy to say."

***
"No matter how calm it may seem here in America, an enemy lurks."

***
"This may not interest you, but I'll tell you anyway -- I read three
histories on George Washington last year. It's interesting to me that
they're still analyzing the presidency of our first President."

"My relationship with this good man is where I've been focused, and that's where my concentration is. And I don't regret any other aspect of it. And so I -- we filled a lot of space together. We have had a unique ability to speak in terms that help design common strategies and tactics to achieve big objectives."

 

May 21, 2007
President Bush Participates in Joint Press Availability With
NATO Secretary General de Hoop Scheffer
Bush Ranch
Crawford, Texas
***
"The Taliban likes to surround themselves with innocent civilians. That's
their -- part of their modus operandi."

 

May 23, 2007
President Bush Delivers Commencement Address at the
United States Coast Guard Academy Alumni Building
New London, Connecticut
***
PRESIDENT: It's a privilege to stand with the future leaders of the United
States Coast Guard. Before you receive your degrees today, I want to make
sure that you have learned your 'indoc.' What is the Coast Guard?

CADETS: Mr. President, the Coast Guard is the hard nucleus about which the
Navy forms in times of war, sir! (Applause.)

 

May 24, 2007
Press Conference by the President
Rose Garden
***
"One area where I've been disappointed [in U.S.-China relations] is beef.
They need to be eating U.S. beef. It's good for them. They'll like it. And
so we're working hard to get that beef market opened up."

***
"And so we're fighting them [al Queda] in Iraq, we're fighting them in
Afghanistan, we've helped the Philippines -- Philippine government fight
them. We're fighting them."

***
"You know, the lessons of September the 11th are these: we've got to stay
on the offense; we've got to bring these people to justice before they hurt
again; and at the same time, defeat their ideology with the ideology based
upon liberty.

***
"The danger in this particular theater in the war on terror is that if we
were to fail, they'd come and get us."

***
"For people who say that we're not under threat, they simply do not know the world."

***
Q Can you explain why you believe you're still a credible messenger on the war?

THE PRESIDENT: I'm credible because I read the intelligence, David, and
make it abundantly clear in plain terms that if we let up, we'll be attacked.

***
"They are a threat to your children, David [reporter] , and whoever is in
that Oval Office better understand it and take measures necessary to
protect the American people."

***
"Yesterday, in my speech, I quoted quotes from Osama bin Laden."

***
"A lot of the spectaculars you're seeing are caused by al Qaeda. "

***
"The Middle East looked nice and cozy for awhile. Everything looked fine on
the surface, but beneath the surface, there was a lot of resentment, there
was a lot of frustration, such that 19 kids got on airplanes and killed
3,000 Americans.

***
"Q Mr. President, why is he [Osama bin Laden] still at large?

THE PRESIDENT: Why is he at large? Because we haven't got him yet, Jim.
That's why. And he's hiding, and we're looking, and we will continue to
look until we bring him to justice. We've brought a lot of his buddies to
justice, but not him. That's why he's still at large. He's not out there
traipsing around, he's not leading many parades, however. He's not out
feeding the hungry. He's isolated, trying to kill people to achieve his
objective.

***
Q Mr. President, moments ago you said that al Qaeda attacked us before we
were in Iraq. Since then Iraq has become much less stable; al Qaeda has
used it as a recruiting tool, apparently with some success. So what would
you say to those who would argue that what we've done in Iraq has simply
enhanced al Qaeda and made the situation worse?

THE PRESIDENT: Oh, so, in other words, the option would have been just let
Saddam Hussein stay there? Your question is, should we not have left Saddam
Hussein in power? And the answer is, absolutely not. Saddam Hussein was an
enemy of the United States. He'd attacked his neighbors. He was paying
Palestinian suicide bombers. He would have been -- if he were to defy --
and by the way, cheating on the U.N. oil for sanctions program --
oil-for-food program. No, I don't buy it. I don't buy that this world would
be a better place with Saddam Hussein in power, and particularly if -- and
I'm sure the Iraqis would agree with that.

See, that's the kind of attitude -- he says, okay, let's let them live
under a tyrant, and I just don't agree. I obviously thought he had weapons,
he didn't have weapons; the world thought he had weapons. It was a surprise
to me that he didn't have the weapons of mass destruction everybody thought
he had, but he had the capacity at some point in time to make weapons. It
would have been a really dangerous world if we had the Iranians trying to
develop a nuclear weapon, and Saddam Hussein competing for a nuclear
weapon. You can imagine what the mentality of the Middle East would have been like.

 

May 29, 2007
President Bush Discusses Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Tom Steed Building
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
Glynco, Georgia
***
"In other words, part of making sure our country is a rule of law, we've
got to have people enforce the law. It's against the law to hire somebody
who is here illegally. That's the law."

 

May 30, 2007
Remarks by the President at New Jersey Republican Committee Reception
New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center
Edison, New Jersey
***
"Oh, I know there's a big debate about how to deal with these folks. I will
just tell you my view. You can't ration [sic] with them.

***
"We just can't hope that oceans will protect us from these people."

 

May 31, 2007
President Bush Meets with Iraq President Talabani
The Oval Office
***
"Mr. President, it is important that you succeed. Failure in Iraq would endanger the American citizens because failure in Iraq would embolden the enemies of a free Iraq."

 

May 31, 2007
President Bush Discusses United States International Development Agenda
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
Washington, D.C.
***
"It's hard to grow your economy if you don't have energy."

***
"In recent years, science has deepened our understanding of climate change and opened new possibilities for confronting it. The United States takes this issue seriously."

***
"We're spending a lot of your money in figuring out ways to produce ethanol from products other than corn."

***
"I think it makes sense to have our farmers growing energy, so that we don't have to import it from parts of the world where they may not like us too much."

***
"If you are truly committed to helping the environment, nations need to get rid of their tariffs, need to get rid of those barriers that prevent new technologies from coming into their countries."

***
"We are a decent people. We feel responsible for helping those who are less fortunate. And I am proud to be the President of such a good nation. Thanks for coming, and God bless."

 

May 31, 2007
Interview of the President by Andi Bejtja, Vision Plus TV, Albania
The Map Room
***
Q What is the reason of including Albania in this European tour this time?

THE PRESIDENT: That's a fascinating question. First of all, I want to make sure the Albanian people understand that America knows that you exist and that you're making difficult choices to cement your free society. I'm coming as a lover of liberty to a land where people are realizing the benefits of liberty.

***
"Well, first of all, it's like -- people ask me the question about popularity, whether it be overseas or at home. You can't make decisions and try to be -- and want to be popular. You make decisions because you want to be right."

***
"I would like for people to understand the decision-making I've done."

***
Q Yes. And let me ask one childish question, because it is your first time in Albania, and everyone is wondering, what does come to your mind when you heard the word, Albania?

THE PRESIDENT: Beautiful coastline, interesting history, Muslim people who can live at peace. That's what comes to mind. I'm excited to go.

 

May 31, 2007
Interview of the President by Boyko Vassilev Petrov, BNT, Bulgaria
Map Room
***
Q Mr. President, whom do you want the Bulgarians to meet, a demanding leader of a superpower, an ally, a friend, somebody feared or loved?

THE PRESIDENT: I want them to meet a guy -- that's a great question. I want them to meet a person who, one, respects the people of Bulgaria, and appreciates Bulgarian contributions to the world; a person who understands how difficult the transition from one form of government to democracy is, and a person who represents a nation of decent, compassionate people.

You know, I tell people sometimes -- in America they always respect the presidency, and sometimes they like the President. And I made some tough decisions, you know, and I understand that. But I represent a country that really cares deeply about the human condition. And I bring a spirit of friendship to Bulgaria and its people.

Q Bulgaria is an ally; it's hosting three joint military bases. What will Bulgaria get in return?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, first of all, you've got a good friend. And I don't think friends really kind of measure decision making on a quid pro quo basis. In other words, relationships, they're evolving and they're growing. I presume Bulgaria made the decisions, first and foremost, for the basing because it was in her best interests. In other words, sovereign nations say, well, this is in my interests.

Secondly, look, there are some security issues, obviously. One of the great things about a relationship with the United States is we keep our word, or we should keep our word. And we'll keep our word as long as I'm President, I promise you. And I would hope that the citizens would get a sense of comfort through the relationship with the United States, and other nations that are involved with these great defensive alliance.

Q Mr. President, we are good enough to fight with you; why aren't we good enough to have a visa-free entry into the United States? Are we that dangerous?

THE PRESIDENT: That's a great question. Listen, you're not the first person who has ever asked a question in that form. I want your people to know that I understand there is a contradiction; that on the one hand, you're a strong ally, and yet other allies of the United States are treated differently. And this is a tough issue, because it has to go through our Congress.

And I'm working very carefully with governments, as well as with our Congress, to come up with a solution that is satisfactory. I'm sorry it's taken so long, and I know it's created frustrations. And there is an inherent contradiction. And I can't deny that. The only thing I can do is pledge to make the system work better. We're involved in a very serious immigration debate here in America, as well, that's somewhat related to this issue, and hopefully we can get a lot of these issues taken care of this summer.

Q Mr. President, on Iraq. Bulgarian civilians and soldiers died there, so it may be right and just to ask you, do you admit any mistakes in Iraq?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, the first thing I want to say is, to the Bulgarian mother or father or wife or husband, my deepest sympathies go to your loved one. I deal with the pain of death here in America. One of my jobs as the person who made the decision to put our troops there, of course, is to try to comfort those who have lost a loved one. And it's, frankly, the most painful aspect of the job, knowing my decision caused a child to be lost to a family.

And so what I tell those parents, and I'd like to share the same thing with the Bulgarian families, is, one, the cause was necessary and noble for peace; two, that I'm committed to helping this Iraqi government succeed, and I think the people will look back 50 years from now and say, oh, I understand now why they were doing what they were doing, because democracies and liberties help yield peace; thirdly, that I won't let politics get in the way of making important decisions to help achieve the mission. In other words, we won't let their loved one die in vain. You can look back on any war, and determine whether or not certain tactics could be changed, but the strategic decision, removing Saddam Hussein, was the right decision.

Q Mr. President, your competition with Russia elsewhere, but also in our region, is getting hotter. Where is Bulgaria in all that? Are we on our own in the superpowers' game?

THE PRESIDENT: First of all -- you know, it's interesting. I guess the press tries to build up a major competition with Russia. I don't view it that way.

Q Why?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think, first of all, the Cold War is over. I don't view Russia as an enemy. And I've got a good relationship with Vladimir Putin. And I intend to keep it that way. Now that doesn't mean I agree with him on every issue, and he certainly doesn't agree with me. The latest flare up, of course, is whether or not we should be working with our allies to develop a missile shield. And to that end, I sent Bob Gates, our Secretary of Defense, to see Vladimir Putin, and I sent him a message. And then I told it to him recently myself. I said, we have nothing to hide; as a matter of fact, if you would like to join, we would like to welcome -- we welcome you. You're not the enemy.

We're not trying to isolate Russia. What we're attempting to do is protect ourselves and friends and allies against a rogue regime with a missile. That's a realistic possibility. I said, why don't you send your generals, or send your people to the United States, and we will show you our systems; we'll be fully transparent.

So I will work -- I think it is important for the citizens of Bulgaria to know that they've got a great friend in the United States. But I am also working hard to make sure that we're -- to prevent any escalation of rhetoric. I don't think there's a military threat toward Bulgaria, but if there were, you would have a friend to help you.

Secondly, I think it's important for the people of Bulgaria to know that if I think Russia is wrong, I've got the kind of relationship where I can explain it very clearly, and not afraid to do so, by the way. But there are areas where we can work together with Russia, too.

Q Mr. President, you've already supported the Bulgarian nurses jailed in Libya. Do you still support them? Do you think it will be a positive outcome?

THE PRESIDENT: I do, I hope so, certainly. This has got to be painful not only to the families of the Bulgarian nurses, but to the people of Bulgaria. I called the President a while back, and told him that we're very much committed to helping to not only support the nurses, but to free the nurses. And that's the position of the United States. We've sent that message very clearly to the Libyan government. As I understand it, Tony Blair was working the issue the other day, as well. We're very -- we're committed, and would hope that this -- the tragic case, it's a painful case, would be solved quickly, in a way that's satisfactory to the Bulgarian people.

Q Mr. President, if we conclude, once again, could you say to the citizens of Bulgaria, summing up, what kind of face will you present to them? And we know you value convictions and values, but can you admit also making mistakes?

THE PRESIDENT: I mean, if you're trying to say, did I make a mistake routing al Qaeda out of Afghanistan, the answer is, absolutely not. Getting rid of Saddam Hussein was the right thing to do. You've got to understand, my decision making is based, of course, first and foremost on the best interests of the United States. And we got attacked. Nearly 3,000 of our citizens died, and it affected my thinking. I will continue to make decisions to help secure our country.

But you'll see a guy come to Bulgaria who is grateful for the hospitality, grateful for the friendship, someone who brings the great spirit of America. Listen, I represent a great country because our people are great. Our people are hard working, decent, honorable, compassionate people, who care deeply about freedom and liberty. I'm really proud to be their President.

Q Mr. President, thank you very much for this interview.

THE PRESIDENT: Honored to be with you. Looking forward to coming.

Q Thank you very much.

THE PRESIDENT: My pleasure.

END 3:53 P.M. EDT

 

June 7, 2007
President Bush Meets with Prime Minister Blair of the United Kingdom
Kempinski Grand Hotel
Heiligendamm, Germany
***
"You know, we had a press conference in the Rose Garden where, you
know, it was the last time on U.S. soil I'll be standing next to the Prime
Minister talking about what we believe and how our efforts are going to lead to
peace and to a better world for a lot of people."

***
"And the way you [reduce gasoline usage by 20 percent] is through
technologies and ethanols and battery technologies, and I'm convinced
we'll meet that goal. And in so doing, we'll be, yet again, a world leader
when it comes to new technologies."

***
"A missile defense system cannot stop multiple launch regimes. In other
words, the facts are, is that -- the fact is this: that you can't
stop two, three, four, five missiles."

***
"We're simply trying to deal with the true threats of the 21st
century. And I repeat, Russia is not a threat. They're not a military threat. They're
not something that we ought to be hyperventilating about."

 

June 7, 2007
President Bush Meets with President Vladimir Putin of Russia
Kempinski Grand Hotel
Heiligendamm, Germany
***
"I told Vladimir we're looking forward to having him up to my folks'
place in Maine the beginning of July.

 

June 8, 2007
President Bush Participates in Joint Statement with President
Kaczynski of Poland
Gdansk Lech Walesa International Airport
Gdansk, Poland
***
"Kosciuszko is a statue right across the street from the White House, on
which it says, "For our freedom and yours." Isn't that interesting?"

 

June 9, 2007
President Bush Participates in Joint Press Availability with Prime Minister Prodi of Italy
Chigi Palace
Rome, Italy
***
"Pete Pace always gave me candid advice. Pete Pace is an excellent
strategic thinker. And the interesting thing about Pete Pace -- even
though he had four stars on his shoulder, always talked about the private. He
speculated out loud about Private Pace, what would Private Pace think of
this decision, what would Private Pace's family think about a
decision that he was recommending to me."

 

June 11, 2007
President Bush Participates in Joint Press Availability with President Parvanov of Bulgaria
Archaeological Museum
Sofia, Bulgaria
***
"President Parvanov, thank you very much. I call him George. He calls me
George."

***
"These are big achievements for this country, and the people of Bulgaria
ought to be proud of the achievements that they have achieved."

***
"Yes, it's an interesting comment about Congress, isn't it, that, on the
one hand, they say that a good general shouldn't be reconfirmed, and
on the other hand, they say that my Attorney General shouldn't stay. And I
find it interesting."

***
"And as to how Gonzales -- first of all, this process has been drug
out a long time, which says to me it's political. There's no wrongdoing. You
know, he -- they haven't said, here's -- you've done something wrong,
Attorney General Gonzales."

 

June 11, 2007
President Bush Participates in Roundtable on Free Market Democracy
American University in Bulgaria
Eleiff Center for Education and Culture
Sofia, Bulgaria
***
"And I am excited that all of you have had a chance to go to higher
education and that you aspire beyond your current education to
achieve new things, new dreams -- Michigan State Law School -- I mean, Michigan Law School, excuse me; or mathematics."

 

June 11, 2007
President Bush Participates in Joint Press Availability with Prime Minister of Albania, Dr. Sali Berisha
Courtyard Council of Ministers
Tirana, Albania
***
"I think the best thing we can do is invite students to come to our
country. You'll see what America is really like when you come."

 

June 12, 2007
President Bush Attends Dedication of Victims of Communism Memorial
Washington, D.C.
***
"And here in the company of men and women who resisted evil and helped
bring down an empire, I proudly accept the Victims of Communism Memorial on
behalf of the American people." (Applause)

 

June 13, 2007
Remarks by the President at 2007 President's Dinner
Washington Convention Center
Washington, D.C.
***
"First let me talk about the fact that this nation is at war. I wish I
could report to you we were not at war, but we are."

***
"Isn't it interesting, my dad fought the Japanese, I'm making peace with the Japanese."

 

June 14, 2007
President Bush Meets with Former Commanding General of Multi-National
Security and Transition Command in Iraq, General Dempsey
Oval Office
***
"It's an extraordinary country where people volunteer to go into combat
zones, to protect the security of the United States of America."

 

June 14, 2007
President Bush Discusses Comprehensive Immigration Reform with Associated Builders and Contractors
Capital Hilton Hotel Washington, D.C.
***
"At the end of eights years, if they want to apply for a green card -- in
other words, get in line for citizenship -- after eight years -- they'll
have to return to their home country so they can apply from there, pay an
additional fine. In short, they will prove themselves worthy of a great
land."

***
"One of the great beauties of America has been people can come to this country with a dream and become Americans -- that's assimilate." (Applause.)

***
"One of the lessons of September the 11th is, what happens overseas matters
to the security of the United States of America. It is better to defeat
them overseas than face them here on our soil again." (Applause.)

 

June 15, 2007
President Bush Attends National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast
JW Marriott Hotel
Washington, D.C.
***
"I'm pleased that two Senators who have got corazones grandes -- (laughter)
-- on the immigration bill are with us today -- Senator Ted Kennedy and
Senator Mel Martinez. Thank you all for coming. (Applause.)

***
"Isn't it a fabulous country where a migrant grandfather can come and have
a dream and work hard, and there's his grandson talking about the promise
of America in front of the President of the United States and his
classmates. That's the beauty of America." (Applause.)

 

June 15, 2007
President Bush Visits Wichita, Kansas
McConnell Air Force Base
Wichita, Kansas
***
"Thank you for making this a really comfortable airplane. I can't tell you
what an honor it is to fly overseas in Air Force One and have that big bird
park, have people around the world see the great majesty of our country
reflected in this airplane."

***
"I mean, there's nothing better than representing the greatest nation on the face of the Earth."

 

June 19, 2007
President and Mrs. Bush Host Congressional Picnic
South Lawn
***
THE PRESIDENT: ... I want to thank our Chef, Paul Prudhomme, from New
Orleans, Louisiana -- one of the great chefs in America. Thanks for coming,
Paul. (Applause.) I thank Tony Snow and his bunch of, well, mediocre
musicians -- (laughter) -- no, great musicians. Beats Workin, thanks for
coming. (Applause.) Kermit, come up here. Kermit, we're proud to have you.

MR. RUFFINS: Well, thanks for having us.

THE PRESIDENT: Kermit Ruffins and the Barbeque Swingers, right out of New
Orleans, Louisiana. (Applause.)

MR. RUFFINS: Thank you. Thanks for having us. We're glad to be here.

 

June 20, 2007
President Bush Discusses Stem Cell Veto and Executive Order
East Room
***
"I'm also up here with Carol Franz; she has whipped cancer twice by using
adult stem cells. In other words, adult stem cells have saved her life."

***
"Destroying human life in the hopes of saving human life is not ethical --
and it is not the only option before us."

***
"Researchers are now developing promising new techniques that offer the
potential to produce pluripotent stem cells -- without having to destroy human life."

***
"There's a lot of interesting work going on that's ethical and moral."

On Thursday, June 21, 2007, the President signed into law:

S. 1537, which authorizes the Secretary of the Senate to transfer proceeds
from the sale of holiday ornaments from the Senate Gift Shop Revolving Fund
to the Senate Employee Child Care Center.

# # #

 

June 21, 2007
President Bush's Remarks at Friends of Jeff Sessions Senate Committee Reception
Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center
Mobile, Alabama
***
"It's the single most important task that we have in Washington, D.C. is to
do that which is necessary to protect the American people from an attack.

***
"These people are dangerous, they're lethal, you can't make any -- can't
talk common sense to them. The only way to protect the American people is
to stay on the offense and defeat them overseas, so we don't have to face
them here." (Applause.)

***
"We face threats from around the world. That's why I call it a global war on terror."

***
"I find it one of the great ironies of history that one of my great friends
during my Presidency was the Prime Minister of Japan. Isn't that
interesting?"

 

June 21, 2007
President Bush Discusses Energy Initiatives in Athens, Alabama
Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant
Athens, Alabama
***
"If you can blow up oil facilities overseas, it will affect the price of oil here at home."

***
"Gasoline is oil. You know, so when you say I'm using gasoline, you really
are using oil. Because that's how -- that's where gasoline comes from."

***
"I think it's not going to be long before you're going to be able to drive
an automobile with new battery technologies that you can just plug in to
your garage. And your automobile won't look like a golf cart. It will be a
normal size pickup truck." (Laughter and applause.)

***
"By the way, the Supreme Court -- I don't know if you follow the Supreme
Court at all, but they've ruled that the EPA must take action under the
Clean Air Act regarding greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles.
That's what the Court said. And when the Court says something, then the
executive branch of government says, okay, you said it, now we'll listen.
We'll do what you asked us to do."

 

June 25, 2007
President Bush Congratulates Presidential Scholars, Discusses No Child Left Behind Reauthorization
East Room
***
"It certainly gets a parent's attention when they find out that their
child's school isn't doing as good as the neighborhood's school is, for
example, or school next door."

***
"During the most recent five-year period on record, nine-year-olds made
more progress in reading than in the previous 28 years combined.
(Applause.) You can't say that unless you measure."

 

June 26, 2007
President Bush Discusses Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Room 350, Eisenhower Executive Office Building
***
"The bill recognizes that English is a part of the assimilation process and
wants to help people learn the language in order to be able to take
advantage of America."

***
"You know, I've heard all the rhetoric -- you've heard it, too -- about how
this is amnesty. Amnesty means that you've got to pay a price for having
been here illegally, and this bill does that."

 

June 28, 2007
President Bush Visits Naval War College, Discusses Iraq, War on Terror
Spruance Auditorium
Newport, Rhode Island
***
"These are the people that attacked us on September the 11th and killed
nearly 3,000 people."

***
"Remember, when I mention al Qaeda, they're the ones who attacked the
United States of America and killed nearly 3,000 people on September the
11th, 2001. They're part of the enemy. They're extremists and radicals who
try to impose their view on the world."

***
"According to a captured document -- in other words, according to something
that we captured from al Qaeda -- they had hoped to set up its -- a
government in Anbar."

***
"Now we have launched a wider offensive, called Operation Phantom Thunder,
which is taking the fight to the enemy in the capital as well as its
surrounding regions."

***
"There [Baqubah], masked gunmen enforce their brutal rule with prisons and
torture chambers and punish crimes like smoking."

***
"They don't like to be confronted. But General Petraeus says, in order to
accomplish the mission, we're going to confront them with the finest
military ever assembled on the face of the Earth. That's the U.S.
military."

***
"Here at home, we see the bloody aftermath of a suicide bombing in an Iraqi
market -- and we wonder what kind of people could do that. That's what we
wonder. We're good-hearted people."

***
"The stakes are high in the beginning stages of this global war against
ideologues that stand for the exact opposite of what America stands for."

***
"Our military is not only great, it's good, good-hearted people, all
volunteers, who said, I want to serve in the face of danger."

***
"I know some people in our country just have trouble believing that they
want to strike us again, but they do. That's what I live with every day.
That's what Presidents do, they think about the threats, and they deal with
them."

***
"Our foreign policy is much more than the use of the military. I know the
focus is on the military; it's, like, on TV everyday, I understand that."

***
"Now, we're going to be kinetic if we need to be to protect ourselves."

***
"That's not a seersucker suit, is it? (Laughter.) It's coming back, yes.
They're coming back."

***
"So we'll continue to press for freedom on the island of Cuba. One day, the
good Lord will take Fidel Castro away (laughter) -- no, no, no -- then, the
question is, what will be the approach of the U.S. government?"

***
"We're spending a lot of money in South America. Now, we're not doing a
very good job with the propaganda battle around the world. We created it,
and we're losing."

 

July 1, 2007
Remarks by President Bush Before Arrival of President Putin of Russia
Walker's Point
Kennebunkport, Maine
***
PRESIDENT BUSH: Welcome. Is everybody having a nice day here?

Q Yes. The lobsters are good.

PRESIDENT BUSH: They are good.

Q Sir, are you going to take him fishing?

PRESIDENT BUSH: We might just do that, yes. Not sure yet, Mark.

Q Today?

PRESIDENT BUSH: Maybe today. It's pretty casual up here, as you know,
unstructured.

Q -- the menu?

MRS. BUSH: Lobster, what else? (Laughter.)

* * * * *

Q How was the fishing today, sir?

PRESIDENT BUSH: Lousy. (Laughter.) Was that you, Chuck, the other day? No
wonder we didn't catch any fish. They took a look at you and -- (laughter)
-- headed out.

Q Sir, while you're waiting, can you tell us what you think of those
terrorist incidents in Britain and Scotland?

PRESIDENT BUSH: We got a press conference tomorrow, Mark. But it just goes
to show the war against these extremists goes on. You never know where they
may try to strike. And appreciate the very strong response that the Gordon
Brown government has given to the attempts by these people.

* * * * *

PRESIDENT BUSH: Everybody been behaving themselves?

Q You sure you won't come back here a little more often? (Laughter.)

PRESIDENT BUSH: That's what I figured. (Laughter.)

Q I wasn't going to give you the satisfaction -- (laughter.)

PRESIDENT BUSH: That's what I thought, yes. Well, the guy is counting the
days in Crawford, you know. (Laughter.)

Q I'm counting your days here, too -- 35.

Q Are you watching any baseball?

PRESIDENT BUSH: I watched the Ranger-Red Sox game today.

Q Is it over? Did they win today, too?

Q I think they won today, too.

Q But the Yankees lost.

PRESIDENT BUSH: They did?

* * * * *

(President Putin arrives.)

FORMER PRESIDENT BUSH: Where did these guys all come from? When I left
there was nobody here.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Come over, Condi. Come on, Bill.

Okay? It's been real. (Laughter.) Thanks for coming.

END 5:44 P.M. EDT

 

July 2, 2007
President Bush Meets with President Putin of Russian Federation
Walker's Point
Kennebunkport, Maine
***
Q Is Cheney a member of the executive branch?

PRESIDENT BUSH: I didn't hear you.

END 1:00 P.M. EDT

 

July 4, 2007
President Bush Celebrates Independence Day With West Virginia Air National
Guard
167th Airlift Wing
C-5 Maintenance Hangar
Martinsburg, West Virginia
***
"Speaking about Laura -- speaking about families, Laura sends her love. She
would be with me, but I told her to fire up the grill. (Laughter.)

***
"More than two decades [sic] later, it is hard to imagine the Revolutionary
War coming out any other way -- but at the time, America's victory was far
from certain. In other words, when we celebrated the first 4th of July
celebration, our struggle for independence was far from certain."

***
"Oh, I know the passage of time has convinced some -- maybe convinced some
that danger doesn't exist."

***
"That's what they like. They like a place where they can plot and plan in
relatively -- in security, all aiming to come and harm the citizens of the
greatest face for liberty in the world."

***
"This enemy of ours -- they have got an ideology. They believe in
something."

 

July 9, 2007
President Bush Participates in a Conversation on the Americas
Hyatt Regency Crystal City
Arlington, Virginia
***
"It's in our interests, in the interests of the United States that our neighborhood be healthy and educated."

***
"And then you get a speech from my wife, which is like really smart to have her speak." (Laughter.)

***
"What I hope to accomplish at this breakout session is to, first, explain to our fellow citizens how important it is that the United States be active in the neighborhood in which we live."

***
"Secondly, it's important for us -- for me to explain to our fellow citizens some of the work we're doing in the neighborhood."

***
"I mean, the United States, we're strong, no question about it, but our greatest strength is our hearts. Tenemos corazones grandes aqu en este pais."

***
"And the Comfort is a way for us to send a clear message that we care about the people that live in the neighborhood that we occupy together."

***
"But the purpose of the groups today -- of this meeting today is to help us better focus our resources and do a better job of helping people in our neighborhood realize their potential."

***
"And so one of my objectives is to explain to the American people, it's in your interest to help people in our neighborhood become better educated, and it's in your interest that we help people get good health care, because a healthy and educated and prosperous neighborhood is in the long-term interests of the United States."

***
"So, lesson one, by the way, there is such thing as social entrepreneurs. It is somebody who says, I'm going to help somebody else, and takes time, talent, energy, and as a result, you're affecting a thousand lives -- a thousand primary interfaces, which affects, no telling, how many lives."

***
"We want people prosperous in your neighborhood. If you're living in a neighborhood, you want there to be prosperity in your neighborhood."

***

THE PRESIDENT: What were you farming?

MS. PACHECO: I was farming vegetables.

THE PRESIDENT: Vegetables, yes. I'm not big on vegetables, but thanks. (Laughter.)

***
"A healthy capitalist society is one in which corporate America, in this case, is responsible for -- becomes a responsible citizen."

***
"I think one of the things that our citizens have got to understand here, there's a lot of corporate America that are very much involved in the communities, of which they're active."

***
"America does better when people in the neighborhood in which we live are feeling better, can read better, and are making more money."

***
"Gilberto has just described a program that works, and hopefully somebody will be inspired by this idea and try it out in another part of our neighborhood."

***
"You know, it's interesting, our country has got certain images that -- some are true, some aren't true."

***
"And it's in our interest that citizens who so want to can do that [volunteer] outside, in our neighborhood."

***
"I thank you for caring about the plight of our fellow human beings in the neighborhood in which we live."

 

July 10, 2007
President Bush Visits Cleveland, Ohio
Intercontinental Hotel Cleveland
Cleveland, Ohio
***
"I'm the Commander-in-Chief; I'm also the educator-in-chief."

***
"In order to keep this economy strong -- and we do have a strong economy -- not only have we added 8.2 million new jobs since August of 2003, interest is low, inflation is down. I mean, this thing is buzzing.

***
"Imagine one day being able to drive your car with hydrogen as its power source, and water driblets as the output of your engine.

***
"And I'm a big believer in reprocessing and fast-burner reactors, which is fancy words for we can burn down the fuel -- reuse it, burn it down to less volume and less toxicity."

***
"That's one of the really valuable lessons of September the 11th -- is to recognize that oceans can't protect us from an enemy that is ideologically driven and who will use murder as a tool to achieve their political objectives."

***
"First, the enemy. These folks aren't isolated folks, you know, they just kind of randomly show up. They have an objective."

***
"I wish I could report that this thing, this threat, this struggle, is going to end shortly -- it's not. That doesn't mean we have to have kinetic action all the time."

***
"It's a big border. And it's really long, and in parts of it, between Arizona and Mexico, you don't know where the border is. There's no -- it's like desert."

***
"One way you anticipate a crisis is you kind of war-game it."

***
"First of all, there is -- crime is rising in some communities -- under some crime, like, I think it was 1 percent last year."

 

July 11, 2007
President Bush Unveils Renovated Press Briefing Room
James S. Brady Briefing Room
***
"The relationship between the President and the press is a unique relationship, and it's a necessary relationship. I enjoy it. I hope you do."

***
THE PRESIDENT: Let me cut the ribbon -- are you going to cut it with me, Steve -- and then why don't you all yell simultaneously? (Laughter.) Like, really loudly. (Laughter.) And that way you might get noticed.

Q It doesn't sound like you're going to answer --

THE PRESIDENT: No, I will. I'll, like, listen --

Q And leave?

THE PRESIDENT: -- internalize, play like I'm going to answer the question, and then smile at you and just say, gosh -- (laughter) -- thanks, thanks for such a solid, sound question. Here we go, ready? I'm going to cut the ribbon. (Laughter.) Then you yell. I cogitate -- and then smile and wave. (Laughter.)

 

July 12, 2007
Press Conference by the President
James S. Brady Briefing Room
***
And now I'll be glad to answer a few questions, starting with Ms. Thomas.

Q Mr. President, you started this war, a war of your choosing, and you can end it alone, today, at this point -- bring in peacekeepers, U.N. peacekeepers. Two million Iraqis have fled their country as refugees. Two million more are displaced. Thousands and thousands are dead. Don't you understand, you brought the al Qaeda into Iraq.

THE PRESIDENT: Actually, I was hoping to solve the Iraqi issue diplomatically. That's why I went to the United Nations and worked with the United Nations Security Council, which unanimously passed a resolution that said disclose, disarm or face serious consequences. That was the message, the clear message to Saddam Hussein. He chose the course.

***
"First, I understand why the American people are -- you know, they're tired of the war. There is -- people are -- there is a war fatigue in America. It's affecting our psychology."

***
"Well -- thank you for the follow-up -- nothing has changed in the new room."

 

July 17, 2007
President Bush Meets with United Nations Secretary General Ban-Ki-Moon
Oval Office
***
"These killers in Iraq, people who will kill innocent life to stop the advent of democracy, people who are trying to get on our TV screens on a daily basis to drive us have got ambitions and plans."

 

July 17, 2007
President Bush Meets with United Nations Secretary General Ban-Ki-Moon
Oval Office
***
"These killers in Iraq, people who will kill innocent life to stop the advent of democracy, people who are trying to get on our TV screens on a daily basis to drive us have got ambitions and plans."

 

July 18, 2007
President Bush Meets with the Import Safety Working Group
Roosevelt Room
***
"The American people expect their government to work tirelessly to make sure consumer products are safe. And that is precisely what my administration is doing."

 

July 18, 2007
President Bush Participates in Roundtable on Health Care
Man and Machine, Inc.
Landover, Maryland
***
"I believe government cannot provide affordable health care. I believe it would cause -- it would cause the quality of care to diminish. I believe there would be lines and rationing over time."

***
"And I really do believe that government involvement in health care will lead to less quality care and rationing over time."

 

July 19, 2007
President Bush Visits Nashville, Discusses Budget
Gaylord opryland Resort and Convention center
Nashville, Tennessee
***
"I don't intend to talk about this war against radicals and extremism in my remarks."

***
"We're going to make sure our troops have what it takes to win this war against these extremists and radicals."

***
"So one of the things we're trying to do from a philosophical perspective is to encourage more consumerism in health care."

***
"I think if you're genuinely interested in dealing with climate change, you have to be a supporter of nuclear power, because nuclear power will enable us to grow our economy, and if we grow our economy, it'll mean we'll be able to afford new technologies and at the same time, there are zero greenhouse gas emissions."

***
"Now, you go down to Arizona, for example, you can't find the border. Man, it's just desert. It is, like, wide open desert."

***
"There are people in our hemisphere whose families are really hungry, particularly compared to the lifestyle we have in America, and they want to work to feed their families. And they're willing to do jobs Americans don't want to do. That's just -- that's reality."

***
"There are people willing to pick apples in Washington, you know, hitting those vegetable fields in California."

***
Q Mr. President, music is one of our largest exports the country has. Currently, every country in the world -- except China, Iran, North Korea, Rwanda and the United States -- pay a statutory royalty to the performing artists for radio and television air play. Would your administration consider changing our laws to align it with the rest of the world?

THE PRESIDENT: Help. (Laughter.) Maybe you've never had a President say this -- I have, like, no earthly idea what you're talking about. (Laughter and applause.) Sounds like we're keeping interesting company, you know? (Laughter.)

Look, I'll give you the old classic: contact my office, will you? (Laughter.) I really don't -- I'm totally out of my lane. I like listening to country music, if that helps. (Laughter.)

***
"People sworn -- not the exact same person; those are dead who got on the airplanes -- but they have sworn allegiance to Osama, just like the killers in Iraq have sworn allegiance to Osama bin Laden."

***
"You know what's interesting about my presidency, another interesting aspect of the presidency, is the friendship I had with Prime Minister Koizumi of Japan, and his successor, a man named Prime Minister Abe."

***
"And that's why one of the controversial programs that I suggested was that we take a known phone number from one of these al Qaeda types, or affiliates -- and you can find them. We get them all kinds of ways. We're picking people up off the battlefield, for example, in one of these theaters I just describe to you. They may have a laptop. On the laptop might be some phone numbers. Off the phone numbers may be somebody else's. I mean, there's ways to get information as a result of some of the operations we have taken overseas."

***
"One of the worst things that would happen is this enemy, in trying to respond to them, would force us to lose part of our very soul."

***
Q Thank you, Mr. President. As the mother of a six-month-old named after Sam Houston, a great person --

THE PRESIDENT: You've got to be kidding me, awesome, yes. Is it Houston or Sam?

Q It's Houston --

THE PRESIDENT: There you go.

***
"Q Thank you, Mr. President. As the mother of a six-month-old named after Sam Houston, a great person --

THE PRESIDENT: You've got to be kidding me, awesome, yes. Is it Houston or Sam?

Q It's Houston --

THE PRESIDENT: There you go.

 

July 24, 2007
President Bush Discusses War on Terror in South Carolina
Charleston Air Force Base
Charleston, South Carolina
***
"They know they're al Qaida. The Iraqi people know they are al Qaida. People across the Muslim world know they are al Qaida. And there's a good reason they are called al Qaida in Iraq: They are al Qaida ... in ... Iraq."

 

July 25, 2007
President Bush Jogs with Wounded Soldiers, Discusses Care For Returning Wounded Warriors
South Lawn
***
"I've been running with Max and Allen -- I mean, Neil."

 

July 27, 2007
President Bush Discusses Economic Expansion and Gross Domestic Product Growth
Roosevelt Room
***
"I want to thank my economic advisors for joining me here in the Cabinet [sic] today."

 

July 30, 2007
President Bush Participates in Joint Press Availability with Prime Minister Gordon Brown of the United Kingdom
Camp David
***
"One of the great calling that we have here in the beginning of the 21st century is to protect our own people. And so we spent a fair amount of time making sure that our systems are properly aligned so as we can share information to protect our citizens from this kind of brutal group of people who really would like to see us driven from parts of the world so they can impose their ideology."

***
"We had a good discussion as to how to keep this world engaged in the atrocities -- I've called it a genocide -- taking place in Darfur, and I want to thank you for your leadership on that issue."

***
PRESIDENT BUSH: Rutenberg, today's your birthday? How old are you?

Q Thirty-eight.

PRIME MINISTER BROWN: My goodness.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Here you are -- amazing country, Gordon, guy is under 40 years old, asking me and you questions. It's a beautiful sight. (Laughter.)

Q Forty is the new 30, Mr. President.

PRESIDENT BUSH: It's a beautiful sight. (Laughter.)

PRIME MINISTER BROWN: Six in my cabinet are under 40.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Are they? (Laughter.)

Q Forty is the new 20.

PRESIDENT BUSH: You must be feeling damn old, then?

PRIME MINISTER BROWN: Absolutely. (Laughter.)

***
"Look, people who kill innocent men, women and children to achieve political objectives are evil, that's what I think. I don't think there's any need to negotiate with them. I don't think there's any need to hope that they'll change. They are cold-blooded killers, and we better be clear-eyed when we're dealing with them."

***
Q Do you have the same philosophy as the President, in terms of terrorism? So it's two-pronged.

PRIME MINISTER BROWN: Absolutely.

PRESIDENT BUSH: What do you expect the answer to be, Rutenberg? Come on, man.

 

August 4, 2007
President Bush Visits Minneapolis, Offers Sympathies and Aid
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers -- St. Paul District
Lower Street Anthony Falls Lock and Dam
Minneapolis, Minnesota
***

"We have an amazing country, where people's instinct, first instinct, is to help save life. There's a lot of peoples' first instincts here in the Twin Cities was to save the lives of somebody who was hurting."

 

August 8, 2007
President Bush Meets with Economic Advisors
The Department of Treasury
Washington, D.C.
***
Recently in Nashville, I met a woman who runs a bun company.

 

August 9, 2007
President Bush Discusses American Competitiveness Initiative During Press Conference
James S. Brady Briefing Room
***
"Well, first of all, I can understand why Pat Tillman's family, you know, has got significant emotions, because a man they loved and respected was killed while he was serving his country."

***
"As you know, General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker will be coming back to report on the findings of the success of the surge. The surge success will not only include military successes and military failures, but also political successes and political failures."

***
"David, I'm wise enough to remind you that I'm not an economist, and that I would ask you direct predictions and forecasts about economic matters to those who make a living making forecasts and predictions. I suspect you'll find on the one hand, on the other hand, in how they predict." (Laughter.)

***
"One area where we can help consumer -- and obviously anybody who loses their home is somebody with whom we must show enormous empathy."

 

August 11, 2007
President Bush Welcome French President Sarkozy to Walker's Point
Walker's Point
Kennebunkport, Maine
***
Q Mr. President, aren't you disappointed that --

PRESIDENT BUSH: Never disappointed, always upbeat. Feeling good, feeling optimistic about life. Thank you. Thank you. Disappointed about what?

Q About Mrs. Sarkozy not coming?

PRESIDENT BUSH: Of course we are. She's a very dynamic woman. She is -- we were looking forward to seeing her, as well as the children. And so we're disappointed she's sick, but we understand. That happens sometimes in life.

***
Q Are you surprised the President of France vacations in America?

PRESIDENT BUSH: We're pleased he's here. Of course he makes the choice he makes. If people were asking me where I think they ought to vacation, it would be right here in America -- where I'll be vacationing, as you know. Monday, starting in Crawford.

Q Could you imagine you, or you, sir, as President, vacationing in a foreign country?

PRESIDENT BUSH: Of course I could.

***
"This is a complicated world with a lot of opportunities to bring peace, and no question, when America and France work together we can get a lot of important things done.

Q What's the main issue you want to address with him?

PRESIDENT BUSH: There's a lot of issues, a lot of issues. It's a complicated world.

***
"Thank you for the press conference. Talk it up. Talk it up as a guy who's trying to reach out and be friendly to the Fourth Estate -- that would be the press."

***
"Beautiful. Thank you. We've got to go eat a hamburger. We've got to go eat a hamburger."

 

August 13, 2007
President Bush Visits Wounded Warriors and Re-Affirms Support for
Dole-Shalala Commission Recommendations
Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Washington, D.C.
***
"I have asked Secretary Gates and Secretary Nicholson to review their respective departments and the interface of their departments -- the Defense Department and the Veterans Department -- to make sure that any doubt as to whether or not a veteran, or one on active duty, gets the best care, does so."

 

August 13, 2007
President Bush's Remarks on Resignation of Deputy Chief
of Staff and Senior Advisor Karl Rove
South Lawn
***
"Karl Rove is moving on down the road."

 

August 21, 2007
President Bush Participates in Briefing on Interstate 35-W Bridge Damage and Minnesota Floods
Base Operations -- Blue Room Minneapolis/St. Paul Air Reserve Station
***
"I understand rural America pretty well."

 

August 21, 2007
President Bush Participates in Joint Press Availability with Prime Minister Harper of Canada, and President Calderón of Mexico
Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello
Montebello, Canada
***
"It's in our interests that the Canadian lifestyle be as strong as it is, and it's in our interests that prosperity spread to Mexico. If you're a U.S. citizen, you want people that live close to you to be prosperous. The more prosperity there is in your neighborhood, the more hopeful your neighborhood is."

***
"I believe Canada is doing a fabulous job in Afghanistan, and I thank the people of Canada, but more importantly, the people of Afghanistan thank the people of Canada."

***
"And I thank the mothers and fathers, or sons and daughters of those who lost their life in this -- for the sake of freedom and peace for the ultimate sacrifice they paid."

 

August 27, 2007
Remarks by the President at Friends of Dave Reichert and Washington State Republican Party Reception
Hyatt Regency
Bellevue, Washington
***
"Nuclear power doesn't put one emission into the atmosphere."

 

August 30, 2007
Roundtable Interview of the President by Foreign Print Media
Roosevelt Room
***
Q You see China as the big grower of the economy in the Asia Pacific?

THE PRESIDENT: No, I see the United States as the big driver for trade. We're a significant economy. At APEC people ought to be wondering whether or not George Bush is going to keep taxes low, to make sure our economy continues to grow, because we're a significant trading partner. I view China as an opportunity.

***
"Unfinished business is North Korea. It's -- let me just say, it is finishing. In other words, we're making progress. The six-party talks is working."

***
"As you know, I'm an alternative fuels person."

***
"Just for the record -- and this probably won't be a headline, although I've tried to make it one a lot -- when it comes time to climate change, there's one major industrialized nation that actually grew its economy and reduced greenhouse gases; that would be the United States of America -- that actually had greenhouse gases go down and the economy go up. So something is working here, and it's technologies, use of technologies. And so I'm going to be reminding people about -- that we can come up with a strategy that doesn't impoverish our people and, at the same time, takes advantage of technologies."

 

August 31, 2007
President Bush Announces Resignation of Press Secretary Tony Snow, and Names Dana Perino as Press Secretary
James S. Brady Briefing Room
***
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you.

Q How do you feel about losing everybody?

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all.

END 12:51 P.M. EDT

 

September 4, 2007
President Bush and Australian Prime Minister Howard Discuss U.S.-Australia Defense Trade Cooperation Treaty in Joint Press Availability
InterContinental Sydney
Sydney, Australia
***
"Laura sends her very best to you and Janette, and we congratulate you on -- like your grandfatherhood." (Laughter.)

***
"I'm looking forward for you to buy me lunch today. I'm a meat guy. (Laughter.)

PRIME MINISTER HOWARD: We know that. (Laughter.)

PRESIDENT BUSH: I'm looking forward to some Australian beef.

***
"If you don't think Iraq is important, if you don't think it matters what the society looks like there, then there's not enough amount of reconciliation that will cause people to say, great, it's working."

***
"It's interesting we're having APEC here in Australia."

***
"Now, I know some say, well, since he's against Kyoto he doesn't care about the climate change. That's urban legend that is preposterous."

***
"We understand that we're vulnerable in some [computer network] systems -- some, by the way, more valuable than others -- or less valuable than others, I guess is the best way to put it."

***
"We certainly hope that China changes from a saving society to a consuming society."

***
"Look, I don't want to come to a community and say, you know, what a pain it is to have the American President."

***
"I'm not interested in artificial timetables or dates of withdrawal; I'm interested in achieving objective."

***

"I believe battery technology is going to be coming on so that people in Sydney can drive the first 40 miles in their cars on battery without your car looking like a golf cart."

 

September 11, 2007
President Bush Meets with Bicameral and Bipartisan Leadership
Cabinet Room
***
"For some, this isn't the first moment they've been in the White House today, and I want to thank the leaders for joining Laura and me and the Vice President and his wife, Lynne, as we commemorated the -- a day that really helped -- or it did define our nation, which is 9/11/2001."

 

September 13, 2007
Address by the President to the Nation on the Way Forward in Iraq
Oval Office
***
"The government has not met its own legislative benchmarks -- and in my meetings with Iraqi leaders, I have made it clear that they must."

***
"It is never too late to deal a blow to al Qaeda."

 

September 14, 2007
President Bush Visits with Military Personnel at Quantico
Marine Corps Base Quantico
Quantico, Virginia
***
"First of all, my first impression is, it's amazing country where people volunteer in the face of danger."

***

"I told them about my speech last night. I told them that I'd listened very carefully to the recommendations of the military, in particular General Petraeus, and that the plan I announced was that we're making enough -- based upon the fact we're making enough success in Iraq that we can begin bringing some troops home; that I told the American people last night we've got what's called return on success."

 

September 17, 2007
President Bush Participates in Video Teleconference with Iraq
Provincial Reconstruction Team Leaders and Brigade Combat Commanders
Roosevelt Room
***
"Now, there's no question we got more work to be done."

 

September 18, 2007
President Bush Meets with Military Support Organizations
South Lawn
***
"It's not only a beautiful morning to sing the national anthem, it's a beautiful setting in which to sing the national anthem."

 

September 19, 2007
President Bush Discusses the Protect America Act of 2007
National Security Agency
Fort Meade, Maryland
***
"The problem is the law [Protect America Act] expires on February 1st -- that's 135 days from today. The threat from al Qaeda is not going to expire in 135 days."

***
"The question I'm going to ask is, do our professionals have the tools necessary to do the job to protect the American people from further attack?"

 

September 20, 2007
President Bush Announces Resignation of Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns
Rose Garden
***
"Mike came by the White House here a couple of days ago and he asked for my advice -- and I appreciate it. Everybody likes to have their counsel sought."

 

September 20, 2007
Press Conference by the President
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
***
"If I had to ask everybody in my government to respond to columns and news stories, that's all I'd be doing, is talking to people in my government."

***
"I remind people that, like when I'm with Condi I say, she's the Ph.D. and I'm the C-student, and just look at who's the President and who's the advisor." (Laughter.)

***
"Obviously, to the extent that innocent life was lost [in the Blackwater incident], you know, I'm saddened. Our objective is to protect innocent life. And we've got a lot of brave souls in the theater working hard to protect innocent life. And evidently some innocent lives were lost."

***
"I thought the [MoveOn General 'Betrayus'] ad was disgusting. I felt like the ad was an attack not only on General Petraeus, but on the U.S. military. And I was disappointed that not more leaders in the Democrat Party spoke out strongly against that kind of ad. And that leads me to come to this conclusion: that most Democrats are afraid of irritating a left-wing group like MoveOn.org -- or more afraid of irritating them than they are of irritating the United States military. That was a sorry deal. It's one thing to attack me; it's another thing to attack somebody like General Petraeus."

 

September 21, 2007
President Bush Welcomes 2006 and 2007 NCAA Sports Champions to White House
The South Lawn
***
"When you play hard, you end up right here at the White House."

***
"Pat Summitt knows something about coaching. We're proud to welcome this soon-to-be, if not already, Hall of Fame* coach, and the ladies basketball team from the University of Tennessee." (Applause.)

***
"This is, by the way, the eighth time in nine years that the Nanooks have been the NCAA champions in Rifle. Interestingly enough, guess who they beat? West Point. Anytime you outshoot West Point, you're really good at what you do." (Laughter.)

***
"People are wondering how champs behave."

  *In 1999, Summitt was inducted with the inaugural class to the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. In 2000, she joined Isiah Thomas as an inductee into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

 

September 26, 2007
President Bush Discusses No Child Left Behind Reauthorization
Waldorf Astoria
New York, New York
***
"As yesterday's positive Report Card shows, childrens do learn when standards are high and results are measured."

[NOTE: use of "childrens" evident on video and reported in L.A. Times but corrected in White House transcript]

 

September 27, 2007
President Bush Signs College Cost Reduction and Access Act
Room 350
Dwight D. Eisenhower Executive Office Building
***
"The other things is, this is a practical approach to dealing with the fact that we're -- live in an age in which technology is transforming the way we live and work. In order for our citizens to be able to seize the opportunities of a new era, they're going to have to have skills that can be only learned through a post-secondary education. That's the realities of the world in which we live."

***
"Times are changing when we were -- the baby boomers like me were younger -- it's a different era."

 

September 27, 2007
President Bush Meets with Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters and Federal Aviation Administration Acting Administrator Bobby Sturgell
***
"We've been having a discussion about the fact that a lot of our air travelers are not only inconvenienced, they're -- in some cases they're just not being treated fairly. And there's a lot of anger amongst our citizens about the fact that, you know, they're just not being treated right."

*** "One, to make sure that consumers are treated fairly and complaints are listened to, and that we address some of the egregious behavior that our consumers have been subjected to. Endless hours sitting in a airplane on a runway, and there's no communication between the pilot and the airport is just not right."

 

September 28, 2007
President Bush Participates in Major Economies Meeting on Energy Security and Climate Change
U.S. Department of State
***
"No one country has all the answers, including mine."

***
"We will set a long-term goal for reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. By setting this goal, we acknowledge there is a problem. And by setting this goal, we commit ourselves to doing something about it. By next summer, we will convene a meeting of heads of state to finalize the goal and other elements of this approach, including a strong and transparent system for measuring our progress toward meeting the goal we set."

***
"Our investments in research and technology are bringing the world closer to a remarkable breakthrough -- an age of clean energy where we can power our growing economies and improve the lives of our people and be responsible stewards of the earth the Almighty trusted to our care."

***
"We're working to develop next-generation plug-in hybrids that will be able to travel nearly 40 miles without using a drop of gasoline. And your automobile doesn't have to look like a golf cart." (Laughter.)

***
"Ushering in the age of clean energy is an historic undertaking. We take it seriously here in the United States."

***
"Scientists estimate that nearly 20 percent of the world's greenhouse gas admissions [sic] are attributable to deforestation."

***
"So far my administration has concluded 12 agreements, concluding [sic] up to 50 million acres of forest lands."

***
"There is a way forward that will enable us to grow our economies and protect the environment, and that's called technology."

 

October 3, 2007
President Bush Visits Lancaster Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Discusses S-CHIP
The Jay Group, Inc.
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
***
"My job is a decision-making job. And as a result, I make a lot of decisions. And it's important for me to have an opportunity to speak to you and others who would be listening about the basis on which I have made decisions, to explain the philosophy behind some of the decisions I have made."

***
"You know, when you give a man more money in his pocket -- in this case, a woman more money in her pocket to expand a business, it -- they build new buildings. And when somebody builds a new building somebody has got to come and build the building. And when the building expanded it prevented [sic] additional opportunities for people to work."

***
"He's a remarkable guy who told me something interesting. He said, I'm praying for you, Mr. President."

***
"One of the issues that we're going to be facing in Washington, D.C. is how to spend your money. In other words, what do we do with the good money that we've -- the good money we've collected?

***
"In other words, the more money you have, as opposed to the government having, the more likely it is the local economies will grow. That's why I brought up the example of the S-CHIP [sic] corporation." (The President meant to say, "The Jay Corporation").

***
"In other words, when they say, well, poor children aren't being covered in America, if that's what you're hearing on your TV screens, I'm telling you there's $35.5 billion worth of reasons not to believe that."

***
"I got a lot of Ph.D.-types and smart people around me who come into the Oval Office and say, Mr. President, here's what's on my mind. And I listen carefully to their advice. But having gathered the device [sic], I decide, you know, I say, this is what we're going to do. And it's 'yes, sir, Mr. President.' And then we get after it, implement policy."

***
"But my decisions have been based on my -- or at least my belief that what we're seeing is one of the -- a great ideological struggle between forces of ration -- rational behavior, decent people, lovers of liberty, versus radicals who have a belief system and they're willing to murder the innocent to achieve -- to advance their objectives."

***
"They use hundred-dollar weapons to destroy half-a-million-dollar vehicles -- which has got to, as a taxpayer, concern you. I understand that. I understand it."

***
"The dream is to have a coal-fired plant that produces zero emissions. And the smart people tell me, that's coming."

***
"Nuclear power enables the developed world and the developing world to generate, get a -- get cheap electricity without one iota of greenhouse gases."

*** Yes, little guy, you got one?

Q Do you have any further plans on preventing illegal immigration?

THE PRESIDENT: Illegal immigration? Yes, I do. He said, do I have any plans to prevent illegal -- further plans. One is to double the Border Patrol. Two is to modernize the border. You know -- I know you've never been done there -- or maybe you have.

***
"We're getting some fencing and some automobile routes -- you get on the Arizona border, you can't tell what's border and what's not border."

***
"Isn't it amazing that two of the youngest democracies on the face of the earth are being challenged by murderers and terrorists?"

***
"The politics is coming around the corner here in 2008, and people are going to be posturing a lot."

 

October 5, 2007
Interview of the President by Al Arabiya
Oval Office, Colonnade, Map Room
***
"No, it's [going to war] the hardest decision a President can make. And when I campaigned for office I never really thought about the decision to put men and women in harm's way. I never thought that that would happen. Circumstances changed, of course, and I had to make some very difficult decisions about how to protect our homeland and take action necessary to -- the actions that I think will yield the peace. And so whether it be in Afghanistan or Iraq, I was -- I have made those decisions. And I will tell you they're hard decisions, because I understand the consequences."

***
"We are having an Iftaar dinner tonight -- I say, 'we' -- it's my wife and I. This is the seventh one in the seven years I've been the President. It gives me a chance to say 'Ramadan Mubarak.'"

***
"After all, we all came from Abraham."

 

October 9, 2007
President Bush Signs Pesticide Registration Improvement Renewal Act

On Tuesday, October 9, 2007, the President signed into law:
S. 1983, the "Pesticide Registration Improvement Renewal Act," which reauthorizes and amends the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act.
# # #

 

October 10, 2007
President Bush Discusses Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Legislation
The South Lawn
***
"Terrorists in faraway lands are plotting and planning new ways to kill Americans."

 

October 10, 2007
President Bush Attends Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration at White House
Rose Garden
***
"I thank my friend, Emilio Estefan, who has provided the entertainment."

***
"To help us celebrate the heritage and spirit, we have an incredible talent: 'Cachao.'"

***
"I know you'll join me in thanking Cachao for coming. Guess when the first he was here -- 1948 he played for President Harry Truman. (Applause.) Welcome back." (Applause.)

 

October 15, 2007
President Bush Visits Arkansas, Discusses Job Growth
Stribling Packaging Inc.
Rogers, Arkansas
***
"One of the reasons I've stopped by this facility here in Arkansas is to remind people that business is the backbone of our economy."

 

October 15, 2007
President Bush Discusses The Budget
John Q. Hammons Convention Center
Rogers, Arkansas
***
"One of the things the President has to do is travel around the country explaining the situation and why things are happening, at least from my perspective. I'm looking forward to explaining it."

***
"Give them [veterans] what they need, if they've got Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, the help, the mental help."

***
"One of the things in a complex environment like the presidency is you got to surround your people -- surround the President, or surround myself with people whose judgment you trust."

***
"It's one of the lessons of September the 11th, is that while we grew up thinking everything was fine, that we could be protected by oceans, the enemy came and killed 3,000 of our people, and others from other nations -- on our soil."

***
"This is a war that we're not used to in America. We're not fighting a nation state."

***
"They know full well that when they destroy innocent life it gets on our TV screens. And we are a nation that believes in life."

 

October 16, 2007
President Bush Meets with Senator Bob Dole and Secretary Donna Shalala on the Commission on Care for Wounded Warriors
The Rose Garden
***
"I appreciate the fact that they are demonstrating the great breakthroughs in technologies that are now available for the wounded. I don't know if you noticed, two of them came in on a Segway."

 

October 17, 2007
Press Conference by the President
James S. Brady Briefing Room
***
Q Why are you going to, when China has expressed outrage about it?

THE PRESIDENT: One, I admire the Dalai Lama a lot. Two, I support religious freedom; he supports religious freedom. Thirdly, I like going to the Gold Medal ceremonies

***
"Look, in all due respect to you and Gregory, this is not my first rodeo. And I know where you're trying to get me to comment. I'm not going to comment on it, one way or the other."

 

October 20, 2007
President Bush Signs Executive Order to Protect Striped Bass and Red Drum Fish Populations
The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
St. Michael's, Maryland
***
"And I appreciate Carlos Gutierrez, he's the Secretary of Commerce, for joining us as well. He's in charge of NOAA, as is Conrad Lautenbacher -- run NOAA -- you've got a fancy title, Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. That means he runs NOAA." (Laughter.)

***
"He proved, as have others here, that if you get together with responsible officials you can help get these fishing stocks back to robust."

***
"The striped bass -- I don't know if our citizens follow the striped bass, but it's a good fish to catch."

***
"Local sales means better local economy."

 

October 23, 2007
President Bush Visits National Defense University, Discusses Global War on Terror
Washington, D.C.
***
"In this war, we're on the offensive against the enemy -- and that's the only way to be."

***
"My administration made a commitment to the American people then that we will defend you against all forms of terror -- including the terror that could arrive as a result of a missile. "

***
"The men and women of the National Defense University understand what is at stake in today's war. First of all, you understand we're in war. And secondly, you understand the stakes of this war."

*** "With the presence -- with the passage of time, the memories of September the 11th have grown more distant. That's natural. That's what happens with time."

***
"On 9/11, we saw that oceans which separate us from other continents no longer separates us from danger."

***
"It's a new kind of war."

 

October 24, 2007
President Bush Meets with Cabinet, Discusses Fires in California
Cabinet Room
***
"I wish we could control the wind, because one of the things that's hampering our joint capability of fighting these fires is the strong westerly winds."

 

November 7, 2007
Interview of the President by RTL and N-TV, German TV
Map Room
***
Q Mr. President, in a couple of days the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel will come to your ranch, which I think is a special privilege. What will you do with her on the ranch on a weekend like that?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, we will -- if she wants -- we'll do anything she wants. If she wants to go for a hike, I'll go for a hike. If she -- I look forward to showing a piece of property I dearly love.

***
"And I'm not going to try to put Angela Merkel in a position that she nor her Bundestag is comfortable with."

***
"Q But you still have as a last option the military option. Do you think that that could be an option in the future? You even mentioned the possibility, the chance of third world war -- you were serious about that?

THE PRESIDENT: Oh, absolutely serious. I said, if you want to avoid World War III. I didn't say I'm for World War III.

Q Oh, no, I didn't say that. But you mentioned it in that respect, yes.

THE PRESIDENT: But I said if you -- the reason I said that is because this is a country that has defied the IAEA -- in other words, didn't disclose all their program -- have said they want to destroy Israel. If you want to see World War III, you know, a way to do that is to attack Israel with a nuclear weapon. And so I said, now is the time to move. It wasn't a prediction, nor a desire.

***
"And our biggest job is to protect our -- see, that's an interesting difference between, say, Germany and America. We've been attacked."

 

November 7, 2007
Interview of the President by TF1 Television
Map Room
***
Q So to a certain extent, you did contribute to giving greater power to Iran, because it no longer is facing its hated enemy on the other side. So now is there a true threat in Iran, and are you ready now to invade Iran as you did with Afghanistan and Iraq? So it is indeed true that Vice President -- is it true that Vice President Cheney has a plan for that?

THE PRESIDENT: I don't know where you're getting all these rumors -- there must be some weird things going on in Europe these days -- because I have made it abundantly clear, now is the time to deal with a true threat to world peace -- that's Iran -- and to do it diplomatically and peacefully. And that's what I'm going to spend a lot of time on with President Sarkozy. But of course we want to solve these problems peacefully.

***
Q But if it doesn't work, if the sanctions and the threats do not work, what happens?

THE PRESIDENT: We are going to -- as I said, all options are on the table. But the objective is to make them work. I'm not so sure I agree with your hypothesis, that "if they don't work." I'm the kind of guy that says, let's make sure they do work.

***
Q In the past we used to say that the American Dream was freedom, but today it seems to be repression, more self-focused society.

THE PRESIDENT: That's absurd to say the American Dream is repression. Freedom is the absolute we're helping people achieve. That's -- think about what's happening with 25 million people in Iraq, or 25 million people in Afghanistan, or the fact that the United States is freeing people from the scourge of HIV/AIDS. We're spending $30 billion, when Congress passes my budget, to help people on HIV/AIDS -- or the fact that we've got a $1.6 billion program to help people who are -- families who are suffering as a result of a child dying from malaria. In other words, we've got a very aggressive freedom agenda. And if you come to the United States, you'll find that you can practice your religion any way you see fit, that this is an open society and a free society.

***
You're really not going to know the history of the Bush administration until long after you and I are dead. There's no such thing as accurate short-term history. It takes a while for people to see the results of decisions having been made.

***
Q We saw a French President spend his summer vacations this year in the United States, so when will George W. Bush spend his vacations in France?

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. As you know, I'm a -- I've got a piece of property I love in Texas --

Q It's large.

 

November 7, 2007
Interview of the President by RTL and N-TV, German TV
Map Room
***
Q Mr. President, in a couple of days the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel will come to your ranch, which I think is a special privilege. What will you do with her on the ranch on a weekend like that?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, we will -- if she wants -- we'll do anything she wants. If she wants to go for a hike, I'll go for a hike. If she -- I look forward to showing a piece of property I dearly love.

***
"And I'm not going to try to put Angela Merkel in a position that she nor her Bundestag is comfortable with."

***
"Q But you still have as a last option the military option. Do you think that that could be an option in the future? You even mentioned the possibility, the chance of third world war -- you were serious about that?

THE PRESIDENT: Oh, absolutely serious. I said, if you want to avoid World War III. I didn't say I'm for World War III.

Q Oh, no, I didn't say that. But you mentioned it in that respect, yes.

THE PRESIDENT: But I said if you -- the reason I said that is because this is a country that has defied the IAEA -- in other words, didn't disclose all their program -- have said they want to destroy Israel. If you want to see World War III, you know, a way to do that is to attack Israel with a nuclear weapon. And so I said, now is the time to move. It wasn't a prediction, nor a desire.

***
"And our biggest job is to protect our -- see, that's an interesting difference between, say, Germany and America. We've been attacked."

 

November 7, 2007
Interview of the President by TF1 Television
Map Room
***
Q So to a certain extent, you did contribute to giving greater power to Iran, because it no longer is facing its hated enemy on the other side. So now is there a true threat in Iran, and are you ready now to invade Iran as you did with Afghanistan and Iraq? So it is indeed true that Vice President -- is it true that Vice President Cheney has a plan for that?

THE PRESIDENT: I don't know where you're getting all these rumors -- there must be some weird things going on in Europe these days -- because I have made it abundantly clear, now is the time to deal with a true threat to world peace -- that's Iran -- and to do it diplomatically and peacefully. And that's what I'm going to spend a lot of time on with President Sarkozy. But of course we want to solve these problems peacefully.

***
Q But if it doesn't work, if the sanctions and the threats do not work, what happens?

THE PRESIDENT: We are going to -- as I said, all options are on the table. But the objective is to make them work. I'm not so sure I agree with your hypothesis, that "if they don't work." I'm the kind of guy that says, let's make sure they do work.

***
Q In the past we used to say that the American Dream was freedom, but today it seems to be repression, more self-focused society.

THE PRESIDENT: That's absurd to say the American Dream is repression. Freedom is the absolute we're helping people achieve. That's -- think about what's happening with 25 million people in Iraq, or 25 million people in Afghanistan, or the fact that the United States is freeing people from the scourge of HIV/AIDS. We're spending $30 billion, when Congress passes my budget, to help people on HIV/AIDS -- or the fact that we've got a $1.6 billion program to help people who are -- families who are suffering as a result of a child dying from malaria. In other words, we've got a very aggressive freedom agenda. And if you come to the United States, you'll find that you can practice your religion any way you see fit, that this is an open society and a free society.

***
You're really not going to know the history of the Bush administration until long after you and I are dead. There's no such thing as accurate short-term history. It takes a while for people to see the results of decisions having been made.

***
Q We saw a French President spend his summer vacations this year in the United States, so when will George W. Bush spend his vacations in France?

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. As you know, I'm a -- I've got a piece of property I love in Texas --

Q It's large.

 

November 10, 2007
President Bush and Chancellor Merkel of Germany Participate in a Joint Press Availability
Prairie Chapel Ranch
Crawford, Texas
***
PRESIDENT BUSH: I'm now going to go feed the Chancellor a hamburger. (Laughter.) Right here, Crawford, Texas. No, well, I mean back over there. Thank you all.

CHANCELLOR MERKEL: Obviously, for me, as a person who originally came from Hamburg --

PRESIDENT BUSH: Yes.

CHANCELLOR MERKEL: -- it's even more important.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Hamburger.

Thank you.

Chancellor Merkel: Thank you.

END 12:16 P.M. CST

 

November 15, 2007
President Bush Discusses Aviation Congestion
Roosevelt Room
***
"Holiday travelers faced with the prospect of long delayed and cancelled flights and lost baggage, and other problems have become all too often an occurrence. In other words, there's a lot of people that are worried about traveling because they've had unpleasant experiences when they've been flying around the country."

***
"In other words, part of making sure people are not inconvenienced is there to be -- get transmission of sound, real-time information.

November 20, 2007
President Bush Pardons "May and Flower" in National Thanksgiving Turkey Ceremony
Rose Garden
***
"They asked Americans to give thanks for a nation that Benjamin Franklin famously compared to a rising sun. Over the years, Americans have found much to be thankful for. We still see our country the way Franklin did -- or, as the poet Carl Sandburg put it: 'In the crimson light of a rising sun fresh from the hand of God.'"

 

December 3, 2007
President Bush Meets with U.S.-Palestinian Public-Private Partnership
Roosevelt Room
***
"It's been my honor and the honor of key members of my administration to welcome Minister Abu Daqqa here. She's the Minister of Youth for the Palestinians. I also want to welcome friends, business leaders, community activists who are committed to a public-private partnership to help the Palestinian government provide hope, particularly for the young -- she's the Minister of Youth."

 

December 4, 2007
Press Conference by the President
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
***
"The holidays are approaching and the clock is ticking for the United States Congress. Based on the record so far, Americans could be forgiven for thinking that Santa will have slipped down their chimney on Christmas Eve before Congress finishes its work. Let's hope they're wrong."

***
"Why would you take time to analyze new information? One, you want to make sure it's not disinformation. You want to make sure the piece of intelligence you have is real. And secondly, they want to make sure they understand the intelligence they gathered: If they think it's real, then what does it mean?"

***
"I really am going to -- look, we got -- it's hard to believe, like a month away from the Iowa caucuses, and it's going to get intense. And elections are intense. They are intense experiences, and they're intense on both sides."

***
Q Do you miss it?

THE PRESIDENT: Yes, I'm going to miss the campaigning. I like campaigning. If somebody ever says they don't like campaigning, they're not telling you -- either that, or they're a lousy candidate. I mean, it's fun. (Laughter.) I enjoy it. I enjoy the crowds, I enjoy the noise, I enjoy giving that message, I enjoy the competition. And, yes, I'm going to miss it.

***
Q Thank you, Mr. President. I may want to apologize in advance because --

THE PRESIDENT: Please do.

Q -- I can't help but read your body language this morning, Mr. President. You seem somehow dispirited, somewhat dispirited.

THE PRESIDENT: I think you need to apologize for advance -- (laughter.) This is like -- all of a sudden, it's like Psychology 101, you know? (Laughter.)

 

December 6, 2007
President Bush Discusses Housing
Roosevelt Room
***
The best you can do for your family is to call 1-800-995-HOPE.* That is 1-800-995-H-O-P-E.*

  * 1-888-995-H-O-P-E

 

December 11, 2007
President Bush Discusses Monitoring the Future Study on Teen Drug Use
Dwight D. Eisenhower Executive Office Building
Room 450
***
"We've got the ambassador de Mexico, y tambi n Colombia -- thanks for coming. I appreciate you all being here. Where are the -- Embajador, bienvenidos -- los dos."

***
"You might remember, a while ago, that methamphetamine seemed to be a -- just running so rampant that people were worried that we could never get a handle on it."

***
"It's really important for professional sports associations to continue to crack down on drug abuse by athletes. And it's important that more people in Hollywood stand up and send a right message to our children."

 

December 14, 2007
President Bush Meets with Cabinet
Rose Garden
***
"You know, I -- in the State of the Union a couple of years ago, I addressed the issue of steroids, and the reason I did so is because I understand the impact that professional athletes can have on our nation's youth. And I just urge our -- those in the public spotlight, particularly athletes, to understand that when they violate their bodies, they're sending a terrible signal to America's young."

***
Q Oh, don't stop [taking questions] now.

THE PRESIDENT: I had a -- well, I've got freezing Cabinet members out here. (Laughter.) They're whispering; you can't hear their whispers. (Laughter.) I can just feel their vibe saying, I'm envious, they're all wearing these expensive coats, and here we are. (Laughter.)

I hope you enjoyed the holiday bash as much as I did. I noticed some of the silverware is missing. (Laughter.) We'll be taking a full inventory. (Laughter.) Happy holidays.

END 10:38 A.M. EST

 

December 17, 2007
President Bush Discusses Economy in Fredericksburg, Virginia Holiday Inn
North Fredericksburg, Virginia
***
"But they need to fund these troops, and they don't need to be putting artificial timetable for withdrawal on the money that we're asking to make sure the men and women who courageously serve the United States of America have what it takes to do the job they've been asked to do."

***
"If the Congress can't get the job done -- in other words, those jet fumes will start to be moving out pretty soon here, later on this week -- if they can't get the job done, then I've got a suggestion for them: just pass a one-year continuing resolution."

***
"Here's my attitude on housing: one, the government should never bail out lenders; two, some people bought a house that they shouldn't have been in the market; three, there are speculators who thought they could get -- buy nice, one of these reset mortgages and flip it, make some money -- I'm sure none of them are in the chamber, but nevertheless -- (laughter) -- that's what happened."

***
"Well, this day and age you're going to use -- mortgages have been bundled, so the savings and loan doesn't own the mortgage anymore, or the bank doesn't loan [sic] the mortgage anymore, the local lending institute doesn't loan [sic] the mortgage anymore: it's owned by some international group, perhaps, or it's been bundled into an asset. And so there's hardly anybody to negotiate with. And so some lenders [sic] aren't sure where to turn."

***
"Part of the problem in health care is that there is no consumerism -- I shouldn't say "no consumerism," obviously there is some consumerism."

***
"I don't know how many of you ever go to your doctor and say, what are you charging, you know, compared to your neighbor. I suspect you do that when it comes an automobile, but you don't when it comes to purchasing health care. I never have, frankly. I don't remember asking my buddies in Midland, who are my doctors, how much are you charging relative to the person down the street."

***
"We're in the lead when it comes to the Freedom Agenda."

***
"And so one of the proposals I put forth to the Congress was, as we shut down bases, through the BRAC process, why don't we provide land on those old bases for refineries to encourage the expansion of refineries here in the United States. And it's just -- anyway, it's -- there are some who -- I don't know why they wouldn't be for something as commonsensical as that."

***
"So we've got the technologies capable of finding oil and gas reserves and hardly leaving a scratch on the environment up there. But it's become a cause celebre with a lot of the special interests in Washington, D.C."

***
"Automobile -- I just told you that we're going to become more efficient with our automobile -- we're raising our fuel efficiency standards. In other words, cars and new technology and electricity are going to change how often people go to the pump."

***
"My question is, I have three children in the school system here, and I'm very concerned about their well-being, living in this country -- and you've done a wonderful job of protecting our nation. But I'm concerned about the nations like Iraq, who now have nuclear weapons --

THE PRESIDENT: Iran.

Q Iran and Iraq both.

THE PRESIDENT: Not Iraq. (Laughter.)

***
"The ability to weaponize that material -- in other words, to make it into something that explodes -- that part of the program is what the intelligence people thought was ongoing at one time and suspended."

***
"So you can envision if you can start using wood chips -- you got you some wood around here, and all of a sudden it becomes a viable source of input into an ethanol plant."

***
"But it's making pretty good market penetration in the Midwest. It's an interesting -- we have to look at, and I believe the reason why is because -- since corn is now the main source of ethanol, that's where you're going to get your corn."

***
Q Hi, Mr. President, I'm Kate (inaudible), and I wanted to extend my holiday wishes to you and your family from all of our family.

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, thank you. I'm fired up about the holidays.

 

December 19, 2007
President Bush Signs H.R. 6, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007
U.S. Department of Energy
Washington, D.C.
***
"One of the most serious long-term challenges facing our country is dependence on oil -- especially oil from foreign lands."

***
"Because this dependence harms us economically through high and volatile prices at the gas pump; dependence creates pollution and contributes to greenhouse gas admissions [sic]."

 

December 20, 2007
Press Conference by the President
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
***
Q Mr. President, you maybe saw that President Clinton said recently that one of the first actions of a new Clinton administration would be to send Presidents 41 and 42 on a worldwide goodwill mission to restore the country's good name abroad.

THE PRESIDENT: Yes --

Q I wonder if you think such a thing is necessary --

THE PRESIDENT: Well, 41 didn't think it's necessary. It sounds like it's going to be a one-man trip. (Laughter.)

***
"I plan on having some press conferences next year, and I suspect next year the questions will be even more plentiful about getting me to be the opiner-in-chief."

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