George W. Bush

For the President of the same name, please see George H.W. Bush.

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George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is the 43rd President of the United States, a son of former president George H. W. Bush, the husband of Laura Bush, and a grandson of Prescott Bush.

• "I think war is a dangerous place."^[1]    

Simple: I think that being in wars is very dangerous.

• "I love freedom of speech."^[2]    

Simple: I support people having the right to say what they believe freely.

• "Dealing with Congress is a matter of give and take. The president doesn't get everything he wants, the Congress doesn't get everything they want. But we're finding good common ground."^[3]

Simple: Working with Congress is case of give and take. The president doesn't get everything he wants, and the Congress doesn't get everything they want, but we're finding good common ground.

• "A dictatorship would be a heck of a lot easier, there's no question about it."^[3]

What it means: A dictatorship in the government would be easier, no matter what.

• "After the chaos and carnage of September the 11th, it is not enough to serve our enemies with legal papers."^[4]

Simple: After the chaos of the September 11th attacks, it's not good enough to deal with our enemies with legal papers.

• "See, free nations are peaceful nations. Free nations don't attack each other. Free nations don't develop weapons of mass destruction."^[5]

Simple: Free nations are peaceful nations. Free nations don't attack each other. They don't make weapons that can destroy a lot of things at the same time.

• "America is a friend to the people of Iraq. Our demands are directed only at the regime that enslaves them and threatens us. When these demands are met, the first and greatest benefit will come to Iraqi men, women and children."^[6]

What it means: If the Iraqi government does as we command, the Iraqi people will have a great benefit.

• "Bring them on."^[7]

What it means: If Iraqi people attack us, let them attack, as our soldiers can handle them.

• "This enemy attacked not just our people, but all freedom-loving people everywhere in the world. The United States of America will use all our resources to conquer this enemy. We will rally the world. We will be patient, we will be focused, and we will be steadfast in our determination.... we will not allow this enemy to win the war by changing our way of life or restricting our freedoms."

Simple: The terrorists not only attacked the United States of America, but all freedom and good people all over the world. We will use all our resources to defeat the enemy, with the rest of the world's help. We will be patient, focused, and will keep trying to do this. We will not allow the enemy to win by changing our lives and taking away our freedoms.

• America is a Nation with a mission - and that mission comes from our most basic beliefs. We have no desire to dominate, no ambitions of empire. Our aim is a democratic peace - a peace founded upon the dignity and rights of every man and woman.

Simple: America is a nation with a goal. That goal comes from our basic beliefs. We have no desire to be more powerful, no goals of empire. Our aim is democratic peace - a peace built upon the dignity and rights of every man and woman.

• America is the land of the second chance - and when the gates of the prison open, the path ahead should lead to a better life.

Simple: America is the land of the second chance - and when the doors of the prison open, the road ahead should take us to a better life.

• America must not ignore the threat gathering against us. Facing clear evidence of peril, we cannot wait for the final proof, the smoking gun that could come in the form of a mushroom cloud.

Simple: America cannot ignore the threat building against us. Facing clear evidence of misery, we cannot wait for it to happen, the smoking gun that could come in the form of a nuclear strike.

• America will never seek a permission slip to defend the security of our people.

Simple: America will never ask for permission to defend the safety of its people.

• Americans are rising to the tasks of history, and they expect the same of us.

Simple: Americans are accepting the tasks of history, and they expect the same from us.

• Any government that supports, protects or harbours terrorists is complicit in the murder of the innocent and equally guilty of terrorist crimes.

Simple: Any government that supports, protects, or keeps terrorists is partly responsible for the murder of the innocent and guilty of terrorist crimes.

• Do I think faith will be an important part of being a good president? Yes, I do.

Simple: Do I think faith will be important for being a good president? Yes, I do.

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

Simple: Every nation in all parts of the world has a decision to make. Either you are supporting us, or you are supporting the terrorists.

• Everywhere that freedom stirs, let tyrants fear.

Simple: Everywhere that freedom exists, let enemies fear.

• Faith crosses every border and touches every heart in every nation.

Simple: Faith crosses every border and reaches every heart in every nation.

• For all who love freedom and peace, the world without Saddam Hussein's regime is a better and safer place.

Simple: For all who love freedom and peace, the world without Saddam Hussein's government is a better and safer place.

• For diplomacy to be effective, words must be credible - and no-one can now doubt the word of America.

Simple: For diplomacy to succeed, words must be real - and no-one can now doubt America's promise.

• Freedom itself was attacked this morning by a faceless coward, and freedom will be defended.

Simple: Freedom itself was attacked this morning by an unnamed coward, and freedom will be protected.

• Great tragedy has come to us, and we are meeting it with the best that is in our country, with courage and concern for others because this is America. This is who we are.

Simple: Great tragedy has affected us, and we are solving it with the best people in our country, with bravery and concern for others because this is America. This is who we are.

• Hundreds of thousands of American servicemen and women are deployed across the world in the war on terror. By bringing hope to the oppressed, and delivering justice to the violent, they are making America more secure.

Simple: Hundreds of thousands of American men and women in the armed forces are sent across the world in the war on terrorism. By bringing hope to the victims, and punishing the violent, they are making America more secure.

• I am mindful not only of preserving executive powers for myself, but for predecessors as well.

Simple: I am keeping presidential powers for myself and for those who came before me.

• I believe a marriage is between a man and a woman.

Simple: I think marriage should be between a man and a woman.

• I believe in the transformational power of liberty. I believe that the free Iraq is in this nation's interests. I believe a free Afghanistan is in this nation's interest.

Simple: I believe in the power of freedom to change. I believe that the free Iraq is in America's interests. I believe a free Afghanistan is in America's interest.

• I believe that God has planted in every heart the desire to live in freedom.

Simple: I believe that God has given every heart the wish to live in freedom.

• I believe the most solemn duty of the American president is to protect the American people. If America shows uncertainty and weakness in this decade, the world will drift toward tragedy. This will not happen on my watch.

Simple: I believe the most important role of the American president is to protect the American people. If America shows indecision and weakness in this decade, the world will drift toward tragedy. This will not happen while I am around.

• I can hear you, the rest of the world can hear you and the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon.

Simple: I can hear you, the rest of the world can hear you, and the people who destroyed these buildings will hear all of us soon.

• I have a different vision of leadership. A leadership is someone who brings people together.

Simple: I have a different view of leadership. A leader is someone who brings people together.

• I just want you to know that, when we talk about war, we're really talking about peace.

Simple: I want you to know: when we talk about war, we are actually talking about peace.

• I sent American troops to Iraq to make its people free, not to make them American. Iraqis will write their own history and find their own way.

Simple: I sent American soldiers to Iraq to make its people free, not to make them American. Iraqis will write their history and make their own decisions.

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

Simple: I think we should raise the age at which young people can own a gun.

• I think you can judge from somebody's actions a kind of a stability and sense of purpose perhaps created by strong religious roots. I mean, there's a certain patience, a certain discipline, I think, that religion helps you achieve.

Simple: I think you can a judge person's actions as stability and sense of purpose, maybe created by a strong religious background. I mean, there is a type of patience, a type of discipline, I think, that religion helps you meet.

• I understand everybody in this country doesn't agree with the decisions I've made. And I made some tough decisions. But people know where I stand.

Simple: I know that not everybody in this country agrees with the decisions I have made. And I know I have made some difficult decisions. But people know my standpoint.

• I want to thank you for taking time out of your day to come and witness my hanging.

Simple: I want to thank you for taking time from your day to come and watch my hanging.

• I will never relent in defending America - whatever it takes.

Simple: I will never stop defending America - whatever it takes

• I'm hopeful. I know there is a lot of ambition in Washington, obviously. But I hope the ambitious realize that they are more likely to succeed with success as opposed to failure.

Simple: I am hopeful. I know there is a lot of desire in Washington, of course. But I hope the desirous realize that they are more likely to succeed with success as opposed to failure.

• If you're sick and tired of the politics of cynicism and polls and principles, come and join this campaign.

Simple: If you are fed up of the politics of doubt and polls and principles, come and join this campaign.

• Iraq is no diversion. It is a place where civilization is taking a decisive stand against chaos and terror, we must not waver.

Simple: Iraq is not a diversion. It is a place where the people are taking a definite stand against disorder and terror; we must not give up.

• It is clear our nation is reliant upon big foreign oil. More and more of our imports come from overseas.

Simple: It is clear that our nation relies on big foreign oil. More and more of our imports come from abroad.

• It's clearly a budget. It's got a lot of numbers in it.

Simple: It is clearly a budget. It has got a lot of numbers in it.

• It's going to be the year of the sharp elbow and the quick tongue.

Simple: It is going to be the year of strength and a hasty tongue.

• Leadership to me means duty, honor, country. It means character, and it means listening from time to time.

Simple: Leadership for me is duty, honor and country. It means character, and it means listening occasionally.

• Natural gas is hemispheric. I like to call it hemispheric in nature because it is a product that we can find in our neighbourhoods.

Simple: Natural gas is within the atmosphere. I like to call it hemispheric in nature because it is something we can find in our neighbourhood.

• Now, there are some who would like to rewrite history - revisionist historians is what I like to call them.

Simple: Now, there are many people who want to rewrite history - revisionist historians is what I like to call them.

• On September 11 2001, America felt its vulnerability even to threats that gather on the other side of the Earth. We resolved then, and we are resolved today, to confront every threat from any source that could bring sudden terror and suffering to America.

Simple: On September 11 2001, America felt exposed to threats that gather on the other side of the world. We decided then, and this is our decision today, to face down every threat from any place that that could bring quick terror and misery to America.

• Only a liberal senator from Massachusetts would say that a 49 percent increase in funding for education was not enough.

Simple: Only a liberal senator from Massachusetts would say that a 49 percent rise in payments for education was not enough.

• Our nation must come together to unite.

Simple: Our nation must join together to unite.

• Our Nation must defend the sanctity of marriage.

Simple: Our nation must protect the purity of marriage.

• People make suggestions on what to say all the time. I'll give you an example; I don't read what's handed to me. People say, 'Here, here's your speech, or here's an idea for a speech.' They're changed. Trust me.

Simple: People suggest what to say all the time. I will give you an example; I do not read what is given to me. People say, 'Here, here is your speech, or here is an idea for a speech.' They are changed. Trust me.

• Saddam Hussein is a homicidal dictator who is addicted to weapons of mass destruction.

Simple: Saddam Hussein is a mass-murdering dictator who is devoted to weapons that cause mass destruction.

• Senator Kerry has been in Washington long enough to take both sides on just about every issue.

Simple: Senator Kerry has been in Washington long enough to take both sides on nearly every issue.

• Some folks look at me and see a certain swagger, which in Texas is called "walking".

Simple: Some people look at me and see a certain bully, which in Texas is called "walking".

• Some have argued that confronting the threat from Iraq could detract from the war against terror. To the contrary, confronting the threat posed by Iraq is crucial to winning the war on terror.

Simple: Some have argued that facing the threat from Iraq could lessen the war against terror. On the contrary, facing the threat posed by Iraq is vital to winning the war on terror.

• States should have the right to enact laws... particularly to end the inhumane practice of ending a life that otherwise could live.

Simple: States should have the right to pass laws... especially to end the cruel practice of stopping a life that otherwise could live.

• Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.

Simple: Terrorist attacks can shake the groundwork of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the groundwork of America. These acts break through steel, but they cannot affect the steel of America's willpower.

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

Simple: The California crunch is the result of not enough power plants making power and not enough power to power the power of power-making plants.

• The course of this conflict is not known, yet its outcome is certain. Freedom and fear, justice and cruelty, have always been at war, and we know that God is not neutral between them.

Simple: The cause of this battle is unknown, but its outcome is certain. Freedom and fear, justice and cruelty, have always been at war, and we know that God is not unbiased between them.

• The deliberate and deadly attacks which were carried out yesterday against our country were more than acts of terror. They were acts of war.

Simple: The deliberate and violent attacks which were done yesterday against our country were more than acts of terror. They were acts of war.

• The men and women of Afghanistan are building a nation that is free, and proud, and fighting terror - and America is honored to be their friend.

Simple: The men and women of Afghanistan are building a nation that is free, and proud, and fighting terror - and America is honored to be their friend.

• The momentum of freedom in our world is unmistakable - and it is not carried forward by our power alone. We can trust in that greater power who guides the unfolding of the years. And in all that is to come, we can know that His purposes are just and true.

Simple: The speed of freedom in our world is clear - and it is not carried forward by our power on its own. We can trust in that greater power who leads the growth of the years. And in all that is going to come, we can know that God's purposes are right and true.

• The once all-powerful ruler of Iraq was found in a hole, and now sits in a prison cell.

Simple: The once almighty leader of Iraq was found in a hole, and now sits in prison.

• The resolve of our great nation is being tested. But make no mistake, we will show the world that we will pass the test.

Simple: The courage of our great nation is being tested. But do not mistake, we will show the world that we will pass the test.

• The terrorists and their supporters declared war on the United States - and war is what they got.

Simple: The terrorists and their friends declared war on the United States - and war is what they got.

• The terrorists are fighting freedom with all their cunning and cruelty because freedom is their greatest fear - and they should be afraid, because freedom is on the march.

Simple: The terrorists are fighting freedom with all their sly and cruelty because freedom is their greatest fear - and they should be afraid.

• The true history of my administration will be written 50 years from now, and you and I will not be around to see it.

Simple: The real history of my government will be written 50 years from now, and you and I will not be alive to see it.

• The tyrant has fallen, and Iraq is free.

Simple: The enemy has fallen, and Iraq is free.

• The United States and our allies are determined: we refuse to live in the shadow of this ultimate danger.

Simple: The United States and our friends are firm: we refuse to live below this extreme danger.

• The United States of America will never be intimidated by thugs and assassins. The killers will fail, and the Iraqi people will live in freedom.

Simple: The United States of America will never be bullied by thugs and killers. The killers will fail, and the Iraqi people will live in freedom.

• The United States prefers that Iraq meet its obligations voluntarily, yet we are prepared for the alternative.

Simple: The United States prefers that Iraq meet its agreement without being asked to, yet we are ready for the other option.

• The wisest use of American strength is to advance freedom.

Simple: The most sensible use of American strength is to support freedom.

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

Simple: There is no bigger job than protecting the home of our country.

• This way of life is worth defending.

Simple: This lifestyle is worth protecting.

• This young century will be liberty's century.

Simple: This new century will be freedom's century.

• To those of you who received honours, awards and distinctions, I say well done. And to the C students, I say you, too, can be president of the United States.

Simple: To those who received awards and recognition, I say well done. And to the C students, I say you, too, can be president of the United States.

• Today we affirm a new commitment to live out our nation's promise through civility, courage, compassion and character.

Simple: Today we renew a new duty to live out our nation's promise through courtesy, courage, charity and morale.

• Use power to help people. For we are given power not to advance our own purposes nor to make a great show in the world, nor a name. There is but one just use of power and it is to serve people.

Simple: Use power to help people. We are given power not to promote our own goals nor to make a great display to the world, nor a name. There is just one proper use of power and it is to serve people.

• We can't allow the world's worst leaders to blackmail, threaten, hold freedom-loving nations hostage with the world's worst weapons.

Simple: We cannot let the world's worse leaders to blackmail, threaten, hold free nations hostage with the world's worst weapons.

• We know that dictators are quick to choose aggression, while free nations strive to resolve differences in peace.

Simple: We know that dictators are quick to choose violence, while free nations aim to sort out differences in peace.

• We will build new ships to carry man forward into the universe, to gain a new foothold on the moon and to prepare for new journeys to the worlds beyond our own.

Simple: We will build new ships and carry men and women forward into the universe, to gain a new root on the moon and to prepare for new travels to the worlds further than ours.

• We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbour them.

Simple: We will make no division between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who keep them safe.

• We will stand up for our friends in the world. And one of the most important friends is the State of Israel. My administration will be steadfast in support Israel against terrorism and violence, and in seeking the peace for which all Israelis pray.

Simple: We will defend our friends in the world. And one of the most important friends is the State of Israel. My government will be loyal in support of Israel against terrorism and violence, and in wanting peace which all Israelis wish for.

• We've climbed the mighty mountain. I see the valley below, and it's a valley of peace.

Simple: We have climbed the big mountain. I see the valley below, and it is a valley of peace.

• When I take action, I'm not going to fire a $2 million missile at a $10 empty tent and hit a camel in the butt. It's going to be decisive.

Simple: When I take action, I am not going to launch a $2 million missile at a $10 empty tent and hit a camel in the bottom. It is going to be certain.

• When you turn your heart and your life over to Christ, when you accept Christ as the savior, it changes your heart.

Simple: When you die and give your heart and life to Jesus Christ, when you accept Christ as the saviour, it changes your heart.

• You can fool some of the people all the time, and those are the ones you want to concentrate on.

Simple: You can trick some of the people all the time, and those ones you want to focus on.

• You can't put democracy and freedom back into a box.

Simple: You cannot hide democracy.

• You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test.

Simple: You teach your child to read, and he or she will be able to pass a literacy test.

• George W. Bush on Wikipedia
• George W. Bush on Wikimedia Commons
• Works by George Walker Bush on the English Wikisource
• Articles about George W. Bush on the English Wikinews
• Biography at the Official White House site

v • d • e 2000 United States Presidential Election
Presidential candidates	George W. Bush · Al Gore
Vice Presidential candidates	Dick Cheney · Joe Lieberman

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