US Presidents: George Walker Bush

43. George W. Bush (2001-2009)

Party – Republican
State – Texas
Vice President – Dick Chaney
Born July 6, 1946 in New Haven, Connecticut
Nickname – W, Dubya
Wife – Laura Welch
Children – Barbara, Jenna
Education – Graduated from Yale University; MBA from Harvard University
Religion – Methodist
Occupation – Businessman

Other Offices Held:

• Governor of Texas (1995-2000)

President Bush was the son of a former president, only the second of two father/son presidents. He was elected without a majority of the popular vote during a very contentious election. He governed as a majority president, and during the first six months, carried out most of his campaign promises.

His presidency’s focus changed from domestic to foreign when, on September 11th, 2001, terrorists attacked the United States. He declared a war on terror and invaded Afghanistan and Iraq. He won the popular vote during his re-election and continued his war on terror.

The economy was strong during most of Bush’s presidency, but in 2008, a bank crisis caused by housing loans legislation passed by the Democratic Congress caused a recession. Because of the economy and the years of warfare in Iraq and Afghanistan, Bush’s poll ratings sagged.

Quotes:

“After the chaos and carnage of September 11th, it is not enough to serve our enemies with legal papers.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

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

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

“Bring them on.”

“Do I think faith will be an important part of 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.”

“Everywhere that freedom stirs, let tyrants fear.”

“Faith crosses every border and touches every heart in every nation.”

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

“Government does not create wealth. The major role for the government is to create an environment where people take risks to expand the job rate in the United States.“

“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.”

“I believe that God has planted in every heart the desire 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.”

“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.”

“I told you I'm not going to criticize my successor. I'll just tell you that there are people at Gitmo that will kill American people at a drop of a hat and I don't believe that persuasion isn't going to work. Therapy isn't going to cause terrorists to change their mind.”

“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.”

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

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

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

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

“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.”

“The action we take and the decisions we make in this decade will have consequences far into this century. If America shows weakness and uncertainty, the world will drift toward tragedy. That will not happen on my watch.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

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

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

“The tyrant has fallen, and Iraq is free.”

“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.”

“This was not an act of terrorism, but it was an act of war.”

“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.”

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

“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.”

“We cannot let terrorists hold this nation hostile or hold our allies hostile.”

“We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them.”

“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.”

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

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

“With those attacks, the terrorists and their supporters declared war on the United States. And war is what they got.”

Thanksgiving