George Bush Quotes

Many of the speeches politicians give are easy to forget, but several George Bush quotes are unforgettable. Some Bush quotes are hard to forget because they deal with serious issues, such as the War on Terror.  Others are memorable for their comedic value. Some are memorable for both reasons.

A popular Bush quote that combines seriousness with comedy, is the one in which Bush says the following: "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."

While the former president probably meant that Americans never stopped thinking about how to prevent terrorists from harming the country, his speech generated criticism and laughter from Americans. The gaffe received international attention as well. Writers for the BBC, for instanced, snickered that the quote "appeared to suggest that his administration is forever thinking up ways of harming the US and its people."

One of the most humorous Bush quotes comes from the former president’s autobiography, “Decision Points.”  Here, Bush relates that once he tried to write an essay for school, discussing the way he felt when his sister died. In order to make his writing seem more polished, Bush tried to use a thesaurus.  Originally, he had written, “tears were running down my face,” but after consulting the thesaurus, he wrote, “lacerates were running down my cheeks.”

Perhaps the most frequently cited of the humorous George Bush quotes comes from a speech Bush made to the Nashua Chamber of Commerce. Here he declared that single mothers had to work “hard to put food on your family.” Although Bush meant to shed light on the serious struggles of single parents, the quote is remembered for its comedic value and the real issue is sometimes forgotten.

Although humorous Bush quotes are often the most memorable, his graver quotes reveal how seriously the United States took the War on Terror. Among the most memorable of Bush’s serious quotes is the following: "After the chaos and carnage of September 11th, it is not enough to serve our enemies with legal papers."

Here, Bush distanced himself from those who believed that sanctions and paperwork were appropriate reactions to terror. This speech helped establish him as a leader who was willing to use force against his country’s enemies. It also provided fodder for those who believed he was a warmonger.

While many accused the former president of going to war for oil, Bush viewed his mission very differently.  Indeed, he said the following: "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."

Some of Bush’s quotes reveal his ineloquence, but others showcase his keen sense of humour. Some portray the former president as a stooge. Yet others show him as a firm leader.  History is richer because of both types.