W. (2008) - Quotes

The Impact of War Casualties on Public Perception

George W. Bush: What about projected casualties?

General: Well, I think now more in the neighborhood of several hundred, no more than 1,000.

George W. Bush: Just remember, Americans don't like to see dead boys on their television sets.

Donald Rumsfeld: Yes, death tends to give war a depressing image.

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Debate on Iraq's Future and American Power

Colin Powell: So what is our real exit strategy on Iraq, Dick?

Dick Cheney: There is no exit. We stay. Empire. Real empire. Nobody will fuck with us again.

Colin Powell: Spoken like a true oilman.

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Political Ambition and Constitutional Commitment

Karl Rove: If you can't stand in front of those guys two minutes and come up with one plausible answer what the hell are we running for governor for?

George W. Bush: Just tell me what to do, whatever it takes. Look if I need to read the whole damn Constitution I'll do it.

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Education Reform Plans and Deregulation Discussion

Karl Rove: Here they come. They'll be bringing the heat.

George W. Bush: I know, don't swing at anything I can't hit.

Reporter #1: Mr. Bush, Mr. Bush, you didn't talk much about education. What are your plans for reform?

George W. Bush: Well, uh, I'm gonna deregulate school districts so that teachers and administrators can, you know, can develop programs to best fit their kids.

Reporter #2: Sir, are you proposing to measure student's progress?

George W. Bush: Oh, well, we need to make a wholesale effort against racial profiling, you know? Which is, uh, illiterate children. You need to be able to teach a child to read and then he or her will be able to pass a literacy test.

Karl Rove: We're in the very early stages of developing our program.

Reporter #2: How do you plan to change the school finance formula?

George W. Bush: I for one will not stand for the subsidization of failure. How do you know if you measure up if you have a system that simply suckles them through.

Reporter #2: What about our failed schools? Do you think the state needs to take them over?

George W. Bush: More government's not the answer. We must have the attitude that every child in America, regardless where raised can learn. Rarely is the question asked is their children learning.

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A Tense Exchange Between Powell and Cheney

Gen. Colin Powell: Funny Dick, I remember you once agreeing that going all the way in Baghdad would be a mistake.

Dick Cheney: Well, I think you made a bigger boo-boo, Colin. You could have been president.

Gen. Colin Powell: Fuck you.

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A Playful Exchange Between George and Laura Bush

George W. Bush: Now I don't believe in forcing myself on people, so I'm just gonna ask for your phone number, not your vote.

Laura Bush: [laughs] You're a devil! Devil in a white hat!

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Reflections on Legacy and Mortality

Journalist: Mr. President, what place do you think you will have in history?

George W. Bush: History? In history we'll all be dead!

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Legacy of Presidential Sons in History

George W. Bush: Who's ever remembered the son of a president?

Laura Bush: [[John Quincy Adams] ]!

George W. Bush: Yeah, but that was like, 300 years ago, wasn't it?

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Contemplating Future Career Paths

Karl Rove: You look down.

George W. Bush: Just tired, that's all. Just wondering what's gonna happen next.

Karl Rove: What do you mean?

George W. Bush: Well, my father's not going to give me a position, because he can't. And I'm not going to sit around and become a lobbyist, that's for sure.

Karl Rove: George, I've been a lifelong student of political horseflesh. From what I see, you've got a natural talent. You've got the people touch. But you need to go out into the world and do something. I don't know how else to say it, but you haven't done jack shit yet.

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Bush's Strong Stance on Iraq Conflict

George W. Bush: [[Helen Thomas] So, what did that old battleaxe ] say about Iraq?

Ari Fleischer: [[Saddam Hussein|Saddam] Oh, you know the rap. "What makes ] different than any other dictator?" "What right do we have to go into Iraq?

George W. Bush: Did you tell her I don't like mud-suckers who gas their own people? Did you tell her I don't like assholes that try to kill my father? Did you tell her I'm gonna kick his sorry mother-frickin ass all over the Middle East?

Ari Fleischer: Uh, I told her about... half of that.

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Confrontation Between Father and Son

George W. Bush: I hear you're looking for me! Wanna go a few rounds mano-a-mano right here?

George H.W. Bush: You want an ass-whipping?

George W. Bush: Try it, old man!

George H.W. Bush: Go ahead, take a swing!

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Fear Tactics in Political Strategy

Dick Cheney: [talking about torture methods] They utilize fear scenarios.

George W. Bush: You mean like pulling out their toenails?

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Desire for Revenge Among Americans

Karl Rove: The American people want revenge. They liked Afghanistan, they want more!

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Future Concerns on America's Energy Reserves

Dick Cheney: Want to know what I see, Mr. President? I see a world where, in about 25 years, America's reserves are gone. Done. Demand is up, 30-40%, and we have two oceans blocks us from the world's reserves. You think we're gonna have allies then?

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Distinguishing Between Iran and Iraq

George W. Bush: Iran is not Iraq and Iraq is not Iran. I know that.

Desire for clear direction and guidance

George W. Bush: [''repeated line''] Just tell me what to do!

Defending the 2000 Election Victory

George W. Bush: [after U.S. troops invade Iraq] That's for everyone who doesn't think I won in 2000!

Divine Purpose in Political Leadership

George W. Bush: I believe God wants me to be president. I can't explain it, but something's going to happen, and America's going to need me.

Questioning Responsibility in Weapons Search

George W. Bush: Whose job is it, to find these damn weapons?

Learning from Mistakes

George W. Bush: Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice... you can't get fooled again.

A Call for Blessings and Unity

George W. Bush: God bless us all, and may God continue to bless America.

Ownership of War Asserted

George W. Bush: [''On his father''] This is my war, not his!

Living in a Father's Shadow

George W. Bush: I'll never get out of Poppy's shadow!

Parental Disappointment in Leadership Expectations

George Herbert Walker Bush: You disappoint me, junior. You deeply disappoint me.

Defining Expectations and Responsibilities in Life

George Herbert Walker Bush: Just what are you cut out for? Getting into car accidents? Chasing tail? Driving drunk? What do you think you are, a Kennedy? You're a Bush! Start acting like one! Can't even hold a job. We always worked for a living. It's damn time you joined the rest of us and decided just what it is you're gonna do with your life.