J.M. Bush Quotes

A number of people walk up to me and say, "You're much taller than I thought."

I didn't try to be something I wasn't.

What mattered to me was that I didn't compromise my soul in order to try to achieve a kind of popularity. The only thing you can do is just live your life.

I served. And now it's time for the new man to serve. I have zero desire to be in the limelight.

Sometimes armchair quarterbacks are doing it to enhance their own image. I'm just not comfortable with that idea.

It's kind of the Washington, D.C., chattering class. They kind of talk amongst themselves.

In terms of trying to re-create an image, I think that's a waste of time. I have no interest in doing that. The decisions I made are done.

The decisions I made are done. And history will judge whether or not they were correct. There's no such thing as accurate short-term history.

I'm comfortable that I made the best decisions I possibly could.

I regret that we weren't able to reform Social Security. The fact that we weren't able to when we had majorities in the House and the Senate I think reflected poorly on our political party.

[The economic crisis ] gave people the option to put money into private accounts.

I believe the world would have been a lot worse off if Saddam [Hussein] were in power today.

I thought Colin Powell did a fine job as secretary of state.

I believe that people want to be free. And that we face an enemy that murders innocent people to try to shake our psychology to get us to leave.

I try to live a faith-filled life. I'm a believer.

We had a shared experience. That makes a good marriage better. In many ways our marriage is great because she has made it great.

It's exciting for me to see [Laura Bush] busy and out there enjoying what she's doing. But we always make time to be with each other as well.

I think I'm the only president other than John Kennedy who had both parents alive during the presidency.

I'm not that worried about [my parents] right now because they are happy people. I'm pleased that in their later years, in spite of physical ailments, they're upbeat.

First of all, you never retire. At least I don't retire.

In the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed.

Fighting evil, it's hard work.

I think soft power definitely can work. But, you know, it depends on who you're dealing with. Some people are so intent upon power and keeping power that it's very difficult to conduct soft power.

Let's get rid of all our subsidies together. Let's join hands as wealthy industrialised nations and say to the world, we're going to get rid of all our agricultural subsidies together.

Iran is obviously part of the problem. They sponsor Hezbollah. They encourage a radical brand of Islam.

The question is: How do we succeed in Iraq? And you don't succeed by leaving before the mission is complete, like some in this political process are suggesting.

I want to live out principles that became a part of my life in my 40s, 50s, and 60s. One principle is the universality of freedom.

I feel a sense of obligation to our troops and their families because of the decisions that I made. So I'm involved with veterans.

"Reinvention" is a word that doesn't fit into my vocabulary.

"Statesman" presumes I'm out there giving opinions all the time about things, and no, I'm not interested in opining on a lot of subjects.

I really think it's important for presidents to exit the stage gracefully.

"Statesman" gives the impression that every time a major issue comes up, I'll be popping off. And that's not what's going to happen.

I think by not participating in the current political debate, hopefully I'm sending a signal that will help set a tone.

The problem is, there was plenty of trash talk during my presidency. A lot.

I feel blessed to have been raised a Texan.

I was very fortunate to have had a mother and father who loved me in spite of my failings.

I was also fortunate that I was raised in a part of the world, West Texas, where individualism is strong.

It's important to take risks.

I'm talking about living life to its fullest.

The main thrust of the Social Security reform was to get the benefit structure in line with the realities of the Trust Funds.

I'm the only president who really put it out in the State of the Union and was very specific about how I felt we ought to do it.

We think it is in our nation's interest that Afghan women - or any women around the world - not suffer.

Democracy will be transformative. It will help other societies realize the benefits of freedom. Nothing's as big as that, in terms of peace.

I'm joyful in my religious belief.

I will reach out to others and explain why I make the decisions I make.

I'm going to be involved with freedom; I'm going to be involved in the marketplace; I'm going to be involved in the accountability in schools.

Life really is a series of contrasts.

You can imagine these radicals getting a hold of a country where they're able to pull oil off the market to run the price of oil up to extract concession.

All I can tell you is that I know the enemy, allies, and troops hear what I say.

When John Murtha, for example, said the Marines are killing innocent civilians in cold blood.