- Year 2002
-
- He's a star today. He's going to be a bigger star tomorrow,
because he's a man of principle. See, he doesn't get up there and kind
of try to wag his finger to figure out which way the wind is blowing.
-
- -- Pickering for Congress Luncheon, Jackson, Mississippi,
Aug. 7, 2002
-
- I love to speculate about what was going through the
enemy's mind -- what were they thinking when they hit America. They must
have thought that we were so materialistic, or self-absorbed, or shallow,
or so worried about our own prosperity, our own individual wealth that
we were unwilling to serve something greater than ourself in life, that
when the enemy hit we would just kind of make noise and do nothing about
it.
-
- -- The newest version of a repeat Dubya classic, which
in the past included references to daytime TV or filing lawsuits, Jackson,
Mississippi, Aug. 7, 2002
-
- Believe this or not, fortunately, she was getting toxic
and the doc induced labor before he quit his practice.
-
- -- Yeah, that sounds really fortunate, Madison Central
High School, Madison, Mississippi, Aug. 7, 2002
-
- The best of America was also represented in the technology
and know-how of our mine safety folks -- those who, on a moments notice,
used their skill to devise a way to save life. Took a look at the situation,
reacted to the environment, predicted what might happen miles below the
earth, and responded.
-
- -- Ummm, the miners were trapped 240 feet below the earth,
Dubya, Green Tree, Pennsylvania, Aug. 5, 2002
-
- August was a month of accomplishment here in Washington.
-
- -- Apparently speaking in the future past tense, White
House, Aug. 2, 2002
-
- [Jane Lambert] has been working hard to make people's
lives better. It didn't require a government law saying, Jane, you will
help people in need. It required a good heart.
-
- -- Glad he cleared that up, because otherwise I would
have supposed the government ordered her to be nice, Greensboro, North
Carolina, July 25, 2002
-
- See, one of the interesting things that's happening in
this country is that people understand that to be a patriotic citizen no
longer means putting your hand over your heart -- and by the way, saying,
"one nation, under God". ...But being a patriot means you're
willing to help a neighbor in need, to serve something greater than yourself
in life. That's what a patriot is.
-
- -- Dubya surprisingly admitting that the Pledge of Allegiance
is not a litmus test for patriotism, Greensboro, North Carolina, July 25,
2002
-
- I want to thank Tom Ridge for coming. He's a man -- I
asked him, I said, you know, you need to serve your country. He was serving
as the Governor of Pennsylvania. I said, you've got a nice mansion over
there.
-
- -- Argonne National Laboratory, Illinois, July 22, 2002
-
- When we landed our chopper out there on the playing fields
-- or some kinds of field -- I know it was a field -- we were met by two
really fine Americans, Helen Suchara and Erin Chekal. Now they're here,
and I want them to stand up here in a minute. But I want to describe to
you their hearts.
-
- -- Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan, July 18,
2002
-
- I'm sorry the room is so small. I suspect we could have
accommodated a lot more people if we had a bigger room.
-
- -- I suspect Dubya's right about that larger rooms accommodating
more people thing, Washington, D.C., July 12, 2002
-
- And I'm here to campaign for John Kline for the United
States House of Representatives. If the good folks in his district are
wise, they'll send him to Washington.
-
- -- If they don't pick the guy Dubya likes, I guess they're
morons, Minneapolis, Minnesota, July 11, 2002
-
- Secretary Powell has won the Presidential Medal of Freedom
twice -- once with distinction. I'm not sure what happened the other time.
-
- -- Perhaps said in jest, nevertheless a classic example
of the Dubya backhanded compliment, Washington, D.C., July 9, 2002
-
- REPORTER: On Iraq, can the American people expect that
by the end of your first term you will have affected a regime change in
Iraq, one way or another? And by the same token --
- DUBYA: That's hypothetical.
- REPORTER: But can the American people expect that? Should
they expect that?
- DUBYA: That's a hypothetical question. They can expect
me not to answer hypothetical questions.
- REPORTER:On Osama bin Laden does your promise still --
- DUBYA: On sensitive subjects. (Laughter.)
- REPORTER: Sir, on Osama bin Laden, does your promise
still hold that he will be caught, dead or alive, at some point?
- DUBYA: What? Say that again?
- REPORTER: Does your promise on -- or your goal of catching
Osama bin Laden dead or alive, does that still stand?
- DUBYA: I don't know if he is dead or alive, for starters
-- so I'm going to answer your question with a hypothetical. Osama bin
Laden, he may be alive. If he is, we'll get him. If he's not alive, we
got him.
-
- -- Clear evidence that Dubya's grasp on the meaning of
the word "hypothetical" (other than being a means to deflect
pesky reporters) is tenuous at best, White House, July 8, 2002
-
- And I want to thank the Morella men for allowing Connie
to serve our nation and encouraging her to serve our nation.
-
- -- Apparently Dubya still lives in a world where women
need permission from the men of the family before they do anything, at
Friends of Connie Morella for Congress luncheon, Washington, D.C., June
28, 2002
-
- I just came from a strong exercise class. Thankfully,
I didn't have to join.
-
- -- In speech promoting physical fitness to senior citizens,
Orlando, Florida, June 21, 2002
-
- But Mel's mother and daddy -- Mel's mother and dad put
him on an airplane to come to America when he was a young boy, because
they didn't want his son growing up in a country that wasn't free.
-
- -- Who's son? The young boy's son? I'm confused. On Housing
& Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez, Atlanta, Georgia, June
17, 2002
-
- As I said in the speech to West Point, the coalition
we put together has hauled in over 2,400 people. And you can call it 2,401
now.
-
- -- This means that between the West Point speech and
this statement, the coalition had hauled in half a person? Interesting.
White House, June 11, 2002
-
- I believe, I believe this country, I know this country
is a fabulous country. But I believe we've got great days ahead of us.
I believe that by being strong and tough that we can achieve peace. I believe
that. I sincerely, honestly believe it. And not only do I believe we can
bring peace for America, I believe we can bring peace to parts of the world
that may not seem like there ever is going to be peace.
-
-
-
- -- Dubya believes. Kansas City, Missouri, June 11, 2002
- GREGORY: I wonder why it is you think there are such
strong sentiments in Europe against you and against this administration?
Why, particularly, there's a view that you and your administration are
trying to impose America's will on the rest of the world, particularly
when it comes to the Middle East and where the war on terrorism goes next?
[In French to President Chirac:] And, Mr. President, would you maybe comment
on that?
- DUBYA: Very good. The guy memorizes four words, and he
plays like he's intercontinental.
- GREGORY: I can go on.
- DUBYA: I'm impressed -- que bueno. Now I'm literate in
two languages.
-
- -- Dubya taking time out of his busy schedule to belittle
NBC News White House correspondent David Gregory, and employing his Spanish
"prowess" to do so, press conference with French President Jacques
Chirac, Paris, France, May 26, 2002
-
- Laura and I are honored to be here at this famous university.
I'm particularly pleased to be coming to this university because it is
the alma mater of your President and my friend, Vladimir Putin. But even
more importantly, it is Mrs. Putin's alma mater.
-
- -- Maybe an attempt to be cute, but an explanation was
not forthcoming, St. Petersburg University, St. Petersburg, Russia, May
25, 2002
-
- I first of all, there's a lot of brains in this room.
And you get to decide whether there's a brain drain in Russia. I tell Vladimir
all the time -- I mean, Mr. President all the time -- that Russia's most
precious resource is the brain power of this country. And you've got a
lot of it. It's going to take a lot of brains in Russia to create a drain.
-
- -- The Russian interpreter must have had a great time
with this, St. Petersburg University, St. Petersburg, Russia, May 25, 2002
-
- That's good. It's good for the people of Russia. It's
good for the people of the United States. ...For decades, Russia and NATO
were adversaries. Those days are gone, and that's good. And that's good
for the Russian people, it's good for the people of my country, it's good
for the people of Europe and it's good for the people of the world.
-
- -- That's good. At the signing of the new nuclear arms
treaty between Russia and the United States, May 24, 2002
-
- Do you have blacks, too?
-
- -- Question posed to Brazilian President Fernando Henrique
Cardoso, with no hint of sarcasm or jest, Washington, D.C., Nov. 8, 2001
(reported in Der Spiegel May, 19, 2002)
-
- I'm here to talk about welfare reform, but I'm also here
to make sure that the good people of Ohio send this good man back to the
Governor's Mansion. There was a lot of reasons to send him back, but none
greater than the fact that he married well.
-
- -- Remarks at Taft for Governor Luncheon, Hyatt Regency
Hotel, Columbus, Ohio, May 10, 2002
-
- As a matter of fact, the people who love the children
in Wisconsin are the people of Wisconsin.
-
- -- A vacuous statement made so matter-of-factly that
you have to laugh, Logan High School, LaCrosse, Wisconsin, May 8, 2002
-
- I want to thank Al Gonzales. He's "mi abogado".
He's been my lawyer, he's been -- served on the -- as Secretary of State
in Texas. He's served on the U.S. -- or the Texas Supreme Court. He and
his able staff work long hours to really find the best possible nominees
for the bench. And I want to -- I appreciate Al's leadership, and I appreciate
those who work with Al on behalf of the White House for their long hours.
-
- -- False start laden salute to Al Gonzales, complete
with Spanish for "my lawyer", Washington, D.C., May 3, 2002
-
- I had great visits with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia.
They're -- according to some American newspapers, they're, you know, very
much engaged, and I appreciate that. I'm pleased with that. I think that's
a positive development.
-
- -- I guess the subject didn't come up when they met in
person, White House, May 2, 2002
-
- You know, in Washington there's a lot of -- there can
be a lot of noise, a lot of shrill voices, people who are -- people up
there sometimes are the ones who like to divide people into camps and call
names and point fingers.
-
- -- At congressional campaign luncheon, Albuquerque, New
Mexico, Apr. 29, 2002
-
- To put it in Midland, Texas terms, any time we get a
hint, we're following up on it.
-
- -- It's up to the listener to figure out which part of
this statement is unique to Midland, Texas; Albuquerque, New Mexico, Apr.
29, 2002
-
- And when I talked to him [Prime Minister Sharon] on the
phone this weekend, the subject didn't come up, but as I understand, that
there is -- discussions going on about a potential trip. I welcome a trip
here to the United States. I welcome people from that part of the world
to come and bare their soul and discuss their plans for peace.
-
- -- Commenting on the Middle East from the Crawford ranch,
Apr. 28, 2002
-
- DUBYA: Now I've got to go over to a friend-raiser.
- REPORTER: A friend-raiser?
- DUBYA: Well, that's opposed to a fundraiser.
- REPORTER:What's a friend-raiser?
- DUBYA: A friend-raiser? Well, it's a -- well, it's just
kind of a cute way of saying I'm going to go over and see people and thank
them for being a part of my campaign. And they actually get to do this
for free. And I'm glad. But these will be people, evidently, from all around
the country. I haven't seen the list, but I'm told that they are. And I
look forward to thanking them -- it's really a way of thanking people,
many of whom I -- I suspect I haven't seen since I've been the President.
It's a nice, casual setting to say hello to people. And I'm looking forward
to it.
-
- -- Explaining his "friend-raiser" to the press,
Crawford, Texas, Apr. 26, 2002
-
- I want to appreciate the Senate Majority Leader, Tom
Daschle, for being here today.
-
- -- He wants to appreciate Tom Daschle, but presumably
cannot, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Apr. 24, 2002
-
- He's the kind of fellow who does in office that which
he says he's going to do. It doesn't matter what your political party is,
as far as I'm concerned. What matters is -- in this case, what matters
is he does -- he kind of defeats cynicism by performing. And therefore,
what I was going to say is, it doesn't matter what your party is, you've
got to admire that in a man.
-
- -- Some extemporaneous fumbling in reference to New York
Governor George Pataki, Wilmington, New York, Apr. 22, 2002
-
- One victim put it this way: "They explained the
defendant's constitutional right to the Nth degree. They couldn't do this
and they couldn't do that because of his constitutional rights. And I wondered
what mine were. And they told me, I hadn't got any." The guy sounded
like he came from Texas.
-
- -- Dubya perhaps confirming that his discomfort with
constitutional rights stems from his upbringing in Texas, Washington, D.C.,
Apr. 16, 2002
-
- The best way to fight evil is to do some good. Let me
qualify that -- the best way to fight evil at home is to do some good.
The best way to fight them abroad is to unleash the military. It is so
important for citizens in this country to put a face on America for the
world to see, the true face.
-
- -- The true face is a double standard, then? Scary talk
from Dubya in Knoxville, Tennessee, Apr. 8, 2002
-
- The invisible part of everything that you thought you
could see, you can't see.
-
- -- Offering his appraisal of the Palestinian/Israeli
situation, Interview with ITN, Crawford, Texas, Apr. 5, 2002
-
- DUBYA: The people of New York are discerning voters.
Well, most of the time they're discerning voters. If you know what I mean.
- REPORTER: No, what do you mean?
- DUYBA: Well, you're a smart guy. Read between the lines.
-
- -- Dubya showing his tact in event meant to honor New
Yorkers, with New York Governor George Pataki and New York City Mayor Michael
Bloomberg, White House, Apr. 1, 2002
-
- I appreciate so very much Tom Ridge's service. You know,
he was a governor there in Pennsylvania, just kind of cruising along.
-
- -- Dubya making Governor Ridge's previous work seem rather
unimportant, Greenville, South Carolina, Mar. 27, 2002
-
- And there will be -- I take it back. It will be a signature
-- I won't hesitate. It will probably take about -- you know, about three
seconds to get to the W, I may hesitate on the period, and then rip through
the Bush.
-
- -- Vivid description courtesy of Dubya, Washington, D.C.,
Mar. 24, 2002
-
- We've tripled the amount of money -- I believe it's from
50 million up to 195 million available.
-
- -- Fuzzy math of the Dubya variety, Lima, Peru, Mar.
23, 2002
-
- The enemy must have thought they were hitting a society
that was so soft, so self-absorbed, so materialistic that we would sue
them.
-
- -- Well all right then, Missouri Republican Party dinner,
St. Louis, Missouri, Mar. 19, 2002
-
- There is no cave deep enough for the justice of the United
States of America.
-
- -- Just ask Johnny Cochran for confirmation, eh Dubya?
Another confusing statement from the king of misstatement, Missouri Republican
Party dinner, St. Louis, Missouri, Mar. 19, 2002
-
- Listen, we caught a bunch of them bunched up the other
day. And they're not bunched up any more.
-
- -- Amusing crowd with a description of the military actions
he oversees, remarks at Albers Manufacturing, O'Fallon, Missouri, Mar.
18, 2002
-
- It was vital for our economic future, because when you
give people more of their own money to spend, they demand. And when they
demand, somebody produces. And when somebody produce, somebody gets to
work.
-
- -- This misstatement is erased on the White House web
site with the addition of an 's' to 'produce', but that doesn't change
the fact that it occurred, Albers Manufacturing, O'Fallon, Missouri, Mar.
18, 2002
- General McNeil, thank you very much. For a warrior, you're
pretty darn articulate.
-
- -- Master of the backhanded compliment at work again,
Fayetteville, North Carolina, Mar. 15, 2002
-
- At the beginning of this war, I made it very clear --
as clear as a fellow from Texas could make it -- either you're with us
or you're against us.
-
- -- Backhandedly (and incorrectly) patting himself on
the shoulders for being able to clearly say something, Fayetteville, North
Carolina, Mar. 15, 2002
-
- Now I'm going to eat my lasagna. If it gets cold you
have to eat the lasagna.
-
- -- Obviously he meant to say something here, only this
probably wasn't it, Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, Mar. 15, 2002
-
- You're going to hear the statisticians, the number crunchers,
the bean counters -- as we call them in Texas -- say this might have been
a recession, this might not have been a recession, this, that and the other.
Well, when they do that, they get crossways with the Bush boys.
-
- -- Yeeee hawwww! Them sound like fightin' words, varmint!
St. Pete Beach, Florida, Mar. 8, 2002
-
- We expect there to be transparency. People who have something
to hide make us nervous.
-
- -- Speaking about Iraq, Anchorage, Alaska, Feb. 16, 2002
-
- Yeah!
-
- -- Dubya's punctuation for every arrow strike he witnessed
at special "yabusame" ceremony in Japan, an archery ceremony
dating from the 6th Century, performed as a form of prayer
-
- 55 years old. Wow! That is really old. Thank goodness
you have such a young, beautiful wife.
-
- -- Birthday card to Enron Chairman Kenneth Lay, 1997
-
- Listen, we're a great nation. We welcome people in. We
just want to know why you're here. And if you're not supposed to be here
more than a period of time, then maybe you ought to just go on home.
-
- -- Rolling out the welcome mat in New York, Feb. 6, 2002
-
- I felt like we were making pretty good progress, up until
the time when we discovered -- the world discovered -- that there had been
a significant shipment of arms ordered from Iran for only -- seems like
to us only one purpose, and that is to prevent -- is for terrorist purposes.
-
- -- Remarks at visit of King Abdullah of Jordan, Feb.
1, 2002
-
- And good public policy asks the questions: "How
do we make sure that what affects one affects the other in a positive way?
How do we make sure people can find jobs as we head into the year 2000?"
-
- -- The good public policy of 1999, at least, New Orleans,
Louisiana, Jan. 15, 2002
-
- Anyway, it was an interesting day.
-
- -- Speaking about Sept. 11 and settling on the description
"interesting", Ontario, California, Jan. 5, 2002
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