American politician & U.S. President (1924-2018)
I haven't sorted out the penalties. But I do know, I do know that I oppose abortion. And I favor adoption. And if we can get this law changed, everybody should make the extraordinary effort to take these kids that are unwanted and sometimes aborted, take the -- let them come to birth, and then put them in a family where they will be loved. And you see, yes, my position has evolved. And it's continuing to evolve, and it's evolving in favor of life. And I have had a couple of exceptions that I support -- rape, incest and the life of the mother. Sometimes people feel a little uncomfortable talking about this, but it's much clearer for me now. As I've seen abortions sometimes used as a birth control device, for heavens sakes. See the millions of these killings accumulate, and this is one where you can have an honest difference of opinion. We certainly do. But no, I'm for the sanctity of life, and once that illegality is established, then we can come to grips with the penalty side, and of course there's got to be some penalties to enforce the law, whatever they may be.
GEORGE H. W. BUSH
debate with Michael Dukakis, September 25, 1988
No problem of human making is too great to be overcome by human ingenuity, human energy, and the untiring hope of the human spirit.
GEORGE H. W. BUSH
address to joint session of Congress, February 9, 1989
It is possible to tell things by a handshake. I like the "looking in the eye" syndrome. It conveys interest. I like the firm, though not bone crushing shake. The bone crusher is trying too hard to "macho it." The clammy or diffident handshake -- fairly or unfairly -- get me off to a bad start with a person.
GEORGE H. W. BUSH
letter to Gary Hanauser, September 18, 1979
No generation can escape history.
GEORGE H. W. BUSH
commencement address at Texas A&M University, May 12, 1989
Abraham Lincoln truly inspired me. It wasn't just the freeing of the slaves, he kept the Union together. Some people even forget that today. What I think inspired me was the fact that in spite of being the President of the United States he retained a certain down-to-earth quality. He never got to be a big shot, and he cared about people.
GEORGE H. W. BUSH
Academy of Achievement interview, June 2, 1995
It's no exaggeration to say that the undecideds could go one way or another.
GEORGE H. W. BUSH
attributed, The Quotable Politician
I'll be glad to reply to or dodge your questions depending on what I think will help our election most.
GEORGE H. W. BUSH
attributed, The Quotable Politician
I do not mistrust the future; I do not fear what is ahead. For our problems are large, but our heart is larger.
GEORGE H. W. BUSH
Inaugural Address, January 20, 1989
There are singular moments in history, dates that divide all that goes before from all that comes after.
GEORGE H. W. BUSH
State of the Union Address, January 31, 1990
My dog Millie knows more about foreign affairs than these two bozos.
GEORGE H. W. BUSH
attributed as 1992 remark about Bill Clinton and Al Gore, Time Magazine, October 30, 2000
In addition to caring for our future, we must care for those around us. A decent society shows compassion for the young, the elderly, the vulnerable, and the poor.
GEORGE H. W. BUSH
address to joint session of Congress, February 9, 1989
We have before us the opportunity to forge for ourselves and for future generations a new world order, a world where the rule of law, not the law of the jungle, governs the conduct of nations.
GEORGE H. W. BUSH
speech from the Oval office, January 16, 1991
There isn't any such thing as something free out there. It either gets passed along as increased prices or it gets passed along by people being put out of work so the business can continue to compete.
GEORGE H. W. BUSH
debate with Michael Dukakis, September 25, 1988
I'm not concerned about anything anymore. It's kind of in the shadows. There's been a sea change on all of that. Things that I felt passionately about, I just don't anymore. I think that goes ... I think that goes with just being older and having had the privilege of having a full and active life, and now just fading, fading--fading away, like General MacArthur said.
GEORGE H. W. BUSH
Parade Magazine, July 15, 2012
We know what works: Freedom works. We know what's right: Freedom is right. We know how to secure a more just and prosperous life for man on Earth: through free markets, free speech, free elections, and the exercise of free will unhampered by the state.
GEORGE H. W. BUSH
Inaugural Address, January 20, 1989
The American Dream means giving it your all, trying your hardest, accomplishing something. And then I'd add to that, giving something back. No definition of a successful life can do anything but include serving others.
GEORGE H. W. BUSH
Academy of Achievement interview, June 2, 1995
I think any time there's a crisis people want to blame someone. I've never been much for the Monday morning quarterbacking.... The media has a fascination with the blame game and instead of looking for what can we do to help now there's a lot of why didn't we do something different?
GEORGE H. W. BUSH
Larry King Live, September 5, 2005
I have opinions of my own -- strong opinions -- but I don't always agree with them.
GEORGE H. W. BUSH
Spin Magazine, November 1992
The anchor in our world today is freedom, holding us steady in times of change.
GEORGE H. W. BUSH
State of the Union Address, January 31, 1990
We're headed the right way, but we cannot rest. We're a people whose energy and drive have fueled our rise to greatness. And we're a forward-looking nation--generous, yes, but ambitious, not for ourselves but for the world. Complacency is not in our character--not before, not now, not ever.
GEORGE H. W. BUSH
address to joint session of Congress, February 9, 1989