DubyaSpeak.com : Dubya the Policymaker

My only point to you is, is that we're in constant contact with people on the ground to help make sure that we save lives. Now that the water is beginning to recede, the question is, how do we help with the recovery? ...Secondly, what's going to happen in the long term to the homes? And so Michael is going to set up a housing task force similar to the kind we set up in California for the wildfires, to work with state and local authorities to have an orderly strategy to help people get back in their homes. ...Secondly, we're worried about farmers and ranchers. The country that's being affected by these floods has got a lot of farm country, a lot of people raising livestock. And the Secretary of Agriculture has briefed me on the conditions — and we're still assessing how widespread the damage is on the farmlands — and assures me that his team is in place to help farmers and ranchers with the federal aid available. And finally, Director Nussle is here from the Budget Office. We've got what we called a Disaster Relief Fund.

Dubya offers a pair of second points, then ends with a final point, all after making his only point. White House, Jun. 17, 2008

Take the Middle East seriously, because that's the center of — that's the place where people get so despondent and despair that they're willing to come and take lives of U.S. citizens.

Everybody in the Middle East? And if people are despondent and in despair, why aren't we addressing that? Washington, D.C., May 12, 2008

We want people ownin' their home — we want people ownin' a businesses, we want people ownin' their own homes, we wanna help 'em stay, and Congress can help by passing responsible legislation that modernizes the Federal Housing Administration, reforms Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, allows state housing agencies to issue tax-free bonds to refinance subprime mortgages. There's a way to help people.

You can pretty much count on something like this happening when Dubya tries to be emphatic, Washington, D.C., Apr. 18, 2008

REPORTER: Thank you, Mr. President. Do you think that Russia is applying undue pressure and threats to accomplish its goals at NATO on missile defense and stopping the Membership Action Plans of Ukraine and Georgia?
DUBYA: Uhhh —
REPORTER: And Mr. Pres — and, uhh, President Yushchenko, what do you think of Moscow's tactics?
DUBYA: Heh heh heh. Just because there was a bunch of, you know, Soviet-era flags in the street yesterday doesn't you shouldn't read anything into that. I — I, umm — I, look, this is, umm, this is an interesting debate that's taking place, and it's – uhh, you know, it's — every nation has told me, Russia will not have a veto over what happens in Bucharest, and I take their word for it. And that's the right policy to have.

Do you get the feeling that was a question that Dubya really didn't want to answer? Note the use of "interesting"... Kyiv, Ukraine, Apr. 1, 2008

I'm also for trade because it, it, it, it's like makes sense.

Making sense: not a concept that you pair with Dubya too often. White House, Mar. 12, 2008

DUBYA: I strongly agree with the sentiments of Secretary Gates, who said that the incursion must be limited and must be temporary in nature. In other words, it shouldn't be long lasting. The Turks need to, you know, move, move quickly, achieve their objective and get out.
REPORTER: But how quickly, sir, do they need to move out?
DUBYA: You know, as quickly as possible.
REPORTER: Days or weeks?
DUBYA: Well, as possible.

That sure clarifies it, White House, Feb. 28, 2008

We believe that the most reliable guide for our country is the collective wisdom of ordinary citizens. And so in all we do, we must trust in the ability of free peoples to make wise decisions, and empower them to improve their lives for their futures. To build a prosperous future, we must trust people with their own money and empower them to grow our economy. ...On housing, we must trust Americans with the responsibility of homeownership and empower them to weather turbulent times in the housing market. ...To build a future of quality health care, we must trust patients and doctors to make medical decisions and empower them with better information and better options. ...On education, we must trust students to learn if given the chance, and empower parents to demand results from our schools. In neighborhoods across our country, there are boys and girls with dreams — and a decent education is their only hope of achieving them. ...On trade, we must trust American workers to compete with anyone in the world and empower them by opening up new markets overseas. ...To build a future of energy security, we must trust in the creative genius of American researchers and entrepreneurs and empower them to pioneer a new generation of clean energy technology. ...To keep America competitive into the future, we must trust in the skill of our scientists and engineers and empower them to pursue the breakthroughs of tomorrow. ...On matters of life and science, we must trust in the innovative spirit of medical researchers and empower them to discover new treatments while respecting moral boundaries. ...On matters of justice, we must trust in the wisdom of our founders and empower judges who understand that the Constitution means what it says. ...In communities across our land, we must trust in the good heart of the American people and empower them to serve their neighbors in need.

In his last State of the Union Address, Dubya really emphasizes a certain theme. Washington, D.C., Jan. 28, 2008

Listen, the estate tax is a lousy deal, particularly for farmers and small business owners. I mean, you get taxed twice. You get taxed when you build your business, and then they tax you when you die.

Not only is his take on the estate tax inaccurate in depicting who it affects the most (very wealthy inheritors), but he also claims that a person is taxed once while alive, and again while dead. I'm pretty sure it's the inheritor paying the second round of taxes. Chicago, Illinois, Jan. 7, 2008