I don't like to put words in leaders' mouths. I don't particularly like it when people put words in my mouth, either, by the way, unless I say it.

I firmly believe that in order to protect America we must go on the offense against radicals, extremists, murderers in order to protect not only ourselves, but our allies. And I also realize that we're involved in an ideological struggle, that these murderers, these radicals, these extremists have got a point of view. If you want to find out what their point of view is about, look what happened in Afghanistan under the brutal relationship of the Taliban and al Qaeda. On the one hand, if you're a woman and spoke out, or a woman and tried to advance, you were suppressed, in brutal fashion sometimes. And in the meantime, an enemy that hates America, plotted and planned. And so, look, I understand some people are — may not agree with the decisions I make. But what the American people need to know, I'm making them based upon what's best for this country.

I think it's important for me to be thoughtful and sensitive to those who have got something to say. But I think it's also important for me to go on with my life, to keep a balanced life.

I think you can do your job better if you're fit. People think more clearly if you're fit.

As to the constitution, one of the meetings we had this morning was with Zal, our ambassador in Baghdad. And he gave us a briefing as to the progress on the constitution. We have made it clear that we believe that constitution can be and should be agreed upon by August 15th. And so I'm operating on the assumption that it will be agreed upon by August the 15th. And Zal said that, you know, obviously there are some difficult issues — federalism being one, role of religion. Hopefully the — the drafters of the constitution understand our strong belief that women ought to be treated equally in the Iraqi society.

I grieve for every death. It breaks my heart to think about a family weeping over the loss of a loved one. I understand the anguish that some feel about the death that takes place.

And I remind people, when they think about the conflict we're in, to think about World War II, when an enemy of ours — Japan, for example — is now a loyal friend and an ally because of the hard work we did, not only during the war, but in the post-war reconstruction of Japan.

They have killed in Madrid and Istanbul and Jakarta and Casablanca and Riyadh and Bali and London and elsewhere, and they are determined to do more harm. And they kill indiscriminately. In other words, they don't care who they kill.

First of all, as you know, uhh, we have made — strong steps, ibs, uhh, uhh — we've, we've condemned strongly Iranians' attempt to develop — uhh, any kind of program that would allow them to, uhh, enrich uranium to develop a weapon. In other words, the Iranians, uhh, said they were in compliance with certain international rules, and yet — we found out they weren't in compliance of those rules, and so we're very deeply suspicious of their desires.

The comments by the number two man of Al Qaeda make it clear that Iraq is a part of this war on terror, and we're at war. In other words, he's saying, leave. As I have told the American people, one, that people like Zawahiri have an ideology that is dark, dim, backwards. They don't trust — they don't appreciate women. If you don't agree to their narrow view of a religion you'll be whipped in the public square. That's their view, and they have tactics to help spread that view. In other words, they've got goals. They want to spread that point of view throughout the world, starting in the broader Middle East. And part of their goal is to drive us out of the broader Middle East, precisely what Zawahiri said. In other words, he's threatening.

REPORTER 1: You're not going to Athens this week, are you?
DUBYA: Athens, Texas?
REPORTER 1: Ol — the Olympics, in Greece.
DUBYA: Oh, the Olympics? No, I'm not.
REPORTER 2: Have you been watching them?
DUBYA: Oh, yeah, yeah, it's been exciting.
REPORTER 2: Any particular moment stand out?
DUBYA: Umm — particular moment? I like the — let's see — uhhhm — Iraqi soccer. I liked — I liked seein' the Afghan woman carryin' the flag comin' in. I loved, uhh — you know, our gymnasts. I've been watching the swimming. I like th' — I've seen a lot, yeah. Listen, thank you all.

It reads like a mystery, a novel. It's well written.

REPORTER: Mr. President, some firefighters and families of the 9/11 victims — of the 9/11 victims want you to pull your campaign ad focusing on the tragedy. Are you prepared to honor their wishes?
DUBYA: First of all, I will continue to speak about the effects of 9/11 on our country and my presidency. I will continue to mourn the loss of life on that day, but I'll never forget the lessons. The terrorists declared war on us on that day, and I will continue to pursue this war. I have an obligation to those who died. I have an obligation to those who were heroic in their attempts to rescue. And I won't forget that obligation.

REPORTER: [The California recall is] the biggest political story in the country. Is it hard to go in there and say nothing about it?
DUBYA: It is the biggest political story in the country? That's interesting. That says a lot. That speaks volumes.
REPORTER: You don't agree?
DUBYA: It's up to — I don't get to decide the biggest political story. You decide the biggest political story. But I find it interesting that that is the biggest political story in the country, as you just said.
REPORTER: You don't think it should be?
DUBYA: Oh, I think there's maybe other political stories. Isn't there, like, a presidential race coming up? Maybe that says something. It speaks volumes, if you know what I mean.

I think I've answered the question, and yes, [Arnold Schwarzenegger] would be a good governor, as would others running for governor of California. Like you, I'm most interested in seeing how the process evolves. It's a fascinating bit of political drama evolving in the state — in the country's largest state.

We learned a lesson September the 11th, and that is, our nation is vulnerable to attack. The best way to secure America is to get the enemy before they get us, and that's what's happening in Iraq.

I say it's pure politics. And that's just the nature of democracy. Sometimes pure politics enters into the rhetoric.

I think it's interesting. I'm a follower of American politics.

The Palestinians, the people in the neighborhood must deal with terror, must rout out those who would like to destroy the process. The [Israeli] fence, by the way, is a reaction to days when there were terror.

The Vice President and I went fishing. We threw our first lure at about 6:20 a.m., this morning. Looks like — turns out the fish like cooler weather than hot weather, probably the press corps feels the same way. Turns out this is our hundredth day since major military operations have ended, ended in Iraq.

We've got a year-and-a-while during my first term to make the world a more peaceful place and we'll deal with it. Washington loves speculation. Clearly, you love speculation. You love it. You love to speculate about... Let me finish, please, let me finish. You love to speculate about whether so-and-so is going to be a part of the administration or not. And I understand the game. But I have got to do my job, and I'm going to do it. And I'm going to do it with the Secretary of State.

Listen, this guy [Secretary of State Colin Powell] has done a fabulous job. Washington, particularly in August, is a dangerous period — a dangerous time, because there's a lot of speculation.

The key for a peace to happen is for both parties to assume their necessary obligations and responsibilities, to create the conditions so that people have confidence, that people know that their lives will be safe and that prosperity can break out.

Turns out this is our hundredth day since major military operations have ended, ended in Iraq. ...We've been there a hundred days. We've made a lot of progress in a hundred days, and I am pleased with the progress we've made, but fully recognize we've got a lot more work to do. ...The American people know that we laid out the facts, we based the decision on sound intelligence and they also know we've only been there for a hundred days.

Secondly, the answer to your question about reconstruction efforts, the answer is, who can do the best job for the Iraqi people?

The answer to your question is, how best to improve the lives of the Iraqi people, how best to quickly establish electricity and clean water and hospitals and schools, all the things necessary for a free society to develop?

And, obviously, the more help we can get, the more we appreciate it. And we are continuing to work with other nations to ask their help advice.

The more people involved in Iraq, the better off we will be. And that's exactly what our intention is, to encourage people to participate in the — making Iraq more secure and more free. A free Iraq is a crucial part of winning the war on terror. And now I'm going to go see to it that the Prime Minister is well fed. We're going to feed him some chicken.

On the threat from North Korea's nukyular program, the Prime Minister and I see the problem exactly the same way. We will not tolerate nukyular weapons in North Korea. ...We will not settle for anything less than the complete, verifiable, and irreversible elimination of North Korea's nukyular weapons program. ...At talks held in Beijing last month, China called on North Korea to renounce nukyular weapons... The issue of North Korea's nukyular weapons is a grave challenge to entire world. We will not at all tolerate the possession, the development or the transfer of nukyular weapons by North Korea. North Korea must promptly and completely dismantle all nukyular weapons development programs in a verifiable manner. ...It is extremely important for Japan to comprehensively resolve the various issues, including nukyular weapons. ...Acceptance by the international community and potential help will come when [the North Koreans] change their behavior and their attitude toward nukyular weapons. ...Then we will have the Japanese and South Koreans join the dialogue so that there's now five of us sitting around the table, all discussing how to see that the Korean Peninsula is nukyular-weapons-free. ... And the importance of this meeting today should say to the world that Japan and the United States stand shoulder-to-shoulder on the issue of North Korea's nukyular weaponry.

Listen, we'll answer two questions a side, alternating. Please address — so don't — one of these things where you ask me and ask the Prime Minister, or vice versa. Let's just ask one question to one of us as we rotate back and forth, if you don't mind.

We ended the rule of one of history's worst tyrants, and in so doing we not only freed the American people, we made our own people more secure.

This is a chance for the Security Council to show its relevance. And I believe the Security Council, will show its revalence — relevance.

You said we're headed to war in Iraq — I don't know why you say that. I hope we're not headed to war in Iraq. I'm the person who gets to decide, not you.

And it was right here in Crawford, Texas, where I had a meaningful and good discussions with Jiang Zemin.

We'll be having our New Year's hamburger here in a minute.

Paul Wellstone was a man of deep convictions, a plain-spoken fellow who did his best for his state and for his country. May the good Lord bless those who grieve.

I'm the commander — see, I don't need to explain — I do not need to explain why I say things. That's the interesting thing about being the president. Maybe somebody needs to explain to me why they say something, but I don't feel like I owe anybody an explanation.

Listen, it's a healthy debate for people to express their opinion. People should be allowed to express their opinion. But America needs to know, I'll be making up my mind based upon the latest intelligence and how best to protect our own country plus our friends and allies.

I came away from that summit that the small business person feels constrained by tax policy and regulatory policy and I was really appreciated the people coming.

There was certainly a very strong sentiment that we're on the right track when it comes to holding people to account who lie, steat or cheal — lie, cheat or steal, who defraud people by cooking the books. There was some strong sentiment from CEO and non-CEO alike.

Nothing he has done has convinced me — I'm confident the Secretary of Defense — that he is the kind of fellow that is willing to forgo weapons of mass destruction, is willing to be a peaceful neighbor, that is — will honor the people — the Iraqi people of all stripes, will — values human life. He hasn't convinced me, nor has he convinced my administration.

And I said, well, we have laws here in America. We've got — the state of Texas has got a law. I said that there's going to be full recourse to the courts, which there was. And the Governor made the decision he made, the Supreme Court made the decision it made, and President Fox made the decision he made.

The other day — somebody asked me one time, a while ago, they said, "Has he [Chairman Arafat] disappointed you, has he lost your respect?" I said, well, he hasn't earned my respect yet.

There are some Palestinians — a lot of Palestinians who wonder whether or not life is worth living. And we've got, as a world, have got to help them understand there is a positive life ahead for they and their children.

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.

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.

And as to how to achieve that vision is something we must consult with our friends.

DUBYA: Maybe I should be a little less direct and be a little more nuanced, and say we support regime change.
REPORTER: That's a change though, isn't it, a change in policy?
DUBYA: No, it's really not. Regime change was the policy of my predecessor, as well.
REPORTER: And your father?
DUBYA: You know, I can't remember that far back. It's certainly the policy of my administration. I think regime change sounds a lot more civil, doesn't it? The world would be better off without him. Let me put it that way, though. And so will the future.

Far be it from the American President to get to decide who leads what country... I made up my mind that Saddam needs to go.

The invisible part of everything that you thought you could see, you can't see.

That country has a right to defend herself. And as she does so, I urge that their government, the Israeli government, make sure that there is a path to peace as she secures her homeland. But they've got to keep in mind the need that there's got to be a peaceful solution at some point.

But there needs to be a focused, coalition effort in the region against peace — I mean, against terror for peace.

We're looking at border policies, both with Canada and with Mexico. And we'll continue doing what we're doing now, which is any time we get a lead, we're going to disrupt — we're going to bring them in and give them a chance to protect Americans.

Listen, a while ago I said to the American people, our objective is more than bin Laden. But one of the things for certain is we're going to get him running and keep him running, and bring him to justice. And that's what's happening. He's on the run, if he's running at all. So we don't know whether he's in a cave with the door shut, or a cave with the door open — we just don't know.

And it all starts with the human element, the thing that matters most in life, and that is our faiths and our families and our respected loves as dads for our daughters.

I was on Air Force One the day of the attack, working my way back to Washington via Louisiana and Nebraska — making sure that the President was safe and secure.

Secondly, is to make sure that the good hearts of the American people and the Russian people, and people all over the world, are affected. By that I mean that we get the aid to the starving folks in Afghanistan.

I can assure you, when I was a senior in high school, I never sat in an audience saying, gosh, if I work hard I'll be President of the United States.

It's one thing for he and me to have a personal relationship.

And terrorism and evil are common threats to both our governments, and will be tomorrow, as well as today, unless we do something about it now. And that's exactly what we're doing.

So we are getting ready to have the first press conference we had together in Slovenia.

And so one of the areas where I think the average Russian will realize that the stereotypes of America have changed is that it's a spirit of cooperation, not one-upmanship. That we now understand one plus one can equal three, as opposed to us and Russia we hope to be zero.

I have been — I had spent a lot of time worrying about all eight, particularly the two young ladies. I was worried that — about the reports that perhaps the enemy would put them in a house and then, for whatever reason, would encourage that house to get bombed.

But even more efficient, however, is the transference of heat and cool as a result of circulating water below the — it's called thermal heating and cooling — okay.

I've seen fox in here, I've seen all kinds of birds. It's a wonderful spot to come up in here and just kind of think about the budget.

In order to go to college or realize your dreams, you have to make right choices in life. As you grow up, you've got to learn to say yes to the good things and no to the bad things, like saying no to drugs. That's going to be important in order to realize your dreams. No to alcohol, excessive alcohol. You've got to learn to make the right choices when you get older.

The White House is in Washington, D.C., it's up East.

There's a lot of people in the Middle East who are desirous to get into the Mitchell process. And — but first things first. The — these terrorist acts and, you know, the responses have got to end in order for us to get the framework — the groundwork — not framework, the groundwork to discuss a framework for peace, to lay the — all right.

You can't pass a law that says 'thou shalt love thy neighbor' or 'you will be neighborly'. That's because America is full of just such decent people.

It's a meaningful piece of legislation for this part of the country because a lot of people make their living on the farm and on the ranch. And we want our families to be on the farms and ranch.

My administration has been calling upon all the leaders in the - in the Middle East to do everything they can to stop the violence, to tell the different parties involved that peace will never happen.

Home is important. It's important to have a home.

I knew it might put him in an awkward position that we had a discussion before finality has finally happened in this presidential race.

As far as the legal hassling and wrangling and posturing in Florida, I would suggest you talk to our team in Florida led by Jim Baker.

There is a very good chance that Dick Cheney and I will be President and Vice President.

GUEST: Can you drink this? (asks while reaching down to the water)
DUBYA: Sure.
GUEST takes a handful to his mouth.
DUBYA: Except for the cow sh*t.
GUEST "spit take" ensues.