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Quotes - Dubya on Himself (2006) (Dubya according to Dubya)
I appreciate the Prime Minister's answer to this lad — we call them lads, in Great Britain.
Dubya claims British citizenship for himself, Washington, D.C., Dec. 7, 2006 ELAINE QUIJANO (CNN): Thank you, Mr. President. You talk about the U.S. government and the Iraqi government working closely together on benchmarks. I'm wondering, sir, why was Prime Minister Maliki not at the news conference yesterday with General Casey and Ambassador Khalilzad? Would that not have sent a strong message about there being a very close level of cooperation between the two governments?
DUBYA: Elaine, I have no idea why he wasn't there. QUIJANO: Was he invited, sir? DUBYA: I have no idea. I'm not the scheduler of news conferences. Ahh, well that explains it. White House, Oct. 25, 2006 WILLIAMS: We always talk about what you're reading. As you know, there was a report that you have just read the works of a French philosopher.
DUBYA: Heh, heh, heh WILLIAMS: Can you tell us — DUBYA: The stranger — WILLIAMS: Tell us the back story of Camus. DUBYA: The back story of the — of the book? WILLIAMS: Well, what, what led you — DUBYA: What caused me? WILLIAMS: What led you to this? DUBYA: I was in Crawford, and uhh — I said, I was looking for a book to read and Laura said you oughtta try Camus, I also read three Shakespeares. Dubya's final tally: One Camus and three Shakespeares. Perhaps next time there will be two Dostoevskys and a Poe. Interview with Brian Williams (NBC). New Orleans, Louisiana, Aug. 29, 2006 I've, I've got a eckullectic reading list.
I'm sure he must know the word "eclectic" but this sure sounds different, New Orleans, Louisiana, Aug. 29, 2006 I'm a thoughtful guy, I listen to people. I'm open-minded. I'm all the things that you know I am.
I love the last part, White House, Aug. 21, 2006 DUBYA: I can't hear you, I'm over 60, just like you.
REPORTER: Ronald Reagan could get away with that, sir. DUBYA: He was over 60, as well. Yeah, Dubya, that's sort of the point. White House, Aug. 2, 2006 I am willing to abide by the ruling of the Supreme Court.
I suppose that's good to know, although in any case he is bound by the Constitution to abide by Supreme Court rulings, willing or otherwise. Chicago, Illinois, Jul. 7, 2006 Social Security is in pretty good shape for baby boomers. As a matter of fact, we're the problem. We're getting ready to retire — just so happens I turn 62 in 2008, which is a convenient age.
What's convenient about being 62? Highland Heights, Kentucky, May 19, 2006 That's George Washington, the first president, of course. The interesting thing about him is that I read three — three or four books about him last year. Isn't that interesting?
Yes, that is a very interesting thing about George Washington... White House, May 5, 2006 I know we're going to have to do something about energy. I aim to be a competitive nation.
Dubya aims not only to be a nation, but a competitive one, too. San Jose, California, Apr. 21, 2006  I hear the voices, and I read the front page, and I know the speculation. But I'm the decider, and I decide what is best. And what's best is for Don Rumsfeld to remain as the Secretary of Defense.
REPORTER: Mr. President, you've made it a practice of not commenting on potential personnel moves —
DUBYA: Of course I did. REPORTER: — of calling it speculation — DUBYA: You can understand why — REPORTER: But on five — DUBYA: — because we've got people's reputations at stake. And on Friday I stood up and said I don't appreciate the speculation about Don Rumsfeld. He's doing a fine job. I strongly support him. REPORTER: But what do you say to critics who believe that you're ignoring the advice of retired generals, military commanders, who say that there needs to be a change? DUBYA: I say, I listen to all voices, but mine's the final decision. And Don Rumsfeld is doin' a fine job. Dubya gets testy in his defense of Don Rumsfeld. For full effect, listen to the audio clip. White House, Apr. 18, 2006 The more people learn about the transaction that has been scrutinized and approved by my government, the more they'll be comforted that our ports will be secure.
So it's "his" government now... Washington, D.C., Feb. 23, 2006 Uhh, there's a lot of noise in Washington. There's a lot of flattery, there's a lot of, umm, criticism, just a lotta noise. And, uhh, I keep it in — I, I try to keep my life in perspective. I try ta — I don't try to, I do keep my life in perspective. And, uhh, I am focused on achieving certain objectives. Every day — I, I, I said this, and I mean this — every day I think about how to protect America. Every day in the morning, first thing in the morning, I get brief by our intelligence officers about potential threats. That's every morning I'm aware of, uhh, eh, of — the world aroung us. And I told ya — that — that it's, it's, it's — 9/11 changed my thinkin', so my focus is there.
Dubya careens through an explanation of how he keeps his life in perspective, and offers up some gems you have to hear to believe. Tampa, Florida, Feb. 17, 2006 I hope that when it's all said and done, people see me as a strategic thinker, and that I'm able to stay focused on, uhh, a — str, strategy that will leave behind peace and hope — peace around
the world, and hope not only around the world, but equally importantly, here at home, so people have this sense of the greatness of America. It's a — we're a fantastic country.
He can hope all he wants, but he really shouldn't expect much. Tampa, Florida, Feb. 17, 2006 You know, it's amazing, when people say to me, well, he was just breaking the law. If I wanted to break the law, why was I briefin' Congress? Heh!
As you can probably see I was injured myself, not here at the hospital but in combat with a cedar. I eventually won.
Statement offered in the presence of servicemen and women wounded in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan (rather than by brush on Dubya's ranch), Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas, Jan. 1, 2006
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