Bush in 2000: Strange but true

[Todd33]

I want to rebuild our military to keep the peace. I want to have a strong hand when it comes to the US and world affairs. I don?t want to try to put our troops in all places at all times. I don?t want to be the world?s policeman. I want to be the world?s peacemaker by having a military of high morale and a military that?s well-equipped. I want to have antiballistic missile systems to protect ourselves and our allies from a rogue nation that may try to hold us hostage or blackmail a friend.

We need an active exploration program in America. The only way to become less dependent on foreign sources of crude oil is to explore at home. And you bet I want to open up a small part of Alaska because when that field is online, it will produce a million barrels a day. Today we import a million barrels from Saddam Hussein. I would rather that a million come from our own hemisphere, our own country, as opposed from Saddam Hussein.

The surest way to bust this economy is to increase the role and the size of the federal government. The Senate Budget Committee did a study of Gore?s expenditures: it could conceivably bust the budget by $900 billion. That means he?s either going to have to raise your taxes by $900 billion or go into the Social Security surplus for $900 billion.

Somalia started off as a humanitarian mission then changed into a nation-building mission and that?s where the mission went wrong. The mission was changed. And as a result, our nation paid a price, and so I don?t think our troops ought to be used for what?s called nation building. I think our troops ought to be used to fight and win war. I think our troops ought to be used to help overthrow a dictator when it?s in our best interests. But in this case, it was a nation-building exercise.

I?m not sure the role of the United States is to go around the world and say this is the way it?s got to be. I want to empower people. I want to help people help themselves, not have government tell people what to do. I just don?t think it?s the role of the United States to walk into a country and say, we do it this way, so should you. We went into Russia, we said here?s some IMF money. It ended up in Chernomyrdin?s pocket. And yet we played like there was reform. The only people who are going to reform Russia are Russians. I?m not sure where the vice president?s coming from, but I think one way for us to end up being viewed as the ugly American is for us to go around the world saying, we do it this way, so should you. I think the United States must be humble and must be proud and confident of our values, but humble in how we treat nations that are figuring out how to chart their own course.

If this were a spending contest, I?d come in second. I readily admit, I?m not going to grow the size of the federal government like he is. [There was a question about] deployment. It must be in the national interests. It must be in our vital interest whether we ever send troops. The mission must be clear. Soldiers must understand why we?re going. The force must be strong enough so that the mission can be accomplished. And the exit strategy needs to be well-defined. I?m concerned that we?re overdeployed around the world. You see, I think the mission has somewhat become fuzzy. Should I be fortunate enough to earn your confidence, the mission of the United States military will be to be prepared and ready to fight and win war, and therefore prevent war from happening in the first place. There may be some moments when we use our troops as peacekeepers, but not often.

When you total up all the federal spending [Gore] wants to do, it?s the largest increase in federal spending in years. And there?s just not going to be enough money.

We?ve had enough fighting [in Congress]. It?s time to unite. You talk about eight years? In eight years, [the Clinton/Gore Administration] hasn?t gotten anything done on Medicare, on Social Security, a patients? bill of rights. It?s time to get something done.

Q: How would you lead during the mid-east crisis?

BUSH: It requires a clear vision, willingness to stand by our friends, and the credibility for people, both friend and foe, to understand when America says something, we mean it.

A lot of people are tired of the bitterness in Washington. There are a lot of young folks saying, you know, ?Why do I want to be involved with this mess?? And what I think needs to happen is to set aside the partisan differences and set an agenda that will make sense. I don?t think it?s the issues that turn kids off. I think it?s the tone.

What was the line about oil from Iraq about? We didn't get oil from Iraq in 2000 did we?

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

These are indeed a pretty amazing series of quotes.

What was the line about oil from Iraq about? We didn't get oil from Iraq in 2000 did we?

Actually we apparently got quite a bit indirectly, under the "Oil-For-Food" program sanctioned by the U.N. See this article for info. I hadn't really known this either.

 

[BaliBabyDoc]

This one sounds familiar . . .

The surest way to bust this economy is to increase the role and the size of the federal government. The Senate Budget Committee did a study of Gore?s expenditures: it could conceivably bust the budget by $900 billion. That means he?s either going to have to raise your taxes by $900 billion or go into the Social Security surplus for $900 billion.

Curiously, Bushites are making the exact same claim against Kerry. I believe they say it will happen in the first 100 days.

Granted, Bush doesn't use the line about increasing the role and size of the federal government . . . I think he already has that wrapped up.

 

[conjur]

Q: How would you lead during the mid-east crisis?

BUSH: It requires a clear vision, willingness to stand by our friends, and the credibility for people, both friend and foe, to understand when America says something, we mean it.

Even if we were 100% wrong to say it.

A lot of people are tired of the bitterness in Washington. There are a lot of young folks saying, you know, ?Why do I want to be involved with this mess?? And what I think needs to happen is to set aside the partisan differences and set an agenda that will make sense. I don?t think it?s the issues that turn kids off. I think it?s the tone.

Guess that explains the CIA operative leak, the threatening to fire the guy if he told the truth of the Medicare cost, the prisoner abuse and the torture memo, the Patriot Act, fighting the 9/11 Commission, dividing the Republican party, flip-flopping on countless campaign promises, involvement in 527 organization smear tactics, engaging in secrecy that has the national press corps scrapping for tidbits of information, etc.

 

[Orsorum]

You know, I looked at Bush and Gore's campaign statements, and the one thing I liked about Gore over Bush was Gore's plan for SS. Other than that I was evenly split on the candidates, and I liked Bush at the time. Such a pity to see how hollow his administration ended up.

 

[ReiAyanami]

Bushites!!!

any quotes on how bush plans to step on baby ducks in his enviromental policy

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: Orsorum
You know, I looked at Bush and Gore's campaign statements, and the one thing I liked about Gore over Bush was Gore's plan for SS. Other than that I was evenly split on the candidates, and I liked Bush at the time. Such a pity to see how hollow his administration ended up.

I think that in the long run this administration will be seen as being about lost opportunities.

Lost was our opportunity to turn 9/11 into a starting place for unity and constructive purpose.

Lost was our chance to remake alliances and demonstrate that we are a country to be taken seriously not because of our military, but because of our principles and wisdom.

We lost credibility. No longer can we say to another country that it is wrong to make war against someone else because you are merely concerned about them, or that war is the last option. We COULD say it, but then our recent track record would be trotted out for ridicule and rightly so.

We have become about guns and guts and greed, with no real compassion or forethought.

I am dismayed at what we are becoming.

 

[Orsorum]

Originally posted by: ReiAyanami
Bushites!!!

any quotes on how bush plans to step on baby ducks in his enviromental policy

He volunteered to give them baths in precious oil.

 

[Bowfinger]

Originally posted by: WinstonSmith
I think that in the long run this administration will be seen as being about lost opportunities.

Lost was our opportunity to turn 9/11 into a starting place for unity and constructive purpose.

Lost was our chance to remake alliances and demonstrate that we are a country to be taken seriously not because of our military, but because of our principles and wisdom.

We lost credibility. No longer can we say to another country that it is wrong to make war against someone else because you are merely concerned about them, or that war is the last option. We COULD say it, but then our recent track record would be trotted out for ridicule and rightly so.

We have become about guns and guts and greed, with no real compassion or forethought.

I am dismayed at what we are becoming.

Exactly. What he said.

 

[Jhhnn]

Very perceptive and succinct, Winston Smith. Thank You.

 

[OneOfTheseDays]

Originally posted by: WinstonSmith

Originally posted by: Orsorum
You know, I looked at Bush and Gore's campaign statements, and the one thing I liked about Gore over Bush was Gore's plan for SS. Other than that I was evenly split on the candidates, and I liked Bush at the time. Such a pity to see how hollow his administration ended up.

I think that in the long run this administration will be seen as being about lost opportunities.

Lost was our opportunity to turn 9/11 into a starting place for unity and constructive purpose.

Lost was our chance to remake alliances and demonstrate that we are a country to be taken seriously not because of our military, but because of our principles and wisdom.

We lost credibility. No longer can we say to another country that it is wrong to make war against someone else because you are merely concerned about them, or that war is the last option. We COULD say it, but then our recent track record would be trotted out for ridicule and rightly so.

We have become about guns and guts and greed, with no real compassion or forethought.

I am dismayed at what we are becoming.

Well said Winston. I think this is the major problem Democrats and others have with this administration. We don't hate Bush because we think he's stupid or can't speak publicly, to be honest, that is the least of my worries. I don't mind that he's a red-blooded Texan either. I just don't believe this administration is going in the right direction. I'm not an elitist, I don't think I'm better than you, I just think this administration plain screwed up.

 

[Darkhawk28]

As I've said before, Papa Bush must be shaking his head at the direction his son has taken this country.

 

[BaliBabyDoc]

Originally posted by: WinstonSmith

Originally posted by: Orsorum
You know, I looked at Bush and Gore's campaign statements, and the one thing I liked about Gore over Bush was Gore's plan for SS. Other than that I was evenly split on the candidates, and I liked Bush at the time. Such a pity to see how hollow his administration ended up.

I think that in the long run this administration will be seen as being about lost opportunities.

Lost was our opportunity to turn 9/11 into a starting place for unity and constructive purpose.

Lost was our chance to remake alliances and demonstrate that we are a country to be taken seriously not because of our military, but because of our principles and wisdom.

We lost credibility. No longer can we say to another country that it is wrong to make war against someone else because you are merely concerned about them, or that war is the last option. We COULD say it, but then our recent track record would be trotted out for ridicule and rightly so.

We have become about guns and guts and greed, with no real compassion or forethought.

I am dismayed at what we are becoming.

Let's be honest. No less than 40% of the "voting" US population is comfortable with your characterization, Winston. Many of these people are not "stupid" or "ignorant". Granted, many don't know much more than what they see on FOXNews or hear with Rush . . . but they choose those outlets b/c they reinforce what they "know" to be true. They don't want to hear about "lost opportunities" or "questions about our principles" . . . that would be an admission that we are failing miserably to meet the ideals this great nation was founded upon. They heard enough of that back in the 50s, 60s, and 70s.

I disagree with your contention that we are "becoming" something. Bushophiles exemplify much of who we are. Greed, aggression, ignorance, hubris, and incivility are hallmarks of our society from sports/entertainment to our politics. By exploiting these characteristics, Bush may win re-election. Accordingly, America will get the leadership it deserves. The nonvoting American public will be justly rewarded as well . . . except for the children.

 

[umbrella39]

Originally posted by: WinstonSmith

Originally posted by: Orsorum
You know, I looked at Bush and Gore's campaign statements, and the one thing I liked about Gore over Bush was Gore's plan for SS. Other than that I was evenly split on the candidates, and I liked Bush at the time. Such a pity to see how hollow his administration ended up.

I think that in the long run this administration will be seen as being about lost opportunities.

Lost was our opportunity to turn 9/11 into a starting place for unity and constructive purpose.

Lost was our chance to remake alliances and demonstrate that we are a country to be taken seriously not because of our military, but because of our principles and wisdom.

We lost credibility. No longer can we say to another country that it is wrong to make war against someone else because you are merely concerned about them, or that war is the last option. We COULD say it, but then our recent track record would be trotted out for ridicule and rightly so.

We have become about guns and guts and greed, with no real compassion or forethought.

I am dismayed at what we are becoming.

Very nice post indeed

I will raise you this point: 9/11 made this country, hell this WORLD seem smaller and closer than it ever has been in my lifetime. There was no black, whites, asians, arabs... there was just Americans. I talked to people I had not spoken to in years that live in and around my block. I feel confident is saying that probably was the case for many of you here as well.

That unity we all experienced scared the sh!t out of some body in power. Within a few short months, we were at war with Iraq and this country is more divided than I have ever seen it.

Well done and bravo Mr. President.

 

[Todd33]

In case the weekday people missed this great collection!

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: WinstonSmith

Originally posted by: Orsorum
You know, I looked at Bush and Gore's campaign statements, and the one thing I liked about Gore over Bush was Gore's plan for SS. Other than that I was evenly split on the candidates, and I liked Bush at the time. Such a pity to see how hollow his administration ended up.

I think that in the long run this administration will be seen as being about lost opportunities.

Lost was our opportunity to turn 9/11 into a starting place for unity and constructive purpose.

Lost was our chance to remake alliances and demonstrate that we are a country to be taken seriously not because of our military, but because of our principles and wisdom.

We lost credibility. No longer can we say to another country that it is wrong to make war against someone else because you are merely concerned about them, or that war is the last option. We COULD say it, but then our recent track record would be trotted out for ridicule and rightly so.

We have become about guns and guts and greed, with no real compassion or forethought.

I am dismayed at what we are becoming.