George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bushis an American politician who was the 41st President of the United States from 1989 to 1993 and the 43rd Vice President of the United States from 1981 to 1989. A member of the U.S. Republican Party, he was previously a congressman, ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence. He is the oldest living former President and Vice President. He is also the last living former President who is a veteran of World War II. Bush is often...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionPresident
Date of Birth12 June 1924
CountryUnited States of America
I think 9/11 guaranteed that national security is going to be in the forefront of every election.
I don't worry about superpower confrontation. You know, I lived through the Cold War days, and where everybody was worried about a Soviet Union armed to the teeth. I think we're going to get along fine with Russia, and I don't see them as internationally ambitious.
We don't think of ourselves as a dynasty. I really hope some of my grandkids will be actively involved in politics.
Yogi's been an inspiration to me, not only because of his baseball skills, but of course for the enduring mark he left on the English language. Some in the press corps think he might even be my speechwriter.
I don't like dynasty and legacy. But I think there's a period in the U.S. history where Bushes have been in the forefront.
If you believe that there's a being superior to yourself and that will guide you, strengthen you that helps a lot but, you know, you just have to stay the course. You just got to stay in there. You cannot be waffling or taking a poll to see what people think. You have to do what you think is right.
Well, I think everybody is frustrated by the finances of the U.N. and the inability to solve problems of war and peace.
I think the 24-hour news cycle has helped exaggerate the differences between the parties. You can always find someone on TV somewhere carping about something. That didn't happen 20 years ago.
I think I'd be a better president because I was in combat.
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.
I think when you see an aircraft fire, these angry, black puffs of smoke, knowing that one of them could kill you that you - you - you understand the seriousness of the mission. And you understand your own mortality.
I'll be glad to reply to or dodge your questions, depending on what I think will help our election most.
The fact is prosperity has a purpose. It's to allow us to pursue "the better angels," to give us time to think and grow.
I think the major event that shaped my life was being a Naval aviator. I got my commission and wings at 18 years old, and then I went into combat at 19. And I think, as I look back on it, that whole experience probably shaped my life more than any incident, or any event.