George H.W. Bush

I authorized the interception of international communications of people with known links to al Qaeda and related terrorist organizations.

And Brown, you're doing a heck of a job.

In our judgment, we view this storm as a temporary disruption that is being addressed by the government and by the private sector.

I hope the world is more peaceful. I hope democracy continues to took root around the world. And I hope people are able to find jobs.

Our strategy in Iraq is clear, our tactics are flexible and dynamic. We have changed them as conditions required and they are bringing us victory against a brutal enemy.

It was a shameful act. For someone to disclose this very important program in a time of war. The fact that we're discussing this program is helping the enemy.

To save American lives, we must be able to act fast, and to detect these conversations so we can prevent new attacks.

He lashed out, as well, at suggestions that the policy gives him the power of a dictator.

Do I have the legal authority to do this? Absolutely.

Whatever I do to protect the American people, we will uphold the law.

My decision to remove Saddam Hussein was the right decision. Saddam was a threat. And the American people and the world is better off because he is no longer in power. I strongly believe a democratic Iraq is a crucial part of our strategy…

We are living through a watershed moment in the story of freedom. Iraqis will go to the polls to choose a government that will be the only constitutional democracy in the Arab world.

It's true that much of the intelligence turned out to be wrong. As president, I'm responsible for the decision to go into Iraq.

And Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job.

Major combat operations in Iraq have ended. In the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed.

On my orders, coalition forces have begun striking selected targets of military importance.

I would say 30,000, more or less, have died as a result of the initial incursion and the ongoing violence against Iraqis.

And I made a tough decision. And knowing what I know today, I would make the decision again.

I would say 30,000 more or less have died as a result of the initial incursion and the ongoing violence against Iraqis.

This week, elections won't be perfect. And a successful vote is not the end of the process. Iraqis still have more difficult work ahead. And our coalition and the new Iraqi government will face many challenges.

A fixed timetable of withdrawal would involve the enemy, would confuse the Iraqis and would send the wrong signal to our young men and women in uniform.

The U.S. is making slow, steady progress in Iraq.

We are not going to yield the future of Iraq to men like Zarqawi, and we are not going to yield the future of the Middle East to men like bin Laden.

Quiet steady progress -- those were his words -- as happening in Iraq, though he concedes that reconstruction hasn't gone as smoothly as the administration had hoped.

We, of course, don't pay ransom for any hostages. What we will do, of course, is use our intelligence gathering to see if we can't help locate them.