George H.W. Bush

A lot of people in Washington were saying, 'Let's get out now.' And I -- I obviously chose not to do that. But that was a very difficult period.

I've watched Barack Obama come from basic relative obscurity to now soon to be the president of the United States. And he -- he gives a lot of people hope, and that's good for the country. Genuinely good for the country.

And I listened very carefully to them. And obviously, came to a different conclusion.

Oh, absolutely. Listen, I've heard all of the voices.

Of course, I considered all options, but -- absolutely. You know, ultimately, I had great faith in the universality of liberty.

A lot of people in Washington were saying, let's get out now. And I obviously chose not to do that but that was a very difficult period.

To have watched Barack Obama come from basic -- relative obscurity to now soon to be the president of the United States and he gives a lot of people hope and that's good for the country; genuinely good for the country.

This doesn't represent the Iraqi people. But that's -- that's what happens in free societies, where people try to draw attention to themselves.

This doesn't represent the Iraqi people, but that's what happens in free societies, where people try to draw attention to themselves. And so I guess he was effective.

He says he was unprepared for war.

Well, I think I was unprepared for war.

The president can pardon anyone he wants any time.

It's one of the few areas where presidential power can't be challenged in court. It's just the president's alone to exercise.

I was for John McCain. I felt he battled hard. But I meant what I said after the election, that the election of Barack Obama is -- is an historic moment for our country.

Thank you for your courage. Thank you for your sacrifice, and thank you for standing up when your nation needed you most.

I really do wish him all the best. I mean, I am just as American as he is American.

The election of Barack Obama is an historic moment for our country, there are a lot of people in America who did not believe they would ever see this day.

Thank you for your courage, thank you for your sacrifice, and thank you for standing up when your nation needed you most.

I regret saying some things I shouldn't have said.

One impression I can share with you is that one of the things that President-elect Obama was really interested in after we have had our policy discussions was his little girls; how would they like the White House.

We will ask administration officials to brief the Obama team on ongoing policy issues ranging from the financial markets to the war in Iraq. I look forward to discussing those issues with the president-elect early next week.

Homeownership is the highest rate ever.

Home ownership is the highest rate ever.

And we know we've got to get something done as quickly as possible. And this meeting is an attempt to move the process forward. My hope is that we can reach an agreement very shortly.

With the situation becoming more precarious by the day, I face the choice to step in with dramatic government action or to stand back and allow the irresponsible actions of some to undermine the financial security of all.