There's no question that the minute I got elected, the storm clouds on the horizon were getting nearly directly overhead.
George W. BushThis is still a dangerous world. It's a world of madmen and uncertainty and potential mental losses.
George W. BushAs Americans, we want peace - we work and sacrifice for peace. But there can be no peace if our security depends on the will and whims of a ruthless and aggressive dictator. I'm not willing to stake one American life on trusting Saddam Hussein.
George W. BushIf our commanders on the ground say we need more troops, I will send them. But our commanders tell me they have the number of troops they need to do their job. Sending more Americans would undermine our strategy of encouraging Iraqis to take the lead in this fight. And sending more Americans would suggest that we intend to stay forever, when we are, in fact, working for the day when Iraq can defend itself and we can leave.
George W. Bush