American mission in Iraq is clear: We're hunting down the terrorists. We're helping Iraqis build a free nation that is an ally in the war on terror. We're advancing freedom in the broader Middle East. We are removing a source of violence and instability and laying the foundation of peace for our children and our grandchildren.

Murdering the innocent to advance an ideology is wrong every time everywhere

The course of this nation does not depend on the decisions of others.

America is a nation of prayer. It's impossible to tell the story of our nation without telling the story of people who pray.

People make suggestions on what to say all the time. I'll give you an example; I don't read what's handed to me. People say ''Here, here's your speech, or here's an idea for a speech.'' They're changed. Trust me.

I worry about protectionists, which is another way of saying less competition, less trade around the world. And I view those as twins of negativity.

There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again.