Bush, 5/25/02: "A leader must surround himself with honorable people"

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/05/20020525-2.html

PRESIDENT BUSH: I understand a leader can't do everything. And so, therefore, a leader must be willing to surround himself, in my case, with smart, capable, honorable people. A leader must be willing to listen. And then a leader must be decisive enough to make a decision and stick by it.

In politics, in order to lead, you've got to know what you believe. You have to stand on principle; you have to believe in certain values. And you must defend them at all costs. A politician who takes a poll to figure out what to believe is a politician who is constantly going to be trying to lead through -- it's like a dog chasing its tail.

And, finally, any leader must -- in order to lead, must understand -- must have a vision about where you're going. You must set clear goals, and convince people of those goals and constantly lead toward those goals.

And, finally, you've got to treat people with respect on your team. And by respecting people, they become -- they become better members of the team and, therefore, give better advice and work toward the same goal.



President George W. Bush laughs at a comment by Russian President Vladimir Putin during a question and answer session with students at St. Petersburg State University in St Petersburg, Russia on May 25, 2002. White House photo by Paul Morse.

[MadisonProgressive]

1. He slays me! He should be a comedian - or an assclown!

[Wordie]

2. And if he hasn't, are ethics classes really gonna do the trick? LOL eom

[readmylips]

3. Karen Huge is a good writer.....

Empty words from empty suit.

[Arkansas Granny]

4. Too bad he didn't follow his own advice. Maybe he didn't

realize that when you surround yourself with criminals, unscrupulous and unprincipled persons, you take on the same flavor. Then again, it may be difficult for Bush to recognize smart, capable and honorable people since he doesn't have much in common with them.

[WePurrsevere]

5. "Like attracts like". Bush would have to BE honorable to attract honorable

people... HE isn't, so they aren't.

[BarbaRosa]

6. If those people are so honorable

what are they doing hanging around that slob?

[Doctor_J]

7. The new sheriff of fiscal discipline is here!

- Ari Fleischer, Feb 01

[cerumen]

8. But what does a poseur surround himself with, Monsieur Bush?

[newyawker99]

10. Hi cerumen!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[peacetalksforall]

9. In his case.

"And so, therefore, a leader must be willing to surround himself, in my case, with smart, capable, honorable people."

He is admitting that IN HIS CASE a leader must be willing to get help.

However...

Honorable? Hardly.

Smart and Capable? Of destroying lives and the earth and making money for a few?

He succeeded on two out of three.