In the political world, a politician’s mistakes are often called gaffes, which means “social or diplomatic blunders” or “noticeable mistakes,” according to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary. Former president George W. Bush has certainly made his share of them over the years.
In fact, our 43rd president has made so many that they have collectively become known as “Bushisms.” There are books dedicated to them on the market. It should be noted, however, that Bush, a former Governor of Texas and co-owner of the Texas Rangers, did not start his long string of gaffes until running for President of the United States in 2000. And the two-term president continued making them well into 2009.
Here now is a list of 10 of the most memorable George W. Bush political gaffes, updated through late October 2009.
- On September 25, 2000 in Beaverton, Oregon, Bush stated: “It is clear our nation is reliant upon big foreign oil. More and more of our imports come from overseas.”
- On November 6, 2000, explaining his victory over rival John McCain to clinch the Republican nomination for president, Bush stated that his political opponents “misunderestimated” him.
- On September 17, 2002, Bush said in front of teachers, parents and children in Nashville, 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!'" The actual Southern saying goes: "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."
- On August 5, 2004, as he signed a defense bill, the former president read from prepared remarks this gaffe: "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful. And so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people," he continued, "And neither do we."
- Bush made this statement in Missouri on September 6, 2004 while addressing malpractice reforms in the U.S.: "Too many good docs are getting out of the business. Too many Ob-Gyns aren't able to practice their love with women all across this country."
- On April 14, 2005, regarding his push for Social Security reform, Bush made this declaration: “I'm going to spend a lot of time on Social Security. I enjoy it. I enjoy taking on the issue. I guess, it's the mother in me.”
- In a 2006 interview on CNBC, Bush answered a question about using Google: “One of the things I've used on the Google is to pull up maps."
- In an interview with National Public Radio January 29, 2007 Bush stated: "[T]here is distrust in Washington. I am surprised, frankly, at the amount of distrust that exists in this town. And I'm sorry it's the case, and I'll work hard to try to elevate it."
- At the White House on April 15, 2008, President Bush remarked to Pope Benedict after his sermon: "Thank you, your Holiness. Awesome speech."
- In a speech October 22, 2009 at a luncheon in Montreal, the Vancouver Sun reported that Bush regretted speaking about the status of the Iraq War in front of a “Mission Impossible” sign aboard the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln on May 1, 2003. The notorious banner he referred to actually read “Mission Accomplished.”
- Bonus gaffe: Bush's repeated reference to the Internet as ”the Internets,” first in October 2000 and then again in October 2004.
References
"Shoes Fly As George W. Bush Speaks In Montreal," The Vancouver Sun. October 22, 2009.
"George W. Bushisms: The Slate Book Of The Accidental Wit And Wisdom Of Our 43rd President," by Jacob Weisberg (Paperback edition, 2001).
For a more comprehensive list of George W. Gaffes, visit About.com's Bushisms page.
Charlie Doherty - Formerly a staff writer/researcher for independent newspaper project Media Nation, which was published daily by The Boston Globe during ...
