# Is GWB tired of being President? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 4, 2005, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gwb-tired-of-being-president/320016 "2005-09-04T05:57:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![katie1341](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/91b2a8/32.png) [@katie1341](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/katie1341)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gwb-tired-of-being-president/320016/21 "2005-09-04T17:15:48Z")
> [@Johnny L.A.](#): > > Being President is hard work! ``` Damn you, Johnny, I came in here just to post that! Hmmmph. Oh, well, great minds... ``` ---
**Author:** ![drewbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drewbert/32/15890_2.png) [@drewbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewbert)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gwb-tired-of-being-president/320016/22 "2005-09-04T17:22:02Z")
> [@katie1341](#): > > Damn you, Johnny, I came in here just to post that! Hmmmph. Oh, well, great minds… That’s OK, you can repeat it if you like. Just like GWB repeats it three or eight times per speech. ---
**Author:** ![inkubo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@inkubo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inkubo)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gwb-tired-of-being-president/320016/23 "2005-09-04T17:24:23Z")
I’m more afraid of Americans deciding that sticking with the Bush franchise in 2008 or 2012 with Bubba Jeb is a good idea. I quote the ADL, “Never again!” ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gwb-tired-of-being-president/320016/24 "2005-09-04T17:37:17Z")
> [@rjung](#): > > I’m sure he’s been pining since 2001 for when the nation can turn into a dictatorship, with himself as the dictator. > > “If this were a dictatorship, it’d be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as I’m the dictator.” > – George W. Bush, Dec 18, 2000 I need a cite on that quote as much as meat needs salt, man. ---
**Author:** ![inkubo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@inkubo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inkubo)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gwb-tired-of-being-president/320016/25 "2005-09-04T17:44:28Z")
I got your cites, RIGHT HERE You don’t get everything you want. A dictatorship would be a lot easier. Governing Magazine 7/98 I told all four that there are going to be some times where we don’t agree with each other, but that’s OK. If this were a dictatorship, it would be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as I’m the dictator. [CNN 2002 transcript](http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0012/18/nd.01.html) A dictatorship would be a heck of a lot easier, there’s no question about it. [Business Week 2001](http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/jul2001/nf20010730_347.htm) You are welcome. Enjoy your steak. ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gwb-tired-of-being-president/320016/26 "2005-09-04T17:45:32Z")
> [@Fabulous Creature](#): > > I need a cite on that quote as much as meat needs salt, man. > [@Richard S. Dunham](#): > > Congressional Relations. Candidate Bush promised to be a different kind of politician as President. As President, Bush has played the hard-nosed partisan and conservative ideologue (on issues other than education). It worked moderately well until Republicans lost control of the Senate. Since then, it has been a formula that has caused gridlock and griping. > > With South Dakota Democrat Tom Daschle at the helm in the Senate, Bush has been floundering to get anything done on Capitol Hill. And he even seems to be losing control of the Republican House – mainly because he has shown such little willingness to compromise. How bad are Bush’s relations with the Hill? “A dictatorship would be a heck of a lot easier, there’s no question about it,” he recently joked. Congressional leaders aren’t laughing. Hey, Mr. President, “compromise” is not a dirty word. It’s the way to get things done in Washington. > Overall Grade: D [http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/jul2001/nf20010730\_347.htm](http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/jul2001/nf20010730_347.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gwb-tired-of-being-president/320016/27 "2005-09-04T18:06:07Z")
Even though I see no reason why Business Week would lie, I am not satisfied with my own cite. After all, the author simply attributes it to a recent quote. Thus, I have searched around a bit more, and found the original context. Yeah, he really said it. : > [@President-Elect George W. Bush](#): > > I told all four that I felt like this election happened for a reason; that it pointed out-- the Delay in the outcome should make it clear to all of us-- that we can come together to heal whatever wounds may exist, whatever residuals there may be. And I really look forward to the opportunity. I hope they’ve got my sense of optimism about the possible, and enthusiasm about the job. I told all four that there are going to be some times where we don’t agree with each other, but that’s okay. If this were a dictatorship, it would be a heck of a lot easier… ( Chuckles ) ( laughter ) …just so long as I’m the dictator. ( Laughter ) [http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/july-dec00/trans\_12-18.htm](http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/july-dec00/trans_12-18.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gwb-tired-of-being-president/320016/28 "2005-09-04T18:13:35Z")
_I’m_ tired of him being president. ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gwb-tired-of-being-president/320016/29 "2005-09-04T18:26:11Z")
> [@Scott Plaid](#): > > \, I am not satisfied with my own cite. After all, the author simply attributes it to a recent quote.\ :smack: That should be: " I am not satisfied with my/ **inkubo** ’s own cite(s)" since I don’t want to sound like I am ignoring what he said. ---
**Author:** ![fortytwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f9ae1b/32.png) [@fortytwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fortytwo)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gwb-tired-of-being-president/320016/30 "2005-09-04T20:41:14Z")
> [@Askia](#): > > _I’m_ tired of him being president. Perhaps you are now but in 20 years time when you look back through those rose tinted spectacles you’ll think- Bush wasn’t **that** bad. He was tough on fighting the war on terrorists, and that’s what was needed at that time. Yes or no? ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gwb-tired-of-being-president/320016/31 "2005-09-04T20:46:45Z")
😃 No, to all questions. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gwb-tired-of-being-president/320016/32 "2005-09-04T21:31:50Z")
> [@katie1341](#): > > Damn you, Johnny, I came in here just to post that! Hmmmph. Oh, well, great minds… **Marley23** beat me to what I wanted to post. ---
**Author:** ![flash\_hobo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce73a5/32.png) [@flash\_hobo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flash_hobo)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gwb-tired-of-being-president/320016/33 "2005-09-04T21:57:46Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > Being President can wear one down. Look at some before & after pictures of the past 5 or 6 presidents. Well, wear \*some \* of them down. The Daily Show did a bit on this. He actually looks better _now_. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gwb-tired-of-being-president/320016/34 "2005-09-04T22:40:47Z")
I recall people saying Nixon looked as good or better too. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2005, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gwb-tired-of-being-president/320016/35 "2005-09-05T06:05:03Z")
> [@monica](#): > > Although I don’t want Bush as president, I sincerely hope that he doesn’t back out, as then we’d have Cheney who, IMO, would be even worse. What makes you think Cheney isn’t _already_ pulling the strings? George is there just to put a pretty aw-shucks face to the horror of the neocon politics. > [@Vetch](#): > > Bush wasn’t that bad. He was tough on fighting the war on terrorists, and that’s what was needed at that time. “I don’t know where bin Laden is. I have no idea and really don’t care. It’s not that important. It’s not our priority.” - G.W. Bush, 3/13/2002 ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2005, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gwb-tired-of-being-president/320016/36 "2005-09-05T06:17:52Z")
> [@Vetch](#): > > Perhaps you are now but in 20 years time when you look back through those rose tinted spectacles you’ll think- Bush wasn’t **that** bad. He was tough on fighting the war on terrorists, and that’s what was needed at that time. > Yes or no? I shudder to think of a President or twist of history that would make me feel that way. ---
**Author:** ![fortytwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f9ae1b/32.png) [@fortytwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fortytwo)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2005, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gwb-tired-of-being-president/320016/37 "2005-09-05T10:27:24Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I shudder to think of a President or twist of history that would make me feel that way. I was hoping the mention of “rose tinted spectacles” in my post would obviate the need for using a :rolleyes: He’s not my president and I wish I could say Bush is none of my business but US policies do impact on my country and others. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gwb-tired-of-being-president/320016/38 "2005-09-06T20:10:19Z")
Last year, Jay Leno said something along the lines of: “The President is going to his ranch in Texas to unwind. My question is, when does he ever _wind_?” ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gwb-tired-of-being-president/320016/39 "2005-09-06T20:38:29Z")
> [@Unintentionally Blank](#): > > I figure we’ve got 70% of the population mad at Bush for what they feel he has or hasn’t done… previously, we had 70% of the population mad at [who] Clinton did or did not do… … > > Face it, being Prez is all about making the majority of the public mad. Actually Clinton was a far more popular President than Bush is. Clinton’s approval rating was 65% at the end of his second term. And that’s AFTER all the impeachment circus. By contrast Bush’s approval rating has dropped to 40%. That’s Jimmy Carter territory. If he takes a significant hit from Katrina he’ll be down with Richard Nixon as one of the most disliked Presidents in history. ---
**Author:** ![Rhubarb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/59ef9b/32.png) [@Rhubarb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhubarb)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gwb-tired-of-being-president/320016/40 "2005-09-06T22:44:00Z")
So far, this OP has garnered more replies than anything else I’ve started, so thanks everyone. I think there’s a general consensus that Bush has been Presidenting more and enjoying it less during his second term. But has anyone else had the suspicion that he’s not going to finish his term? My intuition doesn’t reveal the mechanism by which he’ll exit the office, just that it’s a voluntary departure. If anyone knows a reason that I feel this, I’d be glad to hear it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gwb-tired-of-being-president/320016.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gwb-tired-of-being-president/320016.md?page=3)