Bush Quote by Lawrence Eagleburger
![“If George Bush [Jr.] decided he was going to turn the troops loose on Syria and Iran after that he would last in office for about 15 minutes. In fact if President Bush were to try that now even I would think that he ought to be impeached. You can't get away with that sort of thing in this democracy.” quote by Lawrence Eagleburger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f71/lawrence-eagleburger-19898_bush_if-george-bush-jr-decided-he-was-going-t_38824.jpg)
“If George Bush [Jr.] decided he was going to turn the troops loose on Syria and Iran after that he would last in office for about 15 minutes. In fact if President Bush were to try that now even I would think that he ought to be impeached. You can't get away with that sort of thing in this democracy.”
About This Quote
The speaker warns that unilateral military aggression by a U.S. president would be swiftly condemned and could trigger impeachment, underscoring democratic accountability.
In simple terms: Democracy limits executive war powers.
Key Takeaway
Unchecked aggression invites removal.
Themes
political accountability
civil-military relations
democratic norms
executive overreach
impeachment
foreign policy
Mood
cautious
critical
urgent
Type
political commentary
warning
opinion
When to use this quote
- a president ordering unapproved strikes
- a leader defying congressional war authorization
- a democratic society reacting to executive overreach
Key Concepts
civilian control of the military
constitutional checks and balances
presidential war powers
Practical Applications
- policy brief on war powers
- public advocacy for congressional oversight
Questions to Reflect On
- What mechanisms ensure a president cannot unilaterally start wars?
- How does public opinion shape the limits of executive power?
A Different Perspective
Some argue that swift executive action can be necessary in emergencies, but the quote stresses that such actions must still respect democratic processes.
