Dubya and his magic wand (actual Bush quotes)

[Lisa]

To celebrate the 6th Harry Potter book -- here's George, explaining the limitations of magic in governance. (He seems to think that it works for faith-based programmes, though.)


* * *

I wish I could just wave a magic wand and lower the price at the pump; I'd do that. That's not how it works.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/05/20050516.html

Listen, the energy bill is certainly no quick fix. You can't wave a magic wand. I wish I could.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/04/20050428-9.html

A guy said, why don't you lower gasoline prices, Mr. President? (Laughter.) I said, I wish I could; I wish I could simply wave a magic wand and lower gas prices tomorrow; I'd do that.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/04/20050420-4.html

Just don't hope for some magic response from a faraway government.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/03/20040330-5.html

I've seen the power of faith work magic in people's lives, right here in your neighborhood.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/08/20020814-3.html


Our nation counts on people who have got good heart and good will to say, what can I do to make my neighborhood a better place, instead of hoping that the federal government, in its infinite wisdom, waves a magic wand and there's educational excellence in every school in Georgia.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/03/20010301-1.html


And, finally, I believe we have an opportunity in America to usher in a culture of responsibility, a signal that says loud and clear to our country that each of us are responsible for the decisions we make in life; that if we've got an issue in Billings, Montana, don't hope that the federal government will wave some magic wand and solve -- (applause.)
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/03/20010327.html

I urge you -- I urge you, don't hope that Washington fixes schools, don't hope that the federal government waves some magic wand to make the schools better.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/03/20010309.html

Again, I just want to repeat, please don't hope that the federal government is going to wave a magic wand and there will be educational excellence.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/03/20010301-6.html


In other words, we got more people opening their door and saying, welcome to my home. Those are magical words, aren't they? I think a healthy society is one in which people own something. If you own something you have a stake in the future of your country.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/08/20040811-6.html



And "Big Time" Dick weighs in, too:

Well, on the first part, in terms of what percentage is set aside (for personal retirement accounts), that's subject to debate. There's no absolute magic.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/03/20050322-7.html


To do that, we've got to get it right in terms of federal policy in a number of different areas. There's no one magic silver bullet that solves all problems, but there are several obviously that help. One is in the whole area of taxation.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/10/20041006-20.html