Do as I say, not as I do, Part IV

Just as I remember it:

October 2000

LEHRER: Should the people of the world look at the United States, Governor, and say — should they fear us? Should they welcome our involvement? Should they see us as a friend to everybody in the world? How do you — how would you project us around the world, as president?

BUSH: Well, I think they ought to look at us as a country that understands freedom, where it doesn’t matter who you are or how you’re raised or where you’re from, that you can succeed. I don’t think they ought to look at us with envy.

It really depends upon how our nation conducts itself in foreign policy. If we’re an arrogant nation, they’ll resent us. If we’re a humble nation but strong, they’ll welcome us.

And our nation stands alone right now in the world in terms of power. And that’s why we’ve got to be humble and yet project strength in a way that promotes freedom.

So I don’t think they ought to look at us in any other than what we are. We’re a freedom loving nation. And if we’re an arrogant nation, they’ll view us that way. But if we’re a humble nation, they’ll respect us as an honorable nation….

LEHRER: Does that give us — does our wealth, our good economy, our power, bring with it special obligations to the rest of the world?

BUSH: …Yes, we do have an obligation in the world, but we can’t be all things to all people. We can help build coalitions, but we can’t put our troops all around the world. We can lend money, but we’ve got to do it wisely. We shouldn’t be lending money to corrupt officials. So we got to be guarded in our generosity.