Harry Potter and the Maladjusted Muggle (Bush's "magic" quotes)

[Lisa]

No direct Potter references, but the thought of Dubya brandishing a magic wand in an attempt to lower gas prices, say, is an amusing picture.




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

You know, I know gas prices are high. There's no magic wand to wave.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/04/20060424-5.html

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


If you're worried about the quality of the education in which you -- in the community in which you live, you're responsible for doing something about it. Just don't hope for some magic response from a faraway government.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/03/20040330-5.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

It's a magical moment in the history of liberty.
(referring to the Iraqi elections -- which were more about hard work and human bloodshed than "magic")
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/01/20060123-4.html


More minorities are owning their homes than ever before. 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.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/08/20040811-6.html