Quotes By John Bolton

When you have a regime that would be happier in the afterlife than in this life, this is not a regime that is subject to classic theories of deterrence.

The Nobel Peace Prize has become hopelessly politicized. I think it cheapens the prize itself.

Well, I'm a libertarian conservative, so I believe in limited government/maximum individual freedom.

Don't get me wrong: I would love to be president.

I have decided not to run for president.

Diplomacy is not an end in itself if it does not advance U.S. interests.

If Iran obtains nuclear weapons, then almost certainly Saudi Arabia will do the same, as will Egypt, Turkey and perhaps others in the region.

Everybody pursues their national interests. The only one who gets blamed for it is the United States.

Politicians, like generals, have a tendency to fight the last war.

I'm not sure history has ended.

I haven't given up on the possibility that sweet reason will prevail.

I don't much believe in bumper sticker characterizations of foreign policy.

There's no such thing as the United Nations. If the U.N. secretary building in New York lost 10 stories, it wouldn't make a bit of difference.

I want to make sure that, not only in the Republican Party but in the body politic as a whole, people are aware of threats that remain to the United States.

I am not a professional politician.

There is no excuse for waste, fraud, and abuse in the Defense Department budget.

There's no religious test under the constitution. That's what it says. Period.

It's very personal in its politics, very bitter and very negative.

Well, you could take several stories off the buildings of most U.S. government agencies and we'd all probably be better for it too.

Every country has an aspect to it that rubs up people the wrong way.

I don't think I would have to run a campaign that's financed like General Motors.

It's not natural disasters that are to blame for the deprivation of the North Korean people, but the failed policies of Kim Jong Il.

North Korea is going to get away with keeping its nuclear weapons.

My priority is to give the United States the kind of influence it should have.

I've never attended any Tea Party functions.

I'm obviously aware that people are quite focused on the economy rather than foreign policy issues, but that is something that should and can be altered as people see the nature of the threats around the world that we face.

I don't think Hamas will be satisfied simply ruling the Gaza Strip.

My philosophy is not a bean-counting, accounting 'look at this.' It is a philosophy that smaller government is better government, and government that is closer to the people is best of all.

I don't think there is any good answer to the question why shouldn't gays and lesbians who want to serve their country be allowed to do it.

A lot of people have said to me, 'That's a great idea, running for president. You'll get booked for more speeches. You can write a book.'