Ted Kennedy in Decision Points, by Pres. George W. Bush

On Education: Worked with George W. Bush on No Child Left Behind

Sen. Ted Kennedy had sent signals that he was interested in my school reform proposal, No Child Left Behind. Ted and I were both appalled by the results coming from our public schools. In the competitive global economy, good jobs demanded knowledge and skills. A letter arrived in the Oval Office:

"Like you, I have every intention of getting things done, particularly in education and health care. We will have a difference or two along the way, but I look forward to some important Rose Garden signings.
Warm regards, Ted Kennedy"

I was excited. No Child Left Behind stood a much better chance of becoming law with support from the Lion of the Senate. It was the beginning of my most unlikely partnership in Washington.

Over the years, No Child Left Behind prompted plenty of controversy. We modified bureaucratic restrictions and increased flexibility for states. But we would not dilute the accountability measures. The purpose of the law was to reveal the truth, even when it was unpleasant.

Source: Decision Points, by Pres. George W. Bush, p.273-275 Nov 9, 2010

On War & Peace: Iraq is George Bush's Vietnam

Shortly after the 2006 elections, I invited a group of senior lawmakers to the Oval Office. Afterwards, I pulled Ted Kennedy aside. Unfortunately, our relationship had deteriorated since the days of No Child Left Behind. I knew Ted disagreed with my decision to remove Saddam Hussein. But I was disappointed by his vitriolic speeches, in which he claimed I had "broken the basic bond of trust with the American people," compared me to Richard Nixon, and called Iraq "George Bush's Vietnam."

His harsh words were such a contrast to the affable, polite man I'd come to know. I was particularly surprised given that Ted had been on the receiving end of so many nasty political attacks over the years. One of my regrets is that I never sat down with Ted for a talk about the war. I wouldn't have changed his mind, but he was a decent man, and our discussion might have persuaded him to tone down his rhetoric.

Source: Decision Points, by Pres. George W. Bush, p.304 Nov 9, 2010

The above quotations are from Decision Points, by George W. Bush . Click here for other excerpts from Decision Points, by George W. Bush . Click here for other excerpts by Ted Kennedy. Click here for a profile of Ted Kennedy.
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Page last updated: Aug 18, 2011