After a slightly shaky start, U.S. President George W. Bush earned widespread praise for rising to the challenge posed by the terror attacks. He displayed many traits associated with a great leader. But fine rhetoric was not among them.

"I'm not gonna fire a $2-million missile at a $10 empty tent and hit a camel in the butt." Sept. 13, Washington, D.C.

"They misunderestimated the fact that we love a neighbour in need. They misunderestimated the compassion of our country. I think they misunderestimated the will and determination of the Commander-in-Chief too." Sept. 26, Langley, Va.

"I am here to make an announcement that, this Thursday, ticket counters and airplanes will fly out of Ronald Reagan Airport."Oct. 2, Arlington, Va.

"We are fully committed to working with both sides to bring the level of terror down to an acceptable level for both." Oct. 2, Washington, D.C.

"There's no doubt in my mind, not one doubt in my mind, that we will fail." Oct. 4, Washington, D.C.

"You know, if you find a person that you've never seen before getting in a crop duster that doesn't belong to you, report it." Oct. 11, Washington, D.C.

"This is not an instant gratification war." Nov. 2, Washington, D.C.

"But all in all, it's been a fabulous year for Laura and me." Dec. 21, Washington, D.C.

"My trip to Asia begins here in Japan for an important reason. It begins here because, for a century and a half now, America and Japan have formed one of the great and enduring alliances of modern times." Feb. 18, Tokyo

"I understand that the unrest in the Middle East creates unrest throughout the region." March 13, Washington, D.C.

"We're a peaceful nation and moving along just right and just kind of having a time, and all of a sudden, we get attacked and now we're at war, but we're at war to keep the peace." March 13, Washington, D.C.

"The best way to fight evil is to do some good. Let me qualify that - the best way to fight evil at home is to do some good. The best way to fight them abroad is to unleash the military." April 8, Knoxville, Tenn.

"Whether you're here by birth, or whether you're in America by choice, you contribute to the vitality of our life." May 17, Washington

"I'd rather have them sacrificing on behalf of our nation than, you know, endless hours of testimony on congressional hill." June 4, Fort Meade, Md.

"I can assure you we won't be putting money into a society which is not transparent and corrupt. And I suspect other countries won't either." July 6, Kananaskis, Alta.

"What I do believe the American people understand is that weapons of mass destruction in the hands of leaders such as Saddam Hussein are very dangerous for ourselves." Aug. 10, Waco, Tex.

"There's no bigger task than protecting the homeland of our country. That's my most important job. I spend a lot of time thinking about it." Aug. 23, Stockton, Calif.

"That's what distinguishes us from many other countries, that we welcome people from all walks of life. We proudly call you an American. We don't say, show us your birth certificate, how you're born, where you're born; you're American and we love you for being in America." Aug. 23, Santa Ana, Calif.

"There's no cave deep enough for America, or dark enough to hide." Aug. 29, Oklahoma City, Okla.

Gathered by Alasdair McKie