Shock, confusion, fear, anger, grief, and defiance. On Sept. 11, 2001, and for the three days following the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil, President George W. Bush led with raw emotion that reflected the public's whipsawing stages of acceptance.

Ron Fournier

Acceptance Anger Attack Bush Confusion Days Defiance Emotion Fear Following George George W Grief Led President Public Raw Reflected Sept Shock Soil Stages Terrorist Terrorist Attack Three Worst

Related Quotes

The biggest terrorist in the world is George W. Bush,

— Cindy Sheehan

BiggestBushGeorge

Typically, terrorist attacks produce a rally-around-the flag effect as was the case after 9/11 and the huge outpouring of public support that then-President George W. Bush garnered.

— Peter Bergen

AfterAttacksBush

George W. Bush is not only a great president; he was a great candidate.

— Ed Gillespie

BushCandidateGeorge

The fact that we haven't faced another major terrorist attack on American soil since Sept. 11 is a very significant achievement, and one that's easy to forget - it's the dog that doesn't bark.

— Alex Berenson

AchievementAmericanAnother

When the president decides something on Monday, he still believes it on Wednesday - no matter what happened Tuesday.

— Stephen Colbert