Quotes from John Engler

We didn't pass any constitutional amendments that affected the executive branch while I was governor.

Sometimes it is better to begin the journey, to get under way, then it is to sit back and wait until such time that you're convinced that all conditions are perfect and that there'll be no surprises along the route.

I kept telling everyone I wasn't going to Washington to stay. I go to visit.

I'm a compassionate conservative.

I just have a position that any child that's in a failing school should be able to get out, or be in a position to have that school fixed.

I created no authority that wasn't already there under the constitution.

The greatest luck that I've had has been the ability to find men and women who came into my administration who worked with me and brought extraordinary talents that we were able to take full advantage of.

I had made a decision early on that we were going to do the right things and that if they worked we were going to be very successful. And if for some reason they didn't, all the claims and the protestations and the excuses wouldn't make any difference.

We have broken the cycle of dependency. People have found out they're better off working.

I care about the children of Detroit.

I think we've got outstanding teaching in Michigan classrooms.

I'm very pleased with the job President Bush is doing and he's off to a terrific start.

Believe me, I'm not going to try to get into testing.

And there should not be a limit on the creation of new public schools. We ought to expand choices for parents.

I've been in the legislative branch and now the executive branch and in each case I felt it was important we use our constitutional responsibilities to the fullest.

I wish we could have acted quicker on Detroit or other failing schools.

The parent knows instinctively that if they're working and setting an example for their child that means that child is more likely to be in school, more likely to stay out of trouble and more likely to complete their education.

Michigan is also the only industrial state that has a AAA credit rating.

Nobody gets any guarantees.

Redistricting is one of the purest actions a legislative body can take.

You win by working hard, making tough decisions and building coalitions.

The asbestos problem impacts everyone.

As governor, I learned the importance of having an agenda.

Manufacturers account for nearly 60 percent of all industrial research and development.