Bush links optimism for Mideast reform to democratic Israel – AP (5/14/08):

President Bush said Wednesday that 60 years of Israel’s existence is cause for optimism for democratic change throughout the Middle East.

Address to a Joint Session of Congress and the American People (9/20/01):

Americans are asking, why do they hate us? They hate what we see right here in this chamber — a democratically elected government. Their leaders are self-appointed. They hate our freedoms — our freedom of religion, our freedom of speech, our freedom to vote and assemble and disagree with each other.