Hi Everyone.
I happened to catch replays of old political conventions on C-SPAN the other night, and was very surprised to hear then-candidate George W. Bush's acceptance speech.
I admire the Kerry camp's decision to not engage in negative campaigning, but all they would have to do is play candidate Bush's remarks and compare them to what he did once elected to show what kind of a leader he really is.
It's really astounding.
Here are some of my favorite excerpts. Full text available at:
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2000/conventions/republican/transcripts/bush.htmlGovernor Bush delivers remarks at the Republican National Convention
August 3, 2000I am proud to have Dick Cheney by my side.
He is a man -- he is a man of integrity and sound judgment who has proven that public service can be noble service.
American will be proud to have a leader of such character to succeed Al Gore as vice president of the United States.
And we will extend the promise of prosperity to every forgotten corner of this country: to every man and woman, a chance to succeed; to every child, a chance to learn; and to every family, a chance to live with dignity and hope.
Tonight in this hall, we resolve to be the party of -- not of repose but of reform. We will write not footnotes but chapters in the American story. We will add the work of our hands to the inheritance of our fathers and mothers and leave this nation greater than we found it.
We know the test of leadership. The issues are joined. We will strengthen Social Security and Medicare for the greatest generation and for generations to come.
Medicare does more than meet the needs of our elderly; it reflects the values of our society. We will set it on firm financial ground and make prescription drugs available and affordable for every senior who needs them.
Social Security has been called the third rail of American politics, the one you're not supposed to touch because it might shock you. But if you don't touch it, you cannot fix it.
And I intend to fix it.
To the seniors in this country, you earned your benefits, you made your plans, and President George W. Bush will keep the promise of Social Security, no changes, no reductions, no way.
For younger workers, we will give you the option, your choice, to put part of your payroll taxes into sound, responsible investments.
This will mean a higher return on your money in over 30 or 40 years, a nest egg to help your retirement or to pass on to your children.
When this money is in your name, in your account, it's just not a program, it's your property.
Now is the time to give American workers security and independence that no politician can ever take away.
The world needs America's strength and leadership. And America's armed forces need better equipment, better training and better pay.
We will give our military the means to keep the peace, and we will give it one thing more: a commander-in-chief who respects our men and women in uniform and a commander-in-chief who earns their respect.
A generation shaped by Vietnam must remember the lessons of Vietnam: When America uses force in the world, the cause must be just, the goal must be clear, and the victory must be overwhelming.
I will work to reduce nuclear weapons and nuclear tension in the world, to turn these years of influence into decades of peace. And at the earliest possible date, my administration will deploy missile defenses to guard against attack and blackmail.
This is what I mean by compassionate conservatism. And on this ground, we will lead our nation.
We will give low-income Americans tax credits to buy the private health insurance they need and deserve.
We will transform today's housing rental program to help hundreds of thousands of low-income families find stability and dignity in a home of their own.
And in the next bold step of welfare reform, we will support the heroic work of homeless shelters and hospices, food pantry and crisis pregnancy centers, people reclaiming their communities block by block and heart by heart.
Yet, government can take the side of these groups, helping the helper, encouraging the inspired. My administration will give taxpayers new incentives to donate to charity, encourage after-school programs that build character, and support mentoring groups that shape and save young lives.
We must help protect our children in our schools and streets, and by finally and strictly enforcing our nation's gun laws.
But most of all, we must teach our children the values that defeat violence. I will lead our nation toward a culture that values life -- the life of the elderly and sick, the life of the young and the life of the unborn.
... we're learning to protect the natural world around us. We will continue this progress, and we will not turn back.
Corporations are responsible to treat their workers fairly and to leave the air and waters clean.
I believe in tolerance, not in spite of my faith, but because of it.
I believe in a God who calls us not to judge our neighbors but to love them.
I believe in grace because I've seen it, and peace because I've felt it, and forgiveness because I've needed it.
After all of the shouting and all of the scandal, after all the bitterness and broken faith, we can begin again.
Our country is ready for high standards and new leaders, and it won't be long now.
God bless. God bless America.
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