Republican National Convention - September 4, 2008 Highlights Part I

Remarks As Prepared for Delivery: Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist

Source: http://portal.gopconvention2008.com/speech/details.aspx?id=74

Thursday, September 04, 2008

A few years back, I was in Southern Sudan.

Late one afternoon, walking down a dusty, rural road, a family approached - a mother with a yellow jug of water on her head and a baby swaddled across her back.

She was following two young children, who were playfully spinning an old bicycle wheel with a stick.

The children came over and greeted me.

The older child said, "My name is America."

I said, "America? I love your name, that's where I'm from.

How did you get your name... "America?"

Glancing up at his mother with pride, the boy explained, "My mom named me 'America' because an American doctor saved our lives the day I was born.

"Without America, I would not be alive."

There are millions of other children around the world like "America," thanks to the volunteer spirit of everyday citizens and Republican leadership that made this cause a priority.

This medical diplomacy transforms hearts and minds and revolutionizes how people of the world see us.

Health is the foundation for strong families and for prosperous societies. Health builds trust, and health bridges divides.

That's why America's investment in medical diplomacy is a long-term investment in national security.

Health is a currency for peace.

I'm proud to tell you that it was a Republican president and a Republican-led Congress that launched our nation's historic initiative to fight AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis in the world's poorest countries - the greatest global health commitment in history.

Has it made a difference? Oh yes! In just six years, the number of Africans on life-saving treatment jumped from 50,000 to over 2 million! The incidence of malaria has been slashed by two-thirds in some countries. Today, 20 million more children are in school.

But much work remains to be done.

HIV/AIDS continues to hollow out entire generations of people at the prime of their lives. It's easy for people to lose hope.

And when they do, the vacuum is filled with desperation, instability, and - yes, the seeds of terrorism.

John McCain understands that health diplomacy can be a powerful antidote to terrorism.

John McCain knows you don't go to war with someone who has saved the life of your child.

Six weeks ago, Cindy McCain and I were in the small, central African country of Rwanda, a country where, in 1994, an extremist government slaughtered over a million people in the worst human catastrophe since the Holocaust.

In a meeting with local leaders, I asked who in the room was actually in Rwanda at the time of the genocide.

Few raised their hands - but Cindy McCain did.

You see, at a time when most of the world looked away, Cindy was there, on the ground - with medical relief, a huge heart, and open arms.

Through more than 50 similar medical missions, Cindy McCain has brought comfort to those in anguish, serving as America's most passionate ambassador for peace.

John McCain understands that entrepreneurship and sustainable economic growth bloom where there is democracy, accountability, and free markets.

Using innovative new institutions like the Millennium Challenge Corporation, he will make certain that U.S. aid will not be squandered by corrupt foreign governments, or wasted by inefficient bureaucracies.

It will go to the people in need.

John McCain understands that health and responsible international assistance are core components of our strategy for national security.

They become the foundation for enduring peace.

John McCain understands that we can be the generation to make extreme poverty... history.

John McCain will lead with compassion and urgency to save lives, to show America's greatness, and to spread peace through health, one child at a time, for a better, safer world... for us all.

God bless you, and God bless the children of the world.


Remarks As Prepared for Delivery: Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty

Source: http://portal.gopconvention2008.com/speech/details.aspx?id=73

Thursday, September 04, 2008

Thank you.

We're so glad we're in Minnesota.

How do we measure the content of a person's character? How do we recognize their fitness to serve?

Barack Obama gives a good speech.

But the best sermons aren't preached, they're lived.

John McCain's whole life is a testimony to service, duty, courage and common sense. John McCain has walked the walk, and he has always put our country first!

When he showed guts and courage as a Prisoner of War, John McCain put our country first!

When he stood up to special interests, and fought against earmarks and pork-barrel spending in Congress, John McCain put our country first!

When he saw the need to change strategy in Iraq and boldly called for the surge, John McCain put our country first!

When he responded to our energy crisis with an all-of-the-above energy plan, John McCain put our country first!

And when John McCain is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States, we know he will always put our country first!

We've seen in this man the very best our country has to offer.

I recently traveled with John to Iraq, a nation whose destiny he helped change.

I saw first-hand how he loves and admires our troops.

And I saw how they love and admire him.

They know how he personally understands the costs of war.

They also know how committed he is to doing whatever it takes to ensure they come home with honor and victory.

We live in a dangerous world.

With John McCain as President, there will be no misunderstanding about where America stands and what we stand for.

John McCain is tough -- but he's also compassionate. I've gotten to know John, and I can tell you he is a Purple Heart recipient with a heart of gold.

He understands the concerns of everyday Americans like you and me.

What I like to call "Sam's Club Republicans."

These voters are on a tight budget.

They're looking for value and accountability at the store. And they're looking for value and accountability from their government.

John McCain connects with Sam's Club voters.

He gets it.

He will force government to live within its means, just like families do.

He knows that small businesses are the job growth engine for our country.

He knows the last thing they need is MORE taxes.

John also understands that health care costs are budget busters for too many American families.

He'll provide help but will put consumers and their doctors in charge, not the federal government.

John also knows it's getting tougher for us to afford to fill-up at the pump.

His energy plan is classic McCain - bold and aggressive.

In this time, we don't need a president who can just read a poll or momentarily thrill a crowd.

We don't need rhetoric or empty promises.

We need a president who has the integrity and courage to make the tough choices so America will be stronger and safer.

I believe the times call out great leaders.

This time, our time, calls out for John McCain.


U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback (KS)

Source: http://portal.gopconvention2008.com/speech/details.aspx?id=76

Thursday, September 04, 2008
Xcel Energy Center

John McCain is a friend of mine, a colleague and an inspiration.

He comes from the Teddy Roosevelt wing of the Republican Party.

Bold and aggressive.

Given to action more than words. That's the way John lives.

From the halls of the Naval Academy, to the hole of the Hanoi Hilton -- from confronting cancer to making history with his Vice Presidential selection -- John McCain lives for something bigger than himself.

It's not about him... it's about us and taking that difficult path that has always been required for this nation to be what it was meant to be.

This is the most powerful nation in the history of mankind.

We have liberated more nations, invested more in research and development, cured more diseases, fed more people, produced more technology, explored more, and saved more lives than any other nation in history.

These accomplishments are all the product of our greatness.

The source of our greatness has always been the American People, who have lived for something bigger than they are.

In this historic nation, John McCain is a history maker, and with selecting Sarah Palin, a history breaker. But that's not what I like most about John McCain.

What I like is that he does what he tells you he'll do... even if it hurts him.

He's always working to make the team around him better and give the glory to them. Last week in Denver, the other party was encouraging us to "believe." They told America over and over, "Yes we can." But when you look at the past two years with Democrats controlling the House and Senate, all we've seen is, "NO we can't."

They said we can't reach energy independence by finding new sources of oil and gas in our own country.

We can't cut spending.

We can't have a health care system run by doctors and patients instead of a federal bureaucracy.

They say we can't win the war in Iraq.

While the other side may say "yes we can" and then votes "no you won't" -- John McCain says "yes we will."

Are we going to achieve energy independence with conservation, renewables, biofuels, and new domestic production of oil and gas?

Yes we will.

Are we going to develop more nuclear energy, clean coal technology, and the wind energy we need to generate the power to keep our nation running?

Yes we will.

Are we going to have a health care system that works for patients and doctors and not for a bureaucracy?

Yes we will.

Are we going to cut taxes and reform the tax code to improve this economy?

Yes we will.

Are we going to give love and respect to the unborn child, regardless of whether that child has Down syndrome or is born into poverty?

Yes we will.

Are we going to keep nuclear weapons out of the hands of Iran?

Yes we will.

Are we going to win in Iraq?

Yes we will.

Are we going to keep America a shining city on a hill full of hope and optimism?

Yes we will.

Ladies and gentlemen, I believe in American exceptionalism.

That this is a special land and that to whom much is given much is required.

We are blessed to be a blessing.

But for America to fulfill its God-given destiny, we need leaders to help take us there.

Leaders who deny themselves the pleasures of the moment to pursue the joy of serving others.

John McCain is one of those leaders.

You know, John McCain is easy to understand.

He loves America and feels a duty to his very core to serve this nation he so loves.

So when John McCain stands up on the west side of the Capitol to take the oath of office as the 44th President of the United States ...

He will put his left hand on the bible and raise his right hand about this high.

He can't raise it any higher because of the broken bones he suffered in Vietnam serving his country and standing up for his men.

I don't know about you, but where I come from that's called true grit.

He'll give that same level of commitment, courage and true grit to being President of the United States of America!

May God so bless us; and may God continue to bless the United States of America!!


Remarks as Prepared for Delivery: Former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge



Source: http://portal.gopconvention2008.com/speech/details.aspx?id=80

Thursday, September 04, 2008
Xcel Energy Center

Thank you. Tonight I speak to you with a grateful heart and enormous pride.

I speak to you as one friend about another.

About a proven leader... a world statesman... an untiring and effective public servant. I speak to you about a warrior...who has sometimes stood alone... or shown the way... in fighting for the most vulnerable of our citizens... for the country he so dearly loves... and for the founding principles we all so deeply cherish.

I speak to you about a friend - who was first pointed out to me - in the same way he is proudly pointed out wherever he goes today - "That's John McCain."

John and I have been friends for 26 years.

Both of us got elected to Congress in 1982 and both of us are Vietnam veterans.

Some might say that is our common bond. For certainly the Vietnam experience is a uniting one.
But I would also say that our friendship blossomed over many a laugh as we told jokes that only we thought were funny.

Over many a moment boasting about our children.

And over many a conversation about our country and the world in which we both feel so privileged to live and to serve.

It was only a little more than a year ago - in August of 2007 - that I drove to John's office to offer an encouraging word.

You all remember that time.

It was really rough going for the campaign. Some were ready to count John out.

Some questioned his resolve.

Some wondered and waited for the white flag of surrender.

Having rehearsed my pep talk... I walked into John's office... put my arm around him... and asked, "Hey - how are you doing?"

He paused for a moment.

From his shoulders came a quick shrug.

Then he looked at me and said, "Tom, you and I both know I've been through worse."

We sat down... he spread some papers across a table... and said, "NOW - let me tell you how I think we can win."

He talked strategy... a way forward... next steps.

And later I would leave my friend's office thinking what I share with you tonight - "That's John McCain."

Where some people see adversity, John McCain accepts a challenge.

Where some people see a crisis, John McCain creates an opportunity.

Where some people see defeat, John McCain pursues victory.

John knows - the purpose of elections is not merely to win.

You run to win... but you win to govern.

So who of our two candidates is the most qualified to govern the freest, strongest, most blessed nation on Earth?

Who but John McCain understands that America's security and prosperity will - now and forever more - be tied to the security and prosperity of the rest of the world?

Who but John McCain has the experience... the sheer will... the steady hand... and the informed judgment to advance our economic and political interests during these perilous 21st century times? And who but John McCain - and only John McCain - can negotiate from a position of strength and proven ability - because he's already earned the trust... respect... and admiration of our friends and allies around the world? And I suspect he has the attention of those who would oppose us.

Now more than ever we need a leader who fits the times - not a candidate who merely thinks it's his time to lead.

For the consideration before us is not about who can take a 3 a.m. call.

It's about who has answered the call throughout his life.

It's not about building a record.

It's about having one.

It's not about talking pretty.

It's about talking straight.

The challenge of our times is not simply to change.

The challenge of our time is to leave nothing to chance.

More than 230-plus years ago, a group of leaders - some people called them mavericks - dared to think differently, dared to act boldly and dared to believe its future leaders would preserve, honor and protect the great land of the free.

Today - we have a leader - some people call him a maverick - who for his country, has put his life on the line.

Who for his country, leads with his conscience.

Who for his country, has worked to preserve, honor and protect the great land of the free.

That's John McCain.

John dares to think differently, to act boldly and to put country before self.

He dares to believe that we are all called to serve as long as we call ourselves free.

He dares to embrace the founding principle that our responsibility to one another extends from a national crisis to an individual need - from nation to nation - community to community - in this, the greatest community ever formed.

So may we rise to the occasion, to the moment, to the vision of our Founding Fathers.

May we summon ourselves to our best efforts and call this maverick forward.

Let us elect a man who has firmly and unequivocally laid out his vision of where this country can go.

Who offers a better way...a better day...and a greater say - for all who call this great country home.

That's John McCain.

Let us elect a public servant who refuses to think in terms of red versus blue - but only in terms of red, white and blue.

That's John McCain.

An artful leader... a diplomat... a tenacious legislator.

Say it with me!

That's John McCain!

Someone who speaks truth to power, truth to the American people, and rises above politics to get things done.

That's John McCain.

A consensus builder, a reformer - the patriot who always puts his country first.

That's John McCain!

A Reagan conservative...an optimist...

America's go-to guy.

That's John McCain!

That's John McCain.

That's John McCain.

I am so very proud to say... 'that is my friend - John McCain.'

The next president of the United States.

The next Commander-in-Chief.

Ready to lead.

Ready to serve.

Ready to deliver.

God bless you, John.

God bless you all.

And may God continue to bless our brave troops who serve our country so well.

Thank You.