If you watched the DNC and now are watching the RNC you are witnessing the culmination of the strategists' best efforts on both sides to communicate what each Party hopes will win the votes of the majority of Americans in the Presidential election. And whether you believe the conventions represent the true picture of the candidates and Parties or not, the outcome of the election will in great part tell which "America" Americans most identify with. John McCain, Rudy Guiliani, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Laura Bush each had both subtle and obvious statements in their speeches that countered statements made by the Democrats last month at their convention. For instance:
McCain: "But there is no avoiding this war. We tried that, and our reluctance cost us dearly. Our choice wasn't between a benign status quo and the bloodshed of war. It was between war and a graver threat. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Not our political opponents. And certainly -- not a disingenuous filmmaker...I believe as strongly today as ever, the mission was necessary, achievable and noble. I salute his (the President) determination to make this world a better, safer, freer place. He has not wavered. He has not flinched from the hard choices. He will not yield. And neither will we. Keep that faith. Keep your courage. Stick together. Stay strong. Do not yield. Do not flinch. Stand up. Stand up with our president and fight. We're Americans. We're Americans, and we'll never surrender. They will." Read full transcript.
Guiliani: "In times of war and danger, as we're now in, Americans should put leadership at the core of their decision. There are many qualities that make a great leader. But having strong beliefs, being able to stick with them through popular and unpopular times, is the most important characteristic of a great leader. Under President Bush, America will lead, not follow. Frankly, I believed then and I believe now that Saddam Hussein, who supported global terrorism, slaughtered thousands and thousands of his own people, permitted horrific atrocities against women, and used weapons of mass destruction -- he was himself a weapon of mass destruction. In any plan to destroy global terrorism, removing Saddam Hussein needed to be removed. President Bush sees world terrorism for the evil that it is" Read full transcript.
Schwarzenegger: "Now, the other party says that we have two Americas. Don't you believe that either. I have visited our troops in Iraq, Kuwait, Bosnia, Germany, and all over the world. I've visited our troops in California, where they train before they go overseas. I have visited our military hospitals. And I tell you this, that our men and women in uniform do not believe there are two Americas. They believe we are one America, and they are fighting for it. We are one America, and President Bush is defending it with all his heart and soul. That's what I admire most about the president. He's a man of perseverance. He's a man of inner strength. He is a leader who doesn't flinch, who doesn't waiver, and does not back down. He knows you don't reason with terrorists. You defeat them." Read full transcript.
Laura Bush: "I could talk about the fact that my husband is the first president to provide federal funding for stem cell research. And he did it in a principled way, allowing science to explore its potential while respecting the dignity of human life. After years of being treated as virtual prisoners in their own homes by the Taliban, the women of Afghanistan are going back to work. After being denied an education, even the chance to learn to read, the little girls in Afghanistan are now in school. Almost every eligible voter -- over 10 million Afghan citizens -- have registered to vote in this fall's presidential election, more than 40 percent of them women.
And wasn't it wonderful to watch the Olympics and see that beautiful Afghan sprinter race in long pants and a T-shirt, exercising her new freedom while respecting the traditions of her country?" Read full transcript.
© Sharon Hughes 2004
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