Remarks by retired Army General H. Norman Schwarzkopf:
Exactly 10 years ago tomorrow, Iraq invaded Kuwait. Our commander in chief, President George Bush, declared to the world that we would, quote, ''not let this aggression stand.''
We drew a line in the sand. We told Iraq either withdraw its troops or get kicked out. Despite opposition from many in his own Congress, the president almost singlehandedly forged a coalition of 40 nations that led to a great victory with minimum casualties.
... If American forces are called into action again, we must make sure that they go into battle as well equipped, well trained, and highly motivated as the men and women of Desert Storm. Unfortunately, that may not be the case today.
... We must do better for the great men and women who defend our country today. And we owe it to them and to those who we honor tonight.
Knowing this and recalling Operation Desert Storm, I can't help asking myself, wouldn't it be great for our armed forces and for America if we could have another commander in chief named George Bush with Dick Cheney on his team?
Remarks by former Cabinet secretary and GOP presidential hopeful Elizabeth Dole:
... The next president of the United States must defend both America's interests and America's ideals. No one, no one understands this better than Governor George W. Bush.
In an era of rampant cynicism and indifference toward government, he is determined to bring civility to the public square and restore our pride in our leaders.
Throughout his career, he has appealed to the best in people, bridging our differences rather than exploiting them. ... And make no mistake, there are divisions in liberty's home.
Tonight, too many of our neighbors are hurting. At a time of economic prosperity, there are too many American homes without hope, too many street corners where despair reigns, too many classrooms where children are being left behind.
... Like any good conservative, Governor Bush deplores waste - above all else, wasted lives. ... He knows there is no strength without integrity, no security apart from strong character. For these timeless values, ladies and gentlemen, form our first line of defense. Let this be our mission and our mandate - to defend frontiers of the heart, armed with faith and steeled by conviction.
Remarks by former presidential candidate Senator John S. McCain, Republican of Arizona:
... I think each of us senses that America, for all our prosperity, is in danger of losing the best sense of herself, that there's a purpose to being an American beyond materialism. Cynicism is suffocating the ideals of many Americans, especially among our young. And with cause, for they have lost pride in their government. ...
National pride will not endure the people's contempt for government, and national pride is as indispensable to the happiness of Americans as is our self-respect.
When we quit seeing ourselves as part of something greater than our self-interests, then civic love gives way to the temptations of selfishness, bigotry and hate. ...
To achieve the necessary changes to the practices and institutions of our democracy, we need to be a little less content. We need to get riled up a bit and stand up for the values that made America great. Rally to this new patriotic challenge or lose forever America's extraordinary ability to see around the corner of history. ...
It's easy to forget in politics where principle ends and selfishness begins. It takes leaders of courage and character to remember the difference. Tomorrow our party will nominate such a leader. George W. Bush believes in the greatness of America and the justice of our cause. ...
I say to all Americans - Republican, Democrat, or Independent - if you believe America deserves leaders with a purpose more ennobling than expediency and opportunism, then vote for Governor Bush. ...
I support him, I am grateful to him, and I am proud of him. He's a good man from a good family that has, in good times and bad, dedicated themselves to America.
