President Bush pressed home to the nation his case for a second Bush-Cheney term in office in his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention on its final night. After outlining his domestic ambitions and criticizing his rival he turned his attention to international policy, saying war on terror policies had spurred changes that made the world safer. "I am running ... with a clear and positive plan to build a safer world, and a more hopeful America," he told a cheering crowd, echoing the night's theme. Full story | Blog, Day 4
NOTE: All Times Eastern and subject to change
8 p.m.
Rep. Henry Bonilla of Texas called the final night of the Republican National Convention to order, followed by the pledge of allegiance led by former Olympic athletes Mary Lou Retton and Kerri Strug. Ice skating icon Dorothy Hamill and NFL Hall of Famer Lynn Swann -- who is also the chairman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports -- touted the benefits of physical fitness and acknowledged the U.S. success at the recent Olympics.
Retired Gen. Tommy Franks, who led U.S. troops in Iraq, threw support behind President Bush and advised Americans to "choose wisely" in November. Declaring Bush a strong commander in chief in the war on terrorism, Franks said, "I choose George W. Bush because we know that the next 200 years of American history will depend on the decisions our nation makes today."
Hailing President Bush as a man of "supreme guts," New York Gov. George Pataki took the stage to illustrate the commander in chief's leadership abilities and character. "This is no ordinary time and George W. Bush is no ordinary leader." The three-term governor also praised New York and the nation's triumphant spirit in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, attacks. "This great state rolled up its sleeves, looked terrorism straight in the face, and spat in its eye."
Formally accepting the party's nomination, President Bush took the stage on the final night of the convention to outline his plans for another term in office. He spoke on his record as a war-time commander in chief and the nation's security, but also focused on domestic agenda goals, including simplifying the tax code, increasing funds for job training, improving schools and passing medical liability reform measures. "We are on the path to the future," he said. "And we are not turning back."
President Bush pressed home to the nation his case for a second Bush-Cheney term in office in his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention on its final night. After outlining his domestic ambitions and criticizing his rival he turned his attention to international policy, saying war on terror policies had spurred changes that made the world safer. "I am running ... with a clear and positive plan to build a safer world, and a more hopeful America," he told a cheering crowd, echoing the night's theme.
