Remarks by the President to the Republican National Convention

Via Satellite
WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
9:54 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Laura. Good evening. As you know, my
duties have me here in Washington tonight to oversee the federal
government's efforts to help citizens recover from Hurricane Gustav.
We are thankful that the damage in New Orleans and across the Gulf
Coast was less than many had feared.

I commend the governors of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and
Texas for their sure-handed response and seamless coordination with
the federal government. I thank all the wonderful volunteers who
stepped forward to help their brothers and sisters in need. We know
that there is still risk even after the storm has passed. So I ask
citizens across the region to listen closely to local officials and
follow their instructions before returning to their homes. All of us
are keeping the people of the Gulf Coast in our thoughts and our
prayers.

As you gather tonight in St. Paul, I want to share some thoughts
about our nominee -- a great American, and the next President of the
United States, John McCain. (Applause.)

Before I do so, I want to say hello to two people in the hall with
you tonight. I could have no finer examples of character, decency, and
integrity than my mom and dad. And I love you a lot. (Applause.)

I know what it takes to be President. In these past eight years,
I've sat at the Resolute desk and reviewed the daily intelligence
briefings, the threat assessments, and reports from our commanders on
the front lines. I've stood in the ruins of buildings knocked down by
killers, and promised the survivors I would never let them down. I
know the hard choices that fall solely to a President. John McCain's
life has prepared him to make those choices. He is ready to lead this
nation. (Applause.)

From the day of his commissioning, John McCain was a respected
naval officer who made decisions on which the lives of others
depended. As an elected public servant, he earned the respect of
colleagues in both parties as a man to follow when there's a tough
call to make.

John McCain's life is a story of service above self. Forty years
ago in an enemy prison camp, Lieutenant Commander McCain was offered
release ahead of others who had been held longer. His wounds were so
severe that anyone would have understood if he'd accepted. John
refused. For that selfless decision, he suffered nearly five more
years of beatings and isolation. When he was released, his arms had
been broken -- but not his honor. (Applause.)

Fellow citizens: If the Hanoi Hilton could not break John McCain's
resolve to do what is best for his country, you can be sure the angry
left never will. (Applause.)

As the father of seven sons and daughters, John has the heart of a
protector. He and his wonderful wife, Cindy, are adoptive parents.
John is a leader who knows that human life is fragile, that human life
is precious, that human life must be defended. (Applause.)

We've seen John McCain's commitment to principle in our Nation's
Capital. John is a steadfast opponent of wasteful spending. As
President, he will stand up to the high tax crowd in Congress, and
make the tax relief permanent. He will invest in the energy
technologies of tomorrow -- and lift the ban on drilling for America's
offshore oil today. (Applause.)

John is an independent man who thinks for himself. He's not afraid
to tell you when he disagrees. Believe me, I know. (Laughter.) No
matter what the issue, this man is honest and speaks straight from the
heart.

Last year, John McCain's independence and character helped change
history. The Democrats had taken control of Congress and were
threatening to cut off funds for our troops. In the face of calls for
retreat, I ordered a surge of forces into Iraq. Many in Congress said
it had no chance of working. Yet one Senator above all had faith in
our troops and the importance of their mission -- and that was John
McCain. (Applause.) Some told him that his early and consistent call
for more troops would put his presidential campaign at risk. He told
them he would rather lose an election than see his country lose a war.
That is the kind of courage and vision we need in our next
Commander-in-Chief. (Applause.)

My fellow citizens, we live in a dangerous world. And we need a
President who understands the lessons of September the 11th, 2001:
that to protect America, we must stay on the offense, stop attacks
before they happen, and not wait to be hit again. The man we need is
John McCain. (Applause.)

When he takes office next January, John will have an outstanding
leader at his side. America will have a strong and principled Vice
President in the Governor of the great state of Alaska, Sarah Palin.
(Applause.)

In the time the Oval Office has been in my trust, I've kept near
my desk reminders of America's character -- including a painting of a
West Texas mountain lit by the morning sun. It reminds me that
Americans have always lived on the sunrise side of the mountain. We're
a nation that looks to the new day with confidence and optimism. And
I'm optimistic about our future, because I believe in the goodness and
wisdom of the American people. I'm optimistic because I have faith in
freedom's power to lift up all of God's children, and lead this world
to a future of peace.

And I'm optimistic about something else: When the debates have
ended, and all the ads have run, and it is time to vote, Americans
will look closely at the judgment, the experience, and the policies of
the candidates -- and they will cast their ballots for the
McCain-Palin ticket. (Applause.)

While I am not with you in the Twin Cities on this wonderful night
for our party, with Laura Bush speaking, you have clearly traded up.
(Laughter.) I am so proud the American people have come to know her
gracious presence, her determined spirit, and her loving heart. Laura
has been a fantastic First Lady. (Applause.)

Thank you, Laura -- and thanks to all of you in the hall tonight.
God bless you, and God bless America.

END 10:02 P.M. EDT

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