Hypothetical Deliberative Speech Given by George W. Bush

Speech by President Bush

Prospective Deliberative Speech to the Republican National Convention in July, Directed on Television to the American Nation as a Whole

Nods, smiles, acknowledges audience)

My fellow Americans, this November every one of you will be faced with a seemingly simple choice, but a choice that will affect this entire nation's future -- should you vote to change the current administration and vote democratic? Or should you vote Republican and stay the course this nation has followed over the past four years?

We have been through many difficult times together, you and I, my fellow Americans, over the course of my administration. Together, we have weathered a terrible attack on our nation's security, a devastating economic recession, and a just but sorry war against a brutal dictator. The war for our nation's security on all these fronts has yet to be won, but it will be won. The war for our nation's economic expansion has yet to be won, but jobs have been generated and growth has speeded up once again. Iraqi is still feeling the difficult birth-pangs of a nation coming to terms with becoming a pluralistic democracy -- but ultimately, a new democracy within the world's nation of governments will make America and the world a stronger place.

Yes, the attacks of 2001 could have caused our nation to turn tail and live in fear. But we did not live in fear. Instead, with the Homeland Security Act my administration put forth concrete efforts to make our nation's borders safer than they were before. We did not negotiate with terrorists. Our nation did not question our basic values in liberty, democracy, and tolerance, even though the nation had been stricken closer to home than ever before. We all, as Americans, knew that we had to fight, just like those noble men and women on those planes fought the terrorists in their midst, just as the firemen and police fought for the lives of those trapped in the towers.

Some opponents of the protective Home Security Act, passed in the wake of these attacks, have argued it limits American's freedoms. They say, oh, make a call from a pay phone at the ballpark, and it may be tapped. Pay for a sandwich with a credit card, and Uncle Sam will know if you like chunky or smooth peanut butter. Take out a library book and some bureaucrat's going to come knocking at your door because you read the Da Vinci Code. (Laughs a little.)

But we Republicans say, when you board a plane in the next year, have confidence your pilot will be armed and able to deal with a potential attack. Know that the government is keeping tabs on questionable groups attempting to infiltrate our borders. Know that the government has additional powers to declare national health emergencies, necessary precautions given the anthrax scare and SARS, as I think you all will agree. (Chaddock, 2002) Disease knows no political affiliation, ultimately.

The attacks upon the World Trade Towers did have their effects of course, and not just on the minds and lives of the many who lost loved ones at the towers. The attacks had profound economic effects on this nation and the world. Yes, jobs were lost. And yes, some have blamed my administration for this occurrence. (Voice softens.)

But the economy has sprung back at a record pace. U.S. factories saw orders jump in March by the largest amount in more than a year and a half. (Raise voice.) The fewest Americans in three and a half years needed unemployment insurance because of our nation's surging economic recovery. All economic indicators, including the purchase of durable goods, show that consumer confidence is growing. (Department of Commerce Home Page, 2004)

Confidence is growing. And one of the reasons for this confidence is that the world has been rid of a terrible dictator. Saddam Hussein was a threat to the region, as is shown by his destabilizing effect upon the Middle East as a whole. The atrocities he committed against his own people, from his genocidal actions against the ethnic Kurds, to his daily enforcement of his military regime all point to this. From a human rights perspective, and a military perspective, safety and democracy have been restored in Iraq. An interim constitution has been put forth that will lay the foundation for a stable governmental system.

Do not let the disgust and disbelief one feels when seeing the atrocities that occurred during this war mitigate or limit the greatness shown by our men and women in uniform. Think as well of those Iraqis who have been freed from a dictator's terrifying grasp. Think of the horrific abuses perpetrated by Hussein, those who were lost to his regime, of which no images or voices remain, save in the minds of loved ones. (BBC, 2004) As awful and sickening as the images we have seen, at least now when atrocities are perpetuated, they are known to the world, rather than living in darkness and shame, as it was under the regime of Hussein. (BBC, 2004)

The new Iraqi government has a comprehensive bill of rights. It provides for a federal state with two official languages - Arabic and Kurdish. It says Islam will be the official religion and a source of law, but not the primary source of law. And it says it aims for women to make up 25% of the national assembly to be elected next year. (BBC, 2004)