Posted on 09/10/2004 6:46:40 PM PDT by Indy Pendance
HUNTINGTON, United States (AFP) - President George W. Bush (news - web sites) warned on the eve of the anniversary of the September 11 strikes that the world would face new tragedy if the United States shows weakness in the war on terrorism.
Bush used the third anniversary of the Al-Qaeda attacks on New York and Washington to highlight his security credentials in the campaign for the November 2 presidential election.
"I believe the most solemn duty of the American president is to protect the American people," he told a rally in Huntington, West Virginia.
"If America shows uncertainty and weakness in this decade, the world will drift toward tragedy. This isn't going to happen on my watch," he said in a refrain that has become a popular part of his campaign speech.
Bush said the election "will also determine how America responds to the continuing danger of terrorism."
"I wake up every morning, every morning, thinking about to better protect our country," Bush declared.
He added: "Since the terrible morning of September 11, 2001 we have fought the terrorists across the earth -- not for pride, not for power, but because the lives of our citizens are at stake."
"We know that after September 11, our country must think differently. We must take threats seriously before they fully materialize."
The president hailed progress in Iraq (news - web sites) and Afghanistan (news - web sites) -- conflicts launched since September 11 -- and vowed to make America safe.
He said that in Iraq, "we have led, many have joined and America and the world are safer.
"I will never relent in defending America, whatever it takes."
National security is one of the central themes of the election battle between Bush and Democratic challenger John Kerry (news - web sites). Bush leads Kerry in opinion poll ratings on who is better qualified to counter Al-Qaeda.
But at a rally in St Louis, Missouri on Friday, Kerry accused the Bush administration of "trying to scare Americans" over the war on terror.
"It is real, we've got a war, we've got a problem but we should do more than just talk about it, try to scare people about it and make it a political issue," Kerry charged.
Kerry has repeatedly said he would conduct a more "sensitive" war on terror than Bush. But Republican leaders have gone on the offensive over Kerry's ability to defend the United States.
Vice President Dick Cheney (news - web sites) said Tuesday that there would be a greater risk of a major new attack on the United States if US voters made the "wrong choice" in the November 2 presidential election.
John Edwards (news - web sites), Kerry's vice presidential running mate, accused Cheney of using "scare tactics" in the election campaign.
Bush will return to Washington for the September 11 anniversary on Saturday. He will go to a church service in the capital to mark the moment the hijacked planes hit the World Trade Center towers in New York and the Defense Department headquarters in Washington.
Dozens of protesters gathered near the Big Sandy Superstore Arena before Bush delivered his speech, hoisting signs such as "Kerry/Edwards" and "Were you AWOL 1972-1973 Bush?"
The president again had Zell Miller, a renegade conservative Democrat, at his side for the rally. Miller made a controversial speech attacking Kerry at the Republican convention in New York this month.
Introducing Bush, the senator from Georgia also touted the president's ability to protect the United States. "This election will change forever the course of history," Miller said.
He added that Bush was the "one man I trust to keep my family safe" and praised him for having "the strength to make tough choices".
As Bush took to the podium the cheers turned to a roar. "By the sound of things, it sounds like the herd is thundering," Bush quipped, basking in the warmth of the crowd's welcome.
But -- But -- But the Democrats said that the Republicans can't raise 9-11 or terrorism as an issue!
Finally, someone in government who knows what the ONLY duty of the President is!
Shut up, pansy! Dims have, for decades, been running on scare tactics: Social Security, killing children, the environment, education, etc.
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