Transcript: President Bush's speech in Halifax today

WhiteHouse.gov ^ | 12/1/04 | Pres. George W. Bush

[Wolfstar]

[In The Crease]

Great speech. Even better hearing it live.

[Grig]

Your Prime Minister, McKenzie King, gave this answer: "We cannot defend our country and save our homes and families by waiting for the enemy to attack us. To remain on the defensive is the surest way to bring the war to Canada. Of course, we should protect our coasts and strengthen our ports and cities against attack," but the Prime Minister went on to say, "we must also go out and meet the enemy before he reaches our shores. We must defeat him before he attacks us, before our cities are laid to waste." McKenzie King was correct then, and we must always remember the wisdom of his words today.

Go W!

[Wolfstar]

It's a very small thing, but there's a typo in the title of this thread. Instead of Bush' it should read Bush's. As I said, a very small thing, but if you have a spare moment, could you kindly correct the title. Thanks.

[Wolfstar]

Yes, I heard it live and thought it was wonderful. I also thought the President was more warmly received than I anticipated he would be.

[OldFriend]

It was a wonderful speech, and well received.

Can't wait for the State of the Union speech.

[Wolfstar]

Go W! Our Dubya rocks!!!

[wannabeyank]

It's too bad Canada has strayed so far from the wisdom of McKenzie King. Liberalism kills.

[Wolfstar]

Thought you'd all enjoy being pinged to the transcript of the President's excellent speech in Halifax today. He was more warmly received that I expected he'd be. He told a couple of great jokes, including one that went over my head since I don't know much about Canada. But the crowd laughed heartily. After the speech, he went down into the audience to shake hands.

[Wolfstar]

Can't wait for the State of the Union speech.

I will especially enjoy seeing the angst of the Dems this coming SOTU event. Do they stand and applaud if the President mentions God, for example. And if he mentions tax reform, the Dems are likely to choke on their own bile. The very prospect of a genuine overhaul of the tax system is enough to make Leftists everywhere quake in their boots.

[youngtory]

It may be a surprise to many but King was a liberal. I think the liberal party during the time of Trudeau and Pearson turned from the John Howard type of liberal party into a socialist party.

[balk]

"It's too bad Canada has strayed so far from the wisdom of McKenzie King. Liberalism kills."

And to think, William Lyon Mackenzie King was a Liberal.

[Ksnavely]

Holy Sh*t that was a good speech. I am impressed. Makes me glad I voted for him. Go W!!!

[Eric in the Ozarks]

The Jean Poutine remark is in reference to a little trick that a Canadian reporter played on Bush when he was first running for president. The reporter asked Bush if he thought (an imaginary) Canadian Premier Jean Poutine (poutine is French fries with cheese, I think) agreed with his policy on such and such, and W responded by saying he was sure the premier did...
Someone correct me if I got this wrong. Anyway, it made for a big laugh up north.

[elbucko]

In the early days of World War II, when the United States was still wrestling with isolationism, Canadian forces were already engaging the enemies of freedom from the Atlantic.

Yes they were and there were Americans among them. Some Americans joined the Royal Canadian Army and some the Royal Canadian Air Force. Many of these American pilots later formed the core for the famous Eagle Squadrons and, subsequently, the 4th. Fighter Group of the US Army Air Corp.

At that time 1940 to 1942, any American that joined a "foreign service" was subject to a $10,000 fine and 5 years in prison by reason of the "Neutrality Act". They went anyway, and I am proud to know some of them.

[wannabeyank]

Sure he was a Liberal, but being a Liberal or a liberal back then was different than it is now.

[Wolfstar]

"Liberal" didn't mean the same thing back then that it does today.

[sgtbono2002]

Laura went home to Thank the White House staff that was working so hard to get the White House ready for Christmas.

Can you imagine Hillary lowering herself to thank a staff person for anything?

Laura has class.

[Wolfstar]

It was truly a fine speech. Got to hand it to him, our Dubya does not back down from something he believes in.

[headsonpikes]

A very gracious speech. Bravo!