Posted on 01/15/2009 3:25:03 PM PST by kristinn
President George W. Bush will address the nation from the East Room of the White House at 8 p.m. EST.
The White House released excerpts of the speech to the media:
Five days from now, the world will witness the vitality of American democracy. In a tradition dating back to our founding, the presidency will pass to a successor chosen by you, the American people. Standing on the steps of the Capitol will be a man whose story reflects the enduring promise of our land. This is a moment of hope and pride for our whole Nation. And I join all Americans in offering best wishes to President-elect Obama, his wife Michelle, and their two beautiful girls.
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Tonight I am filled with gratitude. I thank the American people for the trust you have given me. I thank you for the prayers that have lifted my spirits. And I thank you for the countless acts of courage, generosity, and grace that I have witnessed these past eight years.
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This evening, my thoughts return to the first night I addressed you from this house – September 11, 2001. That morning, terrorists took nearly 3,000 lives in the worst attack on America since Pearl Harbor.
As the years passed, most Americans were able to return to life much as it had been before 9/11. But I never did. Every morning, I received a briefing on the threats to our Nation. And I vowed to do everything in my power to keep us safe.
Over the past seven years, a new Department of Homeland Security has been created. The military, the intelligence community, and the FBI have been transformed. Our Nation is equipped with new tools to monitor the terrorists’ movements, freeze their finances, and break up their plots. And with strong allies at our side, we have taken the fight to the terrorists and those who support them.
There is legitimate debate about many of these decisions. But there can be little debate about the results. America has gone more than seven years without another terrorist attack on our soil. This is a tribute to those who toil day and night to keep us safe – law enforcement officers, intelligence analysts, homeland security and diplomatic personnel, and the men and women of the United States Armed Forces.
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When people live in freedom, they do not willingly choose leaders who pursue campaigns of terror. When people have hope in the future, they will not cede their lives to violence and extremism. So around the world, America is promoting human liberty, human rights, and human dignity. We are standing with dissidents and young democracies, providing AIDS medicine to bring dying patients back to life, and sparing mothers and babies from malaria. And this great republic born alone in liberty is leading the world toward a new age when freedom belongs to all nations.
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For eight years, we have also strived to expand opportunity and hope here at home. Across our country, students are rising to meet higher standards in public schools. A new Medicare prescription drug benefit is bringing peace of mind to seniors and the disabled. Every taxpayer pays lower income taxes. The addicted and suffering are finding new hope through faith-based programs. Vulnerable human life is better protected. Funding for our veterans has nearly doubled. America’s air, water, and lands are measurably cleaner. And the Federal bench includes wise new members like Justice Sam Alito and Chief Justice John Roberts.
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Like all who have held this office before me, I have experienced setbacks. There are things I would do differently if given the chance. Yet I have always acted with the best interests of our country in mind. I have followed my conscience and done what I thought was right. You may not agree with some tough decisions I have made. But I hope you can agree that I was willing to make the tough decisions.
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The decades ahead will bring more hard choices for our country, and there are some guiding principles that should shape our course.
While our Nation is safer than it was seven years ago, the gravest threat to our people remains another terrorist attack. Our enemies are patient, and determined to strike again. America did nothing to seek or deserve this conflict. But we have been given solemn responsibilities, and we must meet them. We must resist complacency. We must keep our resolve. And we must never let down our guard.
At the same time, we must continue to engage the world with confidence and clear purpose. In the face of threats from abroad, it can be tempting to seek comfort by turning inward. But we must reject isolationism and its companion, protectionism. Retreating behind our borders would only invite danger. In the 21st century, security and prosperity at home depend on the expansion of liberty abroad. If America does not lead the cause of freedom, that cause will not be led.
As we address these challenges – and others we cannot foresee tonight – America must maintain our moral clarity. I have often spoken to you about good and evil. This has made some uncomfortable. But good and evil are present in this world, and between the two there can be no compromise.
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Even in the toughest times, we lift our eyes to the broad horizon ahead.
I have confidence in the promise of America because I know the character of our people. This is a Nation that inspires immigrants to risk everything for the dream of freedom. This is a Nation where citizens show calm in times of danger and compassion in the face of suffering.
These virtues give me an unshakable faith in America. We have faced danger and trial, and there is more ahead. But with the courage of our people and confidence in our ideals, this great Nation will never tire … never falter … and never fail.
Should they come attacks on our country will further decimate our economy
God Bless W for all he did for us
Just spare yourself and don’t listen to the callers to cspin.
Come the 20th, millions are going to realize the promotion of freedom we are losing.
Absent minded want for immediate Utopia without thought of personal freedom has led us to this demise.
God be with You President Bush and thank You for your leadership at a time when it was truly required of a leader by all.
You tote an eternal legacy because of your respect of freedom that many will only appreciate with time.
I wouldn't watch Matthews for anything.
Nothing more than one of the many Drive By Buzzards getting a last feast on this President.
It is equally sickening to come here and see so many people getting petty at this moment.
Amen, kristinn
No, grasshopper ... Obama came from you socialists, lieing in New Hampshire and fawning over Hillary!
The party was (perhaps irrepareably) damaged by the complacency that evolved from your continual harangeing and accusing ...
A vialent and evil ATTACK warranted and demanded retaliation ... do you anylize your swing in a barrom before you respond to the guy that broke a beer bottle over your head?
Do you call in your Droogs to aid and abet what you think is a good cause .. someone broke a bottle over your head and you THINK you didn't deserve it?
And Your Jimmeh Cahtah gave us the CRA, that started the loan fiasco, opened the eyes and bravado of the evil entrepreneurs, that stole your 401k ...
No grasshopper ... you are indeed amiss in your findings.
I walked in from work as he was speaking, after listening from the car. I was stricken by his facial demeanor - he looks positively at peace and - changed somehow. God bless him. We will miss him. He has been the “wind beneath our wings”.
It's going to be bad. It wouldn't be so bad, but the VP coming in is a loon. At least Bubba had, uh, oh and Carter had uh, oh, oo... Never mind, it's going to be a long 4 years!
WE will welcome Presidnet Bush and Mrs. Bush back home in Midland on January 20th at Centenial Plaza from 1 :00 to 4:00.
What a great man! Someday the world will learn it as well.
You can thank the rotten to the core Republican congress for not standing with this man. When the liberals and msm attacked him every day, they protected their own asses and never spoke a word in defense of him, including the great (not) John McCain. They are paying the price today and I personally will NEVER give another dime to the Republican party for this very reason.
Chew on this Chrisy ‘Tingle’ Matthews - “Michael Costello: Left on the wrong side of history”
How has it happened that the Left of politics across the world has ended up opposing a foreign policy philosophy of spreading democracy in favour of supporting the traditional conservative agenda of stability, sovereignty and the status quo? Because that is what the Left is doing in its hostile reaction to George W. Bush’s second inaugural address.... Bush said in his second inaugural address: “The survival of liberty in our land increasingly depends on the success of liberty in other lands. So it is the policy of the United States to seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture, with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world.” This is resonant of John F. Kennedy in his inaugural address in 1961, when he said: “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” .... True, Bush and others are over-claiming progress and underestimating the dangers that lie ahead. We accept democracy as normal; it is not. Democracy is the most radical and revolutionary political idea in the world.... The key thing for those on the Left to understand is that intense dislike of Bush and echoes of Vietnam do not make a foreign policy. Bush, Donald Rumsfeld, Bolton - they too will pass. What will go on is the great human desire to be free, which should be at the core of our foreign policy. The great danger for the Left is that its Vietnam and Bush obsessions may mean that it will end up on the wrong side of history.
Oh yes, if you don't agree with Bush, or apologize or make excuses for this utter disaster he's left behind, you must be liberal...
Gezzz
Yes, Thank you Mr. President for keeping this country safe.
**God Bless W for all he did for us**
Once it was God BLESS America
Then it became God HELP America
now it’s
God, you Gave it your BEST SHOT
LOL, Jonny (and you to, RK, for your 'taking a bath' post). We have much in common. I just can't take it anymore. Not from the left or the right. Most of what passes for news these days is so shallow and empty that it gives a new meaning to the word "transparent."
Actually, it's Ohio. Her Mom was lost at Ground Zero and the rest of the story:
OH YES WE WILL SURVIVE. Thanks for that positive note Dog. The circus about to take over will not defeat us, in spite of all the dire forewarnings on FR.
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