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QUOTE OF THE DAY
President Bush Addresses the American Legislative Exchange Council, Discusses Budget, Education and War on Terror
Philadelphia Marriott
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Thanks for the warm welcome. It's good to be back with my friends here at ALEC. Kenny, thanks. He was a silver-tongued devil when he was a state legislator, he still is as a United States Congressman. I appreciate Kenny Marchant coming from Washington with me today. It's not all that rough a trip when you're on Air Force One, Ken. (Laughter.) I'm glad to get my hot cup of coffee, and visit about the old days of working together in the state -- with the state legislature, and about the challenges we face today. And I'm going to spend a little time talking to you all about those challenges. But I appreciate you coming, Ken.

I'm also proud to be with two members of the Pennsylvania congressional delegation, United States Senator Arlen Specter -- proud you're here, Senator, thanks for coming -- and Congressman Jim Gerlach. (Applause.) When Kenny and I were reminiscing about what it was like to be in Texas worrying about schools and budgets and criminal justice, I think they were somewhat amazed by the stories we were telling.

Speaking about the Texas legislature, I am proud to be here with the Speaker of the Texas House, a friend of mine from my old hometown of Midland, Texas, Tom Craddick. Proud you're here, Tom. (Applause.) And his wife, Nadine. (Applause.) And his daughter, Christi.

Laura was just out in Midland, visiting her mother. That would be First Lady Laura Bush, who sends her greetings to you all. You know, I'm a really lucky guy to have a wife who is patient enough to put up with me as President of the United States, is wise enough to seize the moment, and is compassionate enough to worry about the lives of our fellow citizens. She's a fabulous First Lady. (Applause.)

One thing I can assure the Craddicks, we always remember where we came from. And part of making good decisions in a complex world and in a complex environment is to make decisions based upon basic principles, is to stand for something. I believe in that old Texas adage, if you don't stand for something, you don't believe in anything. (Applause.) And I believe in some certain principles that I hold inviolate, such as, there is an Almighty, and a great gift of that Almighty to each man, woman and child on the face of Earth is liberty and freedom. (Applause.)

PHOTOS OF THE DAY

President George W. Bush welcomes the Special Olympics "Flame of Hope" to the White House Rose Garden on Thursday, July 26, 2007. Left to right are Chief Russ Laine of the Algonquin, Illinois Police Department, Special Olympics Virginia athlete Karen Dickerson, President Bush, Special Olympics China athlete Qiao Meili, and Maj. Michael Teem of the Raleigh, N.C. Police Department. Special Olympics athletes and law enforcement officers are running the Special Olympics "Flame of Hope" more than 22,000 miles across five continents to the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China. Special Olympics is an international non-profit organization offering sports training and competition for people with intellectual disabilities.

President George W. Bush and Police Chief Russ Laine of Algonquin, Ill., stand with torch runners Karen Dickerson of Springfield, Va., left, and Qiao Meili of Shanghai, China, during a Special Olympics Global Law Enforcement Torch Run Ceremony Thursday, July 26, 2007, in the Rose Garden. White House photo by Eric Draper

[Merlinator]

Hi all!

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Dose going up please wait for the all clear before posting or reposting any photos or graphics

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President George W. Bush walks out from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington before his departure July 26, 2007 to make remarks to the American Legislative Exchange Council in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove, left, and Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs Candi Wolff, right , walk with President Bush, not shown, Thursday, July 26, 2007, as the President leaves the White House in Washington for a trip to speak to the American Legislative Exchange Council in Philadelphia.

President Bush, left, walks with his Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove, center, and Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs Candi Wolff, right , Thursday, July 26, 2007, as he leaves the White House in Washington for a trip to speak to the American Legislative Exchange Council in Philadelphia, Penn.

White House Communications Press Secretary Tony Snow leaves with U.S. President George W. Bush from the White House in Washington July 26, 2007.

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President George Bush waves as he arrives in Philadelphia, PA on Air Force 1 on Thursday, July 26, 2007. The President is in Philadelphia to speak to the American Legislative Exchange Council.

Senate Judiciary Committee member Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa, left, followed by Rep. Jim Gerlach, R-Pa., right, walk down the steps of Air Force One upon their arrival, with President Bush, not shown, Thursday, July 26, 2007, at Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia.

President Bush, left, looks over toward Senate Judiciary Committee member Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., right,during their arrival at Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia, Thursday, July 26, 2007

[Shelayne]

Thanks for the Dose tonight, snugs!

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President George Bush gives the President's Community Service Award to Molly Houlahan, 15, center, and sister Carly Houlahan, 13, center right, both of Devon, PA, in Philadelphia, PA on Thursday, July 26, 2007. The sisters created the non-profit organization Hives for Lives where they collect and sell honey. All the profits go to the American Cancer Society.

From left to right, Molly Houlahan, 15, President George Bush, Carly Houlahan, 13, mom Chrissy Houlahan and dad Bart Houlahan, from Devon, PA, pose for photos after Molly and Carly received the President's Community Service Award in Philadelphia, PA on Thursday, July 26, 2007. The sisters created the non-profit organization Hives for Lives where they collect and sell honey.

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President Bush waves as he arrives to speak to the American Legislative Exchange Council in Philadelphia, Thursday, July 26, 2007.

President Bush, left, is introduced by Rep. Kenny Marchant, R-Texas, right, prior to speaking at American Legislative Exchange Council in Philadelphia, Thursday, July 26, 2007.

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President Bush speaks to the American Legislative Exchange Council in Philadelphia, Pa., Thursday, July 26, 2007.

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Senate Judiciary Committee member Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., listens to President Bush speak at American Legislative Exchange Council, Thursday, July 26, 2007 in Philadelphia.

U.S. Secret Service agents stand under the projected image of U.S. President George W. Bush as he speaks to the American Legislative Exchange Council at the Marriott Downtown in Philadelphia, July 26, 2007.

President Bush, center, is seen on large video screens as he speaks to the American Legislative Exchange Council in Philadelphia, Thursday, July 26, 2007. Bush said that the Democratic-run Congress shouldn't leave Washington for its August recess without at least finishing a spending bill covering the Defense Department.

Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the President Karl Rove sits in a pool of reflected blue light while U.S. President George W. Bush speaks to the American Legislative Exchange Council at the Marriott Downtown in Philadelphia, July 26, 2007

President Bush waves to the crowd after speaking at American Legislative Exchange Council, Thursday, July 26, 2007, in Philadelphia.

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President George W. Bush (2nd R) watches as Chief Russ Laine (L) from the Alonquin Police Department and Major Michael Teem (2nd L) from the Raleigh Police Department take part in a Special Olympics global law enforcement torch run ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, July 26, 2007

Chinese Special Olympics team athlete Oiao Meili (L) and Raleigh Police Department Major Michael Teem take part in a Special Olympics global law enforcement torch run ceremony as U.S. President George W. Bush (background) watches, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, July 26, 2007.

President George W. Bush (L) watches as Special Olympics athletes Karen Dickerson (2nd L) from Springfield, VA, and Oiao Meili from China take part in a Special Olympics global law enforcement torch run ceremony with Major Michael Teem (R) from the Raleigh Police Department in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, July 26, 2007

President George W. Bush (L) watches as Special Olympics athletes Karen Dickerson (2nd L) from Springfield, VA, and Oiao Meili from China take part in a Special Olympics global law enforcement torch run ceremony with Major Michael Teem (R) from the Raleigh Police Department in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, July 26, 2007

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President Bush, second from left, and first lady Laura Bush, right, participate in the Special Olympics Global Law Enforcement Torch Run Ceremony, Thursday, July 26, 2007, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. From left are, Algonquin, Ill. Police Chief Russ Laine; the president; Special Olympics Team USA runner Karen Dickerson and Team China runner Oiao Meili,; Maj. Michael Teem of the Raleigh, N.C. Police Department; Kirk Grogan, global messenger for Special Olympics; and Mrs. Bush.

President Bush, left, and first lady Laura Bush, second from left, participates in the Special Olympics Global Law Enforcement Torch Run Ceremony, Thursday, July 26, 2007, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. Holding the torch is Special Olympics Team USA runner Karen Dickerson, third from left, and Team China runner Oiao Meili, second from right, At right is Kirk Grogan, global messenger for Special Olympics Idaho and member of Team USA.

President Bush looks back at the crowd in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Thursday, July 26, 2007, as he walks to the Oval Office after taking part in a Special Olympics Global Law Enforcement Torch Run Ceremony.

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President George W. Bush (C) poses in a group photo with Officers of the National Future Farmers of America organization in the East Room of the White House in Washington, July 26, 2007

President Bush, front, center, poses for photographers with the officers of the National Future Farmers of America Organization, Thursday, July 26, 2007, in the East Room of the White House in Washington

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Republican members of Congress, from left to right, Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas, Rep. Kevin P. Brady, R-Texas, Rep. John R. Carter, R-Texas, Rep. David Davis, R-Tenn., and Jim Jordan, R-Ohio speak to reporters outside the West Wing of the White House after a meeting with President Bush, in Washington, Thursday, July 26, 2007. They have just returned after a four day trip to Iraq.

Republican members of Congress, from left to right, Steve King, R-Iowa, David Davis, R-Tenn., Kevin P. Brady, R-Texas, Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and John R. Carter, R-Texas after addressing the media outside the West Wing of the White House where they met with President Bush, in Washington, Thursday, July 26, 2007. The lawmakers have just returned from a four-day trip to Iraq and gave President Bush an update.

The US Capitol serves as a backdrop for summer blooms in Washington, DC.

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White House photos

President George W. Bush speaks to state legislators at the American Legislative Exchange Council Thursday, July 26, 2007, in Philadelphia. The ALEC includes national task forces that serve as public policy laboratories where members develop model policies to use across the country. White House photo by Chris Greenberg

President George W. Bush addresses the American Legislative Exchange Council Thursday, July 26, 2007, at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown. The President urged the legislators to "to not rely upon the latest opinion poll to tell you what to believe. I ask you to stand strong on your beliefs, and that will continue to make you a worthy public servant." White House photo by Chris Greenberg

President George W. Bush joins the National and State Future Farmers of America organization members for photo Thursday, July 26, 2007, in the East Room of the White House. The mission of the FFA is to help students develope their potential for leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian

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Mrs Laura Bush speaks during a Special Olympics Global Law Enforcement Torch Run Ceremony Thursday, July 26, 2007, in the Rose Garden. "Those first games in Chicago drew a thousand athletes from 26 United States states and Canada," said Mrs. Bush. "Today, the Special Olympics has grown into a global movement of 2.5 million athletes, representing 165 nations." White House photo by Shealah Craighead

Law enforcement runners attend a Special Olympics Global Law Enforcement Torch Run Ceremony Thursday, July 26, 2007, in the Rose Garden. White House photo by Shealah Craighead

President George W. Bush speaks during a Special Olympics Global Law Enforcement Torch Run Ceremony Thursday, July 26, 2007, in the Rose Garden. "And to the family members and coaches and supporters, I thank you for helping our fellow citizens understand that the promise of this country belongs to every citizen," said the President. "Over four decades, the Special Olympics has changed the lives of millions of people across the world." White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian

Mrs. Laura Bush and her fellow stage participates applaud runner Karen Dickerson of Springfield, Va., during a Special Olympics Global Law Enforcement Torch Run Ceremony Thursday, July 26, 2007, in the Rose Garden. "Karen is a tireless advocate for her fellow athletes. She's what we call a fierce competitor," said the President in his remarks. "In the 2003 World Games in Ireland, Karen was told that she had a stress fracture in her leg. Yet, through sheer willpower, she won the Bronze Medal." White House photo by Eric Draper

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Runners Karen Dickerson of Springfield, Va., and Qiao Meili of Shanghai, China, hold up the lit torch during a Special Olympics Global Law Enforcement Torch Run Ceremony Thursday, July 26, 2007, in the Rose Garden. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian

President George W. Bush talks with Special Olympic Team USA athletes after a Special Olympics Global Law Enforcement Torch Run Ceremony Thursday, July 26, 2007, in the Rose Garden. White House photo by Eric Draper

Law enforcement runners and supporters walk with Special Olympic athletes on the South Lawn after attending a Special Olympics Global Law Enforcement Torch Run Ceremony Thursday, July 26, 2007, in the Rose Garden. White House photo by David Bohrer

President George W. Bush greets Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the founder of Special Olympics, during a Special Olympics Global Law Enforcement Torch Run Ceremony Thursday, July 26, 2007, in the Rose Garden. The Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run was begun in 1981 in Wichita, Kansas, by Police Chief Richard LaMunyon. Since then the torch run has expanded to all 50 states and 35 nations. This years marks the first Global Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run. White House photo by Eric Draper

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ALL CLEAR - PLEASE FEEL FREE TO POST OR REPOST ANY PHOTOS OR GRAPHICS IN THE SPIRIT OF THIS THREAD

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Sorry, I couldn't resist. ;o)