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.
Bravo!
As a Christian, I realize that it’s very important to pray for America, for her leaders (I TImothy 2), and make a difference where we live. Perhaps a list on “up and coming Leaders” could be compiled here on FR and all of us draw from all over this great land and be posting ANY and all possibilities. We need to write e-mails, letters, faxes to those listed and help enlist those needed to help turn things around...We have looked inward and now it’s time to go forward with a plan and some hope for REAL Change.
Thank you for your astute observation.
Well, if they would work hard when we are the victors, we would not have to be the underdogs. *sigh*
This was the last opportunity to see him for a long time. He believes the Bama must get his own crew together and won't say much to media. He told a group of people that he is getting off the stage properly.
He is in a great mood. When Rush was there a few days ago for lunch; who ordered salmon for lunch+, Rush dipped his bib into tartar sauce. Bush said "Hey Limbaugh, you're going to ruin your suit. Straighten up, Limbaugh, this is the White House!" LOL! The last visit to meet Cheney who popped in also. And Rush had a salmon to eat and all Bush wanted was a peanut butter and red jelly sandwhich. Funny Bush stuff. Rush slept in the WH about 5 times but not on this day.
I noticed he looked really good tonight. Like the weight of the world is now off his shoulders. I’m happy for him, sad for me and the rest of my fellow Americans....
Both P. Bush and VP. Cheney looked very happy according to people including Rush who ordered more food than he could eat in 1 hour with Pres. Bush. Exactly 1 hour to eat a salmon? Pres. Bush told him to hurry up.
I still think the Democrats mangled the local response to Katrina purposefully to smear Bush.
We will all be served a Hope and Change Sandwich next week.
I choose to not have a Hope and Change Sandwich. (!)
IF you understand what I mean.
You know, I wondered if we should just ignore these mutts. The only trouble is that if you ignore them; more mutts come in and join them. Then the whole chorus of mutts start howling! That’s annoying. They know it, and it gives them such a thrill. Grrrr....
You’d think they could behave for one stinking evening, for one thread. But no, some of them can’t.
Lucky. I hope the man lives a long life because history will look upon him very well and I want him to live long enough to see that.
Kind of a nice coincidence right after this ended my CD randomizer kicked on and it hit on “Happy Trails”.
I also couldn’t help think of the Irish Blessing.
I think he will quietly go back to life being a loving husband and father and waiting for his girls to give him grandkids.
Contrast what he said to and about his successor and what Billy Blow Job did in 2000.
I am personally worried about what they will do to Louisiana and Alaska to make the republican parties 2 brightest up and comers look bad.
Fare well, Mr. President. Wish you the best.
I want to thank the President and Vice President to taking on the War On Terrorism and making a valiant stand for freedom and humanity. I wish President Bush and Vice President Cheney all the very best for the future and hope they learned from the past that the New Tone blows and that you have to be Heavy Metal to make one's self heard and make a difference in politics.
Who ever in the Republic Party comes out for 2012 had better be wearing a "No Sleep Till D.C." t-shirt and have "You've Got Another Coming" as their theme song with that attitude and that type of intensity as they campaign and govern if elected. They had better be hungry and loud because if they go New Tone people will be switching stations and not paying attention.
I’ll add my thanks to a great man.
George W Bush will be known forever as the conqueror of Baghdad. He sent his General Tommy Franks in a brilliant military campaign to remove the despot Saddam Hussein and his threat to America and the world.
Baghdad is the fabled city in the old as dirt Fertile Crescent and has been conquered many times. W will be enshrined with the other great world leaders who led campaigns against this great city.
23,000(+/-) isn't such a big figure when you really think about it anyway.....
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