It's hard to believe it's already been eight years since Governor Dubya delivered remarks at the Republican National Convention.
Here are a few gems from that fine day in August 2000:
- I am proud to have Dick Cheney by my side. He is a man -- he is a man of integrity and sound judgment who has proven that public service can be noble service.
- America has a strong economy and a surplus.
- Tonight in this hall, we resolve to be the party of -- not of repose but of reform. We will write not footnotes but chapters in the American story. We will add the work of our hands to the inheritance of our fathers and mothers and leave this nation greater than we found it.
- Social Security has been called the third rail of American politics, the one you're not supposed to touch because it might shock you. But if you don't touch it, you cannot fix it. And I intend to fix it.
- I will use this moment of opportunity to bring common sense and fairness to the tax code. And I will act on principle. On principle, every family, every farmer and small-business person should be free to pass on their life's work to those they love, so we will abolish the death tax.
- A generation shaped by Vietnam must remember the lessons of Vietnam: When America uses force in the world, the cause must be just, the goal must be clear, and the victory must be overwhelming.
- If you give me your trust, I will honor it.
- We will give low-income Americans tax credits to buy the private health insurance they need and deserve.
- So when I put my hand on the Bible, I will swear to not only uphold the laws of our land, I will swear to uphold the honor and dignity of the office to which I have been elected, so help me God.
He did plenty of Clinton bashing as well. Survey results from Gallup. The question: "In general, are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way things are going in the United States at this time?"
- December, 2000: 51% satisfied
- June, 2008: 14% satisfied
(via The J-Walk Blog)
