SPEECHES
FROM THE 2004 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN
George W. Bush
Victory Speech
November 3, 2004 • Washington, DC
The voters turned out in records numbers
and delivered an historic victory. (APPLAUSE) Earlier today,
Senator Kerry called with his congratulations. We had a
really good phone call. He was very gracious. Senator Kerry
waged a spirited campaign, and he and his supporters can
be proud of their efforts. (APPLAUSE) Laura and I wish
Senator Kerry and Teresa and their whole family all our
best wishes. America has spoken, and I'm humbled by the
trust and the confidence of my fellow citizens.
With that trust comes a duty to serve all Americans. And
I will do my best to fulfill that duty every day as your
president. (APPLAUSE) There are many people to thank and
my family comes first. (APPLAUSE) Laura is the love of
my life.
I'm glad you love her too. (LAUGHTER) I want to thank
our daughters who joined their dad for his last campaign.
(APPLAUSE) I appreciate the hard work of my sister and
brothers.
I especially want to thank my parents for their loving
support. (APPLAUSE) I'm grateful to the vice president
and Lynne and their daughters who have worked so hard and
been such a vital part of our team. (APPLAUSE) The vice
president serves America with wisdom and honor and I'm
proud to serve beside him.
I want to thank my superb campaign team. I want to thank
you all for your hard work. (APPLAUSE) I was impressed
every day by how hard and how skillful our team was.
I want to thank Chairman Marc Racicot and... (APPLAUSE)
... the campaign manager, Ken Mehlman... (APPLAUSE) ...
the architect, Karl Rove. (APPLAUSE) I want to thank Ed
Gillespie for leading our party so well.
I want to thank the thousands of our supporters across
our country. I want to thank you for your hugs on the rope
lines. I want thank you for your prayers on the rope lines.
I want to thank you for your kind words on the rope lines.
I want to thank you for everything you did to make the
calls and to put up the signs, to talk to your neighbors
and to get out the vote. (APPLAUSE) And because you did
the incredible work, we are celebrating today.
There is an old saying, Do not pray for tasks equal to
your powers; pray for powers equal to your tasks. In four
historic years, America has been given great tasks and
faced them with strength and courage. Our people have restored
the vigor of this economy and shown resolve and patience
in a new kind of war.
Our military has brought justice to the enemy and honor
to America. (APPLAUSE) Our nation has defended itself and
served the freedom of al mankind. I'm proud to lead such
an amazing country, and I'm proud to lead it forward. (APPLAUSE)
Because we have done the hard work, we are entering a season
of hope.
We will continue our economic progress. We'll reform our
outdated tax code. We'll strengthen the Social Security
for the next generation. We'll make public schools all
they can be. And we will uphold our deepest values of family
and faith. We'll help the emerging democracies of Iraq
and Afghanistan... (APPLAUSE) ... so they can grow in strength
and defend their freedom.
And then our service men and women will come home with
the honor they have earned. (APPLAUSE) With good allies
at our side, we will fight this war on terror with every
resource of our national power so our children can live
in freedom and in peace.
Reaching these goals will require the broad support of
Americans. So today I want to speak to every person who
voted for my opponent. To make this nation stronger and
better, I will need your support and I will work to earn
it. I will do all I can do to deserve your trust. A new
term is a new opportunity to reach out to the whole nation.
We have one country, one Constitution, and one future that
binds us.
And when we come together and work together, there is
no limit to the greatness of America. (APPLAUSE) Let me
close with a word for the people of the state of Texas.
We have known each other the longest, and you started
me on this journey. On the open plains of Texas, I first
learned the character of our country: sturdy and honest,
and as hopeful as the break of day. I will always be grateful
to the good people of my state. And whatever the road that
lies ahead, that road will take me home. The campaign has
ended, and the United States of America goes forward with
confidence and faith.
I see a great day coming for our country and I am eager
for the work ahead. God bless you and may God bless America.
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