*EPF302 09/01/2004
Republicans Focus on Compassion of Party, President
(First lady, Schwarzenegger praise Bush's strength as leader) (580)

By Judy Aita
Washington File Staff Writer

New York -- President Bush received the formal nomination of his party August 31. The delegation from Pennsylvania, a state in which the vote is predicted to be close, announced the votes that put Bush over the 1,255 tally needed to officially win the nomination.

Also on August 31, the second day of the Republican National convention, the delegates gathered in Madison Square Garden to hear first lady Laura Bush, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, other Bush family members, and prominent Republican women and minority leaders speak on compassionate conservatism.

Following the political convention tradition of families presenting a more personal view of the qualities and character of the candidates, Mrs. Bush talked about why voters should elect her husband president for a second term.

"George and I grew up in West Texas, where the sky seems endless ... and so do the possibilities. He brings that optimism, that sense of promise, that certainty that a better day is before us to his job every day -- and with your help, he'll do so for four more years," Mrs. Bush said. "These are times that require an especially strong and determined leader. And I'm proud that my husband is that kind of leader."

The three years since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks have been difficult ones for Americans, bringing both hope and grief and demanding perseverance, the first lady said.

"We've learned some lessons we didn't want to know -- that our country is more vulnerable than we thought, that some people hate us because we stand for liberty, religious freedom, and tolerance," she said. "But we have been heartened to discover that we are also braver than we thought, stronger, and more generous."

The most exuberant speech of the night was from Schwarzenegger, the action-hero actor who entered politics last year to win the governorship of California. He presented his own life's story as proof that "the American Dream" is not a myth.

"I was born in Europe," the governor said, "and I've traveled all over the world. I can tell you that there is no place, no country, more compassionate, more generous, more accepting, and more welcoming than the United States of America."

"We're the America that sends out Peace Corps volunteers to teach village children. We're the America that sends out missionaries and doctors to raise up the poor and the sick. We're the America that gives more than any other country to fight AIDS in Africa and the developing world. And we're the America that fights not for imperialism but for human rights and democracy," Schwarzenegger said.

Demonstrating the principle of conservative compassion, all 55 Republican delegations spent the day doing community service projects in and around New York City such as helping at food banks, homeless shelters, boys and girls clubs, and with park cleanup. The New York delegation participated by packing kits of needed school supplies for "Operation Iraqi Children," a grass-roots program through which Americans have been supporting U.S. soldiers' efforts to help the Iraqi people.

Mark Pfeifle, the convention's communications director, said the different themes for each day were chosen "to reflect what the party stands for and what it believes in."

Both parties will begin vigorous campaigning during what has become the official start of presidential campaign seasons, Labor Day holiday weekend, which this year begins September 4.

(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

Return to Public File Main Page

Return to Public Table of Contents