Something to dwell on for the next election Bob K
I got this from a friend on another web.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, August 28, 2004 4:52
PM
Subject: RE: Do you agree?
To Dave, and our many
readers..............
This is only negative to those being negative
and hateful. That goes to folks of both parties. I hope you like this one. I
received it from one of our great guardsmen on active duty over in that big
sand trap, where he is flying 13 and 14 hour missions all the
time......................YFFL, Paul
I checked snopes.com and truth or fiction.com and neither
substantiates or refutes this, so I tend to think it's true.
>
>I wish all politicians would put country before politics like this
guy.
>
> What the Democratic mayor of St. Paul, Minnesota has to say
about President Bush.
>
>Thanks for being here; it's a wonderful day in St. Paul. It may be
too nice a day to talk about politics, so I won't keep you long. I take a
nonpartisan approach to my job as mayor of St. Paul. There is not a DFL or
Republican way to keep our City safe or to clean the streets. But Saint Paul
is part of a state and country and this is an important year of decision.
People seem to want to know where I stand on the presidential race.
About a month ago I was driving down West 7th and came up behind a car with a
bumper sticker that said, "I Hate Bush." What a pathetic printout on where
we're at in this country. For eight years, many on the right hated Bill
Clinton and desperately wanted him to fail. For the last few years, many on
the left have hated George Bush and wanted him to fail. I believe that
"I Hate ________" is not the platform for any kind of future for America. This
politics of hate must stop and it must stop now. The simple reason is: the
people's business is not getting done. In our own legislature, everything
ground to a halt to prevent anyone from being able to take credit for
anything. The US Congress is in much the same state of chaos. Somehow we've
gotten into a pattern where the common good is less important than the
political good. I am just one voice, but I'm standing up to say, "Enough." The
economy has been tough, and a lot of people have been hurt. But it's going in
the right direction. There's no reason to believe a change of course will
produce better or quicker results. The war in Iraq was won in blinding
speed - the peace has been a much greater challenge. And, whether through
unrealistic expectations, or simply mistakes made in good faith, now is not
the time to say we should end our commitment to the 25 million Iraqis our
American soldiers have freed and are fighting to give them a chance at self
governance. The reality is: almost 150,000 of our troops are in Iraq today.
We'll get them home a lot sooner and with a better outcome if we don't try to
bring in a whole new leadership team to run the show. We must stay the course.
I agree with the President that we must see this thru and not turn tail and
run, and give our enemies the message that we lack resolve. And the war on
terror is a huge, ongoing struggle. If we changed presidents at this juncture,
there is just no question that it would confuse our friends and encourage our
enemies. In a war, you just can't afford to do that. Continuity and resolve is
critical. George Bush and I do not agree on all issues. I believe the
President must focus greater energy on the deficit. I believe the President
must resist those who believe gay marriage should be an issue to divide
America to win an election, and instead call upon the greater instincts of
American tolerance to bring us together. But in turbulent times, what the
American people need more than anything is continuity of government, even one
with some imperfect policies. Where George Bush and I agree, is on the issues
of the greater good for a stronger America. The common good will be better
served on the path we're on than with an abrupt change of direction,
especially one paved in part with political hatred. Earlier this week, the
Pioneer Press praised me for not indulging in the politics of hatred and
division. As proud as I am of their kind words, I am more determined than ever
to send the message to my sons - and to the sons and daughters of other Moms
and Dads in St. Paul, Minnesota and America - that we can, we should and we
must stop - now - this poison partisanship that threatens to destroy the
national will to come together to win the War on Terror here, at home, and
across the world. In his book, John Kennedy said both national parties seek to
serve the national interest. But when an officeholder finds the interests of
party differ from the national interest, the first responsibility must not be
to party, but to conscience. It is not in the national interest to feed the
politics of hate. I feel it is in the national interest to keep the economic
and international course we are on. Americans are looking for strong, steady,
and principled leadership. They crave politicians who stand for something,
rather than rally us against someone. The American people I know - the ones I
represent in St. Paul - care about leaders who stand steady in difficult
times, who do not waver nor bend to the wind. They want strong, determined
leadership - and, I believe George Bush provides us that leadership today at
this point in our history. I've been a Democrat all my life and after this
announcement I'll continue to be a Democrat. But I believe I have a higher
loyalty to what's best for my country and our city than to party. So this
November, George W. Bush has my endorsement for President of the United
States. This is a hard decision for me. To my Republican friends, my heart, my
mind, values, and my convictions are rooted in and forged in the principles of
the Democratic Party. I pledge my heart and my good faith to work with you
when and where we can - but, I will oppose you where I believe you to be
wrong, and when you do not represent the best interests of our community. And,
to my Democratic friends, we have often agreed to disagree over the past 30
years I have been involved in politics and government. I trust that you and I
will agree to disagree on this decision. All I ask, is your respect for my
right to make it. This past week I had the opportunity to personally talk with
the President. We agreed to work together for the best interest of our country
and St. Paul. He assured me that the challenges and opportunities that face
urban centers are ones we will work on together. Let me end by sharing with
you something I believe to the core of my being. Whatever the cost of this
decision is to me, the expense of remaining quiet in this election year is of
far greater consequence to me. I have done what I can, along with the love and
care of my wife, to raise two sons these past two decades. I love them with
more of my being than I care to share with you today. And, it is with that
love, that I make this difficult decision and choice. Because, at the end of
each and every day, my responsibility as a Mayor, as an American, as a husband
and as a father is to speak up when a voice must be heard. And, now, you have
heard my voice.
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