My local newspaper is having a contest - write a 350 word (or less) nomination acceptance speech for President Bush. I've submitted the following. Please remember this is not meant to be an argument in favor, just what I would say if I were him.

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Thank you for your support and thanks for all you’ve done for this great country. You may consider voting for me in November, but the truth is you will be voting for all of us, for a stronger economy and for freedom.

When I took the oath of office in January 2001, our economy was losing jobs and heading into recession. Overseas, our enemies were growing increasingly bold in their attacks against our country and the worst was yet to come.

How did Americans respond to these initial challenges of the 21st Century? First, we turned this economy around by taking less of your money in taxes. Motivated business owners then found ways to create new jobs resulting in three years of uninterrupted economic growth. The average unemployment rate since I took office is lower than at any time since the 1960’s, and continues to drop. Inflation and interest rates are near forty-year lows. Home ownership, an essential ingredient in the American dream, is at record highs.

Now let’s look back at what we’ve accomplished overseas; things that seemed unimaginable only a few years ago. Afghanistan is a free country. Ninety percent of Afghani men and women have registered to vote. In Iraq, millions are now free from the iron grip of a mass murderer and are preparing for democratic rule. Libya has given up its arms program. A new generation in the Middle East is being born with all the opportunities granted to it by freedom and liberty. Hope has returned to the birthplace of civilization.

I am determined that the American people keep moving forward as well, urged on by the dreams of those that have sacrificed so much. Those who have passed the torch of freedom and prosperity on to both their loved ones and to people they will never know. Because of them, our children will be safer, freer and more prosperous than we ourselves dare to imagine. Their dreams are our dreams. And our dreams will come true.

God Bless All of You and God Bless the United States of America.