Non succede niente, musica jazz sul palco. Poco prima delle 9, parlerà Bush via satellite. Poi gli altri. Di seguito il programma e gli estratti dei discorsi di Bush e Fred Thompson
(Live blogging dall’Xcel Energy Center)
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, September 2, 2008 Contact: Joanna Burgos
(651) 467-2728
2008 Republican National Convention Announces
Full Program for Tuesday Night
Fred Thompson and Joe Lieberman Among Featured Speakers
SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The 2008 Republican National Convention today announced the full program of events for Tuesday, Sept. 2. This announcement is an update to the speakers that were announced earlier today. Remarks will reflect the convention’s overall theme, "Country First," and the theme for Tuesday’s events, which is "service."
Participants are organized by hour of participation:
6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Music and Entertainment: Al Williams
Call to Order: U.S. House Republican Leader John Boehner (Ohio)
Presentation of Colors: Red Lake VFW and American Legion Post 513
National Anthem: Philip Alongi
Invocation: Rev. Dr. Robert G. Certain, Chaplain Col., U.S. Air Force (ret.)
Video Tribute: Deceased Republican Leaders and President Gerald Ford
Speaker: U.S. House Republican Leader John Boehner (Ohio)
7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Video: "Country First" – Narrator: Robert Duvall
Speaker: Jo Ann Davidson, Co-Chairman of the Republican National Committee and Chairman of the Republican National Convention’s Committee on Arrangements
Speaker: U.S. Senator Norm Coleman (Minn.)
Pledge of Allegiance: Victoria Blackstone, winner of the Stars and Stripes Essay Contest
Speaker: Miles McPherson, President of Miles Ahead and Senior Pastor of the Rock Church
Speaker: Ashley Gunn
Speaker: U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann (Minn.)
Speaker: Wes Gullett and daughter Nikki
Video Tribute: President Teddy Roosevelt
Music and Entertainment: Rachael Lampa
8 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Speaker: Captain Shanna Hanson, Minneapolis Fire Department
Video Tribute: President Abraham Lincoln
Speaker: Tommy Espinoza, President and CEO of Raza Development Fund, Inc.
Video Tribute: President George H. W. Bush
Speaker: Bill Gross
Speaker: Captain Leslie Smith, U.S. Army (ret.)
Video: Medal of Honor Story: Michael Monsoor, U.S. Navy SEAL
Speaker: The Honorable Orson Swindle, former POW, Lt. Col. U.S. Marine Corps (ret.) and former Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission
Speaker: First Lady Laura Bush
Remote Video: President George W. Bush
9 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Video Tribute: President Ronald Reagan
Speaker: Former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson (Tenn.)
Speaker: U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman (Conn.)
Introduction of Benediction: Republican National Committee Chairman Robert M. "Mike" Duncan
10 p.m. to Conclusion
Benediction: Rabbi Ira M. Flax, Lt. Col. U.S. Air Force (ret.)
Introduction of Delegate for Motion and Adoption of Motion to Adjourn: Republican National Committee Chairman Robert M. "Mike" Duncan
EXCERPTS FROM THE PRESIDENT’S REMARKS
TO THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION
As Prepared for Delivery
On Hurricane Gustav:
We are thankful that the damage in New Orleans and across the Gulf Coast was less than many had feared.
I commend the Governors of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas for their sure-handed response and seamless coordination with the Federal government. I thank all of the wonderful volunteers who stepped forward to help their brothers and sisters in need.
On Senator McCain Being Prepared To Make the Hard Decisions That Fall Solely to the President:
John McCain’s life has prepared him to make those choices. He is ready to lead this Nation.
We live in a dangerous world. And we need a President who understands the lessons of September 11, 2001: that to protect America, we must stay on the offense, stop attacks before they happen, and not wait to be hit again. The man we need is John McCain.
On Senator McCain’s Courage and Vision:
John McCain’s life is a story of service above self.
John is an independent man who thinks for himself. He’s not afraid to tell you when he disagrees. … No matter what the issue, this man is honest and speaks straight from the heart.
Last year, John McCain’s independence and character helped change history. The Democrats had taken control of Congress and were threatening to cut off funds for our troops. In the face of calls for retreat, I ordered a surge of forces into Iraq. Many in Congress said it had no chance of working. Yet one Senator above all had faith in our troops and the importance of their mission – and that was John McCain. Some told him that his early and consistent call for more troops would put his Presidential campaign at risk. He told them he would rather lose an election than see his country lose a war. That is the kind of courage and vision we need in our next Commander-in-Chief.
On Americans Choosing the McCain-Palin Ticket:
I am optimistic about our future, because I believe in the goodness and wisdom of the American people. I am optimistic because I have faith in freedom’s power to lift up all of God’s children and lead this world to a future of peace.
And I am optimistic about something else: When the debates have ended, and all the ads have run, and it is time to vote, Americans will look closely at the judgment, the experience, and the policies of the candidates – and they will cast their ballots for the McCain-Palin ticket.
Excerpts: Remarks by Former Senator Fred Thompson
Former Senator Focuses on Themes of "Country First" and "Service"
SAINT PAUL, Minn. – This evening former Senator Fred Thompson will address the 2008 Republican National Convention. Senator Thompson will expand on the convention’s overall theme, "Country First," and the theme for today’s program, which is "service," as he illustrates why John McCain is best qualified to be the next President of the United States
Excerpts are below:
On John McCain’s qualifications to be president:
"This is the kind of character that civilizations from the beginning of history have sought in their leaders. Strength. Courage. Humility. Wisdom. Duty. Honor. It’s pretty clear there are two questions we will never have to ask ourselves, ‘Who is this man?’ and ‘Can we trust this man with the presidency?’"
On John McCain’s dedication to doing what is right – not what is popular:
"He has been to Iraq eight times since 2003. He went seeking truth, not publicity. When he travels abroad, he prefers quietly speaking to the troops amidst the heat and hardship of their daily lives. And the same character that marked John McCain’s military career has also marked his political career. This man, John McCain, is not intimidated by what the polls say or by what is politically safe or popular."
On John McCain’s commitment to taking real action to reform Washington:
"But while others were talking reform, John McCain led the effort to make reform happen – always pressing, always moving for what he believed was right and necessary to restore the people’s faith in their government. Confronting when necessary, reaching across the aisle when possible, John personified why we came to Washington in the first place."
On John McCain’s ability to restore integrity to our government:
"My role is to help remind you of the man behind the vision. Because tonight our country is calling to all of us to step up, stand up, and put ‘Country First’ with John McCain. Tonight we are being called upon to do what is right for our country."