2004-9-3
This is Steve Ember with In the News, in VOA Special English.
Republicans nominated George W. Bush this week for a second term
as president. The election is November second. Mister Bush says he
is running for president with a clear plan "to build a safer world
and a more hopeful America."
He accepted the nomination Thursday night at the Republican
National Convention in New York City. Vice President Dick Cheney
accepted his nomination the night before. Mister Bush said that he
is a "compassionate conservative." He says he believes "government
should help people improve their lives, not try to run their lives."
In his speech, Mister Bush also criticized the Democratic
candidates for president and vice president, Senators John Kerry and
John Edwards. He said they want to increase taxes and federal
spending, yet they voted against money to support American troops in
Iraq and Afghanistan.
Senator Kerry has said in the past that he did not want to
increase the federal deficit. He wanted Congress to end the
president's tax cuts and use the additional tax money instead.
Shortly after the president spoke, Senator Kerry made a
statement. He said: "I will not have my commitment to defend this
country questioned by those who refused to serve when they could
have, and by those who have misled the nation into Iraq."
The senator spoke at an appearance in Ohio, one of the states
where the race is especially close. One of the major issues in this
campaign is national security. Mister Bush said: "We are staying on
the offensive -- striking terrorists abroad -- so we do not have to
face them here at home. And we will prevail."
The Republican convention took place six kilometers from where
two hijacked planes hit the World Trade Center on September
eleventh, two thousand one. "The freedom of many, and the future
security of our nation, now depend on us," the president said.
Mister Bush also told Americans
that the economy is growing again and creating jobs because of his
tax cuts. But he said many systems "were created for the world of
yesterday, not tomorrow." If re-elected, he promised to lead an
effort to simplify tax laws. He also promised changes in the systems
of health coverage, retirement plans and worker training. He said
these changes would permit citizens to make their own choices and
seek their own dreams.
Thousands of protesters held a week of demonstrations in New York
City against the Iraq war and other administration policies. Police
arrested almost one thousand eight hundred people. All the prisoners
were supposed to be freed before the president's speech. A judge
threatened to punish the city by making it pay a fine when some of
the protesters were still in jail.
After the convention, Mister Bush traveled Friday and Saturday to
campaign in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin and Iowa.
In the News, in VOA Special English, was written by Avi Arditti.
This is Steve Ember.