Tommy Franks endorsed President Bush.
Gen. Tommy Franks: 'George W. Bush is the Real Thing'
talonnews.com
By Bobby Eberle
Talon News
September 3, 2004
NEW YORK (Talon News) -- Speaking from a podium just to the rear of the round stage where President George W. Bush later spoke, retired Gen. Tommy Franks, who commanded U.S. forces in Afghanistan and Iraq, spoke of his commander in chief saying Bush "is the real thing," and a man with the "courage and consistency" needed to lead America's fight against terror.
Franks said that he is not partisan.
"I'm not a Republican," Franks said (read full speech). "I'm not a Democrat. But I believe in democracy. I believe in America."
"But, here I stand tonight, endorsing George W. Bush to be the next president of the United States," Franks said.
Adding that he was prepared to "choose wisely," Franks said, "I choose George W. Bush."
Franks referred to more than a dozen retired generals and admirals who had preceded him on stage to endorse the president as those who know "freedom is never free.
"I join them in saluting our commander in chief ... George W. Bush," Franks said.
Franks acknowledged that the fight on terrorism will be a long fight, but said we have "hardened our defenses," and that we have taken the fight to the terrorists.
"The question is do we fight them over there -- or do we fight them here. I choose to fight them over there," said Franks. "Some say we should fight a less aggressive war -- that we should retreat into a defensive posture and hope that the terrorists don't attack us again."
Franks said that he and his wife are not willing to "bet our grandchildren's future on the 'good will' of murderers. ... I learned long ago that hope is not a strategy."
Emphasizing why President Bush has his endorsement Franks called on the words of Abraham Lincoln who said, "Character is like a tree and reputation is like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing."
"I've been with this president in tough, uncertain times. George W. Bush is 'the real thing,'" said Franks, continuing to speak of the difficulty of the years since September 11, 2001 as "a time of hard decisions and tough choices. I have looked into his eyes and I have seen his character."
The general recapped the accomplishments of the military under the leadership of President Bush as they fought terrorism in Afghanistan and liberated the people of Iraq from the clutches of Saddam Hussein.
"I am proud that America has given 50 million people a chance," Franks said. "And we have not been in this fight alone."
"President Bush has built the largest coalition in the history of the world...[s]ome have ridiculed the contributions made by our allies, but I can tell you that every contribution from every nation is important," Franks asked the delegates to join him in thanking, "our Coalition partners for being there when America and the world needed them most."
Contrary to accusations from Democrats that troops were sent into battle with inadequate equipment, Franks said, "He gave them every resource the Nation possessed. This is a man who, before sending us into battle, personally asked each military commander if he had everything he needed."
Gen. Franks said that the president did everything he could to be sure that troops would be protected from WMDs and that he has increased basic pay, improved military housing and provided stronger support for military families.
"[W]ho remembers the veterans when the parades are over and the cheering fades?" Franks asked, adding that the president "secured a larger increase in veterans funding in four years than the previous Administration did in eight."
Franks said that he has chosen to stand with George W. Bush because of his leadership, vision, because he stands for fighting men and women, and "because we know the next 200 years of American history depends on the decisions we make as a Nation today."
"And, I choose President George W. Bush because I believe his leadership will help ensure a better future for my grandchildren," Franks said in closing.
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