John McCain in 2004 GOP Convention in NYC

On Foreign Policy: We have good reason to expect solidarity of our allies

The Democrats emphasize that military action alone won’t protect us, that this war has many fronts: in courts, financial institutions, in the shadowy world of intelligence, and in diplomacy. They stress America needs the help of her friends to combat an evil that threatens us all, that our alliances are as important to victory as are our armies. We agree. As we’ve been a good friend to other countries in moments of shared perils, so we have good reason to expect their solidarity with us in this struggle Source: 2004 Republican Convention Speech Aug 30, 2004

On Homeland Security: We must provide our children a strong, better country

The sacrifices borne in our defense are not shared equally by all Americans. But all Americans must share a resolve to see this war through to a just end. We must not be complacent at successes, AND we must not despair over setbacks. We must learn from our mistakes, improve on our successes, and vanquish this unpardonable enemy. If we do less, we will fail the one mission no American generation has ever failed-to provide to our children a stronger, better country than the one we were blessed to inherit Source: 2004 Republican Convention Speech Aug 30, 2004

On Homeland Security: A lack of complacency shouldn’t provoke a lack of confidence

No American will ever forget what happened on the morning of 9/11, the moment when the pendulum of history swung toward a new era. It shook us from our complacency in the belief that the Cold War’s end had ushered in a time of global tranquility. The opening chapter was tinged with great sadness and uncertainty. But an absence of complacency should not provoke an absence of confidence. What our enemies have sought to destroy is beyond their reach. It cannot be taken from us, but only be surrendered. Source: 2004 Republican Convention Speech Aug 30, 2004

On War & Peace: The Iraqi war was necessary after years of failed diplomacy

After years of failed diplomacy & limited military pressure to restrain Saddam, Bush made the difficult decision to liberate Iraq. Those who criticize that decision would have us believe that the choice was between a status quo that was well enough left alone and war. But there was no status quo to be left alone. The years of keeping Saddam in a box were coming to a close. The international consensus that he be kept isolated and unarmed had eroded to the point many critics of military action had decided the time had come again to do business with Saddam, despite his near daily attacks on our pilots and his refusal, until his last day in power, to allow the unrestricted inspection of his arsenal. Our choice wasn’t between a benign status quo and the bloodshed of war. It was between war and a graver threat. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Not our critics abroad. Not our political opponents. And not a disingenuous film maker who would have us believe that Saddam’s Iraq was an oasis of peace. Source: 2004 Republican Convention Speech Aug 30, 2004

On War & Peace: The War on Terror is a fight between good and evil

The awful events of 9/11 declared a war we were vaguely aware of, but hadn’t really comprehended how near the threat was, and how terrible were the plans of our enemies. It’s a fight between a just regard for human dignity and a malevolent force that defiles an honorable religion by disputing God’s love for every soul on earth. It’s a fight between right and wrong, good and evil. And should our enemies acquire for their arsenal the weapons they seek, this war will become a much bigger thing. Source: 2004 Republican Convention Speech Aug 30, 2004

On War & Peace: The War on Terror a war we must fight

It is, whether we wished it or not, that we have come to the test of our generation, to our rendezvous with destiny. And much is expected of us. We are engaged in a hard struggle against a cruel and determined adversary. Our enemies have made clear the danger they pose to our security and to the very essence of our culture-liberty. Only the most deluded of us could doubt the necessity of this war. Like all wars, this one will have its ups and downs. But we must fight. We must. Source: 2004 Republican Convention Speech Aug 30, 2004

On War & Peace: Avoiding the War on Terror has cost us dearly

War is an awful business. The lives of a nation’s finest patriots are sacrificed. Innocent people suffer. However just the cause, we should shed a tear for all that is lost when war claims its wages from us. But there is no avoiding this war. We tried that & our reluctance cost us dearly. While this war has many components, we can’t make victory on the battlefield harder to achieve so that our diplomacy is easier to conduct. That is not just an expression of our strength. It’s a measure of our wisdom. Source: 2004 Republican Convention Speech Aug 30, 2004

On War & Peace: Bush promised enemies would soon hear from us and they did

Bush ordered American forces to Afghanistan and took the fight to our enemies, and away from our shores, seriously injuring al-Qaida and destroying the regime. He worked effectively to secure the cooperation of Pakistan critical to our success against al-Qaida. He encouraged other friends to recognize the peril that terrorism posed for them, and won their help in apprehending many of those who would attack us again, and in helping to freeze the assets they used to fund their bloody work. Source: 2004 Republican Convention Speech Aug 30, 2004

On War & Peace: Saddam would have acquired terrible weapons again

Whether or not Saddam possessed the terrible weapons he had and used, he would have acquired them again. The central security concern is to keep such devastating weapons beyond the reach of terrorists who can’t be dissuaded from using them by the threat of mutual destruction. We couldn’t afford the risk posed by an unconstrained Saddam in these dangerous times. By destroying his regime we gave hope to people long oppressed that if they have the courage to fight for it, they may live in peace and freedom Source: 2004 Republican Convention Speech Aug 30, 2004

On War & Peace: The Iraqi war was necessary, achievable and noble

The mission was necessary, achievable and noble. For his determination to undertake it, and for his unflagging resolve to see it through to a just end, Bush deserves not only our support, but our admiration. We are safer than we were on 9/11, but we’re not yet safe. We are still closer to the beginning than the end of this fight. We need a leader with the experience to make the tough decisions and the resolve to stick with them; a leader who will keep us moving forward even if it is easier to rest. Source: 2004 Republican Convention Speech Aug 30, 2004

On War & Peace: Our adversaries express a hatred for all good in humanity

Our adversaries are weaker than us in arms and men, but weaker still in causes. They fight to express a hatred for all that is good in humanity. We fight for love of freedom and justice, a love that is invincible. Keep that faith. Keep your courage. Stick together. Stay strong. Do not yield. Do not flinch. Stand up. Stand up with Bush and fight. We’re Americans. We’re Americans, and we’ll never surrender. Source: 2004 Republican Convention Speech Aug 30, 2004

The above quotations are from Speeches at the 2004 Republican Convention, in New York City, Aug. 30-Sept. 2, 2004. Click here for main summary page. Click here for a profile of John McCain. Click here for John McCain on all issues.
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Page last updated: Nov 29, 2018