BUSHSPE2.CBS 09/03/04 7:52 AM-DLR   1:24
Feeling good!  This is Dave Ross on the CBS Radio Network.
Well, I have to say I thought the President delivered an optimistic, upbeat acceptance speech.
BUSH 090204:  "Free governments in the Middle East will fight terrorists instead of harboring them.  And that helps us keep the peace."
How can you not feel good when you hear that?
Because we all remember how dangerous Iraq was before the war:
CHENEY 2003:  "There is no doubt that Saddam Hussein now has weapons of mass destruction.  There is no doubt that he is amassing them to use against our friends, against our allies, and against us."
And I remember what the President said 14 months ago as we set about getting rid of those weapons:
BUSH  073003: "We need to produce evidence and I fully understand that and I'm confident that our search will yield that which I strongly believe, that Saddam had a weapons program."
It felt good to hear that.  And one year ago, I remember feeling good when I heard that Secretary Colin Powell would be getting other nations to HELP us pay for rebuilding Iraq:
BUSH 090203:  "Later this month, Secretary Powell will meet with representatives of many nations to discuss their financial contributions to the reconstruction of Afghanistan.  Next month, he will hold a similar funding conference for the reconstruction of Iraq."
And back in the days when it looked like we'd be stuck in Iraq for a long time, it felt really good to hear Secretary Rumsfeld reassure everyone:
RUMSFELD 052703 "The impression that's left around the world is that we plan to occupy the country, we plan to use their bases over the long period of time, and it's flat false!"
That's why I keep these quotes handy anytime I need a pick-me-up.
Now this.
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