President Nixon engaged China and the Soviet Union with diplomatic genius. President Ford, who gave me my start in 1976, stood fast in a time of great difficulty and with the greatest of dignity. That's how he brought the Cold War to an end. And President Bush with a majesty that words fail to convey, guided the Gulf War coalition and its military forces to victory. A war that might have lasted years and taken the lives of tens of thousands of Americans passed so swiftly and passed so smoothly, that history has yet to catch its breath and give him the credit he is due.
History is like that.
Whenever we forget its singular presence, it gives us a lesson in grace and awe. This is not the outlook of my opponent. And he is my opponent, not my enemy. And though he has tried of late to be a good Republican and I expect him here tonight there are certain distinctions that even he cannot blur. He and his party brought us the biggest tax increase in the history of America and we are the party of lower taxes and greater opportunity.