John W. Wood

TOWARDS A SPRINGTIME OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT

Remarks by
John W. Wood, Global Chairman of Republicans Abroad
To The Republican National Convention
Philadelphia, July 31, 2000

My dear friends. As The Global Age emerges we must prepare for the challenges to come. And as we prepare for the first election of this new century we owe ourselves an accounting.

Republicans Abroad is the global arm of the Republican Party. It represents the millions of Americans who work in the far reaches of the world expanding America's global influence, and contributing to her understanding. Six million Americans now live abroad. That's more than the population of twenty seven states. And eighty percent are Republican. The overseas Republican vote has won countless elections - elections for Congressmen, Governors and Senators. In 1996, we won fifteen tough congressional races. It saved the House. As the world becomes more global, more voters will work abroad. The importance of Republicans Abroad has never been greater.

Our global perspective gives us a unique insight into the impact of America upon the countries and cultures of the world.

For the last eight years we Republicans Abroad have had ringside seats as America's strength drifted, and respect for America's political leadership decreased. We've watched as after the struggles of the Cold War the world turned to America for steadiness and purpose, only to be greeted with the sad spectacle of Bill Clinton and Albert Gore. From this global perspective Republicans Abroad have drawn six lessons. First to be given great power is to be given great responsibility. Sometimes the responsibility is to use that power, sometimes the responsibility is not to use it. But at all times it is to be used with purpose; in the interests of all and never in the interests of personal ambition. Second, leadership is about thinking clearly, acting wisely and making decisions decisively. It is about substance rather than appearance. Third, that freedom can be as damaged by the evils within, as well as by the enemies without. Fourth that particularly in our affluent age, self-giving is far more important to human fulfilment than self-assertion. Fifth, that freedom is about obligation. It consists not in doing what we wish, but in having the right to do what we ought. Sixth, that liberty is precious. Free societies are an historic rarity. Preserving them is hard. It requires the exercise of conscience, and constant vigilance. It requires the opposite of self indulgence: it requires self-government, self-command and self-control.
Let us now put the last eight years behind us and strive to create a dialogue distinguished by truthfulness, characterised by clarity, toughened by responsibility, calmed by courtesy and softened by compassion. We must remember that the most important things that happen, happen not in the White House, they happen in our house. Our policies are the product of our culture. Self-giving is the well spring of democracy and freedom. In this global age the world longs for an America which acts with wisdom and from compassion.

The truth is that for eight years, we've scraped by with an administration without scruples, principles, or purpose. It is time to be proud again. We have so much to be proud about.

We must act now to set a new agenda, to create a new tone for our public life, and to embrace our responsibilities joyfully. With the new global age we enter a new stage of the Human Enterprise.

The last century was a winter of wars. This new century can become the Springtime of the human spirit.

We have been given great blessings, and great responsibilities. We can play a uniquely positive and potent role in this new century. We can do it. The Republican Party has the leaders with the energy, joy, perseverance, generosity and purpose to transform our public life. We have no time to lose. Republicans Abroad will work tirelessly around the globe to elect George W. Bush and Dick Cheney, and get the job done. That is our pledge and it is our purpose.

Philadelphia
1.45 pm
Monday, July 31st 2000