A Leader Is Born: A Tribute To George W. Bush

A Leader Is Born: A Tribute To George W. Bush

Make no mistake; this hour will be America's finest hour. This is America's opportunity to unite. For many decades we have yearned for the strength of yesteryear America. This is at our doorstep. This is the Americans chance to put all the issues of self-interest aside; to put aside bickering and stand united. Our President whom only yesterday stood over a divided nation will unite this nation and restore the pride of America.

The attacks of September 11th changed our people, changed our government, changed our president. The attacks of September 11th changed America. And in George W. Bush's words, "in our grief and anger we have found our mission and our moment." President Bush declared war against terror and has made victory in the war on terrorism and the advance of human freedom the priorities of his Administration.

English: Official photograph portrait of former U....

President George W. Bush shakes hands with Iraqi P...

English: Former President Bush with son and daught...

The president has grown before the nation's eyes, as he has consoled the bereaved and calmed the fearful. He has relied less on prepared scripts, rediscovered his voice, and regained his confidence. He has not been afraid to show his emotions: once, on the verge of tears when talking informally to reporters. But he has also projected a sense that he has the inner steel to fight a new kind of war.

George W. Bush's address at the National Cathedral on September 14th, 2001 --to an audience of the great and the good-- was purposeful. But the real turning point came later that day when he went to see the rescue workers in New York. He stood on a pile of rubble at Ground Zero, his arm draped around a retired firefighter. Someone handed him a bullhorn and he began to address the crowd. "We can't hear you," shouted...