This is Steve Ember with In the News, in VOA Special English.
Republicans nominated George W. Bush this week for a second term as president. The election is November second. Mister Bush says he is running for president with a clear plan "to build a safer world and a more hopeful America."
He accepted the nomination Thursday night at the Republican National Convention in New York City. Vice President Dick Cheney accepted his nomination the night before. Mister Bush said that he is a "compassionate conservative." He says he believes "government should help people improve their lives, not try to run their lives."
In his speech, Mister Bush also criticized the Democratic candidates for president and vice president, Senators John Kerry and John Edwards. He said they want to increase taxes and federal spending, yet they voted against money to support American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Senator Kerry has said in the past that he did not want to increase the federal deficit. He wanted Congress to end the president's tax cuts and use the additional tax money instead.
Shortly after the president spoke, Senator Kerry made a statement. He said: "I will not have my commitment to defend this country questioned by those who refused to serve when they could have, and by those who have misled the nation into Iraq."
The senator spoke at an appearance in Ohio, one of the states where the race is especially close. One of the major issues in this campaign is national security. Mister Bush said: "We are staying on the offensive -- striking terrorists abroad -- so we do not have to face them here at home. And we will prevail."
The Republican convention took place six kilometers from where two hijacked planes hit the World Trade Center on September eleventh, two thousand one. "The freedom of many, and the future security of our nation, now depend on us," the president said.
Mister Bush also told Americans that the economy is growing again and creating jobs because of his tax cuts. But he said many systems "were created for the world of yesterday, not tomorrow." If re-elected, he promised to lead an effort to simplify tax laws. He also promised changes in the systems of health coverage, retirement plans and worker training. He said these changes would permit citizens to make their own choices and seek their own dreams.
Thousands of protesters held a week of demonstrations in New York City against the Iraq war and other administration policies. Police arrested almost one thousand eight hundred people. All the prisoners were supposed to be freed before the president's speech. A judge threatened to punish the city by making it pay a fine when some of the protesters were still in jail.
After the convention, Mister Bush traveled Friday and Saturday to campaign in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin and Iowa.
In the News, in VOA Special English, was written by Avi Arditti. This is Steve Ember.
