[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 17]
[House]
[Page 23583]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     BIPARTISANSHIP HARD TO ACHIEVE

  (Mr. SMITH of Texas asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speaker, the day after the election 
President Bush said, ``So today I want to speak to every person who 
voted for my opponent. To make this Nation stronger and better, I will 
need your support, and I will work to earn it.''
  Regrettably, even after the election, the attacks on President Bush 
have continued. Leading the pack were opinion makers of the New York 
Times. A November 5 Times column headlined ``No Surrender'' described 
President Bush as ``a radical, the leader of a coalition which deeply 
dislikes America.''
  Perhaps the most notable example of why national unity will be 
difficult to achieve were the words of Senator Kerry's running mate, 
Senator John Edwards. In his concession speech, Senator Edwards used 
the phrase ``the battle rages'' four times. He described the battle as 
one where ``the fight has just begun.''
  President Bush has reached out to his opponents. Unfortunately, they 
have turned their backs on him.

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