RNC speech excerpts: Romney, Giuliani, Huckabee

For those who like being surprised, I’m tucking these below the fold. The remarks, of course, are as prepared for delivery. Click here to read them.

Romney:

On the need to change the culture of government in Washington:

"We need change all right – change from a liberal Washington to a conservative Washington! We have a prescription for every American who wants change in Washington – throw out the big government liberals and elect John McCain."

On why John McCain is best qualified to be our next president:

"The right course is the one championed by Ronald Reagan 30 years ago, and by John McCain today. It is to rein in government spending and lower taxes, for taking a weed-whacker to excessive regulation and mandates, for putting a stop to tort windfalls, and to stand up to the Tyrannosaurus appetite of government unions.

"And at Saddleback, after Barack Obama dodged and ducked every direct question, John McCain hit the nail on the head: radical Islam is evil, and he will defeat it! Republicans prefer straight talk to politically correct talk!"

On the dangers of big government:

"Liberals would replace opportunity with dependency on government largesse. They would grow government and raise taxes to put more people on Medicaid, to work requirements out of welfare, and to grow the ranks of those who pay no taxes at all. Dependency is death to initiative, risk-taking and opportunity. It’s time to stop the spread of government dependency to fight it like the poison it is! It’s time for the party of big ideas, not the party of Big Brother!"

On why the McCain-Palin ticket is the right choice for the future of America:

"Just like you, there has never been a day when I was not proud to be an American. We inherited the greatest nation in the history of the earth. It is our burden and privilege to preserve it, to renew its spirit so that its noble past is prologue to its glorious future. To this we are all dedicated and I firmly believe by the providence of the Almighty, that we will succeed. President McCain and Vice President Palin will keep America as it has always been – the hope of the world."

Giuliani:

On the importance of this election:

"This is a time for choosing – and to those Americans who still feel torn in this election, I’d like to suggest one way to think about the choice you have to make in 2008: You’re hiring someone to do a job – an important job that involves the safety and security of your family."

On Gov. Sarah Palin:

"Governor Palin represents a new generation. She’s already one of the most successful governors in America – and the most popular. And she already has more executive experience than the entire Democratic ticket. She’s led a city and a state. She’s reduced taxes and government spending. And she’s actually done something about moving America toward energy independence – taking on the oil companies while encouraging more energy exploration here at home. Taxpayers have an advocate in Sarah Palin – she even sold the former governor’s private plane on E-Bay."

On the Republican Party’s vision for a stronger America – and a freer world:

"And as we look to the future never let us forget that – when we are at our best – we are the Party that expands Freedom. We began as a party dedicated to freeing people from slavery… And we are still the party that is willing to fight for freedom at home and around the world. We are the party that wants to expand individual freedom and economic freedom… because we believe that the secret of America’s success is not central government, it is self-government. …And we are the party that believes unapologetically in America’s essential greatness – that we are a shining city on the hill, a beacon of freedom that inspires people everywhere to reach for a better world."

Huckabee:

On why he is a Republican:

"I’m not a Republican because I grew up rich, but because I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life poor, waiting for the government to rescue me."

On the type of change John McCain will bring to Washington:

"John McCain doesn’t want the kind of change that allows the government to reach deeper into your paycheck and pick your doctor, your child’s school, or even the kind of car you drive or how much you inflate the tires."

On the potential consequences of Obama’s lack of experience and judgment in foreign policy:

"Maybe the most dangerous threat of an Obama presidency is that he would continue to give madmen the benefit of the doubt. If he’s wrong just once, we will pay a heavy price."