Excerpts from Mike Huckabee's GOP Convention Speech

Excerpts: Remarks by Former Governor Mike Huckabee

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - This evening former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee will address the 2008 Republican National Convention. Gov. Huckabee will expand on the convention's overall theme, "Country First," as he discusses John McCain's love of America, vision for the future, and long record of service and sacrifice on our behalf.

Excerpts from the governor's remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below.

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."

About the Republican National Convention
The 2008 Republican National Convention will be held at Saint Paul's Xcel Energy Center from Sept. 1-4, 2008. Approximately 45,000 delegates, alternate delegates, volunteers, members of the media and other guests are expected to attend the convention. Minneapolis-Saint Paul is expected to receive an estimated $150-$160 million positive economic boost from the four-day event. For more information about the 2008 Republican National Convention, please visit our website at www.GOPConvention2008.com and join our social network sites on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn.