George W. Bush told his speechwriter that he wanted his second inaugural address to be his “freedom” speech. The Jan. 20, 2005, speech included the words "freedom," "free," and "liberty" a total of 49 times.
Mr. Bush entered his second term with the lowest approval rating since Richard Nixon, and, standing on the largest inaugural platform ever constructed, he used his speech to defend the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Some, I know, have questioned the global appeal of liberty – although this time in history, four decades defined by the swiftest advance of freedom ever seen, is an odd time for doubt,” he said. “Americans, of all people, should never be surprised by the power of our ideals. Eventually, the call of freedom comes to every mind and every soul. We do not accept the existence of permanent tyranny because we do not accept the possibility of permanent slavery. Liberty will come to those who love it.”
In his speech, Bush promised democratic reformers that, during his second term, the US would support the fight against oppression. He asked Americans for patience as he performed the “hard task of securing America.”
“As hope kindles hope, millions more will find it,” he said. “By our efforts, we have lit a fire as well – a fire in the minds of men. It warms those who feel its power, it burns those who fight its progress, and one day this untamed fire of freedom will reach the darkest corners of our world.”
