Notes Of Thanks

Tonight, at the Republican National Convention in New York, George W. Bush will step onto the podium and accept his party's nomination for president. Though conventions themselves have receded in importance, the acceptance speech has remained potent, offering the candidate -- even one who has been in the public eye for four years -- the chance to define himself. So what should the president say? The Op-Ed page asked speechwriters from six Republican administrations, including the current one, to propose a conclusion to President Bush's address -- one that sums up what they think the winning Republican campaign themes for 2004 should be.

In the four years since I last stood before you, this country has suffered grief and loss. And yet there are things we have gained as well.

We have learned a new gratitude to our friends and allies around the world who joined us on the battlefields of Afghanistan, of Iraq and in the quiet unrelenting struggle against the terrorists who skulk in the secret places of the world. To them, in a dozen and more languages, we say, ''Thank you.''

We have deepened our appreciation of those who protect our nation: the first responders, the police and intelligence services, the leaders in Congress who have worked patriotically to strengthen our defenses against terror and, of course, our fighting forces -- regulars, reserves and National Guard. It is often the families of our fighting forces who sacrifice most. And to those wives and husbands, sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, our whole nation says, ''Thank you.''

We have rediscovered our unity as a people, beyond the divisions of our politics. Our elections are vigorously contested, and so they should be. But when our country calls, we see that Democrats and Republicans rally together. As president I have benefited from the counsel of people of all parties. In my second term, I will continue to seek wisdom wherever it can be found and I will say to all who help, whatever their party label, ''I thank you.''

The world has changed since I stood before you four years ago and we have all had to change with it. The passage has often been rough, and there has been pain along the way. But we will make this voyage together: one nation, bound to its allies around the world, united in understanding and generosity to one another here at home. That is how I will lead with your help and with the help also of those we call opponents today -- and will call friends again after the first Tuesday in November.