George W. Bush's 2001 Inauguration Speech

President George W. Bush won a closely contested and contentious race, with his competitor Vice President Al Gore taking the popular vote, and only after the U.S. Supreme Court halted a statewide recount in Florida. “Today we affirm a new commitment to live our nation’s promise through civility, courage, compassion and character,” he said in his address in 2001. “America at its best matches a commitment to principal with a concern for civility. A civil society demands from each of us good will and respect, fair dealing and forgiveness.”