GOP convention ends with Bush pledge to 'seize the moment of American promise'

Laura and George W. Bush celebrate his presidential nomination

By Ian Christopher McCaleb and Mike Ferullo/CNN

PHILADELPHIA (CNN) -- The Republican National Convention gaveled to a close Thursday night with new presidential nominee George W. Bush promising to "seize this moment of American promise."

A shower of balloons and confetti greeted the end of Bush's acceptance speech, in which he portrayed himself as the best leader for changing times and said the Republican Party had become "the party of ideas and innovation, the party of idealism and inclusion."

In the convention's climactic moment, Bush walked to the stage of the Comcast First Union Center for the acceptance speech as thousands of delegates and alternates cheered his every action. He told delegates he had the skill, knowledge and character to lead the country.

"They had their chance. They have not led. We will," Bush said repeatedly of Democrats, saying the Clinton administration had squandered its talent and opportunity to address lingering challenges facing the country.

VIDEO George W. Bush acceptance speech Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) Republican vice presidential nominee Dick Cheney speaks to the Republican National Convention Part 1 Part 2 (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)     ALSO George W. Bush acceptance speech

He promised his administration would tackle those challenges -- from education, to Social Security, to overhauling Medicare, to improving America's military capability.

"Now they come asking for another chance, another shot," Bush said of the Clinton-Gore administration. "Our answer? Not this time, not this year."

Bush's speech was interrupted dozens of times by applause on the convention floor, as he called for an end to "the politics of fear." The emotion of the moment affected Bush's father, former President Bush, who appeared to shed a tear after his son called him "the most decent man I have ever known."

The governor went through a list of promises he said his administration would fulfill -- everything from overhauling welfare to "strictly enforcing our nation's gun laws" to promising to "lead our nation toward a culture that values life -- the life of the elderly and the sick, the life of the young and the life of the unborn."

Looking confident and serious, Bush returned again and again to the themes of change and opportunity.

"I do not reinvent myself at every turn. I am not running in borrowed clothes," he said. "When I act, you will know my reasons. When I speak, you will know my heart."

Bush's acceptance speech came after delegates finally made him the official nominee by wrapping up the four-day "rolling roll call" of states. A handful of large-state delegations, passed over during the past three days, cast their votes to wrap up the carefully scripted balloting.

Bush's home state of Texas was last, and the convention then voted to name Bush the nominee by acclamation.

As the delegates awaited the chance to greet their new nominee earlier Thursday night, they heard from another member of the Bush family -- George P. Bush, nephew of the Texas governor and son of Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. He spoke in both English and Spanish about his uncle.

"Now is the time to end the cynicism and the fussing and fighting in Washington. You can do that by electing my uncle," Bush said. "Now is the time to make sure the American dream touches every willing heart -- no matter the color of your skin or the accent of your speech. You can do that by electing my uncle."

"I am proud of the president he will be," George P. Bush said of the new nominee.

Bush touts the Republican Party as "the party of ideas and innovation, the party of idealism and inclusion" during his acceptance speech

Before the speech, delegates saw a sentimental, biographical video of the Texas governor. The video, filled with images of Bush's life in Texas, featured several members of the Bush family saying he was ready to lead the nation.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, a long-rumored vice presidential candidate before Bush selected former Defense Secretary Dick Cheney, said Bush "will be a president we can respect and we can trust."

Ridge, governor of a key battleground state in the fall and one of Bush's staunchest supporters, went directly after Vice President Al Gore, who will become the Democratic presidential nominee in two weeks.

"It seems, mister vice president, you seek to lead America by dividing us. Now, that is risky business and it's not right."

"George wants to win but he won't divide us to do it," Ridge said.