'A time for hope'

Among his key points:

• An "Agenda for America": "This changed world can be a time of great opportunity for all Americans to earn a better living, support your family and have a rewarding career," he declared. "Many of our most fundamental systems — the tax code, health coverage, pension plans, worker training — were created for the world of yesterday, not tomorrow. We will transform these systems so that all citizens are equipped, prepared — and thus truly free to make your own choices and pursue your own dreams."

By offering the "Agenda for America," Bush answered Democratic critics who charged that he has failed to provide voters with a rationale for returning him to office.

"In all these proposals," Bush said, "we seek to provide not just a government program but a path — a path to greater opportunity, more freedom and more control over your own life."

To encourage job growth in what has been a dull market, Bush said he will encourage "investment and expansion by restraining federal spending, reducing regulation and making tax relief permanent." The package also calls for making the United States less dependent on foreign oil, expanding trade and efforts to "protect small-business owners and workers from the explosion of frivolous lawsuits that threaten jobs across America."

Bush called the tax code a "complicated mess filled with special-interest loopholes, saddling our people with more than 6 billion hours of paperwork and headache every year" and called for a "simpler, fairer, pro-growth system" without providing a specific proposal.

• Defending America: Like speakers who preceded him to the stage this week, Bush spoke extensively about the war on terror, the war in Iraq and his Democratic rival, Sen. John Kerry.

Bush reminded delegates about 9/11 when "in the heart of this great city we saw tragedy arrive on a quiet morning."

"We saw the bravery of rescuers grow with danger," he said. "We learned of passengers on a doomed plane who died with a courage that frightened their killers." And now, having faced the challenges, "we have historic goals within our reach and greatness in our future. We will build a safer world and a more hopeful America, and nothing will hold us back."

Bush told delegates that the administration's post-9/11 strategy is succeeding. Four years ago, Afghanistan was the home base for al-Qaida, Pakistan was a transit point for terrorists and Libya was secretly pursuing nuclear weapons.