Bush's Arrival Has Spanish Accent

Candidate Emphasizes Latino Support At Welcome Rally

Dan Bernard, Staff Writer, NewsNet5
August 2, 2000, 8:46 p.m. EDT

PHILADELPHIA -- George W. Bush arrived bilingually in the city where Republicans will soon nominate him as their presidential candidate.

At an event sponsored by Republican Latino-Americans, Bush took the microphone in Spanish.

"Comos estas? Vamos a ganar!" the Texas governor told an enthusiastic crowd in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art Wednesday morning. The Spanish words mean, "How are you? We're going to win!"

The event, featuring an introduction by Bush's nephew George P. Bush and music by Jon Secada and Emilio Estefan of the Miami Sound Machine, was designed to highlight the rapport with Spanish-speaking voters that Bush built in two elections to the Texas statehouse.

Bush spoke Spanglish: "Juntos podemos! Together we can make sure that every child pueden leer, can read, in America!"

Appearing with Bush and wife Laura Bush were his former primary opponent and now public supporter Sen. John McCain, with his wife Cindy McCain. McCain re-endorsed Bush before the convention the night before; Bush returned the praise, calling McCain "a living example of honor, duty and country ... I can't wait to campaign with you across the country."

Bush was scheduled to walk on the convention floor to meet delegates Wednesday evening but was not scheduled to address the convention until Thursday. Wednesday evening's featured speaker is Bush's running-mate choice, former Defense Secretary Dick Cheney.

Related Stories:

• You Asked, We Answer: Bush's 'Inclusivity'
• McCain Salutes Bush

For more campaign coverage from NewsNet5, click here

Copyright 2001 by NewsNet5. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.