Martin Hoke: “I say to my colleagues, ``Don't get excited, everyone. I don't want to cause any parliamentary problems here today, and…”

“I say to my colleagues, ``Don't get excited, everyone. I don't want to cause any parliamentary problems here today, and I certainly don't intend to impugn anyone's motives or integrity, but after listening to the President's speech last night, I have to ask the question that all of America wants to know: Has the President become a Republican?'' Mr. Speaker, some in the Chamber might not take kindly to that label, but to most of us we consider it to be a badge of honor, and I say to my colleagues, ``If you've read recent polls, it appears that, as the President has, the American people are demanding the same Republican principles of smaller, less costly government, greater individual freedom based on personal responsibility.'' That is exactly what the President embraced last night, and that is exactly the premise of our Republican Contract With America. Mr. Speaker, it is good to see the President has joined with a majority of the voters in supporting the Republican agenda. We are the party of forgive and forget, and we welcome him to our cause.”