George W. Bush: “We believe every person deserves to live in a free, open society that respects the rights of all.”

Violence and vitriol must be purged from the public square. Members of other political parties are not our enemies; they are our fellow citizens.

To you and the honored dead, our country is forever grateful.

That is the America I know.

If any voters came hoping for a kind word and a hug, they’d have to settle for the kind word.