I think it is most appropriate that the President of the United States, whose business place is in Washington, should come to this city and participate in these rallies. Because the business of the Government is the business of the people — and the people are right here.

It's been a privilege to be here.

It is wonderful to be here in the great state of Chicago

Friends and fellow citizens, the story of our presence here is soon and easily told. We are here in the District of Columbia, here in the city of Washington, the most luminous point of American territory; a city recently transformed and made beautiful in its body and in its spirit; we are here in the place where the ablest and best men of the country are sent to devise the policy, enact the laws, and shape the destiny of the Republic; we are here, with the stately pillars and majestic dome of the Capitol of the nation looking down upon us; we are here, with the broad earth freshly adorned with the foliage and flowers of spring for our church, and all races, colors, and conditions of men for our congregation — in a word, we are here to express, as best we may, by appropriate forms and ceremonies, our grateful sense of the vast, high, and preeminent services rendered to ourselves, to our race, to our country, and to the whole world by Abraham Lincoln.

It's wonderful to be here in the great state of Chicago.

Some of you may not believe, but I am glad to be here. When Sig asked me if I would consider addressing you there was no doubt that I should come into the lion's den.

I've been to so many places, met so many people. Whenever we have these conventions, you always meet the elite of the city and the state. And then the privilege of going to Washington, sitting with the Joint Chiefs of Staff during inaugurations. All the military organizations have banquets for us, and they foot a lot of the bills. So we meet so many people that you would never meet in your lifetime. Foreign dignitaries, go to embassies, stuff like that.

It's good to be back in Washington D.C. Last time I was here I was Foreign Minister. This time I came back as Defense Minister. Maybe next year as a Prime Minister.

Coming to these conventions is just a payoff really of the work that we do and getting recognized and feely special for the day.

Washington, D.C. is a city filled with people who believe they are important.

We are very happy to be here. Can I say that as well? This is a happy place to work. I enjoy coming in here and have done since I began coming in.

I know where a lot of them [the elite or elitists] live.

Where's that?

Well, in our nation's capital and New York City. I've seen it. I've lived there.

I had been asked to fly to Washington to be part of the larger announcement, a major press conference and celebration that would take place at the Department of Justice and the White House. But I wanted to be at home with my team. It was our victory to share together. And we needed to gear up for the next battle ahead.

The government in Washington belongs to you.