While he touched on common themes of cutting taxes and improving education, Bush got the most rousing cheers when he ticked off a list of measures targeting abortion that passed the Florida Legislature this year.

In their legislative session that ended Friday, Florida lawmakers approved tougher state regulations on clinics that perform second-trimester abortions and voted to require parental notification when girls under 18 seek abortions.

They also approved direct funding for counselors at crisis pregnancy centers and new state funds for adoptions.

Bush urged Georgia Republicans not to shy away from tackling similar issues "in a time of moral ambivalence."

"There is such a thing as right and wrong," Bush said. "Republicans cannot continue to win unless we talk with compassion and passion about absolute truth."

In his 15-minute speech, Bush did not mention speculation on whether he might follow his father and his older brother in seeking the White House in 2008.

Bush has said several times previously that he has no interest in the presidency. But that didn't stop Georgia supporters from offering encouragement.

During his turn at the podium, U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., noted that President Bush "will be leaving in 2008. And if I had my way, he'd be followed by another Bush. What do you think about that?"

The crowd erupted into cheers and applause.

Georgia's Republican lawmakers also passed tougher abortion laws this year in their first legislative session controlling both the House and Senate.

The measures include stricter rules for notifying parents of minors seeking abortions as well as a 24-hour waiting period before a woman can terminate a pregnancy, regardless of age.

House Speaker Glenn Richardson, R-Hiram, said Saturday he's unaware of any further abortion measures on tap for next year.

Bush's address wasn't all serious. He poked light fun at his introduction by Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue, who called Bush "the kind of guy I like to hang out with" because he's always thinking about new policies.

"I think he was calling me a policy nerd," Bush said. "I'm going to take that as a complement."

© 2005 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved

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