For Immediate Release
Office of the Vice President
November 7, 2003
Remarks by the Vice President at a Dinner for Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell
The Hyatt Regency Denver
Denver, Colorado
November 6, 2003
6:00 P.M. MST
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you all, very much. And I want to
thank Ben for his kind words. And I'm delighted to be here on this
occasion when once again, he said yes, he's going to run for the United
States Senate again in 2004. (Applause.)
Of course, we're all here tonight to make absolutely certain he
gets reelected in 2004. (Applause.) It's great to be back in Denver
and back in Colorado. And of course, having been the congressman for
10 years from Wyoming, I know a little bit about Colorado. And my
daughters and wife went to school in Colorado, and I've spent a lot of
time here over the years and got many great friends here. And I
especially want to bring all of you tonight greetings from the man in
the White House, President George W. Bush. (Applause.)
We could not have done it in 2000 without those electoral votes -
those eight electoral votes from Colorado. I like remind to the
President, as well, that those three from Wyoming came in pretty handy,
too. (Laughter.)
Looking to next year, to November of 2004, we've got a very busy
year ahead of us. And this week, of course, we got some early
indications on how voters are feeling about Republican leadership. On
Tuesday in Mississippi, the sitting Democratic Governor was unseated by
the former RNC Chairman, Haley Barbour. (Applause.) In Kentucky, the
voters chose Dr. Ernie Fletcher, the first Republican Governor in that
state in 36 years. (Applause.) And last week I was visited in my
office by that new governor from California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, a
great Republican. (Applause.) I'm confident that next year, the
American people, as well, are going to reelect our Republican
President, George W. Bush. (Applause.)
Leading the Colorado ticket next year, of course, is going to be
United States Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell. (Applause.) And I'm
proud to be here tonight on Ben's behalf. We've been friends a long
time, as he explained. We began serving together back in the House in
the 1980s. We both came from Western states and had a lot in common.
I think Ben and his colleague, Wayne Allard, are one of the finest
teams in the United States Senate today. (Applause.)
Of course, I have a special interest as the Vice President. My
only real job is as President of the Senate. And when they wrote the
Constitution and created the vice presidency, they got down to the end
of the Constitutional Convention and somebody remembered they hadn't
given the Vice President any job. He had nothing to do. (Laughter.)
So they said, well, we'll let him preside over the United States Senate
- and made my the President of the Senate. And when I go to the
Senate, I'm called Mr. President, reference to my Senate title.
My predecessor, John Adams, our first Vice President also had floor
privileges. He could go down in the well of the Senate and actually
engage in debate. And then he did a couple of times, and they withdrew
his floor privileges. (Laughter.) And they've never been restored.
So I'm not allowed to speak, but I do get to cast that tie-breaking
vote. And it's absolutely essential for everybody to understand the
enormous importance the President and I place on having Republican
allies in control in those key slots in the House and the Senate of the
United States. Our job would be far more difficult than it is on all
the key issues of the day if it weren't for the fact that those
chairmanships reside in the hands and committees and sub-committees of
great senators like Ben Nighthorse Campbell and so many others. So
it's crucial that we absolutely maintain control of the Senate and
expand our numbers next time around. (Applause.)
Of course, like Ronald Reagan, Ben started out as a Democrat - so
did my dad -- and in his career has become one of the best known and
one of the most admired public servants in the American West. He's a
man of conviction. He's respected by colleagues on both sides of the
aisle. And he's been a strong voice for Colorado and the West, and a
voice of common sense on everything from the environment to energy to
the interests of Native Americans and to our veterans.
He's led one of the great American lives - if you think about it --
active duty in the Air Force during the Korean War; on the Olympic
team; a rancher; entrepreneur; and, now for two decades, a devoted
public servant. He brings wisdom and civility to Washington -- a city
badly in need of both. And President Bush and I are delighted to be
proud - and will be proud year to be on the ticket here in Colorado
with Ben Nighthorse Campbell as a United States Senator. (Applause.)
With the responsibilities that the President and I have, of course,
we count very heavily on our capable partners in the Senate and the
House. The President came to Washington determined to solve problems,
instead of simply passing them on to future generations. We were
determined to seize new opportunities for reform -- to get beyond some
of the old debates that stood in the way of progress for many years.
I think today, as we look ahead to the election of 2004, we've got
a record of accomplishment to show for our efforts. I think the
American people can be confident of a better future, a stronger
economy, and greater security against the dangers we face in this new
era, because of the character and the leadership of President George W.
Bush.
In the weeks following the terrorist attacks on America, people in
every part of the country took pride and comfort in the character and
conduct of our President. From that day to this, he's led a steady,
focused, and relentless campaign against the enemies who struck America
that day and killed our fellow citizens.
Not long after September 11th, one high-ranking al Qaeda official
said, "This is the beginning of the end for America." It is pretty
clear that this terrorist did not know us. It is pretty clear that
terrorist had no idea what he was talking about. (Applause.) It's
pretty clear that the terrorists who attacked us did not understand the
strength and resilience of this country. And they clearly
underestimated the determination of our President.
As we stand here today, a great many of al Qaeda's known leaders
are captured or killed. Those still living in fear are living in fear,
and their fear is well founded. In Afghanistan, the Taliban regime
brutalized an entire population and harbored al Qaeda -- and that
regime is no more. In Iraq, a ruthless dictator cultivated weapons of
mass destruction and the means to deliver them. He gave support to
terrorists, had an established relationship with al Qaeda, and his
regime is no more.
Freedom still has enemies in Iraq. These terrorists are targeting
the very success and the freedom we're providing to the Iraqi people.
But we will persevere until every one of them is confronted and
defeated. (Applause.)
This is no easy task, but the men and women of America's Armed
Forces are undertaking it with enormous skill and courage. And as part
of the greater Fort Carson community, you see it firsthand and you play
an essential role demonstrating the strength and the support the
American people have for our troops. As a former Secretary of Defense,
like you, I have never been prouder of the men and women of the United
States military. (Applause.)
These young Americans deserve our wholehearted support. They
deserve to have their bravery in battle recognized and to have us
acknowledge, as well, the progress they've made in helping the people
of Afghanistan and Iraq to emerge into a new era of self-rule and
freedom. Now in the Middle East they are supporting the citizens of
Iraq and Afghanistan as they create countries that can be part of the
world community, instead of a threat to it. This is a mission that
must succeed, and under this President, it will succeed. (Applause.)
One of the most important commitments President Bush and I made
during the 2000 campaign was that the armed forces would be given every
resource they need and the respect they deserve --and we have kept our
word. (Applause.)
Making sure that our nation is secure has been a principal concern
of this administration. And so has the economic well-being of our
citizens. As Ben explained, by the time we took office, the economy
was sliding into recession. To get it growing again, we've delivered
tax relief, significant tax relief. And we've done this because we
believe that when families and small businesses are hurting, the best
way to help them is to let them keep more of what they earn.
(Applause.) As the President likes to remind us, the money we spend in
Washington is not the government's money -- it's the people's money.
(Applause.)
With the help of Senator Campbell, and others who have a like view,
our Administration has delivered the largest tax relief package since
Ronald Reagan was in the White House, and we are beginning now to see
strong economic growth as a result. Ben mentioned the figures for the
third quarter that show the economy grew at an annual rate of 7.2
percent - the best in nearly 20 years. Exports are expanding, business
investment is rising. Housing construction is booming, and jobs are
beginning to be created. And the President and I will not rest until
every American who wants to work can find a job. (Applause.)
As you know, there are voices in the land who want to roll back the
Bush tax cuts. Sometimes I hear these voices on the nightly news.
(Applause.) But, in fact, the Bush tax cuts are what is bringing us
out of recession and helping to foster long-term economic growth.
Instead of rolling - instead of rolling the tax cuts back, we ought to
do as the President has asked, we ought to make the Bush tax cuts
permanent. (Applause.)
The President has also made education reform a matter of the
highest priority. He has reached across the aisle to enact a program
that encourages high aspirations and accountability and gives parents
the information they need to know about whether or not their children's
schools are making progress.
Education has been one of those issues where there has been a lot
of talk about over the years, but under this President's leadership,
talk was turned to action. Similarly, after many failed attempts in
the 1990s, we now have trade promotion authority to open new markets
for America's farmers, ranchers, and manufacturers.
On issue after issue, President Bush has led the way in making
progress for the American people. All of us in this Administration -
and the Republicans in the House and Senate -- recognize that our job
is not to rest on a strong record, but to keep adding to that record.
Abroad, the fundamental interest of this nation requires that we oppose
threats to our freedom and security wherever they gather. And it
requires that we encourage free markets, democracy and tolerance
because these are the ideas and the aspirations that overcome violence
and turn societies to the pursuits of peace. In the Middle East and
beyond, all who strive and sacrifice for the cause of freedom will have
a friend in the United States of America. (Applause.)
Here at home, we have a full agenda, and some pressing business to
complete. After so many years of inaction, we are nearing major reform
in Medicare -- reform that strengthens the system, and provides
America's seniors with prescription drug coverage. We also must
improve our health care system through liability reform. In Colorado
and across America, doctors should be able to spend their time healing
patients, instead of fighting frivolous lawsuits. (Applause.)
Thanks to the President's leadership, and with help from leaders
like Ben, the Congress is nearing passage of a comprehensive energy
plan. The President has proposed a strategy based on greater
efficiency and conservation, cleaner technology, and more energy
production right here in the United States of America. For the sake of
our economic security and our national security, we must modernize our
energy infrastructure and make this nation less dependent on foreign
oil. (Applause.)
Also on Capitol Hill, it's time for the United States Senate to get
about the business of confirming President Bush's judicial nominees.
(Applause.) The President has put forward superb nominees to serve on
the federal bench -- talented, experienced men and women who represent
the mainstream of American law and American values. Yet some of these
nominees have been denied an up-or-down vote for months, and even
years.
Last week, Senate Democrats waged a filibuster against another
nominee who would have been confirmed with a solid majority if the
Senate had simply been permitted to vote. It is time for the Senate to
end the unfair practice, and to end all the needless delays in the
confirmation process. Every nominee deserves a prompt vote on the
Senate floor -- and that's another reason we need to reelect Senator
Campbell and to give him more Republican colleagues in the United
States Senate. (Applause.)
We've achieved a great deal over the last several years. But
there's still a great deal left to do in Washington -- and around the
world this nation has many serious responsibilities and challenges.
The campaign season will come in due course -- and when it does,
President Bush and I will run hard and take nothing for granted.
Senator Campbell will do the same. We understand that the key to
victory is to do the work we've been given, and to do it well. We
intend to make good use of every day we have the honor of serving the
American people.
Long before I took this job, I had the good fortune to work with
other Presidents I greatly admire. As White House Chief of Staff in
the aftermath of Watergate, I saw Gerald Ford restore confidence in
government by the sheer decency and force of his character. As a
congressman during the decisive years of the Cold War, I saw the
conviction and the moral courage of Ronald Reagan. And as a member of
the Cabinet under former President Bush, I saw the ideal of public
service in its purest form and came to know a leader of honor and
integrity.
Along the way, I learned a few things about the presidency, and the
kind of person it takes to do that job well. It takes the finest
qualities of character: conviction, personal integrity, good judgment,
compassion, and courage in times of testing for the nation. And that,
ladies and gentlemen, is exactly the kind of man we have in the White
House today. (Applause.)
President Bush and I are both honored by your confidence in us, and
by your commitment to the cause we share. And we are grateful to the
people of Colorado for sending Ben Nighthorse Campbell to Washington.
He is a steady leader in the Congress, he reflects great credit on the
people of Colorado. And I look forward to working with him for a good
many years to come.
Thank you all very much. (Applause.)
END 6:20 P.M. MST
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