For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 3, 2004
Remarks by the President and Mrs. Bush at West Allis, Wisconsin Rally
Wisconsin Exposition Center
West Allis, Wisconsin
12:38 P.M. CDT
MRS. BUSH: Thank you, everybody. Thanks a lot. (Applause.)
Thank you all. Thanks, everybody. We're so happy to be here today in
Wisconsin, on our way out of New York City from our convention last
night. We're so glad to be here in Wisconsin today. (Applause.)
I'm so proud that my husband has led our country with conviction
and strength through some of our generation's greatest struggles.
(Applause.) I've watched him take decisive action to lead us out of
recession and to spread the opportunity for ownership across America.
I've watched him make tough decisions to safeguard our children from
terror, and to liberate millions. (Applause.) He's steady, he's got
great resolve. And I'm so proud that he has the character and the
courage that these times demand.
Ladies and gentlemen, my husband, the President. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. Thank you all for coming.
(Applause.) Thank you all. That's what I'm here to tell you -- I've
got the vision, the desire to lead this country for four more years.
(Applause.) I want to thank you all for coming. Before I thank you
for the work you're going to do, and before I talk to you about why I
want to be your President for four more years, I do want to address
several situations in the news that call for our concern and prayers.
En route here we just received news that President Clinton has been
hospitalized in New York. He is in our thoughts and prayers. We send
him our best wishes for a swift and speedy recovery. (Applause.)
In Florida, our citizens are bracing for yet another hurricane.
Many people there are being displaced from their homes. The federal
government stands ready to help the people of Florida in any way we
can. And the people there need to know all America is praying for
their safety. (Applause.)
And finally, in Russia, hundreds of agonized parents are worried
about the fate of their children. This is yet another grim reminder of
the lengths to which terrorists will go to threaten the civilized
world. We mourn the innocent lives that have been lost. We stand with
the people of Russia. We sent them our prayers in this terrible
situation. (Applause.)
And finally, I'm here to thank you for your help, thank you for
registering people to vote, thank you for working hard. There is no
doubt in my mind, we will carry Wisconsin and carry this country.
(Applause.)
We love coming to Wisconsin. It's the home of some really fine
people. It's a beautiful state, and you play great football.
(Applause.) You know, it's traditional, when politicians come to your
state that they talk about the Packers. And I understand my opponent
did it the other day, and he even mentioned the legendary stadium in
Green Bay. (Laughter.) Listen, I've got some advice for him: if
someone offers you a cheesehead, don't say you want some wine.
(Laughter.) Just put it on your head and take a seat at Lambeau
Field. (Applause.)
I'm going to give you some reasons to put me in, but perhaps the
most important one of all is so that Laura will be First Lady for four
more years. (Applause.) Man, she gave a great speech. You know, when
I asked her to marry me, it was in Midland, Texas. She said I'll marry
you so long as I don't ever have to give a speech. (Laughter.) I said
okay, but fortunately, she didn't hold me to the promise. The country
got to see that she is calm, steady, compassionate and a great First
Lady. (Applause.)
I want to thank -- the other night I had a chance to thank publicly
my running mate, Dick Cheney. He's a fine man. (Applause.) You know,
I admit it, he's not the prettiest face in the race. I didn't pick him
for his looks. I picked him because of his judgment, his experience,
and his ability to get the job done. (Applause.)
I want to thank three members of the United States Congress from
Wisconsin who are here today -- Jim Sensenbrenner, the Chairman, is
with us today. Appreciate you -- (applause.) Tom Petri is with us
today. Congressman, thank you for coming. (Applause.) And
Congressman Mark Green is with us today. I appreciate you coming,
Mark. (Applause.)
I want to thank my friend, Scott Walker, who is here today.
(Applause.) If he plays his cards right, they may just start calling
him "W." I appreciate Mary Panzer and John Gard. I want to thank all
the state and local officials who are here.
I want to thank the Democrats For Bush national co-chairman who is
with us, Brian Lunde. (Applause.) You know, Brian and Zell Miller --
(applause) -- they're leading -- they're on to something. (Laughter.)
There's a lot of discerning Democrats who understand that four more
years will make this country safer, stronger, and better. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
THE PRESIDENT: And this campaign welcomes all Democrats and
independents. Our vision includes everybody. Our message is for every
single citizen in this country. (Applause.)
I appreciate my friend, Jim Klauser, and all the grassroots
activists who are here. Thanks for putting up the signs. Thanks for
making the phone calls. Thanks for registering the voters, and thank
you for turning out our voters, come November, to the polls.
(Applause.)
I am honored that Greg Gracz is with us today. He is the President
of the Milwaukee Professional Firefighters Association, Local 215.
(Applause.) I received the endorsement from 215 and the Firefighters.
I proudly accept your support. (Applause.) Bradley DeBraska is with
us. He is the President of the Milwaukee Police Association.
(Applause.) I thank them for their endorsement, as well. I am proud
-- (applause) -- I am proud to stand with the police and firefighters
of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Applause.)
I want to, finally, thank West Allis Central High School Band.
Thank you all for coming. (Applause.)
Listen, we're approaching an historic national election. The time
for choosing is coming close. This election will come down to the
records we have built, the convictions we hold, and the vision that
guides us forward. I'm looking forward to this campaign. I'm looking
forward because I understand a presidential contest is a contest for
the future. Over the next two months I will tell you where I stand.
I'm going to tell you where I'm going to lead this country; I'll tell
you what I believe.
I believe every child can learn and every school must teach.
(Applause.) I believe we have a moral responsibility to honor our
seniors. That is why we strengthened Medicare. (Applause.) And one
of the most important partners I had in accomplishing this political
promise I made to the American people was Tommy Thompson, the great
former governor of Wisconsin. (Applause.) He's a good one. He's a
great member of my Cabinet and a very close friend. Thanks for
training him. (Laughter.)
I believe now, and I will believe forever, in the energy and
innovative spirit of the American worker, the American small business
owner, the American farmer and rancher. And that is why we unleashed
that energy with the largest tax relief in a generation. (Applause.)
We have overcome a recession, corporate scandals, a terrorist
attack. Our economy is growing, and it is getting stronger. This
morning, we received the jobs report for August and it shows that our
economy has added 144,000 new jobs, plus revisions of upwards of 60,000
for the two previous months. (Applause.) We gained 22,000
manufacturing jobs last month. (Applause.) The national unemployment
rate is down to 5.4 percent. (Applause.) That is nearly a full point
below the rate last summer, and well below the average of the 1970s,
1980s, and 1990s. (Applause.) The unemployment rate in your great
state is 4.7 percent. (Applause.)
By supporting our small business owners, our entrepreneurs and our
workers, the economy of Wisconsin is strong and it is getting
stronger. (Applause.)
The most solemn duty of the American President is to protect the
American people. If America shows uncertainty and weakness in this
decade, the world will drift toward tragedy. This is not going to
happen on my watch. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE: USA! USA! USA!
THE PRESIDENT: I am running for President with a clear and
positive plan to build a safer world and a more hopeful America. I'm
running with a compassionate conservative agenda that says government
should help people improve their lives, not give people orders on how
to run their lives. (Applause.) I believe this nation wants steady,
consistent, principled leadership, and that is why, with your help,
we're going to retain the White House in November of '04. (Applause.)
This world of ours is changing. I want you to know I understand
that. We're changing jobs. Many people have many careers and jobs
during their lifetime. That's not the way it used to be. Women are
now working inside the house and outside the house. The work force is
changing. And it's a time of great opportunity here in America, but
government must stand side-by-side with the American people during
times of change.
I want you to hear this. Many of the fundamental systems of our
society, the tax code, health coverage, pension plans and worker
training, were created for the world of yesterday, not tomorrow. In
order to make sure that the American people have a chance to realize
their dreams, we must change these fundamental systems to enable people
to better realize their own hopes and aspirations. Any plan begins
with making sure this economy stays strong, and my plan does that.
See, to create more jobs in America, we must have an atmosphere in
which America is the best place in the world to do business.
(Applause.)
That means we must have an energy policy in this country. I
submitted a plan to the Congress two years ago that encouraged
conservation, encouraged the development of renewable sources of
energy, encouraged clean coal technology, encouraged using our
resources at home more wisely. In order to keep jobs in America, we
must become less dependent on foreign sources of energy. (Applause.)
We open up our markets from goods and services from overseas. They
need to open up their markets. The best trade policy is to create a
level playing field, because we can compete with anybody, anytime,
anywhere, as long as the rules are fair. (Applause.)
To keep jobs here, we must reduce the regulations on our small
businesses. We must get rid of these frivolous and junk lawsuits that
are making it hard on employers. (Applause.) We must be wise about
how we spend your money, and we must keep your taxes low. (Applause.)
We have a difference in this campaign. My opponent already has
promised $2 trillion of new spending.
AUDIENCE: Booo!
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah. And we've still got the rest of September
and October to go. (Laughter.) So they said, how are you going to pay
for it? How are you going to pay for all these promises? He said, oh,
don't worry, I'll just tax the rich. You've heard that before, haven't
you? You know how that works. The rich dodge and you get stuck with
the bill. But we're not going to let him tax you because we're going
to win in November. (Applause.)
One of the systems that needs to be changed is our tax code. It is
a complicated mess. It is full of special interest loopholes. We
spend about six billion hours to try to fill out forms. In a second
term, I will call together Republicans and Democrats to reform and
simplify the federal tax code. (Applause.)
Our worker training programs need to be updated and modernized.
Listen, there are new jobs being created, but oftentimes, workers don't
have the skills to meet those jobs. There's a skills gap. We will
close that gap by making sure the worker training programs work, by
expanding access to community colleges, by giving our workers a chance
to be able to fill the jobs of the 21st century.
In order to make sure that people realize their dreams here in
America, we got to make sure our education system works well. Listen,
most new jobs are filled by people with at least two years of college.
Yet, in this country, only one in four students gets there. We can do
a better job than that. We'll fund early intervention programs in high
schools to make sure children don't get discouraged and fall behind.
We'll place a new focus on math and science. We'll require a rigorous
exam before graduation. What I'm telling you is, by raising
performance in our high schools, and by expanding Pell grants for
low-and middle-income families, we will help more Americans start their
careers with a college diploma. (Applause.)
In a time of change we must do more to make sure quality health
care is available and affordable. More than one-half of the uninsured
in America are small business employees. Many small businesses are
having trouble affording health care. In a new term, we must allow
small firms to join together to purchase insurance at the discounts big
companies get. (Applause.)
Last night I proposed new steps to encourage small businesses and
employees and low-income Americans to set up health savings accounts.
These accounts give workers the security of insurance against major
illness, the opportunity to save tax-free for routine health expenses,
and the freedom of knowing you can take your account with you whenever
you change jobs. (Applause.) Under my plan, small businesses will
receive a rebate when they contribute to their employees' health
savings accounts.
I met with Judy Geiger today. She is a small business owner. She
is from Cudahy. (Applause.) She used to provide her employees a PPO.
The rising cost of premiums made her change. Last month she signed up
for a health savings account. She's saving about $300 a month on her
personal premiums, and $2,000 a month on the premiums for her
employees. Here's what she said. She said, "It's wonderful to have
this opportunity for our people." What I'm telling you is, there are
ways to hold down costs, ways to help small businesses, ways to make
sure people have got insurance. And we have got a plan to do that.
(Applause.)
A big problem in America is the frivolous lawsuits that are running
up the cost of your medicine and running docs out of business.
(Applause.) You cannot be pro-doctor and pro-patient and pro-plaintiff
attorney at the same time. You have to choose. My opponent made his
choice -- and he put him on the ticket. (Laughter.) I made my choice
-- I am for medical liability reform -- now. (Applause.)
I'm for an ownership society because I know in changing times, if
you own something it brings stability to your life. You know, one of
the most fantastic statistics today is the home ownership rate is at an
all-time high in America. We'll continue to promote home ownership.
As I said last night, there's nothing better than somebody opening
their door and saying, welcome to my home, welcome to my piece of
property. (Applause.)
Our retirement systems must change with the times. If you're a
baby boomer, Social Security is just fine. If you're older than being
a baby boomer, you're in great shape. Nothing is going to change. But
if you're a younger worker, you better listen carefully to the debate
in this campaign. I believe younger workers ought to be able to save
some of their taxes in a personal account, a nest egg they can call
their own. (Applause.) A clear difference in philosophy in this
campaign, if you listen carefully, you'll understand my opponent is
running to expand government. We're running to expand opportunity.
(Applause.)
In a world of change, some things don't change: the values that we
try to live by -- courage, compassion, reverence and integrity; the
institutions which are important to our society -- our families, our
schools and our religious congregations. (Applause.) Because family
and work are sources of dignity and stability, I support welfare reform
that strengthens family and requires work. (Applause.) I support a
culture of life in which every person matters and every person counts.
(Applause.) We strongly support the religious charities that are
providing hope to millions. Government should never discriminate
against faith-based programs. (Applause.) We support family and
marriage, which are the foundations of our society. (Applause.) I
will continue to appoint federal judges who know the difference between
personal opinion and the strict interpretation of the law. (Applause.)
This election will also determine how America responds to the
continuing danger of terrorism. Since the terrible morning of
September the 11th, 2001, we have fought the terrorist across the
earth, not for pride, not for power, but because the lives of our
citizens are at stake. (Applause.) Our strategy is clear. We're
defending the homeland, we're transforming our military, we're
strengthening our intelligence services. We're staying on the
offensive. We're striking the terrorists abroad so we do not have to
face them here at home. (Applause.)
And we're working to advance liberty in the broader Middle East,
because we know freedom will bring hope and peace, the peace we all
want. Our strategy is working. Just remember this: Four years ago,
Afghanistan was the home base of al Qaeda; Pakistan was a transit point
for terrorist groups; Saudi was fertile ground for terrorist
fundraising; Libya was secretly pursuing nuclear weapons; Iraq was a
gathering threat; and al Qaeda was largely unchallenged as it planned
its attack. Because we acted, because we were resolute and strong and
firm, the government of a free Afghanistan is fighting terror, Pakistan
is capturing terrorists, Saudi is making raids and arrests, Libya is
dismantling its weapons programs, the army of a free Iraq is fighting
for freedom, and more -- (applause.) And more than three-quarters,
three-quarters of al Qaeda's key members and associates have been
detained or killed. (Applause.) We have led, many have joined, and
America and the world are safer. (Applause.)
This progress involved careful diplomacy, clear moral purpose, and
some tough decisions. The toughest one of all was in Iraq. We knew
Saddam Hussein's record of aggression and support for terror.
Remember, he subsidized the families of suicide bombers. Terrorist
organizations were in and out of his country, people like Zarqawi and
his network, or Abu Nidal and his network. We knew his long history of
pursuing and using weapons of mass destruction. And we know that after
September the 11th, this nation must take threats seriously before they
fully materialize. (Applause.)
In Saddam Hussein, we saw a threat. So I went to the United States
Congress. They looked at the same intelligence I did, remembered the
same history of Saddam, and they saw a threat. My opponent looked at
the very same intelligence, and when asked to vote on a resolution that
authorized the use of force, he voted, "aye."
The last choice of the Commander-in-Chief is to put troops in
harm's way. So I felt it was important to try diplomacy. I went to
the United Nations. The United Nations looked at the same intelligence
and the United Nations Security Council resolved, unanimously resolved,
that Saddam Hussein must disclose, disarm, or face serious
consequences. The world had spoken, but as he had for over a decade,
he ignored this resolution, as well as over 10 resolutions. He had no
intention of listening to the demands of the free world. As a matter
of fact, he deceived the inspectors that were going in to try to get
him to adhere to the demands of the free world. We had given him a
choice, a final choice -- it was his decision to make, and he clearly
made his decision. So I had a choice to make: trust the word of a
madman and forget the lessons of September the 11th, or take action to
defend the country. Given that choice, I will defend America every
time. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE: USA! USA! USA!
THE PRESIDENT: Because we acted, because we took action to defend
ourselves, more than 50 million people have been liberated.
(Applause.) I like to tell people these are historic times. I truly
believe they are. One reason I say that is because I've seen what's
happened in Afghanistan. This is a country that has gone from darkness
to light, a country where the Taliban wouldn't even let young girls go
to school. They'd whip their mothers in the public squares or kill
them because of their beliefs. They were backward and they were
wrong. And yet today, yet today, three years after the liberation, 10
million Afghan citizens have registered to vote. (Applause.)
Freedom is powerful. In Iraq, there's a strong Prime Minister, a
national council. National elections in that country are scheduled for
January. Our strategy is clear. We will stand with the people to help
them start their political process. We will train Afghan citizens and
Iraqi citizens so they can defend themselves against the few who are
trying to stop the march of liberty. Our troops will stay there as
long as necessary to finish the mission, and they will come home with
the honor they have earned. (Applause.)
We have a great United States military. (Applause.) I want to
thank all the veterans who have set such a fine example for those who
wear our uniform. (Applause.) I have made a commitment to our troops
and their families they will have all the support they need from the
federal government to complete their mission. That is why I went to
the Congress last September and asked for $87 billion of supplemental
funding to support them in their missions in Afghanistan and Iraq.
This money was for fuel and spare parts, ammunition, hazard pay, health
benefits. It was a vital funding request. We got great support. As a
matter of fact, all but 12 United States senators voted to support the
funding. Two of those who voted against it were my opponent and his
running mate.
AUDIENCE: Booo!
THE PRESIDENT: Only four United States senators voted to authorize
the use of force, and the voted against funding our troops. Two of
those senators were my opponent and his running mate.
AUDIENCE: Booo!
THE PRESIDENT: So they asked him, why did you vote? He said,
well, I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against
it. (Laughter.) That's what he said.
AUDIENCE: Flip-flop! Flip-flop! Flip-flop!
THE PRESIDENT: Then he said he's proud of his vote, and then he
said the whole thing was a complicated matter. There is nothing
complicated about supporting our troops in combat. (Applause.)
During the next four years, I'll continue to build alliances. You
know, there's nearly 40 nations involved in Afghanistan, some 30
nations in Iraq. I'm proud of the service to the cause of freedom and
peace. We'll continue to build those alliances, but I will never turn
over America's national security decisions to leaders of other
countries. (Applause.)
I believe in the transformational power of liberty. I've seen it
happen throughout history, and so have you. We've seen nations in our
own hemisphere become free nations and allies in the sake of peace.
Our parents' generation saw the transformational power of liberty when,
after World War II, Japan, because we believed in democracy, Japan
became a friend. You know, I sit down at the table with Prime Minister
Koizumi and discuss North Korea and other issues, on how to keep the
peace. I'm able to do so because my predecessor and other citizens of
this great country believe that liberty could convert an enemy into a
friend.
There was a lot of cynics and doubters in those days -- you can
understand why. Japan was a fierce enemy. I mean, people couldn't
envision how liberty could transform a society. But there were fellow
country people of ours who did believe that then. And today we sit
down with an enemy and talk about the peace. See, that's what's taking
place. Liberty is powerful. Some day an American President is going
to be sitting down with a duly-elected leader of Iraq talking about
keeping the peace, talking about -- (applause.)
A free Afghanistan and a free Iraq will set powerful examples in a
neighborhood that is desperate for freedom. Women who long for freedom
in the Middle East will see examples of a free society in their
neighborhood. Young men will realize a free society is one in which
they can realize their hopes and aspirations; they don't have to strap
suicide belts on. Freedom is powerful. I'll tell you why I believe so
strongly in freedom. I understand it's not America's gift to the
world; it's the Almighty God's gift to every man and woman in this
world. (Applause.)
I believe we're living in a century that will be called the century
of liberty. By promoting freedom at home and abroad, we'll build a
safer world and a more hopeful America. Over the next four years,
we'll continue to work hard for the American people to reform those
institutions that need to change to make you more free. We'll spread
ownership to every corner of this country. Opportunity will abound.
We'll pass the enduring values of our country on to a young
generation. We'll be steadfast in our pursuit of freedom and peace,
and we will prevail. (Applause.)
For all Americans, these years in our history will stand apart.
There are quiet times in the life of a nation when little is expected
of its leaders. This is not one of those times. This is a time that
requires firm resolve, clear vision, and an unshakeable believe in the
values that make us a great country. (Applause.)
When I traveled your state four years ago, I made a pledge to you.
I said if I was honored to be able to hold this great office, I would
uphold the honor and the dignity of the office to which I had been
elected. (Applause.) With your help, for four more years, I will
continue to uphold the honor and the dignity of the White House.
(Applause.) God bless you. (Applause.)
END 1:25 P.M. CDT
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