For Immediate Release
Office of the Vice President
September 23, 2004
Vice President's Remarks at a Victory 2004 Rally in St. Joseph, Missouri
St. Joseph Civic Arena
St. Joseph, Missouri
3:47 P.M.CDT
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Thank you.
MALE AUDIENCE MEMBER: We love you. (Laughter.)
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Why is it always the guys who say we love
you? (Laughter.) All right. Well, I want to thank you for that warm
welcome. It's great to be here in St. Joseph. And this of course --
FEMALE AUDIENCE MEMBER: We love you, too. (Laughter and
applause.)
THE VICE PRESIDENT: All right. Okay. (Laughter.) I'm losing my
train of thought here. (Laughter.) St. Joe is famous as the place
where Jesse James met his end. And by the looks of things here today,
St. Joe will be the end of the Kerry-Edwards campaign. (Applause.)
Lynne has known me since I was 14 years old. She wouldn't go out
with me until I was 17. (Laughter.) And I tell folks that we actually
got married because Dwight Eisenhower got elected President -- because
in 1952, I was a youngster living in Lincoln, Nebraska with my folks.
Dad worked for the Soil Conservation Service. Eisenhower got elected,
he reorganized part of the government, Dad got transferred to Casper,
Wyoming, which is where I met Lynne. And we grew up together, went to
high school together, and a couple of weeks ago marked our 40th wedding
anniversary. (Applause.) I explained if it hadn't been for
Eisenhower's victory, Lynne would have married somebody else.
(Laughter.) She said, right, and now he'd be Vice President of the
United States. (Laughter and applause.) Sam liked that one, so --
(Laughter.)
But Lynne and I have been traveling across the country talking
about that tremendous convention we had in New York City. (Applause.)
President Bush laid out a clear, forward looking plan to make America
more hopeful and the world more secure.
The President and I are tremendously grateful for all of our
supporters in Missouri. Here and across the country, we've got strong
backing from Republicans and independents. And we're proud to have the
support of so many Democrats like Georgia's Senator Zell Miller.
(Applause.) The President and I were proud to carry Missouri in 2000.
We're going to work even harder to earn your support this year. We've
been to Missouri many times -- and you'll be seeing more of us. With
your help, we are going to win this state and we are going to win this
election. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Now, I had the pleasure of having your
Congressman, Sam Graves, travel with me to St. Joe today. He came out
with us from Washington. I know a little bit about the Congress. I
was the congressman from Wyoming for 10 years. Wyoming only has one
congressman. (Laughter.) It's a small delegation. (Laughter.) But
it was quality. (Applause.)
But I've gotten to know Sam and watched him work, and he does a
superb job for all of you here in Missouri. We're proud to have him in
the House of Representatives. (Applause.)
And let me also say you've got two great senators in Kit Bond and
Jim Talent. They're doing great work. And the President and I are
proud to be on the ballot this year with Sam, with Kit, with your
candidate for governor, Matt Blunt. (Applause.)
As I said in my convention speech in New York City, I'm mindful
that I now have an opponent. (Laughter.) People keep telling me
Senator Edwards got picked for his charm, his good looks, his sex
appeal, his great hair. I said, "How do you think I got the job?"
(Applause.)
But in all seriousness, this is serious business this year. This
is an important election -? an election that could not come at a more
crucial time in our history. Today we face an enemy every bit as
intent on destroying us as the Axis powers were in World War II. From
the night of September 11th to this day, America has left no doubt
about where we stand. We have no illusions about the nature of this
struggle, or the character of the enemy we face. The beheading of
American hostages this week is another grim reminder of the evil nature
of our adversaries. This is not an enemy we can reason with, or
negotiate with, or appease. This is, to put it simply, an enemy that
we must destroy. (Applause.) And with George W. Bush as our
Commander-in-Chief, that is exactly what we will do. (Applause.)
I'm sure many of you heard Rudy Giuliani's remarks at the
convention. He remembered the attacks of 9/11, and remembered at one
point turning to his police commissioner, Bernie Kerik, and saying,
"Thank God George W. Bush is our President." (Applause.)
Under the President's leadership, we have reached around the world
to capture and kill hundreds of al Qaeda. In Afghanistan, the camps
where terrorists trained to kill Americans have been shut down, and the
Taliban driven from power. In Iraq, we dealt with a gathering threat,
and removed the regime of Saddam Hussein. (Applause.) Eighteen months
ago, he controlled the lives and the fortunes of some 25 million
people. Today, he sits in jail. (Applause.)
This morning Sam and I sat in the Chamber of the House of
Representatives as Ayad Allawi, the Prime Minister of a free Iraq,
addressed the Congress and said, thank you America. (Applause.) He
noted the struggle in Iraq was tough, and that there have been and
there will be setbacks. But he also noted that there is progress not
being reported in the American media. Iraqi children are in school,
and Iraqi security forces are being trained. The country is on a
course toward free elections. Prime Minister Allawi is a brave man.
(Applause.)
Some years ago, Saddam Hussein sent assassins after the Prime
Minister -- with axes. They tried to hack him to death in his own
bed. He survived the attack. He's a brave and a determined leader.
And I must say I was appalled at the complete lack of respect Senator
Kerry showed for this man of courage --
AUDIENCE: Booo!
THE VICE PRESIDENT: -- when he rushed to hold a press conference
and attack the Prime Minister, a man America must stand beside to
defeat the terrorists. (Applause.) John Kerry is trying to tear down
all the good that has been accomplished, and his words are destructive
to our effort in Iraq and in the global war on terror. As Prime
Minister Allawi said in his speech, and I quote, "When political
leaders sound the siren of defeatism in the face of terrorism, it only
encourages more violence." End quote. (Applause.)
President Bush's steadfast leadership and clear determination send
a very different signal. Just five days after Saddam Hussein was
captured, the government of Libya agreed to abandon its nuclear weapons
program and turn the materials over to the United States. (Applause.)
The biggest danger we face today is having nuclear weapons
technology fall into the hands of terrorists. The President is working
with many countries in a global effort to end the trade and transfer of
these deadly technologies. The most important result thus far -- and
it is a very important one -- is that the black-market network that
supplied nuclear weapons technology to Libya, as well as to Iran and
North Korea, has been shut down. (Applause.) The world's worst source
of nuclear proliferation is out of business -- and we are safer as a
result.
We could not have succeeded in these efforts without the help of
dozens of countries around the world. We will always seek
international support for international efforts, but as President Bush
has made very clear, there is a difference between leading a coalition
of many nations and submitting to the objections of a few. We will
never seek a permission slip to defend the United States of America.
(Applause.)
America faces a choice on November 2nd between a strong and
steadfast President and his opponent, who seems to adopt a new position
every day.
AUDIENCE: Flip-flop! Flip-flop! Flip-flop!
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Earlier this week, John Kerry gave us yet
another position on the war in Iraq. He attacked the progress we are
making and the policies we have implemented. Yet despite all the harsh
rhetoric, Senator Kerry endorsed many of the same goals President Bush
has been pursuing in Iraq for months. Senator Kerry also said that
under his leadership, more of America's friends would speak with one
voice on Iraq. That seems a little odd coming from a guy who doesn't
speak with one voice himself. (Laughter and applause.)
By his repeated efforts to recast and redefine the war on terror
and our operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, Senator Kerry has given
every indication that he lacks the resolve, the determination, and the
conviction to prevail in the conflict we face. The position Senator
Kerry adopted most recently seems to be that he would not have
supported the use of force to remove Saddam Hussein's regime, and that
removing Saddam has somehow weakened our national security.
AUDIENCE: Booo!
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Nine months ago when Howard Dean took a
similar position during the Democratic primaries, Senator Kerry said,
and I quote: "Those who doubted whether Iraq or the world would be
better off without Saddam Hussein, and those who believe today that we
are not safer with his capture, don't have the judgment to be President
or the credibility to be elected President." End quote. (Applause.)
The only thing I have to say to that is, I'm Dick Cheney and I approve
this message. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
THE VICE PRESIDENT: All the shifts Senator Kerry has made are
troubling, but there is one that really stands out. It starts with
Senator Kerry and his running mate, Senator Edwards, voting in favor of
using force against Saddam Hussein. But then, when it came time to
vote for funds that would provide our fighting men and women with body
armor, ammunition, jet fuel, and spare parts, Senators Kerry and
Edwards voted no.
AUDIENCE: Booo!
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Only 12 members of the United States Senate
opposed the funding that would provide vital resources for our troops.
Only four Senators voted for the use of force and against the resources
our men and women in uniform needed once they were in combat. Only
four. And Senators Kerry and Edwards were two of those four.
AUDIENCE: Booo!
THE VICE PRESIDENT: At first Senator Kerry said he didn't really
oppose the funding. He both supported and opposed it. (Laughter.) He
said, and I quote, "I actually voted for the $87 billion before I voted
against it." (Laughter.) That certainly clears things up.
(Laughter.) Lately he's been saying he's proud that he and John Edwards
voted no, and explains his decision was "complicated." (Laughter.)
But funding American troops in combat should never be a complicated
question. (Applause.) We need a President who will back our troops
100 percent, and that's exactly what we've got in George W. Bush.
(Applause.)
Senator Kerry said that leadership starts with telling the truth,
but the American people know that true leadership also requires the
ability to make a decision. True leadership is sticking with that
decision in the face of political pressure, and true leadership is
standing for your principles regardless of your audience, or who you've
just hired as a political advisor. (Applause.)
Senator Kerry says he will always be straight with the American
people on the good days and on the bad days. In his case, that means
when the headlines are good he's for the war, and when his poll numbers
are bad, he's against it. (Laughter.)
These are not times for leaders who shift with the political winds,
saying one thing one day and another the next. Our troops, our allies,
and our enemies must know where America stands. The President of the
United States must be clear and consistent. In his years in
Washington, John Kerry has been one of a hundred votes in the United
States Senate -- and fortunately on matters of national security, his
views rarely prevailed. But the presidency is an entirely different
proposition. A senator can be wrong for 20 years, without consequence
to the nation. But a President -- a President -- always casts the
deciding vote. And in this time of challenge, America needs -- and
America has -- a President we can count on to get it right.
(Applause.)
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
THE VICE PRESIDENT: President Bush knows that our dedicated
servicemen and women represent the very best of the United States of
America. (Applause.) And I want to thank them and all the veterans
with us here today for what they have done for all of us. (Applause.)
One of the most important commitments the President made during the
2000 campaign was that our armed forces would be given the resources
they need and the respect they deserve -- and he has kept his word to
the United States military. (Applause.)
On Iraq, Senator Kerry has disagreed with many of his fellow
Democrats. But Senator Kerry's liveliest disagreement is with
himself. (Laughter.) His back-and-forth reflects a habit of
indecision, and sends a message of confusion. And it is all part of a
pattern. He has, in the last few years, been for the No Child Left
Behind Act -- and against it. He has spoken for the North American
Free Trade Agreement -- and against it. He is for the Patriot Act --
and against it. Senator Kerry says he sees two Americas.
AUDIENCE: Flip-flop! Flip-flop! Flip-flop!
THE VICE PRESIDENT: It makes the whole thing mutual -- America
sees two John Kerrys. (Laughter and applause.)
Our country requires strong and consistent leadership for our
actions overseas, as well as our policies here at home. When President
Bush and I stood on the inaugural platform on the west front of the
Capitol and took the oath of office, our economy was sliding into
recession. Then, on 9/11, terrorists struck our nation and shook the
economy once again. We faced a basic decision -- to leave more money
with families and businesses, or to take more of the American people's
hard-earned money for the federal government. President Bush made his
choice. He proposed and he delivered tax savings to the American
people -- not once, not twice, but three times. (Applause.)
Every American who pays federal income taxes has benefited from the
Bush tax cuts -- and so has the economy. We've created jobs for the
last 12 consecutive months -- a total of 1.7 million new jobs over the
last year -- including 144,000 new jobs last month. Mortgage rates,
interest rates, and inflation are all low. Consumers are confident,
businesses are investing, and families are taking home more of what
they earn.
We're seeing record exports for farm products. Farm income is up.
Our farm economy is strong and that is good for our entire nation.
(Applause.)
We know there are still challenges out there -- in our
manufacturing communities, especially. The President and I will not be
satisfied until every American who wants to work can find a job. But
this is a strong, growing economy. The Bush tax cuts are working.
(Applause.)
Our accomplishments these last four years have made America safer,
stronger, and better. They also demonstrate something about the
character of our President. He didn't go to the White House to mark
time, or to spend his energy on small goals. He went to take on the
big issues, and to make serious reforms. He has led with confidence,
with clear vision, and unwavering purpose. He's made hard choices, and
kept his word. And that's exactly how he will lead this country for
the next four years. (Applause.)
In our second term, we will keep moving forward with a pro-growth,
pro-jobs agenda. We will work to make the Bush tax cuts permanent.
And to help families and small businesses, we will lead a bipartisan
effort to reform and simplify the federal tax code. (Applause.)
We will work to end lawsuit abuse. (Applause.) We know it's a lot
easier for America's businesses to hire new workers if they don't have
to keep hiring lawyers. (Applause.) We will work for medical
liability reform because we know the cost of malpractice insurance is
creating a crisis, not only in Missouri, but all across the nation.
(Applause.) America's doctors should be able to spend their time
healing patients, not fighting off frivolous lawsuits. (Applause.)
Our opponents have a very different vision for the country. They
opposed our tax relief, now they're proposing massive increases in
federal spending. They helped block our energy plan in the Senate.
They oppose effective reform of our legal system, and they're against
medical liability reform. Their big idea for the economy: raise our
taxes.
AUDIENCE: Booo!
THE VICE PRESIDENT: President Bush and I will also continue to
defend society's fundamental rights and values. We stand for a culture
of life, and reject the brutal practice of partial birth abortion.
(Applause.) We stand strongly for the Second Amendment, and we'll
defend the individual right of every American to bear arms.
(Applause.) We believe that our nation is "one nation under God."
(Applause.) And we believe Americans ought to be able to say so when
they pledge allegiance to the flag. (Applause.)
There shouldn't be any question about this -- and there wouldn't be
if we had more reasonable judges on the federal bench. (Applause.)
The Democrats in the Senate have been doing everything they can --
including using the filibuster -- to keep the President's sensible,
mainstream nominees off the federal bench.
AUDIENCE: Booo!
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Now they are hoping to wait the President
out. But I've got news for them. That's not going to happen because
we're going to win this election. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
THE VICE PRESIDENT: On issue after issue, President Bush has a
clear vision for the future of our nation. America has come to know
him, and I have come to admire him very much. I watch him at work
every day. He's a person of loyalty and kindness, a man who speaks
plainly and means what he says. I have seen him face some of the
hardest decisions that can come to the man in the Oval Office -- and
make those decisions with the wisdom and humility that Americans expect
in their President.
Abroad, under President Bush's leadership, we will use America's
great power to serve great purposes, to protect our homeland by turning
back and defeating the forces of terror, and to spread hope and freedom
around the world. (Applause.) Here at home, we will continue to build
a prosperity that reaches every corner of the land so that every child
in America has a chance to learn, to succeed, and to rise in the
world. (Applause.)
The President and I are honored by your confidence in us, and by
your commitment to the cause we all share. President Bush and I will
wage this effort with complete confidence in the judgment of the
American people. The signs are good -- here in Missouri, and even in
Massachusetts. (Applause.) According to a news account, people
leaving the Democratic National Convention in July asked a Boston
policeman for directions. He replied, "Leave here -- and go vote
Republican." (Applause.)
President Bush and I are honored to have the support of that police
officer, and of Democrats, Republicans, and independents from every
calling in American life. We're grateful to our many friends across
the great state of Missouri. I want to thank you for the tremendous
welcome today. We're proud to have you on the team. And together, on
November 2nd, we'll see our cause forward to victory.
Thank you. (Applause.)
END 4:15 P.M. CDT
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