For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 30, 2004
Remarks by the President at Debate Watch Party
Coconut Grove Expo Center
Coral Gables, Florida
11:04 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all for being here. (Applause.)
Anything -- anything worthwhile on TV tonight? (Laughter and
applause.) I enjoyed it. (Applause.) I had a good time up there
talking about what I believe. (Applause.) No, it's not hard to debate
if you know what's in your heart. (Applause.) Know where you want to
lead this country.
Listen, I, too, want to thank the people of this state for their
courage, compassion and decency in the face of incredible suffering.
These four hurricanes came to this state and the people of this state
have risen up. (Applause.) And when they found a neighbor in need,
they provided compassion and help. When they found somebody who's
hurting, they provided -- they provided succor needed. And I thank the
people of this state so very much for setting such a great example for
the rest of our country. (Applause.)
There I was, standing there on the stage, and guess who I was
looking at the whole time? Laura. (Applause.) If you could see a
smile occasionally come across my face, that's because I was looking at
a lady I love. (Applause.) Then occasionally I'd glance over and see
Barbara and Jenna. (Applause.) I love them, too. Oh, yeah.
(Applause.) I want to thank -- I want to thank Jenna and Barbara for
working so hard in this campaign. I want to thank Laura for her great
compassion and composure.
I want to thank -- I want to thank my brother, Jeb, for being such
a great governor for Florida. (Applause.) I mean, when this state
needed him, needed his leadership, he showed up. (Applause.) He'd been
every -- been all over this state, working hard to make sure that those
who have suffered realize that help is around the corner, that we're
doing everything we can to protect people.
Listen, I'm honored to be here with the next United States Senator,
Mel Martinez. (Applause.) This man needs to be in the United States
Senate. (Applause.) He not only had a fantastic past, as a matter of
fact, he's a member of Pedro Pan -- (applause) -- but he's got a great
future, and the people of Florida will benefit by having Mel Martinez
in the U.S. Senate. (Applause.) We love Kitty, Kitty Martinez. She's
one of our favorites. (Applause.)
I want to thank -- before I went out there to debate, I saw two of
the pre-program participants -- it's kind of hard for a Texan to say.
(Laughter.) Pre-program participants -- that would be Rudy Giuliani, I
want to thank him for being here. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE: Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!
THE PRESIDENT: And I want to thank -- I want to thank my friend,
General Tommy Franks, for being here, as well. (Applause.)
Now, we've got two more campaigns to go -- I mean, two more debates
to go. No more campaigns except this one, two more debates to go and a
lot of hard work. There's no doubt in my mind, with your help, we're
going to carry Florida again. (Applause.)
I was only disappointed one thing about the debate tonight: there
was not one question on Cuba. (Applause.) Let me tell you my
question: Cuba libre. (Applause.) Quatro mas aos! No, people know
where I stand. People know what I believe. I've got a plan to fight
these terrorists, to keep this country secure. I've got a plan to
spread freedom, not only in the greater Middle East, but in our own
hemisphere, in places like Cuba. (Applause.) I've got a plan to make
this world more peaceful.
I'm looking forward to the debate on domestic policy, too.
(Applause.) There's some big differences. He's going to run up your
taxes.
AUDIENCE: Booo!
THE PRESIDENT: I'm going to keep them low. (Applause.) We've got
a plan to continue growing this economy, a plan to make sure our
children get a good education, a plan to make sure health care works,
but a plan that recognizes this: The role of government is to help
people realize their dreams, not to tell people how to live their
lives. (Applause.)
Now, I'm honored you all came out. You know, I'm kind of getting
older, so I need to get my sleep. (Laughter.) We have come -- we have
come to thank you for your steadfast support. Tomorrow morning, first
thing, I'm getting up and heading to Pennsylvania, and then I'm going
to New Hampshire. What I'm telling you is, I'm going to keep
campaigning as hard as I possibly can, carrying our message of a better
tomorrow, and we're going to win in November. (Applause.)
God bless. God bless America. Thank you all. (Applause.)
END 11:11 P.M. EDT
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