For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 4, 2004
Remarks by the President at Michigan Rally
Jerome-Duncan Theatre at Freedom Hall
Sterling Heights, Michigan
May 3, 2004
8:44 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thanks for coming. It is great to be back in
Michigan. (Applause.) In case you haven't heard, we're on the George
W. Bush bus tour. (Applause.) It's my way to let the people of
Michigan know how much I appreciate their support -- (applause) -- how
much I'm counting on your support. (Applause.) It's my way of letting
you know I want to win and be President for four more years.
(Applause.)
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all for coming. The first thing is I'd
like to ask you to volunteer in the campaign. (Applause.) Get your
neighbors to register to vote. Put the signs up. (Applause.) Talk to
people from all walks of life and tell them this, that I've got a
positive vision for the future of this country. (Applause.) I've got
a positive vision for winning the war on terror and to spreading peace
and freedom throughout the world. (Applause.) A positive vision for
creating jobs and opportunity for every single American. (Applause.)
A positive vision for capturing the great spirit of this country, so
every citizen has a chance to realize their dreams. I've got a goal to
make sure this country is safer and stronger and better. I will leave
no doubt where we stand, and we will win on November the 2nd.
(Applause.)
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!
THE PRESIDENT: We've had a fabulous day today. It's been somewhat
diminished by the fact that Laura had to go home early. No, I know,
you drew the short straw. (Laughter.) There's a lot of reasons why I
think I need to be reelected. But for certain, one of the most
important reasons is to make sure that Laura is the First Lady for four
more years. (Audience interruption, inaudible.)
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
THE PRESIDENT: I can't tell you how proud I am of Laura. She is a
fantastic First Lady. (Applause.) She is the love of my life. I am
really proud of her, and I appreciate the job she has done. She loves
the children of America. She understands the importance of teaching
every child to read. (Applause.) And she sends her very best to all
our friends here in the Detroit area of the great state of Michigan.
(Applause.)
I picked a really good man to be the Vice President of the United
States in Dick Cheney. (Applause.) I want to thank Congresswoman
Candice Miller for being my state campaign coordinator. (Applause.) I
appreciate so very much Congressman Joe Knollenberg for being here
today. (Applause.) Congressman Mike Rogers is with us, as well.
(Applause.) I want to thank the Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land for
-- (applause.) Terri Lynn just drove with us from Kalamazoo here to
the Detroit area on the George W. Bush bus. (Applause.)
I want to thank all the state and local officials who are here. I
want to thank all the grassroots activists who are here. (Applause.)
I want to thank my friend, Travis Tritt, for coming up from --
(Applause.) I appreciate it. Billy Cerveny -- I appreciate both of
these great artists for coming today. I'm honored to have your support
and your friendship. It means a lot to me. (Applause.)
The last three years have brought serious challenges, and we have
given serious answers. (Applause.) We came to office with the stock
market in decline, and an economy headed into recession. We delivered
historic tax relief. And now our economy is the fastest growing of any
major industrialized country in the world. (Applause.) We uncovered
corporate crimes that cost people their jobs and their savings, so we
passed strong corporate reforms, brought the wrongdoers to account, and
made it clear we will not tolerate dishonesty in the boardrooms of
America. (Applause.)
We saw war and grief arrive on a quiet September morning. We
pursued the terrorist enemy across the world. We have captured or
killed many key leaders of the al Qaeda network. (Applause.) The rest
of them will learn there is no cave or hole deep enough to hide from
American justice. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE: USA! USA! USA! USA!
THE PRESIDENT: We confronted the dangers of state-sponsored terror
and the spread of weapons of mass destruction. So we ended two of the
most -- (applause) -- we ended two of the most violent and dangerous
regimes on Earth. We liberated over 50 million people. Once again,
America is proud to stand against tyranny and to set nations free.
(Applause.)
When Dick Cheney and I came to office, we found a military that was
underfunded and underappreciated. So we gave our military the
resources and the respect they deserve. And today, no one can question
the skill, and the strength, and the spirit of the United States
military. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE: USA! USA! USA! USA!
THE PRESIDENT: It is the President's job to confront problems, not
to pass them on to future Presidents and future generations.
(Applause.) The President needs to step up to make the hard decisions
and to keep his commitment. And that is how I will continue to lead
our nation for four more years. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
THE PRESIDENT: Great events -- great events will turn on this
election. The man who sits in the Oval Office will set the course of
the war on terror and the direction of our economy. The security and
prosperity of America are at stake. The stakes are high. I'll have a
tough race, and that's why I'm counting on your help.
I'm running against -- I'm running against an experienced United
States Senator.
AUDIENCE: Booo!
THE PRESIDENT: He's been in Washington for quite a long time.
He's been there long enough to take both sides of just about every
issue. (Applause.) He voted for the Patriot Act. He voted for
NAFTA. He voted for No Child Left Behind. And he voted for the use of
force in Iraq. Now he opposes the Patriot Act, NAFTA, the No Child
Left Behind Act, and the liberation of Iraq.
AUDIENCE: Booo!
THE PRESIDENT: He's been on both sides of big issues. And if he
could find a third side -- (laughter and applause.) He recently gave
us another example of his technique. Last winter, my opponent was in
Michigan and somebody asked him about the cars he had. (Laughter.)
Here in the great auto-producing state, he said, quote, "We have some
SUVs." He was talking about having a couple of mini-vans and a big
Suburban. Last month, on Earth Day, Senator Kerry had a different
description of his fleet. (Laughter.) He said, and I quote, "I don't
own an SUV." To clear up the confusion he said, "The family has it. I
don't have it." (Laughter.) In other words, he doesn't have an SUV
except when he's in Michigan. (Laughter.) Now, there's a fellow who's
getting a lot of mileage out of his Suburban. (Laughter and applause.)
Whatever he drives, the voters this year will have a clear choice.
(Applause.) It's a choice -- it is a choice between keeping the tax
relief that is moving this economy forward, or putting the burden of
higher taxes back on the American people. It is a choice between an
America that leads the world with strength and confidence, or an
America that is uncertain in the face of danger.
The other side hasn't offered much in the way of strategies to win
the war, or policies to help people find work. We're well into the
campaign and all we hear is bitterness and outbursts instead of calm
debate. They will find out that anger is not an agenda for the future
of America. (Applause.) I will take on the big issues with optimism
and resolve and determination. And I will make it clear, we stand
ready to lead this country for four more years. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
THE PRESIDENT: A big issue for every family in America is the
federal tax burden. With the largest tax relief since Ronald Reagan
was the President, we have left more money in the hands of those who
earned it. (Applause.) By spending and investing and help -- helping
create new jobs, the American people have used their money far better
than the government would have. (Applause.)
We've overcome some tough challenges in this country. But I'm an
optimist, because I understand the entrepreneurial spirit of America.
I've seen small business owners dream big dreams. I know you're facing
economic challenges here in the great state of Michigan. Manufacturing
communities have been especially hard hit. There are workers who are
concerned about their jobs. I understand that. I understand that.
Our economy is in a time of transition. And if you're the one going
through transition, it's not an easy experience.
Workers and businesses in Michigan are meeting the challenges,
though, with energy and optimism because of good policy. Because of
the hard work of the people of this state and other states, our economy
is strong, and it is growing stronger. (Applause.)
The economy grew at a strong rate of 4.2 percent in the first
quarter of this year. (Applause.) Economic growth over the past three
quarters has been the fastest in nearly two decades. (Applause.) In
March, America added 308,000 new jobs, the highest monthly job growth
total in almost four years -- (applause) -- 5,900 of those new jobs was
created here in Michigan. (Applause.)
Across this country, manufacturing activity is increasing, business
investment is rising, disposable income is up, inflation is low,
mortgage and interest rates are low. Home ownership is at the highest
rate ever. The tax relief we passed is working. (Applause.)
My opponent has a different view of letting the American people
keep more of their own income. When we passed an increase in the child
credit to help families, he voted no. When we reduced the marriage
penalty, he voted against it. When we created a lower 10-percent tax
rate for working families, he voted no. When we gave small businesses
a tax incentive to expand and hire, he voted against it. When tax
increases are proposed, it's a lot easier to get a "yes" vote out of
him. (Laughter.)
He voted for taxes over -- for higher taxes over 350 times since
he's been a United States senator. He supported gas tax increases 11
times, and once favored an increase of 50 cents a gallon.
AUDIENCE: Booo!
THE PRESIDENT: By the way, it cost you $5.00 every time you filled
up your car. For that he at least ought to throw in a free car wash.
(Laughter.)
He's also proposing a lot of new spending. You've got to be
careful about these folks that go around the country making promises
with your money. He's increased spending over a trillion dollars, and
we're just getting started in the campaign. He says he's going to pay
for it by raising taxes on the rich. But he's got a problem. He's got
a problem. All the new spending can't raise enough money -- can't be
paid for by raising money on the rich. Guess who he's going to raise
taxes on -- you. In order to pay for the new spending he's promised,
he's either going to break the promise, or he's going to have to raise
the taxes on the hardworking American people. And we're not going to
let him have a chance to do so. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
THE PRESIDENT: You see, you and I understand that higher taxes
would undermine growth and destroy jobs just as our economy is getting
stronger. To help grow the American economy and to create more jobs
for American workers, I've got a better idea: We should keep the tax
rates low. We should not raise taxes on the American people.
(Applause.)
I want to be your President for four more years because I got a
plan to make sure our country is the strongest economy in the world so
people can find work. I have a plan to protect small business owners
and employees from frivolous lawsuits and needless regulations.
(Applause.) We got a plan to help control the cost of health care by
giving people better access through health savings accounts and
association health care plans. I understand what frivolous lawsuits do
to the cost of medicine. We need medical liability reform at the
federal level. (Applause.)
In order to make sure this economy is strong over the next decade,
we need to have an energy plan. We need to encourage conservation,
alternative sources of energy. But we need clean coal technology. We
need exploration for natural gas. We need to become less dependent on
foreign sources of energy. (Applause.)
In order to keep this economy strong, and to make sure we're the
leader in the world in economic growth, so people can find work, I will
continue to knock down trade barriers in foreign countries. Listen,
we're the best in the world at growing things and manufacturing things
in the high-tech world. All our people need is a level playing field.
We should reject economic isolationism and work to make sure that our
workers are treated fairly in overseas markets. (Applause.)
Empty talk about jobs and economic isolationism won't get anybody
hired. The way to make sure this country is strong and people can find
work is to reelect a pro-growth, pro-entrepreneur, pro-small business
President, and that is George W. Bush. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
THE PRESIDENT: Our future -- our future also depends on America's
leadership in the world. The momentum of freedom in our time is
strong, but we still face serious dangers. Al Qaeda is wounded, but
not broken. Terrorists are testing our will in Afghanistan and in
Iraq. Regimes in North Korea and Iran are challenging the peace. If
America shows weakness and uncertainty in this decade, the world will
drift toward tragedy. This will not happen on my watch. (Applause.)
This nation -- this nation is strong and confident in the cause of
freedom. And today, no friend or enemy doubts the word of the United
States of America. America and our allies gave an ultimatum to the
terror regime in Afghanistan. The Taliban chose defiance, and the
Taliban are no longer in power. (Applause.) America and our allies
gave an ultimatum to the terror regime in Iraq. The dictator chose
defiance, and now the dictator sits in a prison cell. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE: USA! USA! USA!
THE PRESIDENT: September the 11th, 2001 taught a lesson I will
never forget, and America must never forget. America must confront
threats before they fully materialize. In Iraq, my administration
looked at the intelligence, and we saw a threat. Members of Congress
looked at the intelligence, and they saw a threat. The United Nations
Security Council looked at the intelligence, and it saw a threat. As a
matter of fact, the previous administration and the Congress looked at
the intelligence, and made regime change in Iraq the policy of our
country.
In 2002, the United Nations Security Council, yet again, demanded a
full accounting of Saddam Hussein's weapons programs. As he had for
over a decade, Saddam Hussein refused to comply. I remembered the
history of this man. He invaded his neighbors; he hated America; he
had used weapons of mass destruction against his own people; he paid
for suiciders -- (audience interruption, inaudible) -- he paid for
suiciders to attack Israelis; he had ties to terrorists. So I had a
choice: Either take the word of a madman, or defend America. Given
that choice, I will defend America every time. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE: USA! USA! USA!
THE PRESIDENT: My opponent admits that Saddam Hussein was a
threat. He just didn't support my decision to remove Saddam from
power. Maybe he was hoping Saddam would lose the next Iraqi election.
(Laughter.) We showed the dictator and a watching world that America
means what it says. (Applause.) Because -- because we acted, Saddam's
torture chambers are closed. Because we acted, Iraq's weapons programs
are ended forever. (Applause.) Because we acted, nations like Libya
got the message and renounced their own weapons programs. (Applause.)
Because we acted, an example of democracy is rising at the very heart
of the Middle East. Because we acted, the world is more free, and
America is more secure. (Applause.)
On the ground in Iraq, we still face serious challenges. It's hard
work, but it's necessary work. Illegal militias and remnants of the
regime joined by foreign terrorists are trying to take by force the
power they could never gain by the ballot. They know a free Iraq will
be a major defeat for the cause of terror. These groups have found
little support among the Iraqi people. And they will find no success
in their attempts to shake the will of America. You see, they don't
understand our country. We will never be intimidated by thugs and
assassins. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE: USA! USA! USA! USA!
THE PRESIDENT: A free Iraq -- a free Iraq is an historic
opportunity to change the world for the better. (Applause.) A free
Iraq will be a peaceful Iraq. And we're implementing a clear
strategy in Iraq. First, we will ensure there's an atmosphere of
security as Iraqis move toward self-government. We support the effort
of local Iraqis to convince the radicals to disarm. We made it clear
that militias in Najaf and elsewhere must disarm, or they will face
serious consequences. American and coalition forces are in place, and
we are fully prepared to bring security and order in Fallujah and
Najaf, and around the country of Iraq. (Applause.)
The second element of our strategy is to return sovereignty to the
people of Iraq on the schedule that we agreed to. We must keep our
word. Like any proud people, Iraqis want to manage their own affairs.
And I believe they can. It's a common goal we share. So on June 30th,
a sovereign Iraq interim government will take office. (Applause.) We
will still have hard work to do. These are not easy tasks, but they
are essential tasks. We will finish what we have begun, and we will
win this essential victory in the war on terror. (Applause.)
On national security, Americans have the clearest possible choice.
My opponent says he approves of bold action in the world -- but only if
other countries do not object.
AUDIENCE: Booo!
THE PRESIDENT: I'm all for united action. We built strong
coalitions. There are more than 30 coalition partners in Iraq right
now. But I will never turn over America's national security decisions
to leaders of other countries. (Applause.) We have a difference -- we
have a different point of view on security matters. Over the years, my
opponent has opposed many of the aircraft and weapons programs --
including the Bradley Fighting Vehicle and the Tomahawk Cruise Missile
you build right here in Michigan. (Applause.) Programs that are vital
to our nation's defense and programs that are now helping us win the
war on terror. (Applause.) Last year, he voted against funding for
ammunition and supplies and body armor for our troops on the front
lines of the war on terror.
AUDIENCE: Booo!
THE PRESIDENT: Someone recently -- someone recently asked Senator
Kerry why he voted against the $87 billion supplemental bill to fund
those essential needs for our troops, and here is what he said: "I
actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it."
(Laughter.) The President must speak clearly and mean what he says.
(Applause.)
Some are skeptical the war on terror is really a war at all.
Again, my opponent says the war on terror is far less a military
operation and far more an intelligence-gathering, law enforcement
operation. I disagree. Our nation followed this approach after the
World Trade Center was bombed in 1993. The matter was handled in the
courts and thought by some to be settled. But the terrorists were
still training in Afghanistan. They were still plotting in other
nations. They were still drawing up more ambitious plans.
After the chaos and carnage of September the 11th, it is not enough
to serve our enemies with legal papers. (Applause.) With those
attacks -- with those attacks, the terrorists and their supporters
declared war on the United States of America, and war is what they
got. (Applause.)
Our men and women in the military are taking great risks, and
they're doing great work. (Applause.) At bases across our country and
the world, I have had the privilege of meeting with those who defend
our country and sacrifice for our security. I've seen their great
decency and their unselfish courage. And I assure you, ladies and
gentlemen, the cause of freedom is in good hands. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE: Bush! Bush! Bush!
THE PRESIDENT: This nation is prosperous and strong. Yet, we need
to remember that our greatest strength is in the hearts and souls of
the American citizens. (Applause.) We are strong because of the
values we try to live by: courage and compassion, reverence and
integrity. We are strong because of the institutions that give us
direction and purpose: our families, our schools, our religious
congregations. (Applause.) These values and institutions are
fundamental to our lives, and they deserve the respect of our
government.
We stand for the fair treatment of faith-based groups so they can
receive federal support for their works of compassion and healing.
(Applause.) We will not stand for government discrimination against
people of faith. (Applause.) We stand for welfare reforms that
require work and strengthen marriage, which have helped millions of
Americans find independence and dignity. We will not stand for any
attempt to weaken those reforms and to send people back into lives of
dependence. (Applause.)
We stand for a culture of life in which every person counts, and
every person matters. (Applause.) We will not stand for the treatment
of any life as a commodity to be experimented upon, or exploited, or
cloned. (Applause.) We stand for the confirmation of judges who
strictly and faithfully interpret the law. (Applause.) We will not
stand for judges who undermine democracy by legislating from the bench,
or judges who try to remake the values of America by court order.
(Applause.)
We stand for a culture of responsibility in America. The culture
of our country is changing from one that has said, if it feels good,
just go ahead and do it, and if you got a problem, blame somebody else,
to a culture in which each of us understands we are responsible for the
decisions we make in life. (Applause.)
If you're a mom or a dad -- if you're a mom or a dad, you are
responsible for loving your child with all your heart. (Applause.) If
you're worried about the quality of the education in the community in
which you live, you're responsible for doing something about it.
(Applause.) If you're a CEO in corporate America, you're responsible
for telling the truth to your shareholders and your employees.
(Applause.) And in this responsibility society, each of us is
responsible for loving our neighbor just like we like to be loved
ourselves. (Applause.)
For all Americans, these years in our history will always stand
apart. There are quiet times in the life of a nation when little is
expected of the leaders. This isn't one of those times. You and I are
living in a period when the stakes are high, the challenges are
difficult, a time when firm resolve is needed.
None of us will ever forget that week when one era ended, and
another began. On September the 14th, 2001, I stood in the ruins of
the Twin Towers. I'll never forget that day. The workers in the
hard-hats were shouting, "Whatever it takes." One man pointed at me
and said, "Don't let me down." As we did that day, these men and women
searching through the rubble took it personally. I took it
personally. I have a responsibility that goes on. I will never relent
in bringing justice to the enemies. I will defend the security of
America, whatever it takes. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
THE PRESIDENT: In these times, I've also been witness to the
character of this nation. Not so long ago, some had their doubts about
the America character, our capacity to meet serious challenges, or to
serve a cause greater than self-interest. But Americans have given
their answer. I've seen the unselfish courage of our troops. I've
seen the heroism of Americans in the face of danger. I've seen the
spirit of service and compassion renewed in our country. And we've all
seen our nation unite in common purpose when it mattered most.
(Applause.)
We will need all of these qualities for the work ahead. We've got
work to do for this nation. We've got four more years to make --
(applause).
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
THE PRESIDENT: We've got four more years to make sure -- four more
years to make sure that we win the war on terror. (Applause.) The
world is counting on us to lead the cause of freedom and peace. We
have a duty to spread opportunity to every part of America. This is
the work that history has set before us. We welcome it. And we know
that for our country, the best days lie ahead.
I'm honored to have your support. May God bless you, and may God
continue to bless America. Thank you all, very much. (Applause.)
END 9:27 P.M. EDT
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