For Immediate Release
Office of Press Secretary
May 8, 2004
Remarks by the President and the First Lady at Wisconsin Rally
Copeland Park
LaCrosse, Wisconsin
5:25 P.M. CDT
MRS. BUSH: Thank you all very, very much. I'm the one who gets to
introduce the President. (Applause.) I want to thank you all so much
for coming out today. We've had a terrific bus trip through Wisconsin
and we've seen really beautiful sights through a beautiful state, with
a lot of people standing on the side of the road with flags. It was
really very, very sweet. (Applause.)
The President and I first traveled together on the campaign trail
in 1978, when George was running for Congress. And the race didn't
turn out exactly like we wanted it to be, but we spent all of our time
-- we were newly married, driving up and down the panhandle of Texas by
ourselves in the car during the campaign. Believe me, when you spend a
year in the car with your husband, you get to know him really well.
(Laughter and applause.) By the end of the campaign, he'd even
convinced me to vote for him. (Laughter.)
I know that you see what I see. The President is a steady leader
during these historic times. (Applause.) He's hopeful about the
future because he has tremendous confidence in the American people. As
we've traveled together, I've seen the President encourage young
children to read, or older students to go to college; I've seen him
pitch in to help a family build their first home; I've seen him rally
our men and women in uniform at military bases around the world.
(Applause.) My husband treats the men and women he meets with dignity
and respect. And that's the same dignity and respect he holds for the
office that he's in. (Applause.) He gives me every reason to be proud
of him, as President, and as a husband and a father.
We look forward to this campaign. But being on the campaign trail
now isn't like it used to be back in 1978. Now we have a very nice
plane and nice bus -- (laughter) -- instead of an old car, and George
isn't behind the wheel anymore. (Laughter.)
Today we face a different world than we did back then. These are
especially challenging times for all Americans, times that require
strong and determined leaders. I'm so proud that my husband is that
kind of leader.
Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States.
(Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all very much. Thanks for coming. It's
a great turnout. Laura and I are so honored so many came out to say
hello here in the great state of Wisconsin. (Applause.) I'm glad to
be back in La Crosse. (Applause.) What a fine city, full of fine,
fine people.
Listen, traveling your state on the bus is a fantastic experience,
particularly for two people who grew up -- grew up in the desert.
(Laughter.) As Laura said, people lined the road and were really
friendly. We had a stop at the Kuhle family farm. That's between
Hazel Green and Cuba City. (Applause.) It gave us a chance to shake
hands with some hardworking people just like you all. A guy asked me
if I wanted to milk his cows. I said, I think we better get back on
the bus. (Laughter.) Had a little Culver's ice cream on the way here,
too, I want you to know. (Applause.)
I came here to ask for your vote. (Applause.) I came here to tell
you I've got a reason to be President for four more years.
(Applause.) I want this country to be safer and stronger and better.
And working together, we can make it that way. (Applause.)
I also came here to ask for your help. I want you to feel so
inspired to put up the signs and knock on your neighbors' doors and go
to community centers and your houses of worship, and encourage people
to vote. Tell them to go to the polls and tell them when you're --
when you're telling them how to vote or suggesting to them how to vote
-- (laughter) -- remind them that we have a positive vision, an
optimistic vision, a hopeful vision for every single American who lives
in this country. (Applause.)
If you can't figure out what else to say, tell them they need to
put me back in so that Laura can be the First Lady for four more
years. (Applause.) I'm really proud of Laura. She's been a fantastic
First Lady. She's a great wife, and wonderful mom. She is -- I'm a
really lucky guy. (Laughter.) And I think the people of America are
lucky to have her as the First Lady. (Applause.)
I put together a fantastic team of people to serve this country,
people from all walks of life, people from different backgrounds,
people like Tommy Thompson of the state of Wisconsin. (Applause.) By
the way, Tommy is doing a great job. He's got a tough job, but he's
doing a great job. He helped us reform Medicare so we keep the promise
to the seniors of America. Tommy -- you trained him well here in
Wisconsin. (Applause.)
I'm also running with a really fine man. Vice President Dick
Cheney is a great Vice President. (Applause.)
I want to thank Dan Kapanke, the -- one of the co-owners of the
baseball team that plays here. I appreciate you opening up your
field. It's nice to be here in the Lumber Yard. (Applause.) It's a
beautiful stadium. As you know, I'm a baseball fan, I love baseball.
It's a perfect setting for us to talk about how to make sure our
country is the best it can possibly be. So thanks for opening up the
Lumber Yard to a bunch of tall timber. (Laughter.)
I want to thank Congressman Mark Green and Congressman Paul Ryan,
two fine members of the United States House of Representatives.
(Applause.) I know the State Treasurer Jack Voight is with us today,
and I'm proud that the Treasurer has come. I appreciate Mary Panzer
and John Gard, two members of the Statehouse who have joined us today,
the leader in the Senate and the Speaker.
And I want to thank all the members of the Statehouse who are
here. I particularly want to thank State Senator Dale Schultz, the
next Congressman from this district. (Applause.) We've even got them
coming in from Milwaukee today. Scott Walker, who is the Milwaukee
County Executive, has joined us. And I'm proud that Scott is here.
Thank you for coming, Scott. (Applause.) And I want to thank Rick
Graber, the Party Chairman for the state.
I want to thank all the grassroots activists who are here, people
who do the hard work at turning out the vote. I appreciate my friend,
Larry Gatlin, who is here today. Larry is a great friend of Laura of
me. (Applause.) Have you sung yet? Good. Gatlin and I both grew up
in West Texas, so when he sees trees and water, he's somewhat taken
aback. (Laughter.)
I want to thank all the military personnel who are with us today.
Thank you for serving this country. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE: USA! USA! USA!
THE PRESIDENT: When you're out rounding up the vote, remind the
people that you talk to you that this administration and our country
has faced serious challenges in the last three years, and we have given
serious answers. (Applause.) We came to office with a stock market in
decline and an economy headed into a recession. But we acted. We
delivered historic tax relief, and now our economy is the fastest
growing of any major industrialized nation. (Applause.)
We uncovered corporate crimes that cost people their jobs and their
savings. We passed strong corporate reforms. Wrongdoers are being
brought to account. And we have 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've captured or killed
many key leaders of the al Qaeda network. And the rest will learn this
about America: There is no cave or hole deep enough to hide from
American justice. (Applause.)
When Dick Cheney and I came to Washington, we found a military that
was underfunded and underappreciated. So we gave our military the
resources and respect they deserve, and today no one can question the
skill and the strength and the spirit of the United States military.
(Applause.)
We confronted the dangers of state-sponsored terror and the spread
of weapons of mass destruction. So we ended two of the most violent
and dangerous regimes on Earth. We have liberated over 50 million
people. Once again, America is proud to stand against tyranny and to
set nations free. (Applause.)
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 speak clearly, mean what he says, to step up and make the hard
decisions. And that is how I will continue to lead our country.
(Applause.) 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.
We've got a tough race ahead of us, and that's why I'm glad so many
came out. That's why I'm glad you gave me a chance to ask for your
help. It's going to be a hard campaign. And I'm looking forward to
it. I'm looking forward to the challenge. I'm looking forward to the
opportunity to do what we have done today and explain to the American
people why I'm running and what I intend to do. Yes, we've done a lot
in the past, but there is more to do to make this country a better
place and a safer place and a stronger place. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
(Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: We should not take my opponent lightly. He is an
experienced United States senator. He has built up quite a record. In
fact, he's been in Washington long enough to take both sides on just
about every issue. (Laughter and applause.) He voted for the Patriot
Act, for NAFTA, for No Child Left Behind, and for the use of force of
Iraq. Now he opposes the Patriot Act, NAFTA, No Child Left Behind, and
the liberation of Iraq. His positions on these issues remind me of a
saying we have in Texas: If you don't like the weather, just wait a
few minutes and it will change. (Applause.)
Now, we're both going to spend a lot of time in this state. I've
been here today picking up the endorsements of the hardworking people
of Wisconsin. I've been here -- out there talking to as many people as
I can to let them know I have a desire to serve this country for four
more years. As you might remember, he claims to have picked up some
important endorsements among foreign leaders. The problem is, he won't
give us their names. (Laughter.)
Now, he did say the other day on national TV, "What I said is
true. I mean, you can go to New York City and you can be in a
restaurant and you can meet a foreign leader." (Laughter.) I think
this whole thing is a case of mistaken identity. (Laughter.) I mean,
just because somebody has an accent and a suit and a nice table at a
New York restaurant doesn't make him a foreign leader. (Applause.)
But no matter who these mystery people are, they're not going to
decide the election; the American people will be deciding this
election. (Applause.) And there will be a clear choice, a clear
choice -- the 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 and
plans to win the war on terror or to expand prosperity throughout our
country. As a matter of fact, all we hear is bitterness and old
partisan anger. But they're going to find out right quick that anger
is not an agenda for the future of America. (Applause.) I look
forward to taking on the big issues, the issues that matter, with
optimism and resolve and determination. And I will make it clear that
I stand ready to lead this country for four more years. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
(Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: A big issue for every family in America is the
federal tax burden -- the largest tax relief since Ronald Reagan was
the President. We have left more money in the hands that earned it.
By spending and investing and by helping to create new jobs, the
American people have used their money far better than the federal
government would have. (Applause.)
This economy of ours is strong and it is getting stronger. The
economy grew at a rate of 4.2 percent in the first quarter. Economic
growth over the past three quarters has been the fastest in nearly two
decades. Manufacturing activity is increasing. Business investment is
rising. Disposable income is up. Inflation is low. Mortgage rates
are low. Home ownership rate amongst Americans is the highest ever.
(Applause.) This farm economy is strong. America has had four
straight years of rising exports. Last year, we had the highest farm
income on record. (Applause.)
This morning, we got some more good news. Last month, America
added 288,000 new jobs. (Applause.) Our people are going back to
work. We've added 1.1 million jobs since last August. (Applause.)
The unemployment state in this state is 5.1 percent, down from 5.8
percent last summer. The tax relief we passed is working. (Applause.)
There is a difference of opinion about tax relief in this
campaign. When you're out garnering the vote, remind people about the
stands that I have taken and the stands my opponent has taken. You
see, on every one of the tax relief plans we passed the last three
years, he voted against them. He voted against increasing the child
credit, for reducing the marriage penalty, for creating a 10-percent
lower bracket, for business investment breaks to small businesses.
And also remind them that when it comes to tax increases, it's been
a lot easier to get a yes vote out of him. These are the facts. Since
he's been representing the people of Massachusetts, he voted for taxes
350 times. He's not afraid to raise the taxes on the people. And that
matters because, in a campaign, the tendency is for people to make
promises. We're counting up the promises. He has so far promised $1.9
trillion of spending, and we're just getting started. And there's six
months more to go. (Laughter.)
And the question you've got to ask is, Senator, how are you going
to pay for it? He said, by taxing the rich. But the problem is, you
can't raise enough money by taxing the rich to pay for $1.9 trillion of
new money. So he has a tax gap. And given his record, you know who's
going to have to pay that tax gap -- that's you. But we're not going
to let him have the chance to do so. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
(Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: Raising taxes on the American people would wreck
this economic growth and destroy job creation. What we need to do is
to make sure this administration stays in office so we can keep taxes
low and not raise taxes on the hardworking people of this country.
(Applause.)
And there's more we've got to do. I'll continue to bring fiscal
discipline to Washington, D.C., by reminding the people over there
whose money they spend. In Washington, we don't spend the government's
money; we spend your money. And we have an obligation to be wise about
how we spend your money.
In order to make sure this economy continues to grow, we need an
energy policy in America. We need a policy that encourages
conservation. But we need a policy, also, that encourages alternative
sources of energy. We ought to be using more corn and soybean to
produce ethanol and biodiesel. We need clean coal technology. We
ought to be spreading saved nuclear power. We ought to be exploring
for natural gas in environmentally friendly ways. We need an energy
policy to become less dependent on foreign sources of energy.
(Applause.)
We need association health care plans and tax-free health savings
accounts to help control the cost of medicine so people will be able to
find work. We need medical liability reform in Washington, D.C. so
that the frivolous lawsuits don't keep running up the cost of medicine
and driving docs out of business. (Applause.)
We need to be confident when it comes to trade policy. Listen,
other Presidents before me have opened up U.S. markets for the good of
consumers. When you get more products coming into America, consumers
get better choices at better prices, and better quality. What we need
to do is reject economic isolationism and say to other nations, treat
us the way we treat you. Open up your markets. Create a level playing
field for America's workers and farmers and manufacturers, and we can
compete with anybody, anyplace, anywhere on the face of the Earth.
(Applause.)
I'm running -- I'm running because I want to make sure this
economic growth continues. I'm running to make sure America is the
greatest economy on the face of the Earth. I'm running because I want
our people with good, solid jobs. I'm running to promote a
pro-entrepreneur, pro-small business, pro-growth economic agenda.
(Applause.)
America -- our future, the future of this country also depends on
our leadership in the world. The momentum of freedom in our time is
strong. But we still face serious dangers. We're still at war. Al
Qaeda is wounded, but not broken. Terrorists are testing our will in
Afghanistan and 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 is strong and confident in the cause of freedom. And
today, nobody, no one, 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 today, the dictator sits in a prison cell. (Applause.)
September the 11th, 2001 taught a lesson I will never forget, and
the country must never forget. America must confront threats before
they fully materialize. In Iraq -- (applause) -- in Iraq, my
administration looked at the intelligence, and we saw a threat. I want
to remind you that the United States Congress looked at the
intelligence, and they saw a threat. The United Nations Security
Council looked at the intelligence, and it saw a threat.
In 2002, the U.N. Security Council, yet again, demanded a full
accounting of Saddam Hussein's weapons programs, and the reason why
they did, again, because they remembered the history. Not only did
they see a threat, they remembered the actions he had taken. He had
attacked countries in his neighborhood. He had used weapons of mass
destruction against people in other countries, as well as people in his
own country. He had ties to terrorism. He paid suiciders to go in and
kill innocent Israelis. No, we remembered the nature of the man.
Saddam Hussein, as he had for over a decade, refused to comply with the
demands of the free world. And so I had a choice to make: Either
trust the word of a madman, or defend America. And given that choice,
I will defend America every time. (Applause.)
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. (Applause.) We
showed the dictator and a watching world that America means what it
says. And that's really important to keep the peace. Because our
coalition acted, Saddam's torture chambers are closed. Because we
acted, Iraq's weapons programs are ended forever. Because we acted,
nations like Libya have gotten the message and have voluntarily
disarmed. (Applause.) Because we acted, an example of democracy is
rising in the heart of the Middle East. Because we acted, the world is
more free. Because we acted, America is more secure. (Applause.)
It's been tough days in Iraq for the American people, especially
those families with soldiers overseas, and those families of a loved
one who has sacrificed for our freedom and security. Tough work. And
there's a reason why. There are foreign fighters and remnants of the
old tyrant who can't stand the thought of freedom taking hold in Iraq.
That's what we're seeing. Freedom scares terrorists. Freedom scares
people who hate. Freedom scares people with no conscience.
What they're trying to do is they're trying to shake our will.
They want us to leave. They want us to show weakness. They do not
understand America. They do not understand this President. No thug or
assassin will intimidate America. (Applause.) We will finish the work
that we have begun, for our own security. We will finish the work we
have begun, for peace and freedom. Free societies do not attack their
neighbors. Free societies do not breed hate. Free societies provide
hope, so that moms and dads can raise their children in a peaceful
world; so their children can aspire what we want our children to aspire
to -- a good education, and a hopeful life.
No, these are historic times. These are times that require strong
will and strong determination. These are times in which we could
literally change the world by the spread of freedom. Freedom is not
America's gift to the world; freedom is the Almighty God's gift to each
man and woman in this world. (Applause.) 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. Now, I'm for working with other
countries. I put together coalitions to fight the war on terror -- the
coalition in Afghanistan. There's over 30 nations working with us in
Iraq right now, because they understand what I understand: A free Iraq
will make the world more secure. A free Iraq will change the Middle
East for the better. But let me tell you this as clearly as I can. I
will never turn over America's national security decisions to leaders
of other countries. (Applause.)
And we have a difference of opinion about whether the war on terror
is really a war at all. My opponent says the war on terror is far less
of a military operation and far more of an intelligence-gathering, law
enforcement operation. I disagree. 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 carnage and chaos of September the 11th, it is not enough
to serve our enemies with legal papers. With those attacks, the
terrorists and their supporters declared war on the United States of
America -- and war is what they got. (Applause.)
And winning the war on terror requires that we use all our assets,
including a fantastic military. (Applause.) And as we use that
military, our troops must be given the best equipment in the world.
That is why I went to Congress and asked for an $87 billion
appropriation to help our troops. I want to thank the two Congressmen
for supporting that supplemental. But my opponent chose to vote no,
and here's what he said. He said, "I actually did vote for the $87
billion -- before I voted against it." (Laughter.)
The American President must speak clearly. (Applause.) The
American President must mean what he says. (Applause.) And when I say
the troops will get the support they need, I mean that the troops will
get the support they need to win this war on terror. (Applause.)
Our men and women in the military are taking great risks and
they're doing great work. Like you, I was disgusted about the pictures
I saw on TV, about the humiliation given to the prisoners in Iraq. No
American can stand for that. That doesn't reflect us, nor does it
reflect the character and the decency and the honor of the men and
women who wear the uniform of the United States of America.
(Applause.) I have seen their decency and I have seen their unselfish
courage. And I assure you, ladies and gentlemen, the cause of freedom
is in really good hands. (Applause.)
This nation is prosperous and strong. Yet, we need to remember
that our greatest strength is in the hearts and souls of our fellow
citizens. We're strong because of the values we try to live by:
courage and compassion, reverence and integrity. We're strong because
of the institutions that help give us direction and purpose: families
and schools, and our religious congregations. These values and
institutions are fundamental to our lives, and they deserve the respect
of the government.
We stand for the fair treatment of faith-based groups, so they can
receive federal support for their works of compassion and healing. 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.
We stand for a culture of life in which every person counts and
every person matters. 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. 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 this country is changing from one that has said if it feels good,
just go ahead and do it, and if you've got a problem go ahead and blame
somebody else, to a culture in which each of us understands we are
responsible for the decisions we make in life.
If you're a mom or a dad -- if you're lucky enough to be a mom or a
dad, you're 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. If you're a CEO in corporate America, you are responsible
for telling the truth to your shareholders and your employees.
(Applause.) And in this new responsibility society, each of us -- each
of us is responsible for loving our neighbor just like we'd like to be
loved ourself. (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 its 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, 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. There were policemen and
firefighters shouting, "Whatever it takes, Mr. President, whatever it
takes." A guy in a hard-hat pointed at me and said, "Do not let me
down." As we all 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 our enemies. I will defend the security of America, whatever it
takes. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
(Applause.)
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 American character, our capacity to meet a serious challenge, or a
willingness to serve a cause greater than self-interest. Americans
have given their answer. I have seen the unselfish courage of our
troops. I have seen the heroism of Americans in the face of danger.
I've seen the spirit of service and love and compassion renewed in our
country. And we've all seen our nation unite in common purpose when it
mattered most.
We will need all of these qualities for the work ahead. See, we've
got work to do. We've got a job. We must win the war on terror. And
the world is counting on America to continue to lead the cause of
freedom and peace.
We have work to do. We must spread opportunity to every part of
the country. We must work together over the next four years to make
America a safer place, a stronger place, and a better place for every
citizen.
This is the work that history has set before us. We welcome it.
And we know that for our great country, the best days lie ahead.
May God bless you all, and may God continue to bless our country.
Thank you for coming. Thank you all. (Applause.)
END 6:07 P.M. CDT
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