For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 31, 2004
Remarks by the President at Bush-Cheney 2004 Dinner
Marriott Wardman Park Hotel
Washington, D.C.
6:30 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all very much. Thanks for coming. Thank
you all. Alex, thank you very much. I didn't realize you were such a
good orator. (Laughter.)
I wasn't Alex's first choice to speak tonight. His request was
that Laura come to be the key speaker. Alex is a man of good judgment,
and so am I, by asking Laura to marry me. She's a fabulous wife and a
great First Lady. (Applause.) She sends her love. I think Laura
deserves four more years as the First Lady. (Applause.)
Laura will be out campaigning with me, and so will Dick Cheney.
Our country has had no finer Vice President than Dick Cheney.
(Applause.) Mother heard me say that the other day and she said, "Now,
wait a minute." (Laughter.) No, I'm proud of the Vice President. He's
doing a fabulous job. And I want to thank you all for supporting this
ticket. And thanks for coming tonight. This is a huge turnout. Alex
said, why don't you come by, I may have a few friends here.
(Laughter.) A few Greek Americans might show up. (Applause.)
And, Annie, thank you, as well. I appreciate you and Alex working
so hard to make this a spectacular event. I want to thank my friend,
Mercer Reynolds, who is the national finance chairman for Bush-Cheney.
He's a business guy who has taken time out of his life to help.
(Applause.) I thank my friends, Jim Langdon and Julie Finley, for
being the Washington, D.C. finance co-chairmen. Manny and Alex have
helped the D.C. finance co-chairmen meet their goals, for which we are
grateful.
I want to thank Congressman Mike Bilirakis, from the great state of
Florida, for joining us. (Applause.) Congressman Jim Greenwood is with
us today, from the great state of Pennsylvania. Thanks for coming,
Jim. (Applause.) Jerry Kilgore, the Attorney General from Virginia,
is with us today. (Applause.) The Lt. Governor of the great state of
Maryland, Michael Steele is with us today. (Applause.) I really
appreciate you all being here.
I finally got an opponent. The campaign season has arrived. My
opponent is an experienced senator, and he's built up quite a record.
In fact, he's been in Washington long enough to take both sides of just
about every issue. (Applause.) Senator Kerry 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, No Child Left Behind, and the liberation of Iraq. He feels
strongly about these issues. (Laughter.) If he could find a third
side, I imagine he'd take that one, too. (Laughter and applause.)
It's going to be an interesting campaign. Someone asked Senator
Kerry why he had voted against the $87 billion funding bill to help our
troops in Iraq. And here's what he said: "I actually did vote for the
$87 billion -- before I voted against it." (Laughter.) Clears things
up, doesn't it? (Laughter.)
The voters this year are going to have a clear, unmistakable
choice. (Applause.) It's a choice between 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 confidence and strength, or an America that is uncertain
in the face of danger. I look forward to this campaign. I look
forward to the debate. I look forward to reminding the American people
that in the last three years, we've accomplished great things. And I
look forward -- (applause.) And most importantly, I look forward to
laying out a positive vision for the years ahead; a positive vision for
winning the war against terror, and extending peace and freedom
throughout the world; a positive vision for creating jobs and promoting
opportunity and compassion here at home. I will leave no doubt where
we stand, and we are going to win on the 2nd of November. (Applause.)
The last three years have brought serious challenges, and we've
given serious answers. When we came to office, the stock market was in
decline and our economy was headed into recession. We delivered
historic tax relief, and now our economy is the fastest growing of any
major industrialized nation in the world. (Applause.)
We had to confront corporate crimes that cost people their jobs and
their savings. So we passed strong corporate reforms and we made it
clear that we will not tolerate dishonesty in the boardrooms of
America. (Applause.)
We saw war and grief arrive on a quiet September morning. So we
pursued the terrorist enemy across the world. We've captured or killed
many key leaders of the al Qaeda network, and the rest of them will
learn there is no cave or hole deep enough to hide from American
justice. (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 freed over 50 million people, and
once again America is proud to lead the armies of liberation.
(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 they deserve, and today no one can question the skill, the
strength and the spirit of the United States military. (Applause.)
It is the President's job to confront problems, not to pass them on
to future Presidents and future generations. (Applause.) A President
needs to step up, to make hard decisions, to keep his commitments, to
speak clearly, and that is exactly how I will continue to lead our
great 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. Security and the prosperity of America are at stake.
The other side hadn't offered much in the ways of strategy to win the
war, or policies to expand our economy. So far all we hear is old
partisan rhetoric and bitterness. Anger and bitterness are not an
agenda for the future of America. (Applause.)
I will take on the big issues, set big goals. With optimism,
resolve and determination, we stand ready to lead this nation for four
more years. (Applause.)
A big issue for every family in America is the federal tax burden.
With the largest tax relief since Ronald Reagan was President, we have
left more money in the hands that earned it. By spending and investing
and helping create new jobs, the American people have used their money
far better than the federal government would have. (Applause.)
I'm optimistic about our future. I'm optimistic about our economy,
because I've seen the hard work of the American people. I understand
the entrepreneurial spirit of this country. Because of good policies,
and because of that spirit, our economy is strong, and it is growing
stronger. Economic growth in the second half of 2003 was the fastest
in nearly 20 years. (Applause.) Manufacturing activity is increasing;
business investment is rising; disposable income is up; inflation is
low; interest rates are low; homeownership is at the highest rate ever
in American history. (Applause.) Job creation is gaining strength.
We've added over 350,000 new jobs over the last six months. The tax
relief we passed is working. (Applause.)
My opponent has a different view of tax relief. When we passed an
increase in the child credit to help families, he voted against it.
When we reduced the marriage penalty, he voted against it. When we
created a lower 10-percent rate for working families, he voted against
it. When we reduced tax on dividends that many seniors depend upon, he
voted against it. When we gave small businesses tax incentives to
expand and hire, he voted against them. When we phased out the death
tax, he voted against it. We're beginning to see a pattern here.
(Laughter and applause.)
My opponent is one of the main opponents of tax relief in the
United States Congress. But when tax increases are proposed, it's a
lot easier to get a "yes" vote out of him. Over the years he's voted
over 350 times for higher taxes on the American people, including the
biggest tax increase in American history. He supported higher gas
taxes 11 times. He's favored a gas tax increase of 50 cents a gallon.
That would cost you another $5 more every time you fill up the tank.
For that kind of money, at least he ought to offer a free car wash.
(Laughter and applause.)
Senator Kerry is proposing a lot of new government spending, as
well -- about $1.7 trillion at last count, and the campaign is just
getting started. He says he's going to pay for all this by raising
taxes on the rich. To cover all the spending, Senator Kerry would need
to eliminate every single one of the tax reductions we passed, as well
as more tax increases. The marriage penalty would go back up; the
child credit would go down; taxes on many small businesses would rise.
Even low-income people paying the 10-percent rate would see their taxes
go up. I guess that's his idea of taxing the rich. It turns out, if
you have a job, a child, or a dollar to spare, Senator Kerry thinks
you're rich enough to pay more taxes. Fortunately, we're not going to
give him that chance. (Applause.)
Higher taxes would undermine growth and destroy jobs, just as our
economy is getting stronger. Raising taxes is lousy economic policy.
(Applause.) To help grow the American economy and to create more jobs
for our workers, I have a better idea. We should make the tax cuts
permanent. (Applause.)
We must do more to keep this economy growing and to create jobs.
We need to maintain spending discipline in the Nation's Capital. We
need to protect small business owners and employees from frivolous and
junk lawsuits. (Applause.) We've laid out a plan to control the cost
of health care and get people better access through association health
care plans, tax-free health savings accounts. And we need to pass
medical liability reform at the federal level in order to hold down
health care costs. (Applause.)
This country must never become isolated from the world. We must
reject the pessimistic thoughts of the economic isolationists, and
knock down trade barriers and open up new markets around the world for
our country's farmers and ranchers and entrepreneurs and
manufacturers. I proposed a sound energy strategy, one that will
modernize our electricity system, and one that will make America less
dependent on foreign sources of oil. The Congress needs to pass the
energy bill. (Applause.)
You hear a lot of talk about job creation up here. But the other
side is against every one of these job-creating measures. Empty talk
about jobs and economic isolationism won't get anyone hired. The way
to make sure this economy continues to grow is to reelect a pro-growth,
pro-entrepreneur President, and that is George With. Bush. (Applause.)
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 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 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.)
September the 11th, 2001, taught a lesson I will never forget, a
lesson this nation must never forget: America must confront threats
before they fully materialize. In Iraq, my administration looked at
the intelligence information 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. The
previous administration and Congress looked at the intelligence and
made regime change in Iraq the policy of this country.
In 2002, the U.N. 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. So I had a choice to make:
Either take the word of a madman, or defend this country. 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. (Laughter.) We showed the
dictator and a watching world that America means what it says. 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 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 because we acted, America is more
secure. (Applause.)
We still face thugs and terrorists in Iraq who would rather go on
killing the innocent than accept the advance of liberty. And there's a
reason why. They know that a free Iraq will be a major defeat NATO the
cause of terror. This collection of killers is trying to shake our
will. America will never be intimidated by thugs and assassins.
(Applause.) We are aggressively striking the terrorists in Iraq. We
will defeat them there so we do not have to face them in our own
country. (Applause.)
Other nations are helping. They're helping Iraq become a free
society, because they understand what we in America know: The world
will be a safer place with a free Iraq. We stand with the Iraqi people
as they assume more of their own defense and move toward
self-government. These are hard tasks, but they're necessary tasks.
America will complete 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 the bold action in the world -- but only
if other countries don't object. I'm all for united action, and so are
our 34 coalition partners in Iraq right now. Yet, America must never
outsource America's national security decisions to the leaders of other
countries. (Applause.)
Some are skeptical that the war on terror is really a war at all.
My opponent said, the war on terror is far less of a military
operation, and far more of an intelligence-gathering law enforcement
operation. I completely 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 plotting in
other nations; they were 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 the terrorists and their supporters declared war
on the United States of America, and war is what they got. Our men and
women in the military are taking great risks, and they're doing great
work. At bases across our country and the world, I've had the
privilege of meeting with those who defend our country, sacrifice for
our security. I've seen their great decency and unselfish courage.
And I assure you, ladies and gentlemen, the cause of freedom is in 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 citizens.
We're strong because of the values we try to live by -- courage and
compassion, reference and integrity. We're strong because of the
institutions that give us direction and purpose -- our families, our
schools, and our religious congregations. These values and
institutions are fundamental to our lives and they deserve the respect
of our government. (Applause.)
We stand for the fair treatment of faith-based groups, so they can
receive federal support for the 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, 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. We're changing the culture of
this country from one that has said, if it feels good, do it, and if
you've 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.
If you are fortunate enough to be a mother or a father, 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're responsible for telling the
truth to your shareholders and your employees. (Applause.) And in
this new responsibility society, 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 is not one of those times. You and I
are living in a period when the stakes are high, the challenges are
difficult, and the choices are clear. We live in a time when 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. Workers in hard-hats were
shouting, "Whatever it takes!" A guy pointed at me and said, "Don't
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.)
In these times, I've also been a witness to the character of this
nation. Not so long ago some had their doubts about the American
character, our capacity to meet serious challenges, or our willingness
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. We've all
seen our nation unite in common purpose when it mattered most.
We'll need all these qualities for the work ahead. We have a war
to win, and 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 this
country. 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.
May God bless you. Thank you for coming. Thank you all.
(Applause.)
END 7:00 P.M. EST
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