For Immediate Release
Office of the Vice President
November 19, 2003
Remarks by the Vice President at a Breakfast for Bush-Cheney '04
Holiday Inn
Liverpool, New York
November 17, 2003
9:33 A.M. EST
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Thank you. (Applause.) Thank
you all very much. (Applause.) Thank you. (Applause.) Good morning,
thank you. (Applause.) Well, that's a nice welcome in New York
State, or any place. It's great to be joining you today and to be back
here in Syracuse.
And I especially want to thank the Governor for his kind words.
George has been an absolutely first-rate public servant. He's one of
the finest governors the country has today, a close friend of the
President's. And we couldn't ask for a greater supporter or leader to
work with us on behalf, not only of New York, but the entire country.
So, George, thank you very much for what you do for all of us.
(Applause.)
And I'm delighted to be here as well, to share the platform with
some of my former colleagues in the House, especially to be here in Jim
Walsh's district, who's done an outstanding job in Washington for all
of you -- along with Tom Reynolds, and -- who is, as the Governor said,
a rising star in the Republican firmament in the House of
Representatives, chairman of our campaign committee. And of course,
Sherry Boehlert, who is the chairman of one of the crucial committees
and somebody I served with in the House so many years ago.
I spent 10 years in the House as the member of Congress from
Wyoming. I loved my time in the House. Of course, Wyoming only had
one seat in the House of Representatives. (Laughter.) It was a small
delegation, but it was quality. (Laughter.) But I loved my time
there, partly because you learned to judge, sort of, congressional
horse flesh. When you come from a single-member state, it's not like
being from New York where you've got 25 or 30 delegates or congressmen
who can work state issues -- or California or Texas. You're out there
all by yourself, so you have to go out and find like-minded individuals
to work with you. And you quickly learn who you can trust and who you
can't. But you've got some outstanding members here in New York state,
that I've worked with closely over the years. I'm delighted to call
them friends and delighted to spend part of the day with them, as well,
too.
And I want to thank all of you for being here this morning and for
giving your support to this campaign. I'm grateful to serve the
President and the nation as Vice President. And all of us are proud to
be friends and supporters of our President, George W. Bush.
(Applause.)
Now, we're looking forward to 2004. As the President is
increasingly saying, we're loosening up for the campaign. We're very
happy that we're going to accept renomination at the convention right
here in New York City come next November, and carry New York, November
of 2004. (Applause.)
And we know the next 11 months will be a busy time as the political
season draws near. But recently we've had some indication of how the
voters feel about Republican leadership around the country. We've won
three out of four governors' races in the last four weeks. And on this
very day, on the West Coast, Arnold Schwarzenegger will be sworn in as
the new governor of California. Not bad. (Applause.)
When you add to that, Kentucky and Mississippi, two other states
where we had great victories in the last 10 days and made a very good
and very close run in Louisiana, I think there are bright prospects
ahead. This is shaping up to be a good year for our party. And I'm
confident that next year, the American people are going to reelect our
President for a job well done. (Applause.)
The President and I will be proud to bring our message to voters in
New York and all across America. We arrived in Washington nearly three
years ago determined to solve problems, instead of simply passing them
on to future generations. We were determined to seize new
opportunities for reform and to get beyond some of the old debates that
had stood in the way of progress for all too long.
Today, as we look ahead to the election of 2004, I believe we have
a record of accomplishment to show the voters. The American people can
be confident of a better future, a stronger economy, and greater
security against the dangers of our new era because of the character
and the leadership of our President, George W. Bush.
In the weeks following the terrorist attacks on America, people in
every part of the country, regardless of party, took comfort and pride
in the character and the conduct of our President. From that day to
this, he has led a steady, focused, and relentless campaign against the
enemies who struck America and killed 3,000 of our fellow citizens.
Not long after September 11th, one high-ranking al Qaeda official
said, "This is the beginning of the end of America." It's pretty clear
this terrorist didn't know what he was talking about. It's pretty
clear the terrorists who attacked us did not understand the strength
and the resilience of this country. And they did not understand the
determination of our President.
As we stand here today, many of al Qaeda's known leaders have been
captured or killed. Those still at large are living in fear -- and
their fears are well founded, because we are on their trail. In
Afghanistan, the Taliban regime brutalized an entire population and
harbored al Qaeda -- and that regime is no more. In Iraq, a ruthless
dictator, one of the bloodiest dictators of the 20th century,
cultivated weapons of mass destruction and the means to deliver them.
He gave support and safe harbor to terrorists, and had a relationship
with al Qaeda -- and his regime is no more.
Freedom still has enemies in Iraq. These terrorists are targeting
the very success and the freedom that has been provided to the Iraqi
people. Terror attacks on innocent civilians will not intimidate
Americans, and will not intimidate the Iraqi people.
Iraq is now the central front in the war on terror. And we are
rolling back the terrorist threat at the heart of its power in the
Middle East. We are aggressively striking the terrorists in Iraq,
defeating them there, so that we do not have to face them in the
streets of our own cities. We're calling on other nations to help
Iraqis build a free country, which will make us all more secure. We
are standing with the Iraqi people as they assume more responsibilities
for their own security and move toward self-government. These are not
easy tasks, yet they are absolutely essential. As the President said
many times, and no one should doubt it, "We will finish what we've
begun, and we will win this essential victory in the war on terror."
(Applause.)
In all they've done and all they continue to do, the men and women
who wear the uniform of the United States have performed with enormous
skill and great courage. As a former Secretary of Defense, I have
never been more proud of our men and women in uniform than I am today.
(Applause.)
These young Americans deserve our wholehearted support. They're
playing a classic role, one that they undertook after World War II when
they brought hope and help to the people of Europe and Japan. Now, in
the Middle East and Central Asia, they're earning the trust of the
people we've liberated.
One of the most important commitments George W. Bush and I made
during the 2000 campaign was that the armed forces would be given
every resource they need, and all the respect they deserve. And we've
kept our word.
The long-term security of our nation, and of our friends and
allies, has been a principal concern of President Bush's
administration. And so has the economic well-being of our citizens.
By the time we took office, the economy was sliding into recession, to
get it growing again, we delivered significant tax relief for the
American people. And we've done this because we believe that when
families and small businesses are hurting, the best way to help them is
to let them keep more of what they earn. After all, the money we spend
in Washington is not the government's money -- it's the people's
money.
This administration has delivered the largest tax relief since
Ronald Reagan lived in the White House, and we are beginning to see
strong economic growth as a result. The figures for the third quarter
show the economy grew at an annual rate of 7.2 percent -- the fastest
pace in nearly 20 years. Exports are expanding, business investment is
rising, housing construction is booming, and jobs are being created.
The Bush tax cuts are working. (Applause.)
As you know, there are a few voices in the land who want to roll
back the Bush tax cuts. Sometimes I hear these voices on the evening
news. (Laughter.) But, in fact, the Bush tax cuts are what brought us
out of recession. They're helping to foster long-term economic
growth. And the President and I will not be satisfied until every
person who wants to work can find a job.
On issue after issue, from national security to economic growth and
trade, to improving our public schools, President Bush has led the way
in making progress for the American people.
One of the sure signs of his leadership can be seen every day in
the people he's brought into government. As many of you know, I've had
the privilege of serving in a number of positions, including: White
House Chief of Staff, member of Congress, Secretary of Defense. But
looking at the group now serving under President Bush, I can tell you
this is one of the finest teams ever assembled by a President of the
United States.
All of us in this administration -- and Republicans in the House
and Senate -- recognize that our job is not to rest on a strong record,
but to keep adding to that record. Abroad, the fundamental interest of
this nation requires that we oppose threats to our freedom and security
wherever they gather. Yet overcoming threats is only the beginning of
America's responsibilities.
In the Middle East, we are encouraging free markets, democracy, and
tolerance -- because these are the ideas and aspirations that overcome
violence, and turn societies to the pursuits of peace. In that region
and beyond, all who strive and sacrifice for the cause of freedom will
have a friend in the United States of America.
Here at home, we have a full agenda, and some pressing business to
complete, as well. After so many years of inaction, we are nearing
major reform in Medicare -- reform that strengthens the system, and
provides America's seniors with prescription drug coverage. We also
must improve our health care system through liability reform. In New
York, and all across America, doctors should be able to spend their
time healing patients, instead of fighting off frivolous lawsuits.
(Applause.)
Thanks to the President's leadership, the Congress is also nearing
passage on a comprehensive energy plan. For the sake of our economic
security and our national security, we should modernize our energy
infrastructure and make this nation less dependent on foreign oil.
Also on Capitol Hill, it's time for the United States Senate to get
about the business of confirming President Bush's judicial nominees.
(Applause.)
The President has put forward superb nominees to serve on the
federal bench -- talented, experienced men and women who represent the
mainstream of American law and American values. Yet, some of these
nominees have been denied up-or-down votes for months or even years.
Senate Democrats have taken to waging filibusters against certain
nominees who don't meet their litmus test. This means that even though
these nominees have a majority of senators supporting them, that is
more than 50 votes, they can't get confirmed unless they get a super
majority of 60 votes. This is unfair and unprecedented. It's unfair of
the nominees, and it's an abuse of the constitutional process. It's
time to give every nominee a prompt up-or-down vote on the Senate
floor. (Applause.) I would urge both of New York's United States
senators to give some help in returning fairness to the confirmation
process. (Applause.)
We've achieved a great deal over the several few years. But
there's a great deal left to do in Washington. And around the world,
this nation has many serious responsibilities and challenges. The
campaign season will come in due course, and when it does, President
Bush and I will run hard and take nothing for granted. We understand
the key to victory is to do the work we've been given, and to do it
well. We intend to make good use of every day we have the honor of
serving the American people.
Long before I entered my current job, I had the good fortune to
work with other presidents that I greatly admire. As a White House
staffer in the aftermath of Watergate, I watched Gerald Ford restore
confidence in government by the sheer decency and force of his
character. As a congressman during the decisive years of the Cold War,
I saw the conviction and the moral courage of Ronald Reagan. And as a
member of the Cabinet under former President Bush, I saw the ideal of
public service in its purest form and came to know a leader of true
honor and integrity.
Along the way, I learned a few things about the presidency, and the
kind of person it takes to do that job well. It takes the finest
qualities of character: conviction, personal integrity, good judgment,
compassion, courage in times of testing for the nation. And that,
ladies and gentlemen, is exactly the kind of man we have in the White
House today. (Applause.)
President Bush and I are both honored by your confidence in us, and
by your commitment to the cause we all share. We're proud to have so
many friends in Syracuse and across this great state. Your support now
in November of 2003 will assure victory in November of 2004. Thank you
for being here this morning. (Applause.)
END 9:46 A.M. EST
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