For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
July 20, 2004
Remarks by the President at St. Charles, Missouri Rally
Family Arena
St. Charles, Missouri
5:31 P.M. CDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all very much. I am proud to be back in
Missouri, in this great city of St. Charles. (Applause.) John
Ashcroft told me this morning that St. Charles was the first capital of
Missouri. (Applause.) Today, the way things look, St. Charles is the
capital of Bush-Cheney country. (Applause.) I always enjoy coming to
the St. Louis area. You might remember the last time I was here, I
brought my 30-mile-an-hour fastball. (Applause.) Now look at the
Cardinals. (Applause.)
I'm here to ask for your vote. (Applause.) I'm here to let you
know I've got more to do for this country and I want your help. I want
you to go to your community centers and your places of worship and your
-- all around this important part of the country and tell folks they
have an obligation to vote. (Applause.) And you might remind them if
they want optimistic, hopeful, determined leadership, vote for George
W. Bush and Dick Cheney. (Applause.)
With your help, we carried Missouri in 2000; with your help, we'll
carry Missouri in 2004 as a part of a great nationwide victory.
(Applause.) So thanks for coming. (Applause.) My only regret is that
Laura is not traveling with me.
AUDIENCE: Awwww!
THE PRESIDENT: That's generally the reaction. (Laughter.) And
the reason why is because the people understand she is a great First
Lady. (Applause.) And I understand I'm a lucky man to have such a
fine person as my wife. (Applause.) Tonight I'll give you some
reasons why you need to put me back in office, but perhaps the most
important reason is so that Laura will have four more years.
(Applause.)
I want to thank Madam Speaker for her kind introduction.
Catherine, thank you for your leadership and your service. I want to
thank my friend, Matt Blunt. Good to see you, Governor. (Applause.)
Peter Kinder is here, and I'm proud Peter is here. I want to thank him
for his friendship. Mike Gibbons, all those who serve at the state and
local level, thank you for serving our communities and our country.
I particularly want to say thanks to the grassroots activists who
are here -- (applause.) The unsung heroes who make all the phone calls
and put up the signs, and get people to register to vote, and remind
people that if they're interested in helping, they can get on the
Internet at the georgewbush.com site. (Applause.) I'm counting on
your help. I'm counting on your support. I'll lay out the vision, you
get the people to the polls, and we'll have four more years.
(Applause.)
And when you're convincing people to do their duty, remind them
that the last three-and-a-half 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. But
we acted. We delivered historic tax relief, and over the past three
years America has had the fastest growing economy of any major
industrialized nation. (Applause.)
We saw war and grief arrive on a quiet September morning. So we
pursued the terrorist enemy across the world. We have captured or
killed many leaders of the al Qaeda network. We will stay on the hunt
until justice is done and America is secure. (Applause.)
We confronted the dangers of state-sponsored terror, the spread of
weapons of mass destruction. So we acted against two of the most
violent and dangerous regimes on earth. We liberated over 50 million
people. Once again, America is proud to lead the armies of
liberation. (Applause.)
When our great Vice President, Dick Cheney, and I -- (applause) --
when we came to Washington, the military was under funded and
underappreciated. (Applause.) So we gave our armed forces the
resources and respect they deserve, and today, nobody can question the
skill and the strength and the spirit of the United States military.
(Applause.)
These accomplishments are important to the security and the
prosperity of America. You see, it is the President's job to confront
problems, not to pass them on to future Presidents and future
generations. (Applause.) A President must make the hard decisions and
keep his commitments. And with your help, that is how I will continue
to lead our great nation for four more years. (Applause.)
THE AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years!
THE PRESIDENT: I'm looking forward to the contest. (Applause.)
And it's going to be a hard race -- that's why I'm here to ask for your
help. I'm running against -- I'm running against an experienced United
States senator.
THE AUDIENCE: Booo!
THE PRESIDENT: He's been in Washington a long time -- long time.
He's been there long enough to take both sides of just about every
issue. (Laughter and applause.) He voted for the Patriot Act, NAFTA,
the No Child Left Behind Act, and for the force -- use of force in
Iraq. Now, he opposes the Patriot Act, NAFTA, the No Child Left Behind
Act, and the liberation of Iraq. (Laughter.) If you disagree with the
senator on most any issue, you may just have caught him on the wrong
day. (Laughter and applause.)
And as you know, he's picked a running mate. Senator Kerry is
rated as the most liberal member of the United States Senate. And he
chose a fellow lawyer, who is the fourth most liberal member of the
United States Senate.
THE AUDIENCE: Booo!
THE PRESIDENT: Now, in Massachusetts, that's what they call
balancing the ticket. (Laughter and applause.)
Great events will turn on this election. The person who sits in
the Oval Office will set the course of the war on terror. and the
direction of our economy. I'm asking for your vote because I have a
vision and a strategy to win the war on terror and to extend freedom
and peace throughout the world. (Applause.) I'm asking for your vote
because I have a plan and strategy to continue to create jobs and
opportunity for every single American. I'm asking for your vote
because I have a plan to continue to rally the armies of compassion,
the compassionate spirit of this country, so every single American has
a chance to realize the great promise of our land. I'm asking for your
help -- and after four more years, America will be safer, stronger, and
a better nation. (Applause.)
THE AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years!
THE PRESIDENT: A big issue for every family is the federal tax
burden. By providing the largest --
AUDIENCE MEMBER: Oh, it's killing me! (Laughter.)
THE PRESIDENT: By providing the largest federal tax relief since
Ronald Reagan was the President -- (applause) -- we've left more money
in the hands that earned it. (Applause.) 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.)
This economy of ours is strong and it's getting stronger. Since
last summer, our economy has been growing at its fastest rate in nearly
20 years. (Applause.) In less than a year's time, we've added 1.5
million new jobs. (Applause.) In this great state, in the state of
Missouri, 27,600 people went to work at a new job in June.
(Applause.) Your unemployment rate is now 5.2 percent -- (applause) --
down from 5.8 percent last July. (Applause.) The homeownership rate
is at its all-time high. (Applause.) Business investment is up,
consumer confidence is strong. The tax relief we passed is working.
(Applause.)
My opponent looks at all this progress and somehow concludes that
the sky is falling. (Laughter.) Whether their message is delivered
with a frown or a grin, it's the same old pessimism. And to cheer us
up, they propose higher taxes, more federal spending, more lawsuits,
economic isolationism.
THE AUDIENCE: Booo!
THE PRESIDENT: The surest way to end economic growth and to put
Americans out of work is to adopt their vision. This nation is on the
path to progress and opportunity, and we're not going back.
(Applause.) To sustain economic growth we need to keep taxes low.
(Applause.) Higher taxes would undermine growth and destroy jobs just
as the economy is gaining more steam. To help grow the economy so
people can find work, my message to Congress is: Do not raise taxes on
the American people. (Applause.)
In order to make sure Americans can find work today, and work
tomorrow, we must be wise about how we spend the people's money. My
plan calls for spending discipline. It calls for setting clear
priorities. I also understand whose money we spend in Washington, D.C.
-- we don't spend the government's money, we spend the people's money.
(Applause.)
In order to make sure this economy continues to grow and people can
find work, we must stop the frivolous lawsuits. (Applause.) You
cannot be pro-small business and pro-trial lawyer at the same time.
(Applause.) You have to choose. My opponent has made his choice --
and he put him on the ticket.
AUDIENCE: Booo!
THE PRESIDENT: I made my choice. I will continue to push the
United States Congress to reform the legal system to end the junk and
frivolous lawsuits that plague our small businesses. (Applause.)
In order to make sure we continue to expand our job base, I have
a plan to help more Americans afford health insurance, by giving people
better access to health care through association health plans, giving
Americans more control over their health care through tax-free health
savings accounts. And to make sure that people have got affordable and
available health care, we need medical liability reform into
Washington, D.C. (Applause.)
In order to make sure people can find work today and tomorrow, we
need to pass sound energy legislation. I have proposed a plan to the
United States Congress over two years ago. It is a plan that calls for
more conservation. It's a plan that says we will develop renewable
sources of energy. It's a plan that says we must modernize our
electricity grid. It's also a plan that recognizes we can explore and
use resources in the United States in environmentally friendly ways.
(Applause.) For the sake -- for the sake of national security, and for
the sake of economic security, we must become less dependent on foreign
sources of energy. (Applause.)
I know we've got some farmers here. (Applause.) Thanks for
working the land. (Applause.) The best way to make sure you continue
-- your prosperity continues, is to sell your products overseas. The
best way to make sure we've got jobs today and tomorrow is to make sure
countries treat us like we treat them. We open our markets to their
products, they open their markets to our product -- American compete
with anybody, anytime, anywhere if the playing field is level.
(Applause.)
To sustain economic growth we need to make sure you reelect a
pro-small business, pro-entrepreneur, pro-farmer administration. And
that is the Bush-Cheney administration. (Applause.)
America's future also depends on our willingness to lead in the
world. The momentum of freedom in our time is strong. We still face
serious dangers. Al Qaeda is wounded, but not broken. Terrorists
continue to attack in places like Afghanistan and Iraq. Regimes in
North Korea and Iran are challenging the peace. If America shows
weakness or uncertainty in this decade, the world will drift toward
tragedy. This will not happen on my watch. (Applause.)
THE AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years!
THE PRESIDENT: After the attacks of September the 11th, 2001, this
nation, the people of America resolved to fight the terrorists where
they dwell. We resolved to hold regimes that hide and sponsor
terrorists to account. Afghanistan was a terrorist state, a training
camp for al Qaeda killers. Because we acted, Afghanistan is a rising
democracy, Afghanistan is an ally in the war on terror. And because we
acted, many young girls go to school for the first times in their
lives. (Applause.)
Iraq only last year was controlled by a dictator who threatened the
civilized world and had used weapons of mass destruction against his
own people. For decades he tormented and tortured the people of Iraq.
Because we acted, Iraq is free and a sovereign nation. Because we
acted, its dictator now sits in a prison cell and will receive the
justice he denied so many for so long. (Applause.)
September the 11th, 2001, taught a lesson I will never forget. And
it is a lesson this country must never forget: America must confront
threats before they fully materialize. (Applause.) With this lesson
in mind, my administration looked at the intelligence and we saw a
threat. Members of the United States Congress, from both political
parties, looked at the same intelligence and they saw a threat. The
United Nations Security Council looked at the intelligence and it saw a
threat. The previous administration and the United States Congress
looked at the intelligence and made regime change in Iraq the policy of
our government. In 2002, the United Nations Security Council yet again
demanded a full accounting of Saddam Hussein's weapons programs. And
as he had for decades -- for over a decade, he deceived the world. As
he had for over a decade, he refused to comply.
So I had a choice to make: Either trust the word of a madman, or
take action to defend our country. (Applause.) And given that choice,
I will defend America every time. (Applause.)
Although we have not found the stockpiles of weapons of mass
destruction that we thought were there, we were right to go into Iraq.
(Applause.) America is safer because we did. (Applause.) We removed
a declared enemy of America who had the capability of producing weapons
of mass destruction, and could have passed that capability to
terrorists bent on acquiring them. In a world after September the
11th, that was a risk we could not afford to take. (Applause.)
We still have important and difficult work to do. Our immediate
task in Iraq and Afghanistan and elsewhere is to capture or kill the
terrorists. You can't talk sense to the terrorists. You cannot
negotiate with these terrorists. You cannot sit back and hope for the
best. We will engage these enemies in Afghanistan and Iraq and around
the world, so we do not have to face them here at home. (Applause.)
In this big, sweet country of ours, there's no such thing as
perfect security. And the threats to this homeland are real. We know
that the terrorists want to strike the United States again, they want
to disrupt our way of life, or cause panic or great fear. We
reorganized this government of ours to better protect the people.
There's much better communication now between the federal, state and
local governments. The FBI has changed its mission to make sure --
changed its priorities to make sure that counterterrorism is the most
important thing they do.
I want you to know there are a lot of really good people working on
your behalf -- good, decent, honorable people. I know you'll join me
in thanking the police and firefighters and emergency teams of St.
Louis, Missouri. (Applause.)
Over these next four years we will defend our homeland. Over the
next four years we'll be relentless in the pursuit of the enemy
abroad. Yet, in the long run, our safety requires something more. We
must work to change the conditions that give rise to terror in the
Middle East -- the poverty, the hopelessness, and the resentments that
terrorists can exploit.
See, life in that region will be far more hopeful and peaceful when
men and women can choose their own leaders, when the people can decide
their own future. You see, by serving the ideal of liberty, we're
bringing hope to others. And that makes America more secure. By
serving the ideal of liberty, we serve the deepest ideals of our
country. Freedom is not America's gift to the world; freedom is the
Almighty God's gift to every man and woman in this world. (Applause.)
America is leading the world, and the world is changing because of
our leadership. Three years ago, Afghanistan was the home base of al
Qaeda. Now the camps are closed, democracy is rising and the American
people are safer. (Applause.) Three years ago -- three years ago,
Pakistan was a safe transit point for terrorists on missions of
murder. Now Pakistan forces are rounding up the terrorists, Pakistan
is an ally in the war on terror and the American people are safer.
(Applause.)
Three years ago, in Saudi Arabia, terrorists were moving with
little opposition. Now the Saudi government has taken the fight to al
Qaeda, and Americans are safer for it. Three years ago, Libya was
spending millions to acquire weapons of mass destruction. Now,
thousands of Libya's chemical munitions have been destroyed. Libya has
given up nuclear processing equipment and the American people are safer
for it. (Applause.)
Three years ago there was a network run by a Pakistan nuclear
scientist named A.Q. Khan that was selling secrets, nuclear secrets to
countries like Iran and North Korea and Libya. Thanks to the hard work
of CIA agents, thanks to cooperation between the British and United
States government, that network has been dismantled, it is no longer a
problem and America is safer for it. (Applause.)
In the last three years the world is changing, for the better.
Just like Iraq is changing for the better. We will finish our work of
spreading democracy and helping the Iraqis achieve democracy. We'll
finish our work to help the Afghan citizens achieve democracy.
Democratic states, free states are peaceful states. It's in our
long-term interest that these countries survive, and we've got good
allies there. (Applause.) President Karzai believes in the future of
the people of Afghanistan. Prime Minister Allawi believes in the
future of the people of Iraq. He wants there to be a free country,
just like the fathers and mothers of Iraqi children want their children
to grow up in a free and peaceful country. (Applause.)
People in Iraq are stepping up. They understand the stakes.
They're fighting the foreign fighters and the terrorists. They're
bringing them to justice so they can live in a free society. And the
people of those countries can count on the United States of America --
when we give our word, when we'll stay with people striving to become a
free society -- we will keep our word. (Applause.)
America is safer not only because we've led; America is safer
because we've got a great United States military. (Applause.) At
bases around our country and around the world, I have had the privilege
of meeting with those who defend our country and sacrifice for our
freedom. I've seen their great decency, their unselfish courage. And
I can assure you, ladies and gentlemen, the cause of freedom is in good
hands. (Applause.)
And we must make sure those who wear our uniform have the best
training, the best pay and the best equipment. (Applause.) That's why
last September I proposed supplemental funding to support our military
in its mission. This legislation provided funding for body armor and
vital equipment, for hazard pay, for health benefits, for ammunition,
for fuel, for spare parts. In the Senate, only a small, out of the
mainstream minority voted against that legislation. Two of those 12
senators are my opponent and his running mate.
AUDIENCE: Booo!
THE PRESIDENT: Senator Kerry tried to explain his vote by saying,
"I actually did vote for the $87 billion, before I voted against it."
(Laughter.) That sure clears things up. (Laughter.) Now he's
offering a different explanation. Last week, Senator Kerry said he's
proud that he and his running mate voted against funding for the
troops. Later he said his vote against funding for our troops in Iraq
and Afghanistan was a complicated matter. (Laughter.) There's nothing
complicated about supporting our troops in combat. (Applause.)
Over the next four years as the Commander-in-Chief, I will see to
it our troops have the best possible pay, equipment and training.
(Applause.) America is leading this world with confidence and moral
clarity. We've got a lot of fine folks helping us, too. There's over
60 nations involved in the Proliferation Security Initiative. Nearly
40 nations are involved in Afghanistan. Some 30 nations are involved
in Iraq. I'll continue to work with allies such as Tony Blair and
Silvio Berlusconi and -- (applause) -- Prime Minister Koizumi of Japan,
to work together to protect our peoples and to spread freedom and
democracy. But I will never turn over America's national security
decisions to leaders of other nations. (Applause.)
This nation is prosperous and strong, yet, we need to remember that
our greatest strength is in the character of our citizens. Earlier
this month, my opponent said that a bunch of entertainers from
Hollywood conveyed the heart and soul of America.
THE AUDIENCE: Booo!
THE PRESIDENT: I believe the heart and soul of America is found in
places like St. Charles, Missouri. (Applause.)
Our nation is strong because of the values we try to live by:
courage and compassion, reverence and integrity. We are strong because
of the institutions that help give us direction and purpose -- our
families and our schools and our religious congregations. (Applause.)
These values and institutions are fundamental to our lives. They
deserve the respect of our government. We stand for high standards in
our public schools. We stand for local control of schools. We stand
for strong accountability in schools, so no child is left behind in
America. (Applause.)
We stand for welfare reforms that require work and strengthen
marriage, which have helped millions of Americans find independence and
dignity. (Applause.) We stand for a culture of life in which every
person counts and everybody matters. (Applause.) We stand for
institutions like marriage and family. (Applause.) We stand for judges
who strictly and faithfully interpret the law, instead of legislating
from the bench. (Applause.) We are building a culture of
responsibility in America. We're changing the culture of America 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. (Applause.)
If you are fortunate enough to be a mother or a father, you're
responsible for loving your child with all your heart and all your
soul. (Applause.) If you're worried about the quality of the
education in the community in which you live, you are responsible for
doing something about it. (Applause.) Like supporting your teachers.
(Applause.) If you are a CEO in corporate America, you are responsible
for telling the truth to your shareholders and your employees.
(Applause.) And in a new responsibility society, each of us is
responsible for loving our neighbor just like we'd 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 its leaders. This isn't one of those times. You and I are
living in a period where the stakes are high, the challenges are
difficult, and a time when firm resolve is needed. (Applause.)
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. It is a day that I will never forget. There were
workers in hard-hats who shouted at me, "Whatever it takes." Either a
fireman or a policeman grabbed 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 our country, whatever it takes. (Applause.)
In these times, I've also been a witness to the character of this
nation. I've seen the unselfish courage of our troops; 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 will 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 corner of our country. This
is the work that history has set before us. We welcome it. And we
know that for our blessed country, the best days lie ahead.
God bless. Thanks for coming. (Applause.) Thank you, sir. Thank
you all very much. (Applause.)
END 6:14 P.M. CDT
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