For Immediate Release
Office of the Vice President
February 23, 2004
Remarks by the Vice President at Bush-Cheney '04 Event
Hilton Hotel
Minneapolis, Minnesota
12:24 P.M. CST
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Thank you all very much. (Applause.) Thank
you. (Applause.) Well, thank you very much, Lynne. I appreciate that
warm welcome. And it's great to be back in Minneapolis.
The fact is, I often tell people that Lynne and I have a Republican
marriage, that if it hadn't been for that victory by Dwight Eisenhower
in 1952, our lives would have turned out very differently. In those
years, I was a youngster living with my folks in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Dad worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture; Eisenhower got
elected, reorganized the department, and Dad had the choice of moving
to Great Falls, Montana or Casper, Wyoming. And he picked Casper,
Wyoming. And that's where I met Lynne; we grew up together; went to
high school together; and we'll celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary,
come August. It was a hell of a red dress. (Laughter and applause.)
But I explained that to a group the other night, that if it hadn't
been for that Eisenhower victory that I wouldn't have gone to Wyoming,
and Lynne would have married somebody else. And she said, right, and
now he'd be Vice President of the United States. (Laughter.) So,
there's no doubt in my mind. (Laughter.)
But I also want to bring you greetings from your governor. I had
dinner last night in Washington with Tim Pawlenty. He's doing a great
job under tough circumstances. And I've gotten to know him well now.
He came in with a group of other governors to brief the President and
me on their recent trip to Iraq. And he's doing a superb job. But we
had dinner last night. He's in Washington. He's working with the
Governors conference today, and asked to be sure and be remembered to
everybody here in Minneapolis.
I also want to thank the congressmen with us today, John Kline and
Mark Kennedy. They're doing a superb job for the people of Minnesota
-- and Norm Coleman, who I was proud to campaign with last year. And
Norm has made a great addition to the United States Senate.
My only real job as Vice President is to preside over the Senate.
When they wrote the Constitution and created the position of Vice
President, they got down to the end of the convention and they decided
they hadn't given him anything to do. (Laughter.) They said, well,
we'll make him the President of the Senate. We'll let him preside over
the Senate. He'll be able to cast tie-breaking votes and so forth.
And my predecessor John Adams, our first Vice President, even had
floor privileges. He could go down into the well of the House --
excuse me, the well of the Senate and speak, and address the issues of
the day. And then he did a couple of times, and they withdrew his
floor privileges. (Laughter.) They've never been restored.
But of course, I spent 10 years in the House of Representatives,
and I was the congressman from Wyoming. We only had one seat,
congressional seat in Wyoming. It was a small delegation. But it was
quality. (Laughter.) But I loved the House, myself. And I've come,
over the years, to appreciate both in the House and the Senate side the
kinds of individuals that make effective members back there. And
you've got a great delegation here from Minnesota. So I'm delighted to
have the opportunity to serve with all of them.
I also want to bring you good wishes today from the President of
the United States, George W. Bush. (Applause.) We're grateful for the
support we received in Minnesota last time around. We ran hard in this
state. We made a better showing here than Republicans had for a long
time -- strong support from the farms, to the Twin Cities, to the Iron
Range. And this year, we intend to do even better, and with your help,
we're going to carry Minnesota for the Bush-Cheney ticket. (Applause.)
All of you will be part of the effort, and we genuinely appreciate
your commitment to the cause. The President now and I are just
beginning our fourth year. This has been a period that's been defined
by serious challenges and hard choices. When we were sworn in three
years ago, no one could have predicted all that lay just ahead for
America. The President came to office with a clear understanding of
his responsibilities. He was determined to solve problems, instead of
passing them on to future generations. We wanted to seize new
opportunities for reform, rather than get reform sidetracked as it had
so often in the past by the old debates.
Today, as we look ahead to this year's election, I think we've got
a significant record of accomplishment to run on. The American people
can be confident of a better future, of a stronger economy, and of
greater security against the dangers of our new era because of the
character and the leadership of our President, George W. Bush.
In this time of testing, our greatest responsibility is the active
defense of the American people. Even though it has been more than two
years now since 9/11, we must have no illusions that the danger has
passed.
Terrorists continue to plot against America and the civilized
world. We see them for what they are: killers who will not be stopped
by negotiations, by a treaty, by appeals to reason, or by the least
hint of conscience. In the war on terror, we have only one option, we
must take the fight to the enemy. (Applause.)
Today, members of our armed forces are deployed around the world to
fight the war on terror. And in the 29 months since 9/11, America and
our friends and allies in many countries, have inflicted heavy losses
on al Qaeda's leaderships and foot soldiers. We've been tracking them
down, finding them in hiding places from Pakistan to Indonesia. Those
not yet captured or killed live in fear, and their fears are well
founded.
We're also working with governments all over the world to take down
the financial networks that support terror, the hidden bank accounts,
the front groups, and the phony charities that have helped them
function. Our government is working closely with intelligence services
all around the globe, and our own intelligence officers continue to be
engaged in some of the most perilous and sensitive intelligence work
ever carried out.
This work has brought many successes, including the discovery of
terror plots that we were able to stop in their tracks. Americans can
be grateful every day for the skillful and daring service of our
nation's intelligence professionals.
On the night of September 11th, President Bush declared that the
United States would make no distinction between terrorists and those
who support them. This principle, that's come to be known as the Bush
doctrine, is now understood by all. Any person or government that
protects, supports or harbors terrorists is complicit in the murder of
the innocent, and will be held to account. (Applause.)
The first to see its application were the Taliban, who ruled
Afghanistan by violence, while turning that country into a training
camp for terror. With fine allies at our side, we took down the regime
and destroyed the al Qaeda camps. Our work there continues. Our armed
forces in Afghanistan are part of an international security force that
now includes nearly 40 nations, with a major role, as well, for NATO.
This force is on the hunt for the remaining Taliban and al Qaeda
members. We're helping train a new Afghan army, and we're helping to
provide security as the new government takes shape.
Under President Karzai's leadership, and with the help of our
coalition, the Afghan people are building a decent, and a just, and a
democratic society, and a nation fully joined in the war against
terror. They've just adopted a new constitution, and later this year,
they'll have nationwide elections.
In Iraq, the United States and our allies rid the Iraqi people of a
murderous dictator, and rid the world of a menace to our peace and
security. A year ago, Saddam Hussein controlled the lives of almost 25
million people, now he's in jail -- never again to brutalize his
people, never again to support dangerous terrorists, never again to
threaten the United States of America. (Applause.)
America has shown that we are serious about removing the threat of
weapons of mass destruction. In Iraq, our survey group is collecting
the facts. The President has created a special commission to compare
what the intelligence indicated before the war with what we've learned
afterwards. Already, our inspectors have discovered a lot about what
the dictator was up to. And it confirms much of what we thought before
the war.
We now know that Saddam had the capability to produce weapons of
mass destruction. He had the scientists, and he had the technology he
needed. We know that he had the necessary infrastructure because we
found the labs and the dual-use facilities that could be used to
produce chemical and biological agents. We know that he was developing
delivery systems, ballistic missiles, that the United Nations had
prohibited. And Saddam Hussein had something else -- he had a record
of using weapons of mass destruction against his enemies and against
his own people. There is no question that America did the right thing
in Iraq. (Applause.)
The gravest threat to America is the possibility of cooperation
between terrorist groups and outlaw regimes developing or possessing
weapons of mass destruction. As the President has said, we had a
choice: either take the word of Saddam Hussein, or take action to
defend the American people. Faced with that choice, George W. Bush
will defend America every time. (Applause.)
Since taking action in Iraq, we've also had one other important
development. Colonel Moammar Ghadafi, in Libya, who had a robust
program to develop nuclear weapons, watched our operations in
Afghanistan and Iraq and contacted us last spring, and indicated he
wanted to begin negotiations to give up all of his weapons of mass
destruction. (Applause.)
Five days after we captured Saddam Hussein, he publicly announced
his agreement that he would, in fact, surrender all of that
capability. But we also knew, in advance, it's simply become public
since the Ghadafi operation, of a network run by a man named A.Q. Khan,
the man who built the nuclear bomb for Pakistan, who had created an
illicit global network to supply centrifuges needed to enrich uranium,
the feed stock for the process, as well as, weapons design to Libya.
And he's also provided support and assistance to the programs in Iran
and North Korea, as well.
One of the by-products of the aggressive action that we took in
Iraq, has been the end to the Libyan program, the taking-down of the
A.Q. Khan network, the most serious threat to nuclear proliferation in
the world today. And obviously, now we're aggressively working on the
Iranian and North Korean programs, as well.
From the beginning, America has sought international support for
our operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. And we have gained a great
deal of support. But as the President has made very clear, there is a
difference between leading a coalition of many nations and submitting
to the objections of a few. The United States will never seek a
permission slip to defend the security of this country. (Applause.)
Freedom still has enemies in Iraq, terrorists who are targeting the
very success and freedom that we're providing for that country.
Recently, we intercepted a letter sent by a senior al Qaeda associate
named Zarqawi to one of Osama bin Laden's top lieutenants. The letter
describes the terrorists' strategy, to tear Iraq apart with ethnic
violence, to undermine Iraqi security forces, to demoralize the
coalition, and to prevent the rise of a sovereign democratic government
in Iraq. This terrorist outlines his efforts to recruit and train
suicide bombers and boasts of 25 attacks on innocent Iraqis and
coalition personnel. And he urged al Qaeda members to join him in
waging war on our coalition and on the people of Iraq.
Zarqawi and men like him have made Iraq the central front in our
war on terror. The terrorists know that the emergence of a free Iraq
will be a major blow against the worldwide terrorist movement. In this
they are correct. But we've seen this enemy before, and we know how to
deal with him. Fighting alongside the people of Afghanistan, we are
defeating the terrorists in that country. And fighting alongside the
people of Iraq, we will defeat the terrorists there, as well.
With determined allies at our side, we are helping Iraqis build a
free country, which will make all of us more secure. We are standing
with the Iraqi people as they assume more responsibility for their own
security and move toward self-government. And these are not easy
tasks, but they are absolutely essential. America will finish what
we've begun, and we will win this essential victory in the war on
terror. And Iraq, like Afghanistan, will be free. (Applause.)
America is a nation that is always ready to work and to sacrifice
for peace. The use of force should always be our last resort. And
when that need arises, all of us are fortunate to be defended by the
United States Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy, and Marines. In all
they have done and continue to do, the men and women who wear this
nation's uniform have performed with incredible skill and courage.
(Applause.)
In Iraq, as in Afghanistan, American forces have struck hard
against the forces of murder and chaos -- conducting raids, countering
attacks, seizing weapons, capturing killers. Members of the active
duty armed forces, of the National Guard, and of our reserves have
faced hard duty, long deployments away from home, and the loss of
comrades. They are confronting danger every day to protect all of us,
and they are earning the trust of the people they've liberated. They
reflect extraordinary credit on the United States of America. And our
entire nation is proud of each and every one of them. (Applause.)
The long-term security of our nation, and of our friends and
allies, has been a principal concern of President Bush. 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've delivered significant tax
relief for the American people. We're leaving more money in the hands
that earned it, because when Americans have more take-home pay, they
have more to spend, more to save, and more to invest. We increased the
child credit to help parents raise children. We helped our senior
citizens and encouraged investment by reducing taxes on dividends and
capital gains. And we've given small businesses incentives to expand
and to hire new people.
Now we're seeing the results of the hard work of the American
people, and the sound policies of the administration. Americans took
those dollars, and they put them to work, driving the economy forward.
The pace of economic growth in the second half of last year was over 6
percent, the fastest in almost 20 years. New home construction last
year was the highest in 25 years. The home ownership rate is the
highest ever. Manufacturing activity is increasing. Inflation is
low. Interest rates are low. Exports are growing. Productivity is
high. Since August the economy has created 366,000 new jobs;
unemployment is at a two-year low. These numbers confirm that the
American people are using their money far better than the government
would have, and Congress was right to return it. (Applause.)
As you no doubt are aware, there are 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 were exactly
what the economy needed, and they've now set us on a path to long-term
growth and job creation. And to keep us on that path, Congress needs
to make the Bush tax cuts permanent. (Applause.)
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. All of us in this
administration, and our allies on Capitol Hill, recognize that our job
is not to rest on a strong record, but to keep adding to that record.
Abroad, the fundamental interest of the 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 a record of achievement.
We will continue our pro-growth economic agenda, so that we can
continue to create jobs. We must improve our health care system
through medical liability reform. Doctors should be able to spend
their time healing patients, instead of fighting off frivolous lawsuits
from trial lawyers. (Applause.)
Congress should also pass the President's energy policy, because we
need to promote conservation, protect the environment, and make the
nation less dependent on foreign energy. (Applause.)
And it is time for the United States Senate to get about the
business of confirming President Bush's judicial nominees.
(Applause.) The President has a responsibility to make sure the
judicial system runs well, and he's met that duty. He's 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 Senate Democrats have taken to waging filibusters, denying some
of these nominees up-or-down votes for months or even years. Even
though these nominees may have a majority of senators supporting them,
they cannot get confirmed, because of the filibuster, unless they get a
super majority of 60 votes. That's unfair to the nominees, and it's an
abuse of the constitutional process. Every nominee deserves a prompt
up-or-down vote on the Senate floor, and that's another good reason why
we need to send more Republicans, like Norm Coleman, to the United
States Senate. (Applause.)
The campaign season has begun. President Bush and I will be proud
to present our vision to voters all across the country. We'll run
hard, and take nothing for granted, and we will continue to make good
use of every day we have the honor of serving the American people.
Long before I took my current job, I had the good fortune to work
for other Presidents I greatly admire. 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 judgement, compassion, courage in times of
testing for the nation. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is exactly the
kind of man we have in the Oval Office today. (Applause.)
I count it a privilege to serve with a President who has united our
nation behind great goals and brought honor and integrity to the White
House. Once again, I want to thank all of you for your commitment to
the cause we share. The President and I are deeply grateful to our
friends in the Twin Cities, and all across the state of Minnesota. And
now, together, we'll go forward to see our cause to victory on November
2nd, of 2004.
Thank you very much. (Applause.)
END 12:45 P.M. CST
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