    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [November 25, 2003]
    [Pages 1619-1624]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Bush-Cheney Luncheon in Las Vegas
    November 25, 2003

        Thanks for coming. Go ahead and please be seated. I appreciate you
    coming. Thanks for the warm welcome. It's great to be in one of
    America's greatest cities, Las Vegas. The Governor was saying, ``Don't you want to spend a little time here,
    a little quality time?'' And I said, ``Well, I'm on Government pay''--
    [laughter]--if you know what

    [[Page 1620]]

    I mean. But this is a dynamic part of our country. The growth is
    amazing. The spirit is great. It's such an honor to be here. We did
    really well in the year 2000 here in Nevada. We're going to do great in
    2004 too.
        I appreciate you coming. As the Governor
    said, this is a successful fundraiser. I'll tell you what we're doing:
    We're laying the foundation for what is going to be a great national
    victory in November 2004. I'm loosening up. I'm getting ready. But
    politics will come in its own time. See, I've got a job to do. I want
    you to tell your fellow citizens, this President is going to work on
    behalf of everybody to keep this country safe and secure, prosperous and
    free.
        I appreciate Kenny, who's a good friend,
    and Dema. They've been friends of Laura and mine
    for a while. We both married above ourselves. [Laughter] Dema is doing a
    great job as the first lady of this State. Laura
    is doing a great job as the First Lady of our country. She sends her
    best. I left her this morning in Crawford. We went for about a 3\1/2\
    mile walk together across the countryside, had a little time to visit
    outside the bubble in Washington, DC, and we're going to spend
    Thanksgiving together. She's a great wife, a wonderful mother, and I'm
    really proud of the tone she has set and the job she's doing as our
    Nation's First Lady.
        Darlene Ensign is here. I'm proud to call
    John Ensign, Senator John Ensign, a friend and
    an ally. I appreciate so very much members from the congressional
    delegation who are here. You've sent some fine people from Nevada to
    Washington, DC, starting with Congressman Jim Gibbons. Jim, I thank you, appreciate you. Dawn is with him. Congressman Jon Porter, appreciate you coming, Jon. Laurie is with Jon.
        Nevada is such a powerful attraction for people around the country
    that you've been able to attract some people from the United States
    House of Representatives who aren't from your great State. [Laughter]
    Trent Franks and Josie Franks came over from the State of Arizona. I want to
    thank Congressman Franks for joining us today. Frank LoBiondo from New Jersey is with us. I'm honored that Frank
    is with us. Thank you for coming, Frank. I told old Frank, I said,
    ``Gosh, it's great to see you. Thanks for coming to see me.'' He said,
    ``I didn't come to see you.'' [Laughter] ``I came to be with my fiancee,
    Tina.'' [Laughter] Happens to live here in Las Vegas.
        I'm honored that the Lieutenant Governor is here, Lorrie Hunt--
    Lorraine Hunt. I appreciate you coming,
    Lorraine. The chairman of the campaign, chairman of the Bush-Cheney '04
    campaign, is your great attorney general, Brian Sandoval. Thanks for coming, Brian. I'm honored that Secretary of
    State Dean Heller is with us today. Dean, thank
    you for coming. I appreciate you being here. State Controller Kathy
    Augustine is with us. Thank you for coming,
    Kathy. Got a lot of other State and local officials. I'm grateful you're
    here. I appreciate your service to your State and to your county and to
    your city.
        I'm honored that my friend Mercer Reynolds, who's the national finance chairman, is with us. He's
    from Cincinnati, Ohio. He's a business person taking time out of his
    life to help make sure this campaign is adequately funded. He's doing a
    really good job, thanks to you all. Larry and
    Camille Ruvo have done--a lot to do with this
    event. I'm honored you all are here. Thank you. Appreciate you, Larry.
        I want to thank all the grassroots activists who are here with us
    today. See, it's important to make sure that we're well funded. It's
    also important to make sure people get on the phones and put up the
    signs and go to the coffee shops and put out the word that this is an
    optimistic and hopeful administration who's getting the job done for the
    American people.
        In the last 3 years, our Nation has acted decisively to confront
    great challenges. I

    [[Page 1621]]

    came to this office to solve problems instead of passing them on to
    future Presidents and future generations. I came to seize opportunities
    instead of letting them slip away. This administration is meeting the
    tests of our time.
        Declare--terrorists declared war on the United States of America,
    and war is what they got. We've captured or killed many of the key
    leaders of the Al Qaida network, and the rest of them know we're on
    their trail. In Afghanistan and Iraq, we gave ultimatums to terror
    regimes. Those regimes chose defiance, and those regimes are no more.
    Fifty million people in those two countries once lived under tyranny,
    and now they live in freedom.
        Three years ago, our military was not receiving the resources it
    needed, and morale was beginning to suffer. So we increased the defense
    budgets to prepare for the threats of a new era, and today, no one in
    the world can question the skill and the strength and the spirit of the
    United States military.
        Three years ago, this economy of ours was in trouble, and a
    recession was beginning. And then our country was attacked, and we had
    scandals in corporate America as well as the war to make America more
    secure and the world more peaceful. All of that affected the people's
    confidence, but we acted. We passed tough new laws to hold corporate
    criminals to account. And to get this economy going again, I have twice
    led the United States Congress to pass historic tax relief for the
    American people.
        I believe that when Americans have more take-home pay to spend, to
    save, or invest, the whole economy grows, and people are more likely to
    find a job. And so we're returning more money to the people, returning
    money to help them raise their families. We've reduced taxes on
    dividends and capital gains to encourage investment. We've given small
    businesses incentives to expand and to hire new people. With all these
    actions, we're laying the foundation for greater prosperity and more
    jobs across America, so that every single person has a chance to realize
    the American Dream.
        This economy of ours is reacting to our policy. The American economy
    is strong, and it is getting stronger. The third quarter figures were
    just revised upward to 8.2 percent, the fastest pace in nearly 20 years.
    Productivity is high. Business investment is rising. Housing
    construction is strong. The job base is expanding. The tax relief we
    passed is working.
        Three years ago there was a lot of talk about education reform, but
    there wasn't much action. So I acted. I called for and the Congress
    passed the No Child Left Behind Act. With a solid bipartisan majority,
    we delivered the most dramatic education reforms in a generation. We're
    now bringing high standards and strong accountability measures to every
    public school in America. We've increased the education budgets at the
    Federal level. But for the first time in our Nation's history, we now
    expect results in return for the increased funding. This administration
    is challenging the soft bigotry of low expectations. We're raising the
    bar. We're raising the standards, because we believe every child can
    learn, and we expect every school to teach, so not one single child is
    left behind in America.
        We reorganized this Government of ours to create the Department of
    Homeland Security, safeguard the borders and ports of America, and to
    better protect the American people. We passed trade promotion authority
    to open up new markets for our country's entrepreneurs and farmers and
    ranchers. We passed budget agreements to bring much needed spending
    discipline to Washington, DC. On issue after issue, this administration
    has acted on principle, has kept its word, and has made progress for the
    American people.
        The United States Congress deserves a lot of the credit. I
    appreciate working with Speaker Denny Hastert, Senate Majority

    [[Page 1622]]

    Leader Bill Frist, the good folks from Nevada who
    are working with this administration. You see, what we're doing in
    Washington, DC, is we're trying to change the tone of the Nation's
    Capital. There's too much needless backbiting and endless politics.
    Instead of focusing on political process, we're focusing on the people's
    business by focusing on results.
        And those are the kind of people I've assembled in my
    administration. I've put together one of the greatest teams ever to
    serve the American people. We've got people from all walks of life,
    strong, dedicated, honorable Americans who have come to Washington, DC,
    to serve the people of this country. Our country has had no finer Vice
    President than Dick Cheney. Mother may have a different opinion. [Laughter]
        In 3 years, we have come far, but our work is only beginning. I've
    set great goals worthy of this great Nation. First, America is committed
    to expanding the realm of freedom and peace for our own security and for
    the benefit of the world. And second, in our own country, we must work
    for a society of prosperity and compassion so that every citizen has a
    chance to work and to succeed and to realize the promise of America.
        It is clear that the future of freedom and peace depend on the
    actions of America. This Nation is freedom's home and freedom's
    defender. We welcome this charge of history, and we are keeping it. The
    war on terror continues. The enemies of freedom are not idle, and
    neither are we. This country will not rest; we will not tire; we will
    not stop until this danger to civilization is removed.
        We are confronting that danger in Iraq, where Saddam holdouts and foreign terrorists are desperately trying
    to throw Iraq into chaos by attacking coalition forces and aid workers
    and innocent Iraqi citizens. You see, they know that the advance of
    freedom in Iraq would be a major defeat for their cause of terror. A
    collection of killers is trying to shake the will of the United States.
    The United States of America will never be intimidated by a bunch of
    thugs. We're on the offensive. We're aggressively striking the
    terrorists in Iraq. We will defeat them there so we do not have to face
    them in our own country.
        Other nations are helping. They're helping to build a free country,
    because they understand a free Iraq will make us all more secure. We're
    standing with the Iraqi people as they assume more of their own defense
    and move toward self-government. These are not easy tasks, but they are
    essential tasks. The United States of America will finish what we have
    begun, and we will win this essential victory in the war on terror.
        Our greatest security comes from the advance of human liberty,
    because free nations do not support terror. Free nations do not attack
    their neighbors. Free nations do not threaten the world with weapons of
    mass terror. Americans believe that freedom is the deepest need and hope
    of every human heart. We believe that freedom is the future of every
    nation. And we know that freedom is not America's gift to the world;
    freedom is the Almighty's--God's gift to every person who lives in the
    world.
        Also understand that unprecedented influence brings tremendous
    responsibilities. We have duties in this world, and when we see disease
    and starvation and hopeless poverty, we will not turn away. On the
    continent of Africa, America is now committed to bringing the healing
    power of medicine to millions of men and women and children suffering
    from AIDS. This great, strong, compassionate land is leading the world
    in this incredibly important work of human rescue.
        We've got challenges here at home as well, and we're equal to those
    challenges. I just mentioned some nice economic numbers, but we're going
    to stay focused on a progrowth economic agenda until everyone who wants
    to work can find a job. And we're keeping our commitment to America's
    seniors. Today the United States

    [[Page 1623]]

    Senate joined the House of Representatives and passed strong reform that
    will modernize and strengthen Medicare.
        For years, seniors have called for a modern Medicare system that
    provides coverage for prescription drugs and more health care choices.
    For years, Washington simply listened and did nothing. Finally, the
    House and the Senate have acted. This historic legislation is the
    greatest improvement in senior health care coverage since the enactment
    of Medicare in 1965. And I look forward to signing this important piece
    of legislation.
        For the sake of our health care system, we need to cut down on the
    frivolous lawsuits which increase the cost of medicine. People who have
    been harmed by a bad doctor deserve their day in court, yet the system
    should not reward lawyers who are simply fishing for a rich settlement.
    Frivolous lawsuits drive up the cost of health care, and they therefore
    affect the Federal budget. Medical liability reform is a national issue
    that requires a national solution. I have proposed such a solution. I
    proposed such a solution, and the U.S. House of Representatives, thanks
    to the Members here, voted for medical liability reform. The bill is
    stuck in the Senate. It is time for your Senator
    to understand that no one has ever been healed by a frivolous lawsuit.
    We need medical liability reform now.
        I have a responsibility as the President to make sure the judicial
    system runs well, and I have met that duty. I have nominated superb men
    and women for the Federal courts, people who will interpret the law, not
    legislate from the bench. Some Members of the Senate are trying to keep
    my nominees off the bench by blocking up-or-down votes. Every judicial
    nominee deserves a fair hearing and an up-or-down vote on the Senate
    floor. It is time for some of the Members of the United States Senate to
    stop playing politics with American justice.
        The Congress needs to complete work on a comprehensive energy plan.
    Our Nation must promote energy efficiency and conservation. We must work
    to develop cleaner technologies. We must explore for energy in
    environmentally sensitive ways. For the sake of our economic security
    and for the sake of national security, this country must become less
    dependent on foreign sources of energy.
        A strong and prosperous nation must also be a compassionate nation.
    I'm going to continue to advance our agenda of compassionate
    conservatism, which means we'll apply the best and most innovative ideas
    to the task of helping our fellow citizens in need. There's still
    millions of men and women who want to end their dependence on Government
    and become independent through hard work. The Congress must work with
    the administration to continue to build on the success of welfare
    reform, to bring work and dignity into the lives of more of our
    citizens.
        The Congress should complete the ``Citizen Service Act'' so more
    Americans can serve their communities and our country. Both Houses
    should reach agreement on my Faith-Based Initiative to support the
    armies of compassion that are mentoring our children and caring for the
    homeless and offering hope to the addicted. One of the great strengths
    of our country, the people of faith from all religions--people have
    heard a universal call to help somebody in need. This Government of ours
    must not fear faith, but it must welcome the good works of our faith-
    based institutions as we reach out as a society to heal broken hearts,
    to help the lonely, to say to somebody who wonders about the future of
    this country, ``I love you.''
        A compassionate society must also promote opportunity for all of us,
    and that means the independence and dignity that come from ownership.
    You see, this administration is working for and will constantly strive
    to promote an ownership society in America. We want more people owning
    their own home. We've got a minority

    [[Page 1624]]

    homeownership gap in America. I presented a plan to Congress to close
    that gap. We want people owning and managing their own retirement
    accounts, owning and managing their own health care accounts. We want
    more people owning their own small business in America, because we
    understand that when a person owns something, he or she has a vital
    stake in the future of our country.
        A compassionate society is one in which people respect one another
    and take responsibility for the decisions they make in life. The culture
    of America is changing from one that has said, ``If it feels good, do
    it,'' and ``If you've got a problem, blame somebody else,'' to one in
    which each of us understands we're responsible for the decisions we make
    in life. If you're fortunate enough to be a mother or a father, you're
    responsible for loving your child with all your heart. 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. And in a responsibility society, each
    of us is responsible for loving our neighbor just like we'd like to be
    loved ourself.
        The culture of service and responsibility is strong in this country.
    It's truly one of the strengths of America. You know, I started what's
    called the USA Freedom Corps to encourage Americans to extend a
    compassionate hand to neighbors in need, and the response has been
    strong. A lot of people are interested in helping, helping our country
    by helping somebody who hurts. Our charities are strong, and thank you
    for helping them. Our faith-based organizations are vibrant.
        Policemen and firefighters and people who wear this country's
    uniform are reminding us what it means to sacrifice for something
    greater than ourself in life. Once again, the children of America
    believe in heroes, because they see them every day. In these challenging
    times, the world has seen the resolve and the courage of America. And
    I've been privileged to see the compassion and the character of the
    American people.
        All the tests of the last 3 years have come to the right nation.
    We're a strong country, and we use that strength to defend the peace.
    We're an optimistic country, confident in ourselves and in ideals bigger
    than ourselves. Abroad, we seek to lift up whole nations by spreading
    freedom. At home, we seek to lift up lives by spreading opportunity to
    every corner of America. 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.
        Thank you for coming, and may God bless America. Thank you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 12:20 p.m. at the Venetian Resort Hotel and
    Casino. In his remarks, he referred to Gov. Kenny C. Guinn of Nevada and
    his wife, Dema; Darlene Ensign, wife of Senator John Ensign; Dawn
    Gibbons, wife of Representative Jim Gibbons; Laurie Porter, wife of
    Representative Jon Porter; Josephine Franks, wife of Representative
    Trent Franks; Brian Sandoval, Nevada campaign chairman, Mercer Reynolds,
    national finance chairman, and Larry Ruvo, Nevada finance chairman,
    Bush-Cheney '04, Inc.; and Mr. Ruvo's wife, Camille.