    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book I)]
    [May 3, 2004]
    [Pages 723-730]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks in Sterling Heights, Michigan
    May 3, 2004

        The President. Thanks for coming. It is great to be back in
    Michigan. In case you haven't heard, we're on the George W. Bush bus
    tour. It's my way to let the people of Michigan know how much I
    appreciate their support, how much I'm counting on your support. It's my
    way of letting you know I want to win and be President for 4 more years.
        Audience members. Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
        The President. Thank you all for coming. The first thing is I'd like
    to ask you to volunteer in the campaign. Get your neighbors to register
    to vote. Put the signs up. Talk to people from all walks of life and
    tell them this, that I've got a positive vision for the future of this
    country. I've got a positive vision for winning the war on terror and to
    spreading peace and freedom throughout the world, a positive vision for
    creating jobs and opportunity for every single American, a positive
    vision for capturing the great spirit of this country so every citizen
    has a chance to realize their dreams. I've got a goal to make sure this
    country is safer and stronger and better. I will leave no doubt where we
    stand, and we will win on November the 2d.
        Audience members. Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
        Audience members. U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!
        The President. We've had a fabulous day today. It's been somewhat
    diminished by the fact that Laura had to go home
    early. No, I know, you drew the short straw. [Laughter] There's a lot of
    reasons why I think I need to be reelected, but for certain, one of the
    most important reasons is to make sure that Laura is the First Lady for
    4 more years.

    [At this point, there was a disturbance in the audience.]

        Audience members. Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
        The President. I can't tell you how proud I am of Laura. She is a fantastic First Lady. She is the love of my
    life. I am really proud of her, and I appreciate the job she has done.
    She loves the children of America. She understands the importance of
    teaching every child to read. And she sends her very best to all our
    friends here in

    [[Page 724]]

    the Detroit area of the great State of Michigan.
        I picked a really good man to be the Vice President of the United
    States in Dick Cheney. I want to thank
    Congresswoman Candice Miller for being my
    State campaign coordinator. I appreciate so very much Congressman Joe
    Knollenberg for being here today.
    Congressman Mike Rogers is with us as well.
        I want to thank the secretary of state, Terri Lynn Land, for--Terri Lynn just drove with us from Kalamazoo here
    to the Detroit area on the George W. Bush bus.
        I want to thank all the State and local officials who are here. I
    want to thank all the grassroots activists who are here. I want to thank
    my friend Travis Tritt for coming up from
    Nashville. I appreciate it. Billy Cerveny--I
    appreciate both of these great artists for coming today. I'm honored to
    have your support and your friendship. It means a lot to me.
        The last 3 years have brought serious challenges, and we have given
    serious answers. We came to office with the stock market in decline and
    an economy headed into recession. We delivered historic tax relief, and
    now our economy is the fastest growing of any major industrialized
    country in the world. We uncovered corporate crimes that cost people
    their jobs and their savings, so we passed strong corporate reforms,
    brought the wrongdoers to account, and made it clear we will not
    tolerate dishonesty in the boardrooms of America.
        We saw war and grief arrive on a quiet September morning. We pursued
    the terrorist enemy across the world. We have captured or killed many
    key leaders of the Al Qaida network. The rest of them will learn there
    is no cave or hole deep enough to hide from American justice.
        Audience members. U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!
        The President. 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 liberated over 50
    million people. Once again, America is proud to stand against tyranny
    and to set nations free.
        When Dick Cheney and I came to office, we
    found a military that was underfunded and underappreciated, so we gave
    our military the resources and the respect they deserve. And today, no
    one can question the skill and the strength and the spirit of the United
    States military.
        Audience members. U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!
        The President. It is the President's job to confront problems, not
    to pass them on to future Presidents and future generations. The
    President needs to step up to make the hard decisions and to keep his
    commitment, and that is how I will continue to lead our Nation for 4
    more years.
        Audience members. Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
        The President. 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. The security and prosperity of America are at
    stake. The stakes are high.
        I'll have a tough race, and that's why I'm counting on your help.
    I'm running against an experienced United States Senator.
        Audience members. Boo-o-o!
        The President. He's been in Washington for quite a long time.
    He's been there long enough to take both sides of
    just about every issue. He 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, the No Child Left
    Behind Act, and the liberation of Iraq.
        Audience members. Boo-o-o!
        The President. He's been on both sides of big
    issues. And if he could find a third side--[laughter]. He recently gave
    us another example of his technique. Last winter, my opponent was in
    Michigan and somebody asked him about the cars he had.

    [[Page 725]]

    [Laughter] Here in the great auto-producing State, he said, quote, ``We
    have some SUVs.'' He was talking about having a couple of minivans and a
    big Suburban. Last month, on Earth Day, Senator Kerry had a different
    description of his fleet. [Laughter] He said, and I quote, ``I don't own
    an SUV.'' To clear up the confusion he said, ``The family has it. I
    don't have it.'' [Laughter] In other words, he doesn't have an SUV
    except when he's in Michigan. [Laughter] Now, there's a fellow who's
    getting a lot of mileage out of his Suburban. [Laughter]
        Whatever he drives, the voters this year will
    have a clear choice. It is a choice between keeping 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 strength and confidence or an America that is
    uncertain in the face of danger.
        The other side hasn't offered much in the way of strategies to win
    the war or policies to help people find work. We're well into the
    campaign, and all we hear is bitterness and outbursts instead of calm
    debate. They will find out that anger is not an agenda for the future of
    America. I will take on the big issues with optimism and resolve and
    determination. And I will make it clear, we stand ready to lead this
    country for 4 more years.
        Audience members. Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
        The President. A big issue for every family in America is the
    Federal tax burden. With the largest tax relief since Ronald
    Reagan was the President, we have left more
    money in the hands of those who earned it. By spending and investing and
    helping create new jobs, the American people have used their money far
    better than the Government would have.
        We've overcome some tough challenges in this country, but I'm an
    optimist, because I understand the entrepreneurial spirit of America.
    I've seen small-business owners dream big dreams. I know you're facing
    economic challenges here in the great State of Michigan. Manufacturing
    communities have been especially hard hit. There are workers who are
    concerned about their jobs. I understand that--I understand that. Our
    economy is in a time of transition, and if you're the one going through
    transition, it's not an easy experience.
        Workers and businesses in Michigan are meeting the challenges,
    though, with energy and optimism because of good policy. Because of the
    hard work of the people of this State and other States, our economy is
    strong, and it is growing stronger.
        The economy grew at a strong rate of 4.2 percent in the first
    quarter of this year. Economic growth over the past three quarters has
    been the fastest in nearly two decades. In March, America added 308,000
    new jobs, the highest monthly job growth total in almost 4 years; 5,900
    of those new jobs was created here in Michigan.
        Across this country, manufacturing activity is increasing. Business
    investment is rising. Disposable income is up. Inflation is low.
    Mortgage and interest rates are low. Homeownership is at the highest
    rate ever. The tax relief we passed is working.
        My opponent has a different view of letting
    the American people keep more of their own income. When we passed an
    increase in the child credit to help families, he voted no. When we
    reduced the marriage penalty, he voted against it. When we created a
    lower 10-percent tax rate for working families, he voted no. When we
    gave small businesses a tax incentive to expand and hire, he voted
    against it.
        When tax increases are proposed, it's a lot easier to get a ``yes''
    vote out of him. [Laughter] He voted for taxes
    over--for higher taxes over 350 times since he's been a United States
    Senator. He supported gas tax increases 11 times and once favored an
    increase of 50 cents a gallon.
        Audience members. Boo-o-o!

    [[Page 726]]

        The President. By the way, it costs you $5 every time you filled up
    your car. For that, he at least ought to throw in
    a free car wash. [Laughter]
        He's also proposing a lot of new spending.
    You've got to be careful about these folks that go around the country
    making promises with your money. He's increased spending over a trillion
    dollars, and we're just getting started in the campaign. He says he's
    going to pay for it by raising taxes on the rich. But he's got a
    problem--he's got a problem. All that new spending can't raise enough
    money--can't be paid for by raising money on the rich. Guess who he's
    going to raise taxes on: You. In order to pay for that new spending he's
    promised, he's either going to break the promise, or he's going to have
    to raise the taxes on the hard-working American people. And we're not
    going to let him have a chance to do so.
        Audience members. Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
        The President. See, you and I understand that higher taxes would
    undermine growth and destroy jobs just as our economy is getting
    stronger. To help grow the American economy and to create more jobs for
    American workers, I've got a better idea: We should keep the tax rates
    low. We should not raise taxes on the American people.
        I want to be your President for 4 more years because I got a plan to
    make sure our country is the strongest economy in the world so people
    can find work. I have a plan to protect small-business owners and
    employees from frivolous lawsuits and needless regulations. We got a
    plan to help control the cost of health care by giving people better
    access through health savings accounts and association health care
    plans. I understand what frivolous lawsuits do to the cost of medicine.
    We need medical liability reform at the Federal level.
        In order to make sure this economy is strong over the next decade,
    we need to have an energy plan. We need to encourage conservation,
    alternative sources of energy, but we need clean coal technology. We
    need exploration for natural gas. We need to become less dependent on
    foreign sources of energy.
        In order to keep this economy strong and to make sure we're the
    leader in the world in economic growth so people can find work, I will
    continue to knock down trade barriers in foreign countries. Listen,
    we're the best in the world at growing things and manufacturing things
    in the high-tech world. All our people need is a level playing field. We
    should reject economic isolationism and work to make sure that our
    workers are treated fairly in overseas markets.
        Empty talk about jobs and economic isolationism won't get anybody
    hired. The way to make sure this country is strong and people can find
    work is to reelect a pro-growth, pro-entrepreneur, pro-small-business
    President, and that is George W. Bush.
        Audience members. Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
        The President. 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 Qaida 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.
        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. 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.

    [[Page 727]]

        Audience members. U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!
        The President. September the 11th, 2001, taught a lesson I will
    never forget and America must never forget. America must confront
    threats before they fully materialize. In Iraq, my administration looked
    at the intelligence, 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. As a matter of
    fact, the previous administration and the Congress looked at the
    intelligence and made regime change in Iraq the policy of our country.
        In 2002, the United Nations 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.
    I remembered the history of this man. He invaded his neighbors. He hated
    America. He had used weapons of mass destruction against his own people.
    He paid for suiciders to attack Israelis. He had ties to terrorists. So
    I had a choice: Either take the word of a madman, or defend America.
    Given that choice, I will defend America every time.
        Audience members. U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!
        The President. 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 we acted, Saddam's
    torture chambers are closed. Because we acted, Iraq's weapons programs
    are ended forever. Because we acted, nations like Libya got the message
    and renounced their own weapons programs. 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 America is more secure.
        On the ground in Iraq, we still face serious challenges. It's hard
    work, but it's necessary work. Illegal militias and remnants of the
    regime, joined by foreign terrorists, are trying to take by force the
    power they could never gain by the ballot. They know a free Iraq will be
    a major defeat for the cause of terror. These groups have found little
    support among the Iraqi people. And they will find no success in their
    attempts to shake the will of America. You see, they don't understand
    our country. We will never be intimidated by thugs and assassins.
        Audience members. U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!
        The President. A free Iraq is an historic opportunity to change the
    world for the better. A free Iraq will be a peaceful Iraq, and we're
    implementing a clear strategy in Iraq. First, we will ensure there's an
    atmosphere of security as Iraqis move toward self-government. We support
    the effort of local Iraqis to convince the radicals to disarm. We made
    it clear that militias in Najaf and elsewhere must disarm, or they will
    face serious consequences. American and coalition forces are in place,
    and we are fully prepared to bring security and order in Fallujah and
    Najaf and around the country of Iraq.
        The second element of our strategy is to return sovereignty to the
    people of Iraq on the schedule that we agreed to. We must keep our word.
    Like any proud people, Iraqis want to manage their own affairs, and I
    believe they can. It's a common goal we share. So on June 30th, a
    sovereign Iraq interim government will take office. We will still have
    hard work to do. These are not easy tasks, but they are essential tasks.
    We will finish what we have begun, and we will win this essential
    victory in the war on terror.
        On national security, Americans have the clearest possible choice.
    My opponent says he approves of bold action in
    the world but only if other countries do not object.

    [[Page 728]]

        Audience members. Boo-o-o!
        The President. I'm all for united action. We built strong
    coalitions. There are more than 30 coalition partners in Iraq right now.
    But I will never turn over America's national security decisions to
    leaders of other countries.
        We have a different point of view on security matters. Over the
    years, my opponent has opposed many of the
    aircraft and weapons programs, including the Bradley Fighting Vehicle
    and the Tomahawk Cruise Missile you build right here in Michigan,
    programs that are vital to our Nation's defense and programs that are
    now helping us win the war on terror. Last year, he voted against
    funding for ammunition and supplies and body armor for our troops on the
    frontlines of the war on terror.
        Audience members. Boo-o-o!
        The President. Someone recently asked Senator Kerry why he voted against the 87 billion supplemental bill to
    fund those essential needs for our troops, and here is what he said: ``I
    actually did vote for the 87 billion, before I voted against it.''
    [Laughter] The President must speak clearly and mean what he says.
        Some are skeptical the war on terror is really a war at all. Again,
    my opponent says the war on terror is far less a
    military operation and far more an intelligence-gathering, law
    enforcement operation. I 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 still plotting in other
    nations. They were still 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. 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
    have had the privilege of meeting with those who defend our country and
    sacrifice for our security. I've seen their great decency and their
    unselfish courage. And I assure you, ladies and gentlemen, the cause of
    freedom is in good hands.
        Audience members. Bush! Bush! Bush!
        The President. This Nation is prosperous and strong. Yet, we need to
    remember that our greatest strength is in the hearts and souls of the
    American citizens. We are strong because of the values we try to live
    by, courage and compassion, reverence and integrity. We are strong
    because of the institutions that give us direction and purpose, our
    families, our schools, our religious congregations. These values and
    institutions are fundamental to our lives, and they deserve the respect
    of our Government.
        We stand for the fair treatment of faith-based groups so they can
    receive Federal support for their works of compassion and healing. We
    will not stand for Government discrimination against people of faith.
        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 or exploited or cloned.
        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.
        We stand for a culture of responsibility in America. The culture of
    our country is changing from one that has said, ``If it feels good, just
    go ahead and do it,'' and, ``If

    [[Page 729]]

    you 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're a mom or a dad, you are 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're
    responsible for telling the truth to your shareholders and your
    employees. And in this responsibility society, each of us is responsible
    for loving our neighbor just like we like to be loved ourselves.
        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 the leaders. This isn't one of those times. You and I are
    living in a period when the stakes are high, the challenges are
    difficult, a time when firm 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. The workers in the hardhats were
    shouting, ``Whatever it takes.'' One man pointed at me and said, ``Don't
    let me down.'' As we 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
    the enemies. I will defend the security of America, whatever it takes.
        Audience members. Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
        The President. In these times, I've also been witness to the
    character of this Nation. Not so long ago, some had their doubts about
    the America character, our capacity to meet serious challenges or 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, and we've all seen our
    Nation unite in common purpose when it mattered most.
        We will need all of these qualities for the work ahead. We've got
    work to do for this Nation. We've got 4 more years to make--[applause].
        Audience members. Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
        The President. We've got 4 more years to make sure that we win the
    war on terror. 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
    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.
        I'm honored to have your support. May God bless you, and may God
    continue to bless America. Thank you all very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 8:44 p.m. in the Jerome-Duncan Theatre at
    Freedom Hall. In his remarks, he referred to Michigan Secretary of State
    Terri Lynn Land; and country music entertainers Travis Tritt and Billy
    Cerveny. The transcript of these remarks was released by the Office of
    the Press Secretary on May 4.

    [[Page 730]]