    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book I)]
    [June 1, 2004]
    [Pages 965-971]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Victory 2004 Reception in Denver, Colorado
    June 1, 2004

        Thank you all. Thanks for coming. I appreciate you all being here. I
    want to thank you all for coming tonight. What we have done is we have
    made sure we're going to carry Colorado again. I love coming to this
    State. It's a State where the cowboy hats outnumber the ties. It's great
    to be here, and I cannot tell you how grateful I am that you all have
    taken time to come by to say hello.
        I bring greetings from First Lady Laura Bush.
    She is a fabulous First Lady, and she is a wonderful wife. I was a lucky
    guy when she said yes. There I was on bended knee in Midland, Texas. I
    said, ``Would you marry me?'' She said, ``Just so long as you don't get
    into politics.'' [Laughter] She is--she's come to realize what I know,
    that in this job you can do things to help influence people's lives in
    such a positive way. She speaks clearly about literacy. She's got a
    passion for helping people learn to read.
        I'll never forget the time she did the radio address, the
    Presidential radio address, and she spoke to the hopes and aspirations
    of the women in Afghanistan. And the feedback she got was such
    incredibly positive feedback. People said--people from that desperate
    part of the world sent word back that they so appreciated the fact that
    Laura lifted their souls and sights and spirits
    with just some kind and gentle words. I think there's a lot of reasons
    you need to put me back in office, but perhaps the most important is so
    that Laura can be the First Lady for 4 more years.
        I look forward to working with the Vice President for 4 more years. I'm very proud of the job that Dick
    Cheney has done. He's steady. He's strong. He's reliable. He is an
    excellent Vice President. I used to say he's the best Vice President we
    ever had, until one day Mother yelled out, ``Wait a minute, buster.''
    [Laughter] But he's a good, solid friend and a good man.
        I really appreciate Governor Owens. He's one
    of the most articulate spokesmen for compassionate conservatism in the
    country. I'm proud to call him friend. I'm proud that Frances is here along with him. I appreciate your service,
    Governor, and thank you very much for what you've done for the State.

    [[Page 966]]

        I want to thank Benson--Bruce Benson. I
    knew he would amount to something one of these days. [Laughter] Thank
    you very much for leading this effort, Bruce. You and Marcy have been longtime friends, and I appreciate that. You
    know, in this line of work, if you can't count on your friends, it's
    going to be an empty journey. And the Bensons have been long-time
    friends, for which I'm grateful.
        I want to thank my friend Mercer Reynolds from Cincinnati, Ohio, who has been in charge of the
    Bush-Cheney fundraising effort and is now in charge of raising money for
    the Victory committees. Victory committees mean that we're going to have
    a little water in the bucket to water the grassroots, to turn out the
    vote. And for those of you who are what they call grassroots activists,
    I want to thank you for what you're fixing to do, which is to put up the
    signs, find the voters, and turn them out--find out who they are and
    say, ``You owe it to our country to participate in democracy.''
        And don't be afraid to talk to discerning Democrats and independents
    too, because we've got a good, positive message. We've got something
    that lifts--our message lifts the spirits of this country. First, when
    you're convincing them, remind them that this administration has
    confronted serious challenges. We--when we came to office, the stock
    market was in decline and the economy was headed into recession. But we
    acted. We delivered historic tax relief. And over the past year, this
    economy of ours is the fastest growing of any industrialized--major
    industrialized nation in the world.
        We uncovered corporate crimes. Those corporate crimes affected the
    American people. And we worked with Congress to pass tough laws--I mean,
    tough laws--and made it abundantly clear we're not going to tolerate
    dishonesty in the boardrooms of America.
        We saw war and grief arrive on a September morning, and so we have
    pursued the terrorist enemy across the world. We have been steadfast and
    strong in our--doing our duty, which is to protect America. We've
    captured or killed many of the key leaders of the Al Qaida network, and
    I assure you, the rest of them know we're on their trail.
        We confronted the dangers of state-sponsored terror and the spread
    of weapons of mass destruction. We ended two of the most violent and
    dangerous regimes on Earth. And now, thanks to our brave troops and
    coalition troops, 50 million people live in freedom.
        When we got to Washington, the military was underfunded and not very
    well appreciated. We anticipated the problem. We worked with Congress to
    pass robust defense budgets. And today, no one can question the skill or
    the strength or the spirit of the United States military. And tomorrow I
    look forward to going to the Air Force Academy to congratulate the
    newest class of Air Force officers and to thank them on behalf of a
    grateful nation for the service they're going to render.
        See, I hope you can tell that I understand it is the President's job
    to confront problems, not to pass them on to future Presidents and
    future generations. This is an important election. The man who sits in
    the Oval Office will set the course of the war on terror and the
    direction of the economy. The security and the prosperity of our country
    are at stake in this election.
        And I've got a tough race. I'm looking forward to it--I'm looking
    forward to it. I'm running against an experienced United States
    Senator. He has been in Washington long enough to
    take both sides of just about every issue. [Laughter] He voted for the
    PATRIOT Act, for NAFTA, for the No Child Left Behind Act, and 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. He's kind of like the
    Colorado weather--[laughter]--if you don't like it, just wait a few
    minutes and it will change.

    [[Page 967]]

        I'm running hard to seek the endorsement of the American people. My
    opponent claims he's picked up some endorsements
    as well, from foreign leaders. [Laughter] He just won't tell us who they
    are. [Laughter] He was asked this question on TV one time, and he said,
    ``What I said is true''--this is what my opponent said--he said, ``What
    I said is true. I mean, you can go to New York City, and you can be in a
    restaurant, and you can meet a foreign leader.'' I think this whole
    thing is a--[laughter]--is a case of mistaken identity. [Laughter] Just
    because somebody has an accent--[laughter]--a nice suit, or a good table
    at a fancy New York restaurant does not make them a foreign leader.
    Foreign leaders will not be deciding this election. Fortunately, the
    American people will be deciding this election, and we are going to win
    4 more years.
        The voters will have a unmistakable choice in the campaign. I mean,
    it's a clear choice. It's a choice between keeping the tax relief that's
    moving this economy forward or putting the burden of higher taxes back
    on the American people. It's a choice between an America that leads the
    world with strength and confidence or an America that is uncertain in
    the face of danger.
        I look forward to the debate. I look forward to laying out exactly
    where I want to lead this Nation. I've got a clear vision of how to make
    sure this economy continues to grow and for people to be able to realize
    their dreams. I know exactly what we need to do to win the war on terror
    and to bring freedom and peace to the world.
        I look forward to debating the issue of taxes. It's a big issue for
    every American family. With the largest tax relief since Ronald
    Reagan was the President, we have left more
    money in the hands that earned it. And by spending and investing and
    helping to create new jobs, the American people have used their money
    far better than the Federal Government would have.
        We've been through recession, corporate scandal, emergencies, and
    war. And yet, our economy is strong, and it is getting stronger. In
    April, America added 288,000 new jobs. Manufacturing jobs have increased
    for 3 straight months. Since August, the economy has added 1.1 million
    new jobs. The first quarter of 2004, the economy grew at a rate of 4.4
    percent. Over the past year, economic growth has been the fastest in
    nearly 20 years. Business investment is up. Inflation is low. Mortgage
    rates are down. More people own a home in America than ever before. The
    economy is strong. It is getting stronger. The tax relief we passed is
    working.
        And there is a big difference in this campaign when it comes to
    taxes. I want you to remind your friends and neighbors, Republican and
    Democrat and independent, that when we passed the child credit to help
    families, my opponent voted against it. When we
    increased the child credit to help families, he voted against it. When
    we reduced the marriage penalty, he voted against it. When we created a
    lower 10-percent rate for working families, he voted against it. When we
    reduced the tax rate on dividends that helps a lot of America's seniors,
    he voted no. When we passed tax relief to help small businesses, he
    voted no. I think we see a pattern here. It's a lot easier to get a
    ``yes'' vote out of him as a United States Senator when it comes to
    raising taxes. You make sure your friends and neighbors understand that
    as a United States Senator, he voted over 350 times for higher taxes on
    the American people.
        We're now in the middle--we're now in the beginning of a campaign,
    and my opponent, thus far, has proposed $1.9
    trillion of new spending at last count. And we really haven't gotten
    into the main thrust of the campaign. He said he's going to pay for it
    by taxing the rich. You can't raise enough money from the so-called rich
    in order to pay for all these new spending promises. There is a tax gap.
    And given his record, I know how he's going to fill

    [[Page 968]]

    the tax gap. He's going to have to tax the working people of the United
    States. But the good news is, he's not going to have that opportunity.
        It is very important for our citizens to understand that higher
    taxes will destroy economic growth. The American people will reject
    higher taxes. They're going to reelect a pro-growth, pro-entrepreneur,
    pro-small-businessowner President, George W. Bush.
        This campaign really is going to be a debate about who understands
    how to make sure America has the best economy in the world by making
    sure we're the best place to do business in the world. In order for
    people to find work, this has to be a good place to do business, a place
    that's competitive with other countries around the world.
        First, we've got to have spending discipline in Washington, DC. I
    look forward to working with the Congress to hold the line on spending
    the people's money. We've got to have--make sure that our country has
    got reasonable tort reform. There's too many junk and frivolous lawsuits
    that make it difficult for people to expand the job base.
        We've got to work to control the cost of health care through health
    savings accounts and association health care plans as well as medical
    liability reform at the Federal level. People in this country have got
    to understand that these lawsuits against our docs are running docs out
    of business and running up the cost of medicine.
        I've been--in order to make sure we're competitive, in order to make
    sure people can find work in this country, we need an energy policy.
    I've been calling upon the United States Congress to pass an energy plan
    for nearly 2 years, but they haven't listened. And now, people are going
    to the pump and finding out what I was talking about. We are too
    dependent on foreign sources of oil. Of course we need to encourage
    conservation and develop alternative sources of energy. But for the sake
    of national security and economic security, we need to be finding
    natural gas and crude oil right here at home, in environmentally
    friendly ways.
        We need to reject economic isolationism and be confident in our
    ability to compete around the world. There's some who want to shut down
    markets. Not me--I want to open markets. I know we're good at things.
    We're good at growing things. We're good at building things. Just give
    us a chance to compete on a level playing field, and we can out-compete
    anybody, anytime, anywhere in the world.
        I look forward to the debate on how to make sure this country stays
    competitive so people can find work. We've got the right philosophy in
    this campaign: The role of Government is not to create wealth; the role
    of Government is to create an environment in which the entrepreneur can
    flourish.
        The future of this country also depends on this Nation's leadership
    in the world. The momentum of freedom is strong, but we still face
    serious dangers. Al Qaida is wounded; Al Qaida is not broken. Terrorists
    are testing our will in Afghanistan and Iraq. Regimes in North Korea and
    Iran challenge the peace. If America shows weakness or uncertainty in
    this decade, the world will drift toward tragedy. This is not going to
    happen on my watch.
        We are strong, and we are confident in the cause of freedom. We know
    that freedom is not America's gift to the world but the Almighty's gift
    to every person in this world. Today, nobody doubts the word of the
    United States of America, and the world is more peaceful for it.
        America and our allies gave an ultimatum to the terror regime in
    Afghanistan. The Taliban chose defiance; the Taliban is no longer in
    power. America and our allies gave an ultimatum to the terror regime in
    Iraq. The dictator chose defiance; the dictator sits in a prison cell.
    September the 11th, 2001, taught a lesson this Nation must

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    never forget: We 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. The previous administration and previous Congress
    looked at the same intelligence and made regime change in Iraq the
    policy of our country.
        In 2002, the U.N. Security Council yet again demanded a full
    accounting of Saddam Hussein's weapons
    programs. They were worried about Saddam Hussein. I was worried about
    Saddam Hussein. After all, he had attacked countries in his
    neighborhood. He had terrorist ties. Zarqawi, who's now running loose in Iraq, was in Baghdad prior to
    our arrival. He had funded terrorist activities. He paid suiciders to
    kill--the families of suiciders who killed innocent Israelis. He had
    used weapons of mass destruction on his own people. The world spoke and
    said, ``Disarm.'' And as he had for over a decade, he refused to comply.
    So I had a choice to make: either to take the word of a madman or to
    defend the security of this country. And given that choice, I will
    defend America every time.
        My opponent admits that Saddam was a threat. He just didn't support my decision to
    remove him from power. Maybe he was hoping Saddam would lose the next
    election. [Laughter] We showed the dictator and a watching world that
    America means what it says. Because we acted, because our coalition
    acted, Saddam's torture chambers are closed. Because we acted, Iraq's
    weapons programs are ended forever. Because we acted, nations like Libya
    have gotten the message and renounced their own weapons programs.
    Because we acted, an example of democracy is rising at the heart of the
    Middle East. Because we acted, the world is more free and America is
    more secure.
        The work in Iraq has been hard. It's been tough. We've--we faced the
    changing conditions of war. And that has required perseverance and
    sacrifice and the ability to adapt. Instead of being killed or captured
    on the battlefield, some elements of Saddam's
    repressive regime and secret police were able to escape, and they have
    since reorganized, and they've adopted sophisticated terrorist tactics.
    That's what you're seeing.
        They've linked up with foreign fighters. I mentioned the guy
    Zarqawi. He's an Al Qaida associate.
    He's a coldblooded killer. He and these others are trying to sow chaos
    by killing innocent people. They're trying to shake our will. They're
    trying to frighten the Iraqis. They don't know this country, obviously.
    America will never be intimidated by thugs and assassins.
        We will honor our duty to those who've fallen on the battlefield, to
    complete the mission. We will honor our word to the Iraqi people when we
    say we'll stand with them as a free society emerges. This is an historic
    times. This is a great moment in history. As a free country emerges, it
    serves as an example in a part of the world that's so desperate for
    freedom, a part of the world where people are angry and hostile because
    they don't have any hope.
        The world will see that free societies are peaceful societies. And
    the Middle East will see that free societies are societies that meet the
    aspirations and hopes of moms and dads who yearn for the same thing we
    yearn for: a child to be educated, their child to have a chance at
    realizing a dream. These aren't easy tasks, I know that. I've asked a
    lot of this country, and I've asked a lot of our coalition. But they are
    essential tasks. They're necessary tasks. We will finish what we have
    begun, and we will win this essential victory in the war on terror.
        I look forward to the debate on national security. Americans have a
    clear choice. My opponent says he approves of
    bold action in the world, but only if other countries do not object. I'm
    all for united action--so are the over 30 countries that are working
    with us in Iraq today. But I will never

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    turn over America's national security decision to leaders of other
    countries.
        And we have another disagreement that I look forward to debating. My
    opponent has said the war on terror is far less
    of a military operation and far more of 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, and they were 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. The terrorists and their allies
    declared war on the United States of America, and war is what they got.
        And winning this war requires a great military, and a great military
    requires giving our troops the best training and best equipment in the
    world. And that's why I went to the Congress last fall and proposed an
    $87 billion supplemental appropriation. Most of that money went to our
    troops to make sure they're well-equipped. My opponent voted against the 87 billion. You might remember his
    answer when they asked him why he voted against it. And here is what he
    said: ``I actually did vote for the $87 billion, before I voted against
    it.'' The American President must speak clearly and mean what he says.
        Our men and women in the military take great risks on our behalf.
    And if you've got a loved one in the military, you tell him the
    Commander in Chief is incredibly proud. And I know you are as well.
        The conduct of those people inside that prison was disgraceful, and
    their action does not represent the true character of the United States
    military. I have seen the great decency and courage of our troops. And I
    assure you, ladies and gentlemen, the cause of freedom is in good hands.
        This Nation is strong, and it is prosperous. Yet, we need to
    remember, our greatest strength is in the hearts and souls of our
    citizens. We're strong because of the values we try to live by: courage
    and compassion, reverence and integrity. We're strong because of the
    institutions that help give us direction: our families, our schools, and
    our religious congregations. These values and institutions are
    fundamental to our lives, and they deserve the respect of the
    Government.
        We stand for the fair treatment of faith-based groups so they can
    receive Federal support for their works of healing and compassion. We
    stand for welfare reforms that require work and strengthen marriage,
    which have helped millions of Americans find independence and dignity.
    We stand for a culture of life in which every person counts and every
    person matters. We stand for institutions defended by judges who
    strictly and faithfully interpret the law.
        We stand for a culture of responsibility in America. The culture of
    this country is changing from one that has said, ``If it feels good,
    just go ahead and do it,'' and, ``If you've got a problem, blame
    somebody else,'' to a culture 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--if you're fortunate enough to be a
    mom or a dad, 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're 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.
        You know, for all our country, 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. These aren't one of those times. You
    and I are

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    living in a period when the stakes are high and the challenges are
    difficult, a time when firm resolve is needed.
        I know none of us will ever forget the week when one era ended and
    another began. On September the 14th, 2001, I stood in the ruins of the
    Twin Towers. It was a day I'll never forget. I remember people in
    hardhats shouting at me, ``Whatever it takes.'' People were kind of
    grabbing me as I was walking by and say, ``Don't let me down.''
        As we did that day, and as I'm sure you did, and I know those men
    and women felt, we were--we took it personally. I took it personally. I
    will never relent in bringing justice to our enemies. I will defend the
    security of America, whatever it takes.
        And during these tough times, I have also seen the character of this
    country. You know, it wasn't so long ago people had doubts about
    America. They had doubts about our character. They had doubts about our
    capacity to meet a serious challenge or to serve something greater than
    self-interest. But Americans gave their answer loud and clear. 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. I saw America, just like you did, unite when it
    mattered most.
        We're going to need all these qualities for the work ahead. We have
    a war to win. The world is counting on our country to lead the cause of
    freedom and peace. We have a duty to spread 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 great land, the best days lie ahead.
        May God bless you all. Thanks for coming. Thank you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 6:45 p.m. at the Lawrence C. Phipps
    Memorial Conference Center. In his remarks, he referred to Gov. Bill
    Owens of Colorado and his wife, Frances; Bruce D. Benson, Victory 2004
    Colorado finance chairman, and his wife, Marcy; and former President
    Saddam Hussein of Iraq.