    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book II)]
    [September 3, 2004]
    [Pages 1870-1877]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks in West Allis, Wisconsin
    September 3, 2004

        The President. Thank you all. Thank you all for coming. Thank you
    all. That's what I'm here to tell you. I've got the vision, the desire
    to lead this country for 4 more years. I want to thank you all for
    coming. Before I thank you for the work you're going to do and before I
    talk to you about why I want to be your President for 4 more years, I do
    want to address several situations in the news that call for our concern
    and prayers.
        En route here we just received news that President Clinton has been hospitalized in New York. He is in our
    thoughts and prayers. We send him our best wishes for a swift and speedy
    recovery.
        In Florida, our citizens are bracing for yet another hurricane. Many
    people there are being displaced from their homes. The Federal
    Government stands ready to help the people of Florida in any way we can,
    and the people there need to know all America is praying for their
    safety.
        And finally, in Russia, hundreds of agonized parents are worried
    about the fate of their children. This is yet another grim reminder of
    the lengths to which terrorists will go to threaten the civilized world.
    We mourn the innocent lives that have been lost. We stand with the
    people of Russia. We send them our prayers in this terrible situation.
        And finally, I'm here to thank you for your help, thank you for
    registering people to vote, thank you for working hard. There is no
    doubt in my mind, we will carry Wisconsin and carry this country.
        We love coming to Wisconsin. It's the home of some really fine
    people. It's a beautiful State, and you play great football. You know,
    it's traditional when politicians come to your State that they talk
    about the Packers. And I understand my opponent
    did it the other day, and he even mentioned the legendary stadium in
    Green Bay. [Laughter] Listen, I've got some advice for him: If someone
    offers you a cheesehead, don't say you want some wine. [Laughter] Just
    put it on your head and take a seat at Lambeau Field.

    [[Page 1871]]

        I'm going to give you some reasons to put me in, but perhaps the
    most important one of all is so that Laura will
    be First Lady for 4 more years. Man, she gave a great speech. You know,
    when I asked her to marry me, it was in Midland, Texas. She said, ``I'll
    marry you so long as I don't ever have to give a speech.'' [Laughter] I
    said, ``Okay,'' but fortunately, she didn't hold me to the promise. The
    country got to see that she is calm, steady, compassionate, and a great
    First Lady.
        I want to thank--the other night I had a chance to thank publicly my
    runningmate, Dick Cheney. He's a fine man. You
    know, I admit it, he's not the prettiest face in the race. I didn't pick
    him for his looks. I picked him because of his judgment, his experience,
    and his ability to get the job done.
        I want to thank three Members of the United States Congress from
    Wisconsin who are here today. Jim Sensenbrenner, the chairman, is with us today--appreciate you.
    Tom Petri is with us today. Congressman,
    thank you for coming. And Congressman Mark Green
    is with us today. I appreciate you coming, Mark.
        I want to thank my friend Scott Walker,
    who is here today. If he plays his cards right, they may just start
    calling him ``W.'' I appreciate Mary Panzer
    and John Gard. I want to thank all the State and
    local officials who are here.
        I want to thank the Democrats for Bush national cochairman, who is
    with us, Brian Lunde. You know, Brian and
    Zell Miller--they're leading--they're on to
    something. [Laughter] There's a lot of discerning Democrats who
    understand that 4 more years will make this country safer, stronger, and
    better.
        Audience members. Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
        The President. And this campaign welcomes all Democrats and
    independents. Our vision includes everybody. Our message is for every
    single citizen in this country.
        I appreciate my friend Jim Klauser and
    all the grassroots activists who are here. Thanks for putting up the
    signs. Thanks for making the phone calls. Thanks for registering the
    voters, and thank you for turning out our voters, come November, to the
    polls.
        I am honored that Greg Gracz is with us
    today. He is the president of the Milwaukee Professional Firefighters
    Association, Local 215. I received the endorsement from 215 and the
    firefighters. I proudly accept your support. Bradley DeBraska is with us. He is the president of the Milwaukee
    Police Association. I thank them for their endorsement as well. I am
    proud to stand with the police and firefighters of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
        I want to, finally, thank West Allis Central High School band. Thank
    you all for coming.
        Listen, we're approaching an historic national election. The time
    for choosing is coming close. This election will come down to the
    records we have built, the convictions we hold, and the vision that
    guides us forward. I'm looking forward to this campaign. I'm looking
    forward because I understand a Presidential contest is a contest for the
    future. Over the next 2 months, I will tell you where I stand. I'm going
    to tell you where I'm going to lead this country. I'll tell you what I
    believe.
        I believe every child can learn and every school must teach. I
    believe we have a moral responsibility to honor our seniors. That is why
    we strengthened Medicare. And one of the most important partners I had
    in accomplishing this political promise I made to the American people
    was Tommy Thompson, the great former
    Governor of Wisconsin. He's a good one. He's a great member of my
    Cabinet and a very close friend. Thanks for training him. [Laughter]
        I believe now, and I will believe forever, in the energy and
    innovative spirit of the American worker, the American small-business
    owner, the American farmer and

    [[Page 1872]]

    rancher. And that is why we unleashed that energy with the largest tax
    relief in a generation.
        We have overcome a recession, corporate scandals, a terrorist
    attack. Our economy is growing, and it is getting stronger. This
    morning, we received the jobs report for August, and it shows that our
    economy has added 144,000 new jobs, plus revisions of upwards of 60,000
    for the two previous months. We gained 22,000 manufacturing jobs last
    month. The national unemployment rate is down to 5.4 percent. That is
    nearly a full point below the rate last summer and well below the
    average of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. The unemployment rate in your
    great State is 4.7 percent.
        By supporting our small-business owners, our entrepreneurs, and our
    workers, the economy of Wisconsin is strong, and it is getting stronger.
        The most solemn duty of the American President is to protect the
    American people. If America shows uncertainty and weakness in this
    decade, the world will drift toward tragedy. This is not going to happen
    on my watch.
        Audience members. U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!
        The President. I am running for President with a clear and positive
    plan to build a safer world and a more hopeful America. I'm running with
    a compassionate conservative agenda that says Government should help
    people improve their lives, not give people orders on how to run their
    lives. I believe this Nation wants steady, consistent, principled
    leadership, and that is why, with your help, we're going to retain the
    White House in November of '04.
        This world of ours is changing. I want you to know I understand
    that. We're changing jobs. Many people have many careers and jobs during
    their lifetime. That's not the way it used to be. Women are now working
    inside the house and outside the house. The workforce is changing. And
    it's a time of great opportunity here in America, but Government must
    stand side by side with the American people during times of change.
        I want you to hear this. Many of the fundamental systems of our
    society, the Tax Code, health coverage, pension plans, and worker
    training, were created for the world of yesterday, not tomorrow. In
    order to make sure that the American people have a chance to realize
    their dreams, we must change these fundamental systems to enable people
    to better realize their own hopes and aspirations. Any plan begins with
    making sure this economy stays strong, and my plan does that. See, to
    create more jobs in America, we must have an atmosphere in which America
    is the best place in the world to do business.
        That means we must have an energy policy in this country. I
    submitted a plan to the Congress 2 years ago that encouraged
    conservation, encouraged the development of renewable sources of energy,
    encouraged clean coal technology, encouraged using our resources at home
    more wisely. In order to keep jobs in America, we must become less
    dependent on foreign sources of energy.
        We open up our markets from goods and services from overseas. They
    need to open up their markets. The best trade policy is to create a
    level playing field, because we can compete with anybody, anytime,
    anywhere, as long as the rules are fair.
        To keep jobs here, we must reduce the regulations on our small
    businesses. We must get rid of these frivolous and junk lawsuits that
    are making it hard on employers. We must be wise about how we spend your
    money, and we must keep your taxes low. We have a difference in this
    campaign. My opponent already has promised $2
    trillion of new spending.
        Audience members. Boo-o-o!
        The President. Yes. And we've still got the rest of September and
    October to go. [Laughter] So they said, ``How are you going to pay for
    it? How are you going to pay for all these promises?'' He said, ``Oh, don't worry, I'll just tax the rich.''

    [[Page 1873]]

    You've heard that before, haven't you? You know how that works. The rich
    dodge, and you get stuck with the bill. But we're not going to let him
    tax you because we're going to win in November.
         One of the systems that needs to be changed is our Tax Code. It is
    a complicated mess. It is full of special interest loopholes. We spend
    about 6 billion hours to try to fill out forms. In a second term, I will
    call together Republicans and Democrats to reform and simplify the
    Federal Tax Code.
        Our worker training programs need to be updated and modernized.
    Listen, there are new jobs being created, but oftentimes, workers don't
    have the skills to meet those jobs. There's a skills gap. We will close
    that gap by making sure the worker training programs work, by expanding
    access to community colleges, by giving our workers a chance to be able
    to fill the jobs of the 21st century.
        In order to make sure that people realize their dreams here in
    America, we got to make sure our education system works well. Listen,
    most new jobs are filled by people with at least 2 years of college.
    Yet, in this country, only one in four students gets there. We can do a
    better job than that. We'll fund early intervention programs in high
    schools to make sure children don't get discouraged and fall behind.
    We'll place a new focus on math and science. We'll require a rigorous
    exam before graduation. What I'm telling you is, by raising performance
    in our high schools and by expanding Pell grants for low- and middle-
    income families, we will help more Americans start their careers with a
    college diploma.
        In a time of change, we must do more to make sure quality health
    care is available and affordable. More than one-half of the uninsured in
    America are small-business employees. Many small businesses are having
    trouble affording health care. In a new term, we must allow small firms
    to join together to purchase insurance at the discounts big companies
    get.
        Last night I proposed new steps to encourage small businesses and
    employees and low-income Americans to set up health savings accounts.
    These accounts give workers the security of insurance against major
    illness, the opportunity to save tax-free for routine health expenses,
    and the freedom of knowing you can take your account with you whenever
    you change jobs. Under my plan, small businesses will receive a rebate
    when they contribute to their employees' health savings accounts.
        I met with Judy Geiger today. She is a
    small-business owner. She is from Cudahy. She used to provide her
    employees a PPO. The rising cost of premiums made her change. Last month
    she signed up for a health savings account. She's saving about $300 a
    month on her personal premiums and $2,000 a month on the premiums for
    her employees. Here's what she said. She said, ``It's wonderful to have
    this opportunity for our people.'' What I'm telling you is, there are
    ways to hold down costs, ways to help small businesses, ways to make
    sure people have got insurance. And we have got a plan to do that.
        A big problem in America is the frivolous lawsuits that are running
    up the cost of your medicine and running docs out of business. You
    cannot be pro-doctor and pro-patient and pro-plaintiff-attorney at the
    same time. You have to choose. My opponent made
    his choice, and he put him on the ticket.
    [Laughter] I made my choice. I am for medical liability reform--now.
        I'm for an ownership society because I know in changing times, if
    you own something, it brings stability to your life. You know, one of
    the most fantastic statistics today is the homeownership rate is at an
    alltime high in America. We'll continue to promote homeownership. As I
    said last night, there's nothing better than somebody opening their door
    and saying, ``Welcome to my home. Welcome to my piece of property.''
        Our retirement systems must change with the times. If you're a baby
    boomer,

    [[Page 1874]]

    Social Security is just fine. If you're older than being a baby boomer,
    you're in great shape. Nothing is going to change. But if you're a
    younger worker, you better listen carefully to the debate in this
    campaign. I believe younger workers ought to be able to save some of
    their taxes in a personal account, a nest egg they can call their own. A
    clear difference in philosophy in this campaign--if you listen
    carefully, you'll understand my opponent is running to expand
    Government. We're running to expand opportunity.
        In a world of change, some things don't change: the values that we
    try to live by, courage, compassion, reverence, and integrity; the
    institutions which are important to our society, our families, our
    schools, and our religious congregations. Because family and work are
    sources of dignity and stability, I support welfare reform that
    strengthens family and requires work. I support a culture of life in
    which every person matters and every person counts. We strongly support
    the religious charities that are providing hope to millions. Government
    should never discriminate against faith-based programs. We support
    family and marriage, which are the foundations of our society. I will
    continue to appoint Federal judges who know the difference between
    personal opinion and the strict interpretation of the law.
        This election will also determine how America responds to the
    continuing danger of terrorism. Since the terrible morning of September
    the 11th, 2001, we have fought the terrorist across the Earth, not for
    pride, not for power, but because the lives of our citizens are at
    stake. Our strategy is clear. We're defending the homeland. We're
    transforming our military. We're strengthening our intelligence
    services. We're staying on the offensive. We're striking the terrorists
    abroad so we do not have to face them here at home.
        And we're working to advance liberty in the broader Middle East,
    because we know freedom will bring hope and peace, the peace we all
    want. Our strategy is working. Just remember this: Four years ago,
    Afghanistan was the home base of Al Qaida; Pakistan was a transit point
    for terrorist groups; Saudi was fertile ground for terrorist
    fundraising; Libya was secretly pursuing nuclear weapons; Iraq was a
    gathering threat; and Al Qaida was largely unchallenged as it planned
    its attacks. Because we acted, because we were resolute and strong and
    firm, the Government of a free Afghanistan is fighting terror; Pakistan
    is capturing terrorists; Saudi is making raids and arrests; Libya is
    dismantling its weapons programs; the army of a free Iraq is fighting
    for freedom. And more than three-quarters--three-quarters--of Al Qaida's
    key members and associates have been detained or killed. We have led,
    many have joined, and America and the world are safer.
        This progress involved careful diplomacy, clear moral purpose, and
    some tough decisions. The toughest one of all was in Iraq. We knew
    Saddam Hussein's record of aggression and
    support for terror. Remember, he subsidized the families of suicide
    bombers. Terrorist organizations were in and out of his country, people
    like Zarqawi and his network or Abu
    Nidal and his network. We knew his long history of pursuing and using
    weapons of mass destruction. And we know that after September the 11th,
    this Nation must take threats seriously before they fully materialize.
        In Saddam Hussein, we saw a threat. So I
    went to the United States Congress. They looked at the same intelligence
    I did, remembered the same history of Saddam, and they saw a threat. My
    opponent looked at the very same intelligence, and when asked to vote on
    a resolution that authorized the use of force, he voted ``aye.''
        The last choice of the Commander in Chief is to put troops in harm's
    way. So I felt it was important to try diplomacy. I went to the United
    Nations. The United Nations looked at the same intelligence, and the
    United Nations Security Council

    [[Page 1875]]

    resolved--unanimously resolved--that Saddam Hussein must disclose, disarm, or face serious consequences.
        The world had spoken, but as he had for
    over a decade, he ignored this resolution as well as over 10
    resolutions. He had no intention of listening to the demands of the free
    world. As a matter of fact, he deceived the inspectors that were going
    in to try to get him to adhere to the demands of the free world. We had
    given him a choice, a final choice. It was his decision to make, and he
    clearly made his decision. So I had a choice to make: Trust the word of
    a madman and forget the lessons of September the 11th, or take action to
    defend the country. Given that choice, I will defend America every time.
        Audience members. U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!
        The President. Because we acted, because we took action to defend
    ourselves, more than 50 million people have been liberated. I like to
    tell people these are historic times. I truly believe they are. One
    reason I say that is because I've seen what's happened in Afghanistan.
    This is a country that has gone from darkness to light, a country where
    the Taliban wouldn't even let young girls go to school. They'd whip
    their mothers in the public squares or kill them because of their
    beliefs. They were backward, and they were wrong. And yet today--yet
    today, 3 years after the liberation, 10 million Afghan citizens have
    registered to vote.
        Freedom is powerful. In Iraq, there's a strong Prime
    Minister, a national council. National elections
    in that country are scheduled for January. Our strategy is clear. We
    will stand with the people to help them start their political process.
    We will train Afghan citizens and Iraqi citizens so they can defend
    themselves against the few who are trying to stop the march of liberty.
    Our troops will stay there as long as necessary to finish the mission,
    and they will come home with the honor they have earned.
        We have a great United States military. I want to thank all the
    veterans who have set such a fine example for those who wear our
    uniform. I have made a commitment to our troops and their families. They
    will have all the support they need from the Federal Government to
    complete their mission. That is why I went to the Congress last
    September and asked for $87 billion of supplemental funding to support
    them in their missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. This money was for fuel
    and spare parts, ammunition, hazard pay, health benefits. It was a vital
    funding request. We got great support. As a matter of fact, all but 12
    United States Senators voted to support the funding. Two of those who
    voted against it were my opponent and his
    runningmate.
        Audience members. Boo-o-o!
        The President. Only four United States Senators voted to authorize
    the use of force and then voted against funding our troops. Two of those
    Senators were my opponent and his
    runningmate.
        Audience members. Boo-o-o!
        The President. So they asked him, ``Why did
    you vote?'' He said, ``Well, I actually did vote for the $87 billion,
    before I voted against it.'' [Laughter] That's what he said.
        Audience members. Flip-flop! Flip-flop! Flip-flop!
        The President. Then he said he's proud of his
    vote, and then he said the whole thing was a complicated matter. There
    is nothing complicated about supporting our troops in combat.
        During the next 4 years, I'll continue to build alliances. You know,
    there's nearly 40 nations involved in Afghanistan, some 30 nations in
    Iraq. I'm proud of their service to the cause of freedom and peace.
    We'll continue to build those alliances, but I will never turn over
    America's national security decisions to leaders of other countries.
        I believe in the transformational power of liberty. I've seen it
    happen throughout history, and so have you. We've seen nations in our
    own hemisphere become free

    [[Page 1876]]

    nations and allies in the sake of peace. Our parents' generation saw the
    transformational power of liberty when, after World War II, Japan,
    because we believed in democracy, Japan became a friend. You know, I sit
    down at the table with Prime Minister Koizumi and discuss North Korea and other issues, on how to
    keep the peace. I'm able to do so because my predecessor and other
    citizens of this great country believed that liberty could convert an
    enemy into a friend.
        There was a lot of cynics and doubters in those days. You can
    understand why. Japan was a fierce enemy. I mean, people couldn't
    envision how liberty could transform a society. But there were fellow
    countrypeople of ours who did believe that then. And today we sit down
    with an enemy and talk about the peace. See, that's what's taking place.
    Liberty is powerful. Someday an American President is going to be
    sitting down with a duly elected leader of Iraq talking about keeping
    the peace, talking about--[applause].
        A free Afghanistan and a free Iraq will set powerful examples in a
    neighborhood that is desperate for freedom. Women who long for freedom
    in the Middle East will see examples of a free society in their
    neighborhood. Young men will realize a free society is one in which they
    can realize their hopes and aspirations; they don't have to strap
    suicide belts on. Freedom is powerful. I'll tell you why I believe so
    strongly in freedom. I understand it's not America's gift to the world;
    it's the Almighty God's gift to every man and woman in this world.
        I believe we're living in a century that will be called the century
    of liberty. By promoting freedom at home and abroad, we'll build a safer
    world and a more hopeful America. Over the next 4 years, we'll continue
    to work hard for the American people to reform those institutions that
    need to change to make you more free. We'll spread ownership to every
    corner of this country. Opportunity will abound. We'll pass the enduring
    values of our country on to a young generation. We'll be steadfast in
    our pursuit of freedom and peace, and we will prevail.
        For all Americans, these years in our history will stand apart.
    There are quiet times in the life of a nation when little is expected of
    its leaders. This is not one of those times. This is a time that
    requires firm resolve, clear vision, and an unshakeable belief in the
    values that make us a great country.
        When I traveled your State 4 years ago, I made a pledge to you. I
    said if I was honored to be able to hold this great office, I would
    uphold the honor and the dignity of the office to which I had been
    elected. With your help, for 4 more years I will continue to uphold the
    honor and the dignity of the White House.
        God bless you.

    Note: The President spoke at approximately 12:38 p.m. at the Wisconsin
    Exposition Center. In his remarks, he referred to Milwaukee County
    Executive Scott Walker; Wisconsin State Senator Mary E. Panzer;
    Wisconsin State Representative John Gard; James R. Klauser, chair,
    Wisconsin Leadership Team, Bush-Cheney '04, Inc.; senior Al Qaida
    associate Abu Musab Al Zarqawi; Prime Minister Ayad Allawi of the Iraqi
    Interim Government; and Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan. The
    transcript released by the Office of the Press Secretary also included
    the remarks of the First Lady, who introduced the President.

    [[Page 1877]]