    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book II)]
    [August 18, 2004]
    [Pages 1695-1703]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
    August 18, 2004

        The President. Thank you all for coming. It's great to be here in
    Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. What a beautiful day. You know what I think?
    I think Wisconsin is ``W'' country. I'm proud to be here. I appreciate
    this warm hospitality. You know, my opponent said the other day, ``You
    can find the heart and soul in Hollywood.'' I think you find it right
    here in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. I'm glad to be with the heart and
    soul of America.
        And I'm here to ask for your vote. I believe if you're seeking the
    vote, you've got to go ask for it. I'm here to tell you I've got more
    work to do to make this country safer and stronger and better for every
    single citizen. And I appreciate you coming out to say hello.
        I'm sorry Laura is not with me.
        Audience members. Aw-w-w!
        The President. No, I know it. She's in
    Colorado today campaigning. She is a fantastic First Lady, a great mom,
    and I love her dearly. Listen, I'm going to give you some reasons to put
    me back in, but perhaps the most important one is so that Laura is the
    First Lady for 4 more years.
        I'm running with a good man. They call it
    the Bush-Cheney ticket. I'm proud to be running with Dick Cheney. Now
    listen, I admit to you, he isn't the prettiest one in the race.
    [Laughter] I didn't pick him for his looks. [Laughter] I picked him for
    his judgment, his experience. I picked him because he can get the job
    done.
        I appreciate the Kell boys for having us over here, John and Tom. I love to come to places
    where people are entrepreneurial, where people are willing to expand the
    job base. That's what it's all about in this country, to elevate the
    entrepreneurial spirit. And the Kells represent that spirit, and I'm
    honored that you would have us here.
        I appreciate being on the same stage with my friend Congressman Mark
    Green. He's a good man. Treasurer Jack
    Voight is with us as well. I appreciate you
    being here, Jack. I'm honored you're here. I want to thank the mayor,
    Mayor Doug Sandvick, for being here. Mr.
    Mayor, thanks for coming. My only advice to you, Mr. Mayor, is fill the
    potholes.
        State Senator Dale Schultz, the next
    Congressman from this part of the world, is with us today. I hope you
    put him in to the United States Congress. He'll do a fine job for the
    people of this part of the world. I appreciate all the State and local
    officials here. I want to thank everybody for organizing this fantastic
    event.
        I know you join me in congratulating the Hamm
    brothers from the great State of Wisconsin for
    their performance in the Olympics. I know they made the people of
    Wisconsin proud. They made this Texan proud too.
        Most of all, I want to thank you all for coming. I want to thank the
    grassroots activists who are here, people putting up the signs, the
    people making the phone calls. I urge you to continue to register people
    to vote. We have a duty in this country to vote. In a free land, people
    must participate in the elections. So do your duty as grassroots
    activists and continue to register people. Convince everybody to vote,
    and when you get them headed to the polls, remind them George Bush and
    Dick Cheney are willing and ready to lead this
    country for 4 more years.

    [[Page 1696]]

        Audience members. Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
        The President. I'm traveling your State a lot. And I'm enjoying
    every minute of it. You know why I'm coming back? We were close last
    time. With your help, this time we will carry Wisconsin and have a great
    victory in November of 2004.
        In the past few years, we have been through a lot together, and
    we've accomplished a great deal. But there's only one reason to look
    backward at the record, and that is to determine who best to lead us
    forward. I'm asking for your vote because so much is at stake. I'm
    asking for your vote because we have so much more to do to move this
    country forward. We've got more to do to create jobs and improve
    schools, from fighting terror to spreading the peace. We've made much
    progress, and we will do more on behalf of the American people.
        We got more to do to make our public schools the centers of
    excellence we all know they can be, so that no child is left behind in
    America. You might remember what it was like 3\1/2\ years ago. We were
    spending money at the Federal level, but year after year, children were
    being shuffled from grade to grade without learning the basics. I went
    to Washington to challenge the soft bigotry of low expectations. I
    wanted to raise the bar. We've increased Federal funding, but now we're
    asking the question that you expect us to ask: Can our children read and
    write and add and subtract? And if not, we'll make sure they get help
    early. We believe in local control of schools. We believe in parental
    involvement, and we will challenge the status quo when we find schools
    that will not teach and will not change.
        There's more work to be done. We want to have early intervention
    programs. We want to make sure we intervene in junior high when children
    can't read and write. We want to make sure we emphasize math and science
    so our kids have got the capabilities of competing in the 21st century.
    We want our high school diplomas to mean something. After 4 more years,
    a rising generation of youngsters will have the skills and the
    confidence necessary to realize the great promise of the American Dream.
        We've got more to do to make sure quality health care is available
    and affordable. You might remember all the debates of the past, when
    politician after politician said, ``We're going to fix Medicare.'' And
    nothing ever got done till we came to town. We got the job done. We have
    strengthened Medicare. More than 4 million seniors have signed up for
    drug discount cards that provide real savings. And beginning in 2006,
    all seniors on Medicare will be able to choose a plan that suits their
    needs and gives them coverage for prescription drugs.
        There's more to do. We've expanded community health centers to help
    low-income America--Americans get primary care. We've established what's
    called health savings accounts so families can save tax-free for their
    own health care needs. When it comes to working on the issue of costs
    and availability, we've made progress. There's more work to do be done.
    You see, most people get their health care through businesses and most
    small businesses cannot afford health care. And so, therefore,
    Government must allow small businesses to pool risk so they can afford
    health insurance for their employees, just like big businesses can.
        We'll harness technology to reduce costs and prevent mistakes. We'll
    expand research to seek new cures. In order to make sure your health
    care system works, in order to make sure health care is available and
    affordable, we must have medical liability reform. These frivolous
    lawsuits are running up the cost of health care. See, I don't think you
    can be pro-doctor and pro-patient and pro-plaintiff-attorney at the same
    time. I think you have to choose. My opponent
    made his choice, and he put him on the ticket.
    I made my choice. I am for medical liability reform now. And in all we
    do to improve health care, we

    [[Page 1697]]

    will make sure that health care decisions are made by patients and
    doctors, not by Government bureaucrats.
        There's more to do to keep this economy growing. We've been through
    a lot. Our economy has overcome some mighty obstacles. We've been
    through a recession. We've been through corporate scandals. We've been
    through a war and a terrorist attack. And yet, we've overcome those
    obstacles because the spirit of this country is strong. Our workers are
    great. Our farmers are really good. The small-business sector is vibrant
    and alive. And I think one of the reasons we've come through these
    obstacles is because of well-timed tax cuts.
        When we saw what was happening, we acted. We said to the Congress,
    ``Let people keep more of their own money.'' Notice I said more of their
    own money; I didn't say Government money. If they have money in
    Washington, it's not the Government's money; it's your money. And by
    letting you keep more of your own money, this economy is growing. It's
    strong, and it's getting stronger. Our economy since last summer has
    grown at a rate as fast as any in nearly 20 years. We've added over 1.5
    million--nearly 1.5 million new jobs in the past year. The national
    unemployment rate is 5.5 percent. The unemployment rate in Wisconsin is
    5 percent. We've done our job. We've created the conditions for economic
    growth, but there is more work to do.
        I'm proud of our agricultural agenda. We set out a good agenda for
    Wisconsin's and America's farmers. You know, when I was campaigning, I
    said these dairy compacts must treat every farmer fairly. When you get
    people heading to the polls, remind them of what my opponent said. He supported a Northeast dairy compact, which put
    the farmers in this part of the world at a distinct disadvantage.
        I believe there's more work to do to make sure this economy
    continues to grow. I want to continue and open up markets. You see, I
    believe we can compete with anybody, anytime, anywhere, so long as the
    playing field is level. I want people eating Wisconsin corn. I want them
    eating Wisconsin dairy products. Our farm economy is strong because
    markets are open to U.S. farm products, and I'll keep it that way.
        There's more work to be done to make sure people have got work here
    at home. Listen, to make sure jobs are here, we need a national energy
    policy that makes us less dependent on foreign sources of energy, energy
    policy that encourages environmentally sensitive exploration for
    resources, clean coal technology, renewable sources of energy like
    biodiesel and ethanol, more conservation. But we must, in order to keep
    jobs here, have an energy policy. Congress needs to get my plan to my
    desk for my signature.
        In order to make sure jobs are here, we've got to have reasonable
    regulations. Many of you fill out a lot of paperwork. I can't guarantee
    anybody in Government has read it. [Laughter] But I do know that in
    order to make sure jobs are here, we've got to be reasonable about the
    requests we put on employers. We need tort reform here in America. We
    need fiscal discipline when it comes to spending your money. We got to
    be wise about how we spend it, and we must keep your taxes low.
        This campaign is getting cranked up. My opponent has already promised over $2 trillion of new spending,
    and there's still 2 more months to go. [Laughter] So I asked him the
    other day, ``How are you going to pay for it?'' He said, ``Tax the
    rich.'' The problem is, you can't tax the rich enough to raise $2
    trillion. So guess who's going to pay? You are. But we're not going to
    let him. We're going to win in November of 2004.
        Audience members. Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
        The President. We have more to do to wage and win the war against
    terror. America's future depends on our willingness to lead in the
    world. If America shows uncertainty and weakness in this decade, the

    [[Page 1698]]

    world will drift toward tragedy. This isn't going to happen on my watch.
        The world changed on a terrible September morning, and since that
    day, we have changed the world. Before September the 11th, Afghanistan
    served as the home base of Al Qaida, which trained and deployed
    thousands of killers to set up terror cells around the world, including
    the United States of America. Because we acted, Afghanistan is a rising
    democracy. Because we acted, Afghanistan is an ally in the war on
    terror. And because we acted, many young girls go to school for the
    first time in their lives. Because we acted, America and the world are
    safer.
        Before September the 11th, Libya was spending millions to acquire
    weapons of mass destruction. Today, because America and our allies have
    sent a strong and easy-to-understand message, the leader of
    Libya has abandoned his
    pursuit of weapons of mass destruction, and America and the world are
    safer.
        Before September the 11th, the ruler of Iraq was a sworn enemy of America. He was defying the
    world. He was firing weapons at American pilots enforcing the world's
    sanctions. He had used weapons of mass destruction. He harbored
    terrorists. He invaded his neighbors. He subsidized the families of
    suicide bombers. He killed tens of thousands of his own citizens. He was
    a source of great instability in the world's most volatile region. He
    was a threat. He was a threat.
        One of the lessons of September the 11th, a vital lesson of this
    country that we must never forget, is that we must take threats
    seriously before they fully materialize. I went to the United States
    Congress to get congressional support. Members of both political parties
    looked at the same intelligence, remembered the same history. Both
    Republicans and Democrats, including my opponent, came to the same conclusion: Saddam Hussein was a threat.
        Listen, the toughest decision a President can ever make is to send
    citizens into combat. And so I went to the United Nations, hoping to
    solve this problem diplomatically. I said to the United Nations, ``We
    see a threat.'' They responded. They looked at the intelligence. They
    remembered the history. The U.N. Security Council passed a resolution 15
    to nothing that said, Saddam Hussein must
    disclose, disarm, or face serious consequences.
        The world spoke, but as he had for over a decade, Saddam
    Hussein defied the world. He wasn't listening
    to what the world said. As a matter of fact, you might remember, we sent
    inspectors into Iraq. He systematically deceived the inspectors.
        So I had a choice to make: Do I forget the lessons of September the
    11th and trust a madman, or take action to defend America? Given that
    choice, I will defend our country every time.
        Even though we didn't find the stockpiles we expected to find,
    Saddam Hussein had the capability of making
    weapons, and he could have passed that capability on to our enemies.
    It's a risk we could not afford to take after the attacks of September
    the 11th. Knowing what I know today, I would have made the same
    decision. America and the world are safer because Saddam Hussein sits in
    a prison cell.
        Now, almost 2 years after he voted for the
    war in Iraq and 7 months after switching positions to declare himself
    the antiwar candidate, my opponent has found a new nuance. He now agrees
    it was the right decision to go into Iraq. See, after months of
    questioning my motives and even my credibility, the Senator from
    Massachusetts now agrees with me that even though we have not found the
    stockpiles we all thought we would have found, knowing everything we
    know today, he would have voted to go into Iraq and remove Saddam
    Hussein from power. I want to thank him for
    clearing that up. [Laughter] But I want to remind you--I want to remind
    you, there's still 76 days left in the campaign for him to change his
    mind. [Laughter]

    [[Page 1699]]

        We have more to do. I'm running again because I understand there's
    more work to do to secure America. We will continue to work with our
    friends and allies around the world to aggressively pursue the
    terrorists and the foreign fighters in Iraq and Afghanistan and
    elsewhere. See, I don't believe you can talk sense to these people. I do
    not believe you can negotiate with them. I know we must engage these
    enemies around the world so we do not have to face them here at home.
        We will lead the world with confidence and moral clarity. We've put
    together a great coalition. There's over 40 nations involved in
    Afghanistan, some 30 nations involved in Iraq. I appreciate the
    sacrifice of the moms and dads from those countries who've joined with
    the sacrifices of the moms and dads of our countries, to have their
    loved ones overseas securing freedom and peace. It's a great
    contribution that these countries have made. I'll continue to work with
    those alliances. But I'll assure you, I will never turn over America's
    national security decisions to leaders of other countries.
        We'll keep our commitments to Afghanistan and Iraq. It's important
    we do so. These countries are becoming free countries, peaceful
    countries. Do you realize over 9 million people have registered to vote
    in Afghanistan? It's an amazing thought, you know? Three-and-a-half
    years ago, they were run by the Taliban. They pulled women into the
    public square to whip them. Today, women are getting ready to vote.
    They're headed toward freedom. Iraq is going to head toward free
    elections. They got leaders who understand that if you listen to the
    aspirations of your people, the country will be better off. Our job is
    to provide a secure environment for those countries to head toward
    elections and, as well, train Iraqi and Afghan forces so they can defend
    themselves--to give them a chance to defeat those killers who are
    stopping the advance of freedom. We'll complete this mission as quickly
    as possible so our troops do not stay a day longer than necessary.
        But in this campaign, you better watch what you say. The other day,
    my opponent said if he's elected, the number of
    troops in Iraq will be significantly reduced within 6 months. See,
    that's a bad signal to send to the enemy. All they got to do is wait 6
    months and 1 day. It's a bad signal to send to our troops, that your
    mission won't be completed. It's a bad signal to send to the Iraqi
    citizens who wonder whether or not America will keep its word. I believe
    when America speaks, we must mean what we say. We will complete the
    mission so Iraq and Afghanistan are free and peaceful countries.
        Our commitment are kept by the men and women who wear the uniform.
    I'm proud of our military. I appreciate the veterans who are here for
    setting such a good example for those who wear our uniforms. I met
    Specialist Wayne Trimbell, behind the stage
    here. He's from the 724th Engineering Battalion of the Wisconsin
    National Guard. He served our country in Iraq. He was telling me how he
    built bridges and roads and installed electricity. He said, ``It made me
    recognize the things America takes for granted. I'm proud to say I
    served my country.'' I'm proud he served his country too. I know the
    decency and courage of those who wear our uniform. The cause of freedom
    and peace is in really good hands.
        And we got to make sure our military has everything they need to
    complete the mission. Our Federal Government owes them the best pay, the
    best training, the best equipment, and the best possible support. I have
    done my duty as the Commander in Chief to support our troops. As a
    matter of fact, last September, I went to the Congress and asked for
    supplemental funding. I asked Congress to spend money for spare parts
    and body armor and fuel. And we got great support in the halls of
    Congress. Matter of fact, that support was

    [[Page 1700]]

    so strong that only 12 United States Senators voted against the
    supplemental funding to support our troops in combat, 2 of whom are my
    opponent and his runningmate.
        Audience members. Boo-o-o!
        The President. When asked about why, he said,
    well, he actually did vote for the $87 billion right before he voted
    against it. [Laughter] I don't think people talk like that here. He went
    on to say, when pressed, that he was proud of his vote, and then he
    said, ``The whole thing was a complicated matter.'' There's nothing
    complicated about supporting our troops in combat.
        We've had the largest increases in defense spending since Ronald
    Reagan was the President. Military pay has gone up by 21 percent since
    I've been the President. The housing conditions are better for those who
    wear our uniform. Today I'm going to announce a new proposal to help our
    men and women activated for duty in the National Guard and Reserves.
    These brave Americans put their jobs on hold and leave their family
    behind when we called. Yet, under current rules, their education
    benefits don't reflect the high value of service we place on their time
    and duty. My proposal will help correct that by substantially increasing
    monthly education benefits for all Guard members and reservists on
    active duty for more than 90 consecutive days.
        As well, we'll help our children of military families meet the
    challenges of a life on the move. People are going from base to base,
    and these moves often conflict with school rules from State to State. So
    we're going to put out grant money to help States ease the burden so
    it's more seamless for families to go from one State to the next, so
    their education--their kids get a great education. What I'm telling you
    is, we'll continue to stand side by side with those who wear the uniform
    and the family members of those who wear the uniform.
        In the long run, our security is not guaranteed by force alone. We
    will work to change the conditions that give rise to terror, poverty and
    hopelessness and resentment. You see, a free and peaceful Iraq and a
    free and peaceful Afghanistan will be powerful examples in a part of the
    world that is desperate for freedom. Freedom--free countries do not
    export terror. Free countries do not stifle the dreams of their
    citizens.
        I know we've got a mom here whose son is overseas. I want to tell
    you, your son is serving during historic times. By serving the cause of
    liberty, we're helping others realize their dreams, and we're making
    America more secure. By serving the cause of liberty, we're spreading
    peace. By serving the cause of liberty, we're serving the deepest ideals
    of our own country. Americans understand freedom is not America's gift
    to the world; freedom is the Almighty God's gift to each man and woman
    in this world. Thank you for your son's service.
        We'll do more to protect our country because there's enemies still
    out there who hate us. It's a reality of the times we're in. My
    opponent says--and this is a difference of
    opinion--I think you're going to find there's a lot of differences of
    opinion in this campaign--[laughter]--he says that going to war with the
    terrorists is actually improving their recruiting efforts. I think the
    logic--I know the logic is upside down. It shows a misunderstanding of
    the nature of these people. See, during the 1990s, these killers and
    terrorists were recruiting and training for war with us, long before we
    went to war with them. They don't need an excuse for their hatred. It's
    wrong to blame America for anger and the evil of these killers. We don't
    create terrorists by fighting back; you defeat the terrorists by
    fighting back.
        We've started the hard process of reform in Washington. I emphasize
    ``hard process.'' We've created the new Department of Homeland Security.
    There's a lot of good

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    people working hard at the Federal, State, and local level to protect
    you and the citizens, and I appreciate their hard work. Listen, the
    PATRIOT Act is a vital tool for our law enforcement to be able to find
    these terrorists before they attack again. Our FBI agents are working
    overtime. We're sharing information better than ever before. We'll
    continue to work to make sure our intelligence gathering is the best in
    the world so we can better protect the homeland. And we'll continue to
    push for reforms in Washington.
        But it's not enough to advocate reform. You got to get the job done.
    That's what this campaign is really all about. When it comes to
    reforming schools to provide excellent education for every child, we're
    getting the job done. When it comes to available and affordable health
    care, we're getting the job done. When it comes to overcoming the
    obstacles to our economy and creating jobs, we're getting the job done.
    When it comes to securing America and spreading freedom and peace, we're
    getting the job done. When it comes to electing a President, put
    somebody back in office who can get the job done.
        Audience members. Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
        The President. We're living in exciting times, and these are times
    of change, and change can be unsettling. And one way for Government to
    help people during times of change is to make sure there's a lifetime of
    learning for workers at our community college systems. Another way to
    help is to promote an ownership society. See, we want people owning and
    managing their own health care accounts, where if they change jobs, it
    goes with them from job to job.
        I'm worried about our Social Security system. I'm not worried about
    it for baby boomers like me. There's--the system is solvent. But if
    you're a younger worker, I think it's important that you be allowed to
    have your own personal savings account that you can carry with you
    throughout your life, to pass generation to generation.
        In changing times, I love the idea of more and more Americans owning
    their own home. Today, the homeownership rate is the highest it's ever
    been in our Nation's history. Think about this: More and more of our
    citizens are opening up their door saying, ``Welcome to my home. Welcome
    to my piece of property.'' I like the idea that more and more people in
    America are owning their own business. We'll continue to work for an
    ownership society in America. We understand that when you own something,
    you have a vital stake in the future of our country.
        And during these changing times, though, there's some things that
    won't change: our belief in liberty and opportunity and the
    nonnegotiable demands of human dignity; the values we try to live by,
    courage and compassion, reverence and integrity; the institutions that
    give us direction and purpose, our families, our schools, and our
    religious congregations. We stand for institutions like marriage and
    family which are the foundations of our society. We stand for a culture
    of life in which every person matters and every person counts. We stand
    for judges who will faithfully interpret the law instead of legislating
    from the bench.
        We stand for a culture of responsibility. Listen, the culture of
    this country is changing from one that has said, ``If it feels good, do
    it,'' and ``If 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 fortunate enough to be a mother or a father,
    you're responsible for loving your child with all your heart and all
    your soul. If you're worried about the quality of education in this
    community, you're responsible for doing something about it. You're
    responsible for supporting your teachers and your school board members
    and supporting the schools. If you're a CEO in corporate America, you
    are responsible for telling the

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    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 ourselves.
        I'm running for 4 more years to continue to rally the armies of
    compassion which exist all across our country. I understand the
    limitations of Government. Government can hand out money, but it cannot
    put hope in a person's heart or a sense of purpose in a person's life.
    That happens when a loving soul steps up and says, ``What can I do for
    you? How can I help you? I love you. Can I make a difference in your
    life?''
        Listen, there are thousands of people all across the country serving
    this Nation by helping somebody who hurts. To rally the armies of
    compassion means to call upon our citizens to continue hearing a call,
    because I understand we can change America one heart, one soul, and once
    conscience at a time.
        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 its leaders. This isn't one of those times. This is a time
    where we need firm resolve. This is a time where we need clear vision.
    This is a time where we need steadfast belief in the values that make
    this country a great country.
        You know, I'll never forget the day when one era ended and another
    began, and I know you won't either. I was in the ruins of the Twin
    Towers on September the 14th, 2001. I clearly remember the workers in
    hardhats screaming at me, ``Whatever it takes.'' I remember shaking
    people's hands and thanking them, looking in a guy's eyes; they were
    bloodshot. He was tired and worn out. He'd been looking for a buddy in
    the rubble. He said, ``Do not let me down.''
        See, he took that day personally. Everybody searching in the rubble
    took it personally. You took it personally, and so did I. I have a duty
    that goes on. I wake up every day thinking about how best to protect
    this country. I will never relent in chasing down the enemy and securing
    America, whatever it takes.
        We've come through a lot together. We've come through a lot
    together. We've done a lot of hard work. We're making a difference.
    During the next 4 years, we'll spread ownership and opportunity
    throughout every corner of America. We'll pass the enduring values of
    our country on to a younger generation. We'll lead the cause of freedom
    and work to spread the peace.
        When I campaigned in Wisconsin 4 years ago, I said, if you give me
    the high honor of holding this office, I would uphold the dignity and
    honor of the Presidency. And with your help and with your hard work, I
    will do so for 4 more years.
        God bless. Thank you all for coming. I'm honored you're here. Thank
    you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:43 a.m. at the Kell Container Corp. In
    his remarks, he referred to John Kell, president, and Tom Kell, chief
    executive officer, Kell Container Corp.; Wisconsin State Treasurer Jack
    C. Voight; Mayor Doug Sandvick of Chippewa Falls, WI; Dale Schultz,
    candidate for Wisconsin's Third Congressional District; Paul and Morgan
    Hamm, who won silver medals as members of the U.S. men's gymnastics team
    at the Olympics in Athens, Greece, on August 16; Col. Muammar Abu Minyar
    al-Qadhafi, leader of Libya; and former President Saddam Hussein of
    Iraq.

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