    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book II)]
    [September 1, 2004]
    [Pages 1848-1855]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks in Columbus, Ohio
    September 1, 2004

        The President. Thanks for coming. Thank you all very much. What a
    warm welcome. It doesn't get any better than being introduced by Jack
    Nicklaus in Columbus, Ohio. While you were
    cheering, I asked him if he had any advice for my golf game. He said,
    ``Quit.'' [Laughter] I'm so honored to be here with Jack and Barbara
    Nicklaus. He is a--what a class act. And
    I'm proud to have him endorse my candidacy for the Presidency of the
    United States.
        Jack said he and Barbara are from Columbus--so am I. My grandfather was raised
    right here in Columbus, Ohio. So I'm here to ask that you send a home-
    boy back to Washington, DC.
        I'm thrilled to be traveling today with Laura. She raised the bar last night. What a fantastic speech
    she gave. I'm going to give you some reasons why I think you ought to
    put me back in, but perhaps the most important one is to put her back in
    for 4 more years.
        I appreciate you all coming. I'm here to ask for the vote. See, I
    believe you've got to come to the people and ask for their vote. I'm
    here to let you know I'm going to lay out a vision tomorrow night for a
    safer world and a more hopeful America, that we have done a lot--
    [applause].
        I'm here to ask for your help as well. You can't win an election
    alone. I need you to help register your friends and neighbors. Get on
    the Internet at georgewbush.com and find out how you can volunteer for
    this campaign. For those of you who are volunteering, I want to thank
    you very much for the work you've done and the work you're going to do.
    There is no question in my mind, with your hard work, we will carry Ohio
    again and win this country.
        I'm looking forward to hearing my superb runningmate's speech
    tonight. Dick Cheney is a solid citizen. He's
    got good judgment and sound advice. He's a man who can get the job done.
        I'm thankful that Barbara Nicklaus and
    son Gary Nicklaus are traveling with
    Jack today. I want to thank both of them for
    joining us.
        I appreciate my friend Senator Mike DeWine
    joining us today. He's a fine United States Senator. You know, we've
    been traveling your State by bus, and old Mike showed up every time.
    He's out there shaking those hands and waving to the crowds. I
    appreciate his friendship. I also want to urge you to put George
    Voinovich back into office as your
    United States Senator. I'm proud that my friend Congresswoman Deborah
    Pryce is with us. She is a fine Member of the
    House of Representatives.
        I want to thank John McConnell for
    opening up this beautiful hall. He's a great

    [[Page 1849]]

    citizen of this community who owns the Columbus Blue Jackets. He said,
    ``Do you have any advice?'' I said, ``I cannot skate.'' [Laughter] But I
    appreciate the hospitality.
        I want to thank Chris Spielman for being
    here as well. I'm honored he's here. I appreciate the Pickering Central
    High marching band for joining us today. I'll try to keep my speech
    short so you can get home and do your homework.
        Audience members. No-o-o!
        The President. I want to thank the folks who put this on, this
    fantastic rally on. I know it takes hard work to get this many people
    here. But thanks for all you're doing. I'm here to let you know that
    I've got a clear vision and strong determination to make this country a
    safer place, a stronger place, and a better place for every American.
        In the past few years, we've been through a lot together, and we've
    accomplished a lot. But the only reason to look back in a campaign is to
    determine who best to lead us forward. Even though we've done a lot, I'm
    here to tell you there's more to do. There's more to do to make this
    country a hopeful country for every citizen.
        We've got more to do to make sure the public schools in America are
    centers of excellence we know they can be. When I went to office--got
    into office a couple of years ago, too many of our schools were
    shuffling children through, grade after grade, year after year, without
    them learning the basics. We challenged the soft bigotry of low
    expectations in the public schools in America. We've raised the
    standards. We believe in local control of schools. And we believe in
    return for Federal money, people must show us whether or not the
    children can read and write and add and subtract, because we expect
    every child to learn in America. Because we're measuring and correcting
    problems early, before it's too late, the achievement gap in America is
    closing.
        But there's more work to be done. We've got to make sure the
    Internet is in our high school classrooms. We need to have early
    intervention programs for junior high and high school students, so
    they're not left behind. We got to make sure AP courses are expanded. We
    got to make sure we teach more math and science in the high schools so
    that kids can compete in this global economy. We want to make sure the
    high school diploma means something. We'll increase Pell grants and
    loans so when a high school kid gets out of high school, he's got a
    chance to go to college. What I'm telling you is, after 4 more years, a
    rising generation will have the confidence and the skills necessary to
    be able to find a job in America.
        We've got more to do to make such health care is available and
    affordable. When I came to office, too many older Americans could not
    afford prescription drugs, and Medicare didn't pay for them. You might
    remember those old Medicare debates. Matter of fact, they used to call
    it ``Medi-scare,'' and the system was getting old. See, we'd pay
    $100,000 for a heart operation in Medicare but wouldn't pay for the
    medicine to prevent the heart operation from happening in the first
    place. I went to Washington with the desire to improve Medicare for our
    seniors, and we got the job done.
        We're expanding community health centers for low-income Americans.
    We've created health savings accounts so families can save tax-free for
    their own health care needs. Most people get their insurance through
    their places of work. Most new jobs are created by small businesses.
    Many small businesses are having trouble affording health care. To make
    sure American families get health care, small businesses must be allowed
    to join together to purchase insurance at the discounts that big
    companies are able to get.
        There's more work to be done to make sure health care is accessible
    and affordable. We'll harness technology to reduce

    [[Page 1850]]

    costs and prevent costly mistakes. We'll expand research to find new
    cures. In order to make sure your health care system here is a viable
    health care, we must get rid of the frivolous lawsuits that are running
    your docs out of business. 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 make a choice. My opponent made his
    choice, and he put him on the ticket. I made my
    choice. I am for medical liability reform--now.
        In all we do to improve health care in this country, we will make
    sure that health decisions are made by patients and doctors and not by
    Government officials in Washington, DC.
        I'm running because I know there's more to do to make sure this
    economy continues to grow. Our economy has been through a lot. We've
    been through a recession. We've been through the terrorist attacks. We
    had the corporate scandals. These were obstacles in the way for good
    economic growth, but we've overcome the obstacles because America's
    workers are the finest in the world. We've overcome these obstacles
    because we've got great farmers and ranchers in America. We've overcome
    these obstacles because the entrepreneurial spirit is strong. The small-
    business sector of our economy is thriving in this country. We've
    overcome these obstacles because of well-timed tax cuts.
        We didn't pick winners or losers when it came time for tax cuts. We
    said, ``If you're paying taxes, you ought to get relief.'' That's the
    fair way to do it. We also increased the child credit to help moms and
    dads. We reduced the marriage penalty. I believe the Tax Code ought to
    encourage marriage, not penalize marriage. We helped our small
    businesses; this time the check actually was in the mail.
        Because we acted, our economy has been growing at rates as fast as
    any in nearly 20 years. Because we acted, over the past 12 months we've
    added 1.5 million new jobs. Because we acted, the national unemployment
    rate is 5.5 percent, well below the national average of the 1970s,
    1980s, and 1990s.
        I fully understand we still face challenges in manufacturing
    communities and places like Youngstown and some other parts of your
    great State--Canton. I've been to those communities. I know there are
    workers worried about their future. I've got a plan to continue the
    economic vitality of this State and this country. I will not rest so
    long as anybody in your State who wants to work cannot find a job. I'm
    running because I know there's more to do to create economic vitality.
        And to keep jobs here in America, this country must have an energy
    strategy that makes us less dependent on foreign sources of energy. I
    submitted a plan to the United States Congress that encourages
    conservation, encourages alternative sources of energy, encourages clean
    coal technology, encourages environmentally sensitive exploration for
    natural gas. It's a reasonable plan. It's stuck in the Congress. They
    need to get it to my desk so we can keep jobs here in this country.
        In order to keep jobs here in America, we need tort reform and
    regulatory relief. In order to keep jobs here in America, we must make
    sure our trade policies are fair. We've opened up our markets, and it's
    good for you that we've done so. See, if you've got more to choose from,
    you're more likely to get a better product at a better price. But it's
    only fair if other countries treat us the way they treat them. The best
    trade policy is to open up their markets. The best trade policy is to
    enforce trade laws. The best trade policy is to say, ``Treat us the way
    we treat you.'' We can compete with anybody, anywhere, anytime, if the
    rules are fair.
        In order to keep jobs in America, we must have a lifetime of
    learning opportunity for American workers. I'm a big believer in the
    community college system. I believe they make a lot of sense. It's a
    good use of taxpayers' money to encourage and help

    [[Page 1851]]

    workers retrain for the jobs which will be created in the 21st century.
    If we help our workers find the skills necessary to fill the jobs, this
    economy will continue to grow and people will be able to realize their
    hopes and aspirations.
        In order for this economy to continue to grow and for jobs to stay
    in America, we must be wise about how we spend your money, and we must
    keep your taxes low. Running up the taxes on the working people and the
    small-business owners and the farmers and ranchers of America would hurt
    this economic recovery. I'm running against a fellow who has already promised over $2 trillion of new Federal
    spending.
        Audience members. Boo-o-o!
        The President. And we've still got 60 days to go in the campaign.
    [Laughter] No telling what's going to happen coming down the stretch. So
    they said, ``How are you going to pay for it?'' He said, ``Oh, I'll just tax the rich.'' Yes, we have heard
    that before in American politics. You know what it means, ``tax the
    rich.'' It means the rich dodge, and you get stuck with the bill. But
    we're not going to let him do it. We're going to carry Ohio and this
    country in November.
        We have more to do to wage and win the war against terror. America's
    future depends on our willingness to lead in this world. If America
    shows weakness or uncertainty in this decade, the world will drift
    toward tragedy. This will not 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 in dozens of countries,
    including our own. Because we acted, Afghanistan is a rising democracy.
    Because we acted, over 10 million Afghan citizens have registered to
    vote in the upcoming Presidential elections. Because we acted, many
    young girls go to school for the first time in Afghanistan. Because we
    acted, Afghanistan is an ally in the war on terror, and 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 clear message, Libya has abandoned its 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 pursued and he had used
    weapons of mass destruction. He harbored terrorists. He invaded his
    neighbors. He subsidized the families of suicide bombers. Saddam
    Hussein and his henchmen murdered tens of
    thousands of his own citizens. He was a source of great instability in
    the world's most volatile region. Saddam Hussein was a threat. And one
    of the important lessons of September the 11th, a lesson this country
    must never forget, is that we must take threats seriously, before they
    fully materialize.
        So I went to the United States Congress. I said, ``I see a threat.''
    They looked at the same intelligence, remembered the same history of
    Saddam Hussein, and came to the same
    conclusion--Saddam Hussein was a threat--and authorized the use of
    force. My opponent looked at the same
    intelligence and came to the same conclusion.
        The President must try all options to resolve a threat before he
    commits troops into combat, and so I went to the United Nations. I said,
    ``I see a threat.'' They looked at the intelligence, the same
    intelligence. They remembered the same history, and with a 15-to-nothing
    vote in the United Nations Security Council, said to Saddam
    Hussein, ``Disclose, disarm, or face serious
    consequences.'' The world spoke.
        But as he had for over a decade, Saddam Hussein defied the demands of the free world. When we sent
    inspectors, or when

    [[Page 1852]]

    the U.N. sent inspectors into Iraq, he systematically deceived them. So
    I have a choice to make at this point in our history: Do I forget the
    lessons of September the 11th and take the word of a madman, or take
    action to defend our country? Given that choice, I will defend America.
        Even though we did not find the stockpiles that we expected to find,
    Saddam had the capability of making weapons
    of mass destruction, and he could have passed that capability on to the
    enemy. That is not a risk we could afford to take after September the
    11th. Knowing what I know today, I would have made the same decision.
    America and the world are safer with Saddam Hussein sitting in a prison
    cell.
        And 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. After months of
    questioning my motives and even my credibility, my opponent now agrees
    with me that even though we didn't find the stockpiles we thought we
    would find, knowing everything we know today, he would have voted to go
    into Iraq and remove Saddam Hussein from
    power. I appreciate him clearing all this up. But I caution you, there's
    still 62 days left for him to change his mind.
        I'm running because I understand we have more to do to make this
    country secure. We will continue to work with friends and allies around
    the world to pursue the terrorists and foreign fighters in Iraq and
    Afghanistan and elsewhere. You cannot talk sense to these people. You
    cannot negotiate with them. You cannot hope for the best with them. We
    must aggressively pursue them around the world so we do not have to face
    them here at home.
        America will continue to lead the world with confidence and moral
    clarity. We put together a strong coalition to help us defeat terror.
    There's nearly 40 nations involved in Afghanistan, some 30 nations
    involved in Iraq. Over the next 4 years, we'll continue to build on the
    alliances and work with our friends for the cause of security and peace.
    But I will never turn over America's national security decisions to
    leaders of other countries.
        We'll keep our commitments in Afghanistan and Iraq. We've set clear
    goals, peaceful and democratic countries that are allies in the war on
    terror. It's our interest that those countries become peaceful and
    democratic countries. It's in our interest that they become allies in
    the war on terror.
        They're run by strong leaders now. Our military will help them on
    their way to the political process that the people demand. We'll help
    train Iraqis and Afghan citizens so they can do the hard work of
    defending their democracy. Our troops will complete this mission as
    quickly as possible so they do not have to stay a day longer than
    necessary.
        In these crucial times, our commitments are kept by the fine men and
    women of the United States military. At bases across our country and
    around the world, I've had the privilege of meeting with them. I've seen
    their unselfish courage and their great decency. I appreciate the
    veterans who are here today for having set such a great example for
    those who wear our uniform.
        I made a commitment to our troops and to the loved ones of our
    troops that they will have the resources they need to fight and win this
    war against the terrorists. Last September, while our troops were in
    combat in Afghanistan and Iraq, I proposed supplemental funding to
    support them in their mission. This legislation provided funding for
    body armor, vital equipment, hazard pay, health benefits, ammunition,
    fuel, and spare parts. It was an important funding request, and it
    received significant bipartisan support. As a matter of fact, so strong
    that only 12 Members of the United States Senate voted against it, 2 of
    whom are my opponent and his
    runningmate.
        Audience members. Boo-o-o!

    [[Page 1853]]

        The President. So they asked him to explain
    his vote. And here's actually what he said: ``I actually did vote for
    the $87 billion, before I voted against it.'' [Laughter] Yes. Now he's
    offering different explanations. They said--he said he's proud of his
    vote. And they kept pressing him, and he said, ``Well, the whole thing
    was a complicated matter.'' There's nothing complicated about supporting
    our troops in combat.
        In the long run, our security is not guaranteed by force alone. We
    must work to change the conditions that give rise to terror, poverty and
    hopelessness and resentment. A free and peaceful Iraq and a free and
    peaceful Afghanistan will serve as powerful examples of liberty in a
    neighborhood that is desperate for freedom. Free countries do not export
    terror. Free countries listen to the dreams of their people.
        By serving the cause of liberty, we're helping others, and we're
    making our country more secure. By serving the cause of liberty, we're
    helping to spread the peace that we all want. By serving the cause of
    liberty, we're serving the deepest ideals of our country. Freedom is not
    America's gift to the world; freedom is the Almighty God's gift to every
    man and woman in this world.
        We have more to do to protect our country. Enemies who hate us are
    still plotting to harm us. We have a difference of opinion on these
    terrorists. My opponent said that going to war
    with the terrorists is actually improving their recruiting efforts. I
    think the logic is upside-down. If you ever hear that, tell your friends
    and neighbors that during the 1990s, the terrorists were recruiting and
    training for war with us, long before we went to war with them. These
    people don't need an excuse for their hatred. I think it's wrong to
    blame America for the anger and the evil of the killers. We don't create
    terrorists by fighting back. We will defeat the terrorists by fighting
    back.
        There are a lot of really fine people at the Federal level, the
    State level, and first-responders at the local level who are working
    hard to protect us. I want to thank the first-responders who are here
    today. I want to thank you for your dedication.
        The cooperation has never been better between the Federal, State,
    and the local government. We're working hard to make sure we get the
    best intelligence gathering capability. It's important that we know the
    movements of the enemy. And so we're pushing for reforms for
    intelligence gathering. It's essential that we renew the PATRIOT Act so
    law enforcement has the tools necessary to find and disrupt terrorist
    activity in the United States. We've been pushing hard for reforms to
    make sure we better guard our borders and safeguard our ports. We
    created the Department of Homeland Security.
        These reforms are hard in Washington. See, there's a lot of
    entrenched interests there, a lot of people who like the status quo.
    It's not enough to advocate reform; you have to be able to get the job
    done. So when you're out campaigning, remind people that when it comes
    to reforming schools, raising the bar, and closing that achievement gap,
    we're getting the job done. When it comes to health care reforms and
    helping our seniors with modern health, we're getting the job done. When
    it comes to improving our economy and growing jobs so people can find
    work, we're getting the job done. When it comes to better securing the
    homeland and defeating the terrorists and spreading freedom and peace,
    we're getting the job done. And when you're out there working hard to
    garner the vote and gather the vote, tell them, when it comes time to
    choose a President, put somebody in there who can get the job done.
        Tomorrow night I'm going to talk about how this world of ours is
    changing, and Government must change with the changing world to make
    people's lives easier, to give people a chance to be able to realize the
    full promise of tomorrow. Changing times are difficult times. And one
    way to

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    help add security to people's lives during changing times is to promote
    an ownership society. See, if you own your own health care account and
    you change jobs, you'll have the security of being able to take it with
    you from job to job.
        We've got a lot of younger folks here today. And I appreciate you
    coming. Baby boomers like me are in good shape when it comes to Social
    Security. The system is sound for people like me and older. But if
    you're a younger worker, you better listen carefully to the debate about
    the retirement systems here in America. I believe younger workers ought
    to be able to take some of their own tax money and create a personal
    savings account as a part of Social Security.
        We'll continue to create an environment so that people are willing
    to take risk and create their own small business. We want more small-
    business owners in America. One of the most hopeful statistics is the
    fact that today the homeownership rate is at an alltime high in America.
    During changing times, owning your own home brings stability in your
    life. See, we're going to continue to promote an ownership society in
    America because it brings stability during changing times, but also
    because I understand when a person owns something, they have a vital
    stake in the future of our country.
        In a time of change, there's some things that won't change: the
    individual values we try to live by, courage and compassion, reverence
    and integrity; our belief in liberty and opportunity, and the
    nonnegotiable demands of human dignity. In changing times, we must value
    the institutions that give us direction and purposes, our families, our
    schools, our religious congregations.
        We believe and 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 faithfully interpret the law instead of legislating from the
    bench.
        We stand for a culture of responsibility. You know, the culture is
    changing from one that says, ``If it feels good, do it,'' and ``If
    you've got a problem, blame somebody else,'' to a culture in which of us
    understands we're responsible for the decisions we make in life. If you
    are 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 the education in the community in which you
    live, you're responsible for doing something about it. If you're a CEO
    in corporate America, you are responsible for telling the truth to your
    shareholders and your employees. And in a responsibility society, each
    of us is responsible for loving our neighbor just like we'd like to be
    loved ourselves.
        For all Americans, these years in our history will stand apart. You
    know, 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
    that requires firm resolve, clear vision, and an unyielding belief in
    the values that make this country a wonderful land.
        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. It's a day I will never forget. There were workers in hardhats
    yelling at me at the top of their lungs, ``Whatever it takes.'' I was
    thanking people for their work, and a fellow looked me right in the eye,
    and he said, ``Do not let me down.''
        Since that day, I have a duty that has gone on. I wake up every
    morning trying to figure out how best to protect our country. I will
    never relent in defending America, whatever it takes.
        Audience members. Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
        The President. We have come through much together. We have done a
    lot of hard work. We're moving this country forward, but there's more
    work to be done. During the next 4 years, we will spread ownership

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    and hope and opportunity to every corner of this country--I mean every
    corner. We will pass the enduring values of this country on to a younger
    generation. We will continue to spread freedom and peace.
        You know, when I campaigned across your State 4 years ago, I said if
    you gave me the great honor of serving as President, I would uphold the
    honor and the dignity of the office. And with your hard work and with
    your help, I will do so for 4 more years.
        God bless. Thank you all for coming. Thank you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 5:18 p.m. at the Nationwide Arena. In his
    remarks, he referred to professional golfer Jack Nicklaus, his wife,
    Barbara, and their son, professional golfer Gary Nicklaus; and former
    professional football player Chris Spielman.