    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book II)]
    [December 5, 2007]
    [Pages 1525-1526]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Arrival in Omaha, Nebraska
    December 5, 2007

        The President. Good morning. I'm pleased to be back in Nebraska.
        Senatorial candidate Michael O. Johanns. Welcome back.
        The President. I do want to say a couple of words about Iran before
    I talk about my friend Mike Johanns.
        On the way out here, I spoke with my team, who gave me a report on
    conversations that the Secretary of State
    and our National Security Adviser have had
    over the last couple of days with their counterparts in the United
    Kingdom, in Germany and France and Russia. These countries understand
    that the Iranian nuclear issue is a problem and continues to be a
    problem that must be addressed by the international community. A number
    of them have said so publicly, and I appreciate their comments.
        I appreciate the work of our intelligence community in helping us
    better understand Iran's past and present nuclear activities. Their
    information is critical in increasing our understanding and helping us
    develop a sound policy.
        It is clear from the latest NIE that the Iranian Government has more
    to explain about its nuclear intentions and past actions, especially the
    covert nuclear weapons program pursued until the fall of 2003, which the
    Iranian regime has yet to acknowledge. The Iranians have a strategic
    choice to make. They can come clean with the international community
    about the scope of their nuclear activities and fully accept the
    longstanding offer to suspend their enrichment program and come to the
    table and negotiate, or they can continue on a path of isolation that is
    not in the best interest of the Iranian people. The choice is up to the
    Iranian regime.
        I'm here also to talk about my friend Mike Johanns. I have gotten to know him well, and there's no doubt in
    my mind he'll make a great United States Senator from the State of
    Nebraska. He's an honorable, decent man, and he's a humble man. When
    given a task, he can get the job done.
        People of Nebraska have gotten to know Mike
    as a result of his leadership when he was the Governor. I got to know
    Mike as the result of his being a fine leader at the U.S. Department of
    Agriculture. Mike understands farming, and he understands ranching. He
    understands the issues that the people who work the soil will face. If I
    were someone living in Nebraska who cared about the agricultural
    industry, I'd want somebody who knew what he was talking about being my
    Senator. And Mike Johanns knows what he's talking about when it comes to
    agricultural matters.
        He also understands what he's talking about
    when it comes to national security matters. He sat in the Cabinet Room
    with me and other members of my Cabinet, discussing how best to secure
    the United

    [[Page 1526]]

    States of America from the threats of the world in which we live. It is
    important for the people of Nebraska to have a Senator who understands
    the realities of the world and is willing to support the Government in
    its efforts to protect the American people.
        Mike Johanns is a man of values. He
    understands Nebraskan values. He can articulate Nebraskan values, but
    more importantly, he lives Nebraskan values.
        And so I've come to say to the people of this good State: I know
    you're going to make up your own mind for what's right, but if I was a
    voter in this State, I'd sure pull that lever for Mike Johanns for the United States Senator. [Laughter] And if my
    wife was a voter for this State--[laughter]--
    she'd try to pull it twice. [Laughter]
        So I'm proud to be here with Mike and
    Stephanie. Thank you, sir. Good luck, and
    God bless you. Thank you very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 9:01 a.m. at Eppley Airfield. In his
    remarks, he referred to Stephanie Johanns, wife of Nebraska senatorial
    candidate Michael O. Johanns.