    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [February 8, 2008]
    [Pages 161-168]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks to the Conservative Political Action Conference
    February 8, 2008

        The President. Thank you all. Good morning, and thank you all very
    much. I thank you for coming. I apologize to my friend; he likes to sleep in. [Laughter]
        I really do want to thank you all for adjusting the schedule. Right
    after the speech, I'm going to get on an airplane and fly to Tennessee.
    I'll be taking the prayers of the American people to those who suffered
    from the devastating tornadoes.
        Mr. Leader, thank you for
    that introduction, and I appreciate your outstanding leadership in the
    United States Senate. You know, Mr. Leader, I used to think that leading
    a group of strong-willed Senators was one of the toughest jobs in the
    country. I may have found one even tougher one: father of the
    bride. You know, I told Laura I was going to say that, and she said, well, you might
    add another one: son-in-law to the President.
    [Laughter]
        I thank you for the invitation. I appreciate the fact that you've
    invited our candidates to your forum, and thank you for the hearing you gave them. These
    are good, honorable people. And I appreciate the fact that you invited
    Vice President Cheney here. He is the best Vice
    President in history. Mother may have a
    different opinion. [Laughter] But don't tell her I said this, but my
    opinion is the one that counts.
        Since I spoke with you last, some things have changed. It seems like
    my hair is little grayer. [Laughter] And my jokes are a little older.
    And some say my speeches are a little windier. Some things haven't
    changed:

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    the principles I believe in and my deep, abiding faith in the American
    people.
        It just doesn't seem all that long ago that David invited me here, but it's been about 7 years. And during
    that time, we have stood together, and we have advanced a philosophy of
    freedom and responsibility that's made our Nation a better place and a
    stronger place. And today I want to talk to you about what you and I
    have achieved together, what it tells us about the stakes in the year
    ahead, and why it is so important that we keep the White House in 2008.
        I thank the leader, David Keene. He's a
    good guy. You know, this is the 35th--yes--anniversary, which means he
    started the deal when he was 15. [Laughter] At least that's what he
    claims. [Laughter] But thank you for your leadership. I thank you for
    your board. I've got a lot of friends up here at the head table and a
    lot of friends in the audience, and I really do appreciate what you've
    done.
        Audience member. We love you, George.
        The President. Well, thank you.
        A lot has happened over 8 years--that was the last time I spoke to
    you, was 8 years ago. And we've seen vigorous debates, a lot of debates
    on nearly every conceivable issue, matters that affected the prosperity
    and peace.
        Our views are grounded in timeless truths. During these debates, we
    stuck to timeless truths. We believe that the most reliable guide for
    our country is the collective wisdom of ordinary citizens. We believe
    our culture benefits from a diversity of faith, a respect for values,
    and the guidance of a higher power. We believe in personal
    responsibility. We believe in the universality of freedom. We believe
    our Nation has the right to defend itself, even if sometimes others
    disagree. And we believe America remains a force of good in our world.
        There's another philosophy, and it's advanced by decent people who
    see the world differently. They tend to think Washington has the answers
    to our problems. They tend to believe our country only succeeds under
    the expansive Federal Government. They tend to be suspicious of
    America's exercise of global leadership, unless, of course, we get a
    permission slip from international organizations. [Laughter]
        Over the past 7 years, we have engaged this opposition with a clear
    and consistent philosophy. We didn't take polls to decide what to say.
    We didn't seek the advice of editorial pages to decide what to think.
    And we darn sure didn't seek the approval of groups like CODEPINK and
    MoveOn.org before deciding what to do.
        We applied our philosophy on issues relating to economic prosperity.
    When I took office, we inherited a recession, and then we acted. We were
    guided by this principle: The best way to help our economy grow is to
    leave money in the hands of those responsible for our prosperity. That,
    of course, would be the American people. And so with your support, we
    passed one of the largest tax cuts in American history, and then we cut
    taxes again. In all, we delivered nearly $2 trillion in tax relief over
    the past 7 years.
        Our critics wanted a different approach. They believed that the best
    way to keep the economy--to help the economy was to keep taxes in
    Washington and expand the size and scope of the Federal Government.
        Audience members. Boo!
        The President. One columnist wrote this--
    one columnist said this: ``Tax cuts--any tax cuts--are the wrong way to
    go.'' A prominent newspaper said my administration was on a tax cut
    rampage and called our tax relief unfair and unaffordable. A think tank
    expert called our tax relief a reckless gamble.
        Despite these dire predictions, the tax cuts we passed contributed
    to a record 52 months of job creation. They helped produce strong
    economic growth, and the increased revenues from that growth have put us
    on track to balance our budget by

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    2012. Here is the bottom line: Tax relief works.
        We're in a period of economic uncertainty, and we've acted again. I
    want to thank the Members for passing a good piece of legislation, which
    I will sign into law next week. I want you all to understand that this
    bill reflects our principles. It is robust. It is progrowth. It
    stimulates business investment. And it puts money into the hands of
    American consumers.
        In the longer run, the best way to make sure that our economy
    continues to grow is to make the tax relief we passed permanent.
    Unfortunately, the other side still hasn't learned the lessons. They
    want to let the tax cuts expire, and some are claiming, of course, this
    isn't a tax increase. Yet if they have their way, 116 million American
    taxpayers would see their taxes rise by an average of $1,800. Listen,
    I'm not known for my English--[laughter]--but in my way of speaking, it
    sure sounds like a tax increase to me.
        You and I know the American people are not undertaxed. The problem
    is, Washington spends too much of your money. One of the things I have
    done is, I have set priorities. And you must understand my passion about
    protecting America. My number-one priority is to protect you. And after
    9/11, we have substantially increased spending on defense, intelligence,
    and homeland security. And we will continue to provide for our troops.
    We will make sure the men and women who wear the uniform have the best
    and strongest support they need to do their job.
        And so we've worked hard to make sure we hold the line on spending
    in other areas. For 5 years in a row, my budget requests have kept the
    growth of nonsecurity discretionary spending below the rate of
    inflation. I set clear spending limits, told the Congress I was going to
    veto them if they--veto bills if they exceeded those spending limits.
    The Democratically controlled Congress, at the end of last year, cut
    spending plans by billions of dollars. Last week, I proposed a budget
    that terminates or substantially reduces 151 wasteful or bloated
    programs. Those programs total more than $18 billion. And if Congress
    sends me appropriations bills that exceed the reasonable limits I have
    set, I will veto the bills.
        Last month, I issued an Executive order that directs Federal
    agencies to ignore any future earmark that is not actually voted on by
    the United States Congress. This Executive order will extend beyond my
    Presidency; it will stay in effect unless revoked by a future President.
    What that means is, any President who wants to return to the old ways of
    unaccountable and wasteful spending will get to do so publicly. And if
    that happens, that President will have some explaining to do.
        In the long run, you and I know the greatest threat to our fiscal
    health is the unsustainable growth of entitlement spending. We all know
    the painful choices ahead if America stays on this path: massive tax
    increases, sudden and drastic cuts in benefits, or crippling deficits. I
    have laid out specific proposals to reform and strengthen these
    programs.
        On Social Security, I took the issue head on. That's what you expect
    a President to do. I proposed a way to make this program solvent without
    raising taxes and with personal saving accounts that will give
    individuals more control over their retirement savings.
        On Medicare and Medicaid, I sent Congress a budget this week that
    saves nearly $200 billion over the next 5 years. I hear all the talk
    from the other side on Capitol Hill about fiscal responsibility, but
    they haven't put any of their ideas on the table for programs. It is
    time to stop talking; it is time for them to stop acting and not pass
    these problems on to future Congresses and future generations.
        On matters relating to our economy, our record is clear. You and I
    succeeded in cutting taxes. We're reducing wasteful spending. On these
    issues, both sides have

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    made their case. The results are in, and they are proving us right.
        We applied our philosophy to questions affecting the moral fabric of
    our Nation. We believe that all human life is precious and deserves to
    be protected. In 2001, I had a grave decision to make on the question of
    embryonic stem cell research. I believed we could empower scientists and
    researchers to discover cures for terrible diseases without crossing a
    moral line. So I authorized research on existing stem cell lines and
    stood against any effort to use Federal tax dollars to support the
    destruction of human life.
        Our critics had a different view. They thought my defense of life
    was shortsighted and harmful. When I vetoed two bills that sought to use
    tax dollars to destroy human embryos, some academics described my
    position as ridiculous and scientifically naive. One publication
    predicted our plan would not hold up over the long haul.
        Then last November, scientists announced a landmark achievement.
    They found a way to reprogram adult skin cells to act like embryonic
    stem cells. This discovery has the potential to end the divisive debate
    over stem cell research. It will allow us to expand the frontiers of
    medicine while maintaining a culture of life. In the coming year, we
    will increase funds for this type of ethical research. And I will
    continue to push for a ban on the buying, selling, patenting, or cloning
    of human life.
        When I took office, our society was grappling with a troubling rate
    of drug use among our children. A new generation of young people was in
    danger of being swept up in a cycle of addiction and crime and
    hopelessness. We believe people should be held responsible for their
    actions, and we know that people can change their behavior. Sometimes
    all it takes is the help of a loving soul, somebody who puts their arm
    around a troubled person and says: ``I love you. Can I help you?'' We
    also know that drug----
        Audience member. [Inaudible]
        The President. My soul is not that troubled, but thank you.
        We also know that the drug crisis requires us to reduce both supply
    and demand. And so in 2002, I set our country on an ambitious goal to
    cut drug use among young people by 25 percent over 5 years. Critics
    didn't think that was possible. Some thought the drug war had already
    failed. Some said we focused too much on interdiction and not enough on
    treatment. An influential magazine and assorted commentators wanted to
    declare defeat and legalize the drug trade. A left-leaning drug
    prevention group said that our aggressive strategy was ``very unlikely .
    . . to produce any different result than we have seen so far.''
        We stood our ground. We worked with international partners to
    interdict drugs into our country. We increased funds for drug treatment
    programs. We helped move drug addicts from a culture of victimization to
    a culture of responsibility. And we have gotten results. Since I took
    office, the overall use of illicit drugs by young people has dropped 24
    percent. Marijuana use fell by 25 percent, steroid by a third, the use
    of ecstasy by 54 percent. Methamphetamine abuse has plummeted by 64
    percent since 2001.
        On matters relating to America's moral compass, we have defended
    human life. We promoted strong families. We confronted the crippling
    cycle of drug dependency. We challenged the critics, the self-proclaimed
    experts, and the status quo. Both sides made their case. The results are
    in, and they're proving us right.
        We've also applied our philosophy to issues of national security.
    Six-and-a-half years ago, our country faced the worst attack in our
    history. I understood immediately that we would have to act boldly to
    protect the American people. So we've gone on the offense against these
    extremists. We're staying on the offense, and we will not relent until
    we bring them to justice. We recognized that this is a war, not

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    just a matter of law enforcement. We recognize that we're engaged in the
    decisive ideological struggle of our time.
        The first battle in this war against the extremists centered on
    Afghanistan; the 9/11 attackers had trained and planned in Afghanistan.
    We believed our military could remove the Taliban from power and that we
    could help aid the rise of a stable and democratic government.
        Critics had a different view. One commentator said most Afghans would oppose an American invasion and
    fight the foreign occupiers. Another declared, ``We're not headed toward
    a quagmire; we are already in one.'' Another commentator scoffed,
    ``Afghanistan as a democracy? Forget it.''
        Well, we stood our ground, and we have seen the results. Al Qaida
    lost its terrorist camps in Afghanistan and the Taliban was driven from
    power. The Afghan people braved threats of violence to elect a new
    President and a new Parliament. Roads and
    hospitals are being built. Girls who were once forbidden from going to
    school are now going to school. America, 25 NATO allies, and 15 partner
    nations are helping the Afghan people secure their country. The Taliban,
    Al Qaida, and their allies are on the run. Afghanistan has a long road
    ahead, and they have a future that offers promise and hope. We're going
    to stand with the Afghan people; we're going to help millions claim
    their liberty. And we will always work to make sure Afghanistan will
    never be--again be a safe haven for terrorists and extremists who want
    to do us harm.
        The war against our enemies also brought us to Iraq. Our coalition
    confronted a regime that defied United Nations Security Council
    resolutions, violated a cease-fire agreement, attacked its neighbors,
    sponsored terrorism, and had a history of using and pursuing weapons of
    mass destruction. Saddam Hussein was a threat to the United States and a
    threat to the world. My decision to remove Saddam was the right decision
    at the time, and it is the right decision today.
        Because we acted, 25 million Iraqis are free. We've seen them go to
    the polls. We've seen them elect a representative government. We've also
    seen an enemy determined to roll back this progress through horrific
    acts of violence designed to pit Iraqis one against another.
        One year ago, things were not going well in that country. Terrorists
    and extremists were succeeding in their efforts to plunge Iraq into
    chaos. You see, they wanted to deny Iraqis their liberty. They can't
    stand freedom. They wanted to establish safe havens in Iraq from which
    to launch attacks against America and its allies. I strongly believe
    that America's security and peace in the world depend upon defeating
    this enemy. So we reviewed our strategy. Things weren't working; I
    needed to know why and what it would take to make things better. And
    that's why you review a strategy.
        I made up my mind. I listened carefully to a lot of folks, and I
    decided to send more troops into Iraq, in a dramatic policy shift. And
    the policy shift has come--become known as the surge.
        Our critics had a different view. They looked at rising violence in
    Iraq and declared the war was lost.
        Audience members. Boo!
        The President. Some concluded the surge had failed even before it
    had fully begun. Two foreign affairs
    experts proposed, quote, ``a well-managed defeat
    . . . to boost U.S. credibility.''
        We stood our ground, and we're seeing results. A year after I
    ordered the surge of forces, high-profile terrorist attacks in Iraq are
    down, civilian deaths are down, sectarian killings are down. U.S. and
    Iraqi forces have captured or killed thousands of extremists in Iraq,
    including hundreds of key Al Qaida leaders and operatives. There is more
    work to be done. It takes awhile for young democracies to take root,

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    but reconciliation is taking place. I recognize the progress in Iraq is
    fragile, and there's going to be tough days ahead. Yet even the enemy
    recognizes the progress we're being making. They recognize they're on
    the wrong side of events. They are disheartened, they are demoralized,
    and they will be defeated.
        We can have confidence in Iraq's ultimate success because we believe
    in the transformative power of freedom. We believe there is an Almighty
    God. And a gift of that Almighty to every man, woman, and child on the
    face of this Earth is freedom. We have seen that free societies become
    peaceful societies. We know that a free Iraq will be a friend of
    America, an ally in this war against the extremists, and a source of
    hope and stability in a dangerous part of the world.
        We'll fight the enemy overseas so we do not have to face them here
    at home. And as we do so, we must take measures to protect America, the
    homeland. We must give our intelligence officials the tools they need to
    uncover terrorist plots and prevent new attacks. And one of the most
    important tools is the ability to monitor terrorist communications. My
    most important job is to protect the American people. In order to do
    that job, we need to know who the terrorists are talking to; we need to
    know what they're saying; we need to know what they're planning. And so
    Congress passed the Protect America Act. This law modernized an outdated
    surveillance law and closed dangerous gaps in our intelligence.
        Now, critics had a different view. One liberal interest group called
    the law an end run around the Constitution. Others falsely claimed law
    enforcement officials wanted to spy on Americans. Still another summed
    up the initiative as ``a groupthink travesty.''
        We countered these critics, and we stood our ground. Our ability to
    monitor the communications of terrorists overseas has helped us gain
    crucial elements on terrorist cells and helped keep our country safe.
    The Protect America Act is working. The problem is that Congress set the
    law to expire 1 week from tomorrow. I don't think the Al Qaida threat is
    going to expire 1 week from tomorrow. [Laughter] Congress must ensure
    the flow of vital intelligence is not disrupted. Congress must pass
    liability protection for companies believed to have assisted in the
    efforts to defend America. The time for temporary fixes has ended.
    Congress must pass this law, and they must pass it now.
        On matters of war and peace, we have taken the fight to our enemies
    abroad, and we are defending our people here at home. We're standing
    with new partners in Afghanistan and Iraq to help them build free
    nations. We refused to yield when the going got tough. And when the
    history of our actions is written, it will show that we were right.
        We will face other challenges ahead that will require new energy
    and, before long, new leadership. I'm absolutely confident, with your
    help, we will elect a President who shares our principles. As we take on
    the challenges, we must be guided by the philosophy that has brought us
    success. Our policies are working. The American people support our
    points of view. They share our philosophy.
        And consider our advantage on other great questions before us. On
    health care, one side says we should expand the Federal Government's
    control over your private medicine. You and I say we should expand
    access to health care, empower consumers to make choices, and ensure
    that medical decisions are left in the hands of patients and their
    doctors.
        On education, one side said--one side says we should spend your tax
    dollars without measuring whether or not our children are actually
    learning to read and write and add and subtract. You and I believe in
    accountability. We believe parents should have more options, and we
    believe in liberating children from failing public schools.

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        On the rights of the unborn, the most vulnerable among us, one side
    supports abortion on demand. You and I believe in the worth of every
    human being, the matchless joy of adoption, and the right to life.
        On the Federal judiciary, one side says we should confirm judges who
    believe in the ``living Constitution,'' which basically means they can
    make up laws as they go along. You and I say we need judges who respect
    our values, do not follow the political winds, and revere the plain
    meaning of our Constitution. We need more judges like John
    Roberts and Sam Alito.
        On America's role in the world, some believe that our Nation is
    often the cause of global turmoil, a mentality once called ``blame
    America first.'' You and I believe that America is a leading light, a
    guiding star, and the greatest nation on the face of the Earth.
        You see, I know of America's greatness because I get to see it up
    close, and it is a privilege to see it up close. I see it in the foot-
    soldiers in the armies of compassion, who perform acts of kindness and
    hope every single day. I see it in the courage of ordinary citizens like
    those who rushed toward danger when the Twin Towers fell and our
    Pentagon burned. I see it with military families who've lost loved ones,
    and every time, I come away moved and inspired by their valor, their
    grit, their pride, and their love of country. I see it when I exchange
    salutes with the finest young men and women our country has ever known.
    These Americans give me endless optimism about our future, and they have
    made my Presidency a joyous experience.
        You know, since I've come to Washington, I've been reading a lot of
    history. Laura notes it's probably because I'm
    making up for lost time. [Laughter] Over the past few years, I've read
    three books on George Washington, or as I call him, the original George
    W.
        It is interesting to me that they are still analyzing the record of
    our first President. My attitude is, if they're still analyzing number
    1, 43 doesn't need to worry about it. I'm not going to be around to see
    the final history written on my administration. The truth is that
    history's verdict takes time to reveal itself.
        But we don't have to wait on history for one thing: In the year
    ahead, the pundits, the so-called experts, commentator, analysts will
    offer more gloomy predictions and more big government solutions. And
    when they do, let us remember their record. This is a group that is
    seldom correct--[laughter]--but never in doubt.
        You and I have seen that in our own time. Ronald Reagan was called a
    ``warmonger,'' an ``amiable dunce,'' a ``movie actor detached from
    reality.'' Yet within a few years after President Reagan left office,
    the Berlin Wall came down, the evil empire collapsed, the cold war was
    won. And over the years, a strange thing has happened. A lot of people
    who spent the 1980s criticizing President Reagan now tell us they were
    with him all along. [Laughter]
        You were with him all along. And over the past 7 years, you've been
    with me. I appreciate your support.
        Audience members. Four more years! Four more years!
        The President. Thank you all. I appreciate the chance that you've
    given me--help me get this opportunity to serve our country. It's been a
    fantastic experience. I appreciate the countless phone calls you've
    made. I appreciate the volunteer work you did in two tough campaigns.
    I'll always--always--be grateful [to each of you] * for supporting our
    cause, for giving me a chance, and for loving our country. And I thank
    you for that.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        * White House correction.
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        I look forward to working with you this year. My energy is up, my
    spirit is high, and I will finish strong. And in the meantime, we will
    elect a new President. We've

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    had good debates, and soon we'll have a nominee who will carry a
    conservative banner into this election and beyond. Listen, the stakes in
    November are high. This is an important election. Prosperity and peace
    are in the balance. So with confidence in our vision and faith in our
    values, let us go forward, fight for victory, and keep the White House
    in 2008.
        God bless you, and God bless America.

    Note: The President spoke at 7:21 a.m. at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. In
    his remarks, he referred to David A. Keene, chairman, American
    Conservative Union Foundation and Conservative Political Action
    Conference; and President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan. He also referred
    to H.R. 5140; and Executive Order 13457, which is listed in Appendix D
    at the end of this volume.