[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 49 (Monday, December 8, 2003)]
[Pages 1752-1756]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at a Bush-Cheney Luncheon in Baltimore, Maryland

December 5, 2003

    Thank you all very much. Thanks for coming. Thanks for the warm 
welcome. Thanks for the bumper sticker. [Laughter] Thanks for making 
this such a successful event. Thanks for laying the foundation for what 
is going to be a victory in the State of Maryland in 2004.
    I want to thank you for your contributions. I also want to thank you 
for the contribution of time you're going to make. [Laughter] We want 
you to help energize the grassroots, to put up the signs, and to get on 
the phones and to mail the letters, all reminding your fellow citizens 
that we have a duty to vote in America; we have an obligation in a 
democracy to participate.
    You know, the political season is going to come in its own time, and 
I'm getting ready. I'm loosening up. [Laughter] But I've got a job to 
do. Right now, I'm focused on the people's business, and there's a lot 
on the agenda. I will continue to work hard to earn the confidence of 
all Americans by keeping this Nation secure and strong and prosperous 
and free.
    Laura sends her best. I'm sorry she's not with me. She is a fabulous 
wife and mom. She's doing a great job as our First Lady. I'm incredibly 
proud of her.
    Fortunately, my favorite sister came--[laughter]--well, my only 
sister. I love Doro. A brother could have no finer sister than Dorothy 
Koch. Thank you for coming.
    I appreciate your Governor. He is a livewire--[laughter]--which is 
what this State needed. I love his attitude. He never forgot his roots, 
but he's an incurable optimist as well, because he brings some common 
sense to the Governor's office. He's doing a fine job. I'm proud to be 
here with the first lady, Kendel, as well. Thank you, Kendel.
    I'm also proud to be with Michael--Michael Steele, the Lieutenant 
Governor, and Andrea. I thank them for their service and for working 
with the Ehrlichs to set such a positive tone for the great State of 
Maryland. Thank you, Lieutenant Governor, for coming.
    Congressman Roscoe Bartlett is with us today. Congressman, thank you 
for coming. I know there's a lot of State and local officials who are 
here. Thank you all for coming today. I appreciate you coming. When I'm 
talking about energizing the grassroots, I'm talking to you. [Laughter] 
We need you to get into your districts and to energize people and get 
them to vote. If you happen to be a mayor, my only advice is to fill the 
potholes. [Laughter]
    My campaign is going to be run by a fellow named Ken Mehlman. I just 
had to mention him. You know why? Because his mother and dad are here, 
and I appreciate them coming. You raised a good man in Ken Mehlman. My 
friend Mercer Reynolds is with us. He's the national finance chairman. 
Dick Hug is the State finance chairman, and Dick, I want to thank you 
and the team that made this event so successful. Thanks for working very 
hard, for what you're doing.
    Shelly Kamins gets a lot of credit for working hard as well. Shelly, 
I'm honored to have your friendship and to have your hard work, along 
with Dick, to make this work. I want to thank all of you all for being 
here. I really appreciate you taking time to come. I'm proud to have 
your support.
    I want you to tell your friends and neighbors, in the last 3 years, 
our Nation has acted decisively to confront great challenges. I came to 
this office to solve problems, not to pass them on to future Presidents 
and to future generations. I came to seize opportunities, instead of 
letting them slip away. My administration is meeting the tests of our 
time.
    Terrorists declared war on the United States of America, and war is 
what they got.

[[Page 1753]]

We have captured or killed many of the key leaders of the Al Qaida 
network, and the rest of them know we're on their trail. In Afghanistan 
and in Iraq, we gave ultimatums to terror regimes. Those regimes chose 
defiance, and those regimes are no more. Fifty million people in those 
two countries once lived under tyranny, and today they live in freedom.
    Three years ago, our military was not receiving the resources it 
needed, and morale was beginning to suffer. So we increased the defense 
budgets to prepare for the threats of a new era. And today, no one in 
the world can question the skill and the strength and the spirit of the 
United States military.
    Three years ago, the economy was in trouble, and a recession was 
beginning. And then our country was attacked, and some of our fellow 
citizens in corporate America forgot to tell the truth, and war came 
upon us, which all affected the people's confidence. But we acted. We 
passed tough new laws to hold corporate criminals to account. And to get 
the economy going again, I have twice led the United States Congress to 
pass historic tax relief for the American people.
    When Americans have more take-home pay to spend, to save, or invest, 
the whole economy grows, and people are more likely to find a job. And 
so that's why we're returning more money to the people, to help them 
raise their families. That's why we've reduced taxes on dividends and 
capital gains, to encourage investment. That is why we're giving small 
businesses incentives to expand and to hire new people. With all these 
actions, this administration has laid the foundation for greater 
prosperity and more jobs across America so every single citizen has a 
chance to realize the American Dream.
    The American economy is strong, and it is getting stronger. Today 
they've released some more statistics that show the economy is strong. 
Unemployment dropped from 6 percent to 5.9 percent. More jobs are being 
created. In the third quarter, our economy grew at an annual rate of 8.2 
percent, the fastest pace in nearly 20 years. The Purchasing Managers 
Index indicates that our manufacturing sector is getting stronger and is 
growing. The productivity is high. Investment is strong. The home 
industry is vibrant. The tax relief we passed is working for the 
American people.
    Three years ago, there was a lot of talk about education reform, but 
there wasn't much action in Washington, DC. So I acted, and called for 
and the Congress passed the No Child Left Behind Act. With a solid 
bipartisan majority, we delivered the most dramatic education reforms in 
a generation. We've increased spending on Title I students at the 
Federal level. But for the first time, we're asking schools to prove 
that our children are learning to read and write and add and subtract. 
We are challenging the soft bigotry of low expectations. We're raising 
the standards, because we believe very child can learn the basics of 
reading and math, and we expect every school to teach the basics of 
reading and math, so not one single child is left behind.
    We reorganized the Government and created the Department of Homeland 
Security to better safeguard our borders and our ports and to better 
protect the American people. We passed trade promotion authority to open 
up new markets for Maryland's entrepreneurs and manufacturers and 
farmers. We passed budget agreements to help maintain spending 
discipline in Washington, DC. On issue after issue, this administration 
has acted on principle, has kept its word, and has made progress for the 
American people.
    The Congress gets a lot of credit for the achievements. I appreciate 
working with the Speaker and Majority Leader Frist. These are two fine 
men, good leaders. We're working hard to change the tone in Washington. 
There's too much needless politics and endless backbiting and the zero-
sum attitude. The best way to defeat that attitude is to focus on 
results, is to do the people's business and deliver. And that's what 
we're working hard to do.
    And those are the kind of people I've asked to serve in my 
administration, by the way. I've attracted fine, fine people to serve 
the American people, good, honorable, decent Americans from all walks of 
life. Our country has had no finer Vice President than Dick Cheney. 
Mother may have a second opinion. [Laughter]
    In 3 years, we have come far. In 3 years, we've done a lot for the 
people, but our work

[[Page 1754]]

is only beginning. I have set great goals worthy of this great Nation. 
First, America is committed to expanding the realm of freedom and peace 
for our own security and for the benefit of the world. And second, in 
our own country, we must work for a society that is prosperous and 
compassionate so every single citizen can realize the great potential, 
the human potential, the God-given potential, and the great promise of 
this country. It is clear that the future of freedom and peace depend on 
the actions of America. This Nation is freedom's home and freedom's 
defender. We welcome this charge of history, and we are keeping it.
    The war on terror continues. The enemies of freedom are not idle, 
and neither are we. This country will not rest; we will not stop; we 
will not tire until this danger to civilization is removed. We are 
confronting that danger in Iraq, where Saddam holdouts and foreign 
terrorists are desperately trying to throw Iraq into chaos by attacking 
our forces, by attacking international aid workers, by attacking 
innocent Iraqi citizens. They know that the advance of freedom in Iraq 
would be a major defeat for the cause of terror. This collection of 
killers and assassins is trying to shake the will of the United States 
of America. America will never be intimidated by a bunch of thugs.
    We are aggressively striking the terrorists in Iraq, defeating them 
there so we will not have to face them in our own cities. We're calling 
other nations to help, and they are, because they understand that a free 
Iraq will make their own countries more secure. We're standing with the 
brave Iraqi people as they assume more of their own defense and move 
toward self-government. This isn't easy work, but it is essential work. 
The United States of America will finish what we have begun, and we will 
win this essential victory in the war against terror.
    Our greatest security comes from the advance of human liberty, 
because free nations do not support terror, free nations do not attack 
their neighbors, free nations do not threaten the world with weapons of 
mass terror. Americans believe that freedom is the deepest need and hope 
of every human heart. I believe that freedom is the future of every 
nation, and I know that freedom is not America's gift to the world. 
Freedom is God's gift to every man and woman who lives in this world.
    America also understands that unprecedented influence brings 
tremendous responsibilities. We have duties in this world, and when we 
see disease and starvation and hopeless poverty, we will not turn away. 
And that is why, on the continent of Africa, America is now committed to 
bringing the healing power of medicine to millions of men and women and 
children suffering from AIDS.
    We face challenges at home, and our actions will prove equal to 
those challenges. I want everybody working. I worry when someone who 
wants to work can't find a job. That is why I'm going to continue to 
push a progrowth, pro-entrepreneurial spirit agenda.
    We must make our health care system work better, and that is why we 
are keeping our commitment to America's seniors by strengthening and 
modernizing Medicare. For years, seniors have called for a modern 
Medicare system that provides coverage for prescription drugs and more 
health care choices. For years, Washington listened but did nothing. 
Finally, the Congress has acted. I look forward to signing this 
important piece of legislation. I look forward to signing a piece of 
legislation that says clearly, when America makes a commitment to our 
elderly, we will keep that commitment.
    For the sake of our health care system, we need to cut down on the 
frivolous lawsuits which are increasing the cost of medicine. People who 
have been harmed by a bad doc deserve their day in court. But this 
system shouldn't reward lawyers who are simply fishing for a rich 
settlement. Because frivolous lawsuits--frivolous lawsuits drive up the 
cost of health care, they therefore affect the Federal budget.
    Medical liability reform is a national issue which requires a 
national solution. I submitted a plan to the United States Congress. I 
want to thank the House of Representatives for passing a good reform 
bill. It is stuck in the United States Senate. It is time for your 
Senators from the State of Maryland to understand that no one has ever 
been healed by a frivolous lawsuit.

[[Page 1755]]

    I have a responsibility as your President to make sure the judicial 
system runs well, and I have met that duty. I have nominated superb men 
and women for the Federal courts, people who will interpret the law, not 
legislate from the bench. Some Members of the Senate are trying to keep 
my nominees off the bench by blocking up-or-down votes. Every judicial 
nominee deserves a fair hearing and an up-or-down vote on the Senate 
floor. It is time for some of the Members of the United States Senate to 
stop playing politics with American justice.
    The Congress needs to complete work on a comprehensive energy plan. 
We need to modernize our electricity systems. We need to encourage 
conservation, promote energy efficiency. We need to develop cleaner 
technologies to help us find energy in environmentally friendly ways. 
For the sake of economic security, for the sake of national security, 
this country must become less dependent on foreign sources of energy.
    A strong and prosperous nation must also be a compassionate nation. 
I will continue to advance what I call compassionate conservatism, which 
means we'll apply the best and most innovative ideas to the task of 
helping fellow citizens who hurt. There's still millions of men and 
women who want to end their dependence on Government and become 
independent through work. We must continue to advance the successes of 
the welfare reform program in a decent way, a compassionate way. We must 
train people for jobs which actually exist. We must bring more work and 
dignity into the lives of more of our citizens. Congress should complete 
the ``Citizen Service Act'' so more Americans can serve their 
communities and their country.
    Both Houses should reach agreement on my Faith-Based Initiative to 
support the armies of compassion, the armies of compassion that are 
mentoring children and caring for the homeless and offering hope to the 
addicted. This great Nation has got all kinds of fabulous religions, 
Christian, Jewish, and Muslim. And out of that religion comes a 
universal call for people to help those who suffer, to those who need 
help. Our Government must understand that some problems are so 
intractable, the only thing that will matter, the only thing that will 
help, is for a faith-based program to intercede in their lives. Our 
country should never fear faith. We should welcome faith into the 
compassionate delivery of human help.
    A compassionate society must promote opportunity for all, including 
the independence and dignity that come from ownership. This 
administration will constantly strive to promote an ownership society in 
America. We want more people owning their own home. There is a minority 
homeownership gap in America that must be closed, and I've submitted a 
plan to Congress to do so. We want people to own and manage their own 
retirement accounts. We want people to own and manage their own health 
care accounts. We want people--more people to own their own small 
business. You see, this administration understands that when a person 
owns something, he or she has a vital stake in the future of our 
country.
    A compassionate society is one in which people respect each other, 
respect their opinions, respect their religious beliefs. It is a society 
in which each of us take responsibility for the decisions we make in 
life. The culture of this country is changing from one that has said, 
``If it feels good, do it,'' and, ``If you've got a problem, blame 
somebody else,'' to a culture in which each of us understands we're 
responsible for the decisions we make. If you're a mother or a dad, if 
you're fortunate enough to be a mother or a dad, you're responsible for 
loving your child with all your heart. 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 the CEO--a CEO in 
corporate America, you're 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 ourself.
    The culture of service is strong in America. It's one of the things 
that makes this country so great and so unique. There is a willingness 
for people to serve our country by helping somebody in need. That's a 
powerful part of the American culture. And it's strong today, and I can 
tell you why. We started the USA Freedom Corps, and the response has 
been magnificent. People from all walks of life have signed up to help, 
to help make this

[[Page 1756]]

country strong by helping to save lives. Policemen and firefighters and 
the people who wear our Nation's uniform are reminding us what it means 
to sacrifice for something greater than ourselves. Once again, the 
children of America believe in heroes, because they see them every day.
    In these challenging times, the world has seen the resolve and the 
courage of America. And I've been privileged to see the compassion and 
the character of the American people. All the tests of the last 3 years 
have come to the right nation. We're a strong country, and we use the 
strength to defend the peace. We're an optimistic country, confident in 
ourselves and in ideals bigger than ourselves. Abroad, we seek to lift 
whole nations by spreading freedom. At home, we seek to lift up lives by 
spreading opportunity to every corner of America. This is the work that 
history has set before us. We welcome it. And we know that for our 
country, the best days lie ahead.
    God bless. Thanks for coming. Glad you all are here. Thank you.

Note: The President spoke at 12:17 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. In 
his remarks, he referred to Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., of Maryland and 
his wife, Kendel; Lt. Gov. Michael Steele of Maryland and his wife, 
Andrea; Ken Mehlman, campaign manager, Mercer Reynolds, national finance 
chairman, and Richard E. Hug, Maryland State finance cochairman, Bush-
Cheney '04, Inc.; and Sheldon B. Kamins, member, board of directors, 
Republican Jewish Coalition.