    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 13 (Monday, March 29, 2004)]
    [Pages 473-477]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Remarks at a Bush-Cheney Reception in Boston, Massachusetts

    March 25, 2004

        Thank you all very much for coming. Thank you. Thank you all. Thanks
    for the warm welcome. It's great to be back in Boston. Thank you.
    [Laughter] I spent some quality time here in the seventies--[laughter]--
    mostly in the library at Harvard, of course. [Laughter] Well, I spent
    some quality time here.
        I really appreciate the traditions here in Massachusetts. Last
    weekend I had the honor of participating in one of the city's finest
    traditions. It was the annual Saint Patrick's Day breakfast in South
    Boston. I called in. The good Senator took my call. Actually, he took
    Andy Card's call, a great Massachusetts citizen. And Andy handed me the
    phone. When I called in, I had the feeling they were going to ask me
    about a Massachusetts politician who had his eye on the White House, so
    I addressed the issue as directly as possible. I told Mitt the job was
    filled until 2008.
        I'm proud of the job this good man is doing as Governor of this
    great State. Mitt Romney is a great Governor. And like me, he married
    very well. [Laughter] I'm proud Ann is here with us tonight. Ann, thank
    you for coming.
        And I'm sorry Laura is not here. She is a fabulous First Lady. She
    is a great wife. She's visiting her mom in Midland, Texas. Like me, we
    put our faith in families first, above all. And she is--[applause].
        I appreciate my friend Ambassador Dick Egan, for helping make this
    an incredibly successful fundraiser. The country called, and he
    responded as the Ambassador to Ireland. He did a fine job on behalf of
    the citizens of this country. Dick, thank you for your service.
        And my old buddy, the former Governor of Massachusetts, Bill Weld is
    here tonight. I appreciate you coming, Governor. I want to thank all the
    State officials who are here and local officials who are here. I see the
    high sheriff and others here today. I want to thank my friend Joe
    O'Donnell for renting a tie for tonight. [Laughter] I appreciate so very
    much Mercer Reynolds, who is the national finance chairman for my
    campaign, for taking time out to make sure that we're able to get our
    message out all across our country.
        I want to thank all the people who have worked so hard to really do
    a fantastic job, when you think about it. We've come to Boston,
    Massachusetts--some people would think that we wouldn't have much
    support here. But they're wrong. We've got a lot of support in this
    city.
        I want to thank Darrell Crate, who is the chairman of the
    Massachusetts Republican Party, for being here. And I want to thank all
    the grassroots activists who are here. Nobody should take any State for
    granted in 2004.
        The Vice President and I are counting on you. We want your help. We
    want you out there turning those voters out. Speaking about the Vice
    President, I made a really good pick when I asked Dick Cheney to be the
    Vice President of the United States. One time, giving a speech in front
    of Mother and Dad, I said, ``Dick Cheney is the finest Vice President
    our country has ever had.'' Mother said, ``Wait a minute.'' [Laughter]
    But he's doing a great job. [Laughter]
        I've had the opportunity to observe the two United States Senators
    from this State. Your senior Senator, Ted Kennedy, is a very effective
    legislator. In Washington, he's known as the conservative Senator from
    Massachusetts. [Laughter] Your other Senator, my opponent, is an
    experienced Senator. He's built up quite a record. My opponent has been
    in Washington long enough to take both sides on just about every issue.
    [Laughter] He voted for the PATRIOT Act, for NAFTA, for the No Child
    Left Behind Act, and for the use of force in Iraq. Now he opposes the
    PATRIOT Act, NAFTA, the No Child Left Behind Act, and the liberation of
    Iraq. My opponent clearly feels very strongly about each of these
    issues. [Laughter]
        In order to lead this country, you have to be consistent and clear.
    Someone asked Senator Kerry why he voted against the $87-billion funding
    bill to help our troops in Iraq. Here's what he said: ``I actually did
    vote for the 87 billion, before I voted against it'' --[laughter]--end
    of quote. [Laughter] That sure clears things up, doesn't it? [Laughter]

    [[Page 474]]

        His answers aren't always so clear, but the voters will have a clear
    choice in this campaign. It's a choice between keeping the tax relief
    that is moving this economy forward or putting the burden of higher
    taxes back on the American people. It is a choice between an America
    that leads the world with strength and confidence or an America that is
    uncertain in the face of danger.
        I'm looking forward to this campaign. I'm looking forward to
    traveling this great country to talk about what I want to do for our
    country. I'm looking forward to reminding people that in 3 years, we've
    achieved great things. The most important thing is that we have a
    positive vision, an optimistic vision, a hopeful vision for the years
    ahead. We have a positive vision for winning the war against terror and
    extending peace and freedom throughout the world, a positive vision for
    promoting opportunity and compassion here at home. I'm going to leave no
    doubt where we stand, and we're going to win on the 2d of November.
        The last 3 years have brought serious challenges, and we have given
    serious answers. We came to office with a stock market in decline, an
    economy heading into recession. We delivered historic tax relief, and
    now our economy is the fastest growing of any major industrialized
    nation in the world. We had to confront corporate crime that cost people
    their jobs and their savings. We passed strong corporate reform and made
    it clear we will not tolerate dishonesty in the boardrooms of America.
        We saw war and grief arrive on a quiet September morning, so we
    pursued the terrorist enemy across the world. We've captured or killed
    many of the key leaders of the Al Qaida network, and the rest of them
    will learn there is no cave or hole deep enough to hide from American
    justice. We confronted the dangers of state-sponsored terror and the
    spread of weapons of mass destruction, so we ended two of the most
    violent and dangerous regimes on Earth. We freed over 50 million people,
    and once again, America is proud to lead the armies of liberation.
        When Dick Cheney and I came to office, we found a military that was
    underfunded and underappreciated, so we gave our military the resources
    and respect they deserve. And today, no one can question the skill, the
    strength, or the spirit of the United States military.
        It is the President's job to confront problems, not to pass them on
    to future Presidents and future generations. A President needs to step
    up to make the hard decisions and to keep his commitments, and that is
    how I will continue to lead our Nation.
        Great events will turn on this election. The man who sits in the
    Oval Office will set the course of the war on terror and the direction
    of our economy. The security and prosperity of America are at stake. The
    other side hasn't offered much in the ways of strategy to win the war or
    policies to expand our economy. So far, all we hear from that side is a
    lot of old bitterness and partisan anger. Anger is not an agenda for the
    future of this country. I will take on the big issues with optimism and
    resolve and determination. I will make it clear to the American people,
    I stand ready to lead this Nation for 4 more years.
        The big issue for every American family is the Federal tax burden.
    With the largest tax relief since Ronald Reagan was President, we've
    left more money in the hands that earned it. By spending and investing
    and helping to create new jobs, the American people have used their
    money far better than the Federal Government could have.
        I'm optimistic about the future of this country because I've seen
    Americans overcome economic challenge after economic challenge. I'm
    optimistic because of the good policies we've put in place but
    optimistic because of the hard work and productivity of the American
    people.
        Economic growth in the second half of 2003 was the fastest in nearly
    20 years. Manufacturing activity is increasing. Business investment is
    rising. Disposable income is rising. Inflation is low. Homeownership is
    at the highest rate ever. The minority homeownership rate is at the--
    nearly at the highest level ever. Job creation is gaining strength.
    We've added over 350,000 new jobs over the last 6 months. The tax relief
    we passed is working.
        My opponent has a different view of tax relief. When we passed an
    increase in the child credit to help families, he voted against

    [[Page 475]]

    it. When we reduced the marriage penalty, he voted against it. When we
    created a lower 10-percent rate for working families, he voted against
    it. When we reduced the tax rate on dividends that many seniors depend
    upon, he voted against it. When we gave small businesses tax incentives
    to expand and hire, he voted against it. When we passed a phase-out of
    the death tax, he voted against it. We're beginning to see a pattern.
    [Laughter]
        My opponent is one of the main opponents of tax relief in the United
    States Congress. When tax increases are proposed, it's a lot easier to
    get a ``yes'' vote out of him. Over the years, he's voted over 350 times
    for higher taxes on the American people, including the biggest tax
    increase in American history. He supported a 50 cent a gallon tax
    increase on gasoline. He wanted you to pay the extra money at the pump,
    and he wouldn't even throw in a free car wash. [Laughter]
        Now my opponent is proposing a lot of new Federal spending--a lot of
    Federal spending. But somehow he's going to have to pay for it. There's
    a gap between Senator Kerry's spending promises and Senator Kerry's
    promise to lower the deficit. It's called a tax gap. Given Senator
    Kerry's record for supporting tax increases, it's pretty clear how he's
    going to fill the tax gap. He's going to tax all of you. But
    fortunately, he will not have that chance.
        Higher taxes would undermine growth and destroy jobs just as this
    economy is getting stronger. To help grow the American economy and to
    create more jobs for American workers, I have a better idea. We should
    make all the tax cuts permanent.
        And there's more to do. We must maintain spending discipline in the
    Nation's Capital. I've offered a plan to protect small-business owners
    and employees from frivolous lawsuits and needless regulation. We need
    tort reform in America. I've laid out a strategy to help control the
    cost of health care so people have better access to good health care
    through association health care plans and tax-free health savings
    accounts. We must have medical liability reform to protect our docs and
    to stop running up the cost of medicine on people.
        In order to make sure we grow our economy, we need to reject
    economic isolationism and open up other countries' markets for U.S.
    goods and U.S. services.
        I proposed--in order to make sure job growth is strong, we need to
    have an energy policy in America. We need to modernize the electricity
    system, and this country must become less dependent on foreign sources
    of energy.
        Oh yes, there's a lot of talk about job creation. But my opponent is
    against every one of these job-creating measures. Empty talk about jobs
    and economic isolationism will not get anyone hired. The best way to
    make sure people can find work is to reelect a pro-growth, pro-
    entrepreneur President.
        Our future also depends on America's leadership in the world. The
    momentum of freedom in our time is strong, but we still face serious
    dangers. Al Qaida is wounded but not broken. Terrorists are testing our
    will in Afghanistan and Iraq. Regimes in North Korea and Iran are
    challenging the peace. If America shows weakness and uncertainty in this
    decade, the world will drift toward tragedy. This will not happen on my
    watch.
        This Nation is strong and confident in the cause of freedom. And
    today, no friend or enemy doubts the world of the United States of
    America. America and our allies gave an ultimatum to the terror regime
    in Afghanistan. The Taliban chose defiance; the Taliban are no longer in
    power. America and our allies gave an ultimatum to the terror regime in
    Iraq. The dictator chose defiance. Now the dictator sits in a prison
    cell.
        September the 11th, 2001, taught a lesson I will never forget.
    America must confront threats before they fully materialize. In Iraq, my
    administration looked at the intelligence information, and we saw a
    threat. Members of Congress looked at the intelligence information, and
    they saw a threat. The United Nations Security Council looked at the
    intelligence information, and it saw a threat. The previous
    administration and previous Congress looked at the intelligence and made
    regime change in Iraq the policy of our Nation. In 2002, the United
    Nations Security Council yet again demanded a full accounting of Saddam
    Hussein's weapons program. As he had for over a decade, Saddam Hussein
    refused

    [[Page 476]]

    to comply. So I had a choice to make, either to take the word of a
    madman or defend this country. Given that choice, I will defend America
    every time.
        My opponent admits that Saddam Hussein was a threat. He just didn't
    support my decision to remove Saddam from power. Maybe he was hoping
    Saddam would lose the next Iraqi election. [Laughter] We showed the
    dictator and a watching world that America means what it says. Because
    our coalition acted, Saddam Hussein's torture chambers are closed.
    Because we acted, Iraq's weapons programs are ended forever. Because we
    acted, a source of money to suiciders in the Middle East has been ended.
    Because we acted, nations like Libya got the message and renounced their
    own weapons programs. Because we acted, an example of democracy is
    rising in the heart of the Middle East. Because we acted, the world is
    more free and America is more secure.
        We still face thugs and terrorists in Iraq who would rather go on
    killing the innocent than accept the advance of liberty. And there's a
    reason. They know that a free Iraq will be major defeat for the cause of
    terror. This collection of killers is trying to shake the will of
    America. They don't understand our country. America will never be
    intimidated by thugs and assassins.
        We are aggressively striking the terrorists in Iraq. We will defeat
    them there so we do not have to face them in our own country. We're
    calling on other nations to help Iraq build a free society, which will
    make the whole world more secure. And we're standing with the Iraqi
    people, the brave Iraqi people, as they assume more of their own defense
    and move toward self-government. These aren't easy tasks, but they are
    essential tasks. America will finish what we have begun, and we will win
    this essential victory in the war on terror.
        On national security, Americans have the clearest possible choice.
    My opponent says he approves of bold action in the world but only if
    other countries do not object. I'm all for united action, and so are the
    34 coalition partners in Iraq right now. Yet America must never
    outsource America's national security decision to the leaders of other
    countries.
        Some are skeptical that the war on terror is really a war at all. My
    opponent said, and I quote, ``The war on terror is less of a military
    operation and far more of an intelligence-gathering, law enforcement
    operation.'' I disagree--strongly disagree. Our Nation followed this
    approach after the World Trade Center was bombed in 1993. The matter was
    handled in the courts and thought by some to be settled. But the
    terrorists were still training in Afghanistan, plotting in other
    nations, and drawing up more ambitious plans. After the chaos and
    carnage of September the 11th, it is not enough to serve our enemies
    with legal papers. With those attacks, the terrorists and their
    supporters declared war on the United States of America, and war is what
    they got.
        Our men and women in the military are taking great risks, and
    they're doing great work. At bases across our country and the world,
    I've had the privilege of meeting with those who defend our country and
    sacrifice for our security. I've seen their great decency and their
    unselfish courage. I can assure you, ladies and gentlemen, the cause of
    freedom is in good hands.
        This Nation is prosperous and strong, yet we need to remember that
    our greatest strength is in the hearts and souls of our citizens. We're
    strong because of the values we try to live by, courage and compassion,
    reverence and integrity. We're strong because of the institutions that
    help give us direction and purpose, our families, our schools, our
    religious congregations. These values and institutions are fundamental
    to our lives, and they deserve the respect of our Government.
        We stand for a fair treatment of faith-based groups, charitable
    groups of all faiths, so they can receive Federal support for their
    works of compassion and healing. We will not stand for Government
    discrimination against people of faith.
        We stand for welfare reforms that require work and strengthen
    marriage, which have helped millions of Americans find independence and
    dignity. We will not stand for any attempt to weaken those reforms and
    send people back into lives of dependence.
        We stand for a culture of life in which every person counts and
    every person matters. We will not stand for the treatment of

    [[Page 477]]

    any life as a commodity to be experimented upon, to be exploited, or to
    be cloned.
        We stand for the confirmation of judges who strictly and faithfully
    interpret the law. We will not stand for judges who undermine democracy
    by legislating from the bench and judges who try to remake the values of
    America by court order.
        We stand for a culture of responsibility in America. We're changing
    the culture of our country 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 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.
    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're responsible for telling the
    truth to your shareholders and your employees. And in the responsibility
    society, each of us is responsible for loving our neighbor just like
    we'd like to be loved ourself.
        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. These aren't one of those times. You and I are
    living in a period when the stakes are high, the challenges are
    difficult, a time when resolve is needed.
        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. I'll never forget the day. A guy looked at me and said, ``Don't
    let me down.'' A lot of the workers were shouting, ``Whatever it takes.
    Whatever it takes, Mr. President.'' As we all did that day, these men
    and women searching through the rubble took it personally. I took it
    personally. I have a responsibility that goes on. I will never relent in
    bringing justice to our enemies. I will defend America, whatever it
    takes.
        In these times, I've also been witness to the character of this
    Nation. Not so long ago, some had their doubts about the American
    character. They had doubts about our capacity to meet a serious
    challenge or to serve a cause greater than self-interest. Americans have
    given their answer. I've seen the unselfish courage of our troops. I've
    seen the heroism of Americans in the face of danger. I've seen the
    spirit of service and compassion renewed in our country. We've all seen
    our Nation unite in common purpose when it mattered most.
        We'll need all these qualities for the work ahead. We have a war to
    win. And the world is counting on us to lead the cause of freedom and
    peace. We have a duty to spread opportunity to every part 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.

    Note: The President spoke at 6:10 p.m. at the Park Plaza Hotel and
    Towers. In his remarks, he referred to Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts
    and his wife, Ann; former Gov. William F. Weld of Massachusetts; Joseph
    J. O'Donnell, fundraiser, and Mercer Reynolds, national finance
    chairman, Bush-Cheney '04, Inc.; and former President Saddam Hussein of
    Iraq.