[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 34 (Monday, August 23, 2004)]
[Pages 1637-1644]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]
<R04>
Remarks in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
August 18, 2004
The President. Thank you all for coming. It's great to be here in
Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. What a beautiful day. You know what I think?
I think Wisconsin is ``W'' country. I'm proud to be here. I appreciate
this warm hospitality. You know, my opponent said the other day, ``You
can find the heart and soul in Hollywood.'' I think you find it right
here in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. I'm glad to be with the heart and
soul of America.
And I'm here to ask for your vote. I believe if you're seeking the
vote, you've got to go ask for it. I'm here to tell you I've got more
work to do to make this country safer and stronger and better for every
single citizen. And I appreciate you coming out to say hello.
I'm sorry Laura is not with me.
Audience members. Aw-w-w!
The President. No, I know it. She's in Colorado today campaigning.
She is a fantastic First Lady, a great mom, and I love her dearly.
Listen, I'm going to give you some reasons to put me back in, but
perhaps the most important one is so that Laura is the First Lady for 4
more years.
I'm running with a good man. They call it the Bush-Cheney ticket.
I'm proud to be running with Dick Cheney. Now listen, I admit to you, he
isn't the prettiest one in the race. [Laughter] I didn't pick him for
his looks. [Laughter] I picked him for his judgment, his experience. I
picked him because he can get the job done.
I appreciate the Kell boys for having us over here, John and Tom. I
love to come to places where people are entrepreneurial, where people
are willing to expand the job base. That's what it's all about in this
country, to elevate the entrepreneurial spirit. And the Kells represent
that spirit, and I'm honored that you would have us here.
I appreciate being on the same stage with my friend Congressman Mark
Green. He's a good man. Treasurer Jack Voight is with us as well. I
appreciate you being here, Jack. I'm honored you're here. I want to
thank the mayor, Mayor Doug Sandvick, for being here. Mr. Mayor, thanks
for coming. My only advice to you, Mr. Mayor, is fill the potholes.
State Senator Dale Schultz, the next Congressman from this part of
the world, is with us today. I hope you put him in to the United States
Congress. He'll do a fine job for the people of this part of the world.
I appreciate all the State and local officials here. I want to thank
everybody for organizing this fantastic event.
I know you join me in congratulating the Hamm brothers from the
great State of Wisconsin for their performance in the Olympics. I know
they made the people of Wisconsin proud. They made this Texan proud too.
Most of all, I want to thank you all for coming. I want to thank the
grassroots activists who are here, people putting up the signs, the
people making the phone calls. I urge you to continue to register people
to vote. We have a duty in this country to vote. In a free land, people
must participate in the elections. So do your duty as grassroots
activists and continue to register people. Convince everybody to vote,
and when you get them headed to the polls, remind them George Bush and
Dick Cheney are willing and ready to lead this country for 4 more years.
Audience members. Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
The President. I'm traveling your State a lot. And I'm enjoying
every minute of it. You know why I'm coming back? We were close last
time. With your help, this time we
[[Page 1638]]
will carry Wisconsin and have a great victory in November of 2004.
In the past few years, we have been through a lot together, and
we've accomplished a great deal. But there's only one reason to look
backward at the record, and that is to determine who best to lead us
forward. I'm asking for your vote because so much is at stake. I'm
asking for your vote because we have so much more to do to move this
country forward. We've got more to do to create jobs and improve
schools, from fighting terror to spreading the peace. We've made much
progress, and we will do more on behalf of the American people.
We got more to do to make our public schools the centers of
excellence we all know they can be, so that no child is left behind in
America. You might remember what it was like 3\1/2\ years ago. We were
spending money at the Federal level, but year after year, children were
being shuffled from grade to grade without learning the basics. I went
to Washington to challenge the soft bigotry of low expectations. I
wanted to raise the bar. We've increased Federal funding, but now we're
asking the question that you expect us to ask: Can our children read and
write and add and subtract? And if not, we'll make sure they get help
early. We believe in local control of schools. We believe in parental
involvement, and we will challenge the status quo when we find schools
that will not teach and will not change.
There's more work to be done. We want to have early intervention
programs. We want to make sure we intervene in junior high when children
can't read and write. We want to make sure we emphasize math and science
so our kids have got the capabilities of competing in the 21st century.
We want our high school diplomas to mean something. After 4 more years,
a rising generation of youngsters will have the skills and the
confidence necessary to realize the great promise of the American Dream.
We've got more to do to make sure quality health care is available
and affordable. You might remember all the debates of the past, when
politician after politician said, ``We're going to fix Medicare.'' And
nothing ever got done till we came to town. We got the job done. We have
strengthened Medicare. More than 4 million seniors have signed up for
drug discount cards that provide real savings. And beginning in 2006,
all seniors on Medicare will be able to choose a plan that suits their
needs and gives them coverage for prescription drugs.
There's more to do. We've expanded community health centers to help
low-income America--Americans get primary care. We've established what's
called health savings accounts so families can save tax-free for their
own health care needs. When it comes to working on the issue of costs
and availability, we've made progress. There's more work to do be done.
You see, most people get their health care through businesses and most
small businesses cannot afford health care. And so, therefore,
Government must allow small businesses to pool risk so they can afford
health insurance for their employees, just like big businesses can.
We'll harness technology to reduce costs and prevent mistakes. We'll
expand research to seek new cures. In order to make sure your health
care system works, in order to make sure health care is available and
affordable, we must have medical liability reform. These frivolous
lawsuits are running up the cost of health care. 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 choose. My opponent made his choice, and he
put him on the ticket. I made my choice. I am for medical liability
reform now. And in all we do to improve health care, we will make sure
that health care decisions are made by patients and doctors, not by
Government bureaucrats.
There's more to do to keep this economy growing. We've been through
a lot. Our economy has overcome some mighty obstacles. We've been
through a recession. We've been through corporate scandals. We've been
through a war and a terrorist attack. And yet, we've overcome those
obstacles because the spirit of this country is strong. Our workers are
great. Our farmers are really good. The small-business sector is vibrant
and alive. And I think one of the reasons we've come through these
obstacles is because of well-timed tax cuts.
When we saw what was happening, we acted. We said to the Congress,
``Let people
[[Page 1639]]
keep more of their own money.'' Notice I said more of their own money; I
didn't say Government money. If they have money in Washington, it's not
the Government's money; it's your money. And by letting you keep more of
your own money, this economy is growing. It's strong, and it's getting
stronger. Our economy since last summer has grown at a rate as fast as
any in nearly 20 years. We've added over 1.5 million--nearly 1.5 million
new jobs in the past year. The national unemployment rate is 5.5
percent. The unemployment rate in Wisconsin is 5 percent. We've done our
job. We've created the conditions for economic growth, but there is more
work to do.
I'm proud of our agricultural agenda. We set out a good agenda for
Wisconsin's and America's farmers. You know, when I was campaigning, I
said these dairy compacts must treat every farmer fairly. When you get
people heading to the polls, remind them of what my opponent said. He
supported a Northeast dairy compact, which put the farmers in this part
of the world at a distinct disadvantage.
I believe there's more work to do to make sure this economy
continues to grow. I want to continue and open up markets. You see, I
believe we can compete with anybody, anytime, anywhere, so long as the
playing field is level. I want people eating Wisconsin corn. I want them
eating Wisconsin dairy products. Our farm economy is strong because
markets are open to U.S. farm products, and I'll keep it that way.
There's more work to be done to make sure people have got work here
at home. Listen, to make sure jobs are here, we need a national energy
policy that makes us less dependent on foreign sources of energy, energy
policy that encourages environmentally sensitive exploration for
resources, clean coal technology, renewable sources of energy like
biodiesel and ethanol, more conservation. But we must, in order to keep
jobs here, have an energy policy. Congress needs to get my plan to my
desk for my signature.
In order to make sure jobs are here, we've got to have reasonable
regulations. Many of you fill out a lot of paperwork. I can't guarantee
anybody in Government has read it. [Laughter] But I do know that in
order to make sure jobs are here, we've got to be reasonable about the
requests we put on employers. We need tort reform here in America. We
need fiscal discipline when it comes to spending your money. We got to
be wise about how we spend it, and we must keep your taxes low.
This campaign is getting cranked up. My opponent has already
promised over $2 trillion of new spending, and there's still 2 more
months to go. [Laughter] So I asked him the other day, ``How are you
going to pay for it?'' He said, ``Tax the rich.'' The problem is, you
can't tax the rich enough to raise $2 trillion. So guess who's going to
pay? You are. But we're not going to let him. We're going to win in
November of 2004.
Audience members. Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
The President. We have more to do to wage and win the war against
terror. America's future depends on our willingness to lead in the
world. If America shows uncertainty and weakness in this decade, the
world will drift toward tragedy. This isn't going to 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 around the world, including
the United States of America. Because we acted, Afghanistan is a rising
democracy. Because we acted, Afghanistan is an ally in the war on
terror. And because we acted, many young girls go to school for the
first time in their lives. Because we acted, 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 easy-to-understand message, the leader of Libya has
abandoned his 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
[[Page 1640]]
American pilots enforcing the world's sanctions. He had used weapons of
mass destruction. He harbored terrorists. He invaded his neighbors. He
subsidized the families of suicide bombers. He killed tens of thousands
of his own citizens. He was a source of great instability in the world's
most volatile region. He was a threat. He was a threat.
One of the lessons of September the 11th, a vital lesson of this
country that we must never forget, is that we must take threats
seriously before they fully materialize. I went to the United States
Congress to get congressional support. Members of both political parties
looked at the same intelligence, remembered the same history. Both
Republicans and Democrats, including my opponent, came to the same
conclusion: Saddam Hussein was a threat.
Listen, the toughest decision a President can ever make is to send
citizens into combat. And so I went to the United Nations, hoping to
solve this problem diplomatically. I said to the United Nations, ``We
see a threat.'' They responded. They looked at the intelligence. They
remembered the history. The U.N. Security Council passed a resolution 15
to nothing that said Saddam Hussein must disclose, disarm, or face
serious consequences.
The world spoke, but as he had for over a decade, Saddam Hussein
defied the world. He wasn't listening to what the world said. As a
matter of fact, you might remember, we sent inspectors into Iraq. He
systematically deceived the inspectors.
So I had a choice to make: Do I forget the lessons of September the
11th and trust a madman, or take action to defend America? Given that
choice, I will defend our country every time.
Even though we didn't find the stockpiles we expected to find,
Saddam Hussein had the capability of making weapons, and he could have
passed that capability on to our enemies. It's a risk we could not
afford to take after the attacks of September the 11th. Knowing what I
know today, I would have made the same decision. America and the world
are safer because Saddam Hussein sits in a prison cell.
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. See, after months of questioning my motives and even my
credibility, the Senator from Massachusetts now agrees with me that even
though we have not found the stockpiles we all thought we would have
found, knowing everything we know today, he would have voted to go into
Iraq and remove Saddam Hussein from power. I want to thank him for
clearing that up. [Laughter] But I want to remind you--I want to remind
you, there's still 76 days left in the campaign for him to change his
mind. [Laughter]
We have more to do. I'm running again because I understand there's
more work to do to secure America. We will continue to work with our
friends and allies around the world to aggressively pursue the
terrorists and the foreign fighters in Iraq and Afghanistan and
elsewhere. See, I don't believe you can talk sense to these people. I do
not believe you can negotiate with them. I know we must engage these
enemies around the world so we do not have to face them here at home.
We will lead the world with confidence and moral clarity. We've put
together a great coalition. There's over 40 nations involved in
Afghanistan, some 30 nations involved in Iraq. I appreciate the
sacrifice of the moms and dads from those countries who've joined with
the sacrifices of the moms and dads of our countries, to have their
loved ones overseas securing freedom and peace. It's a great
contribution that these countries have made. I'll continue to work with
those alliances. But I'll assure you, I will never turn over America's
national security decisions to leaders of other countries.
We'll keep our commitments to Afghanistan and Iraq. It's important
we do so. These countries are becoming free countries, peaceful
countries. Do you realize over 9 million people have registered to vote
in Afghanistan? It's an amazing thought, you know? Three-and-a-half
years ago, they were run by the Taliban. They pulled women into the
public square to whip them. Today, women are getting ready to vote.
They're headed toward freedom. Iraq is going to head toward
[[Page 1641]]
free elections. They got leaders who understand that if you listen to
the aspirations of your people, the country will be better off. Our job
is to provide a secure environment for those countries to head toward
elections and, as well, train Iraqi and Afghan forces so they can defend
themselves--to give them a chance to defeat those killers who are
stopping the advance of freedom. We'll complete this mission as quickly
as possible so our troops do not stay a day longer than necessary.
But in this campaign, you better watch what you say. The other day,
my opponent said if he's elected the number of troops in Iraq will be
significantly reduced within 6 months. See, that's a bad signal to send
to the enemy. All they got to do is wait 6 months and 1 day. It's a bad
signal to send to our troops, that your mission won't be completed. It's
a bad signal to send to the Iraqi citizens who wonder whether or not
America will keep its word. I believe when America speaks, we must mean
what we say. We will complete the mission so Iraq and Afghanistan are
free and peaceful countries.
Our commitment are kept by the men and women who wear the uniform.
I'm proud of our military. I appreciate the veterans who are here for
setting such a good example for those who wear our uniforms. I met
Specialist Wayne Trimbell, behind the stage here. He's from the 724th
Engineering Battalion of the Wisconsin National Guard. He served our
country in Iraq. He was telling me how he built bridges and roads and
installed electricity. He said, ``It made me recognize the things
America takes for granted. I'm proud to say I served my country.'' I'm
proud he served his country too. I know the decency and courage of those
who wear our uniform. The cause of freedom and peace is in really good
hands.
And we got to make sure our military has everything they need to
complete the mission. Our Federal Government owes them the best pay, the
best training, the best equipment, and the best possible support. I have
done my duty as the Commander in Chief to support our troops. As a
matter of fact, last September, I went to the Congress and asked for
supplemental funding. I asked Congress to spend money for spare parts
and body armor and fuel. And we got great support in the halls of
Congress. Matter of fact, that support was so strong that only 12 United
States Senators voted against the supplemental funding to support our
troops in combat, 2 of whom are my opponent and his runningmate.
Audience members. Boo-o-o!
The President. When asked about why, he said, well, he actually did
vote for the $87 billion right before he voted against it. [Laughter] I
don't think people talk like that here. He went on to say, when pressed,
that he was proud of his vote, and then he said, ``The whole thing was a
complicated matter.'' There's nothing complicated about supporting our
troops in combat.
We've had the largest increases in defense spending since Ronald
Reagan was the President. Military pay has gone up by 21 percent since
I've been the President. The housing conditions are better for those who
wear our uniform. Today I'm going to announce a new proposal to help our
men and women activated for duty in the National Guard and Reserves.
These brave Americans put their jobs on hold and leave their family
behind when we called. Yet, under current rules, their education
benefits don't reflect the high value of service we place on their time
and duty. My proposal will help correct that by substantially increasing
monthly education benefits for all Guard members and reservists on
active duty for more than 90 consecutive days.
As well, we'll help our children of military families meet the
challenges of a life on the move. People are going from base to base,
and these moves often conflict with school rules from State to State. So
we're going to put out grant money to help States ease the burden so
it's more seamless for families to go from one State to the next, so
their education--their kids get a great education. What I'm telling you
is, we'll continue to stand side by side with those who wear the uniform
and the family members of those who wear the uniform.
In the long run, our security is not guaranteed by force alone. We
will work to change the conditions that give rise to terror, poverty,
and hopelessness and resentment. You see, a free and peaceful Iraq and a
free and
[[Page 1642]]
peaceful Afghanistan will be powerful examples in a part of the world
that is desperate for freedom. Freedom--free countries do not export
terror. Free countries do not stifle the dreams of their citizens.
I know we've got a mom here whose son is overseas. I want to tell
you, your son is serving during historic times. By serving the cause of
liberty, we're helping others realize their dreams, and we're making
America more secure. By serving the cause of liberty, we're spreading
peace. By serving the cause of liberty, we're serving the deepest ideals
of our own country. Americans understand freedom is not America's gift
to the world; freedom is the Almighty God's gift to each man and woman
in this world. Thank you for your son's service.
We'll do more to protect our country because there's enemies still
out there who hate us. It's a reality of the times we're in. My opponent
says--and this is a difference of opinion--I think you're going to find
there's a lot of differences of opinion in this campaign--[laughter]--he
says that going to war with the terrorists is actually improving their
recruiting efforts. I think the logic--I know the logic is upside-down.
It shows a misunderstanding of the nature of these people. See, during
the 1990s, these killers and terrorists were recruiting and training for
war with us, long before we went to war with them. They don't need an
excuse for their hatred. It's wrong to blame America for anger and the
evil of these killers. We don't create terrorists by fighting back; you
defeat the terrorists by fighting back.
We've started the hard process of reform in Washington. I emphasize
``hard process.'' We've created the new Department of Homeland Security.
There's a lot of good people working hard at the Federal, State, and
local level to protect you and the citizens, and I appreciate their hard
work. Listen, the PATRIOT Act is a vital tool for our law enforcement to
be able to find these terrorists before they attack again. Our FBI
agents are working overtime. We're sharing information better than ever
before. We'll continue to work to make sure our intelligence gathering
is the best in the world so we can better protect the homeland, and
we'll continue to push for reforms in Washington.
But it's not enough to advocate reform. You got to get the job done.
That's what this campaign is really all about. When it comes to
reforming schools to provide excellent education for every child, we're
getting the job done. When it comes to available and affordable health
care, we're getting the job done. When it comes to overcoming the
obstacles to our economy and creating jobs, we're getting the job done.
When it comes to securing America and spreading freedom and peace, we're
getting the job done. When it comes to electing a President, put
somebody back in office who can get the job done.
Audience members. Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
The President. We're living in exciting times, and these are times
of change, and change can be unsettling. And one way for Government to
help people during times of change is to make sure there's a lifetime of
learning for workers at our community college systems. Another way to
help is to promote an ownership society. See, we want people owning and
managing their own health care accounts, where if they change jobs it
goes with them from job to job.
I'm worried about our Social Security system. I'm not worried about
it for baby boomers like me. There's--the system is solvent. But if
you're a younger worker, I think it's important that you be allowed to
have your own personal savings account that you can carry with you
throughout your life, to pass generation to generation.
In changing times, I love the idea of more and more Americans owning
their own home. Today, the homeownership rate is the highest it's ever
been in our Nation's history. Think about this: More and more of our
citizens are opening up their door saying, ``Welcome to my home. Welcome
to my piece of property.'' I like the idea that more and more people in
America are owning their own business. We'll continue to work for an
ownership society in America. We understand that when you own something,
you have a vital stake in the future of our country.
And during these changing times, though, there's some things that
won't change: our belief in liberty and opportunity and the
nonnegotiable demands of human dignity; the
[[Page 1643]]
values we try to live by, courage and compassion, reverence and
integrity; the institutions that give us direction and purpose, our
families, our schools, and our religious congregations. We 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 will faithfully
interpret the law instead of legislating from the bench.
We stand for a culture of responsibility. Listen, the culture of
this country is changing from one that has said, ``If it feels good, do
it,'' and ``If you 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 and all
your soul. If you're worried about the quality of education in this
community, you're responsible for doing something about it. You're
responsible for supporting your teachers and your school board members
and supporting the schools. 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.
I'm running for 4 more years to continue to rally the armies of
compassion which exist all across our country. I understand the
limitations of Government. Government can hand out money, but it cannot
put hope in a person's heart or a sense of purpose in a person's life.
That happens when a loving soul steps up and says, ``What can I do for
you? How can I help you? I love you. Can I make a difference in your
life?''
Listen, there are thousands of people all across the country serving
this Nation by helping somebody who hurts. To rally the armies of
compassion means to call upon our citizens to continue hearing a call,
because I understand we can change America one heart, one soul, and once
conscience at a time.
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. This isn't one of those times. This is a time
where we need firm resolve. This is a time where we need clear vision.
This is a time where we need steadfast belief in the values that make
this country a great country.
You know, I'll never forget the day when one era ended and another
began, and I know you won't either. I was in the ruins of the Twin
Towers on September the 14th, 2001. I clearly remember the workers in
hardhats screaming at me, ``Whatever it takes.'' I remember shaking
people's hands and thanking them, looking in a guy's eyes; they were
bloodshot. He was tired and worn out. He'd been looking for a buddy in
the rubble. He said, ``Do not let me down.''
See, he took that day personally. Everybody searching in the rubble
took it personally. You took it personally, and so did I. I have a duty
that goes on. I wake up every day thinking about how best to protect
this country. I will never relent in chasing down the enemy and securing
America, whatever it takes.
We've come through a lot together. We've come through a lot
together. We've done a lot of hard work. We're making a difference.
During the next 4 years, we'll spread ownership and opportunity
throughout every corner of America. We'll pass the enduring values of
our country on to a younger generation. We'll lead the cause of freedom
and work to spread the peace.
When I campaigned in Wisconsin 4 years ago, I said, if you give me
the high honor of holding this office, I would uphold the dignity and
honor of the Presidency. And with your help and with your hard work, I
will do so for 4 more years.
God bless. Thank you all for coming. I'm honored you're here. Thank
you all.
Note: The President spoke at 11:43 a.m. at the Kell Container Corp. In
his remarks, he referred to John Kell, president, and Tom Kell, chief
executive officer, Kell Container Corp.; Wisconsin State Treasurer Jack
C. Voight; Mayor Doug Sandvick of Chippewa Falls, WI; Dale Schultz,
candidate for Congress in Wisconsin's Third Congressional District; Paul
and Morgan Hamm, who won silver medals as members of the U.S. men's
gymnastics team at the Olympics in Athens, Greece, on August 16; Col.
Muammar Abu
[[Page 1644]]
Minyar al-Qadhafi, leader of Libya; and former President Saddam Hussein
of Iraq.