[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 36 (Monday, September 6, 2004)]
[Pages 1810-1815]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks in West Allis, Wisconsin

September 3, 2004

    The President. Thank you all. Thank you all for coming. Thank you 
all. That's what I'm here to tell you. I've got the vision, the desire 
to lead this country for 4 more years. I want to thank you all for 
coming. Before I thank you for the work you're going to do and before I 
talk to you about why I want to be your President for 4 more years, I do 
want to address several situations in the news that call for our concern 
and prayers.
    En route here we just received news that President Clinton has been 
hospitalized in New York. He is in our thoughts and prayers. We send him 
our best wishes for a swift and speedy recovery.
    In Florida, our citizens are bracing for yet another hurricane. Many 
people there are being displaced from their homes. The Federal 
Government stands ready to help the people of Florida in any way we can, 
and the people there need to know all America is praying for their 
safety.
    And finally, in Russia, hundreds of agonized parents are worried 
about the fate of their children. This is yet another grim reminder of 
the lengths to which terrorists will go to threaten the civilized world. 
We mourn the innocent lives that have been lost. We stand with the 
people of Russia. We send them our prayers in this terrible situation.
    And finally, I'm here to thank you for your help, thank you for 
registering people to vote, thank you for working hard. There is no 
doubt in my mind, we will carry Wisconsin and carry this country.
    We love coming to Wisconsin. It's the home of some really fine 
people. It's a beautiful State, and you play great football. You know, 
it's traditional when politicians come to your State that they talk 
about the Packers. And I understand my opponent did it the other day, 
and he even mentioned the legendary stadium in Green Bay. [Laughter] 
Listen, I've got some advice for him: If someone offers you a 
cheesehead, don't say you want some wine. [Laughter] Just put it on your 
head and take a seat at Lambeau Field.
    I'm going to give you some reasons to put me in, but perhaps the 
most important one of all is so that Laura will be First Lady for 4 more 
years. Man, she gave a great speech. You know, when I asked her to marry 
me, it was in Midland, Texas. She said, ``I'll marry you so long as I 
don't ever have to give a speech.'' [Laughter] I said, ``Okay,'' but 
fortunately, she didn't hold me to the promise. The country got to see 
that she is calm, steady, compassionate, and a great First Lady.
    I want to thank--the other night I had a chance to thank publicly my 
runningmate, Dick Cheney. He's a fine man. You know, I admit it, he's 
not the prettiest face in the race. I didn't pick him for his looks. I 
picked him because of his judgment, his experience, and his ability to 
get the job done.
    I want to thank three Members of the United States Congress from 
Wisconsin who are here today. Jim Sensenbrenner, the chairman, is with 
us today--appreciate you. Tom Petri is with us today. Congressman, thank 
you for coming. And Congressman Mark Green is with us today. I 
appreciate you coming, Mark.
    I want to thank my friend Scott Walker, who is here today. If he 
plays his cards right, they may just start calling him ``W.'' I 
appreciate Mary Panzer and John Gard. I want to thank all the State and 
local officials who are here.
    I want to thank the Democrats for Bush national cochairman, who is 
with us, Brian Lunde. You know, Brian and Zell Miller--they're leading--
they're on to something. [Laughter] There's a lot of discerning 
Democrats who understand that 4 more years will make this country safer, 
stronger, and better.

[[Page 1811]]

    Audience members. Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
    The President. And this campaign welcomes all Democrats and 
independents. Our vision includes everybody. Our message is for every 
single citizen in this country.
    I appreciate my friend Jim Klauser and all the grassroots activists 
who are here. Thanks for putting up the signs. Thanks for making the 
phone calls. Thanks for registering the voters, and thank you for 
turning out our voters, come November, to the polls.
    I am honored that Greg Gracz is with us today. He is the president 
of the Milwaukee Professional Firefighters Association, Local 215. I 
received the endorsement from 215 and the firefighters. I proudly accept 
your support. Bradley DeBraska is with us. He is the president of the 
Milwaukee Police Association. I thank them for their endorsement as 
well. I am proud to stand with the police and firefighters of Milwaukee, 
Wisconsin.
    I want to, finally, thank West Allis Central High School band. Thank 
you all for coming.
    Listen, we're approaching an historic national election. The time 
for choosing is coming close. This election will come down to the 
records we have built, the convictions we hold, and the vision that 
guides us forward. I'm looking forward to this campaign. I'm looking 
forward because I understand a Presidential contest is a contest for the 
future. Over the next 2 months, I will tell you where I stand. I'm going 
to tell you where I'm going to lead this country. I'll tell you what I 
believe.
    I believe every child can learn and every school must teach. I 
believe we have a moral responsibility to honor our seniors. That is why 
we strengthened Medicare. And one of the most important partners I had 
in accomplishing this political promise I made to the American people 
was Tommy Thompson, the great former Governor of Wisconsin. He's a good 
one. He's a great member of my Cabinet and a very close friend. Thanks 
for training him. [Laughter]
    I believe now, and I will believe forever, in the energy and 
innovative spirit of the American worker, the American small-business 
owner, the American farmer and rancher. And that is why we unleashed 
that energy with the largest tax relief in a generation.
    We have overcome a recession, corporate scandals, a terrorist 
attack. Our economy is growing, and it is getting stronger. This 
morning, we received the jobs report for August, and it shows that our 
economy has added 144,000 new jobs, plus revisions of upwards of 60,000 
for the two previous months. We gained 22,000 manufacturing jobs last 
month. The national unemployment rate is down to 5.4 percent. That is 
nearly a full point below the rate last summer and well below the 
average of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. The unemployment rate in your 
great State is 4.7 percent.
    By supporting our small-business owners, our entrepreneurs, and our 
workers, the economy of Wisconsin is strong, and it is getting stronger.
    The most solemn duty of the American President is to protect the 
American people. If America shows uncertainty and weakness in this 
decade, the world will drift toward tragedy. This is not going to happen 
on my watch.
    Audience members. U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!
    The President. I am running for President with a clear and positive 
plan to build a safer world and a more hopeful America. I'm running with 
a compassionate conservative agenda that says Government should help 
people improve their lives, not give people orders on how to run their 
lives. I believe this Nation wants steady, consistent, principled 
leadership, and that is why, with your help, we're going to retain the 
White House in November of '04.
    This world of ours is changing. I want you to know I understand 
that. We're changing jobs. Many people have many careers and jobs during 
their lifetime. That's not the way it used to be. Women are now working 
inside the house and outside the house. The workforce is changing. And 
it's a time of great opportunity here in America, but Government must 
stand side by side with the American people during times of change.
    I want you to hear this. Many of the fundamental systems of our 
society, the Tax Code, health coverage, pension plans, and worker 
training, were created for the world of yesterday, not tomorrow. In 
order to make sure that the American people have a chance to

[[Page 1812]]

realize their dreams, we must change these fundamental systems to enable 
people to better realize their own hopes and aspirations. Any plan 
begins with making sure this economy stays strong, and my plan does 
that. See, to create more jobs in America, we must have an atmosphere in 
which America is the best place in the world to do business.
    That means we must have an energy policy in this country. I 
submitted a plan to the Congress 2 years ago that encouraged 
conservation, encouraged the development of renewable sources of energy, 
encouraged clean coal technology, encouraged using our resources at home 
more wisely. In order to keep jobs in America, we must become less 
dependent on foreign sources of energy.
    We open up our markets from goods and services from overseas. They 
need to open up their markets. The best trade policy is to create a 
level playing field, because we can compete with anybody, anytime, 
anywhere, as long as the rules are fair.
    To keep jobs here, we must reduce the regulations on our small 
businesses. We must get rid of these frivolous and junk lawsuits that 
are making it hard on employers. We must be wise about how we spend your 
money, and we must keep your taxes low. We have a difference in this 
campaign. My opponent already has promised $2 trillion of new spending.
    Audience members. Boo-o-o!
    The President. Yes. And we've still got the rest of September and 
October to go. [Laughter] So they said, ``How are you going to pay for 
it? How are you going to pay for all these promises?'' He said, ``Oh, 
don't worry, I'll just tax the rich.'' You've heard that before, haven't 
you? You know how that works. The rich dodge, and you get stuck with the 
bill. But we're not going to let him tax you because we're going to win 
in November.
     One of the systems that needs to be changed is our Tax Code. It is 
a complicated mess. It is full of special interest loopholes. We spend 
about 6 billion hours to try to fill out forms. In a second term, I will 
call together Republicans and Democrats to reform and simplify the 
Federal Tax Code.
    Our worker training programs need to be updated and modernized. 
Listen, there are new jobs being created, but oftentimes, workers don't 
have the skills to meet those jobs. There's a skills gap. We will close 
that gap by making sure the worker training programs work, by expanding 
access to community colleges, by giving our workers a chance to be able 
to fill the jobs of the 21st century.
    In order to make sure that people realize their dreams here in 
America, we got to make sure our education system works well. Listen, 
most new jobs are filled by people with at least 2 years of college. 
Yet, in this country, only one in four students gets there. We can do a 
better job than that. We'll fund early intervention programs in high 
schools to make sure children don't get discouraged and fall behind. 
We'll place a new focus on math and science. We'll require a rigorous 
exam before graduation. What I'm telling you is, by raising performance 
in our high schools and by expanding Pell grants for low-and middle-
income families, we will help more Americans start their careers with a 
college diploma.
    In a time of change, we must do more to make sure quality health 
care is available and affordable. More than one-half of the uninsured in 
America are small-business employees. Many small businesses are having 
trouble affording health care. In a new term, we must allow small firms 
to join together to purchase insurance at the discounts big companies 
get.
    Last night I proposed new steps to encourage small businesses and 
employees and low-income Americans to set up health savings accounts. 
These accounts give workers the security of insurance against major 
illness, the opportunity to save tax-free for routine health expenses, 
and the freedom of knowing you can take your account with you whenever 
you change jobs. Under my plan, small businesses will receive a rebate 
when they contribute to their employees' health savings accounts.
    I met with Judy Geiger today. She is a small-business owner. She is 
from Cudahy. She used to provide her employees a PPO. The rising cost of 
premiums made her change. Last month she signed up for a health savings 
account. She's saving about $300 a month on her personal premiums and

[[Page 1813]]

$2,000 a month on the premiums for her employees. Here's what she said. 
She said, ``It's wonderful to have this opportunity for our people.'' 
What I'm telling you is, there are ways to hold down costs, ways to help 
small businesses, ways to make sure people have got insurance. And we 
have got a plan to do that.
    A big problem in America is the frivolous lawsuits that are running 
up the cost of your medicine and running docs out of business. You 
cannot be pro-doctor and pro-patient and pro-plaintiff-attorney at the 
same time. You have to choose. My opponent made his choice, and he put 
him on the ticket. [Laughter] I made my choice. I am for medical 
liability reform--now.
    I'm for an ownership society because I know in changing times, if 
you own something, it brings stability to your life. You know, one of 
the most fantastic statistics today is the homeownership rate is at an 
alltime high in America. We'll continue to promote homeownership. As I 
said last night, there's nothing better than somebody opening their door 
and saying, ``Welcome to my home. Welcome to my piece of property.''
    Our retirement systems must change with the times. If you're a baby 
boomer, Social Security is just fine. If you're older than being a baby 
boomer, you're in great shape. Nothing is going to change. But if you're 
a younger worker, you better listen carefully to the debate in this 
campaign. I believe younger workers ought to be able to save some of 
their taxes in a personal account, a nest egg they can call their own. A 
clear difference in philosophy in this campaign--if you listen 
carefully, you'll understand my opponent is running to expand 
Government. We're running to expand opportunity.
    In a world of change, some things don't change: the values that we 
try to live by, courage, compassion, reverence, and integrity; the 
institutions which are important to our society, our families, our 
schools, and our religious congregations. Because family and work are 
sources of dignity and stability, I support welfare reform that 
strengthens family and requires work. I support a culture of life in 
which every person matters and every person counts. We strongly support 
the religious charities that are providing hope to millions. Government 
should never discriminate against faith-based programs. We support 
family and marriage, which are the foundations of our society. I will 
continue to appoint Federal judges who know the difference between 
personal opinion and the strict interpretation of the law.
    This election will also determine how America responds to the 
continuing danger of terrorism. Since the terrible morning of September 
the 11th, 2001, we have fought the terrorist across the Earth, not for 
pride, not for power, but because the lives of our citizens are at 
stake. Our strategy is clear. We're defending the homeland. We're 
transforming our military. We're strengthening our intelligence 
services. We're staying on the offensive. We're striking the terrorists 
abroad so we do not have to face them here at home.
    And we're working to advance liberty in the broader Middle East, 
because we know freedom will bring hope and peace, the peace we all 
want. Our strategy is working. Just remember this: Four years ago, 
Afghanistan was the home base of Al Qaida; Pakistan was a transit point 
for terrorist groups; Saudi was fertile ground for terrorist 
fundraising; Libya was secretly pursuing nuclear weapons; Iraq was a 
gathering threat; and Al Qaida was largely unchallenged as it planned 
its attacks. Because we acted, because we were resolute and strong and 
firm, the Government of a free Afghanistan is fighting terror; Pakistan 
is capturing terrorists; Saudi is making raids and arrests; Libya is 
dismantling its weapons programs; the army of a free Iraq is fighting 
for freedom. And more than three-quarters--three-quarters--of Al Qaida's 
key members and associates have been detained or killed. We have led, 
many have joined, and America and the world are safer.
    This progress involved careful diplomacy, clear moral purpose, and 
some tough decisions. The toughest one of all was in Iraq. We knew 
Saddam Hussein's record of aggression and support for terror. Remember, 
he subsidized the families of suicide bombers. Terrorist organizations 
were in and out of his country, people like Zarqawi and his network or 
Abu Nidal and his network. We knew his long history of pursuing and 
using weapons of mass destruction. And we know

[[Page 1814]]

that after September the 11th, this Nation must take threats seriously 
before they fully materialize.
    In Saddam Hussein, we saw a threat. So I went to the United States 
Congress. They looked at the same intelligence I did, remembered the 
same history of Saddam, and they saw a threat. My opponent looked at the 
very same intelligence, and when asked to vote on a resolution that 
authorized the use of force, he voted ``aye.''
    The last choice of the Commander in Chief is to put troops in harm's 
way. So I felt it was important to try diplomacy. I went to the United 
Nations. The United Nations looked at the same intelligence, and the 
United Nations Security Council resolved--unanimously resolved--that 
Saddam Hussein must disclose, disarm, or face serious consequences.
    The world had spoken, but as he had for over a decade, he ignored 
this resolution as well as over 10 resolutions. He had no intention of 
listening to the demands of the free world. As a matter of fact, he 
deceived the inspectors that were going in to try to get him to adhere 
to the demands of the free world. We had given him a choice, a final 
choice. It was his decision to make, and he clearly made his decision. 
So I had a choice to make: Trust the word of a madman and forget the 
lessons of September the 11th, or take action to defend the country. 
Given that choice, I will defend America every time.
    Audience members. U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!
    The President. Because we acted, because we took action to defend 
ourselves, more than 50 million people have been liberated. I like to 
tell people these are historic times. I truly believe they are. One 
reason I say that is because I've seen what's happened in Afghanistan. 
This is a country that has gone from darkness to light, a country where 
the Taliban wouldn't even let young girls go to school. They'd whip 
their mothers in the public squares or kill them because of their 
beliefs. They were backward, and they were wrong. And yet today--yet 
today, 3 years after the liberation, 10 million Afghan citizens have 
registered to vote.
    Freedom is powerful. In Iraq, there's a strong Prime Minister, a 
national council. National elections in that country are scheduled for 
January. Our strategy is clear. We will stand with the people to help 
them start their political process. We will train Afghan citizens and 
Iraqi citizens so they can defend themselves against the few who are 
trying to stop the march of liberty. Our troops will stay there as long 
as necessary to finish the mission, and they will come home with the 
honor they have earned.
    We have a great United States military. I want to thank all the 
veterans who have set such a fine example for those who wear our 
uniform. I have made a commitment to our troops and their families. They 
will have all the support they need from the Federal Government to 
complete their mission. That is why I went to the Congress last 
September and asked for $87 billion of supplemental funding to support 
them in their missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. This money was for fuel 
and spare parts, ammunition, hazard pay, health benefits. It was a vital 
funding request. We got great support. As a matter of fact, all but 12 
United States Senators voted to support the funding. Two of those who 
voted against it were my opponent and his runningmate.
    Audience members. Boo-o-o!
    The President. Only four United States Senators voted to authorize 
the use of force and then voted against funding our troops. Two of those 
Senators were my opponent and his runningmate.
    Audience members. Boo-o-o!
    The President. So they asked him, ``Why did you vote?'' He said, 
``Well, I actually did vote for the $87 billion, before I voted against 
it.'' [Laughter] That's what he said.
    Audience members. Flip-flop! Flip-flop! Flip-flop!
    The President. Then he said he's proud of his vote, and then he said 
the whole thing was a complicated matter. There is nothing complicated 
about supporting our troops in combat.
    During the next 4 years, I'll continue to build alliances. You know, 
there's nearly 40 nations involved in Afghanistan, some 30 nations in 
Iraq. I'm proud of their service to the cause of freedom and peace. 
We'll continue to build those alliances, but I will never

[[Page 1815]]

turn over America's national security decisions to leaders of other 
countries.
    I believe in the transformational power of liberty. I've seen it 
happen throughout history, and so have you. We've seen nations in our 
own hemisphere become free nations and allies in the sake of peace. Our 
parents' generation saw the transformational power of liberty when, 
after World War II, Japan, because we believed in democracy, Japan 
became a friend. You know, I sit down at the table with Prime Minister 
Koizumi and discuss North Korea and other issues, on how to keep the 
peace. I'm able to do so because my predecessor and other citizens of 
this great country believed that liberty could convert an enemy into a 
friend.
    There was a lot of cynics and doubters in those days. You can 
understand why. Japan was a fierce enemy. I mean, people couldn't 
envision how liberty could transform a society. But there were fellow 
countrypeople of ours who did believe that then. And today we sit down 
with an enemy and talk about the peace. See, that's what's taking place. 
Liberty is powerful. Someday an American President is going to be 
sitting down with a duly elected leader of Iraq talking about keeping 
the peace, talking about--[applause].
    A free Afghanistan and a free Iraq will set powerful examples in a 
neighborhood that is desperate for freedom. Women who long for freedom 
in the Middle East will see examples of a free society in their 
neighborhood. Young men will realize a free society is one in which they 
can realize their hopes and aspirations; they don't have to strap 
suicide belts on. Freedom is powerful. I'll tell you why I believe so 
strongly in freedom. I understand it's not America's gift to the world. 
It's the Almighty God's gift to every man and woman in this world.
    I believe we're living in a century that will be called the century 
of liberty. By promoting freedom at home and abroad, we'll build a safer 
world and a more hopeful America. Over the next 4 years, we'll continue 
to work hard for the American people to reform those institutions that 
need to change to make you more free. We'll spread ownership to every 
corner of this country. Opportunity will abound. We'll pass the enduring 
values of our country on to a young generation. We'll be steadfast in 
our pursuit of freedom and peace, and we will prevail.
    For all Americans, these years in our history will stand apart. 
There are quiet times in the life of a nation when little is expected of 
its leaders. This is not one of those times. This is a time that 
requires firm resolve, clear vision, and an unshakeable belief in the 
values that make us a great country.
    When I traveled your State 4 years ago, I made a pledge to you. I 
said if I was honored to be able to hold this great office, I would 
uphold the honor and the dignity of the office to which I had been 
elected. With your help, for 4 more years I will continue to uphold the 
honor and the dignity of the White House.
    God bless you.

Note: The President spoke at 12:38 p.m. at the Wisconsin Exposition 
Center. In his remarks, he referred to Milwaukee County Executive Scott 
Walker; Wisconsin State Senator Mary E. Panzer; Wisconsin State 
Representative John Gard; James R. Klauser, chair, Wisconsin Leadership 
Team, Bush-Cheney '04, Inc.; senior Al Qaida associate Abu Musab Al 
Zarqawi; Prime Minister Ayad al-Alawi of the Iraqi Interim Government; 
and Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan. The transcript released 
by the Office of the Press Secretary also included the remarks of the 
First Lady, who introduced the President.