    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 40 (Monday, October 4, 2004)]
    [Pages 2195-2197]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Remarks at a Debate Watch Party in Coral Gables, Florida

    September 30, 2004

        The President. Thank you all for being here. Anything worthwhile on
    TV tonight? [Laughter] I enjoyed it. I had a good time

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    up there talking about what I believe. No, it's not hard to debate if
    you know what's in your heart, know where you want to lead this country.
        Listen, I too want to thank the people of this State for their
    courage, compassion, and decency in the face of incredible suffering.
    These four hurricanes came to this State, and the people of this State
    have risen up. And when they found a neighbor in need, they provided
    compassion and help. When they found somebody who's hurting, they
    provided succor needed. And I thank the people of this State so very
    much for setting such a great example for the rest of our country.
        There I was, standing there on the stage, and guess who I was
    looking at the whole time? Laura. If you could see a smile occasionally
    come across my face, that's because I was looking at a lady I love. Then
    occasionally I'd glance over and see Barbara and Jenna. I love them too.
    Oh, yes. I want to thank Jenna and Barbara for working so hard in this
    campaign. I want to thank Laura for her great compassion and composure.
        I want to thank my brother Jeb for being such a great Governor for
    Florida. I mean, when this State needed him, needed his leadership, he
    showed up. He'd been every--he's been all over this State, working hard
    to make sure that those who have suffered realize that help is around
    the corner, that we're doing everything we can to protect people.
        Listen, I'm honored to be here with the next United States Senator,
    Mel Martinez. This man needs to be in the United States Senate. He not
    only had a fantastic past--as a matter of fact, he's a member of Pedro
    Pan--but he's got a great future, and the people of Florida will benefit
    by having Mel Martinez in the U.S. Senate. We love Kitty, Kitty
    Martinez. She's one of our favorites.
        I want to thank--before I went out there to debate, I saw two of the
    preprogram participants--it's kind of hard for a Texan to say--
    [laughter]--preprogram participants. That would be Rudy Giuliani. I want
    to thank him for being here.
        Audience members. Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!
        The President. And I want to thank my friend General Tommy Franks
    for being here as well.
        Now, we've got two more campaigns to go--I mean, two more debates to
    go. No more campaigns except this one, two more debates to go and a lot
    of hard work. There's no doubt in my mind, with your help, we're going
    to carry Florida again.
        I was only disappointed in one thing about the debate tonight: There
    was not one question on Cuba. Let me tell you my question: Cuba libre.
    [Applause] Quatro mas anos. No, people know where I stand. People know
    what I believe. I've got a plan to fight these terrorists, to keep this
    country secure. I've got a plan to spread freedom, not only in the
    greater Middle East but in our own hemisphere, in places like Cuba. I've
    got a plan to make this world more peaceful.
        I'm looking forward to the debate on domestic policy too. There's
    some big differences. He's going to run up your taxes.
        Audience members. Boo-o-o!
        The President. I'm going to keep them low. We've got a plan to
    continue growing this economy, a plan to make sure our children get a
    good education, a plan to make sure health care works, but a plan that
    recognizes this: The role of Government is to help people realize their
    dreams, not to tell people how to live their lives.
        Now, I'm honored you all came out. As you know, I'm kind of getting
    older, so I need to get my sleep. [Laughter] We have come to thank you
    for your steadfast support. Tomorrow morning, first thing, I'm getting
    up and heading to Pennsylvania, and then I'm going to New Hampshire.
    What I'm telling you is, I'm going to keep campaigning as hard as I
    possibly can, carrying our message of a better tomorrow, and we're going
    to win in November.
        God bless. God bless America. Thank you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:04 p.m. at the Coconut Grove Expo
    Center. In his remarks, he referred to Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida; Kitty
    Martinez, wife of Florida Senatorial candidate Mel R. Martinez; Rudolph
    W. Giuliani, former mayor of New York City; and Gen. Tommy R. Franks,
    USA, (Ret.), former combatant commander, U.S. Central Command.

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