[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 49 (Monday, December 10, 2007)]
[Pages 1565-1566]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on Arrival in Omaha, Nebraska

December 5, 2007

    Good morning. I'm pleased to be back in Nebraska. I do want to say a 
couple of words about Iran before I talk about my friend Mike Johanns.
    On the way out here, I spoke with my team, who gave me a report on 
conversations that the Secretary of State and our National Security 
Adviser have had over the last couple of days with their counterparts in 
the United Kingdom, in Germany and France and Russia. These countries 
understand that the Iranian nuclear issue is a problem and continues to 
be a problem that must be addressed by the international community. A 
number of them have said so publicly, and I appreciate their comments.
    I appreciate the work of our intelligence community in helping us 
better understand Iran's past and present nuclear activities. Their 
information is critical in increasing our understanding and helping us 
develop a sound policy.
    It is clear from the latest NIE that the Iranian Government has more 
to explain about its nuclear intentions and past actions, especially the 
covert nuclear weapons program pursued until the fall of 2003, which the 
Iranian regime has yet to acknowledge. The Iranians have a strategic 
choice to make. They can come clean with the international community 
about the scope of their nuclear activities and fully accept the 
longstanding offer to suspend their enrichment program and come to the 
table and negotiate, or they can continue on a path of isolation that is 
not in the best interest of the Iranian people. The choice is up to the 
Iranian regime.
    I'm here also to talk about my friend Mike Johanns. I have gotten to 
know him well, and there's no doubt in my mind he'll make a great United 
States Senator from the State of Nebraska. He's an honorable, decent 
man, and he's a humble man. When given a task, he can get the job done.

[[Page 1566]]

    People of Nebraska have gotten to know Mike as a result of his 
leadership when he was the Governor. I got to know Mike as the result of 
his being a fine leader at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Mike 
understands farming, and he understands ranching. He understands the 
issues that the people who work the soil will face. If I were someone 
living in Nebraska who cared about the agricultural industry, I'd want 
somebody who knew what he was talking about being my Senator. And Mike 
Johanns knows what he's talking about when it comes to agricultural 
matters.
    He also understands what he's talking about when it comes to 
national security matters. He sat in the Cabinet Room with me and other 
members of my Cabinet, discussing how best to secure the United States 
of America from the threats of the world in which we live. It is 
important for the people of Nebraska to have a Senator who understands 
the realities of the world and is willing to support the Government in 
its efforts to protect the American people.
    Mike Johanns is a man of values. He understands Nebraskan values. He 
can articulate Nebraskan values, but more importantly, he lives 
Nebraskan values.
    And so I've come to say to the people of this good State: I know 
you're going to make up your own mind for what's right, but if I was a 
voter in this State, I'd sure pull that lever for Mike Johanns for the 
United States Senator. [Laughter] And if my wife was a voter for this 
State--[laughter]--she'd try to pull it twice. [Laughter]
    So I'm proud to be here with Mike and Stephanie. Thank you, sir. 
Good luck, and God bless you. Thank you very much.

Note: The President spoke at 9:01 a.m. at Eppley Airfield. In his 
remarks, he referred to Stephanie Johanns, wife of Nebraska senatorial 
candidate Mike Johanns.