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Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist; Mayor gulf war. He’s in the second incursion into Rick Baker of St. Petersburg, FL; Kitty Martinez, Iraq. And our country is more secure because wife of Florida senatorial candidate Mel R. Mar- of his service. tinez; entertainer Lee Greenwood; I want to thank Sheriff Bob White for join- and Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan. ing us today. Sheriff, thanks. Appreciate it. I want to thank Daron Norwood, the country Remarks in New Port Richey, Florida music singer, for being with us today. October 19, 2004 I want to thank Al Cardenas and all the grassroots activists who are here today. The President. Thank you all for coming. Thank you for putting up the signs. Thank If you’re looking for sunshine, Florida is the you for making the phone calls. Thank you place to come. I’m looking for votes, and for working the polls. With your help, we will Florida is the place to come. Thank you all carry Florida again and win a great victory for coming out. I’m here to ask for not only in November. your vote, I’m here to ask for your help. Get In the last few years, the American people your friends and neighbors to go to the polls. have gotten to know me. They know my blunt And when you get them headed to the polls, way of speaking. I get that from Mother. remind them, if they want a stronger Amer- [Laughter] They know that I occasionally ica, a safer America, and a better America, mangle the English language. [Laughter] I to put me and Dick Cheney back in office. get that from my father. [Laughter] They also I’ve got a lot of reasons why you ought know that I tell you exactly what I’m going to put me back in, but perhaps the most im- to do, and I keep my word. portant one of all is so that Laura will have I enjoyed our debates. They showed the 4 more years as the First Lady. When I asked big differences between my opponent and her to marry me, she said, ‘‘Fine, just so long me. We have different records. We have dif- as I never have to give a speech.’’ [Laughter] ferent views of the future. My record is one I said, ‘‘Okay, you got a deal.’’ Fortunately, of reforming education, lowering taxes, pro- she didn’t hold me to that deal. She’s giving viding prescription drug coverage for our a lot of speeches, and the American people seniors, improving homeland protections, see a warm, compassionate, strong First and waging an aggressive war against the Lady. ideologues of hate. I’m proud of my runningmate, Dick Che- The Senator’s record of 20 years is out of ney. Now, look, I admit it, he doesn’t have the mainstream. Instead of articulating a vi- the waviest hair in the race. [Laughter] I sion or a positive agenda for the future, the didn’t pick him because of his hairdo. Senator is relying on a litany of complaints [Laughter] I picked him because of his judg- and old-style scare tactics. As proven by his ment, his experience. I picked him because record and a series of contradictions in this he can get the job done for the American campaign, my opponent will say anything he people. thinks will benefit him politically at the time. I’m proud of my brother Jeb. What a great I will do what I’ve said I will do. We will Governor for Florida. I appreciate the keep the promise of Social Security for our strength and compassion he showed during seniors. We will not have a draft; we will have the hurricanes. Florida showed that out of an all-volunteer army. On November 2d, the adversity can come good, neighbors loving people of America will reject the politics of neighbors, people helping people who hurt. fear and vote for an agenda of hope and op- We’ll continue to do everything we can to portunity and security for every American. help the people of Florida get back on their When I came into office, the stock market feet. had been in decline for 6 months. And then By the way, brother Marvin is with us too. we had a recession. To help families and to [Applause] Yes. We love our family. And I get this economy growing again, I pledged love campaigning with my family. to reduce taxes. I kept my word, and the re- I want to thank Sam for his service to the sults are clear. The recession was one of the of America. He was in the first shallowest in American history.

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Over the last 3 years, our economy has tax the rich. You can’t raise enough money grown at a rate faster than any major industri- by taxing the rich to pay for $2.2 trillion. alized nation. Homeownership rate is at an There is a gap between what he’s promised alltime high in America. We added 1.9 mil- and what he can raise. Guess who generally lion new jobs since August of 2003. The na- fills the gap? You do. tional unemployment rate is 5.4 percent, Let me tell you what else is wrong with lower than the average of the 1970s, 1980s, taxing the rich. The rich hire lawyers and ac- and 1990s. The unemployment rate in Flor- countants for a reason: to slip the bill and ida is 4.5 percent. This economy is moving to pass it on to you. We’re not going to let forward, and we’re not going to go back to Senator Kerry tax you; we’re going to carry the old days of tax and spend. Florida and win a great victory on November To make sure jobs are here in America, the 2d. America must be the best place in the world When I came into office, our public to do business. We need to reduce the regu- schools had been waiting decades for hopeful lations on our job creators. We need to do reform. Fortunately, you had a Governor something about these frivolous lawsuits that here in Florida who enacted hopeful reform. hurt the small businesses. Too many of our children were shuffled Listen, to keep jobs here, Congress needs through school without learning the basics. to pass my energy plan. It encourages con- I pledged to restore accountability to our servation. It encourages the use of renew- schools and to end the soft bigotry of low ables. It encourages clean coal technology. expectations. I kept my word. We’re seeing It encourages environmentally friendly ways results. Children are making sustained gains to explore for natural gas. We will not explore in reading and math. We’re closing achieve- off the coast of Florida. What I’m telling you ment gaps all over this country, and we’re is in order to keep jobs here, we must be- not going to go back to the days of low expec- come less dependent on foreign sources of tations and mediocrity. energy. When I came into office, we had a prob- To keep jobs here, we’ve got to reject eco- lem in Medicare. Medicine was changing; nomic isolationism. I believe in free trade. Medicare was not. For example, Medicare I believe in fair trade. I know Americans would pay tens of thousands of dollars for compete with anytime—anybody, anytime, heart surgery but not one dime for the pre- anywhere, so long as the rules are fair. scription drugs that could prevent the heart To keep jobs here, we’ve got to be wise surgery from being needed in the first place. about how we spend your money and keep It was not fair to our seniors. I pledged to your taxes low. My opponent has his own his- bring Republicans and Democrats together tory on the economy. to strengthen and modernize Medicare for Audience members. Boo-o-o! our seniors. I kept my word. The President. In 20 years as a Senator We’re moving forward on health care. from Massachusetts, he’s built the record of There is more to do. We need to make sure a Senator from Massachusetts. [Laughter] health care is available and affordable. We He voted to increase taxes 98 times in his need a safety net for those with the greatest 20 years. That’s about five times a year. I needs. I believe in community health centers, would call that a pattern—[laughter]—a pre- places where the poor and the indigent can dictable pattern. He can run from his record, get health care. We will make sure that poor but he cannot hide. children are fully subscribed in our programs Now he’s promising not to raise taxes for for low-income families so they can get the anyone who earns less than $200,000 a year. health care they need. He said that with a straight face. [Laughter] To make sure health care is affordable, we The problem with that is, to keep that prom- must recognize that most of the uninsured ise you’d have to break all the other ones. work for small businesses. Small businesses See, he’s promised over $2.2 trillion in new are having trouble affording health care. To spending. That’s with a ‘‘T.’’ In order to pay help our workers get health care, we should for it, he said, well, all he’s going to do is allow small businesses to join together so

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they can buy insurance at the same discounts tinue to encourage homeownership in Amer- as big companies get to do. We will expand ica. I love it when somebody opens the door health savings accounts so workers and small where they live and says, ‘‘Welcome to my businesses are able to pay lower premiums home. Welcome to my piece of property.’’ and people can save tax-free in a health care In a new term, we’ll take the next step account they call their own. to build an ownership society by strength- To make sure health care is available and ening Social Security. Let me talk about So- affordable, we must do something about the cial Security right quick. In 2000, people junk lawsuits that are running up the cost traveled this State saying, ‘‘If George W. gets of medicine and running good doctors out elected, our seniors will not get their checks.’’ of practice. There is a clear difference in this Audience members. Boo-o-o! campaign. My opponent has consistently The President. Our seniors must remem- voted against medical liability reform. I stand ber, you got your checks. You will continue for medical liability reform, and I know I can to get their checks, no matter what they try work with the next Senator from Florida, Mel to tell you. And baby boomers, we’re in pret- Martinez, to get that reform done. ty good shape when it comes to Social Secu- The Senator has a health care proposal of rity. his own, a plan for bigger and more intrusive But we need to worry about our children Government. The other day, he tried to tell and our grandchildren. The job of the Presi- Americans that when it comes to his health dent is to confront problems, not to pass care plan, and I quote, ‘‘The Government has them on to future generations and future nothing to do with it.’’ [Laughter] I could Presidents. To make sure Social Security is barely contain myself. [Laughter] The facts around when our children grow up, we must are that 8 out of 10 people who get health allow younger workers to save some of their care under Senator Kerry’s plan would be own payroll taxes in a personal savings ac- placed on a Government program. He says count that earns better interest, a personal his plan would help small businesses. Yet, savings account they call their own and an groups that studied this plan concluded it was account the Government cannot take away. an overpriced albatross that would saddle When it comes to Social Security, my op- small businesses with 225 new mandates. ponent wants to maintain the status quo. I have a different view. I want to help our That is not leadership. He’s against these So- small businesses, not saddle them with a cial Security reforms. He’s against just about bunch of Government rules. The choice is every other reform that gives more authority clear. My opponent wants to move in the di- and control to the people. On issue after rection of Government-run health care. I be- issue, from Medicare without choices to lieve health decisions should be made by schools without accountability to higher doctors and patients, not by officials in Wash- taxes, he takes the side of more bureaucracy ington, DC. He can run, but he cannot hide. and more Government. I’ve set out policies that move our country There is a word for that attitude. It is toward a more hopeful and optimistic vision. called liberalism. He dismisses that as a label. I believe our country can and must be an He must have seen it differently when he ownership society. There’s an old saying: No told a newspaper, ‘‘I am a liberal, and I’m one ever washes a rental car—[laughter]— proud of it.’’ a lot of wisdom in that statement. When you Audience members. Boo-o-o! own something, you care about it. When you The President. The nonpartisan National own something, you have a vital stake in the Journal did a study and named him the most future of your country. That’s why we’re en- liberal Member of the United States Senate. couraging entrepreneurship. Every time a That takes a lot of hard work. [Laughter] small business is started, someone is achiev- I have a different record and a different ing the American Dream. philosophy. I do not believe in big Govern- We’re encouraging health savings accounts ment, and I do not believe that Government so people have the security of owning and should be indifferent. That is called compas- managing their own health care. We will con- sionate conservatism. I believe in policies

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that empower people to improve their lives, to face them here at home. We will spread not try to run their lives. I believe we must freedom and liberty. And we will prevail. continue to help men and women find the Our strategy is succeeding. Think about schools—skills and tools to prosper in a time the world as it was 31⁄2 years ago. Afghanistan of change. And so we’re helping all Ameri- was the home base of Al Qaida. Pakistan was cans find dignity and independence. And I a transit point for terrorist groups. Saudi Ara- will continue to lead our country for 4 more bia was fertile ground for fundraising. Libya years with that philosophy in mind. was secretly pursuing nuclear weapons. Iraq Audience members. Four more years! was a dangerous place and a gathering threat. Four more years! Four more years! And Al Qaida was largely unchallenged as The President. In this time of change, it planned attacks. some things do not change, the values we Today, because we acted, Afghanistan is try to live by, courage and compassion, rev- free and is an ally on the war on terror; Paki- erence and integrity. In a time of change, stan is capturing terrorist leaders; Saudi Ara- we must support the institutions that gives bia is making raids and arrests; Libya is dis- our lives purpose and direction, our families, mantling its weapons programs; the army of our schools, our religious congregations. We a free Iraq is fighting for freedom; and more stand for a culture of life in which every per- than three-quarters of Al Qaida’s key mem- son matters and every being counts. We bers and associates have been brought to jus- stand for marriage and family, which are the tice. foundations of our society. We stand for the We’re standing with the peoples of a free appointment of Federal judges who know the Afghanistan and Iraq. I want you to remind difference between personal opinion and the your children about the historic moment that strict interpretation of the law. took place when the Afghan citizens went to My opponent’s words on these issues are vote. It was all but 3 years ago that these a little muddy, but his record is plenty clear. people lived under the brutal, brutal reign He says he supports the institution of mar- of the Taliban. Young girls couldn’t go to riage but voted against the Defense of Mar- school. Mothers were taken and whipped in riage Act. He voted against a ban on the prac- the public square because they didn’t toe the tice of partial-birth abortion. line of these ideologues of hate. But because Audience members. Boo-o-o! we acted in our self-defense, millions went The President. He’s described the to the polls. The first voter in Afghan—in Reagan years as a time of moral darkness. the Afghanistan Presidential election was a Audience members. Boo-o-o! 19-year-old woman. Freedom is on the The President. There is a mainstream in march. American politics, and my opponent sits on There will be elections in Iraq in January. the far left bank. He can run, but he cannot Think about how far that country has come hide. from the days of mass graves and torture This election will also determine how chambers and the brutal reign of a tyrant America responds to the continuing danger who hated America. It’s important that free- of terrorism. The most solemn duty of the dom be on the march. We’re more secure American President is to protect the Amer- when societies are free. Free societies will ican people. If America shows uncertainty or be hopeful societies which no longer feed weakness in this decade, the world will drift resentments and breed violence for export. toward tragedy. This will not happen on my Free governments in the Middle East will watch. fight the terrorists instead of harboring them. Our strategy is clear. We are defending Free societies will be peaceful societies. the homeland. We are reforming and Freedom means America will be more se- strengthening our intelligence services. We cure. are transforming our military. The All-Volun- And so our mission is clear. We will help teer Army will remain an all-volunteer army. the people in these countries, in Afghanistan We are staying on the offensive. We’re strik- and Iraq, train their armies, train their police, ing the terrorists abroad so we do not have so they can do the hard work of defending

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freedom. We will help the countries get on into question his credibility and his ability the path of stability and democracy as quickly to lead our Nation. as possible, and then our troops will return In September 2003, as the $87 billion home with the honor they have earned. funding package was being debated, Senator I want to thank those who wear our uni- Kerry, on national TV, said it would be ‘‘irre- form. I want to thank the veterans who have sponsible to abandon our troops by voting set such a great example for those who wear against it.’’ That’s what he said. Just one the uniform. I want to thank the military fam- month later, he did exactly the opposite. And ilies who are with us today. so you wonder why. What happened to Under my leadership and working with the change the Senator’s mind so abruptly in one Congress, our Nation is keeping our commit- month? Well, his opponent in the Democrat ments to those who serve and to their fami- primary, Howard Dean, was gaining ground lies. We’ve increased basic pay in the military as an antiwar candidate. Senator Kerry ap- by 21 percent. We’ve increased health bene- parently decided supporting the troops, even fits and Federal support for schools on our while they were in harm’s way, was not as bases. We’ve reduced the out-of-pocket ex- important as shoring up his own political po- penses for off-base housing to zero for our sition. military families. We’re supporting our Audience members. Boo-o-o! Guard and our Reserves. We’re spending 14 The President. At a time of great threat billion for construction and maintenance for to our country, at a time of great challenge Guard and Reserve facilities. We’ve extended in the world, the Commander in Chief must military health care to our Guard and Re- stand on principle, not on the shifting sands serve families. We’re making sure that our of political convenience. troops have what they need in order to com- His vote against supporting our troops in plete their missions. combat is part of a pattern. He opposed the And that’s why I went to the Congress and B–1 bomber. He opposed the B–2 stealth requested $87 billion of funding in Sep- bomber. He opposed modernization of the tember of 2003. And the support in the Con- F–14D, all of which helped us secure our gress was strong, except for 12 Senators country in Afghanistan and Iraq. He opposed voted against funding for our troops—— the Apache helicopter. He opposed the Pa- Audience members. Boo-o-o! triot missile system. My opponent has built The President. ——2 of whom were my a 20-year record of military weakness. He can opponent and his runningmate. run from his record—— Audience members. Boo-o-o! Audience members. But he can’t hide! The President. When you’re out rounding The President. In our debate, Senator up the vote, remind the people of this star- Kerry proposed we should pass a ‘‘global tling statistic: There were only four Members test’’ before we defend ourselves. of the Senate who voted to authorize the use Audience members. Boo-o-o! of force and voted against supporting our The President. I’m not making that up. troops in combat—only four—two of whom That’s exactly what he said. I was standing are my opponent and his runningmate. right there. [Laughter] The problem with a Audience members. Boo-o-o! ‘‘global test’’ is the Senator cannot ever pass The President. So they asked him about it. In 1990, the United Nations Security the vote, and he said, in perhaps the most Council passed a resolution supporting action famous quote of the 2004 campaign, ‘‘I actu- to remove Saddam Hussein from Kuwait. ally did vote for the $87 billion, before I The international community was united. voted against it.’’ Countries throughout the world joined our Audience members. Boo-o-o! coalition. Yet even after United Nations ap- The President. Sunday was the one-year proval, Senator Kerry voted against author- anniversary of Senator Kerry’s vote against ization for the use of force. funding for our troops. My opponent’s many Audience members. Boo-o-o! and conflicting positions on this issue are a The President. If that didn’t pass a ‘‘global case study into why his contradictions call test,’’ nothing will pass a ‘‘global test.’’ Listen,

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I’ll continue to build strong alliances. We’ll a chance to serve, I would uphold the honor work with our friends and allies. But I will and the dignity of the office to which I had never turn over America’s national security been elected. With your help, I will do so decisions to leaders of other countries. for 4 more years. I believe in the transformational power of God bless. Thank you for coming. Thank liberty. After World War II, after we de- you all. Thanks for coming. feated the Japanese, Harry Truman believed in the transformational power of liberty to NOTE: The President spoke at 11:34 a.m. at Sims convert an enemy into an ally. A lot of people Park. In his remarks, he referred to Gov. Jeb Bush doubted that. A lot of people wondered of Florida; Bob White, sheriff, Pasco County, FL; whether an enemy could ever become a de- Al Cardenas, former chair, Republican Party of Florida; Mel R. Martinez, senatorial candidate in mocracy. But there were strong beliefs. And Florida; and Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of as a result of that belief, today, I sit down Japan. at the table with the head of a former enemy, Prime Minister Koizumi of Japan, talking about the peace we all want. Remarks in The Villages, Florida Someday, a duly elected leader of Iraq will October 19, 2004 be sitting down with an American President, talking about the peace in the greater Middle The President. Thank you all for coming East, and our children and our grandchildren today. I am proud to be the first sitting Presi- will be better off for it. dent ever to have visited The Villages. The I believe that millions in the Middle East other ones missed out on a lot. Thanks for plead in silence for their freedom. I believe having me. Thanks for coming. This is a huge women in the Middle East want to live in crowd, for which I am grateful. I told Jeb a free society. I believe mothers and dads it looks like a beautiful day in The Villages. in the Middle East want their children to He said, ‘‘It’s always a beautiful day in The grow up in a free and peaceful world. I be- Villages.’’ lieve all these things because freedom is not I’m traveling your State to ask for the vote. America’s gift to the world; freedom is the I think you got to get out amongst the people Almighty God’s gift to each man and woman and say, I want your vote. I’m going to give in this world. you some reasons to put me back into office. For all Americans, these years in our his- I also want your help. You need to go to your tory will always stand apart. There are quiet friends and neighbors. Tell them we have a times in the life of a nation when little is duty in our free society to vote. When you expected of its leaders. This isn’t one of those get them headed to the polls, remind them, times. This is a time that requires firm re- if they want a safer America, a stronger solve and clear vision and a deep faith in the America, a better America, to put me and values that makes this a great nation. Dick Cheney back in office. None of us will ever forget that week when My one regret is that Laura is not with one era ended and another began. On Sep- me today. tember the 14th, 2001, I stood in the ruins Audience members. Aw-w-w! of the Twin Towers. It’s a day I will never The President. I know, that’s generally forget. I will never forget the workers in the reaction. [Laughter] I’m going the give hardhats who were yelling at me at the top you some reasons, as I said, to put me in, of their lungs, ‘‘Whatever it takes.’’ I’ll never but perhaps the most important one of all forget the man that grabbed me by my arm is so that Laura is the First Lady for 4 more and looked me in the eye, and he said, ‘‘Do years. When I met her again—see, we went not let me down.’’ Ever since that day, I wake to the seventh grade together in San Jacinto up every morning thinking about how to bet- Junior High in Midland, . When I met ter protect our country. I will never relent her again, she was a public school librarian. in defending America, whatever it takes. I said, ‘‘Will you marry me?’’ She said, ‘‘Fine, Four years ago, when I traveled your great just so long as I never have to give a speech.’’ State, I made a pledge that if you gave me [Laughter] I said, ‘‘Okay, you got a deal.’’

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