Aug. 27 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2007

Remarks Congratulating Iraqi Leaders at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico August 27, 2007

I congratulate Iraq’s leaders on the It’s in our interests that we help the Iraqi agreement reached yesterday in Baghdad. people succeed. Success in Iraq will be a I’ve been briefed on the agreement, and major blow to the extremists and radicals this morning I spoke to Iraq’s elected lead- who would like to attack America again. ers. These leaders represent all the Iraqi And that’s why the United States will con- communities. These leaders of Prime Min- tinue to support Iraq’s leaders and all the ister Maliki, President Talabani, Vice Presi- Iraqi people in their efforts to overcome dent Hashimi, Vice President Abd Al- the forces of terror that seek to overthrow Mahdi, President Barzani recognize the a nascent democracy. true and meaningful reconciliation that In this regard, I welcome and accept the needs to take place, and they recognize this expressed desire of the Iraqi leadership to is a process. Yesterday’s agreement reflects develop a long-term relationship with the their commitment to work together for the United States based on common interests. The United States is committed to devel- benefit of all Iraqis to further the process. oping this relationship and to strengthening The agreement begins to establish new diplomatic, economic, and security ties with power-sharing agreements and commits to the Iraqi Government and its people. supporting bottom-up security and political Thank you. initiatives and advances agreement among Iraq’s leadership on several key legislative NOTE: The President spoke at 11:33 a.m. In benchmarks. his remarks, he referred to Prime Minister While yesterday’s agreement is an impor- Nuri al-Maliki, President Jalal Talabani, and tant step, I reminded them, and they un- Vice Presidents Tariq al-Hashimi and Adil derstand, much more needs to be done. Abd Al-Mahdi of Iraq; and Masoud Barzani, The Iraqi parliament will convene again in president, Kurdistan region in Iraq. The Of- early September, and it will need to act fice of the Press Secretary also released a to codify this political progress. Spanish language transcript of these remarks.

Remarks at a Reception for Congressional Candidate David G. Reichert and the Washington State Republican Party in Bellevue, Washington August 27, 2007

Thank you all. Thanks for coming. I ap- an independent thinker. He’s the kind of preciate it. Okay, thank you. Thanks for person who has done a fabulous job in the coming. How’s your elbow, Dave? [Laugh- United States House of Representatives, ter] First of all, I thank you all for sup- and he deserves to be reelected. And I porting an honest, decent, hard-working, thank you for supporting him. I particularly fine American in Dave Reichert. You call want to thank Julie for standing with him ‘‘the sheriff.’’ I look at him as a sheriff. Dave—and the family. He’s tough when he has to be, he’s com- I know something about families and pol- passionate when he needs to be, and he’s itics. Like Dave, I married above my head.

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[Laughter] And Laura sends her very best understands that it’s possible for govern- to the Reichert family. She’s a—I left her ment to balance the need to understand on the ranch this morning. We’re working the enemy and civil liberties. And we’re our way back to Washington, DC. I’m doing just that. He knows what I know, going to Australia to represent the United that we’ve got to use all assets at our power States of America at what they call APEC. to protect you. By the way, there’s no greater honor than You know, I was deeply affected on Sep- to represent the United States of America tember the 11th, 2001. I vowed that day overseas. It is a fantastic experience. We’re that I would use all of our assets to keep such a fabulous country of decent, honor- the enemy from harming us again. And I’m able people. proud to have an ally in Dave Reichert, I want to thank my friend, the former who understands that as well. That’s why Senator of the State, Slade Gorton, and you’ve got to send him back. Sally, for joining us today. Senator, thank The stakes are high. There are some— you for being here. Luke, I want to thank [applause—I recognize there are some who you for being here. Thanks for being the hear we’re at war and dismiss that as empty chairman. Use this—[applause]—yes. You political talk. That’s either disingenuous or need to put this money to good use and naive—either case it is dangerous because turn out the vote, get people to the polls. we face an enemy that is ideologically bent, We run for reasons. We’ve got a philos- determined to achieve their objectives and ophy that works. We believe in strong de- murder the innocent. They are not religious fense. We need to protect this country. We people. They may have hijacked religion, believe in human rights and human dignity, but they’re not religious. I don’t believe and we believe in keeping your taxes low. you murder innocent people to achieve po- That’s what we believe. litical objectives and be a religious person. I want to thank Matt Hasselbeck and I just don’t believe that. As a matter of Mack Strong. These are champs. These fact, I believe that’s the definition of evil. men are champs on the field, and they’re And I think the United States must do champs off the field. And they set such everything we can to prevent them from a fine example for people who look at the harming us and others again. Seattle Seahawks, and they look at these And the stakes are high in this war. Our players and say, ‘‘Gosh, I’d like to be like strategy is to stay on the offense. I would them.’’ And I thank you for being such rather defeat them overseas than to face good family men, setting such a good exam- them here at home. And so every day, ple for the kids here. And I’m honored you’ve got really fine, decent people work- to have the jersey. ing hour after hour to find these killers I want to talk about a couple of issues and to bring them to justice. You can’t ne- with you. We’re a nation at war. I wish gotiate with these kind of people; you can’t I didn’t have to say that. No President talk sense to them. The only thing—the should ever want to come to any commu- way to protect us in the short term is to nity in our country and say, ‘‘We’re at war,’’ find them before they hurt us again. And but we are. And the fundamental question that’s what’s happening every single day. facing this Nation is, how do we face this Dave Reichert understands it. He is a conflict? What do we do? strong supporter of law enforcement, of the The most important priority of govern- intelligence community, and of the United ment—it’s one of the reasons I’m such a States military. And I appreciate that, Dave. strong believer in Dave—is to protect the In the long run, the best way to protect homeland. That’s our most important job. you is to win this ideological struggle by And Dave Reichert understands that. He defeating what they believe with something

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that has worked throughout history, and And then the thinking enemy, recog- that’s liberty. I make my decisions based nizing that a free society in the Middle on just some fundamental principles—prin- East would be a major blow to their ambi- ciples, by the way, I’m not going to change; tions to spread their caliphate throughout principles that—you know, I think the thing the Middle East, tried to create sectarian that matters most in life is when you finish violence. They murdered the innocent in the task at hand, whatever that may be, order to cause people to doubt government that you can look in the mirror and say and doubt the coalition. These are cold- you stayed true to your principles; you blooded killers. These, by the way, have stayed true to that which you believe. I’d sworn allegiance to—many of them have rather be dealing with people who make sworn allegiance to Usama bin Laden, the decisions based upon what’s right, not same person that ordered the attacks that based upon the latest focus group or opin- killed nearly 3,000 of our citizens. They ion poll. And that’s exactly what we need can’t stand the thought of a free society to do to protect this country. in their midst. An Iraq that can govern I believe there’s an Almighty, and I be- itself and sustain itself and be an ally lieve a great gift of the Almighty to each against these radicals and extremists would man, woman, and child on the face of the be a major defeat in this ideological strug- Earth is freedom. And I believe it’s in the gle. interest of the United States to help people And so they struck. And I was confronted with a decision: You either leave, pull back, be free. Freedom yields the peace we want. or send more troops in to try to bring Freedom yields the—lays that foundation enough security so that the society can for peace so our children can grow up in emerge and evolve. And I chose the latter. a peaceful world. And that’s what you’re I chose the latter because the consequences seeing happening right now. of failure in Iraq are enormous for the se- Iraq is the central front of this war. This curity of the United States of America. war is being fought on a variety of fronts, I gave a speech to the VFW the other and Iraq obviously is the central front. It’s day and talked about the different theaters the front that’s dominating the news. It’s of war in the past, whether it be Japan the front that appears on your TV screens. or Korea and Vietnam. I reminded the lis- It’s the front in which there’s a lot of de- teners, Vietnam was much different from bate in a free society, and there should Iraq in that you could leave Vietnam, and be debate. I happen to believe it’s essential yeah, there was a human toll, huge human that we win this war in Iraq, that we do catastrophe as a result of us leaving, but the job on this front. the enemy wasn’t going to follow us here. We’ve done some remarkable things In the beginning of the 21st century, failure there. First of all, we removed a brutal in Iraq would cause the enemy not to re- dictator. Getting rid of Saddam Hussein treat, but to follow us to America. The made the world safer. It was the right deci- stakes of success for your security are enor- sion. The Iraqis went to the polls and wrote mous. And that is why I listened to our a Constitution. I mean, I wasn’t surprised commanders and the experts and military they went to the polls. If you believe in folks about how to provide enough security the universality of freedom, it shouldn’t sur- for democracy to have a chance to succeed. prise you that people, if given a chance, I sent a new commander there on the will express their desire to be free. I wasn’t ground, a fellow named General David surprised; I was pleased that 12 million Petraeus. We’ve been there for—fully people defied the car bombers and killers staffed and engaged for about 2 months, and murderers to vote. with a full complement of manpower, and

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we’re making a difference. It’s changing on to get on an airplane to kill, to one of the ground. The people are beginning to hope, where people realize a better future see that grassroots reconciliation is possible. and a peaceful future. Neighbors—listen, people want to live in This is a long ideological struggle we’re peace. People don’t like violence. They involved in. And the fundamental question want their children to grow up in a peace- is, will the United States of America take ful world. If given a chance, I believe peo- the lead? Will we be confident in the val- ple will cling to liberty and freedom. And ues that have made us a great nation? And I know it’s in our interests for us to deny I answered that question loud and clear: Al Qaida a safe haven or the extremists We’re in the lead, we’ll stay in the lead, an opportunity to become more and we’ll work for the peace that we all emboldened throughout the Middle East. want. What happens in Iraq matters in America. You know, every time you run, at least And that’s why I’ve asked Congress to every time I’ve run, the economy has al- wait until these commanders come back— ways been an issue. And I’m glad it is this the Ambassador and commander come time around. [Laughter] We have—I can back and tell people exactly what’s hap- remember campaigning in Washington pening. You know, when they open up a State and campaigning with Dave before new school in Iraq, it doesn’t make head- and reminding people of another principle line news. When Al Qaida kills a bunch that I believe in, and that is, you can spend of people, it does. And these folks are try- your money better than government can. ing to shake our will. I’m giving a speech It is a—there is a kind of a philosophical to the American Legion tomorrow, and a divide in Washington. There are people line in there is, ‘‘We will not be intimidated that, one, don’t—believe we don’t have by thugs and murderers. The United States enough money in Washington—I happen of America will stand strong.’’ to believe we do—and secondly, that they I’m confident we can succeed. I really would rather figure out how to spend your am. I could not look at a mother whose money than you should. child was in combat if I didn’t believe, one, You know—and so our argument, how- it was necessary, and two, we can succeed. ever, wins when you look at the facts. We I couldn’t do that in good conscience. And had to deal with a recession, an attack on one of the reasons I’m confident we can the country, corporate scandals. This econ- succeed is because we have done this kind omy was not very good in our—in the be- of work before. ginning of my administration. So I went I like to remind people about the story to Congress and said, ‘‘I’ve got an idea of my dad and my Presidency. I find it for us to get out of this recession. Why incredibly ironic that George H.W. Bush don’t we let the people have more of their went straight out of high school, became own money? Rather than taking money a Navy fighter pilot, and fought the Japa- away from the spenders and savers and in- nese, and some 60 years later, his son sits vestors, why don’t we try something dif- down at the table with the Prime Minister ferent? Why don’t we say, ‘Here, you can of Japan, the former enemy, working to have your own money in your own pocket keep the peace. Isn’t that interesting? I so you can spend it yourself ’?’’ think it is. And you know what happens? And it worked. Since August of 2003— Liberty has got the capacity to change an by the way, we didn’t cut taxes on a few enemy into an ally. Liberty and freedom people, we cut taxes on everybody that paid have—are transformative. They’ve got the taxes. It wasn’t one of these special deals ability to transform an entire region, one where you paid some, and you paid some, of hopelessness, where 19 kids are willing but you get the tax break; you don’t. If

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you have a family with children, you got to pay for it. That’s why we need to reelect a tax break. I happen to think it was a Dave Reichert. And that’s why they give mistake to penalize marriage. We had a the President the power of veto. I’m going marriage penalty in the Tax Code. It seems to veto any tax threats. like to me, we ought to be encouraging What’s interesting is that we were able marriage rather than penalizing marriage. to cut taxes and grow the economy and, We cut taxes on dividends and capital at the same time, reduce our deficit. That’s gains to encourage investment. We cut what we told the people we would do. We taxes on small businesses, and we reduced said, ‘‘Give us a chance. You’re going to all the income tax rates. And by the way, have more money in your own pocket to most small businesses pay tax at the indi- spend, save, and invest, and we’re going vidual income tax rate. See, if you’re a sub- to manage this fiscal house in such a way chapter S or a limited partnership, you pay that the deficit comes down.’’ Today, the income tax based upon individual rates. projected deficit is about 205 billion; that’s And so when you say you’re cutting the a nice number. That’s what the Democrats individual rates, you’re actually cutting taxes are going to take out of your pocket; that’s as well on small businesses. Seventy per- the size of the deficit, which, by the way, cent of new jobs are created by small busi- as a percentage of GDP is low. nesses, and so when a small business has And I’ve submitted a budget that will more money in its treasury, it tends to ex- actually balance the budget by 2012, so pand and invest. When a consumer has long as we have fiscally responsible people more money in his or her pocket, they ei- in Washington. And that means we need ther save or invest or spend. to elect people who understand what it And our plan worked. Cutting taxes means to set priorities. And the number- works. Cutting taxes has created a strong one priority, as far as I’m concerned, is economy. We’ve created 8.3 million new to protecting the American people. The jobs since August of 2003. Unemployment number-one priority is to make sure our rates are down. People are working; infla- troops have the support they need and to tion is low; interest rates are low; people make sure our veterans get the care they are owning homes. This economy is strong. need. And the best way to keep it strong is to And Dave is right there. You can count put people in Congress that won’t raise on him. You can count on him to be a your taxes. watchdog for your money in Washington, And make no mistake about it, the DC. Democrats are going to raise your taxes, I want to talk about one other issue, pure and simple. They may say they’re not and that is—it’s a national security issue, going to in the campaign, but they’re going it’s an economic security issue, and it is to raise your taxes. How do I know? Well, an environmental issue—and that is our de- they submitted a budget recently. Their pendency on oil. Now, that probably comes budget calls for $205 billion of extra discre- as a shock to you to hear a Texan say tionary spending over the next 5 years. that, but I understand what it means to That’s their blueprint for what they’re going be dependent on a product from parts of to do with your money, 205 billion addi- the world where some of the people don’t tional dollars. That averages out to $112 like us. I know what that means for our million a day, $4.7 million per hour, national security. $78,000 per minute, $1,300 in higher dis- I also understand, in this world we live cretionary spending every second of every in, when demand for crude oil goes up minute of every hour of every day of every in a developing country like China and the year for the next 5 years. And you’re going corresponding supply doesn’t keep up with

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the demand, the price of gasoline goes up ply of energy in an environmentally friendly at the pump here in Seattle, Washington. way. And I think there’s going to be some So it’s an economic security issue as well. breakthroughs coming down the road. If the terrorists and these radicals that I believe in nuclear power. I believe if would like to create economic havoc on you’re really, truly interested in greenhouse the United States were ever to able to sig- gases, then you ought to be supporting nu- nificantly disrupt the oil supply, you’d feel clear power. If you’re really that concerned it. So it’s an economic security issue. And about the environment, you ought to be obviously, burning fossil fuels creates an saying, this great economy of ours can grow environmental issue. and, at the same time, not pollute. Nuclear And so I look forward to working with power doesn’t put one emission into the Dave to come up with a practical plan that atmosphere. enables us, one, to grow the economy and, And so we’re spending money to come at the same time, to become less depend- up with technologies that will enable us ent on oil and better stewards of the envi- to be less dependent on oil. And I think ronment. And our strategy makes sense. It’s it makes sense. And I’m proud to have a commonsense strategy. Dave’s support. He’s an environmentally First, I believe that we can grow enough conscious guy. He cares about the environ- fuel to become less dependent on oil. I’d ment, like a lot of people around the coun- rather our farmers be producing fuel than try do. But I want to tell you something buying fuel from overseas. I think that’s that’s interesting and something you prob- a practical application of technology. We’re ably haven’t spent much time reading selling a little—we’re using a little more about. Do you realize that the United than 7 billion gallons of ethanol now, made States is the only major industrialized na- mainly from Midwestern corn. In other tion that cut greenhouse gases last year? words, there’s a whole industry growing. We grew our economy by 3.4 percent in And we’re encouraging it. As a matter of the second quarter, and we cut greenhouse fact, we believe that technology is going gases. to advance to the point where we can re- Our strategy is working. Our philosophy duce our gasoline usage by 20 percent over makes sense. It is a commonsense philos- the next 10 years and replace it with alter- ophy that’s making a difference in the lives native fuels. I believe that. of the average citizens. David Reichert un- Your government is spending a fair derstands that, and that’s why you need amount of your money—if billions is fair— to send him back to the United States Con- [laughter]—a lot of your money on tech- gress. And I’m proud to be here for him. nologies because the truth of the matter Thanks for coming. God bless. is, the only way to be able to grow our economy and, at the same time, be better NOTE: The President spoke at 4:28 p.m. at stewards of the environment is to come the Hyatt Regency. In his remarks, he re- up with new technologies. It’s conceivable ferred to Sally Gorton, wife of former Sen. that relatively quickly, there are going to T. Slade Gorton III; Luke Esser, chairman, be automobiles where you can drive your Washington State Republican Party; Matt first 40 miles on a battery and the thing Hasselbeck, quarterback, and Mack Strong, you’re in doesn’t look like a golf cart. It fullback, Seattle Seahawks; Usama bin will actually be a car, something that you’d Laden, leader of the Al Qaida terrorist orga- like to be in. [Laughter] nization; Gen. David H. Petraeus, USA, com- I’m a big believer in clean coal tech- manding general, Multi-National Force— nologies. We’re spending up to about $2 Iraq; and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of billion to be able to use this plentiful sup- Japan.

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Statement on the Death of Police Officer Germaine Casey August 27, 2007

Officer Germaine Casey of the Rio Ran- and protect your fellow citizens, and I will cho Police Department died today from in- always be indebted to Officer Casey’s serv- juries suffered while serving as a member ice. of my security detail in Albuquerque, New He leaves behind his wife Lisa and their Mexico. I am deeply saddened by his death two children. They are in my thoughts and and extraordinarily grateful for his protec- prayers. May God comfort the Casey family tion. It is a high calling to choose to serve and his fellow law enforcement officials.

Remarks at the American Legion National Convention in Reno, Nevada August 28, 2007

Thank you all very much. Thank you all. across the globe. Today I want to talk to Please be seated. Commander, thank you you and to the American people about a very much for the invitation to come. I’m key aspect of the struggle: the fight for honored to be here. I’m honored to rep- the future of the Middle East. I’m going resent Post 77 of Houston, Texas. I hope to explain why defeating the extremists in my fellow Texans behave themselves here this troubled region is essential to our Na- in Reno. [Laughter] You won’t? Okay, tion’s security and why success in Iraq is well—[laughter]. vital to winning this larger ideological bat- I appreciate the fact that nearly every tle. community in America has been enriched I do want to thank your commander. It’s by the American Legion and the Women’s been my pleasure to work with Paul. He’s Auxiliary. I appreciate the work that you been in the White House a lot, along with do to remind our citizens about the bless- the executive director, John Sommer. He’s ings of America. You have the profound represented you well, and he’s served with gratitude of the President and the people distinction. I thank JoAnn Cronin, the na- of this country. Thank you for your service. tional president of the American Legion I particularly appreciate the work you do Auxiliary. I appreciate Bob Spanogle, the with our country’s young. I like the fact national adjutant of the American Legion. that you have a oratorical competition that, I want to welcome the Governor of the according to your organization, helps Amer- great State of Nevada with us today; Gov- icans communicate their ideas clearly and ernor Jim Gibbons is with us. Mr. Gov- effectively. Paul suggested I might want to ernor, thanks for coming. The Congressman sign up. [Laughter] I appreciate the fact from this district is a fine Representative that through Boys and Girls Nation, you named Dean Heller. His wife Lynne sang teach young people who are interested in the national anthem. Thank you both for public service about how Washington really being here today. works. [Laughter] I’m not going there. I’m honored to be in the presence of [Laughter] those who wear our Nation’s uniform. I We meet today at a critical time for our thank General Charles Campbell, com- country. America is engaged in a great ide- manding general, U.S. Army Forces Com- ological struggle, fighting Islamic extremists mand, for joining us—Major General Gale

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