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There are two more things we have to do. for a moment that we can ever become all The Congress should give me the line-item we ought to be unless we do it together. veto they have been promising. And we And so I say to you, I have tried to be should join hands, as the Speaker and I did there for you. I have loved the opportunity when we shook hands in Claremont not very to be your President. I am grateful beyond long ago, and finally pass a bipartisan cam- words for the chance you gave me in New paign finance reform bill to give elections Hampshire when everybody who was an ex- back to the people of and pert said it was over. I am grateful. But I the people of the United States of America. do not want you to reelect me based on what But it ends with you. It ends with you. we have done, or even based on your per- There is no call—they say a politician is never sonal feelings. I want you to do it because supposed to disagree with the majority at the only way you and your children and your election time, but I’m going to tell you some- community and your State and your country thing: There is no call for the cynicism, for are going to meet the challenges of today and the negativism, for the apathy that so many tomorrow is if we do it together, together express today. ’til the last dog dies. Yes, it is true that we have not solved all God bless you, and thank you. the problems in the last 3 years, but what I said was—in Dover 4 years ago—that the NOTE: The President spoke at 11:50 a.m. in the Presidency is the most important hiring deci- gymnasium at Rochester Community Center. In sion the American people ever make. If you his remarks, he referred to Harvey E. Bernier, Jr., mayor, and Sandra Keanes, deputy mayor; vote for me, I won’t solve all the problems, Lincoln Soldati, county attorney, and George I won’t give you a miracle, but I will give Maglaris, county commissioner, Strafford County. you movement. You won’t have to worry about whether I’m working every day, caring about you every day, or making progress. Remarks to the Community in My fellow Americans, by any standard we Keene, New Hampshire have made progress. But most important is February 17, 1996 what will we do tomorrow, what is your vision of the future, and are you willing to do some- Thank you. Thank you for waiting in the thing about it. Cynicism is a very cheap ex- cold. I waited on the runway for 2 hours this cuse for inaction, and it is ultimately frustrat- morning in Washington for the weather to ing and unrewarding. It guarantees the fail- clear so that I could come, and I was hoping ure of democracy. you would wait for me. So I ask you again to participate in democ- Mayor Russell, thank you for those won- racy. They say, well, there is no opponent derful remarks about your beloved city. Sen- in the primary. Oh, yes there is. Cynicism ator Blaisedell, thank you for your support is our opponent. Apathy is our opponent. Di- and your statement and your service. And vision is our opponent. The siren song of sim- Jennifer Durling, thank you for reminding us ple answers that are wrong is our opponent. all what this election is all about: you and And you should know that, whatever anybody people like you, your future, and your coun- says, this is still the greatest country in try’s future. Thank you for doing such a good human history. Most people would give any- job. Let’s give her another hand. [Applause] thing to be in your shoes around the world I am delighted to be back in Keene. I today. And this system will work if you will thank the high school band and the choir for make it work. This system will work if you doing so well today. I was in the band in will make it work. high school; I can tell you they are freezing All my life I have been driven by the con- to death over there. [Laughter] It’s not easy viction that it is simply wrong, it is wrong to play the national anthem on a warm day, when any person is deprived of the oppor- and they did it on a cold day. Let’s give them tunity to live up to the fullest of their God- another hand; they were great. [Applause] given potential. I now know more strongly You know, I know the movie ‘‘Jumanji’’ than I ever had that it is also wrong to believe was filmed here. And I know one of the big-

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gest scenes was an elephant stampede right tunity. We have to insist on responsibility. up this street. And I decided I’d better get And we have to believe in our common des- up here before it’s too late and we had an- tiny. We have to go forward together. I am other elephant stampede. [Laughter] tired of seeing this country divided for short- I have such wonderful memories of this term political gain. We are strong when we community. I was last here in 1994 at the are together. We are never defeated when Markem Company, but all of you know I we are together. came many times in 1992. And the first time When I came here to New Hampshire, I I had an inkling that we might actually go said I had an economic strategy for America. on to victory was the night I had one of my If you would vote for me, we would cut the town meetings in Keene before they were deficit in half, institute an investment plan the thing to do, and we rented a hall or got that would create 8 million new jobs, open one, anyway, that was supposed to be big the doors of trade to American goods and enough for 150 people, and everybody was services. In the last 3 years, we have cut the hoping we make the room look almost full. deficit in half. I have another year, but we And over 400 people showed up that night. have almost 8 million jobs already. The un- Some of you were there. And I thank you. employment rate today in New Hampshire You gave me heart then to go on, and I thank is less than half what it was in 1992. And you for being here now. for the first time in a long time, our exports I also want to say a special word of thanks to other countries are growing faster than to the people of Keene for being so good their imports here. America is on the move. to Hillary when she was here recently at her I said if you will elect me I will try my rally. On my desk at the White House I’ve best to reassert the values that made this got one of those buttons that says ‘‘I’m Keene country great: to strengthen our families, to on Hillary.’’ And since I am, it’s only appro- be tougher on crime, to reform welfare to priate for me to have it there. value family and work, and to try to bring My fellow Americans, you all know that us together. And in the last 3 years, the crime New Hampshire gave me the chance to be- rate is down, the welfare rolls are down, the come President of the United States. And food stamp rolls are down, the poverty rate even more important, in all the many visits is down, the teen pregnancy rate is down. I had here in 1992—and I just counted be- America is on the move. fore I came up—there were 75 separate And I am so grateful that our country has scheduled events in New Hampshire be- been able to be a force for peace and free- tween January 1st and election day in 1992. dom around the world. More than anything You taught me a lot about America, about else I am grateful that now there is not a America’s dreams and challenges, America’s single nuclear weapon pointed at any Amer- hopes, and America’s concerns. And because ican citizen. I am grateful for the role we you did in this town square, in those rooms, have played for peace, from the Middle East and the town meetings, you helped me to to Northern Ireland to Haiti, and, yes, I am do my job better. So before I say anything grateful for the brave Americans who are de- else, I want to thank you from the bottom fending peace in Bosnia today. And I know of my heart for the opportunity I’ve had these you’re all proud of them as well. last 3 years to work for you. I thank you. But what I have to say today is you’re enti- In 1992, I came here with a straight- tled to a complete report, because you know forward vision for our country. I wanted us in your bones this is an unusual time. How to go into the 21st century with every Amer- could we have 8 million new jobs, how could ican who was willing to work, having a chance we have in New Hampshire an unemploy- to live the American dream. I wanted us to ment rate below 4 percent and people still go into the 21st century together, not di- feel uncertain about their present and their vided, and the leader of the world for peace future? Because half or more of our people and freedom. are still working harder without a raise. Be- I believed then and I believe now there cause a lot of companies are downsizing and is a simple strategy. We have to create oppor- laying people off. Their stock prices go down,

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but their people go out. What happens to And so I’ve come here today to ask for them? your support, not because of the warm per- We all know that there are still profound sonal feelings I feel, not because of the many social problems in our country that must be friends I have in this audience, not even be- addressed. And we know this is still a dan- cause of the achievements of this administra- gerous world, as we have been visited in the tion, but because of the challenges that lie last 3 years with terrorism in our own country ahead and because we dare not face those and we’ve seen it in Japan and in other coun- challenges unless we are willing to face them tries as well. We’ve seen that there are en- with vision and to face them together. That emies to peace everywhere when the great is why I seek your support. Israeli Prime Minister is murdered and mad- Look at the discussion in Washington over ness returned when the building was blown balancing the budget. I’m for balancing the up in England, trying to shatter the peace budget. When I showed up in Washington, in Northern Ireland. Everywhere in the the debt of this country had been quadrupled world we are safer than we were, but we are in 12 years. We cut it in half in 3 years, just not free of difficulty. like I told you we would in 1992. And we Why is this? I want you to understand that have to finish the job, but we have to do very clearly. I believe that we are having it in a way that is consistent with our values these changes and these perplexing times and consistent with our interests. That means with all the good things happening, but chal- we must do it in a way that honors our obliga- lenges remaining, because this is the time tions to our parents, to our children, to our of the most profound change our country has environment, and to our future. experienced in 100 years. Not since we We do not need to eliminate the moved from being primarily a rural people AmeriCorps program to balance the budget. to people who live mostly in towns and cities, And it would be wrong to do so. We do not when we moved from being primarily a peo- need to cut environmental protection by 30 ple who made our living on farms to being percent. And it would be wrong to do so. a people who made a living mostly on fac- We do not need to deprive good, hard- tories and the activity that created, have we working families who have children with dis- been through such change. abilities of the support that Medicaid gives We are now going into an economy domi- them. And it would be wrong to do so. And nated by information and technology, where we do not need to change the Medicare pro- work is ever more mind and less muscle. We gram that has given us senior citizens with are going into a world where global markets the highest life expectancy of any senior citi- for goods and services and money forced us zens in the entire world and break that down. all to compete in ways we never had to com- It is not necessary to balance the budget, and pete before. And wherever there is a great we should not do so. uprooting, there are lots of opportunities that Now, let me tell you what I think we will we can celebrate. Just for example, in the do. I believe we will keep that deficit coming last 3 years, there have been more new jobs down. I believe there’s a national consensus created by businesses owned by women for balancing the budget. And I want you alone than have been laid off by the Fortune to look ahead as I asked in the State of Union 500. Address at the challenges of the future and But there are those who do well and those to ask what you should do and what I should who are not doing so well, who are not posi- do. That is what this election is all about. tioned yet to win in this new age of possibil- Don’t let anybody kid you about anything ity. I believe with all my heart that the young else. Elections for President are still about people in this audience today will have an you. They’re about you and your family and era of greater possibility to live out their own your dreams and your challenges and your dreams than any generation of Americans has future. And don’t you ever let anybody take ever enjoyed if we meet the challenges of an election away from you. Make it about the present and if we do it in the right way. your future.

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Our first challenge is to strengthen our that has almost 50 Republican and Demo- families and to help all children recover their cratic cosponsors. It has been voted out of childhood. That’s what the Family and Medi- committee unanimously. But the vested in- cal Leave Act was all about. That’s what pro- terests do not want it voted on on the floor. viding more opportunities for Head Start is We should say to the : all about. Yes, most of it has to be done by Pass that bill, send it to the House; pass it people in their individual families. But the and send it to the President. America de- rest of us have a responsibility, too. I am serves it. proud of the fact that the Vice President and We should guarantee the integrity of the I insisted on the inclusion of the V-chip in pension systems in America. We dare not go the telecommunications law to give parents back to the time when companies were al- the right to decide whether their children lowed to raid their workers’ pensions for watch hours and hours and hours of mind- other short-term gains. And we ought to less, destructive violence on television for make it easier for small business people, like years and years and years. the people who work up and down this street, We have got to provide all Americans the to take out a pension for themselves and their opportunities that Jennifer spoke about. We employees. Less costly, more secure; we have live in an age where education matters more got to do that. than ever before. Just last week there was And, finally, when people lose their jobs, a new study saying that the difference 15 instead of having to go through this array of years ago between the earnings of high programs to find out whether they qualify school graduates and college graduates was for training, I propose a ‘‘GI bill’’ for Ameri- about 20 percent, and now it’s 80 percent. ca’s workers. Collapse all the programs, put I believe that we have an obligation to open the money in the bank, and give every unem- the doors of college education to every per- son in America who wants to go. ployed worker a voucher. Let the worker de- We should increase the Pell grant pro- cide where to get the training. Cut the bu- gram, not reduce it. We should maintain a reaucracy, increase the training, put people direct college loan program that gives young back to work at higher wages. That’s what people the chance to borrow the money they we need to do here. need to go college and pay it back as a per- And let me say one other thing. To me, centage of their income so they will never among the greatest heroes in this country are be discouraged from borrowing that money the people who work 40 hours a week and and going on to college. And if we are to do their best to raise their kids and only make have a tax cut, the best tax cut we could give the minimum wage. If we do not raise the America is a deduction for the cost of college minimum wage, this year it will drop to a tuition for every family. 40-year low in terms of what it will buy. We have to meet a challenge today that There is always a lot of talk in Washington won’t wait for tomorrow to help every Amer- about family values. It’s hard to raise a family ican family willing to work for it achieve a on $4.25 an hour. Let’s raise the minimum greater measure of economic security. If wage. we’re going to see people changing jobs more We have got to take our streets back from and more, if we want to keep the dynamism crime. I am glad the crime rate has gone of this economy and still support families down, but we all know it’s too high. You know who work and want to raise their children, when we’ll know this problem is whipped; there are a few things we have to do. Number when you turn on the television news and one: we ought to make it possible, if we can’t you see the report of a crime and you are have health insurance for everybody, at least surprised. We have got to make crime the everybody ought to have access to it. You exception, not the rule in America again. We shouldn’t lose your insurance when you must not repeal the crime bill’s requirement change jobs. You shouldn’t lose your insur- to put 100,000 police on our streets. And we ance because somebody in your family gets dare not go back on the other provisions of sick. There is a bill before the Senate today the crime bill.

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I know here in New Hampshire where, to give you a Government that costs less and like my native State of Arkansas, there are works better, and demands and deserves a lot of people who love to hunt. When we your trust and your confidence and your par- passed the ban on assault weapons, when we ticipation at election time. passed the Brady bill, there were hunters Let me say that just a few months ago I who were frightened into opposing our poli- was in Claremont with Speaker Gingrich, and cies, who were told that their guns were we shook hands on a commitment to try to going to be taken away. Well, we just had reform the political system when we were a great duck season in Arkansas and a great asked by a man who came down to be with deer season in New Hampshire, and not a me here today, named Frank McConnell— single hunter lost their guns. They were not Frank, where are you? Where’s Frank? told the truth. But I’ll tell you who did lose There he is. He is the guy that asked Newt their guns. Over 40,000 criminals could not Gingrich and to join together to buy guns because of the Brady bill. We are clean up the political system, to pass lobby not going to repeal it. reform and campaign finance reform. Let’s We must meet the challenge of keeping give him a hand. [Applause] our environment clean and safe and even Well, we did half of it. We passed a very better for the next generation. We must dis- good lobby reform bill, and believe me, the card this crazy notion that the only way we lobbyists are flooding the registration offices. can grow the economy is to destroy the envi- They are getting this information for the first ronment. It is not true. We can grow the time on the people they are working for, how economy by preserving the environment. much money they’re spending, and what That used to be a bipartisan commitment in they’re trying to get done. It’s a good law, America, and if you vote for Bill Clinton and and I’m proud we did it. And I compliment Al Gore, the environmental Vice President, the Republicans and the Democrats for you will send a message that will make the doing it. But we need to finish the job. environment a bipartisan commitment of Two distinguished United States Sen- America again. ators—a Republican from Arizona, John Even in this time when it is tempting to McCain, and a Democrat from Wisconsin, say we have no challenges beyond our bor- Russ Feingold—who disagree on a lot of ders, I ask you to remember that this great things, but understand that the health of our country of ours is looked to all across the democracy must be put ahead of partisan world to stand up for decency and peace and politics, have sponsored a campaign finance freedom. I ask you to understand that we reform bill. And we ought to pass it, and pass have certain responsibilities because no other it now, because of Frank and because of you. nation in the world can do the things we are This bill includes the things I talked to you called upon to do. about in 1992. It limits spending. It curbs I have not sought to make America the the influence of PACs and lobbyists. It ends world’s policeman, but I have not permitted the soft money system. Most important of America to withdraw from the world. Where all, it would recreate the kind of town meet- we can make a difference and where it is ings that New Hampshire made famous, be- consistent with our values and our interests, cause it would give the candidates free air we cannot be policemen, we cannot with- time. No more negative ads dominating poli- draw, but we can be the world’s greatest tics but open air time and honest discussions peacemaker. And that is exactly what we are of the issues. We need campaign finance re- trying to do today. form, and we need it now. These are all challenges that begin with But let me tell you something else we you, but involve your Government in a part- need; we need you. We need you. I want nership. But there is another challenge we you to go out Tuesday night. You say, well— must meet that begins with us and involves or Tuesday in the daytime—and vote. You you in a partnership. Here in this square of say, ‘‘You don’t have an opponent, Mr. Presi- Keene, let me say our seventh great chal- dent.’’ Oh, yes, I do. Oh, yes, I do, and so lenge is to make our democracy work again, do you. Our opponent is cynicism. It is nega-

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tivism. It is apathy. It is division. It is short- senator; and Jennifer Durling, student body presi- term gain instead of the long-term interest dent, Keene High School. of the country. Those are our opponents. Remember, when we’re united we never Remarks to the Community in lose; when we’re divided we defeat ourselves. Cynicism is a cheap cover and a poor excuse Manchester, New Hampshire for inaction by the American citizens. Don’t February 17, 1996 tell me your vote doesn’t make a difference. The President. Thank you so much. It does. It does. If you voted for Bill Clinton Didn’t Jason Sabatino do a great job? And and Al Gore 4 years ago, you got the family thank you, Donna Soucy. And to New Hamp- and medical leave law, you got national serv- shire College Board Chair Bob Morine, and ice, you got a better college loan program, all the people here from New Hampshire you got more kids in Head Start, you got College, I’m glad to be here with the Pen- a halving of the deficit, you got policies that men. I congratulate you on the success of contributed to the growth of jobs in America. your basketball and your soccer teams. And You did make a difference, and it will make I now know that enthusiasm is one key to a difference. that success. It’s wonderful to be here with You dare not permit the American people, you. your friends and neighbors, who would never Let me also ask you to join with me in think of coming out here on a cold day and giving a warm round of applause to the Salem standing here like you are, fall victim to this High School band. We thank them for play- kind of skepticism and cynicism. It has no ing. This is the second time they played for place in America. me in 2 weeks; I feel like we’re on a road Let me tell you, I know people say the tour together. [Laughter] Government would mess up a one-car parade I want to tell you how wonderful it is to and nothing good ever happens, but I just be here. I have been in Rochester and Keene gave you a list of things good that happened. today. I have been in Concord and Nashua And let me tell you something else. In his and Bedford and Salem on the last trip I was new book, my friend James Carville points here. And this is my second trip to Man- out something that every American should chester just in the last couple of weeks. It know. In the last 30 years, we have spent has been a wonderful experience for me. I one-half of your tax money on just three can also tell you that when the First Lady things: defense, Social Security, and Medi- was here a couple of weeks ago, she had a care. wonderful time. And I thank all of you who Now, what did you get for it? We won the have been so supportive of her. And I thank cold war. There are no missiles pointed at all those who have come out to see the Vice America’s children. The elderly poverty rate President and who supported his efforts and has been cut in half, and if you live to be our administration to protect the environ- 65, senior citizens in America have the high- ment and promote technology. est life expectancy of any group of seniors This is a remarkable experience, the New in the world. I think we got our money’s Hampshire primary season. You might ask, worth. We can make a difference when we well, what are you doing here? [Laughter] work together and when we determine to do I’m here for two reasons. One is, when I was things. If we meet the challenges of the fu- elected President, I told the people of New ture the way we met those three challenges, Hampshire that I would not forget, that I this country’s best days are ahead of us. would not stop coming back, that I would You can do it. Go Tuesday. Stand up for be here again and again, and I have been. your country. Fight for your future, and de- And I wanted to be here to say, secondly, termine that we are going to do this together. I do have an opponent Tuesday in the elec- Thank you, and God bless you all. tion. It’s cynicism and apathy. It’s the division NOTE: The President spoke at 2:55 p.m. in the of our people that comes up too often at elec- Keene central square. In his remarks, he referred tion time. And those are the real opponents to Mayor Pat Russell; Clesson Blaisedell, State that you have. So I came here to ask you

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