Oct. 8 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2004 against the forces of terror and defeat this and Egypt to help the victims and their evil. families. The stands ready to On behalf of the American people, I ex- provide assistance to the Government of press condolences to all who lost loved ones Egypt as it brings the perpetrators of these and to the people of Egypt and of Israel. acts to justice. I commend the cooperation between Israel

Remarks at a Breakfast for Gubernatorial Candidate Matt Blunt in St. Louis, October 9, 2004

Thank you all. Thanks for coming. Thank We got a great family. I’m proud to be you all for coming. Please be seated. I ap- with my Uncle Bucky Bush and my Aunt preciate that kind introduction, Governor. Patty Bush. Thank you for your love and [Laughter] He said, ‘‘Are you doing any- compassion. thing for breakfast?’’ [Laughter] I said, I want to thank Melanie Blunt for her ‘‘Waking up.’’ [Laughter] He said, ‘‘Why willingness to serve the State of Missouri don’t you come by and have some eggs as the next first lady of Missouri. Besides with some friends.’’ [Laughter] I said, Matt, you’ve got another fine Missourian ‘‘More than happy to.’’ I want to thank on the ticket, running for Federal office, you all for coming. With your help, Matt and that’s . You need to put him Blunt will be the next Governor for the back into office. He’s a great Senator. I great State of Missouri. know Brenda Talent is here. I appreciate It’s good to be back in St. Louis, home you being here, Brenda. Thank you for coming. You know, that fine husband of of the mighty Cardinals. You might remem- yours, I didn’t hold it against him that he ber opening day. [Laughter] The Cardinals missed another one of my speeches, but had a great season after that. I can’t claim he’s heard a lot of them before. [Laughter] any credit—[laughter]—although I’ve al- He’s doing a great job, and I know you’re ways wanted to lead a baseball team into proud of him. I know the people of Mis- the playoffs. [Laughter] souri are proud of him as well. Congress- I’m proud to be traveling with Laura. man Todd Akin—I don’t know if Todd She is a—so when I asked her to marry made it this morning or not, but I’m proud me, she said, ‘‘Fine, just so long as I never of the job he’s doing for the people of have to give a speech.’’ [Laughter] I said, this area of Missouri. ‘‘Okay, you got a deal.’’ [Laughter] Fortu- I saw last night. I don’t nately, she didn’t hold me to that promise. know if Pete is here, but he’s going to The American people have seen her speak make a great Lieutenant Governor for the and have come to know her as a strong, State of Missouri. Yes, Peter, thank you compassionate, great First Lady. We’re off for coming. You’ve come a long way for to and then Minnesota. And I’m going a country boy. [Laughter] I want to thank to remind the people of those States, like Catherine Hanaway, who’s going to be the I’m reminding everybody, there’s some rea- next secretary of state for the great State sons to put me back into office, but per- of Missouri. haps the most important one is so that I want to thank , who has Laura will have 4 more years. done such a fine job as the cochairman

2422 Administration of George W. Bush, 2004 / Oct. 9 of the RNC and as the chairman of the lieves that. He’s got good plans and good Missouri Republican Party. Thank you for visions for the schools of this State. He’ll being here, Annie, it’s good to see you. make sure school funding gets to the teach- I want to thank my friend Sam Fox and ers and the classrooms, so not any child, Marilyn Fox for helping to organize this not one child is left behind in this State. breakfast today. And I want to thank you He’ll make sure this great State continues all for joining the Foxes in supporting this to create jobs. He understands that a good good man, Matt Blunt for Governor. economy is one in which the farmers and I know is here, running ranchers do well. for State treasurer, and Chris Byrd, running And he’ll do something else, what’s need- for attorney general. Thank you both for ed. The high cost of medicine is making running. Good luck. I’m all for you. it hard for small businesses to expand, for But most of all, thank you all for coming. people to keep their health care. He under- Thank you for being here. Thank you for stands like I understand, these frivolous what you’re going to do, which is turn out lawsuits are driving good doctors out of the vote. And thanks for supporting Matt. business and driving up your cost of medi- It takes a lot of work to get 750 people cine. Laughter to show up for breakfast. [ ] It’s We both share a commitment to keep a great organizational effort. And I want our economy growing and to keep the peo- to thank Matt’s friends for putting this ple safe. We have some things in common. breakfast on. It’s an important election here We’re both in the same line of work as in Missouri. Matt has everything it takes our dads. [Laughter] But all the good ad- to lead this State. In 2001, he became the first statewide vice comes from our mothers. [Laughter] elected official in Missouri history to be I want to thank Matt’s mom for being here. called up to active duty. Think about that. Roseanne, great to see you. God bless you. He served his Nation with honor in the We share the same values. We stand for . He’s still a member a culture of life, which every person mat- of the Navy Reserves, and I’m proud to ters and every being counts. We stand for be his Commander in Chief. He knows marriage and family, which are the founda- people in the ‘‘Show Me’’ State want Gov- tions of our society. We believe in the ernment that gets results, not Government power of faith, and we stand with the ar- that just spends money. mies of compassion. We stand for judges For the last 4 years, Matt has been get- who know the difference between personal ting results as the secretary of the State. opinion and the strict interpretation of the He’s a results-oriented person. That’s what law. These values are shared by Repub- you need in your statehouse. I know some- licans and Democrats and independents all thing about being a Governor. I was one over the State of Missouri. When the peo- once. [Laughter] A Governor’s job is to get ple of Missouri elect Matt Blunt, you’ll get things done for the people of their State, a Governor who stands up for those values and that’s what he’s going to do as your every single day. Let’s get him in office. Governor. We’re getting close to voting time here His top priority is education, and that’s in this country. But who’s counting the the way it should be. Anybody running for days? [Laughter] There was voting time Governor must make sure the education elsewhere in this world today. A marvelous of the State is the top priority. I used to thing is happening in Afghanistan. Freedom say in Texas, education is to a State what is powerful. Think about a society in which national defense is to the Federal Govern- young girls couldn’t go to school and their ment. Matt understands that, and he be- mothers were whipped in the public

2423 Oct. 9 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2004 square. And today they’re holding a Presi- With a straight face, he said, ‘‘I’ve only dential election. had one position on Iraq.’’ He must think The first person to vote in the Presi- we’ve been on another planet. [Laughter] dential election, 3 years after the Taliban In the spring of 2003, as I ordered the ruled that country with such barbarism, was invasion of Iraq, Senator Kerry said, ‘‘It a 19-year-old woman, an Afghan refugee was the right decision.’’ Now he says, ‘‘It’s who fled her homeland during the civil war. the wrong war.’’ And he tries to tell us Here’s what she said: ‘‘I cannot explain my he’s had only one position. Who is he trying feelings, just how happy I am. I would to kid? He can run, but he cannot hide. never have thought I would be able to vote With another straight face, he tried to in this election.’’ She’s voting in this elec- tell Americans that when it comes to his tion because the United States of America health care plan, quote, ‘‘The Government believes that freedom is the Almighty God’s has nothing to do with it.’’ [Laughter] Eight gift to each man and woman in this world. out of ten people who would get health And today is an appropriate day for Ameri- insurance under Senator Kerry’s plan will cans to remember and thank the men and be placed on a Government program. He women of our Armed Forces who liberated can run, but he cannot hide. Afghanistan. Then Senator Kerry was asked to look The people of Australia voted today as into the camera—[laughter]—and promise well. And I want to congratulate my good he would not raise taxes for anyone who friend Prime Minister John Howard, who earns less than $200,000 a year. The prob- won a great victory. lem is, to keep that promise he would have Laura and I are here to ask for people’s to break almost all of his other ones. vote. We believe you’ve got to get out [Laughter] His plan to raise taxes on the amongst the people and say, ‘‘I want your top two income brackets will raise 600 bil- vote. I want your support.’’ I’m looking for- lion by our count, 800 billion by his. But ward to coming down the stretch, traveling his health care plan alone costs more than this great country, talking about a strong $1.2 trillion. He can’t have it both ways. and positive message for our country. I’ve To pay for the big spending program he’s worked hard to make this country more outlined during his campaign, he will have hopeful and secure. I’ve led our country to raise your taxes. He can run, but he with principle and resolve, and that’s how cannot hide. I’ll lead this country for the next 4 years. Much of what my opponent said last It was good to be back at Washington night is contradicted by his own record, University. If I spend any more time there, 20 years of votes that earned him the ‘‘most they might give me an honorary degree. liberal’’ label. He voted 98 times to raise [Laughter] But I enjoyed that debate last taxes, more than 200 times to break spend- night, and I really appreciated the ques- ing caps. He voted against , al- tions from the people of Missouri. They though last night he tried to claim he now were good questions. And they helped supports it. On national security, he has highlight some fundamental differences on a voting record—a record of voting against issues from jobs to taxes to health care the weapons systems that helped our coun- to national security. try win the cold war. He voted to cut Much as he tried to obscure it, on issue America’s intelligence budget by $7.5 bil- after issue, my opponent showed why he’s lion. earned the ranking, the most liberal Mem- And now he says he wants a ‘‘global test’’ ber of the . And sev- before taking action to defend America’s eral of the statements just don’t pass the security. The problem is, Senator Kerry’s credibility test. own record shows we can never pass that

2424 Administration of George W. Bush, 2004 / Oct. 9 test. In 1991, the United Nations Security grows, we need less regulations on our job Council passed a resolution supporting ac- creators. We need legal reform in America. tion to remove Saddam Hussein from Ku- We need to make sure we have an energy wait. The international community was plan that encourages consumption, that united. Countries throughout the world works with renewables, that explores for joined our coalition. Yet in the United coal by using technologies to protect our States Senate after the Security Council air. To make sure jobs are here in America, resolution, Senator Kerry voted no. I have America must be less dependent on foreign a different view. I’ll work with our allies. sources of energy. I’ll continue to build a strong coalition, but To make sure jobs remain here, we got I will never allow other nations to veto to reject economic isolationism. You know, America’s national security decisions. we open up our markets for goods from After listening to the litany of complaints overseas, and that’s good for consumers. and the dour pessimism, I did all I could If you have more goods to choose from, not to make a bad face. [Laughter] We you’re likely to get that which you want got a better way to make sure this country at a better price and higher quality. That’s is more hopeful and more safe. how the marketplace works. That’s why I’m When you’re out counting—rounding up saying to China, ‘‘You treat us the way we the votes, remind people what we’ve been treat you. Level the playing field.’’ And I through. We’ve been through a recession. believe strongly that America can compete And by the way, the stock market started with anybody, anytime, anywhere, so long to decline 6 months before I became Presi- as the rules are fair. dent. And then we had a recession. Then we had some corporate scandals. We To make sure we continue to grow this passed tough laws to make it clear that economy, we got to make sure our people we’re not going to tolerate dishonesty in get educated. I went to Washington to the boardrooms of America. And then we solve problems, not to pass them on to got attacked, and that attack cost us 1 mil- future Presidents and future generations. lion jobs in the 3 months after September I knew something about public schools be- the 11th. cause I was the Governor of a State. I But I put the right policies in at the knew that people in leadership positions right time at the right place, right here had to challenge the soft bigotry of low at home. We cut the taxes on the people. expectations, a system that just quit on cer- We gave the people more money to stimu- tain kids, a system that thought certain kids late consumption and encourage in invest- couldn’t learn so they just shuffled them ment. And because we acted, the recession through, grade after grade, year after year. we faced was one of the shortest in history. We let down too many families with that America is on the move. kind of attitude. Yesterday we learned we’ve created 1.9 Yes, we’ve increased spending at the million new jobs in the last 13 months. Federal level, but excellence in the class- We’re on the move. The national unem- rooms requires more than just spending in- ployment rate is 5.4 percent. That is lower creases. It requires a change of attitude. than the average of the 1970s, 1980s, and We’ve raised the standards. We now meas- 1990s. Farm income is up. Small businesses ure early, so we can solve problems before are flourishing. The entrepreneurial spirit it’s too late. We believe every child can is strong. Homeownership rates are at an learn, and when we find a problem, we alltime high in America. provide extra resources. And guess what’s There is more to do. To make sure jobs happening in America. There was an stay here in America and this economy achievement—there is an achievement gap

2425 Oct. 9 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2004 in America, but it’s closing. It’s closing be- I strongly believe we need to expand health cause the system now focuses on each savings accounts, tax-free accounts, coupled child, provides resources for each child, and with catastrophic care, so workers have got will not let any child get behind in Amer- more affordable health care, so small busi- ica. nesses can better afford health care. There’s more to do. There’s more to do. I know we need to introduce tech- We got—in a changing world, most new nologies into the medical system to wring jobs require a college degree, yet one in out the inefficiencies in the system to re- four of our students gets there. That’s why duce the cost of health care. And I agree I believe in intermediate help in high with Matt Blunt: In order to make sure schools for at-risk students. That’s why I health care is available and affordable, we know we got to put math and science in need medical liability reform—now. I don’t place. That’s why I’m for extending Pell think you can be pro-doctor, pro-patient, grants for low- and middle-income families, and pro-trial-lawyer at the same time. so more of our people start their career No, there’s more to do to make sure with a college diploma. America is a hopeful place, and there’s And in a changing world, the skill sets more to do to make sure America is a required for jobs in the 21st century change safer place as well. Our strategy is clear. as well. That’s why I’m a big believer in We’re defending the homeland. We’re the community college systems, to make transforming and strengthening the All-Vol- sure our workers have got the capacity to unteer Army—and we will keep it an all- fill the jobs of the 21st century. volunteer army. We’re making sure we got No, there’s more to do. We’ve done a the best intelligence in the world. We will lot. We’ve had a record of accomplishment. stay on the offensive. We will strike the But the only reason to look back is to tell terrorists abroad so we do not have to face the people I’m going to do what I’m telling them here at home. We’ll continue to work you I’m going to do. The only reason to for freedom and peace in the broader Mid- look back at the record is to say, ‘‘This dle East and around the world. And we’ll man intends to accomplish more for the prevail. American people.’’ Our strategy is succeeding. Think about We got to make sure our health care the world some 31⁄2 years ago. Afghanistan system is available and affordable. I re- was the home base of Al Qaida. Pakistan member campaigning here in 2000, going was a transit point for terrorist groups. to a community health center right here Saudi Arabia was fertile ground for terrorist in St. Louis, Missouri. I saw the compas- fundraising. Libya was secretly pursuing nu- sionate care being delivered to the people clear weapons. Iraq was a gathering threat. there, to those who can’t afford insurance, And Al Qaida was largely unchallenged as to those who need help. I’m a big believer it planned attacks. in community health centers to help the Because we led, because we acted, Af- poor and the indigent. I believe every poor ghanistan is fighting terror and holding a county in America ought to have a commu- Presidential election today; Pakistan is cap- nity health center. I believe we ought to turing terrorists; Saudi Arabia is making extend and expand the low-income health raids and arrests; Libya is dismantling its program—the health program for low-in- weapons programs; a army of a free Iraq come children. I know to make sure health is fighting for freedom; and more than care is more affordable, we must allow three-quarters of Al Qaida’s leaders and as- small businesses to pool risk across jurisdic- sociates have been brought to justice. tional boundaries so they can buy insurance We’ve led. Many have joined, and America at the same discounts big companies can. and the world are safer.

2426 Administration of George W. Bush, 2004 / Oct. 9

And we’ve got more work to do. Over to speak. And he says, ‘‘Follow me into the next 4 years, we’ll pursue Al Qaida a great mistake.’’ Nobody is going to follow. wherever they hide. Over the next 4 years, You must have optimism. You must believe we’ll continue to disrupt the flows of weap- in what you’re doing if you expect to lead. ons of mass destruction. Over the next 4 And I believe in what we’re doing in Iraq. years, we’ll continue to spread freedom. And in January, Iraq will have elections, And that’s what’s happening in Iraq. Last and that’s important. You see, I believe in night I talked about the Finance Minister the power of liberty to transform societies. who came to see me. Let me recount some I tell people all the time about my rela- of that conversation I had with him. I tionship with Prime Minister Koizumi of thought it was really interesting and illus- Japan. I was with him at the United Na- trative. He walks in full of confidence. He tions a couple of weeks ago, and I said, says, ‘‘Mr. President, thank you for what ‘‘I don’t know if you know this, but I’m you and your country have done for us. traveling the country talking about you and We’re headed toward elections.’’ talking about our relationship. Is that Think about that statement. A fellow okay?’’ After having done it about 30 times, shows up in the Oval Office of the Presi- he had to say yes. [Laughter] He said, dent of the United States and says, ‘‘We’re ‘‘Sure.’’ I didn’t tell him I was going to headed for elections.’’ For most of us, that tell you his favorite singer is Elvis. [Laugh- doesn’t sound like much. But for a person ter] who used to live under the—in a country But think about that for a minute. He that was ruled by a brutal tyrant, where and I are friends, and we’re talking about there were torture rooms and mass graves, different issues confronting the world. And where people had no freedom at all, to the reason I say ‘‘think about it’’ is because say, ‘‘We’re headed toward elections,’’ is a it wasn’t all that long ago that we were powerful statement. at war with Japan. If you’re 58 years old, And our strategy is clear. We’re going like me, it seems like an eternity. But a to help the Iraqis. We’re going to train lot of people in this country still remember Iraqis so they can do the hard work nec- that war. My dad does, Buck’s brother. I’m essary for a free society to emerge. It’s sure you’ve got dads and granddads who their country. We just want to stand with fought against the Japanese. They were our them as democracy comes to that piece sworn enemy. of the world. And so we’re training the And after we were victorious in World troops. We’ll have 125,000 police, Iraqi * War II, Harry S. Truman, from the State national army trained up by the end of of Missouri, believed that liberty could December. It’s an essential part of our transform an enemy into an ally. And so strategy. We got $7 billion allocated for did a lot of other citizens. Oh, there were reconstruction efforts. We’re working with some skeptics in those days, and you can a grand coalition. Some 30 nations are in- understand why. We had just finished a volved there in Iraq. war. A lot of people’s lives had been hurt As an aside, you cannot lead a coalition as a result of that war. A lot of Americans in Iraq if you tell them, ‘‘This is the wrong had lost a loved one. They weren’t inter- war at the wrong place at the wrong time.’’ ested in worrying about Japan. They were Imagine my opponent’s grand idea of a interested in their own souls and their own global summit, and he walks in, and there hearts. I’m sure there was a lot of people are the leaders around the world sitting here that said, ‘‘It’s just impossible for an there, waiting for the American President enemy to become a friend.’’ But because my predecessor and other Americans be- * White House correction. lieved in the power of liberty to transform

2427 Oct. 9 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2004 societies, I sit at the table with Prime Min- spreading freedom at home, opportunity ister Koizumi, talking about the peace we will go into every single corner of this all want. country. We’ll get the job done in Iraq. Freedom It’s my honor to represent you. I look is powerful. And when we succeed, an forward to winning this election. I want American President will be sitting down to thank you for help. May God bless you with a duly elected leader of Iraq, talking all, and may God continue to bless our about the peace that we all want. And we country. will have known—this generation of Ameri- cans will have known we have done our duty to our children and our grandchildren NOTE: The President spoke at 8:34 a.m. at to leave behind a better world. the America’s Center. In his remarks, he re- The stakes are high. This is an historic ferred to Melanie Blunt, wife of guber- opportunity. It’s essential that we be reso- natorial candidate Matt Blunt; Brenda Tal- lute and clear in our vision and have faith ent, wife of Senator James M. Talent; Mis- in the values that make us a great nation. souri State Senator Peter Kinder, candidate I believe this century will be liberty’s cen- for Missouri Lieutenant Governor; Prime tury. I know that by spreading freedom Minister John Howard of Australia; and abroad, we’ll bring the peace. And by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan.

The President’s Radio Address October 9, 2004

Good morning. As your President, I have Security to allow younger workers to own led this country with principle and resolve. a piece of their retirement. Because edu- We have confronted historic challenges and cation is vital to our prosperity, we will built a broad record of accomplishment. I raise expectations in public schools and in- have proposed and delivered four rounds vest in community colleges. And to make of tax relief, and our economy is creating sure America is the best place in the world jobs again. We have added over 1.9 million to do business and create jobs, we will cut jobs in the past 13 months, more than Ger- regulations, end junk lawsuits, pass a sound many, Japan, Great Britain, Canada, and energy policy, and make tax relief perma- France combined. The unemployment rate nent. is 5.4 percent, lower than the average rate of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Thanks to Senator Kerry takes a very different ap- our education reforms, math and reading proach to our economy. He was named the scores are increasing in public schools. We most liberal Member of the United States have strengthened Medicare to help low- Senate, and that’s a title he has earned. income seniors save money on their medi- Over the past 20 years, Senator Kerry has cine. And soon every senior will have the voted to raise taxes 98 times. He opposed option of prescription drug coverage. all our tax relief and voted instead to We have more to do. We will transform squeeze an extra $2,000 in taxes from the our systems of Government to fit a chang- average middle-class family. Now he’s run- ing world and to help more people realize ning on an agenda of higher taxes and high- the American Dream. We will expand er spending and more Government control health savings accounts and improve Social over American life. My opponent wants to

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