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these deployments, and we will continue NOTE: Identical letters were sent to J. Den- to do so. nis Hastert, Speaker of the House of Rep- Sincerely, resentatives, and , President pro tempore of the Senate. This letter was re- leased by the Office of the Press Secretary GEORGE W. BUSH on December 9.

Remarks at a Reception for Senatorial Candidate Mark Kennedy in Minneapolis, December 9, 2005

Thanks for coming. Thank you all. I ap- He’s a fine man and doing a great job preciate the warm reception. [Laughter] as Governor. I want to thank the Lieuten- This is a Senator Kennedy I can work with. ant Governor who is here. I want to thank [Laughter] I have come because I know all the State and local officials. Mark, and I know he is going to make I want to thank my friend Norm Cole- a great Senator for the peo- man. Congressman Jim Ramstad is with us ple of Minnesota. today. Jim, I appreciate you coming—new- He’s a down-to-earth fellow. After all, lywed, I might add. Mark and I flew over he was raised in rural Minnesota. He brings with Congressman John Kline—you talk commonsense values to Washington, DC. about a patriot and a good man who needs He’s not one of these kind of fancy guys; to be reelected to the United States Con- he’s a guy that gets the job done. He fo- gress. cuses on results. He works on behalf of I want to thank a longtime family friend the people. He’ll make a great United of ours, Rudy Boschwitz, for his great lead- States Senator from Minnesota. ership. I appreciate the Boschwitz family Laura sends her love. Mark and I both for being here—all the Boschwitz boys. married above ourselves. [Laughter] I’m [Laughter] And they didn’t ask for any ad- proud to be up here with Debbie Kennedy vice, but I gave it, and I said, ‘‘Listen to as well. I met the—Sarah—the Kennedy your mother.’’ [Laughter] Mark, you need family, if you don’t know it, is quite large. to be listening to yours too. [Laughter] [Laughter] If they all vote—[laughter]—it’s I want to thank all the grassroots activ- a landslide. [Laughter] But Laura sends her ists. Thank you all for coming. Here’s the very best. deal. It’s important to contribute like you One of the important things about run- have. But your contributions are going to ning for office is to have a family that be needed to win this campaign, and these stands with you. It can be a little lonely are contributions of talking to your neigh- out there at times. But there’s nothing bet- bors, going to your community centers and ter than coming home to a great wife, and houses of worship and places you work, in Mark’s case, and a family that dearly and telling people that when you’ve got loves him. One reason to send Mark Ken- somebody who’s honest and decent like nedy to the is, he Mark Kennedy, they need to send him to understands the importance of family in our the United States Senate for the good of society today. all people of Minnesota. I want to thank the Governor of your So I want to thank you for what you great State, Tim Pawlenty, for being here. have done for this good man and what

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you’re going to do. I know he’s going to They want safe haven from which to launch work hard. He was just telling me today attacks. how many parades he’s marched in. Think about Afghanistan. They had [Laughter] That’s a lot, by the way. [Laugh- achieved their objective for a short period ter] Showed me that old football schedules of time. They had taken over Afghanistan that he passes out. [Laughter] He’s a grass- so they could plot and plan their attacks, roots-type fellow, gets down to where the one of which was the September the 11th people are. He tells them what’s on his attack. I told the world—and I meant it— mind, and when he says something, he does ‘‘If you harbor a terrorist, you’re equally it. And that’s the kind of people we need as guilty as the terrorist.’’ Our troops liber- in Washington, DC. ated the people of Afghanistan and routed I also look forward to working with the Taliban. And that part of the world Mark. We’re facing—we’re living in historic is better off, and our country is more se- times. These are dangerous times, and cure because democracy has taken hold in they’re times of great opportunity. And I’m Afghanistan. looking forward to working with Senator The enemy has made it abundantly clear Mark Kennedy to secure this country, to that Iraq is a central front in their war do our duty in Washington, DC, and do against humanity. That’s what they’ve said. everything we can to protect the people. And our Nation must understand that Iraq Our lives and the life of our Nation is the central front in the war against the changed on September the 11th, 2001, and terrorists. And that’s why we have—we’re we must never forget the lessons of that there for one reason, and that is to achieve day. We must deal with threats before they a victory, to make America more secure. fully materialize. There’s an enemy—[ap- We took the threat seriously, and we re- plause]. We have got to see the world the moved that threat. And now our strategy way it is, not the way we’d like it to be. is twofold. On the one hand, we’re helping There is an enemy which hates America. the brave Iraqis establish a democracy. Any They hate us because we stand for what way you look at it, these people that lived they don’t believe in. We believe in free- under the brutal thumb of a tyrant have dom. We believe in the freedom for people made incredible progress. They had January to worship any way they want in the United elections. They approved a Constitution. States of America. We believe that people And next week, they’re voting for a 4-year can speak their mind freely. We believe Government. Democracy is making that people can write their editorials the progress because of the courage of the way they want to write them. We believe Iraqi people. in freedom, and we’re not going to change. And the second prong of our strategy And we face an enemy that has got an is to train Iraqis so they can take the fight ideology and a strategy and a tactical plan to the enemy, so they can bring people to achieve their strategy. These people have to justice. And we’re making progress there hijacked a great religion and turned it to as well. Of course, it’s been uneven at their advantage—they think. They’re trying times. But it’s important for you to know to spread a totalitarian empire from Indo- that the Iraqis want to secure their democ- nesia to Spain. How do I know? Because racy, and democracy helps make this world they’ve told us. They’ve told us pointblank more peaceful. what they’re looking for. They’re trying to Now, there’s a debate raging in Wash- drive the United States out of the Middle ington, DC. There are some who are argu- East so they can take over other countries ing for a fixed timetable of withdrawal. I to spread their dark view of the world. think it’s the wrong policy, and so does

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Mark Kennedy. A fixed timetable of with- These are historic times. We have an drawal would embolden the enemy, would obligation and a duty to protect the Amer- confuse the Iraqis, and would send the ican people. And we’ll do just that. That’s wrong signal to our young men and women why Mark Kennedy needs to be in the in uniform. The United States of Amer- United States Senate. And we have an op- ica—[applause]. portunity—and we have an historic oppor- We have got a strategy for victory, and tunity to lay the foundation of peace for we’ll see that strategy through. We will de- generations to come. I’m absolutely con- feat the terrorists in Iraq. We will not let vinced that someday, 50 or 60 years from Al Qaida take a stronghold—get a strong- now, an American President will be speak- hold in Iraq. We’ll help this country de- ing to an audience saying, ‘‘Thank goodness velop a democracy, which will send a pow- a generation of Americans rose to the chal- erful signal to people in Damascus and lenge and helped people be liberated from Tehran. tyranny. Democracy spread, and the world Our short-term objective is to stay on is more peaceful for it.’’ the hunt and bring the killers to justice And there’s no doubt in my mind Mark before they hurt us again. I’d rather be Kennedy understands the stakes and shares defeating them there than facing them here the vision for laying that foundation for at home. And our long-term objective is peace. He needs to be a United States Sen- to spread the power of democracy and free- ator from the State of Minnesota. dom. I’ve enjoyed working with Mark Kennedy You know, I recently went to the Far on economic matters. We share a philos- East, as you may know, and visited with ophy that says this: The role of government my friend Prime Minister Koizumi of is not to create wealth; the role of govern- Japan. He’s a good fellow, and he’s a good ment is to create an environment in which friend. It struck me then, like it has in the entrepreneurial spirit is strong in Amer- previous times, about how ironic it is, in ica. a way, that the son of an 18-year-old Navy We’ve been through some tough times fighter pilot who fought the Japanese is in this country. As you might recall, we now talking peace with the leader of a had a recession, some corporate scandals, country that was our sworn enemy. Think an attack on our country, a war, major hur- about that for a minute. Sixty years ago, ricanes. And yet the third quarter growth a lot of folks, a lot of your relatives, signed in 2005 was 4.3 percent. We’ve added 4.5 up to fight an enemy that attacked us. By million jobs since May of 2003. The unem- the way, we lost more people on Sep- ployment rate in Minnesota is 3.7 percent. tember the 11th than we did when Pearl The unemployment rate nationally is 5 per- Harbor was bombed. And a lot of people cent. Homeownership is at an alltime high. went and fought, and there was a lot of More minorities own a home than ever be- death and destruction. And yet, 60 years fore in our Nation’s history. This economy later—which seems like a long time when is strong, and it’s going to be stronger. you’re 59—[laughter]—but it’s really not all And one reason it’s strong is we cut the that long in the march of history—I’m talk- taxes on the people. We understand that ing with Prime Minister Koizumi about when somebody has got more money to how to keep the peace. So something hap- spend or save, this economy is going to pened between the time that my dad and grow. And Mark Kennedy understands that. your relatives signed up in World War II, He also understands that we must have cer- and I’m talking peace with Koizumi. And tainty in the Tax Code. We need to make what happened was, Japan became a de- the tax cuts we passed permanent. By the mocracy. way, when you hear somebody say, ‘‘Don’t

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make the tax cuts permanent,’’ that’s Wash- the decisions. And there’s people like Mark ington, DC, code for saying, ‘‘We’re going and I who believe that the best decision- to raise your taxes.’’ [Laughter] That’s what making in health care is between the pa- that is. tient and the doctor. And that’s why we And the other thing we’ve done is, we’ve strongly support health savings accounts, as- worked hard to make sure that we’ve been sociated health plans for small businesses, wise about how we spend your money. community health centers, a reformed Each year we’ve cut the rate of growth Medicare program. of nonsecurity discretionary spending. I’m But I want to talk about one other issue hoping to sign a series of appropriation bills in health care. You cannot have affordable that will actually have negative growth in and available health care if your doctors nondiscretionary—in nonsecurity discre- are getting sued all the time. We got a tionary spending, the first time since Ron- problem in this country. We got too many ald Reagan was the President. Mark Ken- docs being run out of the practice of medi- nedy is a fiscal conservative. He is a CPA. cine because of these junk lawsuits. And It seems like to me we got enough lawyers you’re paying for it twice. You’re paying in the United States Senate; why shouldn’t for it as a result of higher doctor bills when we have a CPA in the United States Sen- you go to the office, and you’re paying for ate? it through higher—because the Federal I want to talk about a couple of more Government has got a huge, huge share issues. We got a farm bill coming up. This of health care spending. is an important farm State. It seems like to me you want to have a United States See, when I first went to Washington, Senator who can come in the Oval Office I said, ‘‘Well, this is a local issue. The Gov- and talk to the President about Minnesota ernors can take care of it.’’ But then I farmers. We passed a good farm bill. I want realized all these frivolous lawsuits and the to thank Mark for working on it. And in defensive practice of medicine and the in- that farm bill was not only a safety net crease of premiums for docs are costing for our farmers but a commitment to open us billions of dollars a year at the Federal up markets for Minnesota farmers. Here’s level—through Medicaid, Medicare, and what I think. I think if you’re good at veterans spending, for example. So medical something, like the Minnesota farmers are, liability is a national problem that requires they ought to be given opportunity to sell a national solution. And I look forward to product all across the world. working with United States Senator Mark In the farm bill, there was a strong con- Kennedy to make sure health care is avail- servation title called the CRP program. It’s able and affordable for Minnesota patients. good for Minnesota ranchers and farmers. There are three branches of Govern- If you’re interested in a strong ag economy ment, as you know. Well, some of them like we got today, if you’re a Minnesota back there think there’s four branches. farmer, there’s only one man suited to be [Laughter] The Constitution recognizes the United States Senator in this race, and three branches. [Laughter] I’m proudly part that’s Mark Kennedy. of the executive branch. You’ll be proudly Health care is an issue. It’s an issue for part of the—he is a part of the legislative patients. It’s an issue for docs. It’s an issue branch. And we’ve got to make sure that for small-business owners. We intend to do the judiciary—judicial branch of Govern- something about it. There’s a philosophical ment functions the way the framers of our divide, however, and there will be one in Constitution wanted it to function, and that this race. There are some who believe that is to have people who serve on our bench the Government ought to be making all who are not going to try to legislate but

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who will strictly interpret the Constitution what to believe. We got too many of those of the United States of America. in Washington, DC. We need straight I look forward to working with the shooters, people of principle, and people United States Senator Mark Kennedy, who who care deeply about the State of Min- will make sure that the judges I name, nesota. And that person is Mark Kennedy. those strict constructionists, those who will Thanks for coming, and God bless. not try to legislate from the bench, are given an up-or-down vote on the floor of NOTE: The President spoke at 12:34 p.m. at the United States Senate and confirmed— the Hilton Minneapolis Hotel. In his re- judges like John Roberts and Judge Sam marks, he referred to senatorial candidate Alito. Kennedy’s wife, Debbie, and his daughter, So I’ve come to thank you for supporting Sarah; Gov. Timothy Pawlenty and Lt. Gov. a good man. I’ve come to lay out my opin- Carol Molnau of Minnesota; Rudy Bosch- ion, and that is, he’s the right person for witz, head of the U.S. delegation to the the job. He thinks right. He acts right. He’s United Nations Commission on Human not one of these kind of politicians that Rights; and former President Saddam Hus- takes a poll and then tries to figure out sein of Iraq.

The President’s Radio Address December 10, 2005

Good morning. This week, members of need to hold a prompt vote and send me a House and Senate conference committee a bill renewing the PATRIOT Act so I can reached an agreement on reauthorization sign it into law. of the PATRIOT Act. Since its passage after the attacks of September the 11th, Over the past 4 years, the PATRIOT Act 2001, the PATRIOT Act has proved essen- has been a strong weapon for going after tial to fighting the war on terror and pre- the terrorists. America’s law enforcement venting our enemies from striking America and intelligence personnel have put the PA- again. TRIOT Act to wise and effective use while This week’s agreement would renew all protecting our civil liberties. They have 16 provisions of the PATRIOT Act that used the law to prosecute terrorist are scheduled to expire at the end of this operatives and supporters or break up ter- month, and it would make 14 of these pro- ror cells in , Oregon, Virginia, visions permanent. It reauthorizes critical California, Texas, and Ohio. The PATRIOT national security tools while bolstering the Act has accomplished exactly what it was PATRIOT Act’s significant protections of designed to do—it has protected American civil liberties. It also includes provisions to liberty and saved American lives. fight crime and terrorism at America’s sea- ports and tougher criminal penalties and By renewing the PATRIOT Act, we will increased resources to combat the dan- ensure that our law enforcement and intel- gerous spread of methamphetamine abuse ligence officers have the tools they need throughout our country. to protect our citizens. The PATRIOT Act I applaud the conference committee for tore down the legal and bureaucratic wall its good work. Now Congress needs to fin- that kept law enforcement and intelligence ish the job. Both the Senate and the House authorities from sharing vital information

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