Feb. 29 / Administration of George Bush, 1992

Remarks to the Republican Party in , Georgia February 29, 1992

Audience members. Four more years! who are trying to teach Washington, DC, Four more years! Four more years! the wisdom of their ways. And I’m talking, The President. Thank you, Alec. Thank of course, about and Mack, you, Newt. And thank all of you. Let me and about and thinking back; single out our chairman, , and thinking about Lou Sullivan now. And when thank him for his leadership of this obvi- we call the roll, let’s not forget Pinpoint’s ously activated, insurgent, and wonderful favorite son, Supreme Court Justice of the Georgia Republican Party. Get to Newt in United States Clarence Thomas. And I’m a minute, but may I salute the members proud I named him to that Court. of the that are Our party prospers here because the great here, my old friend Senator Mack Mat- strengths of the Republican Party are the tingly, who is sorely missed in the United great strengths of the South: bedrock belief States Senate, I might add. in family and in faith, community and coun- And I understand that Savannah’s Mayor try; the virtues of hard work and humble is here, and I look forward to being with worship; the willingness to sacrifice for Susan Weiner tomorrow as well. And I country in times of war and to help others thank our national committeewoman, Caro- in times of peace. These are the beliefs that lyn Meadows, and our Georgia campaign sustain us. It’s our commitment to family, chairman, my old friend Fred Cooper, who to jobs, to peace that inspires us. And all is over here somewhere but doing a great across America, these values are growing job. stronger, coming back by popular demand. And as for Newt, there is no one quite And as a Nation, we’ve begun to see in like him. Let me simply say he is, as you these values a solution to so many of the know, clearly one of the very, very top lead- crises that plague our cities and our schools ers of the Republican Party nationally. And and our streets. I am very grateful to him for the steadfast People are coming home to the values support and leadership that we get on Cap- that never left their hearts. We believe that itol Hill. Every single day that I work with parents, not the Government, should make him and with Bob Michel, I’m saying to the decisions that truly matter in life. Par- myself: We have got to take the message ents, not Government, should choose their to the people in the fall to get more Repub- children’s schools. Parents, not Govern- licans in the Senate and get more Repub- ment, should choose who cares for their licans in the House of Representatives. If children. Parents know better than some you want change, that’s the kind of change bureaucrat in Washington, DC. And yes, we we need. believe there’s a place for voluntary prayer And my thanks to all of you for coming in our children’s classroom. to Atlanta from all over, Macon to Marietta, And we believe America’s first so long from the four corners of this great State. as we put family first. And these bedrock This gathering marks a great triumph. You beliefs, they don’t fade with age. They don’t look around this room, and I think it’s just change from one election to the next. They clear how far we’ve come. It must be some- are the home truths that call this Nation thing about the Republican Party and red forward to greatness. And if America holds clay. [Laughter] In this State and all across fast to these truths, we’ll never lose our the South, the Republican Party is here to bearings. stay. And that is what this meeting is about. Still, right now there’s no denying it, in And that’s what the votes in this State are too many ways we’re going down the wrong all about. track. We’ve got to reform our legal system. And with this rise comes a new genera- The home of the free has become the land tion of Georgia Republicans, the reformers, of the lawsuit. And we’ve got to

356 Administration of George Bush, 1992 / Feb. 29 end that. And that’s why we sent up a bill down poverty from one generation to the to the Congress to stop these frivolous law- next. Think about it. Think about a young suits. Nuisance suits sap our economy and child born into that. It’s wrong. It’s cruel. tear its social fabric of our society. And We’ve got to do something to change it. when you’re as likely to serve your neighbor A number one issue today, though, is the a subpoena as a cup of coffee, something’s economy. I think we all know that. It’s jobs. gone wrong. And when doctors won’t de- And that’s what’s keeping people up late liver babies and dads won’t coach Little at night, worrying about how they’re going League for fear of lawsuits, something’s to pay the bills and put food on the table, wrong. America won’t find its way out of care for their kids, and still manage to put this mess until we spend more time helping away something for their own retirement. one another than we do suing one another. We’ve got to get this economy moving. And We need more people like Newt Gingrich Americans want to work. They want the op- in the Congress to support reform legisla- portunity to earn more money. And that’s tion in terms of these vicious and out- why in my State of the Union Address, I rageous lawsuits. laid out a two-part plan to spark economic We’ve got to reform this Nation’s health recovery, to create jobs: a seven-point short- care system. Right now, the quality of term plan to stimulate the economy as early American health care is the best in the en- as this spring and then a longer term plan tire world, make no mistake about it. The to keep America growing tomorrow and into problem is access. Too many Americans the next century. with families do not have health insurance coverage. And you know how even a short And because I knew I couldn’t wait for stay in the hospital can rip a hole right Congress to act, I set a deadline to help through the family’s budget. Well, all Amer- them along the way. And that’s why I was icans deserve quality health care and a sense sorry to see what the House Democrats did of well-being. But socialized medicine is not this past Thursday. Instead of working on the answer, and I will fight against those my plan, liberal Democrats pushed through plans. We have a good, specific plan. And one of their own. And true to its form, it’s my plan focuses on opening up access to a tiny temporary tax cut in exchange for health insurance for all Americans, rich and a huge permanent tax hike. And to play poor. And if we wanted long lines and re- election-year politics as usual, they passed volving-door health care, we’d put our doc- up a chance to stimulate the economy. And tors to work at the department of motor the plan they passed will raise the deficit, vehicles. The last thing we want is the Gov- raise taxes a whopping $100 billion, and ernment playing doctor. And you listen to ruin our economic recovery. And worst of the campaign plans on the other side, and all, it will not create jobs at all. And so, you’ll know exactly what I mean. I will con- let me end the suspense. If that plan tinue to fight for health care for all, and reaches my desk, I will veto it instantly and I will fight against those astronomically ex- send it right back up to Capitol Hill. pensive schemes to socialize American And frankly, there’s even greater danger health care. here. If the liberal Democrats ever decide We’ve got to reform our welfare system. to make that two-bit tax cut permanent, People are willing to support benefits for they’d have to jack up—and I think Newt families in need; of course they are. And expressed this on the floor; certainly I’ve yes, Americans care. We always have; we heard him speak about it—they’d have to always will. But they want to see some con- jack up the tax rate for every American nection between welfare and work. And making more than $35,000 a year. You they want to see government at every level heard it right, $35,000, for a plan that’s sup- work together to track down the deadbeat posed to help the middle class. And that’s dads, the ones who can’t be bothered to going to come as real news to a lot of fac- pay child support. And they want to see tory workers and hard-working school- us break the cycle, that dreadful cycle of teachers, people you know, everyday Ameri- dependency that destroys dignity and passes cans struggling to make ends meet.

357 Feb. 29 / Administration of George Bush, 1992

Let’s face it, when that tax-and-spend The truth is, if we want to succeed eco- crowd talks about taking aim at the cham- nomically at home, we have got to lead eco- pagne-and-caviar set, it’s middle America nomically abroad. Right here in Georgia, in that always takes the hit. And the liberals the past 3 years, manufacturing exports have are going to tax that middle class for the almost doubled. Today, an estimated same reason that Willie Sutton robbed 165,000 Georgia jobs are tied to trade. banks, because that’s where the money is. So, get past all the tough talk out there, So, do not listen to this silly campaign rhet- all the patriotic posturing about fighting oric out there. Ask any economist, and back by shutting out foreign goods. If this they’ll tell you the quickest way to cut this country starts closing its markets, other recovery off at its knees is to raise taxes. countries will close theirs. And when that If they’re serious about this recovery, happened, who gets hurt? Easy, we do. Our Congress must pass my plan. My plan con- economy does. The workers in the State of tains an investment tax allowance to create Georgia do. incentives for American businesses to buy But my opponents aren’t about to let fact new equipment and then hire more work- intrude on fantasy. They’re peddling protec- ers. To bolster sagging real estate markets, tionism, a retreat from economic reality into this plan will give the first-time homebuyer a dangerous pre-World War II isolationism. a $5,000 tax credit to help them with that Look closely, that’s not the American flag down payment. For families here in the At- they’re waving; it’s the white flag of surren- lanta area, that credit is worth 6 months’ der. And that’s not the America you and mortgage payments on the average Atlanta I know. I will veto any protection legislation home. that comes to the White House from this And let me say to these opponents of protectionist Congress. mine: No one is fooled by your paying lip The bottom line is, we do not run, and service to competitiveness and practicing we do not cut out; we compete. And never class warfare. Quit punishing the people in this Nation’s long history have we turned who create jobs, and pass my plan and cut the capital gains tax, cut it down so we can our backs on a challenge, and we’re not get America back to work. going to start now. I put my faith in the My plan really, if you look at it, you’ll American worker. Level the playing field, see that it’s shaped to meet the new eco- and the American worker will outthink, nomic realities, realities that have helped outproduce, outperform anyone, anywhere, make Atlanta the South’s great international anytime. city. And come 1996, Atlanta comes of age And I say let the world know we are in as America’s very own Olympic city. And it to win. Don’t listen to those talking heads that’s going to be just great. There’s a popu- out there, the folks who can’t seem to feel lar saying: When I pass into the hereafter, good unless they’ve got something bad to I don’t know if I’ll be going up or down, say about our great country. If you think but wherever I go, I’ll change planes in At- I feel strongly about this one, you ought lanta. [Laughter] They’re going to see that to hear Barbara Bush, the Silver Fox, speak one in 1996. about it. [Laughter.] She wouldn’t even let You know, Georgia’s unemployment rate me listen to the TV news last night. There’s is low. But I’m sure Georgians know the a lot of gloom and doom out there. actions we take now affect our economic America isn’t a nation that gets ahead by health for the long term. We’re working to tearing down others. Time after time, expand trade. We’re working to open mar- America’s been called upon. And time after kets all over the world to American prod- time, America has met the challenge. And ucts. That was my mission when I went to this time America will do it again. Asia. It’s what our trade teams push for Think back to one year ago today, to the every time they sit down at the negotiating calm after Desert Storm. Ask any one of the table. And if we want to ensure good jobs proud sons and daughters of Georgia who for the future, we’ve got to work for free became a liberator of Kuwait, and they’ll trade now. tell you military strength is nothing without

358 Administration of George Bush, 1992 / Mar. 1 moral support right here at home. Let me close with just a couple of words I won’t ever forget my visit during those right from the heart. Barbara and I are difficult times to Fort Stewart, Georgia, the blessed. We are blessed to serve at this mo- wives and parents that I talked to, the peo- ment in time when so many of the old fears ple who, their loved ones in harm’s way, have been driven away, when so many new still told me this: America must do what hopes stand within our reach. And since the is right. And their quiet courage and their day I took the oath of office, I made it patriotism said it all to me. It was an emo- my duty always to try to do what is right tional time, I’ll tell you. And never would for this country. I have given it my best. this country tuck tail and let aggression I have done my level-best, and I’m not done stand. America would do what was right and yet. good and just, and America would prevail. And I ask the good people of Georgia— And there were those who didn’t support together we’ve got a lot to be proud of. us then, and there are those who second- I take particular pride that the young people guess us now. But not the good people of in this country go to bed at night not worry- Georgia. In those difficult days when our ing about nuclear holocaust. I think that’s kids laid it all on the line, this State, its something good and something strong and young men and women never wavered be- says something wonderful about what’s hap- cause, you see, Georgia kept the faith. And pened in the last few years. But my pitch we’re bringing that same spirit to the fight to you, the leaders of this great State, is we face today. unashamedly this: Together we have made From next Tuesday through the first a great beginning; now, you give me 4 more Tuesday in November, we are going to take years to finish the job. our message all across the country. You Thank you all for this warm welcome. don’t have to be a negative message. You And may God bless the United States of don’t have to always be saying something America. And be sure to get to the polls bad about somebody else. We’ve got lots next Tuesday. Many, many thanks. to be proud of, lots to advocate, lots to be Audience member. Amen. Georgia’s Bush for. country. So if you want to send a message to The President. Thank you all very, very Washington, send this President back for 4 much. more years and send—— Audience members. Four more years! Four more years! Four more years! Note: The President spoke at 2:25 p.m. at The President. Send more good Georgia the Marriott Marquis Hotel. In his remarks, Republicans to Congress to help out this he referred to former Representative How- leader right here. ard H. (Bo) Callaway.

Remarks at the Bush-Quayle Campaign Welcome in Savannah, Georgia March 1, 1992

Thank you very much, Mayor. And may much indebted to him for his support. Alec I be bold enough to say I think Savannah Poitevint is the chairman of the party here, has a first-class new Mayor, and I’m glad doing a first-class job. Fred Cooper is our to have her here at my side today. And statewide chairman for Bush-Quayle. And thank you all for this warm welcome. It’s of course, Newt Gingrich, doing a superb great to see so many friends. Standing next job for this State and for our country in to me over here is one of the great Gov- Washington, DC. ernors across our country, Governor Carroll May I thank the band over there from Campbell of South Carolina. And I am very Bradwell. And somewhere out here is Vida-

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