Administration of George Bush, 1992 / Jan. 15

Union, and if you agree with me, spread the Episcopal Church are here; I hope so. the word. But I said to him this: ‘‘You’re on to some- Lastly, I need your help. I am here to thing here. You cannot be President of the ask for your vote. I will take, as I say, my United States if you don’t have faith.’’ Re- share of the blame for things that have got- member Lincoln, going to his knees in ten off track in this country. But I under- times of trial in the Civil War and all that stand. And I want to get them back on stuff. You can’t be. track. I’d like a little credit for the things And we are blessed. So don’t feel sorry that have gone right. I think of New Hamp- for—don’t cry for me, Argentina. We’ve got shire as a State that understands what we problems out there, and I am blessed by Bushes mean when we talk about family and good health, strong health. Geez, you get faith and family values. I think people un- the flu, and they make it into a Federal derstand when Barbara hugs an AIDS baby case. [Laughter] Anyway, that goes with the or reads to a child. I think they understand territory. I’m not asking for sympathy, I just what we’re saying, and that is: Family is wanted you to know that I never felt more important. up for the charge. Everything I do in legislation I ask our I wish I could tuck each one of you for people, ‘‘Is this going to strengthen or is 10 minutes into that car as you ride along this going to diminish family?’’ Our child and see the reception that Judd Gregg care bill, I fought back the mandated bene- talked about that we’re getting as I return fits from the liberals, and I fought it back to this State that I do understand. And it’s because it would weaken the family’s been great. I’ll go back to Washington all chance to take care of the child care situa- fired up for tomorrow and tackle the Presi- tion in the way they think back. I want our dent or the Prime Minister of this or the school program to emphasize community Governor of that coming in. But I’ll have and family. I worry about these families that this heartbeat, vigorous and strong, because are broken up, ache for them, worry about of what I’ve sensed here today. them and want to do what we can, Barbara So now, listen, here’s the final word: Vote and I, as leaders in this country, to help for me. And listen, go listen politely. These strengthen family. guys, these executives, they’ve got to do And so I do understand New Hampshire their thing here and have fairplay for all. because I have this wonderfully warm feel- But don’t vote for them. Vote for me, okay? ing that New Hampshire feels exactly the Thanks a lot. way we do on these questions of family val- ues and faith. Somebody said to me, ‘‘We Note: The President spoke at 2:11 p.m. in prayed for you over there.’’ That was not the cafeteria of the Liberty Mutual Insur- just because I threw up on the Prime Min- ance Building. In his remarks, he referred ister of Japan, either. [Laughter] Where was to Robert L. Laszewski, executive vice presi- he when I needed him? [Laughter] I said, dent of group markets, and Gary L. Coun- let me tell you something. And I say this— tryman, chairman of the board, Liberty Mu- I don’t know whether any ministers from tual Insurance Group.

Remarks to Cabletron Systems Employees in Rochester, New Hampshire January 15, 1992

You guys are fired up. Thank you very thanks for the welcome. I appreciate it. To much. What is it about the water around Craig and Bob, let me phrase it this way: this place? You guys just standing out here Who would have thought that I would be for 2 hours and being so darn nice. But standing shoulder-to-shoulder with two guys

105 Jan. 15 / Administration of George Bush, 1992 who but a handful of years ago had a dream ing for the last three State of the Union and who together, with some very able men Messages had been supported by more peo- and women I want to mention in just a ple like Senator Smith and Congressman minute, made this happen. Zeliff and Senator Rudman, we would have I mean, this is America, and it’s strong, this economy on the move. and it’s wonderful. And I am all fired up We can stimulate the growth through sen- and pleased with the reception here but, sible tax policy in this country, and that’s more important, pleased to see the quality what I will be proposing in the State of of the work and the pride in the work. It the Union once again. Then I’m going to just reinforces my view that we’ve got to look to the American people, including ev- resist this siren’s call of protection and con- erybody here: Help me. Help me get a sen- tinue to send our quality goods wherever sible program through this Congress that’s the market is, domestic or foreign. And I’m still back in the dark ages of Government going to keep on trying to open these for- intervention, liberal spending, and more eign markets to fairplay. And if we succeed taxes. That’s not what’s needed. in that, these goods are going to compete. I’m impressed with the spirit here, the They are quality goods. And I’ll tell you, creation of more jobs. And believe me, the that’s the strong lesson I’d take back to rest of the State can succeed if we give Washington, DC. them the proper support in Washington, I had a chance to chat with some of you DC, in terms of stimulation of the economy. all’s associates in there. And I will single out but two because I wrote down their I’m going to have to resist the siren’s call, names. But Dominique MacDonald and obviously, for protection. It’s coming at me Frank McWilliams—I don’t know whether from the right, way out on the right, coming you have to have a ‘‘Mc’’ to work in the at me from the left. But you guys—I forget quality end of this thing, but I don’t think what the export figures are here. They’re they were programmed by one of these ma- strong, 28 percent in something like 5 years. chines out here—both of them telling me That’s a tremendous growth. That means about how their fellow workers took pride jobs. And it isn’t just Cabletronics, other in what they were doing. And then you hear countries. And if we go back the protection Craig and Bob reflect this, too, the Tom route, why, we are simply going to dry up Selleck and the Arnold Schwarzenegger of markets and invite retaliation from other the high-tech world up here. countries. I was briefed on this visit by my longtime I got criticized for this trip to Japan, not friend and the able Governor of this State, just for throwing up on the Prime Minister. Judd Gregg, who I’m proud to say is run- [Laughter] You’ve got to admit when I get ning our campaign in this very important sick for 24 hours I do it with a certain flair, State, who’s with us here. I’m also pleased you know. [Laughter] But all that aside, that we have Bob Smith, one of the two some people—‘‘Well, the President great Senators from New Hampshire, and shouldn’t do this, hat in hand.’’ My eye. also Bill Zeliff, the Congressman here, and What I was doing was saying to these for- then Ed DuPont, the State Senate leader. eign leaders, look, give us a shot at these Let me just say this. I’m not up here to markets. We’re not asking for protection. assign blame. Look, I know some people We’re not asking for quotas like some of aren’t doing as well here as the people at this silly Democrat legislation that I’m going Cabletron. I’m sure people here have to have to knock on its—knock down when friends and family that they wonder whether I get back to Washington, DC. [Laughter] they’re going to have a job. So, I will accept What we’re asking for is access to the other my share of the responsibility as President guy’s market. of the United States. And I will state to And let me tell you something. I will you my determination to do everything I bring the same kind of leadership, world can to turn this economy around. But let leadership, we brought to Desert Storm to me put it in stark political terms. If the these economic questions around the world. growth initiatives that I have been propos- We will expand our markets abroad. And I

106 Administration of George Bush, 1992 / Jan. 15 will not listen to the protectionists. these instant fixes that takes this so-called You did it the old-fashioned way: You Federal money—that’s yours, incidentally, if took risks. You took pride. You built quality you’re paying taxes—and kind of spreads it into what you’re doing. And you can hold around out there in some giveaway fashion your heads up, and you can compete with that sounds good and has appeal but does anyone in the world. We’ve got to get that not stimulate the economy. So, we’re going spirit going across the rest of this country. to do what we can to have sound fiscal pol- And I really believe we can do it. Yes, times icy. are tough. And yes, unemployment is unac- And as I say, I sure would like to have ceptably high. But interest rates are down. your help. Spill it over into Maine, or spill Inflation is down, so you’re not being wiped it over into Massachusetts, so we can get out by the cruelest tax of all. And we are some more people in the Congress like poised now for a real recovery. those that are supporting me here and get I will repeat it for the third time today, the job done in Washington. I’m sick and but the first visit was over at Pease, and tired of a Congress that thinks old thoughts I want to see how we can assist in the eco- and can do nothing but try to tear down nomic development of Pease. We can make the President of the United States. We need something positive. We have to cut back some changes in the Congress, and I’m because we’re doing better in terms of going to fight for them. world peace. And because the way our sol- We made some progress on our Japanese diers performed in Desert Storm has now led to a more peaceful world, we’re able trip there. We got 49 nonauto standards, to cut back. That’s something that’s being these are standards just for access to mar- demanded, and I think properly so. And we ket, cleared up. That was good. We signed will have more to say about that in the State dozens of literal market-opening agreements of the Union. in these four countries that I visited. And But I want to help and take something I think that the business leaders who spoke that is a difficult situation and turn it around out and said, in the computer business, that and make it positive for the people of New we at least—we get them to keep the agree- Hampshire. And I believe we can do it. It’s ments, but that we’d broken into the Gov- happened in other parts of the world. Waco, ernment computer market. Here’s a figure. Texas, is a good place to look, and other We sell 40 percent of computers used in places that had great big installations. They Japan—are American because they’re were turned to civilian use, and they made good—and Government, Japanese Govern- real progress. So, we want to go forward ment, .04 percent. And what we think we’ve and help on that. done now, and the computer industry But we need to keep this spirit alive. And agrees, is to break into that market and in- over there at Pease this woman said to me, sist on fairplay. No tariffs, no subsidies also a country music fan like I am, and she needed, just the ability to let you guys that said, ‘‘Well, do you remember the song know what you’re doing compete. That was about the light at the end of the tunnel,’’ what this trip was about. And as I say, I’m and the song goes, ‘‘I just hope it’s not a going to stay engaged, stay engaged in this train coming down through the tunnel.’’ all the way. Well, good warning. But there is light at We’ve got some other blessings in this the end of the tunnel. And I told her my country. You won’t hear them in a primary. song that many of you have heard, ‘‘If you One thing, I’m a little tired of people telling want to see a rainbow, you’ve got to stand me that I’ve just found New Hampshire. a little rain.’’ My God, I was growing up around here New Hampshire stood a lot of rain. And before some of you guys were born and there is going to be a rainbow, because we certainly before some of these people that are America. We can compete. And I’ll take are now campaigning for President knew this case in the State of the Union, and where New Hampshire was on a map. I’ll spell out the incentives that I think are They’ve never been here before. They don’t smart. I’m going to have to resist some of know the heartbeat of it. When a hur-

107 Jan. 15 / Administration of George Bush, 1992 ricane hits Portsmouth, it hits my house up ell, Saddam Hussein would be in Saudi Ara- there, not so far away from here. And when bia, and you’d be paying 20 bucks a gallon I was going to school, we used to compete for gasoline. Now, try that one on for size. into New Hampshire. And my daughter-in- I’m getting sick and tired, I am, every law is from here. single night hearing one of these carping And one thing that really—I will clean little liberal Democrats jumping all over my this up for this marvelous audience—burns you-know-what. [Laughter] And I can’t wait me up, put it that way, is this charge that for this campaign. And if I decide to be- I don’t care. And I can understand it. Some come a candidate for President of the people think you get to live in the White United States—[laughter]—why, I’m going House, and you’re dealing with all kinds of to come right back up here and ask for world figures. But we do care. your help. At lunch this fellow asked me, he said, Look, there’s a lot of problems out here, ‘‘If you could get one message over to the a lot of things wrong with our country. But people in New Hampshire, what would it there’s an awful lot of things that are right like to be?’’ And I thought that you can about our country. Some people around help me with the fiscal program or open here that may have been old enough to re- up these markets or help us with crime or member the conflict of the Vietnam war. help us with our wonderful education pro- There are some people around here that gram. But I said to him, ‘‘Listen, I guess may have kids, parents—maybe in the 10th, the one message would be, both Barbara 12th grade—who wonder, ‘‘Hey, is my kid and I care. We think we understand your going to have to go off and do combat in heartbeat. When somebody hurts, we think a superpower war?’’; who go to bed at night we know enough about family to identify saying their prayers, as most families do, with that. And we care.’’ And then we can wondering about the fear of nuclear war. build from there in terms of where this That’s been diminished. I’ll take the blame country ought to go. It was one year ago, one year ago that for some things, but please give us a little Desert Storm was fixin’ to begin, as they bit of credit for the fact that your kids and say in another of my home States, Texas, my grandkids have a chance to grow up now one year ago. And you think back to the in a world that’s much more peaceful. And criticism—that goes with the job—from the that is fundamental. media, the columnists, ‘‘The President And the second thing I’d say is this: This hasn’t prepared the American people.’’ ain’t the easiest job in the world. But I Look back at the very people, some of didn’t expect it would be. But I love it, whom are running today for President, criti- every single minute, the challenge of trying cizing me for moving forces. Look back at to work for and hopefully improve the lot them telling me what I could not do as of the American people. Commander in Chief. And we did it. You And the longer I’m in this job, the more and I and those brilliant young men and important I think are the values that I think women did it. And we lifted the spirits of of as New Hampshire values, your family America. values, I hope they’re mine, of family, in- I want to take that same leadership and volvement of parents in the lives of these lift the spirits of America in the economy. kids, the need to do better in education, And we can do it if I can get some help the need for all of us to come together at in the United States Congress. That was the the community level or family level to knock difference. They ask me what’s the dif- out this scourge of drugs. And there’s some ference. Well, let me tell you guys. Let me good news on that in terms of the teenager tell you 250 mournful pundits what the dif- use of cocaine. There’s some good things ference was. I didn’t have to go ask Senator happening out there. Kennedy if I could declare war or go on But it’s family and, yes, faith. Somebody and move these troops. I didn’t have to. reminded me of Abraham Lincoln’s com- Listen, if I’d have listened to the leader ments about, during the Civil War, praying. of the United States Senate, George Mitch- Of course, you feel that way. These are fun-

108 Administration of George Bush, 1992 / Jan. 15 damental values. And we have tried to live [At this point, Cabletron Systems officers them. We have tried to emulate them. We presented a jacket to the President.] have tried to advocate them. Thank God, All right. Thank you all very much. That’s Barbara Bush is out there hugging those great. Thank you. kids and teaching people to read and serv- Thank you all very, very much. Good to ing, as she should, as an example to a lot be with you. I hope we can—how long have of people in this country of a caring person. you been standing out there? An hour? No political agenda, she just gives a darn. Two? Oh, no! A thousand apologies. But And so, I’ll roll up my sleeves and get really, it’s been a great day for the spirit. into the arena when they decide who they And I meant what I said. I am terribly im- want to have as their nominee. But in the pressed. And please keep doing this. People meantime, let me tell you this: I know how are learning; people understand. We’ve got I got there. I know how I got this oppor- some problems, but you’re showing we also tunity to serve as President of the United got some wonderful answers. Thanks a lot. States. And I’ve tried to be a good Presi- dent. Now, things aren’t so good in some parts of this country. And we do care about it. Note: The President spoke at 3:41 p.m. at But I believe there is a rainbow out there. Cabletron Systems, Inc. In his remarks, he And I need your help to prove it. So, I referred to company officers Craig R. Ben- would appreciate your support. But what- son, chairman of the board of directors, ever you decide, keep up this work. This chief operating officer, and treasurer; S. is the America’s spirit, alive and well and Robert Levine, president and chief executive flourishing. May God bless our great coun- officer; Dominique R. MacDonald, sales try. And don’t ever apologize for it. trainer; and Frank McWilliams, test man- Thank you very much. ager.

Remarks and a Question-and-Answer Session at a Rotary Club Dinner in Portsmouth, New Hampshire January 15, 1992

The President. Thank you all very much night. [Laughter] For those of you who will for that welcome back. Thank you, Cliff. remember 4 years ago, he delivered my Thanks to you and Bill and Don Reeves speech 4 years ago. But you’ve heard once and so many others. Captain Mark, thank again the story of my last visit here, and you, sir, for that lovely blessing. And you you wondered, well, was it the broccoli that have a wonderful way here of making a per- did it? And I appreciate Harry out here son feel at home. I can’t pronounce the working it out, and it is great to see so name of the river; I’ve been crossing it for many friendly and familiar faces, neighbors 66 years. But nevertheless—[laughter]—I and friends that I’ve gotten to know over would like to remind people that it’s been the years. many, many times they’ve gone across that Captain Mark, you were very nice to river. And there’s something about the air mention Barbara Bush, who believes in here. A hurricane that is designed to hit your work very much, has taken a leader- Portsmouth knocks the hell out of my house ship role in that cause, that wonderful cause in Kennebunkport—[laughter]—and I that she do the Lord’s work. I’m very sorry would like to speak to the Rotarian mete- that she’s not here. And if you really want orologist as soon as this is over. to make my day, please don’t ask why she But thanks for the warm welcome. Hugh didn’t come. Everybody is talking about, Gregg asked me to deliver his speech to- ‘‘Where’s Barbara? We miss her very, very

109