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your help, with your hard work, I will do so booth to remember there’s an important for 4 more years. Senate race here in . I’m going to say God bless. Thank you all for coming. it as strongly as I can, Mel Martinez is the Thank you all. right man for Florida. And we love Kitty Martinez as well. She’s a classy lady. NOTE: The President spoke at 8 p.m. at Tinker I want to thank the three Congressmen Field. In his remarks, he referred to Gov. Jeb from this part of the world that are here, Bush, Lt. Gov. Toni Jennings, and State Attorney starting with the Congresswoman from this General Charlie Crist of Florida; Richard T. district, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, mi amiga. Y Crotty, Orange County chairman; Mel R. Mar- tinez, senatorial candidate in Florida; and country tambien los hermanos, Diaz-Balart, Lincoln music entertainer Mark Wills. y Mario. Thank you all for your steadfast and strong support. I appreciate being here. I Remarks in , Florida want to thank Marco Rubio, who’s here with October 31, 2004 us today. Listen, there are a lot of Democrats sup- The President. Thank you all for coming. porting my candidacy. There may be some We’re honored you’re here. Thank you all. here. You know the Democrat Party left you; Thank you for coming. Thank you for being you didn’t leave it. And I want to thank here. Thanks for taking time out of your Sun- Miami Beach Mayor David Dermer, Demo- day morning to come by and say hello. Laura crats for Bush. Mr. Mayor, we are proud and I are honored you’re here. I’m here to you’re here. Thank you, sir. I want to thank ask for your help. You need to get your all the other State and local officials. friends and neighbors to go to the polls. I know that there are some members of You’re voting today; you’re voting on Tues- the 1972 Miami Dolphins football team here. day. Tell your friends and neighbors, in a free Thank you all for coming. You guys haven’t society, we have an obligation to vote. Tell aged a bit. [Laughter] Thanks for setting such them, if they want a safer America, a stronger a great example. America, and a better America por todos, to I want to thank the grassroots activists. I vote for me and Dick Cheney. Con su apoyo, want to thank you all for putting up the signs. vamos a ganar. I want to thank you for making the phone The most important reason—perhaps the calls. No doubt in my mind, we’ll carry Flor- most important reason to put me back in is ida again and win a great victory on Tuesday. so that Laura will be the First Lady for 4 Audience members. Four more years! more years. Four more years! Four more years! Audience members. Laura! Laura! Laura! The President. This election takes place The President. Que bella. Que magnifica. in a time of great consequence. The person I want to thank my Vice President, who’s who sits in the Oval Office for the next 4 working hard. He does not have the waviest years will set the course of the war on terror hair in this race. I don’t want to offend some and the direction of our economy. America of you out there who are follically chal- will need strong, determined, optimistic lenged—you’ll be happy to hear I didn’t pick leadership. I am ready for the work ahead. him because of his hairdo. [Laughter] I My 4 years as your President has con- picked him because of his experience. I firmed some lessons, and they’ve taught me picked him because of his judgment. He’s some new ones. I’ve learned to expect the getting the job done. unexpected because horror can arrive sud- I want to thank my hermanito. What a denly on a quiet morning. I’ve learned first- great Governor he is. He loves Miami, and hand how hard it is to send young men and he loves the people of Miami. And I want women into battle, even if the cause is right. to thank First Lady Columba Bush for being I’m grateful to the lessons I’ve learned from such a gracious first lady for Florida. our parents: Respect for every person; do It’s really important that when you get in your best; live every day to its fullest. I’ve that booth and get your friends to go to the been strengthened by my faith and humbled

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by its reminder—and I’ve been humbled by decline. Then we had a recession and cor- its reminder that every life is part of a larger porate scandals, and the attacks on our coun- story. try cost us about a million jobs in the 3 The President must lead with clarity and months after the attack, after September the purpose. As Presidents from Lincoln to Roo- 11th. sevelt to Reagan so clearly demonstrated, a But we acted. I led. The tax relief is now President must not shift in the wind. A Presi- leading our economy forward. It’s working. dent has to make the tough decisions and America’s economy is strong, and it’s getting stand by them. The role of the President is stronger. We added 1.9 million jobs in the not to follow the latest polls. The role of the last 13 months. The homeownership rate in President is to lead based upon principle and America is at an alltime high. More minority conviction and conscience, and that is how families own a home than ever before in our I will continue to lead this Nation. Nation’s history. Our farmers are making a During the last 4 years, I’ve learned that living. The entrepreneurial spirit is strong in whatever your strengths are, you’re going to America. The national unemployment rate is need them. And whatever your short- 5.4 percent. That’s lower than the average comings, the people will notice them. rate of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. And the [Laughter] Sometimes I am a little too blunt. unemployment rate in the great State of I get that from my mother. [Laughter] Some- Florida is 4.5 percent. Our economic plans times I mangle the English language. are working. [Laughter] I get that from my dad. [Laugh- My opponent has got a plan. ter] But all the time, whether you agree with Audience members. Boo-o-o! me or not, you know where I stand, what The President. It involves the promises I believe. he makes and the money he intends to take. And you can’t say that about my opponent. For the Senator from Massachusetts, he’s Audience members. Boo-o-o! voted to raise taxes 98 times. The President. It is fair to say that consist- Audience members. Boo-o-o! ency is not his long suit. [Laughter] My oppo- The President. That’s five times every nent looks—I look at an issue, and I take year he’s been in the Senate. I would call a principled stand. My opponent looks at an that a predictable pattern, a leading indi- issue and tries to take every side. [Laughter] cator. [Laughter] In this campaign he’s also The people of Florida know the difference, pledged to spend 2.2 trillion new dollars. and Tuesday, Florida will vote for strong That’s a lot. That’s trillion with a ‘‘T.’’ leadership based upon conviction and con- [Laughter] That is even—that’s a lot for a sistency and support the Bush-Cheney ticket. Senator from Massachusetts. I mean, it’s— This election comes down to some clear [laughter]. choices on vital issues facing every American They asked him how he’s going to pay for family. The first clear choice concerns your it, and he said he’s just going to tax the rich. budget. When I ran for President 4 years ago, You’ve heard that before. By raising the top I pledged to lower taxes for America’s fami- two brackets, you raise between 600 and 800 lies. I kept my word. We doubled the child billion dollars. That’s far short of the 2.2 tril- credit. We reduced the marriage penalty. We lion. That’s what we call a tax gap. And guess dropped the lowest bracket to 10 percent so who gets to fill the tax gap? our working families would have more Audience members. We do! money in their pocket. The plan is working. The President. Yes, you do. We’re not Real after-tax income—that’s the money going to let him tax you; we’re going to carry you’ve got to spend—is up about 10 percent Florida and win a victory. since I took office. The second clear choice in this election Our economy has been through a lot. involves the quality of life for our Nation’s When you’re out gathering up the vote, re- families. I ran for President to challenge the mind people what the economy has been soft bigotry of low expectations by reforming through. Six months prior to my arrival in our schools. I kept my word. We passed edu- Washington, the stock market was in serious cation reforms to bring high standards to the

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classrooms, and reading and math scores are The third clear choice in this election in- now on the rise. We’re closing an achieve- volves your retirement. We made a solemn ment gap for minority students all across commitment to America’s seniors on Social America. And we’re not going to go back to Security and Medicare. When I ran for Presi- the old days of low expectations and medioc- dent 4 years ago, I promised to keep that rity. commitment and improve Medicare by add- We’ll continue to improve life for our fam- ing prescription drug coverage. I kept my ilies by making health care more affordable word. Seniors are already getting discounts and available. We’ll expand health savings ac- on medicine with drug discount cards. Low- counts so small businesses can cover their income seniors are getting direct help to pay workers and more families are able to save for prescriptions. And beginning in 2006, all tax-free with health care accounts they man- seniors will be able to get prescription drug age and call their own. We’ll create associa- coverage under Medicare. tion health plans so small businesses can join My opponent has got a record on this together and buy insurance at the same dis- issue. He voted against the Medicare bill that counts that big companies can do. We’ll help included prescription drug coverage. In this our families by expanding community health campaign, he’s promised to repeal the bill, centers and making sure every eligible child and then he promised to keep it. [Laughter] is enrolled in our low-income health insur- Audience members. Flip-flop! Flip-flop! ance programs. Flip-flop! And we will make sure health care is avail- The President. It sounds familiar, doesn’t able and affordable by getting rid of these it? He doesn’t change positions only on na- junk lawsuits that are running the docs out tional security issues. [Laughter] He also of practice. For the sake of quality health tries to scare seniors about their Social Secu- care, we need medical liability reform—now. rity. But he forgets to mention that he is the My vision is for better and more affordable one who voted eight times to raise taxes on health care where decisions are made by doc- Social Security benefits. tors and patients, not by officials in Wash- Audience members. Boo-o-o! ington, DC. The President. He can run from that My opponent has a different approach to record—— these issues. He voted for education reform, Audience members. But he cannot hide! but now he wants to weaken the account- The President. I’ve kept the promise of ability standards. Social Security for our seniors. I will always Audience members. Boo-o-o! keep the promise of Social Security for our The President. And he’s proposing a big- seniors. But we need to worry about our chil- Government health care plan. dren and our grandchildren when it comes Audience members. Boo-o-o! to Social Security. We need to worry about The President. I heard him in the de- whether the system will be there when they bates—you probably did too—when he said, need it. That’s why I believe younger workers ‘‘The Government doesn’t have anything to ought to take some of their personal payroll do with it.’’ That’s what he said about his taxes and set up a personal savings account, plan. I could barely contain myself. [Laugh- an account they call their own. ter] The Government has got everything to The fourth clear choice—— do with it. And the wrong prescription for Audience members. Four more years! American families is to federalize health care Four more years! Four more years! in America. The President. The fourth choice in this And when it comes to these lawsuits, my election is on the values that are so crucial opponent has voted against medical liability to keeping our families strong. I stand for reform not once but 10 times. And he put marriage and family, which are the founda- a personal-injury trial lawyer on the ticket. tions of our society. I stand for a culture of Audience members. Boo-o-o! life in which every person matters and every The President. He can run, but he cannot being counts. I proudly signed the ban on hide. partial-birth abortion. I stand for appointing

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judges who know the difference between My opponent has taken a different ap- personal opinion and the strict interpretation proach—except when he hadn’t. [Laughter] of the law. Here again, consistency has not been his long On these issues, my opponent and I are suit. The Commander in Chief must be con- miles apart. He voted against the ban on par- sistent in this dangerous world. Senator tial-birth abortion. He voted against the De- Kerry says that we’re better off with Saddam fense of Marriage Act. Hussein out of power—except when he says Audience members. Boo-o-o! that removing Saddam made us less safe. The President. He said there would be Audience members. Boo-o-o! a litmus test when it came to appointing The President. He said in our second de- judges. There is a mainstream in American bate that he always believed Saddam was a politics, and John Kerry sits on the far left threat—except, a few questions later, when bank. [Laughter] He can—— he insisted Saddam Hussein was not a threat. [At this point, there was an interruption in Audience members. Boo-o-o! the audience.] The President. He says he was right when The President. Yes, he can run from he voted to authorize the use of force against being the most liberal Senator—— Saddam Hussein, but that I was wrong to Audience members. Viva Bush! Viva use force against Saddam Hussein. Bush! Viva Bush! Audience members. Boo-o-o! The President. The final choice in this The President. The problem with Senator election is most important of all because it Kerry’s record on national security are deep- concerns the security of your family. All er than election-year flip-flops. For 20 years, progress on every other issue depends on the on the largest national security issues of our safety of our citizens. The most solemn duty time, he has been consistently wrong. During of the American President is to protect the the cold war, Senator Kerry voted against American people. If America shows uncer- crucial weapons systems and opposed Presi- tainty or weakness during these troubled dent Ronald Reagan’s policy of peace times, the world will drift toward tragedy. through strength. History—— This is not going to happen on my watch. Audience members. Boo-o-o! Our strategy is clear. We’ve strengthened The President. History has shown that protections for the homeland. We’re reform- Senator Kerry was wrong and President Ron- ing and strengthening our intelligence capa- ald Reagan was right. bilities. We’re transforming the army. We When former President Bush assembled will have no draft; the army will remain an an international coalition to drive Saddam all-volunteer army. We are staying on the of- Hussein from Kuwait, Senator Kerry voted fensive. We’re chasing the terrorists around against the use of force. the globe. We will find them and bring them Audience members. Boo-o-o! to justice so we do not have to face them The President. History has shown that here at home. Senator Kerry was wrong and former Presi- Pakistan was—we’re making progress. Every day, we’re making progress. Afghani- dent Bush was right. stan is now an ally in the war on terror. Paki- Only a year after the first bombing of the stan and Saudi are making raids and arrests. World Trade Center, the Senator proposed Libya is dismantling its weapons programs. massive cuts in America’s intelligence budg- An army of a free Iraq is fighting for free- et, cuts so extreme that even his fellow Mas- dom. And Al Qaida no longer controls Af- sachusetts colleague, Ted Kennedy, voted ghanistan. We shut down its camps. We are against the cuts. systematically destroying the Al Qaida net- Audience members. Boo-o-o! work around the world. More than three- The President. History has shown Senator quarters of Al Qaida have been brought to Kerry was wrong—and let’s be generous justice, and the rest of them know we’re on about this—Senator Kennedy was right. their trail. [Laughter]

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Just one year ago, I went to the Congress our country. I will never relent in defending and proposed $87 billion in funding to sup- America, whatever it takes. port our troops in combat. The Commander We will use all the assets at our disposal in Chief must support our troops in harm’s to protect America. We will wage a relent- way. less, comprehensive campaign to protect you. Audience members. U.S.A.! U.S.A.! And one of the most powerful, powerful as- U.S.A.! sets we have is freedom. We believe in the The President. Prior to the vote, on na- power of liberty to transform societies. Free tional TV, Senator Kerry said it would be ir- nations do not breed resentments and export responsible to vote against the troops. terror. Free nations become allies in the war Audience member. [Inaudible] [Laugh- on terror. ter] Think about what has happened in Af- The President. And then he did the irre- ghanistan in a relatively brief period of time. sponsible thing: He voted against the troops. It wasn’t all that long ago that young girls Audience members. Boo-o-o! couldn’t go to school and their mothers were The President. And then he entered the taken into the public square and whipped be- flip-flop hall of fame—[laughter]—by saying, cause the ideologues of hate, the Taliban, ‘‘I actually did vote for the 87 billion, right had such a dim view of the world. Because before I voted against it.’’ [Laughter] He’s we acted in our self-interest, because we given several explanation since then, but the upheld the doctrine that said, ‘‘If you harbor most revealing—perhaps the most revealing a terrorist, you are equally as guilty as the is when he said, ‘‘The whole thing was a com- terrorist,’’ millions of people went to the polls plicated matter.’’ There’s nothing com- in Afghanistan to vote for their President. plicated about supporting our troops in com- The first voter was a 19-year-old woman. bat. Iraq is dangerous, but it’s moving toward Audience members. U.S.A.! U.S.A.! elections. There will be elections in January. U.S.A.! Think about how far that country has come The President. The differences on how from the days of torture chambers and mass we’ll defend our families are significant. My graves. Freedom is on the march, and Amer- opponent said in one of the debates that ica and the world are better for it. America must pass a ‘‘global test.’’ Audience members. Boo-o-o! And over the next 4 years, we will continue The President. I’m not making that up. to press hard and ensure that the gift of free- I heard him. So did you. We’ll work with dom finally reaches the men and women of our friends and allies, but I will never, ever Cuba. turn over America’s national security deci- Audience members. Viva Bush! Viva sions to leaders of other countries. Bush! Viva Bush! Recently, my opponent said September The President. We will not rest—we will the 11th ‘‘didn’t change him much at all,’’ not rest. We will keep the pressure on until end quote. Well, September the 11th the Cuban people enjoy the same freedoms changed me. My eyes are wide open to the in Havana they receive here in America. I realities of this world. I fully understand my strongly believe the people of Cuba should duty to protect the American people. A few be free from the tyrant. I believe that every- days after the attacks of September the 11th, body yearns to be free. Freedom is not I stood in the ruins of the Twin Towers. I America’s gift to the world. Freedom is the will never forget the sights and sounds of that Almighty God’s gift to each man and woman day, workers in hardhats yelling at me at the in this world. top of their lungs, ‘‘Whatever it takes.’’ I re- My fellow citizens, these are historic times, member the man grabbed me by the arm. and a lot is at stake in this election. The fu- He looked me square in the eye, and he said, ture safety and prosperity of America are on ‘‘Do not let me down.’’ Ever since that day— the ballot. Ultimately, this election comes from that day forward, I’ve gotten up every down to who can you trust. morning thinking about how to better protect Audience members. You!

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The President. I offer a record of leader- resentative Marco Rubio; and President Fidel ship and results in a time of challenge, and Castro of Cuba. I ask for your vote. If you believe that taxes should stay low Remarks in Tampa, Florida so families can pay the bills and small busi- nesses can expand and our economy can con- October 31, 2004 tinue to create new jobs, I ask you, come The President. Thank you all for coming. stand with me. We really appreciate you coming out on a If you believe in high standards for our Sunday afternoon. I’m here to ask for your public schools and parents and doctors—pa- vote, and I’m here to ask for your help. Find tients and doctors should be in charge of your friends and neighbors and tell them we health care, I ask you, come stand with me. have a duty to vote, and get them going to If you believe that this Nation must honor the polls. Turn the Republicans out. Turn the commitments of Medicare and strength- the independents out. Find discerning en Social Security for the next generation, Democrats like my friend the former mayor I ask you, come stand with me. of Tampa, who is a Bush supporter, Dick If you believe that this Nation should Greco, like Senator Zell Miller from Georgia. honor family and marriage and make a place When you get them going to the polls, tell for the weak and vulnerable, I ask you, come them, if they want a safer America, a stronger stand with me. America, and a better America, to put me If you believe America should fight the and Dick Cheney back in office. war on terror with all our might and lead Perhaps the most important reason why with unwavering confidence in our ideals, I you should put me back in is so that Laura ask you, come stand with me. will be the First Lady for 4 more years. If you are a Democrat who believes your Audience members. Laura! Laura! Laura! great party has turned too far left in this year, The President. I’m proud of my I ask you, come stand with me. runningmate, Dick Cheney. I readily con- If you are a minority citizen and you be- cede he doesn’t have the waviest hair in the lieve in free enterprise and good schools and race. [Laughter] You’ll be happy to hear I the enduring values of family and faith, if didn’t pick him because of his hairdo. I you’re tired of your vote being taken for picked him because of his experience. I granted, I ask you, come stand with me. picked him because of his judgment. He’s If you are a voter who believes that the getting the job done for the American peo- President of the United States should say ple. what he means and do what he says and keep I am proud of your Governor, my brother his word, I ask you, come stand with me. . He is doing a fabulous job. We Audience members. Four more years! both share the same campaign consultant: Four more years! Four more years! Mother. [Laughter] My brother Marvin is The President. When I traveled your with us too, and I want to thank Marv for State 4 years ago, I made this pledge, that coming. He’s the good-looking one. [Laugh- if I got elected, I would uphold the honor ter] and the dignity of the office to which I had I’m proud to be introduced by General been elected. With your help—con su apoyo, Norman Schwarzkopf, a great American and I will do so for 4 more years. a great general. I want to thank his daughter, Gracias. Vamos a ganar. Thank you all. Jessica, for joining us today. I want to thank my friend Congressman Mike Bilirakis for being here today. I want to thank Congress- NOTE: The President spoke at 12:07 p.m. at the Coconut Grove Expo Center. In his remarks, he man Adam Putnam for being here today. I referred to Gov. Jeb Bush and First Lady want to thank the Lieutenant Governor and Columba Bush of Florida; Mel R. Martinez, sen- the attorney general for being with us today. atorial candidate in Florida, and his wife, Kitty; I want to urge you, when you go to the polls, Tom Gallagher, chief financial officer, Florida De- make sure you vote for Mel Martinez as the partment of Financial Services; Florida State Rep- United States Senator. And I appreciate his

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