Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Sept. 21 national life.’’ I want to thank you, all of you, NOTE: The President spoke at 7:05 p.m. in the for your devotion to that goal, for making the Willow Room at the Atheneum Suites Hotel. In law an honorable profession, and for believing his remarks, he referred to Alfred M. Butzbaugh, in equal access. president, Michigan State Bar Association; Judge I want to especially thank those who have Harold Hood, chair, Michigan Supreme Court given a lifetime and more, in 50 years of service, Task Force on Racial/Ethnic Issues in the Courts; to the law of the land. I hope that with all Mayor Dennis W. Archer of Detroit; Leonard the prosperity and progress our country enjoys, Grossman, board member, Guild Law Center for with all of the social indicators moving in the Economic and Social Justice; Judge Damon J. right direction, we will not let the indicator of Keith, former Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for justice move in the wrong direction. I hope that the Sixth Circuit; and Gov. George H. Ryan of you will continue to stand for equal access, work for it, and urge others to follow your example. Illinois. Thank you very much, and God bless you.
Remarks at a Michigan Victory 2000 Reception in Livonia, Michigan September 21, 2000
The President. Thank you. If Jennifer had just about John Dingell, but I’m going to save that. given me credit for the Sun coming up in the I want to tell you something about John Con- morning, I would have been sure I was at a yers. I was at the Congressional Black Caucus Republican rally. [Laughter] I mean, look up dinner the other night. And all these people here. I’m basically here as an affirmative action got up and talked about how the caucus always prop so the men wouldn’t be too outnumbered. had their back, how good they were—always. I want to thank Jennifer Granholm for her Even the Ambassador from South Africa talked introduction, for her service, for holding the flag about—when they gave an award to Nelson of the Democratic Party high in Michigan. And Mandela—and she was passionate about how the for her, there will be life after the attorney Black Caucus was always there, always had their general’s office. I’ll guarantee you that. back. The Vice President got up and said the I want to thank Dianne Byrum for running caucus always had his back. I got up and said, for Congress. You get a two-fer if she’s elected. ‘‘Covered my back? When they came after me You’ll have a great Member of Congress, a great with a torch and lit the fire, John and the Black successor to Debbie Stabenow, and you’ll help Caucus brought the buckets and poured water make John Conyers chairman of the Judiciary on it, and I appreciate it.’’ [Laughter] Committee. I want to thank Matt Frumin for running for Congress and for proving that I want to say something very serious about Democrats can tie and wear bow ties. [Laugh- Debbie Stabenow. I was here at an event for ter] I’ve never been able to do that. See, look her not so long ago—or two events. It is, next at Orson Porter down there laughing. He wears to a certain race in New York, the Senate seat a bow tie every day, and I still can’t do it, that I may feel the strongest about. [Laughter] and I’m 54. [Laughter] Nobody in America now appreciates the impor- I want to thank Marty Robinson for running tance of every single Senate seat as much as for the supreme court. She’s out here some- I do. They confirm judges. They can hold up where. We thank her. I want to thank Carolyn bills. They can hold up judges, including two Cheeks Kilpatrick for being a great Representa- from Michigan that should have been confirmed tive and a great personal friend to me in these a long time ago. In the Senate, except for the years that she has served. budget, 41 Senators, not a majority—41—can And I don’t know what to say about John stop anything from happening. And I can’t imag- Dingell. But when I was at the Congressional ine a clearer choice, whether it’s on a real Pa- Black Caucus dinner the other night—I mean tients’ Bill of Rights or a real drug benefit for about John Conyers—I want to say something seniors through Medicare or a real commitment
1897 Sept. 21 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 to human rights and building one America or of Michigan and the Democrats of Michigan. a real commitment to an economic policy that You heard in the introduction that no Democrat continues to benefit average people. had carried this State since 1968. Michigan gave What she said is true. They’ve got more dol- me a margin of 8 points in 1992, and 13 points lars. They should have. They earned them. in 1996. And even before, on Saint Patrick’s [Laughter] They earned them. You want to see Day in 1992, the voters in the Democratic pri- them vote, follow the money. And there’s noth- mary in Michigan and Illinois ensured that I ing wrong with that. I believe in raising money. would be the nominee of my party. I will never I think people ought to contribute. But forces forget that, ever, as long as I live. that block positive change have to be opposed Michigan is a special place with special lead- or they will prevail. And very rarely nowadays— ers. One of them who’s not here tonight is John it’s hard to find somebody to take on an incum- Dingell. I wanted to say that. I thank Debbie bent Republican Senator. for being here, for carrying all of our water Now we have a man who was brave enough all these years and doing all this work. And to do it in Minnesota, but he’s independently I’m deeply indebted to a lot of people from wealthy. We have a wonderful woman who Michigan. Senator Riegle is here. And we voted for my economic plan in 1993, lost her worked 2 years together, and he was terrific. seat in the House, and is now ahead in running Jim Blanchard was great to me. All of them— against the incumbent Senator from Washington I appreciate that. But John Dingell is sort of State. But she’s independently wealthy. Debbie a vanishing breed. He’s just an old-style person Stabenow is just independent. [Laughter] who believes politics is an honorable profession But it’s really true—even if they do have more and who believes that there’s no point in being dollars, I can tell you for sure, I know her in office unless you’re going to get something well, she does have more sense. [Laughter] I’ve done or stand against something you don’t be- watched this thing very closely. I know if one lieve in. person goes off the air and the other dumps And so what I want to say to you is, you several million on the air, you can move the need to treat this election like you’re going to numbers, but they’re not getting above 50 per- get something done. And Michigan is really cent. She can win, and she will win if you will America. Yes, it’s different than America; people fight for her. And do not be discouraged. Do make more cars here than anyplace else. But not give up. Fight. This is worth fighting for. it’s also an agricultural State; it’s a small-business It’s worth fighting for. State; it’s a high-tech State. It’s a place with Now, I’ve got a little something substantive worlds of—very remote rural communities and I want to say, but first I’ve got to say something big thriving cities. It is America. about my young friend, Mr. McNamara. All the And what I want to say to you is, for 47 talk about Ireland and the trains and all that, days it will be the center of the conflict between this guy was there for me when only my mama the Democrats and the Republicans for the Sen- thought I could be elected President. [Laughter] ate and the House and between Al Gore and And this is his 74th birthday. So we’re going Joe Lieberman and Governor Bush and Sec- to sing ‘‘Happy Birthday.’’ Ready? One, two, retary Cheney. And I was told on the way up three. here that the Republican nominee is coming here in a day or two and is going to stand [At this point, the audience sang ‘‘Happy Birth- in an automobile factory and blast Al Gore over day’’ to Wayne County Executive Edward H. the internal combustion engine. The only thing McNamara] I want you to remember is, when you voted Mr. McNamara. He is a much better Presi- for me, when they had the White House the dent than he is a singer. [Laughter] last time, not very many people could afford The President. You may be the only 74-year- to buy an internal combustion engine or fill old man in America with more than enough it up. hot air to blow out those candles. [Laughter] We’ve had a real partnership with the people Go blow those candles out. And make a wish. of Michigan, and I’ve worked, when I could, Now, I just want to say a couple of other on a bipartisan basis. We’ve had a partnership things. First, on behalf of Al Gore and Tipper that’s helped to lower the welfare rolls, to lower and Hillary and me, I want to thank the people the unemployment rates, lift the State up. We’ve
1898 Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Sept. 21 also had a very important partnership with the So what we need is not to stick our heads UAW and the automobile industry to build the in the ground and deny that there’s a challenge; next-generation vehicles. what we need is what we’ve had, a genuine Now, you all are following what’s going on partnership that will save America’s auto indus- with the oil prices—and I don’t want to say try, create more jobs, and lower our alliance much tonight, otherwise it will be a big story on expensive and unreliable fuel. We can do tomorrow, and I’m going to have more to say that together if we do it. about it later. But the point I want to make Now, let me just say something else. In the is, one of the reasons we’re doing better than last few weeks, since the convention, where I we were the last time this happened is that thought the Vice President and Senator the American people have become much more Lieberman made great speeches and laid our energy-efficient; our cars get better mileage; our program out for the American people, our side homes are more energy-efficient; our factories has been doing pretty well. And their side has are more energy-efficient. had a few problems. [Laughter] But one of the And we know—we know that the work being things I’ve learned in life is that all those martial done now with high-tech companies, with the arts people—you ever watch those martial arts, major auto companies and the UAW—work that the judo and karate contests or the tae kwon our administration has supported financially and do contests? You know what they do before otherwise to build next-generation vehicles that every match? They bow to their opponents. Why can get 70 or 80 miles a gallon or use fuel do they do that? Because they know that the cells or use electricity and gasoline or use alter- surest sign of defeat is to disrespect your oppo- native fuels that don’t pollute the atmosphere, nent, to underestimate your opponent, to have that we can make here from an unlimited supply contempt for your opponent. of other things. So I have said all along, why don’t we just Let me just say, you know this whole business call a moratorium on personal abuse and at- about ethanol and farm-based fuel products, tacks? Why don’t we posit the fact that our right now the reason we don’t have more of adversaries are patriots and good people; they it is, it takes about 7 gallons of gasoline to love their families. And why don’t we thank produce about 8 gallons of ethanol. But we are them for abandoning, or at least appearing to funding research, which is very close to making abandon, the 20 years of negative politics that a breakthrough that is the equivalent of what they have brought to this country’s political life happened when crude oil was broken down so and talk in a more inclusive way and thank that it could be refined into gasoline. And when them for that and say, ‘‘Okay, let’s have an elec- that happens—when that happens, you’ll be able tion on the differences.’’ to make 8 gallons of ethanol for about one gal- And I can just tell you, I have worked hard lon of gasoline, and the whole world will change. to turn this economy around, but the best is That is what Al Gore has been doing the last out there. Believe me. As good as everything 8 years. is, the best stuff is still out there. If you make And whatever they tell you in the next 47 the right decisions, we could bring jobs and days—I’m not running for anything, but I’ve economic opportunity to people and places that got a record in Michigan—if I were trying to haven’t felt it yet. cost you jobs, I’ve done a poor job of it. Now, I was in Flint today to highlight the possibili- if we develop new engines, new fuel cells, and ties of the Internet to educate, empower, and new fuels, it will save the automobile industry employ people from Michigan with disabilities. in Michigan, not destroy it. It will be more And it’s stunning. I was able to talk in Flint— prosperous than ever before. because we had one of the machines there, this And every single year I have had to fight new laser technology that operates with the the other party in Congress for funds for the eyes—about a friend of mine from North Caro- Partnership for the Next Generation Vehicle, for lina who has Lou Gehrig’s disease, who can funds to promote energy conservation, for funds no longer move any part of his body. He can’t to develop alternative sources of fuel to keep speak, and he can’t move. And when we were our automobile industry strong and our people friends and working together in the eighties, able to afford to drive and our country more he was a strapping, healthy, charismatic, hand- secure—every single year. some, active, vital guy. But he’s an even greater
1899 Sept. 21 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 person now because of the courage with which who are upper middle class people, if we don’t he’s proceeded. But because of new technology, continue to raise the earnings limit on the alter- he is about to publish a book he wrote on the native minimum tax, you’ll start paying taxes computer with his eyes. Now, because of new you’ve got no business paying just because you technology, he still can work at home and earn get a pay raise. So we fix that—whack another a living doing business at the bank he used $150 billion off. What they don’t tell you is to run—unbelievable. that we don’t have in there continuing the re- So I’m telling you, the best of it is still out search and development tax credit, which we’ve there. If you make the right decisions, in the got to do if you want to develop these new next decade you can get rid of child poverty; cars that get high mileage—whack another $40 you can give all working families access to af- billion off. You get the idea. And then the fordable health insurance; we can take Social money may not come in. And what about the Security and Medicare out beyond the life of emergencies that could come up along the way? the baby boomers. We can get this country out We’ve had to give the farmers $6 billion, $8 of debt for the first time since 1835. We can billion, $10 billion every year for the last 3 years generate more jobs in transportation, including because farm prices have been so bad. automobiles, by developing cars that get 80 or Now, so when they tell you, ‘‘Hey, what do 90 or more miles to the gallon. And we can we care? Our tax cut is a trillion and a half clean up the environment and generate hun- dollars, and we’ll privatize Social Security for dreds of thousands, maybe even millions more young people and guarantee everybody over 55 jobs. We can do all this stuff if you make the that they’ll get their benefits,’’ and when you right decisions. We’ve opened the doors of 2 transfer that, it costs a trillion dollars more, be- years of college to all Americans. We can open cause if you take money out of Social Security, the doors of 4 years of college to all Americans, but you leave everybody drawing out the same if you make the right decisions. money, somebody has got to replace it, right? Every time I see Debbie out here making They don’t ever talk about that. That’s another this campaign, and I realize she could have just trillion—whack $2.3 trillion, $2.5 trillion, $2.8 stayed in Congress and enjoyed her seat, rolled trillion. You’re already back in deficits. along, she knew what she was up against—what They don’t ever say that. I’m telling you, that I see are all the little children that will grow means higher interest rates. That means higher up with a better education, have access to col- interest rates. Do you know what—I got a study lege, all the older people that will have real last week that said the difference in our can- medicine when they need it, a genuine Patients’ didate’s economic plan and theirs, going back Bill of Rights so that the doctors, not the into deficit, into the Social Security Trust Fund, HMO’s, will be making your health care deci- is one percent a year on interest rates. Do you sions, and an America with a stronger economy. know what that’s worth to you? Listen to this: And when I see Al Gore and Joe Lieberman, $390 billion in home mortgages, $30 billion in I am telling you, they have a different economic car payments, and $15 billion in college loan policy. You cannot—you cannot—I don’t care payments over a decade. what they tell you these projected surpluses are. In other words, if you do what Vice President Believe me, they’re just projected. And because Gore wants to do, in interest savings alone, I was conservative with your money every year— you’ll get the equivalent of a $425 billion tax every year—first the deficits were less than they cut that will go straight to the working families were supposed to be, and then the surpluses of the United States of America. were bigger. But, why? Because I didn’t play So we’ve got a different—we have a different like it was, and I didn’t play games with your economic policy, a different energy policy, a dif- money. ferent education policy. We want high standards, Now, they say we’ve got a $1.8 trillion, or smaller classes, modern schools. We want $2.2 trillion, projected surplus. That sounds like schools to get more aid, but we want to turn a lot of money. What they don’t tell you is, around these schools or put them under new that doesn’t assume that Government spending management, because we know we can turn will grow with inflation and population, which schools around. it’s done for 50 years—whack $300 billion off. I was in a school in Harlem the other day, What they don’t tell you is that those of you in New York. Two years ago 80 percent of the
1900 Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Sept. 21 kids—80 percent—doing reading and math But anybody that’s lived to be 30 years of below grade level; 2 years later 74 percent doing age or more will tell you, there’s been at least reading and math at or above grade level—in one time in your life when you’ve made a mis- 2 years. We can turn these things around. And take, not because times were tough but because they didn’t do it by taking limited public funds they were so good you quit concentrating. with the largest number of schoolchildren in [Laughter] Sometimes it’s harder to make a history and siphoning it off into a voucher pro- good decision when times are good than when gram. They did it with high standards and ac- they’re bad. You get lulled along. You think countability. there’s no real consequence. You just sort of If you want more choice for parents, pass feel one day—one way one day and one way a statewide school choice plan, have more public another day. charter schools. But we don’t have enough And you believe stuff like this tax stuff they’re money in education now. We’ve got more kids saying, based on the projected surplus. I told than ever before. We’ve got all these facilities somebody the other day, this projected surplus that are inadequate. We’ve got all these schools tickles me. This is like those letters you get we still have to hook up to the Internet. We in the mail from Publishers Clearing House. Did need more preschool and after-school programs. you ever get one? Ed McMahon wrote you a And I’m telling you, the Gore plan is what we’ve personal letter and told you, ‘‘You may have been trying to build on. Just make the money won $10 million.’’ You may have. Did you go spend the money the next day? If you did, you accountable. Say, ‘‘Okay, we’ll give you the should seriously consider voting for the Repub- money, but you’ve got to identify the failing licans. But if you didn’t—if you didn’t, you’d schools and turn them around or put them better stick with us. I’m dead serious. The best under new management. You don’t have to put stuff is still out there. When Al Gore says, ‘‘You up with schools that don’t work.’’ That’s what ain’t seen nothing yet,’’ that’s not just a cam- the teachers want. That’s what the good prin- paign statement. That’s just not something that cipals want. And that’s the right thing to do. sounds good. That is the truth, but we have We have a different human rights policy. to make the right decision. You need this crowd We’re for employment nondiscrimination. We’re behind you. You need them, all of them. for a hate crimes bill. We’re for one America. Now, if you take this Senate race—down deep We have a different health care policy. We’re inside, people in Michigan know that. Other- for a real Patients’ Bill of Rights and a real wise, with all this money that has been spent Medicare drug program. against Debbie, the other fellow would be above Now, if you want these things, and you want 50 percent, and he’s not there yet, not by a to achieve these big goals, you’ve got to make good stretch. the right decision. What Debbie told you was So I’m telling you, she can win, and she has right. Look, this is the first time in 26 years to win. Al Gore and Joe Lieberman have to I haven’t been on the ballot, and most days win. But there are 47 days, and there will be I’m okay about it. [Laughter] I tell everybody; a lot of twists and turns in this race before my party has a new leader; my family has a it’s over. Respect our opponents. Say they’re new candidate; my new official title is Cheer- good people. Say we have honest differences. leader in Chief. Tell people, even though times are good, the But I have loved this job, and I have been best is still out there. Clarify the differences. honored to serve. But you have got to know Get people to focus. Don’t get tired. We’ll have something; you’ve got to believe me on this. a great victory in November. We spent a lot of time, John and Carolyn and Thank you. God bless you. Debbie and Don Riegle and everybody else that served with me in the Congress—we spent a NOTE: The President spoke at 9:20 p.m. at the lot of time just trying to turn the ship of state Laurel Manor. In his remarks, he referred to Jen- around and get it going back in the right direc- nifer M. Granholm, Michigan State attorney gen- tion and get America coming together instead eral; Dianne Byrum, candidate for Michigan’s of being driven apart. And in my lifetime, Eighth Congressional District; Representative there’s never been this much prosperity and Debbie Stabenow, candidate for U.S. Senate in promise and progress. Michigan; Matt Frumin, candidate for Michigan’s
1901 Sept. 21 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000
11th Congressional District; Marietta Robinson, President Nelson Mandela of South Africa; and candidate for Michigan State Supreme Court; Republican Presidential and Vice Presidential former Gov. James J. Blanchard of Michigan; candidates Gov. George W. Bush of Texas and former Senator Donald W. Riegle, Jr.; South Afri- Dick Cheney. can Ambassador to the U.S. Sheila Sisulu; former
Remarks at the Dedication of the Harry S. Truman Building September 22, 2000
Thank you very much, and good afternoon. I could have listened to you for another hour Secretary Albright, thank you for your remarks and a half. And I think I speak for all the and your leadership. My longtime friend Ike people in this audience in saying that we are Skelton and the other members of the Missouri grateful you are here to provide us a living ac- congressional delegation, thank you for this great count of a remarkable time and a great Presi- gift to America and to our children. dent. And we are grateful for your service to John Truman and the members of the Tru- America, as well, and we thank you, sir. man family, we welcome you here. We are hon- And I want to thank James Earl Jones for ored by your presence. And I’d like to say a being here, and also for his friendship to me special word of personal thanks on behalf of over these years. I was so hoping, before I knew Hillary and myself to Margaret Truman Daniel he would come, that there would be an African- for her uncommon kindness and concern for American in this place at this time who could the First Lady and our daughter, for nearly 9 be the living embodiment of the remarkable years now. We are thinking about her in what steps Harry Truman took that put us on the has been a hard year. road we still travel today. I was telling John Truman when we came You have made quite a showing in your life, out here that Margaret came to dinner with Mr. Jones. But I can’t help thinking that in her late husband several years ago at the White more modest and less famous ways, there are House, and I rather cavalierly, along with Hil- hundreds of thousands of others whose lives lary, had her to dinner in the private dining were also encouraged and advanced by Harry room on the second floor. And I did a little Truman’s courage. And we thank you for being research right before she came and discovered here today to embody that. that that had been her music room when she was a young lady living in the White House Most of all, I would like to thank our Foreign with another First Family that had only one Service and civil service employees who are child, a daughter. here, who work every day to advance our inter- And so I asked her, I said, ‘‘Margaret, how ests and values around the world and to make do you like this dining room?’’ And she said, us more free and more secure. ‘‘Well, Mr. President, I like you, but I really This is a very good thing we’re doing today. don’t think people should eat on the same floor Listen to this: In 1956, at the close of his visit they sleep.’’[Laughter] And I felt as if I were to Great Britain, the London Daily Telegraph in the presence of Harry Truman all over again. called Harry Truman ‘‘the living and kicking [Laughter] So I dutifully got down my well- symbol of everything everyone likes best about worn copy of David McCullough’s great biog- America.’’ That’s a pretty good reason for put- raphy, and I looked at the houses of Harry and ting his name on the State Department. But Bess Truman in Independence, and sure it really doesn’t even get into the top 10, for enough, they were two-story houses, where the history will credit Harry Truman for creating bedrooms were on the top floor and the dining the architecture of postwar internationalism in room was on the ground floor. politics and economics; for drawing the line I want to say to you, Mr. Elsey, I wish you against communism and for democracy, setting had just taken the whole program. [Laughter] us squarely on the trail of freedom we continue
1902