Administration of George W. Bush, 2004 / Feb. 26 percent bracket permanent, they pay with all their heart, people who are putting $1,000 next year. We’re running up taxes food on the table. on this family, and it affects their ability I want to repeat to you what I said be- to make decisions. It affects their future. fore. This country has overcome a lot, and It’s just—it doesn’t make any sense for we’re moving forward with optimism and Congress not to make the tax relief perma- confidence. You know why? Because we’ve nent. And the best way that I can possibly got great people. And I’m proud to be the tell the story—they’re used to me—is all leader of such a strong nation. they’ve got to do is listen to what tax relief Thank you all for coming. God bless. meant for people in their lives and what NOTE tax increases would do. And so I call upon : The President spoke at 10:52 a.m. at ISCO Industries. In his remarks, he referred Congress to listen to the voices of the peo- to Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, ple out here struggling to get ahead in husband of Secretary of Labor Elaine L. America, people who are making good deci- Chao; Gov. Ernie Fletcher and Lt. Gov. sions, people who are doing their duty as Steve Pence of Kentucky; and Mayor Jerry responsible citizens to love their children E. Abramson of Louisville, KY. Remarks at a Bush-Cheney Luncheon in Louisville February 26, 2004 Thank you all for coming. Thanks for Vice President Cheney is a great Vice your support. Thanks for your friendship. President. He’s done a heck of a good job Thanks for your warm welcome. I’m proud for our country. Our country has had no to be back here in the great Common- finer Vice President, although Mother may wealth of Kentucky. I’m pleased to be with have a second opinion. No, I’m proud to so many friends. have him by my side, proud to be cam- I appreciate my friend Darrell Waltrip paigning with him. being here. I was at NASCAR the other I’m also proud of the job Laura is doing. day. Man, I can see why he likes that so She’s a fabulous First Lady for this country. much. [Laughter] It’s an amazing environ- She sends her best, her best wishes and ment. He has a lot to be proud of. He her love to our friends here in Kentucky. had a fabulous career. I know one of his I want to thank Cathy Bailey for taking proudest moments came when his little on a tough job and doing such a good brother won the big race in Florida. I went job. through the same experience. [Laughter] I want to thank Elaine Chao, who is with We’re ready to go here in Kentucky. us today, a member of my Cabinet. I think We’ve got a great organization. I want to when people start to analyze an administra- thank the people who are going to man tion’s effectiveness, they need to look at the phones and put up the signs and get the people in the Cabinet. When people the people to the polls. The Vice President surround themselves with excellence—they and I appreciate all you did for us last should surround themselves with excel- time. We appreciate all you’re going to do lence, and I have. I’ve attracted a really for us this time. We intend to win the good team of people from all walks of life State of Kentucky. to come to the Nation’s Capital and to 277 ug 31 2005 11:38 Dec 19 2006 Jkt 201942 PO 00000 Frm 00277 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 E:\HR\OC\201942A 009 201942A Feb. 26 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2004 serve something greater than their self-in- this campaign is fully funded and ready to terest: their country. And Elaine is part take our message across the country. of the fabulous Cabinet I put together, and You know, we meet here during the I want to thank you for being here, Elaine. Presidential primary season. We’re wit- And I understand why your husband is not nessing a clear trend. It looks like we have here—he’s voting. But Mitch has done a a winner in the Republican primaries. really good job for the people of Kentucky, [Laughter] The other party’s nomination and I’m proud to call him friend. battle is still playing out. They’re an inter- You need to send Jim Bunning back to esting group with a lot of strong differences Washington, DC, as well. I flew down with of opinion. They’re for tax cuts and against Anne Northup today on the plane. We had them, for NAFTA and against NAFTA, for a great visit about Kentucky and the issues the PATRIOT Act, against the PATRIOT down here. She’s a really competent, good Act, in favor of liberating Iraq and opposed person. I know Woody is with us; Anne to it. And that’s just one Senator from Mas- had to go back and cast an important vote. sachusetts. I gave her permission to do so. [Laughter] They haven’t—they’re not finished select- But she really is a fine, fine Representative ing their nominee. Yet this much is certain: of the people of Louisville, Kentucky. You Come November, the voters are going to need to send her back too. have a very clear choice. It’s a choice be- And I appreciate my friend the Governor tween keeping the tax relief that is moving being here. He’s got the—I used to say the economy forward or putting the burden the Governor was the best job in America. of higher taxes back on the American peo- I’m not so sure, because you don’t have much foreign policy. [Laughter] But it’s im- ple. It is a choice between an America that portant to have somebody who is willing leads the world with strength and con- to make decisions, and Ernie is that kind fidence or an America that is uncertain in of person. He’ll do a fine job as a Governor the face of danger. I look forward to setting of this State, and I’m proud—proud, Ernie, these alternatives squarely before the that you ran. I appreciate you coming. American people. I look forward to the And I’m glad Steve Pence is with us, campaign. the Lieutenant Governor. And Secretary of We have a record of historic achieve- State Trey Grayson is here as well. Senate ment. And most importantly, we have a President David Williams—he and I were positive vision for the years ahead, for win- just laughing about the time we cam- ning the war against terror, for extending paigned in southern Kentucky in a mobile peace and freedom throughout our world, home, eating Kentucky barbecue. [Laugh- and for creating jobs and opportunity here ter] Gosh, I hope I get some on the plane at home. We will leave no doubt where going back. But good to see David. And we stand, and we will win on the 2d of Dick Roeding is with us as well. I appre- November. ciate the local and State officials who have The last 3 years have brought serious come today. challenges, and we have given serious an- I want to thank Mike Duncan and Ellen swers. We came to office with an economy Williams, great friends of mine who are heading into recession. We delivered his- helping steer this party to victory. I want toric tax relief, and now our economy is to thank my friend Mercer Reynolds, who the fastest growing of any major industri- is the national finance chairman—he’s from alized nation. We had to confront corporate Cincinnati, Ohio—who has taken time out crimes that cost people their jobs and their of his busy life to help make sure that savings, so we passed strong corporate re- we’re ready to go, that when the bell rings, forms and we made it abundantly clear we 278 1 2005 11:38 Dec 19 2006 Jkt 201942 PO 00000 Frm 00278 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 E:\HR\OC\201942A 009 201942A Administration of George W. Bush, 2004 / Feb. 26 will not tolerate dishonesty in the board- and prosperity of America are at stake. Our rooms of America. opponents have not offered much in the We saw war and grief arrive on a quiet way of strategies to win the war or policies September morning, so we have pursued to expand the economy. So far, all we hear the terrorist enemy across the world and is a lot of old bitterness and partisan anger. have captured or killed many key leaders Anger is not an agenda for the future of of the Al Qaida network. And the rest of America. We will take on the big issues them will learn there is no cave or hole with optimism and resolve and determina- deep enough to hide from American jus- tion. We stand ready to lead our country tice. for the next 4 years. We confronted the dangers of state-spon- A big issue for every family in America sored terror and the spread of weapons of is the Federal tax burden. With the largest mass destruction, so we ended two of the tax relief since Ronald Reagan was the most violent and dangerous regimes on President, we have left more money in the Earth.