Administration of George W. Bush, 2004 / Oct. 8 on the offensive against terrorists with the to protect our country and build a better goal of total victory and peace for our chil- world beyond terror. We’ll encourage lib- dren and our grandchildren. I’m running erty here at home to spread prosperity and for President to keep this economy moving opportunity to every part of this land. I’m so every worker has a good job and quality going to carry this message to my fellow health care and a secure retirement. I’m citizens in these closing days of this cam- running for President to make our strong paign. I’m looking forward to it, and with Nation a more compassionate society where your help, we’ll carry Wisconsin and win no one is left out, because I believe every- a great victory on November the 2d. body counts and everybody matters. Thank you all for coming. I’m glad you’re I have a hopeful vision—I have a opti- here. God bless. Thank you all. mistic vision about this country. You would have one too if you’ve seen what I’ve seen. NOTE: The President spoke at 3:19 p.m. at I’ve seen the spirit of America under good Marathon Park. In his remarks, he referred times and bad times. I’ve seen the great to television talk show host Jay Leno; John character of this Nation rise up to help Gard, speaker, Wisconsin State Assembly; a fellow citizen who hurts. I’ve seen strang- Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker; ers put their arms around another person Mayor James E. Tipple of Wausau, WI; and say, ‘‘I love you, brother.’’ ‘‘I love you, former Representative Scott L. Klug of Wis- sister. What can I do to help you?’’ consin; Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of I believe this young century will be lib- Japan; and Prime Minister Tony Blair of the erty’s century. We’ll promote liberty abroad United Kingdom. Presidential Debate in St. Louis, Missouri October 8, 2004 Charles Gibson. Good evening from the of the President; the other they’d like to Field House at Washington University in ask the Senator. I have selected the ques- St. Louis. I’m Charles Gibson of ABC tions to be asked and the order. No one News and ‘‘Good Morning America.’’ I wel- has seen the final list of questions but come you to the second of the 2004 Presi- me—certainly not the candidates. No audi- dential debates between President George ence member knows if he or she will be W. Bush, the Republican nominee, and called upon. Audience microphones will be Senator John Kerry, the Democratic nomi- turned off after a question is asked. nee. The debates are sponsored by the Audience members will address their Commission on Presidential Debates. question to a specific candidate. He’ll have Tonight’s format is going to be a bit dif- 2 minutes to answer. The other candidate ferent. We have assembled a townhall will have a minute and a half for rebuttal. meeting. We’re in the ‘‘Show Me’’ State, And I have the option of extending discus- as everyone knows Missouri to be, so Mis- sion for 1 minute, to be divided equally souri residents will ask the questions, these between the two men. All subjects are open 140 citizens who were identified by the for discussion. And you probably know the Gallup Organization as not yet committed light system by now, green light at 30 sec- in this election. Now, earlier today each onds, yellow at 15, red at 5, and flashing audience member gave me two questions red means you’re done. Those are the can- on cards like this: One they’d like to ask didates’ rules. I will hold the candidates 2395 Oct. 8 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2004 to the time limits forcefully, but politely, mind. I haven’t changed my mind. I’m I hope. going to fully fund it. So these are the And now please join me in welcoming, differences. with great respect, President Bush and Sen- Now, the President has presided over the ator Kerry. economy where we’ve lost 1.6 million jobs, Gentlemen, to the business at hand. The the first President in 72 years to lose jobs. first question is for Senator Kerry, and it I have a plan to put people back to work. will come from Cheryl Otis, who is right That’s not wishy-washy. I’m going to close behind me. the loopholes that actually encourage com- panies to go overseas. The President wants Consistent Leadership to keep them open. I think I’m right. I Cheryl Otis. Senator Kerry, after talking think he’s wrong. to several coworkers and family and friends, I’m going to give you a tax cut. The I asked the ones who said they were not President gave—the top one percent of in- voting for you, why. They said that you come earners in America got $89 billion were too wishy-washy. Do you have a reply last year, more than the 80 percent of peo- for them? ple who earn $100,000 or less all put to- Senator John F. Kerry. Yes, I certainly gether. I think that’s wrong. That’s not do. [Laughter] But let me just first, Cheryl, wishy-washy, and that’s what I’m fighting if you will, I want to thank Charlie for for—you. moderating. I want to thank Washington Mr. Gibson. Mr. President, a minute and University for hosting us here this evening. a half. Mr. President, it’s good to be with you President Bush. Charlie, thank you, and again this evening, sir. thank our panelists. Senator, thank you. I Cheryl, the President didn’t find weapons can—and thanks, Washington U. as well. of mass destruction in Iraq, so he’s really I can see why people at your workplace turned his campaign into a weapon of mass think he changes positions a lot, because deception. And the result is that you’ve he does. He said he voted for the $87 been bombarded with advertisements sug- billion and—or voted against it right before gesting that I’ve changed a position on this he voted for it. And that sends a confusing or that or the other. Now, the three things signal to people. He said he thought Sad- they try to say I’ve changed position on dam Hussein was a grave threat and now are the PATRIOT Act—I haven’t. I support said it was a mistake to remove Saddam it. I just don’t like the way John Ashcroft Hussein from power. No, I can see why has applied it. And we’re going to change people think that he changes position quite a few things. The chairman of the Repub- often, because he does. lican Party thinks we ought to change a You know, for a while, he was a strong few things. supporter of getting rid of Saddam Hussein. No Child Left Behind Act—I voted for He saw the wisdom, until the Democratic it. I support it. I support the goals. But primary came along and Howard Dean, the the President has underfunded it by $28 antiwar candidate, began to gain on him. billion. Right here in St. Louis, you’ve laid And he changed positions. I don’t see how off 350 teachers. You’re 150—excuse me, you can lead this country in a time of war, I think it’s a little more—about $100 mil- in a time of uncertainty, if you change your lion shy of what you ought to be under mind because of politics. the No Child Left Behind Act to help your He just brought up the tax cut. You re- education system here. So I complain about member, we increased that child credit by that. I’ve argued that we should fully fund $1000, reduced the marriage penalty, cre- it. The President says I’ve changed my ated a 10-percent tax bracket for the lower 2396 Administration of George W. Bush, 2004 / Oct. 8 income Americans—that’s right at the mid- power, and Al Qaida no longer has a place dle class. He voted against it, and yet he to plan. tells you he’s for a middle-class tax cut. And I saw a unique threat in Saddam It’s—you’ve got to be consistent when Hussein, as did my opponent, because we you’re the President. There’s a lot of pres- thought he had weapons of mass destruc- sures, and you’ve got to be firm and con- tion. And the unique threat was that he sistent. could give weapons of mass destruction to Mr. Gibson. Mr. President, I would fol- an organization like Al Qaida, and the harm low up, but we have a series of questions they inflicted on us with airplanes would on Iraq, and so I will turn to the next be multiplied greatly by weapons of mass questioner. The question for President destruction. And that was a serious, serious Bush, and the questioner is Robin Dahle. threat. So I tried diplomacy. I went to the Iraqi Weapons of Mass Destruction United Nations. But as we learned in the Robin Dahle. Mr. President—— same report I quoted, Saddam Hussein was Mr. Gibson. Can you get a microphone, gaming the Oil for Food Programme to Robin, I’m sorry. get rid of sanctions.