For Immediate Release
Office of the Vice President
November 3, 2003
VP Remarks at Southwest Florida Dinner
Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa
Bonita Springs, Florida
October 31, 2003
6:28 P.M. EST
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Thank you all very much. (Applause.) Thank
you. Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you. Thanks, Al -- I think.
(Laughter.) Al has known me so long there's a lot of -- there are a lot
of things he could have said tonight and thankfully he didn't.
(Laughter.)
But there's one other story I like to tell about Al Abrams (ph).
And Al and I do go back over 30 years. And when I first met him he
was a respected political professional, if I can use those terms in the
most positive way -- a man with a great deal of experience in
Washington and on Capitol Hill. And I was pretty green, and he took me
under his wings and taught me an awful about this business.
But among other things, one thing I've never forgotten is that when
I ran for Congress the first time in 1978, as Al pointed out, I wasn't
flush. I didn't have a lot of money. And I'd been working in
government for a period of time, and I'd been a student. But I was not
what you call a self-financed candidate. But Al at that time was the
head of the realtors in Washington, the man who represented the Real
Estate Association, from all over the country. And he did something
that I thought was very courageous -- he gave me my first political
action committee check for $5,000, which really set me on my way.
(Applause.)_
I like to think it was a good investment. (Laughter.) I'm not
sure he does, but he -- it was -- it's one of those things you never
forget when somebody steps up and gives you that first contribution
when you decide finally you're going to run for Congress and put in a
year-long effort as the candidate for Congress all across Wyoming. And
that was a long, tough, hard fought campaign, but in the end,
successful. And it obviously set me on an interesting career path from
that day to this.
But Al had a great deal to do with getting me, first of all, sort
of educated in whetting my appetite for the political life, and then
secondly, when it was very important, stepping up and putting his money
where his mouth was, so to speak. And it was deeply appreciated.
I loved my time in Congress. I was the only congressman from
Wyoming. Wyoming only has one congressional seat. It's a small
delegation. (Laughter.) But it was quality. (Laughter and applause.)
And I've got a lot of friends here tonight that I've served with in
the Congress over the years. I see Porter Goss down here, who does
superb work for us as the Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee,
and does great work for all of you here in Florida.
I see my old friend Bill McCullom (ph) that I served with in the
House for many years. Bill, it's good to see you this evening. And
you've got many other distinguished members. Mark Foley flew down with
me today from Washington. Mark is back here. And of course, I've
worked over the years with Mario and Lincoln Diaz-Balart. We've got
Florida Senator Daniel Webster (ph) here this evening, I see, and
Representative Carol Jean Jordan (ph). So it's a distinguished
gathering tonight, and I'm glad to have the opportunity to come back to
Southern Florida and spend some time with all of you.
I appreciate the turn-out, and I bring good wishes from the man you
helped put in the White House, President George W. Bush. (Applause.)
And although the Governor couldn't be with us tonight, obviously, I
wouldn't want to come to Florida without praising the President's
brother. (Laughter and applause.)
But he's done a superb job for the people of Florida and I'm proud
to call him friend. He's been principled, effective, honest leadership
for everybody across the state.
The presidential election is now just one year and two days away,
and we have a lot of work ahead of us. There are several other
elections early next week on Tuesday, and we're watching them very
closely. And I believe this is already shaping up to be a good year
for Republican candidates.
On Monday, I was in Columbus, Mississippi with Haley Barbour, our
candidate for governor in Mississippi. The President will be in
Mississippi tomorrow and Kentucky, as well. It looks like Haley is
well on his way to becoming the next governor of Mississippi.
(Applause.)
We also have excellent prospects in Kentucky and Louisiana on
Tuesday night. I believe our candidates are running ahead in both
those races. And just yesterday, in Washington, I had the chance to
welcome to my office in the West Wing another star in our party, the
new Governor of the State of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger.
(Applause.)
I'm just tremendously impressed with the way Arnold runs
campaigns. (Laughter.) It's short, it's fast, and there's never any
doubt about the outcome. (Laughter.)
But elections always require tremendous commitment, not only from
those of us who are candidates, but also from all the volunteers and
contributors who go into making those races possible. When I speak to
political gatherings around the country these days, I always like to
point out that every hour of volunteer time, every dollar contributed
can make a decisive difference in an election. And this is not a tough
case to make here in the state of Florida, obviously. We all remember
-- certainly, I do -- and will never forget October, November, December
of 2000. Every ounce of effort helped make the difference in that
race. And many of you who are here tonight were absolutely tireless in
that campaign. The Republicans in this part of Florida had a
significant impact on the outcome. We'll never forget it, and I know
we can count on all of you next year to do exactly the same thing.
(Applause.)
The President and I are looking forward to the campaign. It'll be
an opportunity to present our message to voters not only here in
Florida, but all across the nation. The President and I came to
Washington determined to resolve problems, instead of simply passing
them on to the future generations. We were determined to seize new
opportunities for reform, and to get beyond the old debates that had
all too often stood in the way of progress.
Today, as we look ahead to the election of 2004, I believe we have
a record of considerable accomplishment to show for our efforts. I
believe the American people can be confident of a better future, a
stronger economy, and greater security against the dangers of the era
we live in because of the character and the leadership of our
President, George W. Bush. (Applause.)
In the weeks following the terrorist attacks of 9/11, people in
every part of the country, regardless of party, took comfort and pride
in the conduct of our President. (Applause.) From that day to this,
he's led a focused, relentless, steady campaign against the enemies who
struck America and killed our fellow citizens.
Not long after 9/11, one high-ranking al Qaeda official said, "This
is the beginning of the end for America." It's pretty clear that
terrorist didn't what he was talking about. It's pretty clear that the
terrorists who attacked us did not understand the strength and
resilience of our nation. And they did not understand the
determination of our President.
We stand here today, with many of al Qaeda's known leaders having
been killed or captured. Those still at large are living in fear. And
their fears are well founded because we're on their trail.
In Afghanistan, the Taliban regime brutalized an entire population
and harbored al Qaeda, and that regime is no more. In Iraq, a ruthless
dictator -- one of the bloodiest dictators of the 20th century --
cultivated weapons of mass destruction and the means to deliver them.
And he gave support to terrorists, and his regime is no more.
Freedom still has enemies in Iraq. These terrorists are targeting
the very success and freedom that we're providing to the Iraqi people.
Terror attacks on innocent civilians will not intimidate Americans and
they will not intimidate the Iraqi people. Iraq is now the central
front in the war on terror. We are rolling back the terrorist threat
and defeating it at the heart of its power in the Middle East. We will
persevere until every enemy who plots against the American people is
confronted and defeated.
In these battles, the men and women who wear the uniform of the
United States have performed with enormous skill and great courage.
(Applause.) As a former Secretary of Defense, and I know you join me
in this sentiment, I have never been prouder of the men and women in
the United States military. (Applause.)
These fine young men and women deserve our wholehearted support,
they deserve to have their bravery in battle recognized, and to have us
acknowledge, as well, the progress that they've made in helping the
people of Afghanistan and Iraq to emerge into a new era of self-rule
and freedom. The men and women of our military are rebuilding schools,
repairing medical facilities, and training Afghans and Iraqis to
provide security for their fellow citizens. Our men and women in
uniform are playing a classic role, one they undertook after World War
II, when Americans brought help and hope to the people of Europe and
Japan. Now in the Middle East, they're earning the trust of the people
we've liberated.
One of the most important commitments that George Bush and I made
during the 2000 campaign was that the armed forces would be given every
resource they need and the respect they deserve. And we've kept our
word. (Applause.)
Marking sure that our nation is secure has been a principal concern
of this administration, and so has the economic well-being of our
citizens. By the time we took office, the economy was sliding into
recession. And to get it growing again, we've delivered tax relief --
significant tax relief. And we've done this because we believe that
when families and small businesses are hurting, the best way to help
them is to let them keep more of what they earn. After all --
(applause) -- the money we spend in Washington is not the government's
money -- it's the people's money. (Applause.)
This administration has delivered the largest tax relief package
since Ronald Reagan was in the White House. And we are beginning now
to see strong economic growth that results from that. The figures for
the third quarter, released just yesterday, show that the economy grew
at an annual rate of 7.2 percent. (Applause.) That's the fastest pace
since 1984, nearly 20 years ago. Exports are expanding. Business
investment is rising. Housing construction is booming. The Bush tax
cuts are working. (Applause.)
As you know, occasionally we hear voices in the land who want to
roll back the Bush tax cuts. I hear these voices sometimes on the
evening news. (Laughter.) I'm fascinated to watch the candidates of
the other party try to put a negative spin on 7.2 percent real growth.
(Laughter.) But, in fact, the Bush tax cuts helped us bring -- helped
bring us out of recession. And they're helping now to promote foster
-- to foster and promote long-term economic growth and to stimulate the
creation of new jobs. And the President and I will not be satisfied
until every person who wants to work can find a job. (Applause.)
President Bush has also made education reform a matter of the
highest priority. He's reached across the aisle to enact a program
that encourages high aspirations and accountability, and gives parents
the information they need to know about their children's schools.
Education has been one of those issues where there's been a lot of talk
over the years, but under this President's leadership, talk has turned
to action.
Similarly after many failed attempts in the 1990s, we now have
trade promotion authority to open new markets for America's farmers,
ranchers, and manufacturers. On issue after issue, President Bush has
led the way in making progress for the American people. One of the
sure signs of his leadership can be seen every day in the people that
he brought into government. As many of you know, I've had the
privilege of holding a number of positions in public service, including
Chief of Staff in the White House, member of Congress, and Secretary of
Defense. Looking at the group now serving under President Bush, I can
tell you, this is one of the finest teams ever assembled by a President
of the United States. (Applause.)
All of us in this administration and our Republican allies in the
House and Senate recognize that our job is not to rest on a strong
record, but to keep adding to that record. Abroad, the fundamental
interest of this nation requires that we oppose threats to our freedom
and security wherever they may gather. Yet overcoming threats is only
the beginning of America's responsibilities.
In the Middle East, we are encouraging free markets, democracy and
tolerance because these are the ideas and the aspirations that overcome
violence and turn societies to the pursuit of peace. In that region
and beyond, all who strive and sacrifice for the cause of freedom will
have a friend in the United States of America.
Here at home, we have a full agenda and some pressing business to
complete. After many years of inaction, we're finally nearing reform
in Medicare, reform that strengthens the system and provides America's
seniors with prescription drug coverage. We must also improve our
health care system through liability reform. In Florida and across
America, doctors should be able to spend their time healing patients,
instead of fighting off frivolous lawsuits. (Applause.)
Thanks to the President's leadership, Congress is also nearing
passage of a comprehensive energy plan. The President has proposed the
strategy based on greater energy efficiency, conservation, cleaner
technology, and more energy production right here at home. For the
sake of our economic security and our national security, we must
modernize our energy infrastructure and make this nation less dependent
on foreign oil.
Also on Capitol Hill, it's time for the United States Senate to get
about the business of confirming President Bush's judicial nominees.
(Applause.) The President has put forward superb nominees, men and
women qualified to serve on the federal bench, talented experienced,
who represent the mainstream of American law and American values. Yet
some of these nominations have been denied an up-or-down vote for
months or even years.
Just yesterday, the Senate Democrats waged a filibuster to prevent
a vote on the nomination of Judge Charles Pickering, even though a
solid majority of senators -- 54 to be precise -- were on record in
support of his nomination. It is time for the Senate to end this
unfair practice and to end all the needless delays in the confirmation
process. Every nominee deserves a up-or-down vote in a timely fashion
on the floor of the United States Senate. (Applause.)
We've achieved a great deal over the last few years, but there's
still a great deal left to do in Washington and around the world, where
we have many serious responsibilities and challenges. The campaign
season will come in due course. And when it does, the President and I
will run hard and take nothing for granted. We understand the key to
victory is to do the work we've been given, and to do it well. We
intend to make good use of every day we have the honor of serving the
American people.
Long before I took this job, I had the good fortune to work with
other Presidents I greatly admire. As a White House staffer in the
aftermath of Watergate, I saw Gerald Ford restore confidence in
government by the sheer decency and force of his character. As a
congressman during the decisive years of the Cold War, I saw the
conviction and the moral courage of Ronald Reagan. And as a member of
the Cabinet under former President Bush, I saw the ideal of public
service in its purest form and came to know a leader of honor and
integrity.
Along the way I think I learned a few things about the presidency
and the kind of person that it takes to do that job well. It takes the
finest qualities of character, conviction, personal integrity, good
judgement, compassion, and courage in times of testing for the nation.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is exactly the kind of man we have in
the White House today. (Applause.)
President Bush and I are both honored by your confidence in us and
by your commitment to the cause we serve. It's a privilege to spend
this evening with so many people who've had such a direct impact on an
historic election. This state was important long before the autumn of
2000, and it will be every bit as important well into the future. We
all hope the next race won't be quite as suspenseful as the last one.
(Laughter.) But we can be absolutely sure that the results will be
just as crucial for Florida and for the nation. You were there when we
needed you. You're with us today, and the President and I are
enormously grateful to each and every one of you. Thank you very
much.
END 6:47 P.M. EST
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