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Hier mal das Script der Bush rede
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. (Applause.) Thank you all very much. (Applause.) Thanks for coming. (Applause.) Thank you all. Thanks for the warm welcome. Last time I was supposed to be here, it wasn't going to be so warm. (Laughter.) And I want to thank you for your understanding about the mayor telling me not to come. (Laughter.) He blamed it on the police chief. (Laughter.) Actually, it was the right call. And I want to thank you all for your patience. Thank you for letting me come back.
I generally try to stay on time. I'm running a little late. I met with some special people in order for me to -- before I came over here, so thanks. There's nothing worse than a politician making people wait. I think I've got a pretty good excuse. I met with the family of a fellow who -- who was killed in Iraq. It's part of my duty, it's part of my obligation. It was an uplifting experience to meet with a family that loves their country. I told the -- I told the dad, and the mom, and the wife that we'd stay the course. We'd do what's right, and their son would not have died in vain. (Applause.)
If you're noticing me working my shoulder a little bit, it's because after dinner I've got to go out and deliver a hopping fastball to open up the baseball season. I can't run very far, just hope I can throw 60 foot and six inches. (Laughter.)
And the Vice President, by the way, is venturing out to the mound. He's been warming up. It turns out we don't need a radar gun on him either. (Laughter.) Speaking about the Vice President, he's the finest Vice President our nation has ever had. (Applause.) Mother heard me say that and said, wait a minute, Boy. (Laughter.)
I'm sorry Laura's not here. She's with her mother in Midland, Texas. We were both raised in Midland. She's helping her mom move out of her -- the home she was raised in. Her mom is getting up in years, and Laura is doing her duty as a -- a loyal daughter. Let me just tell you, this is a lady who's got her life in perspective. Her faith and her family come first. And I love her. She is a fabulous First Lady for the country. (Applause.) She sends her love. I'm going to see her tonight in Crawford. We're going to spend the Easter time in Crawford. I'm going to be working out at the Western White House, as we call it -- the Southwestern White House. But I'll give her -- you her best.
I appreciate Thompson and Hance. Those boys delivered a fine introduction, didn't they? They are silver-tongued devils from - - (laughter) -- Charlotte. But I want to thank Ken and Jim for their leadership on this event. I'm proud to have you on my team. I appreciate you working so hard to make this fundraiser so successful. I appreciate Ed McMahan, as well, for being one of the event chairmen. Thank you for your help. (Applause.)
I remember campaigning here and saying to the people of North Carolina that the best choice they had for the United States Senate was Elizabeth Dole, that she'd do a great job for the citizens of this state. And she has. (Applause.) Really proud of the job Elizabeth is doing. She works hard. She's well versed on the issues. She's articulate. She's making a big difference, a big difference in a short period of time on the floor of the Senate. I don't know about the company you're keeping there with Senator Faircloth. But -- (Laughter.)
I appreciate so very much my friend Congressman Cass Ballenger for joining us today. Thank you for being here, Cass. Sue Myrick, as well, the great congress lady from this part of the world. Thank you, Sue, for coming. (Applause.) Congressman Robin Hayes is with us today. Robin, I appreciate your friendship -- (applause.)
And finally, the next United States senator from the great state of North Carolina, Richard Burr. He'll be a good one. And I want him to win. (Applause.)
I appreciate Pat McCrory, the mayor. The Mayor's doing a fine job. He's a good fellow. I've known him a while, and he's doing a really good for the people. (Applause.)
I thank all the state and local officials who are here. I want to thank my friend Jim Culbertson for his hard work, and Dr. Aldona Wos. I want to thank Ferrell Blount. I want to thank Jim Cain. I want to thank all my friends for working so hard to make this event a successful event.
I appreciate Teresa Earnhardt being here. Teresa, thank you for coming. It's -- going to Daytona 500 is -- it's a pretty interesting experience, if you've never been there. And starting the race is even more interesting. It's -- I want to thank the Earnhardt family for their -- for being such great Americans.
I want to thank Ric Flair, professional wrestler. He's with us today. Big Ric, I'm proud you're here. Thank you for coming. (Applause.) I want to thank the grassroots activists who are here. We won North Carolina last time. We're going to win it this time. And I appreciate your help. (Applause.)
And I'm ready for the contest. I just want you to know I'm looking forward to it. I'm looking forward to campaigning. I'm looking forward to talking about what I intend to do. I'm looking forward to reminding people in the last three years we've achieved great things. (Applause.) But most importantly, I'm looking forward to reminding people about our positive vision, a positive vision to win the war on terror, a positive vision for extending peace and freedom throughout the world, a positive vision for creating jobs and promoting opportunity and compassion at home. I'll leave no doubt where we stand, and we're going to win on the 2nd of November. (Applause.)
The last three years have brought serious challenges, and we have given serious answers. We came to office with the stock market in decline and an economy headed into recession. We delivered historic tax relief -- and now our economy is the fast- growing of any major industrialized nation. (Applause.)
We had to confront corporate crimes that cost people their jobs and their savings. So we passed strong corporate reforms, and we made it abundantly clear that we will not tolerate dishonesty in the boardrooms of America. (Applause.)
We saw grief and war arrive on a quiet September morning. So we have pursued the terrorist enemy across the world. We've captured or killed many key leaders of the al Qaeda network. And the rest will learn: There is no cave or hole deep enough to hide from American justice. (Applause.)
We confronted the dangers of state-sponsored terror, and the spread of weapons of mass destruction. So we ended two of the most violent and dangerous regimes on Earth. We freed over 50 million people. Once again, America is proud to lead the armies of liberation. (Applause.)
When Dick Cheney and I came to Washington, we found a military that was under-funded and under-appreciated. So we gave our military the resources and respect they deserve. And today, no one can question the skill, and the strength, and the spirit of the United States military. (Applause.)
It is the President's job to confront problems, not to pass them on to future Presidents or future generations. (Applause.) A President needs to step up and make the tough decisions, and keep his commitments. And that is how I will continue to lead our great nation. (Applause.)
Great events will turn on this election. The man who sits in the Oval Office will set the course of the war on terror, and the direction of our economy. The security and prosperity of America are at stake.
I finally got an opponent. (Laughter.) I'm running against an experienced senator, and he has built up quite a record. In fact, Senator Kerry has been in Washington long enough to take both sides of just about every issue. (Laughter and applause.) He voted for the Patriot Act, for NAFTA, for the No Child Left Behind Act, and for the use of force in Iraq. Now he opposes the Patriot Act, NAFTA, the No Child Left Behind Act, and the liberation of Iraq. He's been on both sides of so many big issues, that if he could find a third side, I imagine he'd take it. (Laughter and applause.)
Someone recently asked my opponent why he had voted against the $87-billion funding bill to help our troops in Iraq. Here's what he said -- he actually said this, "I actually did vote for the $87 billion, before I voted against it." (Laughter.) End of quote. (Laughter.) The President must speak clearly. (Applause.)
We will have a clear choice in the campaign this year, the choice between keeping the tax relief that is moving our economy forward, or putting the burden of higher taxes back on the American people. We'll have a choice between an America that leads the world with strength and confidence, or an America that is uncertain in the face of danger. I look forward to making that choice very clear.
The other side hasn't offered much in the way of strategies to win the war, or policies to expand the economy. All we hear from that side is a lot of old bitterness and partisan anger. Anger is not an agenda for the future of America. (Applause.)
I look forward to taking on the big issues with optimism, and resolve. I will make it clear that I stand ready to lead this nation for four more years. (Applause.)
A big issue for every family in America is the federal tax burden. With the largest tax relief since Ronald Reagan was the President, we have left more money in the hands that earned it. By spending and investing, and to help create new jobs, the American people have used their money far better than the federal government would have. (Applause.)
This economy is strong, and it is getting stronger. Economic growth is strong. America added 308,000 new jobs in March -- the highest monthly job growth total in almost four years. (Applause.) And since August, our economy has added over three- quarter of a million new jobs. The second half of 2003, the economy grew at its fastest rate in nearly 20 years. Interest rates are low. Mortgage rates are low. Manufacturing activity is on the increase. Disposable income is rising. Homeownership is at all-time historic high. The tax relief we passed is working. (Applause.)
There's a clear difference when it comes to taxes. When we passed the tax increase in the child credit to help families, my opponent voted against it. When we reduced the marriage penalty, he voted against it. When we created a lower 10-percent tax rate for working families, he voted against it. When we reduced the tax rate on dividends that many seniors depend on, he voted "no." When we gave small businesses tax incentives to expand and hire, he voted against it. When we passed a phase-out of the death tax, he voted against it. I think there's a pattern here. (Laughter.)
