Remarks at a victory 2004 luncheon in Bridgeton, Missouri

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, May 17, 2004 by George W. Bush

May 14, 2004

The President. Thanks for coming. Please be seated. As Kimmy Brauer said, we have done extremely well with a few people. [Laughter] This is the way we like to do it in politics. I want to thank you all for your generosity. I want to thank you for helping to make sure that our ground game in the great State of Missouri is as good as it can possibly be.

We won the State in 2000, and there's no doubt in my mind we're going to carry it in 2004, and one of the reasons why is because of your generosity. And another reason why is because we're going to be really well-organized. And finally, a reason why is because our message is so positive and hopeful for all the citizens of this State. I mean, when the campaign is all said and done, people will realize we've got a plan to make the country safer and stronger and better.

I think there's a lot of reasons to put me back in office for 4 more years. But perhaps the most important reason to send me back up there is so that Laura can be the First Lady for 4 more years. She is really, really a great soul and a wonderful wife, a fantastic mother, and is really making a difference in a lot of people's lives. Both of us have come to realize that the President and the First Lady have got a fantastic opportunity to affect people's lives in positive ways.

I'm going to Concordia University Wisconsin after this, to give the graduation speech. My speech is on compassion. My speech will be an attempt to remind the graduates that they can change our society with good hearts. And Laura and I have come to realize that by asking people to serve and by calling on people to teach children to read or, in her case, making sure that literacy is spread throughout the country through the library--a vibrant library system, for example, that we can make a positive difference. And she's making a heck of a good difference for the country, and I'm really proud of her. And she sends her love, by the way.

And the Vice President sends his best. We have got a great Vice President. He's a steady--as we say in west Texas, he's a steady hand. [Laughter] He's a good man, and I'm proud to serve with him, and I look forward to serving with him for 4 more years.

I also have got to tell you the Attorney General from the great State of Missouri is doing a fabulous job--John Ashcroft. I'm proud of his service.

And I appreciate Foxy and Marilyn. I call him "Foxy." I hope that's all right. Turn the cameras off. [Laughter] I appreciate Sam and Marilyn for their friendship, and I want to thank you for your help here.

I appreciate the Ambassador and Kimmy for opening up this garage. [Laughter] I'm glad you polished the vehicles for us today. [Laughter] But thanks for doing that.

I love being with my family, and as you've heard me say before, I lucked out when it came to uncles, particularly with Bucky Bush and Patty--thank you all for coming--and cousins, Scott and Lindsey, as well as George Walker is with us. I appreciate all of my family members for hanging in there with me.

I appreciate Ann Wagner, who is the cochairman of the entire Republican Party, and she is doing a great job. My friend Mercer Reynolds is here. He is the national finance chairman of the Victory Committee. He was chairman of the Bush-Cheney Committee, and then we finished that task, and then we gave him another task. He did such a good job that we said, "Stay involved," and he is. Where are you, Merce? There you are, fight there. Thanks for coming, great to see you.

And of course, I'm proud to be here with Rosemary's little boy, Jack. [Laughter] That would be Jack Oliver. He's doing a great job. And he's the national finance vice-chairman, which means Mercer tells him what to do, and then he goes and does it--[laughter]--or he tells Mercer what to do. [Laughter]

I'm so honored members of the congressional delegation are here. I remember campaigning hard with Jim Talent, feeling very comfortable that he would make a great Senator, and he is making a great United States Senator. I'm proud you're here, Senator. Thanks for coming. And wife, Brenda, is with us here as well. Thank you, Brenda.

Todd Akin is the Congressman--are you the Congressman from this particular spot? You are? This is your district?

Representative Akin. Technically, the line was redrawn a little bit. We're just south, but we're very close. [Laughter]

The President. We're close to Congressman Akin's district. [Laughter] I appreciate you coming, Todd. You're doing a great job, and his wife, Lulli, is with us. Thanks for coming.

And finally, Kenny Hulshof is with us, along with Renee. Kenny, thanks for coming. I'm proud you're here. Thanks for coming to the big city.

Finally, Ann Dickinson is the national committeewoman, is with us. Ann, thanks for your leadership. It's important to point out the grassroots activists because they're the people who are going to turn out the Vote. My job is to carry the message. Your job is to turn out the vote, and we're counting on you. As I said, we did a great job here in Missouri last time. There's no doubt in my mind we will carry this State again.