Remarks in a discussion in Columbus, Ohio

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, August 9, 2004

August 5, 2004

The President. Thank you all. Please be seated. Thank you all. That's what I'm here asking for, for 4 more years. Yes, Fin traveling our country--coming to Ohio a lot, by the way. I think you have to ask for the vote, and that's what I'm here doing. I want your vote and want your help.

I want to thank those of you who are involved with grassroots politics, the people who are helping to register the voters and the people who are going to be asking the voters to do their duty in democracy and go to the polls. I appreciate your work. And by the way, when you get them headed to the polls, kind of nudge them our way.

There's more to do for this country. That's what I want to talk about. We've got an unusual way of talking about the agenda for the future today. I want to share some thoughts with you. We've got some citizens from the Columbus area who are going to talk about some of the ideas that we're going to use to make America a compassionate place, a better place. And then I'll be glad to answer some of your questions.

First, let me tell you I'm sorry Laura is not here. She's got a valid excuse. Governor Bush's oldest son--that would be my youngest brother--oldest son is getting married. [Applause] Yes. And she's there early. I'm going late, because I'm working. [Laughter] But she is a wonderful wife, a loving mother, and a great First Lady. I'm really proud of her. [Applause] Thank you all.

I was hoping she would come with me because I wanted her to come to the site where my grandfather was raised. I don't know if you know that or not--there you go--Grandfather Bush, raised right here in Columbus, Ohio. You know how we are in the political arena; we're always trying to find a local peg--[laughter]. I've got one here. [Laughter] And my family is better off having those Ohio roots in our background.

I also picked a good man to run with. I admit it, Dick Cheney is not the prettiest candidate in the race. [Laughter] I didn't pick him because of his looks. I picked him because he knows what he's doing. He's a sound man with good judgment.

Before we get started here, I do want to thank my friend your Governor, Bob Taft, for joining me today. Thanks for coming, Governor. Appreciate your service. I've known him for quite a while. We were both Governors together, and we're both members of the famous father club.

I appreciate Congressman Pat Tiberi. He's from this area; he's doing a fine job. Who you got there? Tiberi tells me coming in that this is his daughter's first political speech. So when she starts dozing off, you know the reason why: I've been going on too long. But I appreciate the congressman coming. Thank you. I also appreciate my friend Deborah Pryce, Congresswoman Pryce, for being here too.

Governor Jennette Bradley is with us. She's a good friend of mine. I appreciate her service to the State. Thank you, Jennette.

I want to thank Doug Preisse, who emceed the event. He's also head of the grassroots. He's what we call the party chairman. That's the person in charge of making sure people who want to help have an opportunity to help to find the vote and turn people out to vote.

I want to thank my friend Bernie Kosar. I reminded him that the Dallas Cowboys are going to be starting a 40-year-old quarterback this year. It's not too late, Bernie. [Laughter] He got his ring, he said; he doesn't want another one. But I really appreciate you coming. Thank you all for being here.

Today I met a fellow named Jack Lehr. He's a soldier in the army of compassion. That means he's a person who is taking time out of his life to volunteer to help people. Jack has been involved with tutoring people in GED preparation programs. That means he's a mentor, see. Jack has taken time out of his life to help somebody who needs some help.

One of the reasons I'm running--where are you, Jack? Oh, there he is. Thanks for coming out at the airport. I appreciate you. He's also involved with Hospice. I know a lot of you are doing the same thing in your lives: You're coaching Little League; or you're involved with Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts; or you're feeding the hungry; or you're finding shelter for the homeless. All of you are soldiers in the army of compassion. And one of the reasons I'm seeking the office for 4 more years is to continue to call upon our fellow citizens to love a neighbor just like you'd like to be loved yourself. See, that means I understand the strength of our country is the heart and souls of our citizens. That's the true strength of America, and we can change America one soul at a time by encouraging people to spread something Government cannot spread, which is love.

One of the most important initiatives of this administration is what is called the Faith-Based and Community Initiative, that allows faith-based programs--people from all faiths--to access Federal monies to help them do their job of spreading love and compassion. If you're an addict, if you're hooked on drugs or alcohol, sometimes government counseling can work. But sometimes it requires a change of heart in order to change habit. There are people who are empowered to change hearts in our society--not by Government, by a higher calling. And therefore, Government ought to welcome these works of compassion and healing.