Remarks in a discussion in Derry, New Hampshire: September 20, 2004

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, Sept 27, 2004

The President. Thank you all for coming. I'm honored to be back. Please be seated. Proud you all are here. Thanks for coming. Hey, buddy, how you doing? Thank you. It's great to be back in New Hampshire. We carried it in 2000. With your help, we'll carry it again in 2004.

That's what I'm here to ask for, your help. I do need your help. I need your help to register your friends and neighbors. I need your help to turn people out to the polls in about 40-something days. Who's counting? [Laughter] I'm here to talk to you about making sure that you understand I have a reason to run again. I want to keep this country--I've got an agenda, a vision for a safer world and a more hopeful America.

This is going to be a little different from most rallies. This is an opportunity for me to talk to some of your fellow citizens here and to talk about how we're going to make sure America is a hopeful place, talk to some business leaders and people who went back to get job training, talk about "tax relief. I'm also going to answer questions, which is kind of a New Hampshire tradition, if I remember correctly. And it's a great tradition. Traditional people take your politics seriously. Traditional people expect there to be a reason for running.

My only regret today is Laura is not with me.

Audience member, Aw-w-w!

The President. I know, a lot of people feel that way. They kind of wish I'd stayed home and she came instead. But she's doing great. She is a great First Lady. When I asked her to marry me, she said, "Fine, I'll marry you, but I don't want to have to give any political speeches." [Laughter] I said, "Okay, you got a deal." [Laughter] Fortunately, she didn't hold me to that deal. She gave a great speech in New York City at our convention. People got to see a strong, compassionate soul.

And I appreciate running with Dick Cheney. He's a great Vice President and a wonderful friend and a good partner. He doesn't have the waviest hair in the race. I didn't pick him for his hair. [Laughter] I picked him for his judgment and his sound experience. I picked him because he can get the job done for the American people.

I want to thank Governor Craig Benson. I hope you put him back in office. He's a good man. [Applause] I appreciate it. New Hampshire is an entrepreneurial State. There's a lot of entrepreneurs here in New Hampshire, kind of independent-minded people who, all they want is a chance to succeed. Craig understands that. He knows the role of Government is not to create wealth but create an environment in which the entrepreneurial spirit can flourish. I agree with him. And that's one of the many reasons why I hope you put him back in as the Governor of this great State. I appreciate you, Craig.

I want to thank Congressman Jeb Bradley. I appreciate you being here, Congressman. Good to see you. He's got a great first name. [Laughter] At least that's what the Governor of Florida thinks. [Laughter] And I want to thank my friend Charlie Bass. I appreciate you being here, Charlie. They're two really fine Members of the United States Congress. Plus I'm pleased to be working with your Senators, Senator Gregg and Senator Sununu. They are great United States Senators, really good people too.

I had the honor of saying hello to Paul Needham today. He was the--a former Derry town councilor. He was the John Edwards for President cochairman. He's now a Bush supporter, I'm proud you're here. I appreciate you, sir. I'm honored you're here.

The campaign welcomes people from all parties. We welcome all the Republicans, independents, and discerning Democrats--[laughter]--people like Paul and Zell Miller, people who care about--proud you're here.

I want to thank all the grassroots activists. Good to see you. I appreciate your national committeeman being here, old Tom. He's a good man and a great friend. I want to thank the people who put up the signs and put out the yard signs and make the phone calls. I can't thank you enough for what you have done and what you're going to do as we're coming down the stretch. It's important to get people to the polls.

Ours is a changing world. When you think about it, when our dads were coming up, or my dad was growing up, or your grandfather was growing up, a man only had one job, generally and one career, worked for the same company all his life. Today, the world has changed dramatically. People change careers often and change jobs, and women are working not only in the house but they're working outside the house. The nature of our workforce has changed a lot, and yet the basic institutions of Government have not changed. The Tax Cede has not changed. Pension funds have not changed. Health care plans haven't changed. Worker training programs haven't changed. They were "all designed for yesterday.

One of the reasons I'm running for 4 more years is so we can change the fundamental systems of Government to help people be able to realize their dreams. A proper role for Government is to stand side by side with people, not dictate to people. We have a fundamental disagreement in this campaign. There is a philosophical difference in the campaign. The proper role for Government is to encourage people to be able to have choices in life so they can realize their dreams, as opposed to creating programs where the Government tells you what you re going, to do in life.