2004 Presidential Campaign Blog

President George W. Bush Gives Thanks in Re-Election Acceptance Speech

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you all.  Thank you all for coming.  We had a long night -- and a great night.  (Applause.)  The voters turned out in record numbers and delivered an historic victory.  (Applause.)

Earlier today, Senator Kerry called with his congratulations.  We had a really good phone call, he was very gracious.  Senator Kerry waged a spirited campaign, and he and his supporters can be proud of their efforts.
(Applause.) Laura and I wish Senator Kerry and Teresa and their whole family all our best wishes.

America has spoken, and I'm humbled by the trust and the confidence of my fellow citizens.  With that trust comes a duty to serve all Americans, and I will do my best to fulfill that duty every day as your President.  (Applause.)...

...The campaign has ended, and the United States of America goes forward with confidence and faith.  I see a great day coming for our country and I am eager for the work ahead.  God bless you, and may God bless America. (Applause.)

Full Text of Speech

George W. Bush Minneapolis Victory 2004 Rally

President George W. Bush attended a Victory 2004 Rally at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Saturday, October 30, 2004.

Before the President arrived, Senator Norm Coleman held up a copy of the St. Paul Pioneer Press showing the paper's endorsement of the President for re-election. Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty held up and turned upside down a large maroon and gold flag with the University's "M" which he said meant Minnesota stood for "W." Brock Lesnar also spoke and endorsed the President.

The crowd estimated at over 20,000 cheered loudly when the large video screen on the scoreboard showed the President and First Lady Laura Bush arriving on Air Force One.

Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Tice introduced President Bush and presented him with a personalized Vikings jersey with the number 1 on the back. With only days before the election President Bush thanked everyone for coming and said "We are here to ask for your vote. We are here to ask for your help."

The President closed with these words "When I campaigned across this state four years ago, I made this pledge that if I got elected, I would uphold the honor and the dignity of the office to which I had been elected. With your help, with your hard work, I will do so for four more years. God bless. Thank you all for coming." Continuing with that theme, the closing song for the event was Ricky Martin's "The Cup of Life," which was used during the 2000 campaign.

Photos Video

"Whatever It Takes" New Bush-Cheney '04 TV Ad

Bush-Cheney '04 Launches New Television Advertisement, "Whatever It Takes"

ARLINGTON, VA -- Today, Bush-Cheney '04 announced the release of the campaign's newest television advertisement, "Whatever It Takes."  The ad features the President discussing his resolve to win the War on Terror.      

Script For "Whatever It Takes"

President Bush:

These four years have brought moments I could not foresee and will not forget. I’ve learned first hand that ordering Americans into battle is the hardest decision, even when it is right. I have returned the salute of wounded soldiers who say they were just doing their job. I have held the children of the fallen who are told their dad or mom is a hero but would rather just have their mom or dad. I’ve met with the parents and wives and husbands who have received a folded flag. And in those military families, I have seen the character of a great nation. Because of your service and sacrifice, we are defeating the terrorists where they live and plan and you’re making America safer. I will never relent in defending America, whatever it takes.

President Bush:

I’m George W. Bush and I approve this message.

"The Choice" New Bush-Cheney '04 TV Ad

Bush-Cheney '04 Launches New Television Advertisement, "The Choice"

ARLINGTON, VA -- Today, Bush-Cheney '04 announced the release of the campaign's newest television advertisement, "The Choice."  The ad discusses the choice voters face on the War on Terror, tax relief, health care and Social Security.  The ad will begin running tomorrow on national cable and in select local markets.      

Script For "The Choice"

Voice Over:
When it’s finally quiet, here’s the choice:
President Bush and Congressional allies:
- strong leadership to protect America
- tax relief
- common sense healthcare
- strengthen and protect Social Security
John Kerry and liberal allies:
- higher taxes
- voting to tax Social Security benefits
- government-run healthcare
- a record of slashing intelligence and
- reckless defense cuts
Alone in the booth…why take the risk?

President Bush:
I’m George W. Bush and I approve this message.

Bush-Cheney '04 Launches New TV Ad, "Wolves"

Bush-Cheney '04 Launches New Television Advertisement, "Wolves"

ARLINGTON, VA -- Today, Bush-Cheney '04 announced the release of the campaign's newest television advertisement, "Wolves."  The ad notes that just one year after the first World Trade Center bombing, John Kerry and the liberals in Congress voted to slash America's intelligence operations by $6 billion across the board, cuts so deep they would have weakened America’s defenses.  The ad will begin running today on national cable and in select local markets.      

Script For "Wolves"

Voice Over:
In an increasingly dangerous world… Even after the first terrorist attack on America… John Kerry and the liberals in Congress voted to slash America’s intelligence operations. By 6 billion dollars… Cuts so deep they would have weakened America’s defenses. And weakness attracts those who are waiting to do America harm.

President Bush:
I’m George W. Bush and I approve this message.

Kerry Campaign Statement on New Bush Ad “Wolves”

Washington, DC - Statement by Kerry Edwards 2004 on the new Bush campaign ad “Wolves”:

“Instead of giving voters even one good reason to vote for him, George W. Bush has chosen to scare the American people with images of wolves.  In three debates, voters saw for themselves the kind of strong and principled leader John Kerry will be.  He is a leader who will wage a tougher, smarter war against terror, and fight here at home to strengthen the middle class.”

George W. Bush Focus on the Economy

At the Rochester Aviation Hangar in Rochester, Minnesota, President Bush discussed his Economic Program.

On Free Trade: "In order to make sure this economy grows, we got to keep opening up markets for Minnesota farmers and entrepreneurs and small business owners. See, the tendency in American politics is to fall prey to economic isolationism. That would be bad for our workers. It would be bad for our consumers. The Presidents before me have opened up our markets, and I'm happy to open up markets, too. It's in our consumers' interests. If you have more products to choose from you're likely to get that which you want at a better price and better quality. See, it's in your interests. And so I'm saying to places like China, you treat us the way we treat you. You open up your markets just like we've opened up our markets. And I say that with confidence because we can compete with anybody, any time, anywhere so long as the rules are fair."

On Social Security: "One other thing I want to talk about right quick, and that is Social Security. A President must solve problems, must confront problems, not pass them on to future Presidents or future generations. We have a problem in Social Security, and that is, when baby boomers like me retire, younger workers are going to have trouble paying for us, and therefore, have money available when they retire. That's just the facts. Now, first, I want to address kind of the typical old-style, stale politics, and that is the politics of scare tactics towards Social Security. When I ran in 2000, I suspect here in the state of Minnesota -- I know in other states -- they ran ads saying, if George W. gets elected, the seniors will not get their checks. I want you to remind your friends and neighbors, the seniors got their checks. Nobody's going to take away the Social Security check from our seniors. The fund has got enough money, and baby boomers like me are in good shape. But we need to worry about children and our grandchildren when it comes to Social Security. Social Security will not be there when they need it if we don't think differently.

That is why I believe younger workers ought to be able to take some of their payroll taxes and set up a personal savings account, a personal savings account that will earn a better rate of return than the current Social Security trust, an account they call their own, an account the government cannot take away."

The President closed with these words. "I'm running again because I want to make sure hope and opportunity spread throughout the land, good economic policy, to encouraging ownership for all people in our society. I'm running again because I hold certain values dear that I think are important for this country. And I'm running again because I fully understand the risks we face, and I have a strategy to protect the American people.

We're going to win on November the 2nd, with your help. May God bless you. May God bless our great country. Thank you all for coming."

"Risk" New Bush-Cheney '04 TV Ad

Bush-Cheney '04 Launches New Television Advertisement, "Risk"

ARLINGTON, VA -- Today, Bush-Cheney '04 announced the release of the campaign's newest television advertisement, "Risk."  The ad highlights Kerry and the liberals in Congress' pre-9/11 world view and asks if their policies are a risk we can afford to take today.  The ad will begin running today on national cable and in select local markets.      

Script For "Risk"

Voice Over:
After September 11th, our world changed. Either we fight terrorists abroad or face them here. John Kerry and liberals in Congress have a different view. They opposed Reagan as he won the Cold War. Voted against the first Gulf War. Voted to slash intelligence after the first Trade Center attack. Repeatedly opposed weapons vital to winning the War on Terror. John Kerry and his liberal allies… Are they a risk we can afford to take today?

President Bush:
I’m George W. Bush and I approve this message.

"Complicated Plan" and "Your Doctor" New Bush-Cheney '04 TV Ads

Bush-Cheney '04 Launches New Television Advertisements, "Complicated Plan" and "Your Doctor"

ARLINGTON, VA -- Today, Bush-Cheney '04 announced the release of the campaign's newest television advertisements, "Complicated Plan" and "Your Doctor."  The ads note how John Kerry and the liberals in Congress' $1.5 trillion big government health care takeover will result in rationing of care, less access, fewer choices and long waits.  Their plan will empower Washington bureaucrats, not doctors, to make final health care decisions.

"Complicated Plan" and "Your Doctor" will run on national cable and in select local markets.  The ad is available now at www.georgewbush.com.

Script For "Complicated Plan"

Voice Over:
John Kerry and liberals in Congress have a health care plan for you. A big-government take over. 1.5 trillion dollars. Rationing.  Less access.  Fewer choices. Long waits. And Washington bureaucrats, not your doctor... make final decisions on your health. So if you need treatment… all you have to do is…You get the picture…John Kerry and liberals in Congress.  Big government-run healthcare.

President Bush:
I'm George W. Bush and I approve this message.

Script For "Your Doctor"

Voice Over:
John Kerry and liberals in Congress have a health care plan. It includes the IRS, Treasury Department, and several massive new government agencies.  Your doctor?  In here somewhere… But not in charge. This 1.5 trillion dollar government program puts bureaucrats, not your doctor... in charge of your health care decisions. One more reason we can't risk the liberals in Congress and John Kerry.

President Bush: 
I'm George W. Bush and I approve this message.

"World View" New Bush-Cheney '04 TV Ad

Bush-Cheney '04 Launches New Television Advertisement, "World View"

ARLINGTON, VA -- Today, Bush-Cheney '04 announced the release of the campaign's newest television advertisement, "World View."  John Kerry first said defeating terrorism was more about law enforcement than a strong military operation and now compares terrorists to a "nuisance" like gambling and prostitution.  The ad asks how Kerry can protect us when he does not understand the threat we face.

The ad will run on national cable and on the Bush-Cheney '04 website.

Script For "World View"

Voice Over:
First, Kerry said defeating terrorism was really MORE about law enforcement and intelligence than a strong military operation… More about law enforcement than a strong military? Now Kerry says… We have to get back to the place where terrorists are a nuisance like gambling and prostitution… we’re never going to end them. Terrorism… a nuisance? How can Kerry protect us when he doesn’t understand the threat?

President Bush: 
I’m George W. Bush and I approve this message.

George W. Bush Victory 2004 Rally

Some excerpts of the speech President Bush gave at City Center Park in Chanhassen on October 9, 2004. THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. It turns out I am the first sitting President ever to visit Chanhassen, Minnesota. All the other ones missed out on a beautiful part of America.  Thank you for coming out today. I'm here asking for the vote. And I'm here to ask for your help in getting that vote out. There is no doubt in my mind, with your help, we will carry Minnesota and win a great victory in November.