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Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
S
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MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Speech File Draft Files
Subseries:
Chron File, 1989-1993
OA/ID Number:
13480
Folder ID Number:
13480-004
Folder Title:
Bush-Quayle Leadership, 3/21/89
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25
6
1
7
REMARKS: BUSH/QUAYLE LEADERSHIP
STATE DINING ROOM
MARCH 21, 1989
GOOD AFTERNOON. WITH ALL THE GOVERNORS AND MEMBERS
OF CONGRESS IN THE ROOM, WHY DON'T WE JUST FORM OUR OWN
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION AND PASS THE LINE-ITEM VETO?
- 2 -
*** I UNDERSTAND, AND DEEPLY APPRECIATE, HOW MUCH
YOU SACRIFICED FOR OUR CAMPAIGN -- TIME AWAY FROM YOUR
FAMILIES, TIME AWAY FROM YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND TIME
AWAY FROM YOUR JOBS AND BUSINESSES.
MOST OF ALL, I APPRECIATE YOUR UNWAVERING
COMMITMENT. WE FOUGHT SHOULDER TO SHOULDER, AND
BATTLED OUR WAY FROM 17 POINTS BEHIND, TO A 40-STATE
WIN ON ELECTION DAY.
- 3 -
*** BUT WE DIDN'T FIGHT THE BATTLE WE FOUGHT, WE
DIDN'T PUT OURSELVES AND OUR FAMILIES THROUGH THE
TURMOIL OF A CAMPAIGN, JUST TO WIN AN ELECTION. WE
FOUGHT BECAUSE WE BELIEVED OUR IDEAS WILL BUILD A
BETTER AMERICA.
*** AMERICA FACES TOO MANY CHALLENGES FOR THE
LEADERS OF CONGRESS, OR MYSELF, TO ACT AS MERE
PARTISANS. WE MUST WORK TOGETHER TO DRIVE DOWN THE
DEFICIT -- WITHOUT INCREASING TAXES.
- 4 -
*** WE MUST WORK TOGETHER TO PROTECT WHAT IS
ALREADY THE LONGEST PEACETIME EXPANSION IN AMERICAN
HISTORY, AND TO ALLOW OUR INDUSTRIES TO MEET WORLD
COMPETITION.
*** WE MUST WORK TOGETHER TO FIGHT DRUG ABUSE ON
EVERY FRONT: TO REDEEM THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN FROM
CRIME, MISERY AND DEATH.
- 5 -
*** WE MUST WORK TOGETHER TO PROTECT THE
ENVIRONMENT, FIND A WAY TO SHELTER THE HOMELESS, AND
MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF THE AMERICAN FAMILY.
*** WE MUST REVIEW AND REFORM THE WAY IN WHICH OUR
GOVERNMENT MANAGES.
- 6 -
*** AND, ABOVE ALL, WE MUST PRESERVE THE PEACE.
THESE ARE THE ELEMENTS OF MY AGENDA, AND THERE IS A
COMMON THEME THROUGHOUT: TO CONFRONT THE EMERGING
PROBLEMS OF THE FUTURE, TODAY. A COMPLACENT SOCIETY IS
DOOMED TO COMFORTABLE DECLINE. A DYNAMIC SOCIETY IS
ONE THAT KEEPS PACE WITH THE TIMES. AND MAKE NO
MISTAKE, AMERICA IS STILL THE MOST DYNAMIC SOCIETY ON
EARTH.
- 7 -
BY THE YEAR 2000, WE WILL HAVE EXPERIENCED CHANGE
AS SWIFT AND FAST AS A TORRENT. CHANGE IN THE AMERICAN
FAMILY, AND IN OUR WORK HABITS. CHANGE IN TECHNOLOGY.
CHANGE IN THE WORLD ECONOMY. CHANGE IN THE RATE OF
CHANGE ITSELF.
WILL AMERICA BE READY FOR THE FUTURE? THE NATIONAL
AND STATE ELECTIONS OF THE 1990s WILL NOT JUST BE A
BATTLE OF THE CENTURY; IT WILL BE A BATTLE FOR THE
CENTURY -- THE 21st CENTURY, THE NEW AMERICAN CENTURY.
- 8 -
*** MY WILLINGNESS TO WORK WITH CONGRESS TO MEET
THE CHALLENGES OF THE FUTURE DOES NOT LESSEN MY
PARTISAN IDENTITY. TRUE, MY PURPOSE AS PRESIDENT IS TO
BUILD A BETTER AMERICA. BUT THERE IS A REPUBLICAN
APPROACH TO THE CHALLENGES WE FACE. AND I HAVE A DEEP
AND UNWAVERING BELIEF -- VALIDATED BY A LIFETIME OF
EXPERIENCE IN PUBLIC LIFE -- THAT THE REPUBLICAN
APPROACH IS THE ONE THAT WORKS.
- 9 -
*** HAVING THE BEST POLICIES IS NO GUARANTEE OF
WINNING ELECTIONS IN CONGRESS. I BELIEVE IT'S NO
COINCIDENCE THAT OUR PARTY SLIPPED TO MINORITY STATUS
IN THE HOUSE AS WE BECAME A MINORITY IN THE STATE
LEGISLATURES. TODAY, DEMOCRATS NOW HAVE A
REDISTRICTING ADVANTAGE IN STATES THAT COMPOSE ABOUT 90
PERCENT OF THE SEATS IN CONGRESS.
- 10 -
*** THAT IS WHY WE MUST MAKE AGGRESSIVE GAINS AT
THE STATE LEVEL. CRITICAL GUBERNATORIAL AND
LEGISLATIVE RACES IN THE EIGHT LARGEST STATES ALONE
WILL DETERMINE WHETHER REPUBLICANS WILL BE TREATED
FAIRLY IN THE DRAFTING OF 209 CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS.
- 11 -
*** A MAJORITY, OR EVEN A LARGE MINORITY, OF
REPUBLICANS IN STATE LEGISLATURES CAN JOIN WITH
REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS TO SUSTAIN THE VETO OF OUTRAGEOUS
GERRYMANDER SCHEMES, STRENGTHENING OUR NUMBERS IN THE
U.S. HOUSE. STRONG STATE PARTIES CAN HELP US TO WIN
BACK THE U.S. SENATE. So TAKE IT FROM THIS FORMER
HARRIS COUNTY REPUBLICAN CHAIRMAN -
- 12 -
- A SOLID REPUBLICAN PARTY, ORGANIZED BLOCK BY BLOCK,
PRECINCT BY PRECINCT, CAN MULTIPLY OUR SUCCESSES ALL
THE WAY TO THE WHITE HOUSE.
*** IN ORDER TO WIN, WE MUST ALSO WORK TOGETHER AS
A TEAM, NOT AS AN ASSOCIATION OF ACRONYMS. THE RNC,
THE NRCC, THE RGA, THE NRSC -- THESE ARE TOP-NOTCH,
WELL-MANAGED ORGANIZATIONS STAFFED BY THE BEST PEOPLE
IN POLITICS TODAY.
- 13 -
BUT OUR PARTY MUST BE GREATER THAN THE SUM OF ITS
PARTS; WE MUST BE INSPIRED BY A COMMON PURPOSE. FOR
THIS REASON, I AM PLEASED TO SEE THE BUILDING SPIRIT OF
COOPERATION BETWEEN THE WHITE HOUSE AND THE COMMITTEES,
UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF CHAIRMAN ATWATER, SENATOR
NICKLES, CONGRESSMAN VANDER JAGT AND GOVERNOR MIKE
HAYDEN.
- 14 -
*** To WIN, WE MUST REACH OUR TO NEW
CONSTITUENCIES, TO CAMPAIGN IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS, THE
GHETTOES, THE BARRIOS, ONCE CONSIDERED TO BE THE
EXCLUSIVE DOMAIN OF THE OPPOSITION. I AM PARTICULARLY
PLEASED THAT LEE ATWATER IS LEADING THIS EFFORT TO
REACH OUT TO MILLIONS OF POTENTIAL REPUBLICANS.
*** To WIN, WE MUST ALSO RECRUIT THE VERY BEST MEN
AND WOMEN TO REPRESENT OUR PARTY, AS CANDIDATES AND AS
OFFICEHOLDERS.
- 15 -
THESE ARE MY STRATEGIES FOR VICTORY. BUT
STRATEGIES ARE USELESS WITHOUT A GREAT PURPOSE. WE
HAVE SUCH A PURPOSE, TO BUILD A BETTER AMERICA, FOR
TODAY AND FOR THE NEW CENTURY AHEAD.
WE HAVE SPENT YEARS AND A LOT OF BLOOD, SWEAT AND
TEARS TO BUILD OUR ORGANIZATION. OUR TEAM HAS BEEN
TESTED AND TEMPERED UNDER FIRE.
- 16 -
THE BEST WAY TO KEEP OUR ORGANIZATION READY FOR
ACTION IS TO ENGAGE OURSELVES IN THE 1990 ELECTION,
FROM THE COURTHOUSE, TO THE STATEHOUSE, TO CAPITOL
HILL. I ASK FOR YOUR HELP IN THIS CAMPAIGN TO ELECT
MORE REPUBLICANS. You HAVE MY SINCEREST GRATITUDE FOR
A JOB WELL DONE, AND MY HEARTFELT THANKS FOR YOUR
WILLINGNESS TO DO MORE.
THANK YOU.
018004
MASTERII
Document No.
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
DATE:
3/18/89
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
SUBJECT:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: BUSH-QUAYLE LEADERSHIP
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
ROGERS
BREEDEN
WINSTON
CARD
PINKERTON
CICCONI
WRAY
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
The attached has been forwarded to the President.
RESPONSE:
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
1999 MAR 17 FII 7:
Davis/Martin
March 17, 1989
11 p.m.
REMARKS: BUSH/QUAYLE LEADERSHIP
STATE DINING ROOM
MARCH 21, 1989
Good afternoon. With all the Governors and members of
Congress in the room, why don't we just form our own
Constitutional Convention and pass the line-item veto?
*** I understand, and deeply appreciate, how much you
sacrificed for our campaign -- time away from your families, time
away from your constituents and time away from your jobs and
businesses.
Most of all, I appreciate your unwavering commitment. We
fought shoulder to shoulder, and battled our way from 17 points
behind, to a 40-state win on Election Day.
*** But we didn't fight the battle we fought, we didn't put
ourselves and our families through the turmoil of a campaign,
just to win an election. We fought because we believed our ideas
will build a better America.
2
*** America faces too many challenges for the leaders of
Congress, or myself, to act as mere partisans. We must work
together to drive down the deficit -- without increasing taxes.
*** We must work together to protect what is already the
longest peacetime expansion in American history, and to allow our
industries to meet world competition.
*** We must work together to fight drug abuse on every
front: to redeem thousands of children from crime, misery and
death.
*** We must work together to protect the environment, find
a way to shelter the homeless, and meet the changing needs of the
American family.
*** We must review and reform the way in which our
government manages.
*** And, above all, we must preserve the peace.
These are the elements of my agenda, and there is a common
theme throughout: to confront the emerging problems of the
future, today. A complacent society is doomed to comfortable
decline. A dynamic society is one that keeps pace with the
3
times. And make no mistake, America is still the most dynamic
society on earth.
By the year 2000, we will have experienced change as swift
and fast as a torrent. Change in the American family, and in our
work habits. Change in technology. Change in the world economy.
Change in the rate of change itself.
Will America be ready for the future? The national and
state elections of the 1990s will not just be a battle of the
century; it will be a battle for the century -- the 21st Century,
the New American Century.
*** My willingness to work with Congress to meet the
challenges of the future does not lessen my partisan identity.
True, my purpose as President is to build a better America. But
there is a Republican approach to the challenges we face. And I
have a deep and unwavering belief -- validated by a lifetime of
experience in public life -- that the Republican approach is the
one that works.
*** Having the best policies is no guarantee of winning
elections in Congress. I believe it's no coincidence that our
party slipped to minority status in the House in the 1950s soon
after we became a minority in the state legislatures. Today,
4
Democrats now have a redistricting advantage in states that
compose about 90 percent of the seats in Congress.
That is why we must make aggressive gains at the state
level. Critical gubernatorial and legislative races in the eight
largest states alone will determine whether Republicans will be
treated fairly in the drafting of 209 Congressional Districts.
A majority, or even a large minority, of Republicans in
state legislatures can join with Republican governors to sustain
the veto of outrageous gerrymander schemes, strengthening our
numbers in the U.S. House. Strong state parties can help us to
win back the U.S. Senate. So take it from this former Harris
County Republican Chairman -- a solid Republican Party, organized
block by block, precinct by precinct, can multiply our successes
all the way to the White House.
*** In order to win, we must also work together as a team,
not as an association of acronyms. The RNC, the NRCC, the RGA,
the NRSC -- these are top-notch, well-managed organizations
staffed by the best people in politics today. But our party must
be greater than the sum of its parts; we must be inspired by a
common purpose. For this reason, I am pleased to see the
building spirit of cooperation between the White House and the
committees, under the leadership of Chairman Atwater, Senator
Nickles, Congressman Vander Jagt and Governor Mike Hayden.
- 5
*** To win, we must reach out to new constituencies, to
campaign in the neighborhoods, the ghettoes, the barrios, once
considered to be the exclusive domain of the opposition.
*** To win, we must also recruit the very best men and
women to represent our party, as candidates and as officeholders.
These are my strategies for victory. But strategies are
useless without a great purpose. We have such a purpose, to
build a better America, for today and for the new century ahead.
We have spent years and a lot of blood, sweat and tears to
build our organization. Our team has been tested and tempered
under fire.
The best way to keep our organization ready for action is to
engage ourselves in the 1990 election, from the courthouse, to
the statehouse, to Capitol Hill. I ask for your help in this
campaign to elect more Republicans. You have my sincerest
gratitude for a job well done, and my heartfelt thanks for your
willingness to do more.
Thank you.
Document No.
018004SS
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
3/17/89
3/17/89 6:00 PM
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: BUSH-QUAYLE LEADERSHIP
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
ROGERS
BREEDEN
CARD
WINSTON
CICCONI
PINKERTON
DEMAREST
WRAY
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston, Rm. 122,
x2930, by 6:00 PM, TODAY, March 17, 1989, with an info copy to
my office. Sorry for the short turnaround. Thank you.
RESPONSE:
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
Davis/Martin
March 17, 1989
11 p.m.
REMARKS: BUSH/QUAYLE LEADERSHIP
STATE DINING ROOM
MARCH 21, 1989
Good afternoon. With all the Governors and members of
Congress in the room, why don't we just form our own
Constitutional Convention and pass the line-item veto?
*** I understand, and deeply appreciate, how much you
sacrificed for our campaign -- time away from your families, time
away from your constituents and time away from your jobs and
businesses.
Most of all, I appreciate your unwavering commitment. You
stood with me when I was 17 points behind my opponent, when my
political obituary had been all but written. We needed some
strong medicine to overcome those odds. And we found it in the
advice of the late Babe Ruth -- the best medicine in the world is
a home run
...
*** Now we face a different challenge: to strengthen our
party at every level. I believe it's no coincidence that our
party slipped to minority status in the House in the 1950s soon
after we became a minority in the state legislatures. Today,
Democrats now have a redistricting advantage in states that
compose about 90 percent of the seats in Congress.
*** That is why we must make aggressive gains at the state
level. Critical gubernatorial and legislative races in the eight
largest states alone will determine whether Republicans will be
treated fairly in the drafting of 209 Congressional Districts.
*** A majority, or even a large minority, of Republicans in
state legislatures can join with Republican governors to sustain
the veto of outrageous gerrymander (GARY-mander) schemes,
strengthening our numbers in the U.S. House. Strong state
parties can help us to win back the U.S. Senate. So take it from
this former Harris County Republican Chairman -- a solid
Republican Party, organized block by block, precinct by precinct,
can multiply our successes all the way to the White House.
*** In order to win, we must also work together as a team,
not as an association of acronyms. The RNC, the NRCC, the RGA,
the NRSC -- these are top-knotch, well-managed organizations
staffed by the best people in politics today. But our party must
be greater than the sum of its parts; we must be inspired by a
common purpose. For this reason, I am pleased to see the
building spirit of cooperation between the committees, under the
leadership of Chairman Atwater, Senator Nickles, Congressman
Vander Jagt and Governor Mike Hayden.
3
*** To win, we must reach out to new constituencies, to
campaign in the neighborhoods, the ghettoes, the barrios, once
considered to be the exclusive domain of the opposition.
*** To win, we must also recruit the very best men and
women to represent our party, as candidates and as officeholders.
These are my strategies for victory. But strategies are
useless without a great purpose. We have such a purpose, to
build a better America, for today and for the new century ahead.
I must ask you to remain organized and ready. In a phrase,
keep your powder dry. You have my sincerest gratitude for a job
well done. You have my heartfelt thanks for your willingness to
do more.
Thank you.
Document No.
018004SS
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
3/17/89
3/17/89 6:00 PM
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: BUSH-QUAYLE LEADERSHIP
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE coming
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
coming
DARMAN
STUDDERT no comments
BATES
2174
ANY
coming
UNTERMEYER
ROGERS
BREEDEN
CARD
WINSTON
CICCONI
PINKERTON
DEMAREST
WRAY
FITZWATER
GRAY 232 no comment
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston, Rm. 122,
x2930, by 6:00 PM, TODAY, March 17, 1989, with an info copy to
my office. Sorry for the short turnaround. Thank you.
RESPONSE:
no comments AD
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
Davis/Martin
March 17, 1989
11 p.m.
REMARKS: BUSH/QUAYLE LEADERSHIP
STATE DINING ROOM
MARCH 21, 1989
Good afternoon. With all the Governors and members of
Congress in the room, why don't we just form our own
Constitutional Convention and pass the line-item veto?
*** I understand, and deeply appreciate, how much you
sacrificed for our campaign -- time away from your families, time
away from your constituents and time away from your jobs and
businesses.
Most of all, I appreciate your unwavering commitment. You
stood with me when I was 17 points behind my opponent, when my
political obituary had been all but written. We needed some
strong medicine to overcome those odds. And we found it in the
advice of the late Babe Ruth -- the best medicine in the world is
a home run
*** Now we face a different challenge: to strengthen our
party at every level. I believe it's no coincidence that our
party slipped to minority status in the House in the 1950s soon
after we became a minority in the state legislatures. Today,
2
Democrats now have a redistricting advantage in states that
compose about 90 percent of the seats in Congress.
*** That is why we must make aggressive gains at the state
level. Critical gubernatorial and legislative races in the eight
largest states alone will determine whether Republicans will be
treated fairly in the drafting of 209 Congressional Districts.
*** A majority, or even a large minority, of Republicans in
state legislatures can join with Republican governors to sustain
the veto of outrageous gerrymander (GARY-mander) schemes,
strengthening our numbers in the U.S. House. Strong state
parties can help us to win back the U.S. Senate. So take it from
this former Harris County Republican Chairman -- a solid
Republican Party, organized block by block, precinct by precinct,
can multiply our successes all the way to the White House.
*** In order to win, we must also work together as a team,
not as an association of acronyms. The RNC, the NRCC, the RGA,
the NRSC -- these are top-knotch, well-managed organizations
staffed by the best people in politics today. But our party must
be greater than the sum of its parts; we must be inspired by a
common purpose. For this reason, I am pleased to see the
building spirit of cooperation between the committees, under the
leadership of Chairman Atwater, Senator Nickles, Congressman
Vander Jagt and Governor Mike Hayden.
3
*** To win, we must reach out to new constituencies, to
campaign in the neighborhoods, the ghettoes, the barrios, once
considered to be the exclusive domain of the opposition.
*** To win, we must also recruit the very best men and
women to represent our party, as candidates and as officeholders.
These are my strategies for victory. But strategies are
useless without a great purpose. We have such a purpose, to
build a better America, for today and for the new century ahead.
I must ask you to remain organized and ready. In a phrase,
keep your powder dry. You have my sincerest gratitude for a job
well done. You have my heartfelt thanks for your willingness to
do more.
Thank you.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
March 17, 1989
MEMORANDUM FOR CHRISS A. WINSTON
DEPUTY ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT
FOR COMMUNICATIONS
FROM:
PATRICIA MACK BRYAN PMB
ASSOCIATE COUNSEL TO THE PRESIDENT
SUBJECT:
Presidential Remarks: Bush-Quayle Leadership
Meeting, March 21, 1989
Pursuant to your staffing memorandum of March 17, 1989, Counsel's
office has reviewed the above-referenced remarks. Subject to
removing the incorrect phonetic spelling of gerrymander,
Counsel's office has no objection to these remarks.
CC: James W. Cicconi
Davis/Martin
March 14, 1989
6 p.m.
REMARKS: BUSH/QUAYLE LEADERSHIP
STATE DINING ROOM
MARCH 21, 1989
Good afternoon.
It's a delight to be back among the men and women who helped
to make my candidacy possible, those of you from little New
Hampshire to big Alaska, and every state in between. I
understand, and deeply appreciate, how much you sacrificed for
our campaign -- time away from your families, and time away from
your jobs and businesses.
Most of all, I appreciate your unwavering commitment. You
stood with me when I was 17 points behind my opponent, when my
political obituary had been all but written. We needed some
strong medicine to overcome those odds. And we found it in the
advice of the late Babe Ruth -- the best medicine in the world is
a home run
Now that our victory is behind us, it is proper for me as
President to extend my hand to the opposition. America faces too
many challenges for the leaders of Congress, or for myself, to
2
act as mere partisans. We must work together to drive down the
deficit -- without raising taxes.
We must work together to fight drug abuse on every front:
more effective education and prevention to dry up demand, and
tougher law enforcement to put the dealers where they belong --
behind bars. If we can do this, we can redeem thousands of
children from crime, misery and death.
And we must work together, not just as one nation, but as a
community of nations, to protect our fragile environment. Once
the concern of a farsighted few, the environment is now a top
priority of my Administration at home and abroad.
In these efforts, I must seek the active cooperation of the
Congress. The people of this country expect, and deserve,
nothing less.
But this does not mean that I have relinquished my partisan
identity. True, my purpose as President is to build a better
America. But there is a Republican approach to the challenges we
face. And I have a deep and unwavering belief -- validated by a
lifetime of experience in public life -- that the Republican
approach is the one that works. Just witness this economic
recovery, now 75 months old, which has generated more jobs than
Western Europe and Japan combined. Just witness last week's
3
news: Unemployment fell to 5.1 percent, the lowest level in 15
years.
In a sense, success has made our task all the more
difficult. America is undergoing the longest peacetime expansion
in its history. And this presents us with a unique dilemma --
how to galvanize the American people to confront the challenges
of the near future, and challenges of the long-term -- the
ticking time bombs of national and international debt; of drug-
abuse and crime; of threats to the global environment.
The responsibilities of the Presidency are long-term. True,
I am a man of this century. I fought in this century's greatest
war, and raised a family and built a business during the mid-
century of American greatness. But I want to be a President who
is remembered for preparing America for the next century. This
is my definition of leadership, to see the shape of things to
come, and to prepare for that 21st Century world -- only eleven
years away.
So my agenda is this: to confront the emerging problems of
the future, today. A complacent society is doomed to comfortable
decline. A dynamic society is one that keeps pace with the
times.
4
Let the other party represent the ways of the past, the
shop-worn doctrines, the solutions that became the problems. We
represent change. We know that our best qualities as a nation
can only come from the restless drive and vision of the American
people.
By the year 2000, we will have experienced change as swift
and fast as a torrent. Change in the American family, and in our
work habits. Change in technology. Change in the world economy.
Change in the rate of change itself.
Will America be ready for the future? The national and
state elections of the 1990s will not just be a battle of the
century; it will be the battle for the century -- the 21st
Century. Most Americans cannot remember a time when the House of
Representatives was under the control of Republicans. If we fail
to gain the upper hand in the reapportionment battle of the
1990s, the Democrats will enter the next century as a majority
party with a legislative lock on state legislatures and the U.S.
House of Representatives.
Step back and look at the political process as a whole. The
strength of a party can be likened to a deep and mighty river
that flows from the small tributaries of state and local
government. The county courthouse, the city council, the state
legislature -- these are the headwaters of American statecraft.
5
But if you dam the headwaters, a river goes dry. It is no
coincidence that our party slipped to minority status in the
House soon after we became a minority in the state legislatures
in the early 1950s. Today, Democrats now have a redistricting
advantage in states that compose about 90 percent of the seats in
Congress.
Over the next year and half, Republicans will have no great
priority than to turn the tide at the state level. Critical
gubernatorial and legislative races in the eight largest states
alone will determine whether Republicans will be treated fairly
in the drafting of 209 Congressional Districts. I urge you to do
your utmost to strengthen your local and state Republican
organizations, and to boost Republican candidates for state
office.
A majority, or even a large minority, of Republicans in
state legislatures can join with Republican governors to sustain
the veto of outrageous gerrymander (GARY-mander) schemes,
strengthening our numbers in the U.S. House. Strong state
parties can help us to win back the U.S. Senate. So take it from
this former Harris County Republican Chairman -- a solid
Republican Party, organized block by block, precinct by precinct,
can multiply our successes all the way to the White House.
6
To win, we must also work together as a team, not as an
association of acronyms. The RNC, the NRCC, the RGA, the NRSC --
these are top-knotch, well-managed organizations staffed by the
best people in politics today. But our party must be greater
than the sum of its parts; we must be inspired by a common
purpose. For this reason, I am pleased to see the building
spirit of cooperation between the committees, under the
leadership of Chairman Atwater, Senator Nickles, Congressman
Vander Jagt and Governor Mike Hayden.
To win, we must reach out to new constituencies, to campaign
in the neighborhoods, the ghettoes, the barrios, once considered
to be the exclusive domain of the opposition. Our message to
Minority America is clear -- we offer more than promises. We
offer an abundance of opportunity. And our message to the other
party is blunt -- take no one for granted.
To win, we must also recruit the very best men and women to
represent our party, as candidates and as officeholders. I am
pleased that we are finding candidates of character and
determination, who want to bring new ideas to government, who
want to serve their country.
These are my strategies for victory. But strategies are
useless without a great purpose. We have such a purpose, to
build a better America, for now and for the new century beyond.
7
This struggle to shape the future of America will soon be
underway, so I must ask you to remain organized and ready. In a
phrase, keep your powder dry. You have my sincerest gratitude
for a job well done. You have my heartfelt thanks for your
willingness to do more.
Thank you.
#
#
#
3
JOKE
This joke goes against the grain, since the President prefers
self-effacing humor over that at someone else's expense. But I
thought, for a highly partisan audience such as this, that a joke
on the Democrats would be appropriate.
( (As you may know, I was back in Houston just last week.
Although I've been a Texas resident since the late 1940s --
longer than a lot of Texans have been alive -- there were a few
Democrats who still try to portray me as a newcomer. In fact,
you may remember during the campaign that some prominent Houston
Democrats made a big deal out of renting the hotel suite that I
use whenever I am back in town
And funny thing, but it never occurred to me until just last
week, on the return trip to Washington
now I know what
happened to the bath towels!)
Resident's Copy
Davis/Martin
March 17, 1989
11 p.m.
REMARKS: BUSH/QUAYLE LEADERSHIP
STATE DINING ROOM
MARCH 21, 1989
Good afternoon. With all the Governors and members of
Congress in the room, why don't we just form our own
Constitutional Convention and pass the line-item veto?
*** I understand, and deeply appreciate, how much you
sacrificed for our campaign -- time away from your families, time
away from your constituents and time away from your jobs and
businesses.
Most of all, I appreciate your unwavering commitment. We
fought shoulder to shoulder, and battled our way from 17 points
behind, to a 40-state win on Election Day.
*** But we didn't fight the battle we fought, we didn't put
ourselves and our families through the turmoil of a campaign,
just to win an election. We fought because we believed our ideas
will build a better America.
2
*** America faces too many challenges for the leaders of
Congress, or myself, to act as mere partisans. We must work
together to drive down the deficit -- without increasing taxes.
*** We must work together to protect what is already the
longest peacetime expansion in American history, and to allow our
industries to meet world competition.
*** We must work together to fight drug abuse on every
front: to redeem thousands of children from crime, misery and
death.
*** We must work together to protect the environment, find
a way to shelter the homeless, and meet the needs of the changing
American family.
*** We must review and reform the way in which our
government manages. And, above all, we must preserve the peace.
These are the elements of my agenda, and there is a common
theme throughout: to confront the emerging problems of the
future, today. A complacent society is doomed to comfortable
decline. A dynamic society is one that keeps pace with the
times. And make no mistake, America is still the most dynamic
society on earth.
3
By the year 2000, we will have experienced change as swift
and fast as a torrent. Change in the American family, and in our
work habits. Change in technology. Change in the world economy.
Change in the rate of change itself.
Will America be ready for the future? The national and
state elections of the 1990s will not will not just be a battle
of the century; it will be a battle for the century -- the 21st
Century, the New American Century.
*** My willingness to work with Congress does not mean that
I have relinquished my partisan identity. True, my purpose as
President is to build a better America. But there is a
Republican approach to the challenges we face. And I have a deep
and unwavering belief -- validated by a lifetime of experience in
public life -- that the Republican approach is the one that
works.
*** Having the best policies is no guarantee of winning
elections in Congress. I believe it's no coincidence that our
party slipped to minority status in the House in the 1950s soon
after we became a minority in the state legislatures. Today,
Democrats now have a redistricting advantage in states that
compose about 90 percent of the seats in Congress.
MO:
This amounts to a "Cepistature lock "on the
state lEgis And the House of Ryp. my Asso the
Denociato.
4
*** That is why we must make aggressive gains at the state
level. Critical gubernatorial and legislative races in the eight
largest states alone will determine whether Republicans will be
treated fairly in the drafting of 209 Congressional Districts.
*** A majority, or even a large minority, of Republicans in
state legislatures can join with Republican governors to sustain
the veto of outrageous gerrymander schemes, strengthening our
numbers in the U.S. House. Strong state parties can help us to
win back the U.S. Senate. So take it from this former Harris
County Republican Chairman -- a solid Republican Party, organized
block by block, precinct by precinct, can multiply our successes
all the way to the White House.
*** In order to win, we must also work together as a team,
not as an association of acronyms. The RNC, the NRCC, the RGA,
the NRSC -- these are top-notch, well-managed organizations
staffed by the best people in politics today. But our party must
be greater than the sum of its parts; we must be inspired by a
common purpose. For this reason, I am pleased to see the
building spirit of cooperation between the White House and the
committees, under the leadership of Chairman Atwater, Senator
Nickles, Congressman Vander Jagt and Governor Mike Hayden.
5
*** To win, we must reach out to new constituencies, to
campaign in the neighborhoods, the ghettoes, the barrios, once
considered to be the exclusive domain of the opposition.
*** To win, we must also recruit the very best men and
women to represent our party, as candidates and as officeholders.
These are my strategies for victory. But strategies are
useless without a great purpose. We have such a purpose, to
build a better America, for today and for the new century ahead.
We have spent years and a lot of blood sweat and tears to
build this organization. This team has been tested and tempered
under fire.
The best way to keep this organization ready for action is
to engage ourselves in the 1990 election, from the courthouse, to
the statehouse, to Capitol Hill. I ask for your help in this
campaign to elect more Republicans. You have my sincerest
gratitude for a job well done, and my heartfelt thanks for your
willingness to do more.
Thank you.
FINAL
Davis/Martin
March 17, 1989
11 p.m.
REMARKS: BUSH/QUAYLE LEADERSHIP
STATE DINING ROOM
MARCH 21, 1989
Good afternoon. With all the Governors and members of
Congress in the room, why don't we just form our own
Constitutional Convention and pass the line-item veto?
*** I understand, and deeply appreciate, how much you
sacrificed for our campaign -- time away from your families, time
away from your constituents and time away from your jobs and
businesses.
Most of all, I appreciate your unwavering commitment. We
fought shoulder to shoulder, and battled our way from 17 points
behind, to a 40-state win on Election Day.
*** But we didn't fight the battle we fought, we didn't put
ourselves and our families through the turmoil of a campaign,
just to win an election. We fought because we believed our ideas
will build a better America.
2
*** America faces too many challenges for the leaders of
Congress, or myself, to act as mere partisans. We must work
together to drive down the deficit -- without increasing taxes.
*** We must work together to protect what is already the
longest peacetime expansion in American history, and to allow our
industries to meet world competition.
*** We must work together to fight drug abuse on every
front: to redeem thousands of children from crime, misery and
death.
*** We must work together to protect the environment, find
a way to shelter the homeless, and meet the changing needs of the
American family.
*** We must review and reform the way in which our
government manages.
*** And, above all, we must preserve the peace.
These are the elements of my agenda, and there is a common
theme throughout: to confront the emerging problems of the
future, today. A complacent society is doomed to comfortable
decline. A dynamic society is one that keeps pace with the
3
times. And make no mistake, America is still the most dynamic
society on earth.
By the year 2000, we will have experienced change as swift
and fast as a torrent. Change in the American family, and in our
work habits. Change in technology. Change in the world economy.
Change in the rate of change itself.
Will America be ready for the future? The national and
state elections of the 1990s will not just be a battle of the
century; it will be a battle for the century -- the 21st Century,
the New American Century.
*** My willingness to work with Congress to meet the
challenges of the future does not lessen my partisan identity.
True, my purpose as President is to build a better America. But
there is a Republican approach to the challenges we face. And I
have a deep and unwavering belief -- validated by a lifetime of
experience in public life -- that the Republican approach is the
one that works.
*** Having the best policies is no guarantee of winning
elections in Congress. I believe it's no coincidence that our
party slipped to minority status in the House in the 1950s soon
after we became a minority in the state legislatures. Today,
4
Democrats now have a redistricting advantage in states that
compose about 90 percent of the seats in Congress.
*** That is why we must make aggressive gains at the state
level. Critical gubernatorial and legislative races in the eight
largest states alone will determine whether Republicans will be
treated fairly in the drafting of 209 Congressional Districts.
*** A majority, or even a large minority, of Republicans in
state legislatures can join with Republican governors to sustain
the veto of outrageous gerrymander schemes, strengthening our
numbers in the U.S. House. Strong state parties can help us to
win back the U.S. Senate. So take it from this former Harris
County Republican Chairman -- a solid Republican Party, organized
block by block, precinct by precinct, can multiply our successes
all the way to the White House.
*** In order to win, we must also work together as a team,
not as an association of acronyms. The RNC, the NRCC, the RGA,
the NRSC -- these are top-notch, well-managed organizations
staffed by the best people in politics today. But our party must
be greater than the sum of its parts; we must be inspired by a
common purpose. For this reason, I am pleased to see the
building spirit of cooperation between the White House and the
committees, under the leadership of Chairman Atwater, Senator
Nickles, Congressman Vander Jagt and Governor Mike Hayden.
5
*** To win, we must reach out to new constituencies, to
campaign in the neighborhoods, the ghettoes, the barrios, once
considered to be the exclusive domain of the opposition. I am
particularly pleased that Lee Atwater is leading this effort to
reach out to millions of potential Republicans.
*** To win, we must also recruit the very best men and
women to represent our party, as candidates and as officeholders.
These are my strategies for victory. But strategies are
useless without a great purpose. We have such a purpose, to
build a better America, for today and for the new century ahead.
We have spent years and a lot of blood, sweat and tears to
build our organization. Our team has been tested and tempered
under fire.
The best way to keep our organization ready for action is to
engage ourselves in the 1990 election, from the courthouse, to
the statehouse, to Capitol Hill. I ask for your help in this
campaign to elect more Republicans. You have my sincerest
gratitude for a job well done, and my heartfelt thanks for your
willingness to do more.
Thank you.
Davis/Martin
March 17, 1989
11 p.m.
REMARKS: BUSH/QUAYLE LEADERSHIP
STATE DINING ROOM
MARCH 21, 1989
Good afternoon. With all the Governors and members of
Congress in the room, why don't we just form our own
Constitutional Convention and pass the line-item veto?
*** I understand, and deeply appreciate, how much you
sacrificed for our campaign -- time away from your families, time
away from your constituents and time away from your jobs and
businesses.
Most of all, I appreciate your unwavering commitment. We
fought shoulder to shoulder, and battled our way from 17 points
behind, to a 40-state win on Election Day.
*** But we didn't fight the battle we fought, we didn't put
ourselves and our families through the turmoil of a campaign,
just to win an election. We fought because we believed our ideas
will build a better America.
2
*** America faces too many challenges for the leaders of
Congress, or myself, to act as mere partisans. We must work
together to drive down the deficit -- without increasing taxes.
*** We must work together to protect what is already the
longest peacetime expansion in American history, and to allow our
industries to meet world competition.
*** We must work together to fight drug abuse on every
front: to redeem thousands of children from crime, misery and
death.
*** We must work together to protect the environment, find
a way to shelter the homeless, and meet the changing needs of the
American family.
*** We must review and reform the way in which our
government manages.
*** And, above all, we must preserve the peace.
These are the elements of my agenda, and there is a common
theme throughout: to confront the emerging problems of the
future, today. A complacent society is doomed to comfortable
decline. A dynamic society is one that keeps pace with the
3
times. And make no mistake, America is still the most dynamic
society on earth.
By the year 2000, we will have experienced change as swift
and fast as a torrent. Change in the American family, and in our
work habits. Change in technology. Change in the world economy.
Change in the rate of change itself.
Will America be ready for the future? The national and
state elections of the 1990s will not just be a battle of the
century; it will be a battle for the century -- the 21st Century,
the New American Century.
*** My willingness to work with Congress to meet the
challenges of the future does not lessen my partisan identity.
True, my purpose as President is to build a better America. But
there is a Republican approach to the challenges we face. And I
have a deep and unwavering belief -- validated by a lifetime of
experience in public life -- that the Republican approach is the
one that works.
*** Having the best policies is no guarantee of winning
elections in Congress. I believe it's no coincidence that our
party slipped to minority status in the House in the 1950s soon
after we became a minority in the state legislatures. Today,
4
Democrats now have a redistricting advantage in states that
compose about 90 percent of the seats in Congress.
That is why we must make aggressive gains at the state
level. Critical gubernatorial and legislative races in the eight
largest states alone will determine whether Republicans will be
treated fairly in the drafting of 209 Congressional Districts.
*** A majority, or even a large minority, of Republicans in
state legislatures can join with Republican governors to sustain
the veto of outrageous gerrymander schemes, strengthening our
numbers in the U.S. House. Strong state parties can help us to
win back the U.S. Senate. So take it from this former Harris
County Republican Chairman -- a solid Republican Party, organized
block by block, precinct by precinct, can multiply our successes
all the way to the White House.
*** In order to win, we must also work together as a team,
not as an association of acronyms. The RNC, the NRCC, the RGA,
the NRSC -- these are top-notch, well-managed organizations
staffed by the best people in politics today. But our party must
be greater than the sum of its parts; we must be inspired by a
common purpose. For this reason, I am pleased to see the
building spirit of cooperation between the White House and the
committees, under the leadership of Chairman Atwater, Senator
Nickles, Congressman Vander Jagt and Governor Mike Hayden.
- 5
*** To win, we must reach out to new constituencies, to
campaign in the neighborhoods, the ghettoes, the barrios, once
considered to be the exclusive domain of the opposition.
*** To win, we must also recruit the very best men and
women to represent our party, as candidates and as officeholders.
These are my strategies for victory. But strategies are
useless without a great purpose. We have such a purpose, to
build a better America, for today and for the new century ahead.
We have spent years and a lot of blood, sweat and tears to
build our organization. Our team has been tested and tempered
under fire.
The best way to keep our organization ready for action is to
engage ourselves in the 1990 election, from the courthouse, to
the statehouse, to Capitol Hill. I ask for your help in this
campaign to elect more Republicans. You have my sincerest
gratitude for a job well done, and my heartfelt thanks for your
willingness to do more.
Thank you.
THE WHITE HOUSE
washington
andy Card-
- -agenda for a
new american
Century
- dynomic America
- 6 fact sheet
pt. lidn't first the leatter the
we We pst to in
an fount,
build 21ST Century
Document No.
018004SS
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
3/17/89
3/17/89 6:00 PM
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: BUSH-QUAYLE LEADERSHIP
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
ROGERS
BREEDEN
CARD
WINSTON
PINKERTON
CICCONI
DEMAREST
WRAY
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston, Rm. 122,
x2930, by 6:00 PM, TODAY, March 17, 1989, with an info copy to
my office. Sorry for the short turnaround. Thank you.
RESPONSE:
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
Davis/Martin
March 17, 1989
11 p.m.
REMARKS: BUSH/QUAYLE LEADERSHIP
STATE DINING ROOM
MARCH 21, 1989
Good afternoon. With all the Governors and members of
Congress in the room, why don't we just form our own
Constitutional Convention and pass the line-item veto?
*** I understand, and deeply appreciate, how much you
sacrificed for our campaign -- time away from your families, time
away from your constituents and time away from your jobs and
businesses.
Most of all, I appreciate your unwavering commitment. You
stood with me when I was 17 points behind my opponent, when my
political obituary had been all but written.
We needed some
Sunan
strong medicine to overcome those odds. And we found it in the
advice of the late Babe Ruth -- the best medicine in the world is
a home run
solid, work productive, sloweder to sunds tone
*** Now we face a different challenge: to strengthen our
party at every level. I believe it's no coincidence that our
party slipped to minority status in the House in the 1950s soon
after we became a minority in the state legislatures. Today,
2
Democrats now have a redistricting advantage in states that
compose about 90 percent of the seats in Congress.
*** That is why we must make aggressive gains at the state
level. Critical gubernatorial and legislative races in the eight
largest states alone will determine whether Republicans will be
treated fairly in the drafting of 209 Congressional Districts.
*** A majority, or even a large minority, of Republicans in
state legislatures can join with Republican governors to sustain
the veto of outrageous gerrymander (GARY-mander) schemes,
strengthening our numbers in the U.S. House. Strong state
parties can help us to win back the U.S. Senate. So take it from
this former Harris County Republican Chairman -- a solid
Republican Party, organized block by block, precinct by precinct,
can multiply our successes all the way to the White House.
*** In order to win, we must also work together as a team,
not as an association of acronyms. The RNC, the NRCC, the RGA,
the NRSC -- these are top-knotch, well-managed organizations
staffed by the best people in politics today. But our party must
be greater than the sum of its parts; we must be inspired by a
common purpose. For this reason, I am pleased to see the
The White Hous
building spirit of cooperation between, the committees, under the
and
leadership of Chairman Atwater, Senator Nickles, Congressman
Vander Jagt and Governor Mike Hayden.
3
*** To win, we must reach out to new constituencies, to
campaign in the neighborhoods, the ghettoes, the barrios, once
considered to be the exclusive domain of the opposition.
*** To win, we must also recruit the very best men and
women to represent our party, as candidates and as officeholders.
These are my strategies for victory. But strategies are
useless without a great purpose. We have such a purpose, to
build a better America, for today and for the new century ahead.
I must ask you to remain organized and ready. In a phrase,
keep your powder dry # You have my sincerest gratitude for a job
well done. You have my heartfelt thanks for your willingness to
do more.
Thank you.
We have spent years and alot of blood sweat and tears to
build this organization. It has been tested under fire and the
team has been tempered.
The best way to keep this organization ready for action is
to engage ourselves in the 1990 elections from the Court houses
to the State houses and over to Capitol Hill. And together you
can continue to help me by electing more Republicans.
My joke about a Constitutional Comention? d think it's a
serious matter
1989 MAR 17 PM 2:40
Davis/Martin
March 17, 1989
11 p.m.
REMARKS: BUSH/QUAYLE LEADERSHIP
STATE DINING ROOM
MARCH 21, 1989
Good afternoon. With all the Governors and members of
Congress in the room, why don't we just form our own
Constitutional Convention and pass the line-item veto?
*** I understand, and deeply appreciate, how much you
sacrificed for our campaign -- time away from your families, time
away from your constituents and time away from your jobs and
businesses.
Most of all, I appreciate your unwavering commitment. You
stood with me when I was 17 points behind my opponent, when my
political obituary had been all but written. We needed some
strong medicine to overcome those odds. And we found it in the
advice of the late Babe Ruth -- the best medicine in the world is
a home run
...
*** Now we face a different challenge: to strengthen our
party at every level. I believe it's no coincidence that our
party slipped to minority status in the House in the 1950s soon
after we became a minority in the state legislatures. Today,
2
Democrats now have a redistricting advantage in states that
compose about 90 percent of the seats in Congress.
*** That is why we must make aggressive gains at the state
level. Critical gubernatorial and legislative races in the eight
largest states alone will determine whether Republicans will be
treated fairly in the drafting of 209 Congressional Districts.
*** A majority, or even a large minority, of Republicans in
state legislatures can join with Republican governors to sustain
the veto of outrageous gerrymander (GARY mander) schemes,
Incomect see American Aoritage Antionary
strengthening our numbers in the U.S. House. Strong state
parties can help us to win back the U.S. Senate. So take it from
this former Harris County Republican Chairman -- a solid
Republican Party, organized block by block, precinct by precinct,
can multiply our successes all the way to the White House.
*** In order to win, we must also work together as a team,
not as an association of acronyms. The RNC, the NRCC, the RGA,
the NRSC -- these are top knotch, well-managed organizations
staffed by the best people in politics today. But our party must
be greater than the sum of its parts; we must be inspired by a
common purpose. For this reason, I am pleased to see the
building spirit of cooperation between the committees, under the
leadership of Chairman Atwater, Senator Nickles, Congressman
Vander Jagt and Governor Mike Hayden.
3
*** To win, we must reach out to new constituencies, to
campaign in the neighborhoods, the ghettoes, the barrios, once
considered to be the exclusive domain of the opposition.
*** To win, we must also recruit the very best men and
women to represent our party, as candidates and as officeholders.
These are my strategies for victory. But strategies are
useless without a great purpose. We have such a purpose, to
build a better America, for today and for the new century ahead.
I must ask you to remain organized and ready. In a phrase,
keep your powder and dry. You have my sincerest gratitude for a job
well done Wou have my heartfelt thanks for your willingness to
do more.
Thank you.
Document No.
018004SS
RECEIVED IN ONB
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
3/17/89 89 MAR 17 P 3 : 09
3/17/89 6:00 PM
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: BUSH-QUAYLE LEADERSHIP
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
ROGERS
BREEDEN
CARD
WINSTON
CICCONI
PINKERTON
DEMAREST
WRAY
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston, Rm. 122,
x2930, by 6:00 PM, TODAY, March 17, 1989, with an info copy to
my office. Sorry for the short turnaround. Thank you.
RESPONSE:
Typo Page 2
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
Davis/Martin
March 17, 1989
11 p.m.
REMARKS: BUSH/QUAYLE LEADERSHIP
STATE DINING ROOM
MARCH 21, 1989
Good afternoon. With all the Governors and members of
Congress in the room, why don't we just form our own
Constitutional Convention and pass the line-item veto?
*** I understand, and deeply appreciate, how much you
sacrificed for our campaign -- time away from your families, time
away from your constituents and time away from your jobs and
businesses.
Most of all, I appreciate your unwavering commitment. You
stood with me when I was 17 points behind my opponent, when my
political obituary had been all but written. We needed some
strong medicine to overcome those odds. And we found it in the
advice of the late Babe Ruth -- the best medicine in the world is
a home run
...
*** Now we face a different challenge: to strengthen our
party at every level. I believe it's no coincidence that our
party slipped to minority status in the House in the 1950s soon
after we became a minority in the state legislatures. Today,
2
Democrats now have a redistricting advantage in states that
compose about 90 percent of the seats in Congress.
*** That is why we must make aggressive gains at the state
level. Critical gubernatorial and legislative races in the eight
largest states alone will determine whether Republicans will be
treated fairly in the drafting of 209 Congressional Districts.
*** A majority, or even a large minority, of Republicans in
state legislatures can join with Republican governors to sustain
the veto of outrageous gerrymander (GARY-mander) schemes,
strengthening our numbers in the U.S. House. Strong state
parties can help us to win back the U.S. Senate. So take it from
this former Harris County Republican Chairman -- a solid
Republican Party, organized block by block, precinct by precinct,
can multiply our successes all the way to the White House.
*** In order to win, we must also work together as a team,
not as an association of acronyms. The RNC, the NRCC, the RGA,
the NRSC -- these are top-knotch, well-managed organizations
staffed by the best people in politics today. But our party must
be greater than the sum of its parts; we must be inspired by a
common purpose. For this reason, I am pleased to see the
building spirit of cooperation between the committees, under the
leadership of Chairman Atwater, Senator Nickles, Congressman
Vander Jagt and Governor Mike Hayden.
3
*** To win, we must reach out to new constituencies, to
campaign in the neighborhoods, the ghettoes, the barrios, once
considered to be the exclusive domain of the opposition.
*** To win, we must also recruit the very best men and
women to represent our party, as candidates and as officeholders.
These are my strategies for victory. But strategies are
useless without a great purpose. We have such a purpose, to
build a better America, for today and for the new century ahead.
I must ask you to remain organized and ready. In a phrase,
keep your powder dry. You have my sincerest gratitude for a job
well done. You have my heartfelt thanks for your willingness to
do more.
Thank you.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
3/17/89
Memorandum to Chriss Winston
From:
Jim Pinkerton
P
Re:
BQ Leadership draft
I think the speech is fine, though
I might add another sentence or two about
Building a Better America on page 3 -- no
tax increase, etc.
And, note the spelling on the third
line of graf 4 -- but that's just a kvetch!
CC:
Roger Porter
Bill Roper
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