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Republican Eagles 10/13/89 [OA 8748]
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Republican Eagles 10/13/89 [OA 8748]
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Records of the White House Office of Speechwriting (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Mark Davis Subject Files
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Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
S
FOIA
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:
Davis, Mark, Files
Subseries:
Subject File, 1989-1991
OA/ID Number:
13874
Folder ID Number:
13874-003
Folder Title:
Republican Eagles, 10/13/89
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
G
19
2
6
7
Oct. 11, 1989
INFORMATION
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
Through:
CHRISS WINSTON
From:
MARK DAVIS
Subject:
Eagles
SUMMARY: You will address the Eagles on Friday, at noon, at the
Grand Hyatt. Your remarks will be just at ten minutes, and will
be teleprompted.
DISCUSSION: Of course, you are expected to thank the Eagles for
their leadership and support. But this speech also recaps some
of the high points of the year: the House capital gains vote, the
education summit, and the continued growth of the economy. Then
this speech offers a call to arms to elect Republicans at every
level, to overthrow the Democrat gerrymander, and to reach out to
every community.
Davis/Martin
Date: Oct. 6, 1989
Draft: One
Title: Eagles
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS: REPUBLICAN EAGLES
Friday, Oct. 13, 1989
Grand Hyatt, Washington, D.C.
12:00 p.m.
((Thank you, but you can't kid me. I know all the applause
was really for the Silver Fox. ))\\
I want to thank Lee Atwater. As someone who once worked in
the Chairman's fourth floor office, I know the challenges you
face. And I know how well your leadership has set a steady
course for our Republican Party.
Larry Bathgate, RNC Finance Chairman: You've done a great
job. All that we do, you help make possible.
And Bobby Holt, a fellow Texan -- ( (As they say in Midland,
I'd know your ashes in a whirlwind.) ) Bobby, I'm glad you bring
the same drive to the Eagles program that you brought to the
Inaugural. Nancy Thawley, good to see you. And Bill McManus,
our Treasurer. ((You know, people think I'm active. But Bill
makes me look like a veritable couch potato. And yet he still
is the only man in America who calls Ronald Reagan "Sonny. ") )
It's good to see you. But most of all, I came here today to
recognize and thank a group of men and women who are not content
to follow, but must lead -- the Republican Eagles of America.
( (Our group is, of course, named after the national symbol
of America. But I'm sure you know that if Ben Franklin had his
way, our national symbol would have been another native American
2
bird. \\ And had that been the case, then we would have had no
choice but to relinquish the appellation to the supporters of the
other party. Can you imagine it?\\ The Democratic
Turkeys? \\))
The last time we met, the cherry blossoms were in full
bloom, and Washington was debating how the year would go. The
conventional wisdom held that for Republicans, this was to be the
year of living dangerously. It is now mid-October, and we can,
instead, look back to a year of achievement.
Example: The House ((and now the Senate)) has voted to
eliminate the differential on the tax on capital gains. The
courageous stand taken by so many Members of Congress shows that
Washington is realizing what the business community has always
known: we must join the other major industrial powers in favoring
investment and economic growth -- in other words, jobs and
opportunity for all Americans. \\\ ( (And as for those who still
oppose this tax cut, well, sometimes I think there should be an
education summit just for liberals. )) Which brings me to our
next example.
Two weeks ago, I joined the governors in a summit -- only
the third of its kind in our history -- to discuss radical reform
of our educational system. For the first time, we agreed to set
national goals, to require accountability, and to permit states,
localities and schools the flexibility they need to met these
higher goals. We joined forces for a social compact between
3
president and principal, governors and teachers, parents and
students, to save our schools. \\
Example: Continued peace and prosperity. Victor Hugo said
that there is no army that can match an idea whose time has come.
Economic and political freedom is an idea that is on the march
abroad, and allows us unprecedented prosperity at home. In fact,
under Republican leadership, we have created 20 million new jobs
as we mark the 83rd month of economic growth -- the longest
peacetime expansion in modern American history. 11 ( (In short,
the Republican Party has done for America what Will Clark has
done for the San Francisco Giants. ))
So to put it simply, our party, the Republican Party, has
led America from the despondency and despair of the past, to a
new era of leadership and opportunity. Will this progress
continue? Yes, but only if Republicans continue to lead.
During the last decade, the two parties have battled for the
majority position -- the right to lead America. We will start to
know the outcome of this struggle in just a little more than one
year from today.
One party won the presidency by making promises; and kept
the presidency by delivering on these promises. But the other
party has retained its hold on Congress well into its third
decade, in part because it is afraid to meet us on a level field
of fair competition.
You know how the ugly gerrymander dilutes the votes of
Republican and Independent voters across America. We have
4
protested this in the past; but now it is time for us to become
activists. It is time we stand up, and make our case to the
courts, the media and the American people: this form of
discrimination against voters must end.
If we are going to get a fair chance in Congress, we must
have a say in how Congressional and state legislative lines are
drawn. This makes it critical for us to invest our best efforts
into state legislative races and governorship. In this way,
Republican campaigns at the local and state level can support and
strengthen our bid for control of Congress.
Our vision is set: We are going to be the party that leads
the states. We are going to be the party that leads Congress.
And then we will be the party that leads America into the 21st
Century.
To do this, we must also reach out to new constituencies, to
campaign in the neighborhoods, the ghettoes, the barrios, once
considered to be the exclusive domain of the opposition. We are
going to reach out to new voters and reach out to broaden our
party.
So it all comes down to this: to win big, you must think
big. We must have the audacity -- not just to win more seats in
the House -- but to take back the Speaker's Chair. We must have
the temerity -- not just to reach out, but to win support in
every community, at every level.
Some observers look back at the elections of the 1980s, and
wonder if the Republicans have already seen their best days.
5
Well, we have a saying in Texas: You can't tell which way the
train went by looking at the tracks. When the dust settles from
the 1990 election, this nation will be heading one way or the
other. I know that with the leadership and support of the
Eagles, America will be going in a Republican direction.
For all that you have done and are pledged to do, I thank
you. God bless you and God bless America.
#
#
#
: : (+) 1:45 min
upbeat
Accomplish performe
B-Q Ren.
Don't bash and
ments
conguss
to
ADDRESS: REPUBLICAN EAGLES
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1989
GRAND HYATT, WASHINGTON D.C.
12:00 P.M.
((THANK YOU, BUT YOU CAN'T KID ME. I KNOW ALL THE
APPLAUSE WAS REALLY FOR THE SILVER FOX.))\\
I WANT TO THANK LEE ATWATER. AS SOMEONE WHO ONCE
WORKED IN THE CHAIRMAN'S FOURTH FLOOR OFFICE, I KNOW
THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE. AND I KNOW HOW WELL YOUR
LEADERSHIP HAS SET A STEADY COURSE FOR OUR REPUBLICAN
PARTY. AND, OF COURSE, IT'S ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO SEE
OUR OUTSTANDING CO-CHAIRMAN, JEANIE AUSTIN, WHO'S
BROUGHT HER OWN BRAND OF FLORIDA KNOW-HOW TO THE RNC.
LARRY BATHGATE, RNC FINANCE CHAIRMAN: YOU'VE DONE
A GREAT JOB. ALL THAT WE DO, YOU HELP MAKE POSSIBLE.
- 2 -
AND BOBBY HOLT, A FELLOW TEXAN AND ONE OF MY
OLDEST AND DEAREST FRIENDS -- ((AS THEY SAY IN MIDLAND,
I'D KNOW YOUR ASHES IN A WHIRLWIND.)) BOBBY, I'M GLAD
YOU BRING THE SAME DRIVE TO THE EAGLES PROGRAM THAT YOU
BROUGHT TO THE INAUGURAL. NANCY THAWLEY, GOOD TO SEE
YOU. AND BILL MCMANUS, OUR TREASURER. ((YOU KNOW,
PEOPLE THINK I'M ACTIVE. BUT BILL MAKES ME LOOK LIKE A
VERITABLE COUCH POTATO. AND YET HE STILL IS THE ONLY
MAN IN AMERICA WHO CALLS RONALD REAGAN "SONNY. "))\\
IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU. BUT MOST OF ALL, I CAME
HERE TODAY TO RECOGNIZE AND THANK A GROUP OF MEN AND
WOMEN WHO ARE NOT CONTENT TO FOLLOW, BUT MUST LEAD --
THE REPUBLICAN EAGLES OF AMERICA. 11
((OUR GROUP IS, OF COURSE, NAMED AFTER THE
NATIONAL SYMBOL OF AMERICA. BUT I'M SURE YOU KNOW THAT
IF BEN FRANKLIN HAD HIS WAY, OUR NATIONAL SYMBOL WOULD
HAVE BEEN ANOTHER NATIVE AMERICAN BIRD. 11 AND HAD THAT
BEEN THE CASE, THEN WE WOULD HAVE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO
LET THE OTHER PARTY USE THE NAME. CAN YOU IMAGINE
IT?\\ THE DEMOCRATIC TURKEYS?\\))
- 3 -
THE LAST TIME WE MET, THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS WERE IN
FULL BLOOM, AND WASHINGTON WAS DEBATING HOW THE YEAR
WOULD GO. THE CONVENTIONAL WISDOM HELD THAT FOR
REPUBLICANS, THIS WAS TO BE THE YEAR OF LIVING
DANGEROUSLY. IT IS NOW MID-OCTOBER, AND WE CAN,
INSTEAD, LOOK BACK TO A YEAR OF ACHIEVEMENT.
EXAMPLE: THE HOUSE, INCLUDING SOME 64 DEMOCRATS,
VOTED FOR A CAPITAL GAINS TAX CUT. 11 THE COURAGEOUS
STAND TAKEN BY so MANY MEMBERS OF CONGRESS SHOWS THAT
WASHINGTON IS REALIZING WHAT THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY HAS
ALWAYS KNOWN: WE MUST JOIN THE OTHER MAJOR INDUSTRIAL
POWERS IN FAVORING INVESTMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH -- IN
OTHER WORDS, JOBS AND OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL AMERICANS. III
((AND AS FOR THOSE WHO STILL OPPOSE THIS CAPITOL GAINS
DIFFERENTIAL, WELL, SOMETIMES I THINK THERE SHOULD BE
AN EDUCATION SUMMIT JUST FOR LIBERALS.) WHICH BRINGS
ME TO OUR NEXT EXAMPLE.
- 4 -
TWO MONTHS AGO, I INVITED THE GOVERNORS TO A
SUMMIT -- ONLY THE THIRD OF ITS KIND IN OUR HISTORY --
TO DISCUSS HISTORIC REFORM OF OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.
AT THAT SUMMIT, FOR THE FIRST TIME, WE AGREED TO SET
NATIONAL GOALS, TO REQUIRE ACCOUNTABILITY, AND TO
PERMIT STATES, LOCALITIES AND SCHOOLS THE FLEXIBILITY
THEY NEED TO MEET THESE HIGHER GOALS. TWO WEEKS AGO,
WE JOINED FORCES FOR A SOCIAL COMPACT -- WE CALLED IT A
JEFFERSONIAN COMPACT -- BETWEEN PRESIDENT AND
PRINCIPAL, GOVERNORS AND TEACHERS, PARENTS AND
STUDENTS, TO SAVE OUR SCHOOLS.\
ONE MORE EXAMPLE: CONTINUED PEACE AND PROSPERITY.
VICTOR HUGO SAID THAT THERE IS NO ARMY THAT CAN MATCH
AN IDEA WHOSE TIME HAS COME. ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL
FREEDOM IS AN IDEA THAT IS ON THE MARCH ABROAD, AND
ALLOWS US UNPRECEDENTED PROSPERITY AT HOME. IN FACT,
UNDER REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP, WE HAVE CREATED 20 MILLION
NEW JOBS AS WE MARK THE 83RD MONTH OF ECONOMIC GROWTH -
- THE LONGEST PEACETIME EXPANSION IN MODERN AMERICAN
HISTORY. ((IN SHORT, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS DONE
FOR AMERICA WHAT WILL CLARK HAS DONE FOR THE SAN
FRANCISCO GIANTS.) ))
- 5 -
SO TO PUT IT SIMPLY, OUR PARTY, THE REPUBLICAN
PARTY, HAS LED AMERICA FROM THE DESPONDENCY AND DESPAIR
OF THE PAST, TO A NEW ERA OF OPPORTUNITY. WILL THIS
PROGRESS CONTINUE? YES, BUT ONLY IF REPUBLICANS
CONTINUE TO LEAD.
DURING THE LAST DECADE, THE TWO PARTIES HAVE
BATTLED FOR THE MAJORITY POSITION -- THE RIGHT TO LEAD
AMERICA. WE WILL START TO KNOW THE OUTCOME OF THIS
STRUGGLE IN JUST A LITTLE MORE THAN ONE YEAR FROM
TODAY.
ONE PARTY WON THE PRESIDENCY BY MAKING PROMISES;
AND KEPT THE PRESIDENCY BY DELIVERING ON THOSE
PROMISES. BUT THE OTHER PARTY HAS RETAINED ITS HOLD ON
CONGRESS WELL INTO ITS THIRD DECADE, IN PART BECAUSE IT
IS AFRAID TO MEET US ON A LEVEL FIELD OF FAIR
COMPETITION.
- 6 -
YOU KNOW HOW THE UGLY GERRYMANDER DILUTES THE
VOTES OF REPUBLICAN AND INDEPENDENT VOTERS ACROSS
AMERICA. WE HAVE PROTESTED THIS IN THE PAST; BUT NOW
IT IS TIME FOR US TO BECOME ACTIVISTS. I HAVE SENT
PROPOSED LEGISLATION TO CONGRESS WHICH CALLS FOR NEW
FEDERAL STANDARDS FOR FAIR REDISTRICTING. OUR
DISTINGUISHED REPUBLICAN LEADERS, BOB DOLE AND BOB
MICHEL, HAVE INTRODUCED THIS LEGISLATION WHICH I URGE
CONGRESS TO ENACT. IT IS TIME WE STAND UP, AND MAKE
OUR CASE IN THE CONGRESS, IN THE COURTS, IN THE MEDIA
AND WITH THE AMERICAN PEOPLE: THIS FORM OF
DISCRIMINATION AGAINST VOTERS MUST END.\
IF WE ARE GOING TO GET A FAIR CHANCE IN CONGRESS,
WE MUST HAVE A SAY IN HOW CONGRESSIONAL AND STATE
LEGISLATIVE LINES ARE DRAWN. THIS MAKES IT CRITICAL
FOR US TO INVEST OUR BEST EFFORTS IN STATE LEGISLATIVE
RACES AND GOVERNORSHIPS. IN THIS WAY, REPUBLICAN
CAMPAIGNS AT THE LOCAL AND STATE LEVEL CAN SUPPORT AND
STRENGTHEN OUR BID FOR CONTROL OF CONGRESS.
- 7 -
OUR VISION IS SET: WE ARE GOING TO BE THE PARTY
THAT LEADS THE STATES. WE ARE GOING TO BE THE PARTY
THAT LEADS CONGRESS. AND THEN WE WILL BE THE PARTY
THAT LEADS AMERICA INTO THE 21ST CENTURY. 11
TO DO THIS, WE MUST ALSO REACH OUT TO NEW
CONSTITUENCIES, TO THOSE ONCE CONSIDERED TO BE THE
EXCLUSIVE VOTING BLOC OF THE OPPOSITION. WE ARE GOING
TO REACH OUT TO NEW VOTERS AND REACH OUT TO BROADEN OUR
PARTY.
SO IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THIS: TO WIN BIG, YOU MUST
THINK BIG. WE MUST HAVE THE AUDACITY -- NOT JUST TO
WIN MORE SEATS IN THE HOUSE -- BUT TO TAKE BACK THE
SPEAKER'S CHAIR. WE MUST HAVE THE DARING -- NOT JUST
TO REACH OUT, BUT TO WIN SUPPORT IN EVERY COMMUNITY, AT
EVERY LEVEL.
RCV BY:THE WHITE HOUSE
; 1-26-90 ; 6:05PM ;
CCITT G3->
2024566218;# 3
2
#
After the 1988 election, George Bush
asked me to be Chairman of the Republican
National Committee, to serve as his
political eyes and ears.
RCV BY:THE WHITE HOUSE
; 1-26-90 ; 6:05PM ;
CCITT G3->
2024566218;# 4
3
*
I have constant contact with the White
House, both with the President and his
chief of staff, John Sununu. This working
relationship constitutes the most efficient
and effective political operation in
memory, and I'm pleased to be a part of it.
RCV BY:THE WHITE HOUSE
1-26-90 6:06PM
CCITT G3->
2024566218;# 5
4
It's great to be here with you, because
the Eagles program Is the backbone of the
fundraising operation at the Republican
National Committee.
*
Because of your level of support, the
President and I consider you ambassadors of
the Republican Party.
RCV BY:THE WHITE HOUSE
; 1-26-90 ; 6:06PM ;
CCITT G3->
2024566218:# 6
5
*
The Republican Eagles provide the
momentum that drives all the committee's
most important programs.
*
Your contributions are used in several
key areas.
RCV BY:THE WHITE HOUSE
1-26-90 6:06PM
CCITT G3->
2024566218:# 7
6
*
They help state parties through:
-- technology assistance
.. development of solid voter lists
-- get-out-the-vote programs
- and state-wide candidate recruitment.
RCV BY:THE WHITE HOUSE
; 1-26-90 ; 6:06PM :
CCITT G3->
2024566218;# 8
7
#
In addition, we operate a nationwide
candidate - recruitment program. We're
looking for the best GOP candidates to run
in races for governorships, the U.S.
Congress and U.S. Senate. Finding these
candidates is critical.
RCV BY:THE WHITE HOUSE
1-26-90 6:07PM
CCITT G3->
2024566218:# 9
8
*
Your support and devotion to this Party
is making it possible to put in place the
key programs we need to become the majority
party in America by the year 2000.
-END-
RCV BY:THE WHITE HOUSE
1-26-90 6:07PM
CCITT G3->
2024566218:#10
TALKING POINTS
LEE ATWATER
CHAIRMAN, REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
NATIONAL EAGLES MEETING
MONDAY, JANUARY 29
WASHINGTON, DC
RCV BY:THE WHITE HOUSE
; 1-26-90 ; 6:07PM ;
CCITT G3->
2024566218:#11
-1-
* The generous support you've given
President Bush has paid off. He's defied
all critics.
* He came back from a 17-point deficit to
win In a landslide.
RCV BY:THE WHITE HOUSE
; 1-26-90 ; 6:10PM ;
CCITT G3->
2024566218:#20
-10-
*
I'm convinced that Naisbitt is right, and
that the 1990s will be a period of great
prosperity marked by the triumph of
personal individual freedom it will be
a triumph of Republican principles.
* You have supported President Bush and
countless other Republicans when It
mattered most -- they have gotten us this
far.
RCV BY:THE WHITE HOUSE
1-26-90 6:11PM
CCITT G3->
20245662181#21
-11-
* We made tremendous gains in the 1980s.
* But even though the 80s are over, the era
of Republican leadership is just beginning.
*Thank you.
END : :
RCV BY:THE WHITE HOUSE
1-26-90 6:04PM
CCITT G3->
2024566218:# 1
REPUBLICAN
NATIONAL
COMMITTE
FACSIMILE TRANSMITTAL
DATE: 1/26/90
TO: MARK DAVIS
FAX: 456-6218
FROM: BILL ARMISTEAD
2 sets talking coints
NUMBER OF PAGES (INCLUDING COVER SHEET)
IF THIS DOCUMENT IS NOT RECEIVED, PLEASE CALL (202) 863-8550
RCV BY: THE WHITE HOUSE
; 1-26-90 ; 6:08PM ;
CCITT G3->
2024566218:#12
-2-
* And, despite what his critics have said,
he's kept all his campaign promises:
-- Drugs. Tough legislation, Noriega.
-- Education summit with governors.
-- Proposed solutions on every issue
that's important to the American
people.
-- All without raising taxes.
RCV BY:THE WHITE HOUSE
; 1-26-90 ; 6:08PM ;
CCITT G3->
2024566218;#13.
-3-
Now it's time for the Congress to act on
President Bush's proposals on:
-- Crime & Drugs
-- Education
-- Clean Air
-- Capital Gains
* But let's face it, the only way to get
good responsible government in Washington
is to elect a Republican Congress.
RCV BY:THE WHITE HOUSE
; 1-26-90 ; 6:08PM ;
CCITT G3->
2024566218:#14
-4-
* I think we've got some great
opportunities (ABC Wash. Post):
-- Bush approval at 79%
-- 74% among Blacks
-- 66% of self-described liberals
-- 56% of Dukakis voters
RCV BY:THE WHITE HOUSE
1-26-90 6:09PM
CCITT G3->
2024566218;#15
-5-
* That same poll showed that 50% of
Americans named the GOP as the party they
trusted most with the country's biggest
problems, only 38% named the Democrats.
* In 1992, the combination of the
re-election of George Bush, realignment,
reapportionment, and hard-fought campaigns
may give us a real opportunity to win a
majority in both Houses.
RCV BY:THE WHITE HOUSE
; 1-26-90 ; 6:09PM ;
CCITT G3->
2024566218;#16
-6-
* You stood by George Bush so that he could
stand by you and all Americans. Your loyal
support has paid off.
*
We are living in the most exciting period
in the history of the planet.
* We are getting to see your support for
George Bush reap dividends for America and
the world that you and I never dreamed of.
RCV BY:THE WHITE HOUSE
; 1-26-90 ; 6:09PM ;
CCITT G3->
20245662181#17
-7-
* In Eastern Europe we see what happens
when Individuals taste freedom. President
Bush was right, the day of the dictator Is
over.
* President Bush has demonstrated a
mastery of foreign policy. He's at home
with the job.
RCV BY:THE WHITE HOUSE
; 1-26-90 ; 6:10PM ;
CCITT G3->
2024566218:#18
-8-
* And, as you'll see by the end of the day,
he's assembled a team of the best minds on
foreign affairs a president has ever
had.
* At home and abroad, George Bush is
leading the world toward greater peace,
prosperity, and freedom.
RCV BY:THE WHITE HOUSE
; 1-26-90 ; 6:10PM ;
CCITT G3->
2024566218:#19
-9-
* My friend John Naisbitt -- who wrote
Megatrends 2000 predicts that the 1990s
will be a period when people recognize that
when individuals satisfy genuine
achievement needs, society gains.
RCV BY:THE WHITE HOUSE
1-26-90 6:05PM
CCITT G3->
2024566218:# 2
STANDARD EAGLES TALKING POINTS
CHAIRMAN LEE ATWATER
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE