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Engler Rally, Grand Rapids, MI 10/16/90 [OA 8130]
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323154839
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Engler Rally, Grand Rapids, MI 10/16/90 [OA 8130]
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Records of the White House Office of Speechwriting (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Curt Smith Chronological 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:
Smith, Curt, Files
Subseries:
Chron File, 1989-1992
OA/ID Number:
13889
Folder ID Number:
13889-030
Folder Title:
Engler Rally, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 10/16/90
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
G
18
29
1
5
(Smith/Garmey)
October 4, 1990
8 A.M.
SENATE
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: ENGLER RALLY
GRAND RAPIDS
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1990
It's a pleasure to see members of the Michigan Republican
Congressional delegation, and to have here your superb State
Party Leadership. 11 Ladies and gentlemen, honored guests.
Thank you, , for that kind introduction. As always, it's great
to be back in Michigan. //
( (Undoubtedly, you know by now of my fondness for this
State. I'll never forget your kindness in the 1980 Primary.
Just to show you what Michigan means to me, I asked the most
famous White House writer to work on these remarks. // So Millie
was up half the night putting them together. )) //
( (Already this year, I've spent almost as much time here as
Lee Iacocca. // Rumor has it that if President Gorbachev has to
call me on the hotline, the telephone rings straight through to
Cobo Hall. )) //
Let me begin by restating what I said three weeks ago, in
Detroit, on behalf of your next U.S. Senator -- Bill Schuette. //
Bill indeed is "the change we need." Let's get real leadership
in the Senate. Let's elect the Man from Midland. 11 bolldfue
We also need to elect one thing we don't have in Washington
11 not yet, anyway. A Republican Senate. // So two weeks ago I
met with friends and candidates of the Michigan State Senate. We
2
need to maintain our majority in the Senate -- and gain a
majority in the Michigan House of Representatives. //
Then, there's the candidate for whom I spoke last April --
and who -- like Bill and all Republicans -- wants to help people
up and keep bureaucracies down. You realize who I'm talking
ui,
lact
about. As his career has shown: "We know what this right man can
do." // He's my friend / and your next Governor / John Engler. //
I'm here tonight to support John, Bill, and every Republican
candidate at Michigan's local, county, and State level. Here
because only -- count 'em -- twenty days remain before one of the
most crucial election of our lives. //
This election will decide whether Michigan chooses on the
one hand // the left hand, naturally // the bankrupt policies of
"Tax and spend." // Or whether on the other hand, it chooses
Republican policies that put Americans to work. 11
This election will decide whether Michigan supports a war on
thugs and drug peddlers. Or whether Lansing is run by those --
unlike John Engler -- who soft-pedal the need to be hard on
crime. 11
Finally, this election will decide whether or not Michigan
has fair reapportionment. Let's face it: Michigan needs the
reapportionment map drawn by the Democrats like the Wolverines
need their playbook re-written by Ohio State. Instead, we need
officials who can keep the rulebook fair. 11
That means electing John Engler as Governor -- and a
Republican Senate and House. It means recalling that the
3
ends
Democrats want to empower the bureaucracy. We want to empower
individuals. // Above all, it means reminding voters what I
learned in that 1980 Primary: Michigan remains a metaphor for
ingenuity. // Meeting challenges through the human heart and
mind -- not through the heavy hand of Washington. ///
( (Here is a story which describes that creativity. A
Michigan mother told her son, "I have a pretty idea that you
skipped your piano lesson to listen to the Tigers' game " 11 The
usa.
son said that though he loved Ernie Harwell, he hadn't. 11 The
mother said, "Are you sure? Ernie's irresistible." 11 The son
replied, "Uh-uh. And I have a fish to prove it. ) ) //
Maybe that boy was fishing in the Northern Peninsula. Or in
one of those great holes around Mackinack. ( (Can't blame him. //
JOKE. )) // Either way, I'll bet he believed as most Michiganders
do. // You know that progress made isn't measured by dollars
spent. But by power flowing back to localities, to States, and
most important, to the people. //
if
This idea forms the essence of the Republican Party. It's
even more powerful than Cecil Fielder's bat -- how about that?
Fifty-one home runs. 11 The idea I'm talking about rejects the
status-quo -- the politics of special interests. We support the
status-grow. Where the only true interest is America's. //
Look, first, at education -- where Governors play a special
role. John Engler thinks excellence is obtained not by spending
more money. But through higher standards, more accountability,
and giving parents more choice where their kids go to school. //
4
So we've introduced the Educational Excellence Act of 1990 --
legislation that, for 17 months, liberal Democrats have delayed.
Let's support candidates like John Engler who will convince
Congress to help make American education No. 1. //
Next, take the environment. There, too, differences shine.
Liberal Democrats think you have to throw people out of work to
is
protect our natural resources. John Engler disagrees.
So
15
Fiber
months ago we sent a bill to Congress to rewrite the Clean Air
'snit
usis
a
Act // and to what avail? Here, too, delay. No State knows more
than Michigan that we need clear air and good jobs. Let's elect
Republicans who will help pass a Clean Air Act I can sign.
Now comes issue this election will affect: Crime and drugs.
You in Detroit know how bad crime can be in the toll it takes on
communities. That's why 16 months ago we sent our Comprehensive
Crime Control Act to Congress. // Here's the problem: Democrats
have sabotaged the bill. The solution? Electing candidates who
support toughening laws at the State level -- just as we are in
Washington. We need officials like John Engler who will see the
Jul
Melson
punishment fits the crime. //
( (The other day, John and I got to talking about all this.
He said, "Mr. President, these are tough questions demanding
answers." 11 I replied, "You think they're tough. Let me tell
about questions recently phoned to the White House." 11 As Jack
In will we an wellene a J
Paar would say: I kid you not. // Questions like: "Does the
President shave himself?" / / "We re taking a poll, do you watch
'Family Feud'?" // "Why does the President use the word 'thing'
one use,
5
SO much?" / I don't know: It's just one of those things. 11 And
my personal favorite: "What is your response to the allegation
that the White House does not play enough polka music?") ) //
When it comes to national priorities, I want our answers
to play with all America. So two weeks ago Congress and I took
action to reduce the Federal deficit by $500 billion -- half-a-
trillion dollars -- over the next five years. // No, our budget
plan isn't perfect -- but let's not the perfect be the enemy of
the good. Our plan is balanced, tough, and fair. Special
interests may decry it -- but Michigan and the Nation need it. 11
We want to build on the more than 20 million new jobs
screated since 1982. So our budget agreement contains growth-
oriented tax incentives. Also, our plan enacts real -- not phony
-- spending cuts -- cuts with teeth. By enforcing these cuts in
law -- and by not raising income taxes -- we'll create the jobs
which create growth, opportunity, and prosperity -- GOP. Has a
nice ring to it -- wouldn't you agree? //
Here's what our plan doesn't do: It doesn't affect military
or Federal retirement. It doesn't mess with Social Security. 11
( (JOKE) ) // Here's what our plan will do. It creates the
largest entitlement savings ever -- the largest deficit package
ever. It will cut interest rates and inflation. One more thing:
It ensures crucial funds for Operation Desert Shield. //
When I was here two weeks ago, I spoke of Michigan's sons
and daughters now on active duty in Saudi Arabia. "These men and
women," I said, "reflect the vital essence of our mission. They
6
show that America would not be the land of the free if it were
not also the home of the brave." // We intend to stand by those
who stand up for what is right, and good. So America will remain
in the Persian Gulf for as long it takes to complete our mission.
// We will keep up the pressure -- and keep the faith. Faith
with our friends. Faith with the United Nations. Faith with the
greatest servicemen and women any Nation could ever have. 11
Twenty days from now, we must keep faith with America. By
supporting Republicans who will help achieve promise, not empty
promises. // So let's reject the hand of Big Government in favor
of a thousand points of light. Let's canvas / contribute / and
above all, urge others to the polls. // Echoing those words of
Grand Rapid's Jerry Ford: "It is the Republican Party's golden
opportunity," he said, "to prove that it has the resolution to
rouse the nation's greatness -- and the will to win elections."
Fellow Republicans, let's show our resolution -- and our
will. Let's keep a Republican majority in the Michigan State
Senate -- and win a majority in the House of Representatives. 11
Let's elect Bill Schuette as U.S. Senator. And let's send the
right man to Lansing. We know what he can do. Let's elect John
Engler the next Governor of the State of Michigan. //
With your help, we can make November 6 a great day for
Michigan and our Nation. Thank you for all you've done, and will
do in the future. And God bless the United States of America.
#
#
#
#
5
{ (The other day, John and I got to talking about all this.
He said, "Mr. President, these are tough questions demanding
answers." // I replied, "You think they're tough. Let me tell
about questions recently phoned to the White House.' " 11 As Jack
Paar would say: I kid you not. // Questions like: "Does the
President shave himself?" / / "We're taking a poll, do you watch
'Family Feud!?" 11 "Why does the President use the word 'thing'
so much?" / I don't know: It's just one of those things. 11 And
my personal favorite: "What is your response to the allegation
that the White House does not play enough polka music?") ) //
When it comes to priorities, our solutions must play
across America. So let me talk for a moment about a
comprehensive budget plan to cut the Federal budget deficit by
$500 billion over the next five years. I want Congress to send
me a plan which cuts inflation, lowers interest rates, and means
new jobs. // In short, a plan creating growth, opportunity, and
prosperity -- GOP -- has a nice ring, don't you think? //
Problems caused by the deficit problem have been building
for years. This year, they reached the boiling point. For eight
months we've wrestled with this problem. For eight months, I've
negotiated in good faith. The American people didn't send me
here to play politics. They sent me here to govern. So I put it
all on the table -- and I took the heat. // Now, I will continue
to press for a budget that proves to the American people that we
can -- and will -- bring this deficit down. //
6
The test comes three days from now: Congress' budget bill
must be passed by both houses no later than October 19. Here is
what I will accept: This agreement must be consistent with the
Bipartisan Budget Agreement reached two weeks ago -- produced on
a bipartisan basis. And include pro-growth incentives to propel
the economy. It must deliver real savings through real -- not
phony -- spending cuts -- cuts that are enforceable. And any
budget I sign must include the significant budget process reforms
hammered out in the bipartisan budget agreement.
Let me reiterate: I could't be more serious about the
October 19 deadline. Eleven days ago, with no budget agreement,
I shut down the government to keep the pressure on. If Congress
doesn't send me a sound budget that ensures long-term growth, I
will use my veto pen again. Two more things: This budget must
not mess with Social Security. // ( (In this Administration, it's
as untouchable as Bo Schembechler's place in Michigan football
history.) )) 11 Finally, I will veto any plan which does not
ensure crucial funds for Operation Desert Shield. //
When I was here three weeks ago, I spoke of Michigan's sons
and daughters now on active duty in Saudi Arabia -- saying,
"These men and women reflect the vital essence of our mission.
They show that America would not be the land of the free if it
were not also the home of the brave." // We intend to stand by
those who stand up for what is right, and good. So America will
remain in the Persian Gulf for as long it takes to complete our
mission. // Above all, we will keep the faith. Faith with our
7
friends. Faith with the United Nations. Faith with the greatest
servicemen and women any Nation could have. 11
Twenty days from now, we must keep faith with America. By
rejecting the hand of Big Government in favor of a thousand
points of light. So let's canvas / contribute / and urge others
to the polls. Echoing those words of Grand Rapid's favorite
President: "It is the Republican Party's golden opportunity,"
said Jerry Ford, "to prove that it has the resolution to rouse
the nation's greatness -- and the will to win elections." //
Fellow Republicans, let's show our resolution -- and our
will. Let's keep a Republican majority in the Michigan State
Senate -- and win a majority in the House of Representatives. //
Let's elect Bill Schuette as U.S. Senator. And let's send the
right man to Lansing. We know what he can do. Let's elect John
Engler the next Governor of the State of Michigan. 11
With your help, we can make November 6 a great day for
Michigan and our Nation. Thank you for all you've done, and will
do in the future. And God bless the United States of America.
#
#
#
#