Bush Says Economy Improving

By Dan Gorenstein on Friday, August 6, 2004.

listen:

President Bush traveled to Stratham today and met with a few thousand supporters.

New Hampshire Public Radio's Dan Gorenstein reports.

Sfx: crowd noise

The familiar John Philip Souza music welcomed the some 3000 thousand people who came to hear President Bush.

The President began his 45 minute speech with some self-deprecation.

He told the crowd to vote for him to put his wife Laura in the White House for another four years.

But much of Mr. Bush's talk covered the topic on most people's minds, terrorism and the war in Iraq.

In an effort to distinguish his thinking from his challenger John Kerry, the President said he strongly disagrees the war in Iraq helps terrorist organization recruit new members.

He called it upside down logic.

35:20 it's wrong to blame American for the angle and the evil of the killers. We don't create the terrorists by fighting back, we defeat the terrorists by fighting back.

In addition to the war, the President touted his No Child Left Behind legislation, the new Medicare plan and the tax cuts he championed.

But what really inspired the crowd was when Mr. Bush obliquely referenced his opposition to gay marriage.

T.11
40:22 ....We belive in the institutions that give us direction and purpose, our families, our schools anad our religious congregations. These are fundamental to our lives, and they deserve the respect of government.
we stand for institutions like marriage and family, which are the foundation of society.(applause)

In light of the recent news that the economy failed to add as many jobs as expected, the President told the crowd there is still work to be done.

Many walked away from the speech content with the Bush's performance.

Even though Manchester resident Ed Stonkel doesn't agree with the President on everything, he says, eh just likes the guy.

2:37 I am a senior citizen, he can't do a lot to my tax base unless I should win the lottery...I do not agree with him on his medicare plan. His Medicare plan is going to do buptkis for anybody. I just like his general policy on everything across the board.

When asked why he was going to vote for the President in November Stonkel, like many who support the President, said it's the war.

:22 I am not going to change ships in mid-streams. If we change administrations, we are going to change policy. If we change policy we are going to revert and have to start all over again.

Mr. Bush now heads to Maine, where he is expected to attend his nephews wedding.
For NHPR News, I'm DG.