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CNN Live Saturday

Worldwide Protests Against Iraq War On First Anniversary Of Conflict; President Bush Campaigns In Florida; Pakistani Troops Capture 100 Al Qaeda Suspects

Aired March 20, 2004 - 12:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It is noon in Orlando Florida and 10:00 p.m. in Pakistan, I'm Fredricka Whitfield. Welcome to CNN LIVE SATURDAY. Ahead this hour:
That fierce firefight in Pakistan, the latest on efforts to capture of kill a top al-Qaeda leader.

Also, from London to New York, to Tokyo worldwide protests against the war in Iraq. A live report on demonstrations in the U.S.

Later, the war in Iraq, one year later. A family member, a loved one killed in the first hours of the war. A look at the soldier's special request on burial.

But first, the headlines.

In his quest for reelection, President Bush visits the state that decided his battle against Al Gore four years ago. Mr. Bush is in Orlando, Florida, at this hour, for what's being called the campaign's first grassroots mobilization rally. It's the president's 20th visit to the Sunshine State since he took off, it's about 100,000 that are expected there.

President Bush's decision to wage war on Iraq is still stirring anger a year after the first bombs fell. Protesters are on the march around the world, today. This demonstration, right here, in New York City.

Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian has won reelection by a narrow margin, but the fight may not be over. Mr. Chen's challenger calls the election unfair and he's pushing for a recount. The Taiwanese presentiment survived an assignation attempt yesterday when grazed by a bullet on the final day of campaigning. His running mate was also shot. Neither injuries were life threatening.

We begin with a battle in a remote region on Pakistan, its troops are on the hunt for al-Qeada forces. Dozens of suspected members of the terror group are now in custody. CNN's Ash-har Quraishi is keeping track of the developments from Islamabad -- Ash-har.

ASH-HAR QURAISHI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well Fredricka, military officials say they've gone into a fifth day of heavy fighting, in the area known as South Waziristan, in the northwest of Bagasan (PH) in that tribal belt along the boarder with Afghanistan. Now they've been still 00 they've been meeting -- they've met with stiff resistance from these hundreds of suspected al-Qaeda fighters, who say have been helped by some of the local tribesmen in the area. Now, there has been some progress made, they say. They have been able to clear about eight compounds in this area, and they have captured about 100 suspects, including foreign fighters and a local tribesman. They say that this operation is on going, it is continuing. They are pounding this area, as they have been for the last few days. They're using artillery, as well as, gunfire and has brought in Cobra helicopters gunships, so this has been a very, very heavy operation, one of the heaviest that the Pakistani military has undertaken in these tribal areas since going in, just last year.

Now, there is still some uncertainty as to whether or not the high-value target still in this area. Officials said that it is possible an escape could have been made, but they haven't said that -- that high-value target is known to escape. There's a lot of uncertainty at this point. They say they have gotten radio intercepts that indicated the possibility of a high-ranking Uzbek or Chechen militants, as well, they're not saying either way publicly about the presence of Ayman al-Zawahri, Osama bin Laden's No. 2, although privately intelligence sources maintain that they believe Ayman al- Zawahri was in this area when this operation began. So, they say, until the area is cleared, until they have finished the fighting and the bullets have stopped coming, they will not be able to assess the situation and get a very clear picture as to what that high-value target was -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: Ash-har Quraishi, thanks very much, from Islamabad.

Well, that Pakistani operation is taking place in a remote mountainous region in the northwest. In an interview with Aaron Brown, an official with Pakistan's army says, there's no way out for the suspected al-Qaeda leaders.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AARON BROWN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: How much certainty do you feel that those two, three, 400 al-Qaeda fighters, however many are there, cannot escape?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think with a great certainty I can say that they cannot escape because the kind of sanitization of the area that we have done and (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

BROWN: Do you believe they'll surrender?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Either they'll surrender or they get eliminated.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Straight ahead, what role is the United States playing in Pakistan's hunt for suspected al-Qaeda fighters? We'll hear from terror expert Jim Walsh, coming up.

The world turns its attention to Iraq 366 days into the coalition effort, there. Here's a brief thumbnail sketch:

Baghdad is under a military clampdown after a series of anti- coalition attacks this week in Baghdad. U.S. tanks rolled through the city and helicopters petrol overhead. All this while Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein, remains in coalition custody after his capture last December. The U.S. has found no weapons of mass destruction, the original pretext for the war. And the U.S. troop death toll in Iraq is not 570.

Peace activists are marking the anniversary with marches in several places in New York. Police are also out in force trying to maintain the peace. Adaore Udoji is midtown manhattan, right now for us -- Adaora.

ADAORA UDOJI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Fredricka, indeed it's a brilliantly sunny day here in New York City. We're at Madison Square Park, which is actually on the east side of New York City. And, hundreds have been gathering for the last hour, getting ready for that anti-war rally to mark the anniversary of the U.S. invasion into Iraq, amid incredible security. We've seen hundreds of police officers panned out this morning, so far.

Now, today's events are being organization by a group called United for Peace and Justice, which is essentially an umbrella organization made up of over 700 activist groups, that's labor unions, students, and religious groups and interestingly, including military families who are opposed to the war in Iraq. They are calling it "The World Says No" rally. And, NYPD sources, that's New York Police Department sources, as long as -- as well as the organizer are expecting roughly 50,000 people to show up.

Today, they are going to first start with a rally and the headline speaker there is democratic presidential candidate, Dennis Kucinich, who has been highly critical of the war on Iraq, and they also have a member -- a former member of the British Parliament who will be speaking, as well as leaders of family groups of both 9/11 victims, as well as, families of -- those military families who are opposed to the war. The purpose, they say, is to highlight a couple of things. One is the toll the war has taken in terms of life with over 500 deaths and over 3,000 American soldiers injured, so far, in that war. And also, to highlight the costs of the war, as well as, the continuing issues about the intelligence that the Bush administration put forth in order to make the argument to go to war a year ago.

They are planning, the United for Peace and Justice, are actually planning 250 rallies across the country. Notably, in Fort Bragg which is one of the U.S.'s largest military bases -- military families there are organizing a rally and protest today. And also, another rally planned for Crawford, Texas, the home of President Bush.

So, a lot going on today, Fredricka, and we'll be here to watch it all.

WHITFIELD: And Adaora, shortly after the rally or gathering port -- point right there in midtown, will they be marching so many blocks? UDOJI: Exactly. They were issued a permit to be walking about 40 blocks. They are going to walk in a corner. So, at first we'll have the rally, which would be, we expect, to get underway somewhere around 1:00 and then they will be marching in essentially a rectangular, and that permit says the activities for today must end at 6:00.

WHITFIELD: All right, Adaora Udoji, thank you very much from midtown, Manhattan.

Well, New York is not alone. Australia kicked off the wave of international protests, about 5,000 gathered in Sydney. They called on the government to pull its 1,000 troops out of the coalition. Brisbane, Melbourne, and Perth saw similar protests.

In the Philippines, riot police used water canons to hold off a march on a U.S. embassy in Manila, no injuries reported

A demonstration sponsored by left wing groups in Italy drew thousands to the streets of Rome. The demonstrators were demanding the immediate withdrawal of Italian peacekeeping troops in Iraq.

Protesters express anti-American sentiments in Cairo's main square by burning the U.S. flag, there. Riot police cordoned off the area during the event.

London, Madrid, Tokyo, Bangkok, and Seoul also witnessed protests, today.

On the campaign trail, we want to take you straight to Orlando, Florida, and that's where President Bush is right there behind his brother, Governor Jeb Bush. And President Bush returning to this state, the state that was pivotal in helping to decide his presidency. Here he is attending this rally, which is considered to be a mobilizing -- a grassroots mobilizing effort to try and increase the recruiting, as well as, registration of voters. This is not considered a campaign fundraising event, instead, one of mobilization. Let's bring in our Kathleen Koch who is traveling with the president to get more on the perspective there. About 100,000 are expected, Kathleen?

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, not quite a 100,000. We're talking about 12,000 supporters here who are jamming the bleachers in the Orange County Convention Center. Still that's quite a significant number in this city on a gorgeous spring sunny day. Now, this is the president's 20th visit to the state of Florida, as you pointed out. The state where is brother is governor and very pivotal to his 2000 victory. Now as you also pointed out, this is not a fundraiser, though, that is not very important to this president, who's already managed to amass some $150 million for his reelection efforts. That's about I triple what his opponent John Kerry has managed to pull in, thus far. In his speech, this morning, the president is expected to again take on Senator Kerry's record charging him as being someone who is a waffler. Calling him "soft on defense" and someone who will raise taxes. Of course the senator takes issues with those allegations saying they are misleading distortions of his record.

Now, we're also told that the president will talk about his positive vision for the future. He'll also talk about the commitment to winning the war on terror and on economy that the president says is strong and getting stronger. Democratic critics, however, point out that the president's economic policies have done more harm than good, particularly here in Florida that has lost some 70,000 manufacturing jobs since President Bush became president. In greater Orlando, here alone, the unemployment rate has nearly doubled during that time going from two-and-a-half percent in 2000 to four point four percent in 2004.

Still, the Republican National Committee has really been putting on a full court press, here in central Florida. Over the last four or five months -- and they say this is a model they are going to be following around the country -- over that time period they say they have managed to recruit 2,000 new volunteer, register 600 new voters, and also persuade some 200 Floridians, at least they claim, to switch parties.

Now, they say that when this rally wraps up later on this morning about 2,000 people are going to stay behind, half of them working phone banks and then half of them going and knocking on doors. They hope to reach out to another 30,000 Floridians by the end of the day. So this, a major event, a major rallying effort for the Bush-Cheney campaign.

WHITFIELD: And, Kathleen, we're seeing the first lady, Laura Bush, who is about to introduce her husband and until she does that let's continue to chat a little bit.

If you looked at today's "New York Times" you notice that sources are being quoted from the Bush-Cheney campaign that this really does mark the official start of the president's campaigning, that they really are on the offensive launching -- about to launch a lot more ads to try and discredit Kerry's record, that may be the focus of this campaign, at least through June.

KOCH: Well, the Bush campaign believes that this is a really critical time, that in the months March, April, May, up until summer when people begin taking their vacations, leaving town and not really focusing on the news, reading the newspaper, watching television -- this is the time to really -- to frame John Kerry in the way they hope to. They've really believed that many Americans don't have a clear picture of who their democratic opponent John Kerry is. And so they believe they have this opportunity, this very limited opportunity in their mind, to really paint their own image of who John Kerry is and hope it will stick.

WHITFIELD: And what is Bush's political strategist Karl Rove saying the strategy they are taking, that they really do want to spend the next few months on talking about the democratic leading contender as opposed to talking about the issues or the actions that President Bush has taken to improve American lives during his presidency?

KOCH: Well, I don't think really Fredricka, it's fair to say it's an either or prospect. When travel with President Bush, as I have been extensively over the last several months, you hear him now recently, not only taking on his opponent, but he does really campaign on what he believes are the issues. He speaks out on his plan for the economy, the need for making his tax cut permanent, something that he believes will help continue the economic recovery. He talks very much about what is the strong suit with voters, that is his record on defense, on the war on terror, so you hear that in virtually every speech. So, it's not as if when he goes on the road and takes his message to voters -- even when he goes and speaks to these campaign, these fundraising events, he doesn't just target John Kerry, they're much more wide-ranging focuses of the speeches.

WHITFIELD: So, can you give us a sense, then, how the Bush White House is trying to respond to the critics that President Bush is taking this approach to deflect from the issues?

KOCH: Well, I think the president would point to the fact that he does spend the majority of his time, during the week, dealing with the people's business. Being the president in Washington, attending to the matters of the country, and in the recent last couple of months, goes on the road, one, maybe two days a week again, also, attending events that focus on the economy, focus on jobs, focus on education...

WHITFIELD: OK.

KOCH: Focus on issues that are important to the president. Who is now taking the podium?

WHITFIELD: All right, Kathleen Koch, perfect timing. Now President Bush in Orlando at the Convention Center.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Thank you all. Thanks for coming.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: Turns out the crowd is always a little bigger when Laura comes along. America loves her almost as much as I love her.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: I think she deserves four more years as the first lady. It is great to be back in the great state of Florida, again. Big election coming up and I thought I'd come down for a little spring training.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: It's always a good chance to be with brother. He's a great governor of this great state.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: Like me, he married well. I appreciate Colu being here as well. (APPLAUSE)

BUSH: I used to say that Jeb was the coolest governor in the country, that's until Arnold got elected. Speaking about great leaders, I made a really good choice when I asked Dick Cheney to be my running mate.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: He and I are grateful for the many strong supporters we have here in Florida. We're going to be spending some quality time in this state.

WHITFIELD: All right, President Bush there attracting about 12,000 people at the Orlando Convention Center, there. He's returning to the state that helped determine his presidency and the effort here is considered the Bush-Cheney campaign's first grassroots mobilization rally, this kind of getting the ball rolling as they try to encourage recruiting and voter registration.

Now, on to the democratic candidate and his activities. John Kerry suspends his White House challenge to battle some slushy snow in Idaho. The presidential candidate is spending some downtime snowboarding during a vacation in Ketchum. Kerry told reporters the deep wet snow made the going tough in a few places, but he handled it. Meanwhile other democrats are carrying his campaign message blaming the president for the loss of manufacturing jobs.

Michigan's democratic governor Jennifer Granholm gave today's radio address.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

JENNIFER GRANHOLM (D), MICHIGAN: After losing over 2.7 million manufacturing jobs over the last four years, all the Bush administration can say is that shipping jobs overseas is a positive development. They continue to negotiate trade deals with no core labor and environmental standards, trade deals that speed the export of American jobs to other countries. They cut funding for job training and retraining for workers who have lost theirs.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: And Kerry returns to Washington in the middle of next week to attend a Democratic Party fund raising gala.

Well, the hunt for al-Qaeda fighters in Pakistan rages on. What role is the U.S. taking? A closer look.

Around the clock and around the world today, cries of protest against the war in Iraq. We're taking you to the various stages.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Updating our top story. A day's old battle in Pakistan rages on. Pakistani forces are on the hunt for al-Qaeda fighters holed up in a remote area near the border with Afghanistan. Officials say about 100 al-Qaeda suspects are now in custody. Several hundred others are believed to be in the area. Pakistani government sources say the troops have sustained significant casualties. The al- Qaeda suspects have the high ground in the mountainous battle zone make it more difficult for the Pakistani troops.

We want to take you back to Orlando, the Convention Center, and that's where President Bush is speaking.

BUSH: He's an experienced senator. And he's built up quite a record. In fact senator Kerry has been in Washington long enough to take both sides on just about every issue.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: Senator Kerry voted for the Patriot Act, for NAFTA, for the no child left behind act and for the use of force in Iraq. Now, he opposed the Patriot Act, NAFTA, the no child left behind act and liberation of Iraq. My opponent clearly feels strongly about each of these issues. So, strongly that one position is never just enough. He demonstrated the technique the other day. Someone asked Senator Kerry why he voted against the $87 billion funding bill to help our troops in Iraq. Here's what he said: "I actually did vote for the 87 billion before I voted against it." End of quote.

That sure clears things up, doesn't it? His answers aren't always clear, but the voters will have a very clear choice in this campaign.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: It is the choice between -- it's a choice between keeping the tax relief that is moving this economy forward or putting the burden of higher taxes back on the American people. It is a choice between an America that leads the world with strength and confidence.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: Or an America that is uncertain in the face of danger. Now, I look forward to this debate. I look forward to this campaign. I'm looking forward to talking about what we've accomplished and what we're going to do. And the -- in the past three years we've achieved great things and most important we have a positive vision for the years ahead.

A positive vision for winning the war against terror. A positive vision for extending peace and freedom throughout our world. A positive vision for creating jobs and promoting opportunity and compassion, here at home. We will leave, no doubt, where we stand, we will win on the 2nd of November.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: The last three years have brought serious challenges, and we have given serious answers. We came to office with a stock market in decline and an economy heading into recession. We delivered historic tax relief and now our economy is the fastest growing of any major industrialized nation. We had to confront corporate crimes that cost people their jobs and their savings. We passed strong corporate reforms, and we made it clear we will not tolerate dishonesty in the boardrooms of America.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: We saw war and grief arrive on a quiet September morning. So, we pursued the terrorist enemy across the world. We have captured or killed many or the key leaders of the al-Qaeda network.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: And the rest of them will know there is no cave or hole deep enough to hide from American justice.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: We confronted the dangers of state-sponsored terror and the spread of weapons of mass destruction. So, we ended two of the most violent and dangerous regimes on earth. We freed over 50 million people, once again America is proud to lead the armies of liberation.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: When Dick Cheney and I came to Washington, we found a military that was underfunded and underappreciated. So, we gave our military the resources and respect they deserve.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: Today, no one can question the skill and the strength and the spirit of the U.S. military.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: It is a -- it is the president's job to confront problems not to pass them on to future presidents or future generations.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: It is the president's job to step up and make the tough decisions and to keep his commitments and that is how I will continue to lead our great nation.

(APPLAUSE)

CROWD: Four more years!

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The great events will turn on this election. The man who sits in the Oval Office will set the course of the war on terror and the direction of our economy. Security and prosperity of America are at stake. The other side hadn't offered much in the way of strategies to win the war or policies to expand our economy. So far all we hear from that side is bitterness and partisan anger. Anger is not an agenda for the future of America.

(APPLAUSE)

We will take on the big issues with optimism, and resolve, and determination. And we will make it clear to the American people we stand ready to lead this nation for four more years.

(APPLAUSE)

A big issue for every family in America is the federal tax burden. The largest tax relief since Ronald Reagan was president, we have left more money in the hands that earned it.

(APPLAUSE)

By spending, and investing, and helping to create new jobs, the American people have used their money far better than the federal government would have.

(APPLAUSE)

Oh, I know there are some economic pessimists who refuse to accept good news about our economy, but I'm optimistic. I'll tell you why. I know what we've overcome. I've seen the spirit of the American people. I've seen Americans overcome economic challenges, and because of good policies and the hard work of the American people, our economy is strong and it is growing stronger.

(APPLAUSE)

Economic growth in the second half of 2003 was the fastest in nearly 20 years. Manufacturing activity is increasing. Business investment is rising. Disposable income is rising. Inflation is low. Interest rates are low. Home ownership is at the highest rate ever.

Job creation is gaining strength. We've added more than 350,000 new jobs over the last six months. The tax relief we passed is working.

(APPLAUSE)

My opponent has a different view of tax relief. When we passed an increase in the child credit to help families, he voted against it. When we reduced the marriage penalty, he voted against it.

When we created a lower 10 percent tax rate for working families, he voted against it. When we reduced the tax rate on dividends that many seniors depend on, Senator Kerry voted against it. When we gave small businesses a tax incentive to expand and to hire, he voted against it.

We're beginning to see a pattern here. Senator Kerry is one of the main opponents of tax relief in the United States Congress. However, when tax increases are proposed, it's a lot easier to get a yes vote out of him. Over the years, he's voted over 350 times for higher taxes on the American people, including the biggest tax increase in American history. He also supported a 50-cent gallon tax on gasoline. He wanted you to pay all that money at the pump, and he wouldn't even throw in a free car wash.

Now, Senator Kerry is proposing a lot of new federal spending in his campaign. He's going to have to pay for it somehow. There's a gap between Senator Kerry's spending promises and Senator Kerry's promise of a lower deficit. It's what I call a tax gap.

Given Senator Kerry's record of supporting tax increases, it's pretty clear how he's going to fill the tax gap. He's going to tax all of you. Fortunately, you're not going to give him that chance.

(APPLAUSE)

Higher taxes right now would undermine growth and destroy jobs just as our economy is getting stronger. It's bad policy. To help grow the American economy and create more jobs for American workers, I have a better idea. We should make all the tax cuts permanent.

(APPLAUSE)

We must do more to keep this economy growing to create jobs. We need to maintain spending discipline in our nation's capital. I've got a plan that protects small business owners and employees from frivolous and junk lawsuits and needless regulation.

(APPLAUSE)

We have a plan to control the cost of health care, and get people better access through association health care plans and health savings accounts. And in order to control health care costs, and to make sure docs are available, we need national medical liability reform now.

(APPLAUSE)

We have a strategy to make sure Florida goods are sold in markets all around the world. I proposed a straight strategy to make sure our nation has a sound energy plan, a plan that encourages conservation, a plan that modernizes the electricity system, a plan to make America less dependent on foreign sources of energy.

(APPLAUSE)

You know, they talk a lot about job creation. My opponent talks about it, but he's against every one of these job-creating measures. Empty talk about jobs and economic isolationism won't get anyone hired. The way to create jobs is to re-elect a pro-growth, pro- entrepreneur, small-business president, and that's George W. Bush.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: Our future also depends on America's leadership in the world. The momentum of freedom in our time is strong. But we still face serious dangers.

Al Qaeda is wounded but not broken. Terrorists are testing our will in Afghanistan and Iraq. Regimes in North Korea and Iran are challenging the peace. If America shows weakness and uncertainty in this decade, the world will drift toward tragedy. This will not happen on my watch.

(APPLAUSE)

This nation is strong and confident in the cause of freedom. And today, no friend or enemy doubts the word of the United States of America.

(APPLAUSE)

America and our allies gave an ultimatum to the terror regime in Afghanistan. The Taliban chose defiance, and the Taliban no longer are in power.

(APPLAUSE)

America and our allies gave an ultimatum to the terror regime in Iraq. The dictator chose defiance. And the dictator today sits in a prison cell.

(APPLAUSE)

September the 11th, 2001, taught a lesson I will never forget. America must confront threats before they fully materialize. In Iraq, my administration looked at the intelligence and we saw a threat. Members of Congress looked at the intelligence, and they saw a threat. The United Nations Security Council looked at the intelligence, and it saw a threat.

The previous administration and Congress looked at the intelligence and made regime change in Iraq the policy of our government. In 2002, the United Nations Security Council yet again demanded a full accounting of Saddam Hussein's weapons programs, and as he had for over a decade, Saddam Hussein refused to comply.

So we had a choice to make. Either take the word of a madman, or to take action to defend America. Faced with that choice, I will defend America every time.

(APPLAUSE)

My opponent admits that Saddam Hussein was a threat. He just didn't support my decision to remove Saddam from power. Maybe he was hoping Saddam would lose the next Iraqi election.

(LAUGHTER)

We showed the dictator and the waiting world that America means what it says. Because our coalition acted, Saddam Hussein's torture chambers are closed. Because we acted, Iraq's weapons programs are ended forever. Because we acted, nations like Libya have gotten the message and renounced their own weapons programs.

(APPLAUSE)

Because we acted, an example of democracy is rising at the very heart of the Middle East. Because we acted, the world is more free and America is more secure.

(APPLAUSE)

We still face thugs and terrorists in Iraq who would rather go on killing the innocent than accept the advance of liberty. There's a reason. They know that a free Iraq will be a major defeat for the cause of terror. This collection of killers is trying to shake the will of the United States.

They don't understand us. America will never be intimidated by thugs and assassins.

(APPLAUSE)

We are aggressively striking the terrorists in Iraq. We're on the offensive. We will defeat them there so we do not have to face them in our own cities.

Other nations are helping us to build a free society in Iraq, because a free Iraq will make us all safer. We're standing with the Iraqi people. As they assume more of their own defense and move toward self-government, these aren't easy tasks. But they're essential tasks. America will finish what we have begun, and we will win this essential victory in the war on terror.

(APPLAUSE)

On national security, Americans have the clearest possible choice. My opponent says he approves the bold action in the world, but only if other countries don't object. I'm all for united action, and so are our 34 coalition partners in Iraq right now.

(APPLAUSE)

Yet America must never outsource America's national security decisions to the leaders of other countries. Some are skeptical that the war on terror is really a war at all. Senator Kerry said, and I quote, "The war on terror is far less of a military operation and far more of an intelligence-gathering, law enforcement operation."

I disagree. I disagree. Our nation followed this approach after the World Trade Center was bombed in 1993. The matter was handled in the courts, and thought by some to be settled. The terrorists were still training Afghanistan. They're still plotting in other nations. They're still drawing up more ambitious plans. After the chaos and carnage of September the 11th, it is not enough to serve our enemies with legal papers.

(APPLAUSE)

With those attacks, the terrorists and supporters declared war on the United States of America, and war is what they got.

(APPLAUSE)

Our men and women in the military are taking great risks, and they're doing great work.

(APPLAUSE)

At bases across our country and the world, I have had the privilege of meeting with those who defend our country and sacrifice for our security. I've seen their great decency and unselfish courage, and I can assure you, ladies and gentlemen, the cause of freedom is in good hands.

(APPLAUSE)

This nation is prosperous and strong, yet we need to remember that our greatest strength is in the hearts and souls of our fellow citizens. We're strong because of the values we try to live by: courage and compassion, reverence and integrity.

We are strong because of the institutions that help give us direction and purpose: families, and schools, and religious congregations. These values and institutions -- these values and institutions are fundamental to our lives, and they deserve the respect of our government.

We stand for the fair treatment of faith-based groups, so that they can receive federal support for their works of compassion and healing. We will not stand for discrimination by the federal government against people of faith.

(APPLAUSE)

We stand for welfare reforms that require work and strength in marriage, which have helped millions of Americans find their independence and dignity. We will not stand for any attempt to weaken those reforms and send people back into lives of dependence.

(APPLAUSE) We stand for a culture of life in which every person counts and every person matters. We will not stand for the treatment of any life as a commodity to be experimented upon, or exploited, or cloned.

(APPLAUSE)

We stand for the confirmation of judges who strictfully -- strictly and faithfully interpret the law.

(APPLAUSE)

We will not stand for judges who undermine democracy by legislating from the bench, or judges who try to remake the values of America by court-order. BUSH: We stand for a culture of responsibility in America. It's a culture of a country that's changing from one that has said, "If it feels good, do it, and if you've got a problem, blame somebody else," to a culture in which each of us understands we are responsible for the decisions we make in life.

If you are fortunate enough to be a mother or a father, you're responsible for loving your child with all your heart. If you're worrying about the quality of the education in the community in which you live, you're responsible for doing something about it.

(APPLAUSE)

If you're a CEO in corporate America, you're responsible for telling the truth to your shareholders and your employees. And in the responsibility society, each of us is responsible for loving our neighbor, just like we'd like to be loved ourselves.

(APPLAUSE)

For all Americans, these years in our history will always stand apart. There are quiet times in the life of a nation and when little is expected of the leaders. This is not one of those times.

You and I are living in a period when the stakes are high, the challenges are difficult, the time when resolve is needed. None of us will ever forget -- none of us will ever forget that week when one era ended and another began.

On September the 14th, 2001, I stood in the ruins at the Twin Towers. I'll never forget that day. One guy pointed at me and said, "Don't let me down." Workers in hard hats were shouting, "Whatever it takes." And as we all did that day, these men and women searching through the rubble took it personally. I took it personally.

I have a responsibility that goes on. I will never relent in bringing justice to our enemies. I will defend the security of America whatever it takes.

(APPLAUSE)

In these times, I've also been witness to the character of this nation. Not so long ago, some had their doubts about the American character, our capacity to meet serious challenges, or to serve a cause greater than self-interest. But Americans have given their answer. I've seen the unselfish courage of our troops. I've seen the heroism of Americans in the face of danger. I've seen the spirit of sacrifice and compassion renewed in our country. We've all seen our country unite in common purpose when it mattered most.

We'll need all these qualities for the work ahead. We have a war to win. The world is counting on us to lead the cause of freedom and peace. We have a duty to spread opportunity to every corner of America. With your help, we're going to share our message of optimism and national strength with every voter in the state of Florida. (APPLAUSE)

I'm looking forward to this campaign ahead. I'm going to give it my all. And I'm counting -- I'm counting on you all to do the same.

(APPLAUSE)

Talk to your friends. Talk to your neighbors. Get out the word. Ask people to join our cause, to participate in democracy. With you at my side, there is no doubt in my mind we're headed to a victory on November the 2nd.

Thank you for coming. God bless.

President Bush taking the credit for the war in Iraq, the ongoing war on terrorism as well as confronting corporate crime and more importantly says an economy that is grow faster than in any other industrialized nation. He's at the Orlando Convention Center there along with the first laid, Laura Bush. This is the springboard, the official springboard for his campaign as well as the Bush/Cheney strategy to be on the offensive in terms of its leading Democratic contender, John Kerry. John Kerry by the way, who is vacationing in Idaho who was about to launch a 20-city fund raising tour.

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: President Bush on the other hand will be spending less time fund raising over the next coming months, some eight months to go before election day. He has about $150 million in the campaigning coffers, instead, President Bush and the White House team says they will be concentrating on campaigning, recruiting, as well as trying to register more voters. We'll be right back.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com




Of Conflict; President Bush Campaigns In Florida; Pakistani Troops Capture 100 Al Qaeda Suspects>


Aired March 20, 2004 - 12:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It is noon in Orlando Florida and 10:00 p.m. in Pakistan, I'm Fredricka Whitfield. Welcome to CNN LIVE SATURDAY. Ahead this hour:
That fierce firefight in Pakistan, the latest on efforts to capture of kill a top al-Qaeda leader.

Also, from London to New York, to Tokyo worldwide protests against the war in Iraq. A live report on demonstrations in the U.S.

Later, the war in Iraq, one year later. A family member, a loved one killed in the first hours of the war. A look at the soldier's special request on burial.

But first, the headlines.

In his quest for reelection, President Bush visits the state that decided his battle against Al Gore four years ago. Mr. Bush is in Orlando, Florida, at this hour, for what's being called the campaign's first grassroots mobilization rally. It's the president's 20th visit to the Sunshine State since he took off, it's about 100,000 that are expected there.

President Bush's decision to wage war on Iraq is still stirring anger a year after the first bombs fell. Protesters are on the march around the world, today. This demonstration, right here, in New York City.

Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian has won reelection by a narrow margin, but the fight may not be over. Mr. Chen's challenger calls the election unfair and he's pushing for a recount. The Taiwanese presentiment survived an assignation attempt yesterday when grazed by a bullet on the final day of campaigning. His running mate was also shot. Neither injuries were life threatening.

We begin with a battle in a remote region on Pakistan, its troops are on the hunt for al-Qeada forces. Dozens of suspected members of the terror group are now in custody. CNN's Ash-har Quraishi is keeping track of the developments from Islamabad -- Ash-har.

ASH-HAR QURAISHI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well Fredricka, military officials say they've gone into a fifth day of heavy fighting, in the area known as South Waziristan, in the northwest of Bagasan (PH) in that tribal belt along the boarder with Afghanistan. Now they've been still 00 they've been meeting -- they've met with stiff resistance from these hundreds of suspected al-Qaeda fighters, who say have been helped by some of the local tribesmen in the area. Now, there has been some progress made, they say. They have been able to clear about eight compounds in this area, and they have captured about 100 suspects, including foreign fighters and a local tribesman. They say that this operation is on going, it is continuing. They are pounding this area, as they have been for the last few days. They're using artillery, as well as, gunfire and has brought in Cobra helicopters gunships, so this has been a very, very heavy operation, one of the heaviest that the Pakistani military has undertaken in these tribal areas since going in, just last year.

Now, there is still some uncertainty as to whether or not the high-value target still in this area. Officials said that it is possible an escape could have been made, but they haven't said that -- that high-value target is known to escape. There's a lot of uncertainty at this point. They say they have gotten radio intercepts that indicated the possibility of a high-ranking Uzbek or Chechen militants, as well, they're not saying either way publicly about the presence of Ayman al-Zawahri, Osama bin Laden's No. 2, although privately intelligence sources maintain that they believe Ayman al- Zawahri was in this area when this operation began. So, they say, until the area is cleared, until they have finished the fighting and the bullets have stopped coming, they will not be able to assess the situation and get a very clear picture as to what that high-value target was -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: Ash-har Quraishi, thanks very much, from Islamabad.

Well, that Pakistani operation is taking place in a remote mountainous region in the northwest. In an interview with Aaron Brown, an official with Pakistan's army says, there's no way out for the suspected al-Qaeda leaders.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AARON BROWN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: How much certainty do you feel that those two, three, 400 al-Qaeda fighters, however many are there, cannot escape?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think with a great certainty I can say that they cannot escape because the kind of sanitization of the area that we have done and (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

BROWN: Do you believe they'll surrender?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Either they'll surrender or they get eliminated.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Straight ahead, what role is the United States playing in Pakistan's hunt for suspected al-Qaeda fighters? We'll hear from terror expert Jim Walsh, coming up.

The world turns its attention to Iraq 366 days into the coalition effort, there. Here's a brief thumbnail sketch:

Baghdad is under a military clampdown after a series of anti- coalition attacks this week in Baghdad. U.S. tanks rolled through the city and helicopters petrol overhead. All this while Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein, remains in coalition custody after his capture last December. The U.S. has found no weapons of mass destruction, the original pretext for the war. And the U.S. troop death toll in Iraq is not 570.

Peace activists are marking the anniversary with marches in several places in New York. Police are also out in force trying to maintain the peace. Adaore Udoji is midtown manhattan, right now for us -- Adaora.

ADAORA UDOJI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Fredricka, indeed it's a brilliantly sunny day here in New York City. We're at Madison Square Park, which is actually on the east side of New York City. And, hundreds have been gathering for the last hour, getting ready for that anti-war rally to mark the anniversary of the U.S. invasion into Iraq, amid incredible security. We've seen hundreds of police officers panned out this morning, so far.

Now, today's events are being organization by a group called United for Peace and Justice, which is essentially an umbrella organization made up of over 700 activist groups, that's labor unions, students, and religious groups and interestingly, including military families who are opposed to the war in Iraq. They are calling it "The World Says No" rally. And, NYPD sources, that's New York Police Department sources, as long as -- as well as the organizer are expecting roughly 50,000 people to show up.

Today, they are going to first start with a rally and the headline speaker there is democratic presidential candidate, Dennis Kucinich, who has been highly critical of the war on Iraq, and they also have a member -- a former member of the British Parliament who will be speaking, as well as leaders of family groups of both 9/11 victims, as well as, families of -- those military families who are opposed to the war. The purpose, they say, is to highlight a couple of things. One is the toll the war has taken in terms of life with over 500 deaths and over 3,000 American soldiers injured, so far, in that war. And also, to highlight the costs of the war, as well as, the continuing issues about the intelligence that the Bush administration put forth in order to make the argument to go to war a year ago.

They are planning, the United for Peace and Justice, are actually planning 250 rallies across the country. Notably, in Fort Bragg which is one of the U.S.'s largest military bases -- military families there are organizing a rally and protest today. And also, another rally planned for Crawford, Texas, the home of President Bush.

So, a lot going on today, Fredricka, and we'll be here to watch it all.

WHITFIELD: And Adaora, shortly after the rally or gathering port -- point right there in midtown, will they be marching so many blocks? UDOJI: Exactly. They were issued a permit to be walking about 40 blocks. They are going to walk in a corner. So, at first we'll have the rally, which would be, we expect, to get underway somewhere around 1:00 and then they will be marching in essentially a rectangular, and that permit says the activities for today must end at 6:00.

WHITFIELD: All right, Adaora Udoji, thank you very much from midtown, Manhattan.

Well, New York is not alone. Australia kicked off the wave of international protests, about 5,000 gathered in Sydney. They called on the government to pull its 1,000 troops out of the coalition. Brisbane, Melbourne, and Perth saw similar protests.

In the Philippines, riot police used water canons to hold off a march on a U.S. embassy in Manila, no injuries reported

A demonstration sponsored by left wing groups in Italy drew thousands to the streets of Rome. The demonstrators were demanding the immediate withdrawal of Italian peacekeeping troops in Iraq.

Protesters express anti-American sentiments in Cairo's main square by burning the U.S. flag, there. Riot police cordoned off the area during the event.

London, Madrid, Tokyo, Bangkok, and Seoul also witnessed protests, today.

On the campaign trail, we want to take you straight to Orlando, Florida, and that's where President Bush is right there behind his brother, Governor Jeb Bush. And President Bush returning to this state, the state that was pivotal in helping to decide his presidency. Here he is attending this rally, which is considered to be a mobilizing -- a grassroots mobilizing effort to try and increase the recruiting, as well as, registration of voters. This is not considered a campaign fundraising event, instead, one of mobilization. Let's bring in our Kathleen Koch who is traveling with the president to get more on the perspective there. About 100,000 are expected, Kathleen?

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, not quite a 100,000. We're talking about 12,000 supporters here who are jamming the bleachers in the Orange County Convention Center. Still that's quite a significant number in this city on a gorgeous spring sunny day. Now, this is the president's 20th visit to the state of Florida, as you pointed out. The state where is brother is governor and very pivotal to his 2000 victory. Now as you also pointed out, this is not a fundraiser, though, that is not very important to this president, who's already managed to amass some $150 million for his reelection efforts. That's about I triple what his opponent John Kerry has managed to pull in, thus far. In his speech, this morning, the president is expected to again take on Senator Kerry's record charging him as being someone who is a waffler. Calling him "soft on defense" and someone who will raise taxes. Of course the senator takes issues with those allegations saying they are misleading distortions of his record.

Now, we're also told that the president will talk about his positive vision for the future. He'll also talk about the commitment to winning the war on terror and on economy that the president says is strong and getting stronger. Democratic critics, however, point out that the president's economic policies have done more harm than good, particularly here in Florida that has lost some 70,000 manufacturing jobs since President Bush became president. In greater Orlando, here alone, the unemployment rate has nearly doubled during that time going from two-and-a-half percent in 2000 to four point four percent in 2004.

Still, the Republican National Committee has really been putting on a full court press, here in central Florida. Over the last four or five months -- and they say this is a model they are going to be following around the country -- over that time period they say they have managed to recruit 2,000 new volunteer, register 600 new voters, and also persuade some 200 Floridians, at least they claim, to switch parties.

Now, they say that when this rally wraps up later on this morning about 2,000 people are going to stay behind, half of them working phone banks and then half of them going and knocking on doors. They hope to reach out to another 30,000 Floridians by the end of the day. So this, a major event, a major rallying effort for the Bush-Cheney campaign.

WHITFIELD: And, Kathleen, we're seeing the first lady, Laura Bush, who is about to introduce her husband and until she does that let's continue to chat a little bit.

If you looked at today's "New York Times" you notice that sources are being quoted from the Bush-Cheney campaign that this really does mark the official start of the president's campaigning, that they really are on the offensive launching -- about to launch a lot more ads to try and discredit Kerry's record, that may be the focus of this campaign, at least through June.

KOCH: Well, the Bush campaign believes that this is a really critical time, that in the months March, April, May, up until summer when people begin taking their vacations, leaving town and not really focusing on the news, reading the newspaper, watching television -- this is the time to really -- to frame John Kerry in the way they hope to. They've really believed that many Americans don't have a clear picture of who their democratic opponent John Kerry is. And so they believe they have this opportunity, this very limited opportunity in their mind, to really paint their own image of who John Kerry is and hope it will stick.

WHITFIELD: And what is Bush's political strategist Karl Rove saying the strategy they are taking, that they really do want to spend the next few months on talking about the democratic leading contender as opposed to talking about the issues or the actions that President Bush has taken to improve American lives during his presidency?

KOCH: Well, I don't think really Fredricka, it's fair to say it's an either or prospect. When travel with President Bush, as I have been extensively over the last several months, you hear him now recently, not only taking on his opponent, but he does really campaign on what he believes are the issues. He speaks out on his plan for the economy, the need for making his tax cut permanent, something that he believes will help continue the economic recovery. He talks very much about what is the strong suit with voters, that is his record on defense, on the war on terror, so you hear that in virtually every speech. So, it's not as if when he goes on the road and takes his message to voters -- even when he goes and speaks to these campaign, these fundraising events, he doesn't just target John Kerry, they're much more wide-ranging focuses of the speeches.

WHITFIELD: So, can you give us a sense, then, how the Bush White House is trying to respond to the critics that President Bush is taking this approach to deflect from the issues?

KOCH: Well, I think the president would point to the fact that he does spend the majority of his time, during the week, dealing with the people's business. Being the president in Washington, attending to the matters of the country, and in the recent last couple of months, goes on the road, one, maybe two days a week again, also, attending events that focus on the economy, focus on jobs, focus on education...

WHITFIELD: OK.

KOCH: Focus on issues that are important to the president. Who is now taking the podium?

WHITFIELD: All right, Kathleen Koch, perfect timing. Now President Bush in Orlando at the Convention Center.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Thank you all. Thanks for coming.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: Turns out the crowd is always a little bigger when Laura comes along. America loves her almost as much as I love her.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: I think she deserves four more years as the first lady. It is great to be back in the great state of Florida, again. Big election coming up and I thought I'd come down for a little spring training.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: It's always a good chance to be with brother. He's a great governor of this great state.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: Like me, he married well. I appreciate Colu being here as well. (APPLAUSE)

BUSH: I used to say that Jeb was the coolest governor in the country, that's until Arnold got elected. Speaking about great leaders, I made a really good choice when I asked Dick Cheney to be my running mate.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: He and I are grateful for the many strong supporters we have here in Florida. We're going to be spending some quality time in this state.

WHITFIELD: All right, President Bush there attracting about 12,000 people at the Orlando Convention Center, there. He's returning to the state that helped determine his presidency and the effort here is considered the Bush-Cheney campaign's first grassroots mobilization rally, this kind of getting the ball rolling as they try to encourage recruiting and voter registration.

Now, on to the democratic candidate and his activities. John Kerry suspends his White House challenge to battle some slushy snow in Idaho. The presidential candidate is spending some downtime snowboarding during a vacation in Ketchum. Kerry told reporters the deep wet snow made the going tough in a few places, but he handled it. Meanwhile other democrats are carrying his campaign message blaming the president for the loss of manufacturing jobs.

Michigan's democratic governor Jennifer Granholm gave today's radio address.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

JENNIFER GRANHOLM (D), MICHIGAN: After losing over 2.7 million manufacturing jobs over the last four years, all the Bush administration can say is that shipping jobs overseas is a positive development. They continue to negotiate trade deals with no core labor and environmental standards, trade deals that speed the export of American jobs to other countries. They cut funding for job training and retraining for workers who have lost theirs.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: And Kerry returns to Washington in the middle of next week to attend a Democratic Party fund raising gala.

Well, the hunt for al-Qaeda fighters in Pakistan rages on. What role is the U.S. taking? A closer look.

Around the clock and around the world today, cries of protest against the war in Iraq. We're taking you to the various stages.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Updating our top story. A day's old battle in Pakistan rages on. Pakistani forces are on the hunt for al-Qaeda fighters holed up in a remote area near the border with Afghanistan. Officials say about 100 al-Qaeda suspects are now in custody. Several hundred others are believed to be in the area. Pakistani government sources say the troops have sustained significant casualties. The al- Qaeda suspects have the high ground in the mountainous battle zone make it more difficult for the Pakistani troops.

We want to take you back to Orlando, the Convention Center, and that's where President Bush is speaking.

BUSH: He's an experienced senator. And he's built up quite a record. In fact senator Kerry has been in Washington long enough to take both sides on just about every issue.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: Senator Kerry voted for the Patriot Act, for NAFTA, for the no child left behind act and for the use of force in Iraq. Now, he opposed the Patriot Act, NAFTA, the no child left behind act and liberation of Iraq. My opponent clearly feels strongly about each of these issues. So, strongly that one position is never just enough. He demonstrated the technique the other day. Someone asked Senator Kerry why he voted against the $87 billion funding bill to help our troops in Iraq. Here's what he said: "I actually did vote for the 87 billion before I voted against it." End of quote.

That sure clears things up, doesn't it? His answers aren't always clear, but the voters will have a very clear choice in this campaign.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: It is the choice between -- it's a choice between keeping the tax relief that is moving this economy forward or putting the burden of higher taxes back on the American people. It is a choice between an America that leads the world with strength and confidence.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: Or an America that is uncertain in the face of danger. Now, I look forward to this debate. I look forward to this campaign. I'm looking forward to talking about what we've accomplished and what we're going to do. And the -- in the past three years we've achieved great things and most important we have a positive vision for the years ahead.

A positive vision for winning the war against terror. A positive vision for extending peace and freedom throughout our world. A positive vision for creating jobs and promoting opportunity and compassion, here at home. We will leave, no doubt, where we stand, we will win on the 2nd of November.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: The last three years have brought serious challenges, and we have given serious answers. We came to office with a stock market in decline and an economy heading into recession. We delivered historic tax relief and now our economy is the fastest growing of any major industrialized nation. We had to confront corporate crimes that cost people their jobs and their savings. We passed strong corporate reforms, and we made it clear we will not tolerate dishonesty in the boardrooms of America.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: We saw war and grief arrive on a quiet September morning. So, we pursued the terrorist enemy across the world. We have captured or killed many or the key leaders of the al-Qaeda network.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: And the rest of them will know there is no cave or hole deep enough to hide from American justice.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: We confronted the dangers of state-sponsored terror and the spread of weapons of mass destruction. So, we ended two of the most violent and dangerous regimes on earth. We freed over 50 million people, once again America is proud to lead the armies of liberation.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: When Dick Cheney and I came to Washington, we found a military that was underfunded and underappreciated. So, we gave our military the resources and respect they deserve.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: Today, no one can question the skill and the strength and the spirit of the U.S. military.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: It is a -- it is the president's job to confront problems not to pass them on to future presidents or future generations.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: It is the president's job to step up and make the tough decisions and to keep his commitments and that is how I will continue to lead our great nation.

(APPLAUSE)

CROWD: Four more years!

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The great events will turn on this election. The man who sits in the Oval Office will set the course of the war on terror and the direction of our economy. Security and prosperity of America are at stake. The other side hadn't offered much in the way of strategies to win the war or policies to expand our economy. So far all we hear from that side is bitterness and partisan anger. Anger is not an agenda for the future of America.

(APPLAUSE)

We will take on the big issues with optimism, and resolve, and determination. And we will make it clear to the American people we stand ready to lead this nation for four more years.

(APPLAUSE)

A big issue for every family in America is the federal tax burden. The largest tax relief since Ronald Reagan was president, we have left more money in the hands that earned it.

(APPLAUSE)

By spending, and investing, and helping to create new jobs, the American people have used their money far better than the federal government would have.

(APPLAUSE)

Oh, I know there are some economic pessimists who refuse to accept good news about our economy, but I'm optimistic. I'll tell you why. I know what we've overcome. I've seen the spirit of the American people. I've seen Americans overcome economic challenges, and because of good policies and the hard work of the American people, our economy is strong and it is growing stronger.

(APPLAUSE)

Economic growth in the second half of 2003 was the fastest in nearly 20 years. Manufacturing activity is increasing. Business investment is rising. Disposable income is rising. Inflation is low. Interest rates are low. Home ownership is at the highest rate ever.

Job creation is gaining strength. We've added more than 350,000 new jobs over the last six months. The tax relief we passed is working.

(APPLAUSE)

My opponent has a different view of tax relief. When we passed an increase in the child credit to help families, he voted against it. When we reduced the marriage penalty, he voted against it.

When we created a lower 10 percent tax rate for working families, he voted against it. When we reduced the tax rate on dividends that many seniors depend on, Senator Kerry voted against it. When we gave small businesses a tax incentive to expand and to hire, he voted against it.

We're beginning to see a pattern here. Senator Kerry is one of the main opponents of tax relief in the United States Congress. However, when tax increases are proposed, it's a lot easier to get a yes vote out of him. Over the years, he's voted over 350 times for higher taxes on the American people, including the biggest tax increase in American history. He also supported a 50-cent gallon tax on gasoline. He wanted you to pay all that money at the pump, and he wouldn't even throw in a free car wash.

Now, Senator Kerry is proposing a lot of new federal spending in his campaign. He's going to have to pay for it somehow. There's a gap between Senator Kerry's spending promises and Senator Kerry's promise of a lower deficit. It's what I call a tax gap.

Given Senator Kerry's record of supporting tax increases, it's pretty clear how he's going to fill the tax gap. He's going to tax all of you. Fortunately, you're not going to give him that chance.

(APPLAUSE)

Higher taxes right now would undermine growth and destroy jobs just as our economy is getting stronger. It's bad policy. To help grow the American economy and create more jobs for American workers, I have a better idea. We should make all the tax cuts permanent.

(APPLAUSE)

We must do more to keep this economy growing to create jobs. We need to maintain spending discipline in our nation's capital. I've got a plan that protects small business owners and employees from frivolous and junk lawsuits and needless regulation.

(APPLAUSE)

We have a plan to control the cost of health care, and get people better access through association health care plans and health savings accounts. And in order to control health care costs, and to make sure docs are available, we need national medical liability reform now.

(APPLAUSE)

We have a strategy to make sure Florida goods are sold in markets all around the world. I proposed a straight strategy to make sure our nation has a sound energy plan, a plan that encourages conservation, a plan that modernizes the electricity system, a plan to make America less dependent on foreign sources of energy.

(APPLAUSE)

You know, they talk a lot about job creation. My opponent talks about it, but he's against every one of these job-creating measures. Empty talk about jobs and economic isolationism won't get anyone hired. The way to create jobs is to re-elect a pro-growth, pro- entrepreneur, small-business president, and that's George W. Bush.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: Our future also depends on America's leadership in the world. The momentum of freedom in our time is strong. But we still face serious dangers.

Al Qaeda is wounded but not broken. Terrorists are testing our will in Afghanistan and Iraq. Regimes in North Korea and Iran are challenging the peace. If America shows weakness and uncertainty in this decade, the world will drift toward tragedy. This will not happen on my watch.

(APPLAUSE)

This nation is strong and confident in the cause of freedom. And today, no friend or enemy doubts the word of the United States of America.

(APPLAUSE)

America and our allies gave an ultimatum to the terror regime in Afghanistan. The Taliban chose defiance, and the Taliban no longer are in power.

(APPLAUSE)

America and our allies gave an ultimatum to the terror regime in Iraq. The dictator chose defiance. And the dictator today sits in a prison cell.

(APPLAUSE)

September the 11th, 2001, taught a lesson I will never forget. America must confront threats before they fully materialize. In Iraq, my administration looked at the intelligence and we saw a threat. Members of Congress looked at the intelligence, and they saw a threat. The United Nations Security Council looked at the intelligence, and it saw a threat.

The previous administration and Congress looked at the intelligence and made regime change in Iraq the policy of our government. In 2002, the United Nations Security Council yet again demanded a full accounting of Saddam Hussein's weapons programs, and as he had for over a decade, Saddam Hussein refused to comply.

So we had a choice to make. Either take the word of a madman, or to take action to defend America. Faced with that choice, I will defend America every time.

(APPLAUSE)

My opponent admits that Saddam Hussein was a threat. He just didn't support my decision to remove Saddam from power. Maybe he was hoping Saddam would lose the next Iraqi election.

(LAUGHTER)

We showed the dictator and the waiting world that America means what it says. Because our coalition acted, Saddam Hussein's torture chambers are closed. Because we acted, Iraq's weapons programs are ended forever. Because we acted, nations like Libya have gotten the message and renounced their own weapons programs.

(APPLAUSE)

Because we acted, an example of democracy is rising at the very heart of the Middle East. Because we acted, the world is more free and America is more secure.

(APPLAUSE)

We still face thugs and terrorists in Iraq who would rather go on killing the innocent than accept the advance of liberty. There's a reason. They know that a free Iraq will be a major defeat for the cause of terror. This collection of killers is trying to shake the will of the United States.

They don't understand us. America will never be intimidated by thugs and assassins.

(APPLAUSE)

We are aggressively striking the terrorists in Iraq. We're on the offensive. We will defeat them there so we do not have to face them in our own cities.

Other nations are helping us to build a free society in Iraq, because a free Iraq will make us all safer. We're standing with the Iraqi people. As they assume more of their own defense and move toward self-government, these aren't easy tasks. But they're essential tasks. America will finish what we have begun, and we will win this essential victory in the war on terror.

(APPLAUSE)

On national security, Americans have the clearest possible choice. My opponent says he approves the bold action in the world, but only if other countries don't object. I'm all for united action, and so are our 34 coalition partners in Iraq right now.

(APPLAUSE)

Yet America must never outsource America's national security decisions to the leaders of other countries. Some are skeptical that the war on terror is really a war at all. Senator Kerry said, and I quote, "The war on terror is far less of a military operation and far more of an intelligence-gathering, law enforcement operation."

I disagree. I disagree. Our nation followed this approach after the World Trade Center was bombed in 1993. The matter was handled in the courts, and thought by some to be settled. The terrorists were still training Afghanistan. They're still plotting in other nations. They're still drawing up more ambitious plans. After the chaos and carnage of September the 11th, it is not enough to serve our enemies with legal papers.

(APPLAUSE)

With those attacks, the terrorists and supporters declared war on the United States of America, and war is what they got.

(APPLAUSE)

Our men and women in the military are taking great risks, and they're doing great work.

(APPLAUSE)

At bases across our country and the world, I have had the privilege of meeting with those who defend our country and sacrifice for our security. I've seen their great decency and unselfish courage, and I can assure you, ladies and gentlemen, the cause of freedom is in good hands.

(APPLAUSE)

This nation is prosperous and strong, yet we need to remember that our greatest strength is in the hearts and souls of our fellow citizens. We're strong because of the values we try to live by: courage and compassion, reverence and integrity.

We are strong because of the institutions that help give us direction and purpose: families, and schools, and religious congregations. These values and institutions -- these values and institutions are fundamental to our lives, and they deserve the respect of our government.

We stand for the fair treatment of faith-based groups, so that they can receive federal support for their works of compassion and healing. We will not stand for discrimination by the federal government against people of faith.

(APPLAUSE)

We stand for welfare reforms that require work and strength in marriage, which have helped millions of Americans find their independence and dignity. We will not stand for any attempt to weaken those reforms and send people back into lives of dependence.

(APPLAUSE) We stand for a culture of life in which every person counts and every person matters. We will not stand for the treatment of any life as a commodity to be experimented upon, or exploited, or cloned.

(APPLAUSE)

We stand for the confirmation of judges who strictfully -- strictly and faithfully interpret the law.

(APPLAUSE)

We will not stand for judges who undermine democracy by legislating from the bench, or judges who try to remake the values of America by court-order. BUSH: We stand for a culture of responsibility in America. It's a culture of a country that's changing from one that has said, "If it feels good, do it, and if you've got a problem, blame somebody else," to a culture in which each of us understands we are responsible for the decisions we make in life.

If you are fortunate enough to be a mother or a father, you're responsible for loving your child with all your heart. If you're worrying about the quality of the education in the community in which you live, you're responsible for doing something about it.

(APPLAUSE)

If you're a CEO in corporate America, you're responsible for telling the truth to your shareholders and your employees. And in the responsibility society, each of us is responsible for loving our neighbor, just like we'd like to be loved ourselves.

(APPLAUSE)

For all Americans, these years in our history will always stand apart. There are quiet times in the life of a nation and when little is expected of the leaders. This is not one of those times.

You and I are living in a period when the stakes are high, the challenges are difficult, the time when resolve is needed. None of us will ever forget -- none of us will ever forget that week when one era ended and another began.

On September the 14th, 2001, I stood in the ruins at the Twin Towers. I'll never forget that day. One guy pointed at me and said, "Don't let me down." Workers in hard hats were shouting, "Whatever it takes." And as we all did that day, these men and women searching through the rubble took it personally. I took it personally.

I have a responsibility that goes on. I will never relent in bringing justice to our enemies. I will defend the security of America whatever it takes.

(APPLAUSE)

In these times, I've also been witness to the character of this nation. Not so long ago, some had their doubts about the American character, our capacity to meet serious challenges, or to serve a cause greater than self-interest. But Americans have given their answer. I've seen the unselfish courage of our troops. I've seen the heroism of Americans in the face of danger. I've seen the spirit of sacrifice and compassion renewed in our country. We've all seen our country unite in common purpose when it mattered most.

We'll need all these qualities for the work ahead. We have a war to win. The world is counting on us to lead the cause of freedom and peace. We have a duty to spread opportunity to every corner of America. With your help, we're going to share our message of optimism and national strength with every voter in the state of Florida. (APPLAUSE)

I'm looking forward to this campaign ahead. I'm going to give it my all. And I'm counting -- I'm counting on you all to do the same.

(APPLAUSE)

Talk to your friends. Talk to your neighbors. Get out the word. Ask people to join our cause, to participate in democracy. With you at my side, there is no doubt in my mind we're headed to a victory on November the 2nd.

Thank you for coming. God bless.

President Bush taking the credit for the war in Iraq, the ongoing war on terrorism as well as confronting corporate crime and more importantly says an economy that is grow faster than in any other industrialized nation. He's at the Orlando Convention Center there along with the first laid, Laura Bush. This is the springboard, the official springboard for his campaign as well as the Bush/Cheney strategy to be on the offensive in terms of its leading Democratic contender, John Kerry. John Kerry by the way, who is vacationing in Idaho who was about to launch a 20-city fund raising tour.

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: President Bush on the other hand will be spending less time fund raising over the next coming months, some eight months to go before election day. He has about $150 million in the campaigning coffers, instead, President Bush and the White House team says they will be concentrating on campaigning, recruiting, as well as trying to register more voters. We'll be right back.

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Of Conflict; President Bush Campaigns In Florida; Pakistani Troops Capture 100 Al Qaeda Suspects>