Remarks at a Senate
Campaign Rally for James Santini in
The President. Thank you all very
much. And, Jim, thank you for that kind introduction. You know, I was once a
drum major of a boys band in Dixon, Illinois, so I hope you'll forgive7E 7E
me7E 7E if7E 7E I7E 7E thank 7E 7Ethe 7E 7ECarson7E 7E City High 7E 7ESchool7E
7E Senior7E 7E Band, the McQueen High School Band, the Edward C. Reed High
School Marching Greater Band, and the Wooster High School Marching Colts. And
special thanks to the
Well
it's great to be here with all of you. It's really great to be here with my
best friends Paul and Carol Laxalt. It's great to be
here with Senator Chic Hecht. And let me ask you a favor: Will you send Barbara
Vucanovich and Bob Ryan to
You
know, there's one thing in this election. I've heard some people here, and
they're talking about checks and balances and so forth in government. And
they're a little mixed up. If you like what Chic Hecht has been doing up there
-- and he's been doing like Paul Laxalt has been
doing -- why should you send a Senator up there with him to cancel his vote?
Send someone who will vote with him. And now, having been Governor myself for
some time, I think I recognize good Governor material
when I see it, and believe me, Patty Cafferata and
her running mate, Joe Brown, are the very best. And I know that her running
mate will do a good job in filling the shoes of Robert Cashell,
who's the outgoing Lieutenant Governor.
It's
wonderful to be here in
But
that story says so much about how the tax-and-tax, spend-and-spend policies
left our country just a few short years ago -- left it with negative growth,
double-digit inflation, the highest rates since -- and get ready -- the highest
rates since the Civil War. And so, in 1981 Jim and I cut government growth,
slashed regulations, and cut income taxes almost 25 percent. Today we're
enjoying one of the longest economic expansions in our history. The prime
interest rate has fallen by two-thirds. Mortgage and auto loan rates are down.
Inflation has plummeted from more than 12 percent when we got there to 1.8
percent. And we've created more than 11\1/2\ million new jobs in less than 4
years -- more jobs than
Before
I go any further, I want to give you some good news. Following last week's
announcements showing gross national product -- that's the figure, GNP, that represents the country's economic growth -- and
other indicators show our economy is gathering momentum. Just this morning we
learned the trade deficit in September declined for the second month in a row
and is down now 30 percent from its high. This is particularly good news for
our manufacturing industries. We also learned new home sales in September were
up over 10 percent. The stock market today went in a sharp upswing and is now
almost touching the all-time high. I believe the economy is on a roll and think
it's a sure bet that we're about to hit another jackpot. Now, we pulled the
handle, and it came up jobs, jobs, jobs. And I'm determined to see that those
who still are not sharing fully in our nation's prosperity do so. And I give
you my pledge: Neither Jim Santini
nor I will be satisfied until this expansion reaches every sector of our
economy and every home in
Now,
to broaden our expansion, I signed into law last week the most sweeping reform
of the tax code in our nation's history. For more than 80 percent of Americans,
it means a top tax rate of 15 percent or less, and that's why I call it Tax Cut
II. But wouldn't you know it, even before this fair share tax plan had reached
my desk, the Democratic leadership in Congress was saying that they wanted to
break faith with the American people and turn tax reform into a tax hike.
Audience. No way!
The President. You're right. You know,
the truth is, those folks never met a tax they didn't like. And when it comes
to spending your hard-earned money, they act like they've got your credit card
in their pocket. And believe me, they never leave home
without it. The American people know the truth: We don't have a deficit because
we're taxed too little; we have a deficit because Congress spends too much. Now,
isn't it about time they started protecting the family budget instead of
fattening the Federal budget?
Now
the contrast between us and the leaders of the other party is just as apparent
when it comes to judicial appointments. Now, you know the President appoints
the Federal judges, but they have to be approved by the United States Senate.
And since I began appointing Federal judges to be approved by the Republican
Senate, the Federal judiciary has become tougher, much tougher, on criminals.
Criminals are going to jail more often, and they're receiving longer sentences.
But over and over the Democratic leadership has tried in the Senate to torpedo
our choices for judges, and that is where Jim can make all the difference.
Without him and the Republican majority in the Senate, we'll find liberals,
like a certain fellow from
You
know, this thing of partisan politics, right now I'm
reminded of a story. Never mind, when you get to be my age,
everything will remind you of a story. [Laughter] There was a Democratic
fundraiser in a downtown hotel. And when the people were coming out of the
fundraiser, there was a kid with some puppy dogs. And he was holding them up
for sale, and he was saying, ``Buy a Democrat puppy. Buy a Democrat puppy.''
Two weeks later the Republicans held a fundraiser there. And when they came
out, there was the same kid with the puppies saying, ``Buy a Republican pup.
Buy a Republican puppy.'' Well, there was a newsman there who recognized him
from 2 weeks before -- said, ``Hey, kid, wait a minute. Two weeks ago those
were Democrat puppies. Now you're here selling them and saying they're
Republican puppies. How come?'' And the kid says,
``Now they've got their eyes open.'' [Laughter]
But,
ladies and gentlemen, we've come now to an issue that transcends in importance
even all the other crucial matters I've mentioned: my most solemn duty as
President, the safety of the American people and the security of these
And
finally, there's another special issue. We remain committed to our decision to
move ahead with our Strategic Defense Initiative against ballistic missiles,
SDI. Today we're dealing with the
Their
record on treaty violations is very clear. We can either bet on American
technology to keep us safe or on Soviet promises. Each has its own track
record. And I'll bet on American technology any time. Now, I knew there were
those who had their doubts, but flying back from
That
may tell you we never could have come this far without the support of people
like Jim Santini. I remember back in 1981 when we
needed all the help we could get to cut your taxes and get this economic
expansion rolling. Jim was a Democrat back then, but despite threats from the
liberal Democratic Party leadership, Jim Santini
promised me his support. And Jim Santini is as good
as his word. He came through with the votes. Just as over and over again, Jim Santini has come through for the great State of
It's
time we got some facts out about Jim's opponent. I don't think the seriously
independent people of
Now,
I know I couldn't be speaking to a crowd like this without there being a number
of Democrats and Independents present here in the audience. And I know these
Democrats -- and I've seen them all across the country -- as hard-working,
patriotic people whose support I've relied on during these past 6 years. But to
those Nevada Democrats: I used to be a Democrat myself, just like Jim. And I
must tell you from my heart that Jim Santini
represents your views far better than the liberals who run the Democratic Party
in Washington -- and, yes, right here in Nevada. So, I ask all Nevada Democrats
whether just maybe they ought to join the Republican Party as Jim and I did. I
know it isn't easy, but as Winston Churchill, that great British statesman --
when he was in the Parliament, Churchill changed parties and was criticized and
maligned for doing so. And Churchill summed it all up. He said, ``Some men change principle for party, and others change party
for principle.'' And even if you can't quite bring yourself to change parties,
well, you can still send the liberals a message by voting for Jim Santini.
I
have to tell you a little experience I had that sort of fits what I've seen
happen to the party that Jim and I once belonged to and why I know that there
must be some Democrats here -- because I've met them all across the country --
who know that they're out of step with the leadership. When I was that drum
major, that I mentioned, in that band, we were taken to a little neighboring
town to lead the Decoration Day parade. Well, the real leader, of course, was
the marshal of the parade on a big white horse up in front. But we're going
down the street. I'm pumping the baton, the band is playing. And he gallops
back down the line of parade to see if everything's coming along all right. And
pretty soon, I think the music is sounding fainter, and I sneaked a look over
my shoulder. The man on the horse had gotten back just far enough to turn the
band to the right, down an intersection where the parade was to go, and I was
marching up the street all by myself. [Laughter] And that's an apt description
of the Democratic Party. The membership of the party by the millions, long ago,
has turned to the right, and they're still the leadership marching down the
street.
You
know, the eyes of
Now,
just to be sure where you stand, I thought I'd conduct an informal poll. And I
want you to speak up loudly and let all
Audience. No-o-o!
The President. Do you want Ted Kennedy
controlling the confirmation of Federal court judges?
Audience. No-o-o!
The President. Do you want to return
to policies that gave us a weak and vacillating
Audience. No-o-o!
The President. That's good to hear.
[Laughter] Now, would you rather have, well, yes, would you rather have an
Audience. Yes!
The President. Do you want Jim Santini as your Senator from the great State of
The President. You just made my day,
and you didn't hurt Jim Santini's feelings at all.
[Laughter]
My
name will never appear on a ballot again, but if you'd like to -- --
Audience. No-o-o! Boo-o-o!
The President. Now, wait a minute! If
you'd like to vote for me one more time, you can do so by voting for Jim Santini. But important as this election will be to me,
it'll be even more important to you, especially to you young people, for it'll
shape our nation's future. Every poll shows that the age group 18 to 24 gives
us the highest percentage of people in support of what we're doing. [Applause]
But, now, wait just a second. Every poll also shows just as clearly that it's
that same age group that has the lowest voter turnout.
Audience. Boo-o-o!
The President. So, when you go out of
here determined to vote, go out of here also ready to buttonhole your friends
your own age and tell them to come to the polls with you and also cast their votes.
You know, back at the beginning of World War II, as we entered that terrible
war, General George C. Marshall, the Chief of Staff of the United States Army,
was asked if we had a secret weapon and, if so, what it might be? And George Marshall said: ``Yes, we do have a secret
weapon. It's just the best blankety-blank kids in the
world.'' Well, I think if George Marshall were here today he'd look at your
generation and say, yes, you are the best blankety-blank
kids in the world. Before leaving, I'd just like to say that people my age
deeply believe that it's our duty to turn over to you young Americans the same
freedom and opportunity that our parents and grandparents handed on to us. And
those between my generation and yours who are here in this hall today -- they
share that same feeling and make that same pledge. There have been times in,
over recent years, when things have slipped, as they did a few years ago, and
when it didn't seem as if we were going to turn over that kind of an
So,
when you go to the polls, win one for Jim Santini,
win one for your future and for
Audience. Reagan! Reagan! Reagan!
The President. Thank you very much.
I've said thank you and God bless you, but I just have to add, if any of you've
been wondering what does it feel like to hear you, I'll tell you: It's a very
humbling experience, and I'll do my best to try to deserve all of it. Thank you
very much.
Note:
The President spoke at