Remarks at a Meeting With Republican Congressional Leaders
To the Republican leaders of Congress, good
morning, and welcome. I've asked you here to the White House today to discuss the
congressional agenda in the next 6 months, and we'll get to that in just a
moment. But first, though, I'd like to say a few words.
You
see, last week the Democratic National Convention took place, and my Irish is a
little up. [Laughter] To hear the opposition talk, you'd think growth in our
economy had come to a dead halt the way it actually had back in 1980, when the
American people decided to throw the opposition out. The American people
remember 1980, I think: soaring inflation, growing unemployment, and the
highest interest rates since the Civil War.
When
we took office 8 years ago, we made it our simple aim to get big government off
the backs and out of the pockets of the American people. And we cut the tax
rates. We reduced regulations. And we controlled the growth of government
spending. And the result -- well, the truth is -- and I want to stress that I'm
providing facts, not opinions, not rhetoric -- the truth is that under this
administration we've witnessed the longest peacetime economic expansion in the
history of our nation. The opposition talks about growth. We've delivered.
They
talk about jobs. We've delivered. They talk about opportunity for minorities --
and I have to admit, this especially irks me -- as though we were hard-hearted.
The truth is, our economic expansion has done more for
minorities than any big spending program could ever hope to accomplish. Indeed,
one economic observer has written that, and I'll quote: ``On every front --
jobs, income, even household wealth -- the years 1981 to 1986 represent the
best 5 years in black history.''
Well,
I listened to those speeches, and I couldn't help thinking that this is what
the difference between us comes down to: They talk, and we deliver. George Bush
will cut taxes again. What would their nominee do? I mean, what would he really
do? [Laughter] Yes, they've come out with their platform, but it's a platform
that in effect hides their real policies in a brown paper wrapper.
Well,
this is one of those choice moments when inclination and duty happen to
coincide. Throughout this campaign, I'm going to give the American people the
truth. I'm going to give the opposition -- well, maybe I better just paraphrase
Harry Truman. I'm going to tell the opposition the truth, and they'll think it's hell. [Laughter]
That
was just to open the meeting. We'll get on with the meeting. [Laughter]
Note: The President
spoke at