1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,639 Speaker 1: Once again, Mr Vice President of Thrill, and an honor 2 00:00:02,680 --> 00:00:05,400 Speaker 1: to have you with a sir, Well, good afternoon Russian. 3 00:00:05,559 --> 00:00:07,880 Speaker 1: All right, Um, first thing, we just had a call 4 00:00:08,039 --> 00:00:10,840 Speaker 1: leads me into my first question for you about the economy. 5 00:00:10,920 --> 00:00:15,560 Speaker 1: Caller was frustrated that the Party UH at large doesn't 6 00:00:15,560 --> 00:00:17,360 Speaker 1: seem to be getting the news out about how good 7 00:00:17,360 --> 00:00:22,239 Speaker 1: the economy is. And indeed, the economic statistics are fabulous unemployment, 8 00:00:22,320 --> 00:00:26,160 Speaker 1: middle class, wage growth, dal Jones industrial average flirting with 9 00:00:26,200 --> 00:00:30,360 Speaker 1: the twelve. Yet we're told that people don't feel uh, 10 00:00:30,480 --> 00:00:33,120 Speaker 1: this economy is good. Why do you think that is 11 00:00:33,159 --> 00:00:34,960 Speaker 1: if it's true, and how how do you all plan 12 00:00:35,080 --> 00:00:38,520 Speaker 1: to use the economy the next three weeks of the campaign? Well, 13 00:00:38,560 --> 00:00:40,880 Speaker 1: I think, first of all, you're absolutely right, Rush, the 14 00:00:40,920 --> 00:00:44,239 Speaker 1: economy is very good. Been involved in a lot of 15 00:00:44,280 --> 00:00:46,800 Speaker 1: campaigns going back nearly forty years, and I'm hard to 16 00:00:46,800 --> 00:00:49,600 Speaker 1: put to find a time when things were as good 17 00:00:49,640 --> 00:00:53,760 Speaker 1: as they are now for the Party UH. From from 18 00:00:53,800 --> 00:00:57,520 Speaker 1: our perspective, um, and you've cited all the data. We've 19 00:00:57,560 --> 00:01:00,440 Speaker 1: got over six point six million jobs, we've ad in 20 00:01:00,520 --> 00:01:04,560 Speaker 1: a little over three years now, we home ownerships in 21 00:01:04,600 --> 00:01:06,800 Speaker 1: an all time record high, stock markets at a high, 22 00:01:06,920 --> 00:01:09,360 Speaker 1: You know, everything's really kicking along in great shape, and 23 00:01:09,400 --> 00:01:12,480 Speaker 1: the deficit was times to drive that point through to 24 00:01:12,600 --> 00:01:16,320 Speaker 1: the public. But uh, and I think a lot of 25 00:01:16,360 --> 00:01:20,480 Speaker 1: the press coverage, you know, focuses on specific problems. Gasoline 26 00:01:20,520 --> 00:01:23,240 Speaker 1: prices go up and everybody gets upset and takes that 27 00:01:23,319 --> 00:01:25,120 Speaker 1: as sort of a lead indicated for the economy. But 28 00:01:25,200 --> 00:01:28,920 Speaker 1: our gasoline prices are coming down. Um, natural gas prices 29 00:01:28,920 --> 00:01:30,720 Speaker 1: are coming down. Heating bills are going to be lower 30 00:01:30,760 --> 00:01:33,440 Speaker 1: this winter. So I think it just takes time for 31 00:01:33,520 --> 00:01:37,520 Speaker 1: it to think in well, the It's interesting the gas 32 00:01:37,520 --> 00:01:41,280 Speaker 1: price run up was was hailed as a uh failure 33 00:01:41,640 --> 00:01:45,360 Speaker 1: of the Bush administration's economic policy. Now that gas prices 34 00:01:45,360 --> 00:01:47,320 Speaker 1: are coming down, the focus seems to be on what 35 00:01:47,480 --> 00:01:49,639 Speaker 1: is it you all are doing to manipulate the market 36 00:01:50,640 --> 00:01:53,600 Speaker 1: before the election? Also, you know, wanted to mention to 37 00:01:53,640 --> 00:01:56,440 Speaker 1: you that the deficits been cutting half three years early. Uh, 38 00:01:56,480 --> 00:01:58,720 Speaker 1: it is it really, it really is stunning news. But 39 00:01:59,040 --> 00:02:02,880 Speaker 1: it's a it's a large drive by media megaphone to 40 00:02:03,000 --> 00:02:06,400 Speaker 1: overcome Is there is there a is there coordinated effort 41 00:02:07,240 --> 00:02:10,560 Speaker 1: within all these candidates that are running for reelection to 42 00:02:10,639 --> 00:02:14,280 Speaker 1: stress the economy. Well, we're trying. I've got two major 43 00:02:14,320 --> 00:02:16,120 Speaker 1: subjects I address when I'm out on the road. One 44 00:02:16,200 --> 00:02:18,839 Speaker 1: is to talk about tax policy and what that's done 45 00:02:18,840 --> 00:02:20,680 Speaker 1: for our economy, and the other is to focus on 46 00:02:20,720 --> 00:02:23,880 Speaker 1: the global war on terror present. In the last week, 47 00:02:23,919 --> 00:02:25,360 Speaker 1: when we had the good news on the depth sit 48 00:02:25,440 --> 00:02:28,840 Speaker 1: as we closed out the fiscal year, was out publicly 49 00:02:29,720 --> 00:02:32,720 Speaker 1: talking specifically about that point, trying to take advantage of 50 00:02:32,760 --> 00:02:36,360 Speaker 1: the opportunity to get the idea across everybody that we 51 00:02:36,360 --> 00:02:39,000 Speaker 1: did hit our target three years early in terms of 52 00:02:39,240 --> 00:02:42,120 Speaker 1: depthsit reduction, but again that was primarily as a result 53 00:02:42,200 --> 00:02:45,000 Speaker 1: of our tax policy and the fact that we've supported 54 00:02:45,000 --> 00:02:47,960 Speaker 1: the pro growth policies and it hasn't generated more economic 55 00:02:48,000 --> 00:02:50,720 Speaker 1: activity and more jobs and ultimately more revenue for the 56 00:02:50,720 --> 00:02:56,399 Speaker 1: federal government. When you're out there, are you encountering uh 57 00:02:56,680 --> 00:03:01,600 Speaker 1: any ampathy? Are you encountering engaged citing? What's the mood 58 00:03:01,639 --> 00:03:03,919 Speaker 1: you're running and I know you're speaking to mostly Republican audience, 59 00:03:03,919 --> 00:03:06,680 Speaker 1: How do you assess them? Sure? Well I did. Yesterday. 60 00:03:06,720 --> 00:03:10,080 Speaker 1: For example, I was down in Louisville, Kentucky for a Congressman, 61 00:03:10,160 --> 00:03:12,520 Speaker 1: Jeff Davis, who was a great member by the way, 62 00:03:12,560 --> 00:03:15,760 Speaker 1: I think get reelected. I also stopped it for Campbell 63 00:03:15,840 --> 00:03:19,679 Speaker 1: and and thank members of the hundred first Airborne for 64 00:03:19,720 --> 00:03:22,040 Speaker 1: all their good work they've been doing in the Middle East. 65 00:03:22,680 --> 00:03:24,760 Speaker 1: But the mood that I find in terms of the 66 00:03:24,760 --> 00:03:27,160 Speaker 1: people I'm talking with is very positive. Now. Of course, 67 00:03:27,200 --> 00:03:30,040 Speaker 1: I'm probably not going to see a lot of Democrats 68 00:03:30,080 --> 00:03:34,600 Speaker 1: coming to Republican fundraiser, so I don't want to misread 69 00:03:34,639 --> 00:03:37,240 Speaker 1: the situation, but I think I find a far more 70 00:03:37,280 --> 00:03:39,920 Speaker 1: positive attitude out there than one would be led to 71 00:03:39,960 --> 00:03:42,280 Speaker 1: believe just by reading the national press. Do you get 72 00:03:42,280 --> 00:03:47,080 Speaker 1: frustrated when you see Republicans speculating on how many House 73 00:03:47,080 --> 00:03:50,120 Speaker 1: seats are gonna lose? Well, I think it's a natural, 74 00:03:50,320 --> 00:03:54,640 Speaker 1: normal situation at this stage. But I really think we're 75 00:03:54,640 --> 00:03:58,080 Speaker 1: going to do reasonably well. And uh, I think we'll 76 00:03:58,120 --> 00:03:59,760 Speaker 1: hold the Senate. And I also think we've got a 77 00:03:59,760 --> 00:04:02,120 Speaker 1: goot got holding the House. And I've done a hundred 78 00:04:02,120 --> 00:04:05,400 Speaker 1: and fourteen campaign so far this cycle. I've been all 79 00:04:05,400 --> 00:04:08,600 Speaker 1: over the country, um, seeing all kinds of candidates and 80 00:04:08,640 --> 00:04:11,400 Speaker 1: all kinds of races. But I think the key will 81 00:04:11,400 --> 00:04:13,440 Speaker 1: be you know, who goes to the polls on election day, 82 00:04:13,760 --> 00:04:17,440 Speaker 1: And certainly it's always tough when you're in the mid 83 00:04:17,600 --> 00:04:21,279 Speaker 1: term of your second presidential term in office. Historically those 84 00:04:21,279 --> 00:04:23,880 Speaker 1: are the most difficult elections for the incumbents in the 85 00:04:23,880 --> 00:04:26,920 Speaker 1: White House. But I think the basic fundamental facts in 86 00:04:27,040 --> 00:04:30,400 Speaker 1: terms of national security, in terms of five years of 87 00:04:30,400 --> 00:04:32,680 Speaker 1: of defeating the terrorists and their efforts to try to 88 00:04:32,760 --> 00:04:35,000 Speaker 1: launch another attack against the United States. I think the 89 00:04:35,040 --> 00:04:39,280 Speaker 1: overall healthy economy. I think progress we're making in all 90 00:04:39,320 --> 00:04:43,520 Speaker 1: those areas all argues that in fact, when the American 91 00:04:43,560 --> 00:04:46,080 Speaker 1: people have to make a choice between us and the Democrats, 92 00:04:46,120 --> 00:04:48,279 Speaker 1: I think they'll come down on the side of supporting 93 00:04:48,320 --> 00:04:53,520 Speaker 1: the President and Republican candidates. The war Rock, national security, 94 00:04:53,520 --> 00:04:57,040 Speaker 1: war on terror, it's it's all combined into one issue 95 00:04:57,080 --> 00:04:58,880 Speaker 1: now as far as the election is concerned. And when 96 00:04:58,920 --> 00:05:01,640 Speaker 1: you h but I saw the President last night say 97 00:05:01,720 --> 00:05:05,280 Speaker 1: that acknowledges that there's some frustration on the part of 98 00:05:05,279 --> 00:05:08,160 Speaker 1: the American people regarding a rock because we all want 99 00:05:08,160 --> 00:05:12,680 Speaker 1: to win. And uh, it's we can't declare victory yet. Um. 100 00:05:12,720 --> 00:05:17,720 Speaker 1: The President signed the Military Detainee Act today, the Tribunal Act. Uh. 101 00:05:17,760 --> 00:05:20,720 Speaker 1: And it's it's clear to me anyway that you and 102 00:05:20,760 --> 00:05:23,240 Speaker 1: the White House are not changing policy on this at all. 103 00:05:23,320 --> 00:05:29,200 Speaker 1: That the operating policy here is victory. Um is the 104 00:05:29,920 --> 00:05:34,479 Speaker 1: is the perception that victory is possible strong enough? Is 105 00:05:34,480 --> 00:05:36,920 Speaker 1: is that is that possibility being laid out in strong 106 00:05:37,040 --> 00:05:39,200 Speaker 1: enough terms of the American people that they think it's possible. 107 00:05:39,320 --> 00:05:41,920 Speaker 1: Are they beginning to doubt that it can happen? Well, 108 00:05:41,960 --> 00:05:45,680 Speaker 1: I think there's some natural level of concern out there 109 00:05:45,720 --> 00:05:49,039 Speaker 1: because in fact, you know, it wasn't over instantaneously. It's 110 00:05:49,080 --> 00:05:51,800 Speaker 1: been a little over three years now since we went 111 00:05:51,839 --> 00:05:54,839 Speaker 1: into Iraq, So I don't think it's surprising that people 112 00:05:54,880 --> 00:05:57,800 Speaker 1: are concerned. On the other hand, this government has only 113 00:05:57,800 --> 00:06:01,560 Speaker 1: been in office about five months, five or six months now. Um, 114 00:06:01,800 --> 00:06:04,440 Speaker 1: they're off to a good start. Uh. It is difficult, 115 00:06:04,560 --> 00:06:06,640 Speaker 1: no question about it. But we've now got over three 116 00:06:06,720 --> 00:06:09,360 Speaker 1: hundred thousand Iraqis trained and equipped as part of their 117 00:06:09,400 --> 00:06:13,200 Speaker 1: security forces. They've had three national elections with higher turnout 118 00:06:13,400 --> 00:06:15,840 Speaker 1: than we have here in the United States. H If 119 00:06:15,880 --> 00:06:20,840 Speaker 1: you look at the general overall situation, Um, they're doing 120 00:06:20,880 --> 00:06:24,000 Speaker 1: remarkably well. It's still very very difficult, very tough, and 121 00:06:24,000 --> 00:06:27,400 Speaker 1: nobody should underestimate the extent to which we're engaged there 122 00:06:27,440 --> 00:06:29,920 Speaker 1: with This is sort of at present the major front 123 00:06:29,920 --> 00:06:32,520 Speaker 1: in the War on Terra. That's what Osama bin Lawton says, 124 00:06:33,200 --> 00:06:36,039 Speaker 1: and he's right. It's very important that we prevail there. 125 00:06:36,120 --> 00:06:39,440 Speaker 1: But we're engaged on a really on a global basis. 126 00:06:39,520 --> 00:06:43,760 Speaker 1: We're very active in Afghanistan. We've got UH continuing activities 127 00:06:43,839 --> 00:06:46,760 Speaker 1: in Pakistan. We've captured and field more alcide in Pakistan 128 00:06:46,800 --> 00:06:50,360 Speaker 1: probably than any place else. We're active working with the 129 00:06:50,360 --> 00:06:52,560 Speaker 1: saudiast and many others in that part of the world. 130 00:06:52,640 --> 00:06:56,160 Speaker 1: So it's a major conflict. It's going to run for 131 00:06:56,200 --> 00:06:59,359 Speaker 1: a long time, UH, and everybody needs to understand that. 132 00:07:00,320 --> 00:07:03,560 Speaker 1: Campaign I look on as an opportunity to remind everybody 133 00:07:03,600 --> 00:07:07,080 Speaker 1: what's at stake here and UH in this particular instance, 134 00:07:07,120 --> 00:07:09,680 Speaker 1: it's especially important to point out to people that the 135 00:07:09,760 --> 00:07:11,840 Speaker 1: terrorists can't beat us in a stand up fight. They 136 00:07:11,880 --> 00:07:14,480 Speaker 1: can only win if we lose our will, and they're 137 00:07:14,480 --> 00:07:16,560 Speaker 1: betting we will. They're betting we don't have the stomach 138 00:07:16,560 --> 00:07:18,240 Speaker 1: for the fight. And I don't think that's true. And 139 00:07:18,280 --> 00:07:20,560 Speaker 1: I faced with that basic fundamental choice, I think the 140 00:07:20,600 --> 00:07:24,560 Speaker 1: American people understand that it's having gone on offense, I 141 00:07:24,560 --> 00:07:27,400 Speaker 1: havn't gotten aggressive going after the terrorists, closing those training 142 00:07:27,440 --> 00:07:31,600 Speaker 1: camps in Afghanistan, and working to take down the regimes 143 00:07:31,640 --> 00:07:34,680 Speaker 1: like Saddam Hussein and to the stand up democracy is 144 00:07:34,720 --> 00:07:36,800 Speaker 1: in their place, as well as tough measures here at home. 145 00:07:36,880 --> 00:07:38,720 Speaker 1: So what's kept us safe for five years? And it's 146 00:07:38,760 --> 00:07:40,840 Speaker 1: the reason why there hasn't been another attack like nine 147 00:07:40,840 --> 00:07:43,720 Speaker 1: eleven on the US. Well, I there's no question the 148 00:07:43,720 --> 00:07:49,080 Speaker 1: American people respond to leadership in in times like this. Uh. 149 00:07:49,120 --> 00:07:52,360 Speaker 1: And it's let me let me put it to you 150 00:07:52,480 --> 00:07:55,680 Speaker 1: this way. I I um was reading something today a 151 00:07:56,080 --> 00:08:01,880 Speaker 1: writer don't remember who was speculating on increase terrorist attacks 152 00:08:02,680 --> 00:08:06,640 Speaker 1: in a rock attempting to demoralize the American people as 153 00:08:06,640 --> 00:08:09,120 Speaker 1: we get up to the election. And I read that 154 00:08:09,160 --> 00:08:11,120 Speaker 1: It made sense to me and I interpreted this is 155 00:08:11,160 --> 00:08:14,520 Speaker 1: that the terrorists are actually involved and want to involved 156 00:08:14,560 --> 00:08:18,240 Speaker 1: themselves in our electoral process, which must mean they want 157 00:08:18,240 --> 00:08:22,120 Speaker 1: to change. Now. I know you can't comment politically on 158 00:08:22,120 --> 00:08:26,239 Speaker 1: on the point that I make, but do you expect uh? 159 00:08:26,280 --> 00:08:28,480 Speaker 1: And is there preparation for it? But one of the 160 00:08:28,520 --> 00:08:31,800 Speaker 1: things I read was that there's been noted plots to 161 00:08:31,880 --> 00:08:34,400 Speaker 1: actually try to blow up the Green Zone. We one 162 00:08:34,480 --> 00:08:40,680 Speaker 1: was aborted and discovered recently, but some major attacks being 163 00:08:40,720 --> 00:08:44,120 Speaker 1: planned for right up until the election, which could be 164 00:08:44,160 --> 00:08:48,040 Speaker 1: devastating if they happen in terms of the American people's morale. Sure, well, 165 00:08:48,080 --> 00:08:50,480 Speaker 1: I think there's no question of what this is A 166 00:08:51,040 --> 00:08:54,800 Speaker 1: sophisticated crew who understand the impact on public opinion. And 167 00:08:55,080 --> 00:08:57,440 Speaker 1: as I say, I think, well, they say as much 168 00:08:58,120 --> 00:09:01,959 Speaker 1: what they're banking on. They harked back to Somalian or 169 00:09:02,400 --> 00:09:07,040 Speaker 1: Beirute three when after Americans were killed, our response was 170 00:09:07,120 --> 00:09:09,720 Speaker 1: to withdraw our forces. So I think they're very sensitive 171 00:09:09,720 --> 00:09:12,000 Speaker 1: to that kind of thing. And as I say, they 172 00:09:12,040 --> 00:09:14,720 Speaker 1: clearly don't have the military capability to defeat us, but 173 00:09:15,200 --> 00:09:17,920 Speaker 1: they believe they can break our will. And so you 174 00:09:17,920 --> 00:09:20,800 Speaker 1: look at something like our elections here and I think 175 00:09:20,800 --> 00:09:24,000 Speaker 1: they're probably I don't have any proof, but I think 176 00:09:24,000 --> 00:09:26,880 Speaker 1: they're probably very sensitive to that. We saw what they 177 00:09:26,880 --> 00:09:28,600 Speaker 1: did in Spain a few years ago. I remember, right 178 00:09:29,240 --> 00:09:33,160 Speaker 1: as in our supported US very aggressively, and shortly before 179 00:09:33,200 --> 00:09:37,760 Speaker 1: the elections in Spain they launched an attack on the 180 00:09:37,960 --> 00:09:40,600 Speaker 1: trains that set off several bombs and killed a bunch 181 00:09:40,640 --> 00:09:43,880 Speaker 1: of people shortly before the election, and they probably did 182 00:09:43,880 --> 00:09:46,360 Speaker 1: have that impact. There was a story in the Washington 183 00:09:46,360 --> 00:09:49,720 Speaker 1: Post yesterday or earlier in the week that was they were. 184 00:09:49,920 --> 00:09:53,160 Speaker 1: The reporter was amazed that the President and Karl Rove 185 00:09:53,720 --> 00:09:59,120 Speaker 1: remained quote inexplicably upbeat unquote about the outcome of the elections. 186 00:09:59,160 --> 00:10:02,680 Speaker 1: And there is no land for if Republicans lose the 187 00:10:02,720 --> 00:10:05,120 Speaker 1: House and or the Senate. Can you tell us why 188 00:10:05,200 --> 00:10:08,640 Speaker 1: the upbeat attitude in the White House? Well, because you know, 189 00:10:08,679 --> 00:10:12,640 Speaker 1: we're out there working hard in connection with this campaign. 190 00:10:12,679 --> 00:10:16,760 Speaker 1: Because I think we feel like we've got some great candidates. Um. 191 00:10:16,840 --> 00:10:19,760 Speaker 1: I've got great confidence in Carl and Ken Melman up 192 00:10:19,760 --> 00:10:21,280 Speaker 1: at the r n C. These are two of the 193 00:10:21,280 --> 00:10:24,880 Speaker 1: best in the business in terms of understanding this process. 194 00:10:25,000 --> 00:10:28,080 Speaker 1: And I think our candidates are well financed. We're doing 195 00:10:28,080 --> 00:10:34,120 Speaker 1: everything humanly possible to succeed in this election. And of 196 00:10:34,160 --> 00:10:37,920 Speaker 1: course we tracked polls as everybody else does too. And 197 00:10:38,000 --> 00:10:41,080 Speaker 1: I think it's easy to sit in Washington and sort 198 00:10:41,080 --> 00:10:45,040 Speaker 1: of absorb the vibes coming from the national media. Um, 199 00:10:45,360 --> 00:10:49,080 Speaker 1: but that doesn't represent necessarily what's going on out there 200 00:10:49,120 --> 00:10:50,760 Speaker 1: around the country. And when you get out on the 201 00:10:50,800 --> 00:10:54,240 Speaker 1: ground talking with real people about real problems, their hopes 202 00:10:54,280 --> 00:10:57,040 Speaker 1: and desires for their families and for the nation, as 203 00:10:57,040 --> 00:11:00,560 Speaker 1: well as their appreciation for what we've been able to 204 00:11:00,559 --> 00:11:06,040 Speaker 1: accomplish over the last six years. One final, one final question. 205 00:11:06,200 --> 00:11:10,360 Speaker 1: You guys are fighting so hard to uh defeat the 206 00:11:10,440 --> 00:11:13,480 Speaker 1: terrorists in and around this country and around the world. 207 00:11:13,760 --> 00:11:16,080 Speaker 1: Do you have any reactions to the lenient sentence that 208 00:11:16,200 --> 00:11:19,800 Speaker 1: Lynn Stewart received yesterday in New York. Well, I was 209 00:11:20,679 --> 00:11:23,680 Speaker 1: I was surprised. I of course, it's not for me 210 00:11:23,800 --> 00:11:28,640 Speaker 1: to uh substitute my judgment for a judge, but I think, 211 00:11:28,720 --> 00:11:31,200 Speaker 1: of course the prosecution had asked for much different sentence. 212 00:11:31,920 --> 00:11:36,719 Speaker 1: And this was somebody who has been supposedly convicted or 213 00:11:36,720 --> 00:11:43,880 Speaker 1: pled guilty to being a key intermediary for a major terrorist. Uh. 214 00:11:43,920 --> 00:11:46,560 Speaker 1: And you know that's significant. I think we need to 215 00:11:46,559 --> 00:11:49,600 Speaker 1: make certain that when we find somebody who is indeed 216 00:11:50,200 --> 00:11:53,840 Speaker 1: in bed with a terrorists, that they are appropriately brought 217 00:11:53,880 --> 00:11:59,520 Speaker 1: to justice. Mr Vice President, thanks very much for your time. 218 00:11:59,559 --> 00:12:01,600 Speaker 1: I I know you gave us a couple of minutes 219 00:12:01,600 --> 00:12:03,520 Speaker 1: extra than you had on your schedule, and I appreciate 220 00:12:03,559 --> 00:12:06,040 Speaker 1: it and we look forward to the next time. Best 221 00:12:06,040 --> 00:12:08,199 Speaker 1: to you. Well, Rush, You've got a great show. It 222 00:12:08,240 --> 00:12:10,560 Speaker 1: is always and it's good to talk to you. Thank you, sir. 223 00:12:10,679 --> 00:12:11,640 Speaker 1: Vice President Dick Cheney