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Bush's day in Florida reflects challengesStressing the economy, while preparing for possible war
JACKSONVILLE, Florida (CNN) -- In back-to-back speeches in a politically pivotal state, President Bush sought Thursday to signal his commitment to strengthening the economy and then rallied U.S. armed forces for the prospect of war against Iraq. Moving from a business forum to a naval base, Bush sought to assure Americans he was dealing with domestic challenges even as he prepares the country for possible military conflict abroad. "This country will not accept a serious and mounting threat to our nation, to our people and to our friends and allies," Bush declared as he outlined the administration's case against Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, accusing him of amassing weapons of mass destruction and defying U.N. resolutions to disarm. Using forceful language, Bush denounced terrorists as "cold-blooded killers" and "thugs." At one point, he spoke as if war with Iraq were a foregone conclusion, declaring, "Our military will be fighting the oppressors of Iraq, not the people of Iraq." The president's comments to sailors at Mayport Naval Station were delivered with far more passion than his remarks at the earlier gathering with small business owners and employees. There, the president once again pitched his economic stimulus plan and tax package, asserting his plan would put more money into the pockets of all Americans and yield jobs for those seeking employment. Bush called on Congress to speed up tax cuts and credits already enacted and to make permanent the elimination of the estate tax. His plan also calls for reductions in the income tax rate and would increase deductions for small businesses that invest in new machinery and other capital improvements.
"We need a little further wind at the back of this economy," Bush said. Several small business owners spoke at the forum held in a commercial printing shop, saying they would see both personal and business tax reductions from Bush's $674 billion, 10-year economic plan. Friday's trip to the electoral rich state of Florida underscored the challenges facing the president -- dealing with an international crisis that has splintered European allies while attempting to jump start a lackluster economy at home. The settings exemplified the White House message. First, Bush -- wearing a business suit --spoke with a the small-business owners on the floor of a commercial printing shop. Perched on a stool before a blue backdrop promoting "Jobs, Growth and Opportunity," Bush used terms like "entrepreneurial spirit" and "dividend income" to make his point.
His words were more visceral when he spoke to the sailors about an hour later. This time clad in a bomber jacket, Bush cited U.S. military might and the dangers posed by terrorists armed with biological and chemical weapons. And he bragged about the arrest or loss of suspected terrorists. "So far more than 3,000 suspected terrorists have been arrested in many countries. Just about that number met a different kind of fate. They are not a problem anymore," Bush declared to cheers. "Military force is always this nation's last option," Bush said at another point. "Yet if force becomes necessary to disarm Iraq and enforce the will of the United Nations, if force becomes necessary to secure our country and to keep the peace, America will act deliberately, America will act decisively, and America will act victoriously with the world's greatest military." --Written By CNN.Com Producer Sean Loughlin in Washington
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