In Alamogordo, Bush Promises To Protect America's Families
By Chris Roberts
The Associated Press
ALAMOGORDO — In a town where business marquees proudly welcomed the president on Sunday, George Bush promised a crowd of cheering supporters he would protect the nation's families.
"All progress on every other issue depends on the safety of our citizens," Bush told about 10,000 people gathered in a field at Alamogordo High School. "The terrorists who killed thousands of people are still dangerous and determined to attack us again."
Bush talked for about 35 minutes on family themes and attacked his opponent, Democratic nominee Sen. John Kerry, for not understanding the nature of the war on terror.
Bush repeated Kerry's statement that he voted for $87 billion in funding for troop support before he voted against it.
"I've spent quite a bit of time in New Mexico. I've never heard anybody talk that way in this state," Bush said of what he called Kerry's flip-flopping on the issues.
Retired Army Lt. Gen. Claudia Kennedy, who was in New Mexico campaigning for Kerry, said, "if anyone is not qualified (to lead the war on terror), it would be George Bush, who didn't serve in Vietnam."
Kennedy said Kerry has a more sophisticated understanding of world politics and would bring other nations along to deal with Al Qaida threats in at least 60 countries.
"Speaking of flip-flopping, he (Bush) promised during the Gore-Bush debates he would not do any nation-building and look what he's doing in Iraq," she said.
Tax cuts for all Americans, Bush said, has created an improving economy that is beginning to provide new jobs.
"Farmers and ranchers are making a living. Small businesses are flourishing," Bush said. "The unemployment rate in New Mexico is 5.3 percent. This economy is getting stronger."
Bush said the No Child Left Behind act is closing the achievement gap by lifting up students in areas where they have fallen behind.
"More Latino youngsters are learning how to read and write and add and subtract, and the country is better off for it," Bush said.
Mark Mier, 46, an Alamogordo resident who works in the public school system, said he will vote for Bush and that he supports the No Child Left Behind program.
"It's starting to come around. He has a lot left to do with it," Mier said.
Bush threw in one Spanish line, telling the crowd he would win with their help.
"Con su apoyo, vamos aganar," he said, rolling the last r.
Bush said the difference between himself and Kerry is wide. He said Kerry believes American values are to be found in Hollywood.
"The heart and soul of America is found in places like Alamogordo, New Mexico," Bush told the wildly cheering crowd.
And Bush said he will use a steady hand to guide the nation.
"You know where I stand and sometimes you even know where my opponent stands," Bush said. "I'm a compassionate conservative and proud of it."
Although Mier said the president might have gone into Iraq "too early," he said Bush's character is important to him.
"He's just truthful. He does what he says," Mier said. "I think he shoots from the hip and he shoots straight."
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