Choosing Bush’s leadership

Historical records can provide guidance in the game of political predictions, but Alan Ginsberg’s oped, “Election 2004: Wisdom and politics” (BDN, June 24), left out too many important factors that will help determine the outcome of the presidential election. President Bush’s steady leadership, strong record of accomplishments on important issues and optimistic vision for America presents a clear choice for voters when compared to his opponent’s weak and confusing record on the issues, support for higher taxes and unsteady position on the war on terror.

We face new enemies today and new threats to our safety, security and free way of life. The Sept. 11 attacks forced us into a global war on terror and confronted the president with difficult decisions. Bush decided to confront terrorist enemies on their own soil in order to prevent the battle from being fought in our own cities and neighborhoods.

Ginsberg wrote that when the United States is fighting an unpopular war, the president’s party loses. War in general is not popular, but the cause we fight for is. Our brave soldiers have toppled a brutal dictator who was a threat to his own people and the world who will soon be judged in a court under a fully sovereign nation. The Iraqi people have been liberated and are opening new businesses, hospitals and schools – and America is more secure.

Bush’s resolve and commitment to protecting America leaves terrorists and the world no question where he stands. He is resolved to protect our homeland and deliver the same freedoms we enjoy. Our enemies must know and expect America to follow through on its word. Sen. John Kerry voted for the war in Iraq and then campaigned as an anti-war candidate and voted against funding for our troops.

Kerry’s willingness to change his position and back down for political expediency will only give terrorists hope and endanger our security as a nation. Bush realizes the danger of weak leadership and political pragmatism. He is laying the groundwork for our security and knows the decision he makes today will have consequences well into the future.

The decisions Bush makes toward our economy’s growth will also have significant consequences for the future. His tax relief and confidence in the American people has spurred and economic recovery after a series of blows to our economy. Bush’s optimistic vision is creating jobs and providing new opportunities for Americans and has strengthened an economy that is growing at a record pace. More than 1.4 million new jobs have been created since August 2003, including 2,100 new jobs in Maine during the month of May alone.

Ginsberg writes that band economic news is very bad news for a president. The opposite is also true. A recent Associated Press poll attributes the president’s boost in the polls to growing optimism about the economy. The good news of a record economic recovery is very good news for Bush and bad news for Kerry, who has been conducting a tour of doom and gloom across the country talking about the Great Depression as he tries to distract attention from the positive economic news.

Ginsberg also calls upon the Hoover days and the Great Depression to prove his point, but leaves out any recent economic indicators that show new jobs are being created every month in every region across the country. Unemployment is steadily dropping, homeownership and household income are near record levels, and productivity is up, resulting in higher wages. Kerry’s record of support for higher taxes and promise to roll back Bush’s tax cuts would derail this economic recovery.

Bush has provided steady leadership on homeland security and household security issues. He is leading the country in the fight against terrorist enemies and is leading the country through a record recovery.

After years of debate and no results, Bush delivered results for America’s older citizens with a prescription drug and Medicare reform bill and landmark education reforms for our youngest citizens. Kerry voted for the education reform bill and now criticizes it and missed 36 of the 38 votes on the prescription drug bill. He is now running against Bush’s record because he has no record to promote after 20 years in the Senate and no new policies of his own.

Could the choice be any more clear this November?

Jim Tobin, the Bush-Cheney ’04 New England regional chairman, lives in Bangor.