Bush will focus on protecting America and ensuring economic prosperity.

Over these last several weeks, it might have been easy to lose focus of the clear vision that President Bush has for leading our great country. Indeed, the campaign season seems to have begun with a very heated caucus and primary contest among the president’s potential opponents in this fall’s general election. However, the president’s vision, dedication to service and his trustworthy leadership remain unchanged.

The president’s priorities are the nation’s priorities – rebuilding a robust economy through job growth, fighting terrorism and protecting our homeland. He has already made significant strides on all of these fronts. But in an election year, the truth gets muddied by partisan politics, which is why I am glad that the president has recently chosen to clearly and positively reiterate his commitment to making America a safer and more prosperous nation over the next four years.

Despite what critics say, the recession economy that rolled over from the Clinton administration is recovering, thanks to the president’s efforts to provide tax relief to Americans at a time when they needed it most. Similarly, unemployment figures caused by an inflated Internet economy and a decade of corporate greed are also improving, due in large part to the president’s tax incentives for businesses.

Make no mistake, the call from some to repeal the tax cuts is not about balancing the budget, it’s about having more money to grow the bureaucracy and partisan politics. And it would only result in a heavier tax burden on working-class families who could use those extra dollars to provide for their childrens’ needs.

In 2003, America made significant progress in the war on terror. Afghanistan, once ruled by the repressive Taliban regime and a safe haven for al-Qaida, has a new constitution. Libya pledged to disclose and dismantle all of the regime’s weapons of mass destruction programs. In Iraq, the remnants of the Baathist regime are being rounded up, and Iraqis are assuming responsibility for their future government.

Americans have known for years that Saddam Hussein was a brutal dictator who used weapons of mass destruction to massacre his own citizens. President Bush relied on the same intelligence that President Clinton and Secretary of State Albright used to determine that the dictator had weapons of mass destruction and posed a threat to the United States. Indeed, both Clinton and Albright are repeatedly on the public record affirming such views.

Tyrants like Saddam Hussein have no place in a world that has a shared stake in the value of human life and humane treatment. Our courageous military and the military coalition of our allies have ensured that Saddam Hussein’s reign of terror has ended.

These victories do not change the solemn fact that our nation remains at war – a war that began on Sept. 11, 2001. At the time of the tragic events of Sept. 11, Americans may not have known that they had a leader who sticks to his principles and who would fight to preserve and protect the American way of life. They do now.

President Bush moved swiftly to secure the nation’s homeland. In 2003, the new Department of Homeland Security began its operation. Over this past year, steps have been taken to reduce the terrorist threat to Americans here at home, to protect our borders and to protect American interests overseas. The president’s budget reflects the continuing importance of providing for the defense and security of the American people.

The president has moved as aggressively to strengthen our economy and will continue to open markets abroad for American products. As the economy improves, he has a plan to help Americans develop the skills they need to succeed in a highly competitive job market. The president has proposed a Jobs for the 21st Century initiative to ensure older students and adults can gain the skills they need for the jobs of the new economy.

Meeting the priorities the president has set for our country will take hard work, skill and the support of the American people. Americans have always risen to new challenges. We are currently represented by a president who never loses focus and never underestimates the strengths of this nation and the enterprise of its people.

As 2004 begins, I am confident the people will recognize time and time again that their priorities are the president’s and that he is as focused as ever on making America a safer and more prosperous nation. The proof – and truth – is in his record.

Peter Cianchette is the Maine chairman for President Bush’s 2004 re-election campaign and a former candidate for governor.

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