For Immediate Release
Office of the First Lady
November 3, 2008

Mrs. Bush's Remarks at a Kentucky Victory '08 Rally
Paroquet Springs Conference Center
Shepherdsville, Kentucky

12:38 P.M. EST

MRS. BUSH: Thank you very much, Brett. Thank you for the very nice introduction, and thank you, everyone here, for the very warm welcome to Kentucky. I'm so happy to be here. (Applause.)

I want to acknowledge some of the people that are on the stage with me. Mike Duncan, who's the Chairman of the Republican National Committee, thank you very much, Mike. I want to thank Mike for all of his hard work this whole year and for producing a very, very excellent convention. Thank you very much, Mike. (Applause.)

Our Emcee, State Senator Gary Tapp, thank you for emceeing for us, and thank you for your service to your state. Thanks, Gary. (Applause.)

Secretary of State Trey Grayson is here, I think. Trey, are you behind me? Thank you very much, Trey. (Applause.)

And I want to thank all the other elected officials that are standing here with me, these great Republican elected officials. Be sure you reelect them if they're on the ballot this time. Thank you all for your service to Kentucky. (Applause.)

Brett's wife, Beth, is here, too. When your spouse is in politics, you're involved whether you want to be or not. (Laughter.) And we know that the very successful politicians are the ones whose families stand with them all the time, and I want to thank Beth very much. (Applause.) Thanks to Beth, and Caroline, and Robby, and Elizabeth -- Brett's kids -- who stand with Brett always. Thank you all, thank you for working hard for Brett's election to the United States Congress.

And I want to thank each and every one of you, every one that's here, for coming out to support Brett Guthrie for Congress, and for supporting Kentucky's other great Republican candidates like Dwight Butler, David Floyd, and Trina Summers who are here with me. I think you heard from them just a few minutes ago. Thank you all for your support for them. (Applause.)

After months of primary elections, campaign ads, and debates, tomorrow is finally Election Day. (Applause.) I'm really looking forward to Election Day, partly because it seems like George has been on the ticket this entire year. (Laughter.) The Republican Party has a great ticket: a real American hero, John McCain -- (applause) -- and a strong executive and proven reformer, Governor Sarah Palin. (Applause.)

I'm proud that John McCain chose a Republican woman, Sarah Palin, to run with him on our ticket. (Applause.) And I'm proud of all the impressive women who have served in my husband's administration -- women like Labor Secretary Elaine Chao. (Applause.) Elaine is the first Kentuckian named to the President's cabinet since 1945, and she's done a terrific job.

And let's not forget Elaine's husband, your State Senator and the Republican Leader of the United States Senate, Mitch McConnell. (Applause.) Kentucky couldn't have a better advocate in Washington than Mitch McConnell. And my advice for tomorrow is to stick with Mitch for seven -- six more years in the Senate. (Applause.)

I'm especially proud of being able to work with Mitch McConnell on humans -- human rights issues around the world. I don't know if you're aware that your Senator Mitch McConnell is a very, very strong voice for countries like Burma that are suffering very severe human rights abuses. Mitch McConnell speaks out with them, and I'm very, very happy to have the chance over the last few years to work with him as we point to these countries around the world where people are suffering. So I respect and admire him, and I know he'll be reelected tomorrow. So thank you all very much for that. (Applause.)

Here in Kentucky's 2nd District, you have another great reason to go to the polls tomorrow -- and that's for voting for your next Congressman, Brett Guthrie. (Applause.)

Brett understands that in today's economic climate, it's more important than ever to have leaders who will make responsible choices for our nation's future. And he knows that the decisions people make in Washington are felt most deeply around the kitchen tables in your own homes.

When he was just a teenager, Brett remembers seeing men that he had known all of his life in tears, wondering how they were going to support their families after the Ford plant where they worked closed its doors.

Brett watched his father turn hardship into opportunity. He started his own company, Trace Die Cast, with just a few employees. Brett is now Vice President of this local business. And together with his father, he has helped create more than 500 good jobs right here in Kentucky. (Applause.)

Brett knows what it's like to work in a factory, just like many of the people here in Bullitt County. And Brett understands that the very best way to help working families is to make sure they get to keep more of their own hard-earned money by making sure taxes are low. (Applause.)

Brett understands that Kentucky families are worried about rising health care costs. As Vice President of Trace Die Cast, Brett personally negotiates with insurance companies to ensure that workers receive quality health care at the lowest prices. In Washington, he can use this experience to watch out for the interests of your families, and to help expand access to quality, affordable health care.

One thing is clear: Brett Guthrie is the only candidate in this race who's ever created a job or provided health insurance, and that means something to working families across Kentucky. (Applause.)

And this is especially close to my heart: Brett understands that to meet changing demands of our economy, the people of Kentucky must have access to good education. As your State Senator, Brett has been working on the Education Committee to improve schools for Kentucky children. His commitment has earned him the African American Equity Coalition's "Children's Champion" award and recognition from the College Board as the "State Education Leader of the Year."

Brett knows that an educated workforce will improve business across Kentucky and build a stronger state. And when workers at Brett's company want new training, or a college education, Brett makes sure they get the education or training that they want.

Brett learned to be a leader at West Point -- and later as a Field Artillery Officer in the 101st Airborne Division. In Congress, he will be a champion for the men and women of the United States military. (Applause.)

As Brett will tell you, he has been "down range" on a tank at Fort Knox. He knows how important this base is to the 2nd District -- and to our national security. Brett will work hard to support these jobs and to keep Fort Knox mission-critical. (Applause.)

Brett Guthrie shares the values of Kentucky's 2nd District. He has earned an "A" rating from the NRA and endorsements from Kentucky Right to Life and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. (Applause.) When you elect Brett to Washington, he'll stand strong for your families, and he'll represent your core beliefs in the halls of Congress.

This year's election is a decisive moment for the future of our country -- the choices you make tomorrow will affect the course our nation's history for years to come. Thank you for everything you're doing to support John McCain and Sarah Palin -- and Brett Guthrie and Kentucky's Republican candidates. (Applause.) Thanks especially to every one of the volunteers here for your hard work making phone calls and going door to door to encourage people to vote.

You've already done so much to help Brett and our other candidates in Kentucky. Tomorrow, we need more of your energy and enthusiasm. Be sure you get everyone you know to the polls -- and make sure they're all Brett Guthrie voters when you take them in. He needs your support in Kentucky. (Applause.) And our country needs Brett Guthrie in the United States Congress. Be sure to elect Brett Guthrie tomorrow.

Thank you all very much. And may God bless you, and God bless America. Thank you so much. (Applause.)

END 12:49 P.M. EST