Today, in Washington, speaking to our nation’s governors.

What The Governor’s Got To Know

First, obviously — well, I don’t know if it’s obvious to you, or not, but my biggest concern is protecting this country. You got to know something, that a lot of my thinking was defined on September the 11th.

It Is The Way It Was

I wish that wasn’t the way it was. But it is.

Two-In-One

You’ve got two governors who are active in the Guard and Reserve — Governor Blunt and Governor Sanford. He’s not here because he’s at a Air Force Reserve meeting, as I understand, and I appreciate very much the example you all are setting.

Obviously, There Is Concerns

Obviously, there’s concerns about the decisions I have made regarding Iraq, and I understand that.

Um… Nothing Comes Out Of A Vacuum

If we leave before that country can govern itself and sustain itself and defend itself, there will be chaos. And out of chaos will come vacuums; and out of vacuums will come an emboldened enemy that would like to do us harm.

The White House Transcription Service Goes Phonetic

And if our job is to protec this country, it’s important we get it right in Iraq.

Outside Of Washington He Calls Them Traitors

I hope out of all this debate — and by the way, there is — you’ve just got to understand, here in Washington, I do not believe that someone is unpatriotic if they don’t agree with my point of view.

He Said, Pointing To Dick Cheney’s Stock Portfolio

We submitted a strong budget for 2008. And we’re going to need your help to make sure Congress keeps that budget intact. The temptation sometimes is take a little bit from the defense and add it to here.

The Importance of Importance

The reason I think it’s important to keep taxes low is because I think that’s important to sustain economic growth and vitality.

Stuff It

I wish I had the line-item veto like you all do — or some of you do. It makes it easier to deal with the issues like earmarks or these interests that get stuffed into these bills at the last minute without having been debated.

It Rubs The Lotion On Its Skin Or Else It Gets The Hose Again

It helps keep those budgets lean and focused and having the priorities real clear.

Universal Health Care for Some

We believe one of the biggest needs is to make sure private health insurance is available to a lot of folks in our country. And so the Affordable Choices program is a real program.

Who Made The World Into A Globe?

The real challenge facing this country is whether or not we’re going to be competitive; whether or not we’ve got the skill set necessary to fill the jobs of the 21st century. If we don’t, they’ll go elsewhere. That’s just what happens in a globalized world.

There He Goes Again, Showing Off His Book Larnin’

Another exciting technological breakthrough is going to come with cellulosic ethanol. It’s a long, fancy word for making gasoline — or making ethanol out of product other than sugar and corn, like switchgrass or wood chips.

Old Habits Die Hard

I’ve had some good meetings with the Democrat — Democratic leadership.