By Bill Raack, KWMU
St. Charles, MO – President George Bush spoke to thousands of Republican supporters in St. Charles Tuesday.
Appearing without a tie and his sleeves rolled up, President Bush told party faithful that he needs their votes to win Missouri in November. He won the toss-up state by just three percentage points in 2000.
During the 45-minute campaign appearance, the President told an enthusiastic crowd at the Family Arena that the country is safer today because of action taken by his administration.
He says he has provided three and a half years of leadership in the war on terror, but added the job is not complete.
"If America shows weakness or uncertainty in this decade the world will drift toward tragedy. This will not happen on my watch."
Bush also drew loud cheers when he took on his Democratic opponent, John Kerry, directly. "He's [Kerry] been in Washington a long time, a long time. He's been there long enough to take both sides of just about every issue," the President said.
Bush also criticized Kerry for selecting a lawyer as a running mate, and for not supporting the military.
The Missouri stop was one of his last before taking a break during the Democratic National Convention next week.
Outside the event, organizers had to deal with several people who needed treatment after waiting in 90-degree temperatures. There were very few protesters.