APPLETON, Wis. — Defending free-trade policies and his tax

cuts as driving forces behind the growing economy, President Bush

gave a speech in Appleton, trumpeting his administration’s

polices at home and abroad as necessary for economic growth.

Addressing members of the city’s chamber of commerce

during his ninth trip to Wisconsin, the president praised the

state’s economic health, saying, “Wisconsin is helping

lead the growth of this country.”

Bush cited a buoyant “entrepreneurial spirit of

America” and the country’s deep resolve and character

as reasons why Americans overcame major challenges in the past

years, from an economic recession to the Sept. 11 terrorist

attacks.

Bush argued his tax cuts brought the country out of the

“shallowest” of recessions by giving all Americans tax

relief needed to invigorate small businesses and promote job

growth.

“The best way to deal with economic problems is to let

people keep more of their own money,” Bush said, adding that

all Americans, both the poor and the rich, should get tax cuts.

“Government is not in the business of picking winners and

losers in tax relief.”

The president also addressed the issue of free trade, saying

that building “walls around America” would economically

isolate the country and lock small businesses out of opportunities

to increase jobs at home and exports overseas.

Bush argued Americans must have confidence that America can

compete in the world economy; he cited rising Wisconsin trade

abroad and growing foreign capital invested in the state.

“I believe this country can compete anywhere, anytime, any

place so long as the rules are fair,” Bush said.

Bush acknowledged the problem of outsourcing jobs, saying

economic policy must lead to growth that includes expanding

opportunities for work. Wisconsin has lost more than 80,000

manufacturing jobs over the past three years as companies relocate

overseas.

The war in Iraq surfaced as a major theme throughout the speech,

as Bush argued that ensuring American security was necessary to

protect the U.S. economy, which took a tumble after the Sept. 11

attacks.

Bush defended the administration’s decision to oust Saddam

Hussein, saying his administration, Congress and the United Nations

all saw the Iraqi regime as a clear “threat.”

“I had a choice to make,” Bush said. “Do I

trust the word of a madman, or do I make a choice to defend our

country? Given that choice, I will defend our country every

time.”

Although White House officials identified the president’s

address as purely policy-oriented and not part of Bush’s

re-election campaign, many political experts argue Bush has

targeted trips to Wisconsin to boost his popularity in the

state.

Bush lost Wisconsin by fewer than 6,000 votes in the 2000

election and is expected to compete fiercely for the traditionally

swing state during the presidential election this fall. As the

president delivered his speech, a number of protesters, toting

signs condemning Bush’s policies and signaling their support

for Democratic nominee John Kerry, circled outside.

Yelling chants labeling Bush a “liar,” the group

held signs condemning the president’s stance on everything

from the Iraq war to his proposal to pass a federal constitutional

amendment banning gay marriage.

“We are against everything he is,” said protester

Dan Winters, a 17-year-old high school student from Appleton.

“We are going to get him out of office.”