Two days before the GOP convention begins, President Bush spoke to a crowd of 15,000 at Fort Meigs, hoping to convince voters.

Following a day-long bus tour in this battleground state, the president acknowledged the support he has seen in Ohio.

“I’ll tell you what I think. (With) these crowds we’ve seen, there’s no doubt in my mind with your help we’ll carry Ohio and win a great victory in November,” Bush said.

Bush encouraged the crowd to get friends and family to the polls in November, and vote for him if they want a better country.

He explained that Americans need to look back at the past few years only to determine who is best to lead them forward. He believes there is more work to be done to improve the country.

One area Bush mentioned improving is America’s school system. He explained that when his term began schools were pushing students through without learning the basics, and he challenged the low expectations.

“We raised the standards,” he said. “Because we believe every child can learn to read, and write, and add and subtract.”

Bush intends to ensure each school has enough science and math programs to help students prosper. He also believes the rising generation will have enough skills to succeed in the global world if he is re-elected.

Another area the president hopes to improve is the economy. Bush said that corporate scandals and the World Trade Center attacks have caused many people to lose jobs, but that he believes Americans have persevered through those obstacles, partially because of his tax cuts.

“We said if you’re paying taxes, you oughta get relief,” Bush said. “We did it the fair way. We also raised the child credit to help families. We reduced the marriage penalty… Because we acted our economy’s been growing at rates as fast as any in nearly 20 years. We’ve added 1.5 million new jobs over the past 12 months.”

A second Bush administration will create proper conditions for job growth, Bush said, stating that Americans need to depend less on foreign sources of energy to be successful.

“In order to keep jobs here in America; in order to make sure this economy grows; in order to make sure people are able to realize their dreams, we need to be wise about how we spend your money, and we need to keep your taxes low,” Bush said.

Bush discussed Senator John Kerry’s alleged promises of over $2 trillion in new programs. He lamented that Kerry intends to get this money by taxing the wealthy.

Another issue Bush called Kerry out on was national security. He assured the crowd he will not let the world drift toward tragedy by showing uncertainty.

Bush explained that because of America’s defense in Afghanistan post 9/11, Afghanistan is now a rising democracy.

“Because we acted, over ten million citizens in Afghanistan have registered to vote in the upcoming presidential election,” Bush said. “Because we acted, many young girls go to school for the first time in Afghanistan. Because we acted, we now have an ally in the war on terror. Because we acted, America and the world are safer.”

The president explained he looked at Saddam Hussein’s history and intelligence records and saw a threat. He said that members of the United Nations, Congress and both parties, including Kerry, voted for the use of force if need be.

Bush lamented Kerry’s multiple opinions on the war.

“He now agrees it was the right decision to go into Iraq. After months of questioning my motives, and even my credibility, my opponent now agrees with me that even though we haven’t found the stockpiles we thought we would find, knowing everything we know today he would’ve voted to go into Iraq and remove Saddam Hussein from power. I appreciate him for clearing that up. But however, I want to warn you, there’s still a little over 60 days for him to change his mind.”

Bush stressed that negotiating with terrorists is not possible–rather America must pursue them elsewhere so they are not dealt with in the homeland.

The president also stated his support of America’s military. His administration will make sure the troops complete the Iraqi mission as quickly as possible.

He thanked the veterans for setting a good example. He explained that congress and the senate supported his $87 billion proposal for the troops, and complained that Kerry showed mixed emotions about this.

“Only 12 United States senators voted against the funding for our troops. Two of them are my opponent and his running mate,” he said as the crowd laughed. “So they asked him, they said, ‘how can you not support our troops in combat?’ He said, ‘I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it.’ I don’t think many people talk that way here in Ohio.”

State senator Randy Gardner ran the event, which also included speeches from state representative Bob Latta, congressman Larry Kazala, Wood County Commissioner President Jim Carter and state auditor Betty Montgomery. Country singer LeeAnn Womack made a surprise appearance.

The candidates discussed former president Reagan’s 1984 appearance in Perrysburg and related it to the Bush appearance.

“Perrysburg and northwest Ohio gave President Ronald Reagan a great welcome, and from that day forward the campaign took off and went on to win one of the greatest presidential victories in American history. Can we do that again for George W. Bush?” Gardner asked the crowd.

Womack entertained the crowd by singing four songs, including her hit “I Hope You Dance,” and a rendition of “This Land.”

Latta said supreme court and court of appeals appointments are made by the president, and encouraged them to vote not only in this election, but in future elections.

“We’ve got to make sure we have George W. Bush making those appointments, and making sure throughout the next five years, or ten years, or 20 or 25 years down the road we have the right people in there interpreting the laws, not making them for us,” he said.