KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. -- President George W. Bush made another stop in Pennsylvania yesterday, rallying supporters in nearby King of Prussia, Pa.
Bush discussed education proposals and other platform issues in front of a capacity crowd at the Valley Forge Convention Center. The hour-long speech touched on the president's support for community colleges, the results of his No Child Left Behind Act and plans for a teacher incentive fund.
The trip was Bush's 37th visit to Pennsylvania, a state won by then-Vice President Al Gore in the 2000 election, but which is now considered a key battleground state for both candidates.
The president said that the No Child Left Behind Act created an important measure of accountability for students, teachers and schools.
"There's an achievement gap in America that's closing," said Bush, citing proposals to create a teacher incentive fund of $500 million "to pay teachers for a job well done."
Bush voiced his support for community colleges, saying, "They're accessible, they're affordable, they're adjustable to the times ... and a wonderful opportunity for workers to gain the skills necessary for jobs" in the 21st century.
Bush also spoke about the war in Iraq, a touchy issue during a week when the beheading of two Americans, Eugene Armstrong and Jack Hensley, has been widely covered in national news, and a third British hostage now faces a death threat.
He reflected on the struggle in Iraq, saying, "The way towards the conclusion we all want ... is not to wilt or waver or send mixed signals to the enemy," and added, "My opponent is sending mixed signals."
"It's tough at times," Bush acknowledged, but said that "there's steady progress."
"The world is safer with Saddam Hussein sitting in a prison cell, and so is America," Bush said.
Bush is scheduled to meet with Ayad Allawi, the interim prime minister of Iraq, on Thursday at the White House. The president met with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf early Wednesday morning in New York, before flying on to Pennsylvania.
During his speech, the president spent time discussing the situation in Afghanistan and cited the 10 million registered voters in that country as evidence of progress.
"We're safer as a result of the actions that the U.S. military took, and Afghanistan is better off," he said.
After his stop in King of Prussia, where he pledged government aid to victims of Hurricane Ivan, the president traveled to Allegheny County, Pa., to survey storm damage.
"Our government is ready to help, and to provide whatever aid is necessary," Bush said.
Melissa Brown, a Republican candidate for Congressional District 13 and a former Nursing professor spoke about education as the crowd waited for Bush's arrival.
"I believe those who earnestly seek an education should never be turned away," she said, adding that Bush has provided "historical levels of funding for education."
Southern Chester County resident Kyle Casey attended Bush's speech, and was supportive of Bush's proposals for the economy and education.
Bush "is often accused of not having a good economic policy," he said, "but I thought he dealt with it pretty well."
Casey found Bush's concern for small businesses appealing, as well as the information presented on the No Child Left Behind Act.
