Grand Rapids - President Bush stressed the need to continue the momentum his administration has generated as he targeted his re-election efforts on Michigan during his 17th visit to the state on Friday.

The president stumped at Grand Rapids Community College's Ford Fieldhouse as part of a two-day campaign sweep through four key states. He also traveled to Missouri, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

"There's only one reason to look backward at the record, and that is to determine who will lead the nation forward - who can do the job for the American people," Bush told a crowd of thousands of supporters during nearly an hour-long speech.

"From creating jobs, to improving schools, to fighting terror, to protecting our homeland, we've made much progress, and I'm here to tell you we've got more to do."

His primary slogan was "America is turning the corner, and we're not turning back," which he repeated throughout his speech when he talked about the economy, education, health care and terrorism. He stressed his administration's success in handling these issues.

The ecstatic crowd gave the president numerous standing ovations, waved blue and red "W"s for the president's middle name.

But his appearance also drew a group of more than 100 protesters, who marched through downtown carrying signs with slogans such as "Defend America, Defeat Bush!"

Grand Rapids resident Stacy Steen, 43, showed up to protest the way she says Bush has isolated the United States from the rest of the world.

"We've looked pretty bad worldwide since Bush has been president," Steen said, holding a "Kerry For President" sign. "It's causing the whole U.S. to pull inward.

"It's very isolationist."

As demonstrators paced outside, supporters rallied around the president. Some, such as Linda Foley, said they were glad the president talked about how he would lead the country, if re-elected, instead of repeatedly bashing Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.

Foley, 48, of Kentwood, who said she saw Bush's father speak, said her main issues going into November's election are national security and health care, areas she said Bush has done well on.

Following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the Bush administration created the Department of Homeland Security and more than four million senior citizens have signed up for drug discount cards in order to receive price breaks on prescription drugs.

"He's very strong on national defense, and I like what's happened so far with prescription drug coverage," Foley said.

On education, Bush said he has helped improve education standards and focus on results in public schools.

"We're insisting on accountability," Bush said. "We're empowering parents and we're making sure local folks are in charge of their own public schools. And today children across America are showing real progress in reading and math."

"When it comes to improving America's public schools, we're turning the corner, and we're not turning back."

He also emphasized his efforts to provide tax relief to American workers with tax cuts in 2001 and 2003.

"Because we acted, our economy since last summer has grown at a rate as fast as any in nearly 20 years," Bush said.

He was quick to point out, however, there's much more work to be done to help the economy.

"We still face serious challenges, especially in places like western Michigan, where the slowdown hit hard. I understand that," Bush said. "That's why we'll keep working to help all sectors of our economy recover. We will not rest until every American who wants to work can find a job."

The administration has taken a steadfast approach in dealing with terrorists and terrorist threats, Bush said.

"America's future depends on our willingness to lead in the world," he said. "If America shows uncertainty and weakness in this decade, the world will drift toward tragedy.

"This will not happen on my watch," he continued, drawing chants of "Four more years" from the audience.

Afghanistan was the home of al-Qaida before the attacks, but now is a rising democracy and an ally in the war on terror, Bush said. He also strongly defended the way the administration dealt with former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

Bush's decision to target an area such as Grand Rapids was imperative for the campaign's hopes of carrying Michigan, said Bill Ballenger, editor and publisher of the Lansing-based newsletter Inside Michigan Politics.

"If he doesn't show up in Grand Rapids, he's a fool," he said. "It's a major Republican bastion, and he's got to make sure nobody there's tempted to vote for Kerry."

Because he didn't carry Michigan four years ago, Bush is in for a tight race, Ballenger said. Despite this, Ballenger said the support for Bush is strong enough in other states that it is not as crucial for the president to win Michigan as it is for Kerry.

"Bush could win the election without winning Michigan, but Kerry has to carry Michigan in order to win," he said.

When Bush comes to Michigan, he's not brought out on center stage for the whole state to see, Ballenger said. He said Bush wants to target his conservative base in key areas of the state.

"If people want to notice his visit, fine, but he's not coming to attract attention from all over the state," Ballenger said. "He wants to show West Michigan he cares."

Bush returns to Michigan on Thursday, stumping in Saginaw for another campaign rally.