NEWS
Kerry unleashes storm on Bush
Looking for a print version?
Simply choose ‘Print’ on your computer and a printer-friendly document will be generated.
Related links:
Also by Ryan Masse:
Related Stories:
- White House urges Kerry to apologize for expletive (December 8, 2003)
- Bush, Kerry set to take debate stage (September 30, 2004)
- Campus Democrats unite behind Kerry (March 3, 2004)
- Edwards campaigns at UW-Eau Claire stop (October 20, 2004)
- Kerry berates Bush in Milwaukee (April 9, 2004)
by Ryan Masse
Thursday, September 16, 2004
Forced inside by inclement weather, Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry unleashed a storm of his own Wednesday, directing a torrent of criticism at President George W. Bush during a rally at the Alliant Energy Center.
Kerry branded Bush as arrogant and reckless for his policies in Iraq, saying the president rushed into war.
“It’s not just making the big decision — that’s the requirement of the president — it’s making the right decision,” Kerry said. “No decision this president has made is more disastrous than the decision he made in Iraq.”
Kerry himself voted for the Iraq war, as did his running mate John Edwards.
“And you, the American taxpayer, have been asked to spend 200 billion dollars that could have gone to health care, prescription drugs, to America. I will fight a smarter, more effective war on terror,” he said.
Kerry also blamed the president for the largest budget deficits in history and a loss of jobs. The Massachusetts senator said Bush’s tax cuts, both inequitable and irresponsible, would hurt the country down the road.
“I think it’s the job of the president to be fiscally responsible and not saddle our children with debt for years to come,” Kerry said.
Kerry promised to repeal tax cuts for the wealthiest citizens and take away tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas. He pledged to lower the cost of prescription drugs, saying health care is a not a privilege but a right.
Commenting on Monday’s expiration of the federal assault weapons ban, Kerry said Bush left the nation’s police officers vulnerable by bowing to the demands of the National Rifle Association.
As president, Kerry promised he would not let oil executives write the energy policy of the nation. Kerry quoted a song title from musician Sheryl Crow, who was the opening act for his appearance. He said that “All I Wanna Do (Is Have Some Fun)” should be the theme song of energy giant Halliburton.
“We’re going to change that,” Kerry asserted.
Although the rally was originally set at the state Capitol, throngs of supporters still showed up to pack the exhibition hall. Kerry campaign officials estimated about 10,000 people attended the event.
With so many UW students in the audience, Kerry — careful to avoid another “Lambert Field” fiasco — said the boisterous crowd was loud enough to compare with student sections at Camp Randall Stadium.
Former Congressman Scott Klug was not among those among those buying Kerry’s message, however.
“Kerry has no credibility attacking President Bush’s record when the President’s pro-growth policies have helped create 47,400 new jobs in Wisconsin since the end of last year,” Klug said in a statement. “The fact that John Kerry has to come to Madison to shore up his base is an indication of how much trouble he is in here in Wisconsin.”
UW College Democrats Chair Liz Sanger, who introduced Kerry along with Gov. Jim Doyle, said the Democrat’s speech reached out to students in the crowd.
“Some of his messages really resonated with students, and not just issues that focus on education,” Sanger said. “When we talk about the budget and taxes, we’re thinking 20 or 40 years in advance. That’s our generation that will be in control, and if we’re saddled with this gigantic deficit that we’re headed toward now, we’re going to be in huge trouble.”
Josiah (September 16, 2004 @ 5:07am):
Kerry and Edwards didn't vote for the war, they voted to allow the President the authority to make the decision. Unfortunately, in his haste, the President didn't make the right decision. Roadmap for Peace, Bush Doctrine, tax cuts during increased spending in time of war, misstating statistics, Osama bin laden free and planning more attacks, the US military stretched to the point of calling up retired military personal, Abu Ghraib and other human rights abuses, increased terror attacks, smear campaign against Kerry, sending troops into Afghanistan then pulling many back out to send to Iraq, turning his back on the environment, I could go on, but I guess I have to ask, over the last 4 years, when has the President made the right decision?
If the flip-flop doesn't fit, you must acquit.
Anonymous (September 16, 2004 @ 7:57am):
From Main Street Brats to Lambert Field, John Kerry knows Wisconsin like the back of his hand.
Anonymous (September 16, 2004 @ 9:06am):
Klug misses the point. Yes, Bush's policies are partially responsible for recent job growth in Wisconsin, but most of the new jobs pay significantly less than the hundreds of thousands of jobs that left Wisconsin earlier in Bush's term. The only question a voter needs to ask is, "Am I better off now than I was four years ago?" An honest voter will answer "no," unless he or she is among the wealthiest 2% of Americans.
