Kerry Criticizes Bush on U.S. Security (Barf Alert)

Yahoo! News ^ | 3/15/04 | Mike Glover - AP

[NormsRevenge]

WASHINGTON -

Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry on Monday criticized President Bush's record on homeland security, saying his Republican rival is "big on bluster and short on action" in protecting the nation.

Speaking to the International Association of Firefighters, a 263,000-member union that has endorsed his candidacy, the four-term Massachusetts senator argued that Bush talks tough on terrorism but has failed to back it up with the financial resources firefighters and other first responders need.

"I do not fault George Bush for doing too much in the war on terror, I believe he's done too little," Kerry said. "I think this administration has it backward. President Bush says we can't afford to fund homeland security. I say we can't afford not to."

At the White House, spokesman Scott McClellan sought to raise credibility questions about Kerry, suggesting that the Democrat had lied when he said some foreign leaders privately back his candidacy.

Kerry should identify the leaders who purportedly hope he beats President Bush in November, McClellan said. "Either he is straightforward and states who they are, or the only conclusion one can draw is that he is making it up to attack the president," the spokesman said.

Kerry has declined to name any leaders who have voiced support for his candidacy, saying he didn't want to betray any confidences.

"I have heard from people, foreign leaders elsewhere in the world who don't appreciate the Bush administration and would love to see a change in the leadership of the United States," he said.

Asked about the latest Republican criticism, Kerry said, "They're trying to change the subject from jobs, health care, the environment and social security. They don't have a campaign so they're trying to divert it."

Speaking to the firefighters union, which has members in more than 3,500 communities, Kerry said, "Whether it has been providing funding and equipment for firefighters, ensuring that cargo in our ports is screened, guarding our chemical and nuclear facilities, or working with local communities across the country to give them resources they need — this administration has given our homeland security efforts short shrift. You deserve better."

The Bush-Cheney campaign questioned Kerry's claim, saying the president's budget request for fiscal 2005 calls for $500 million in grants for firefighters, a 400 percent increase since 2001.

"When John Kerry shows up to meet with union bosses today, he should explain why he didn't show up for the vote on last year's $29.3 billion Homeland Security appropriations bill," said Steve Schmidt, a spokesman for the Bush-Cheney campaign.

Kerry used the appearance at the union's legislative conference to fault Bush's leadership, arguing that the president has alienated allies and carried out failed policies.

"He's pushed away our allies at a time when we need them the most," Kerry said. "He hasn't pursued a strategy to win the hearts and minds of people around the world and win the war of ideas against the radical ideology of Osama bin Laden."

The Democrat added: "When it comes to protecting America from terrorism, this administration is big on bluster and short on action."

In his speech, Kerry also focused on a report in The New York Times that federal investigators were examining television reports in which the administration paid individuals to pose as journalists and praise the Medicare law that offers a prescription drug benefit for the elderly.

"They've hired actors to pose as journalists to sell a bad bill with your money," Kerry said. "After already hiring actors to pose as soldiers in the president's campaign commercials you have to wonder: How many Oscar-winning performances will it take to convince America that George Bush can put America back on track?"

[NormsRevenge]

excuse me while I clean the coffee off my screen. :-\

[rhombus]

Kerry et al are praying for terrorism here so they can say see -- he's not doing enough. Meanwhile the union firefighters and cops all want more cash thrown into their troughs.

[Republicus2001]

Mean national socialists SUCK

[kellynla]

Senator Kerry, President Bush released his ANG records. Your Naval medical records are next. Semper Fi, Kelly

Viet Nam Veterans Against Kerry
http://www.vietnamveteransagainstjohnkerry.com

[Integrityrocks]

First Kerry says Bush is over reacting to "so-called terrorism" now Bush isn't doing enough? Pleeeeeze tell me even die-hard Dems can't buy this garbage? This man is imploding!

[LibFreeUSA]

-"When it comes to protecting America from terrorism, this administration is big on bluster and short on action."

You can't win with these liars, cheaters, and scumbags!

[rintense]

When did President Bush EVER say, 'we can't afford to fund homeland security.' Provide the proof, John, you crooked liar.

[rintense]

He is doing the typical flip-flop again! Kerry's positions change like the weather! The world's focus is now on terrorism again, so, he has to sound like a pro WOT crusader. Trouble is, Kerry, you've put your foot in your mouth so many times, shoe strings are coming out of your nose.

[the Real fifi]

March 15, 2004 -- SEN. John Kerry boasts how he "sounded the alarm on terrorism years before 9/ 11," referring to his 1997 book "The New War." Too bad he didn't blast it when it really counted - four months before the hijackings, when he was hand-delivered evidence of serious security breaches at Logan International Airport, with specific warnings that terrorists could exploit them.
Former FAA security officials say the Massachusetts senator had the power to prevent at least the Boston hijackings and save the World Trade Center and thousands of lives, yet he failed to take effective action after they gave him a prophetic warning that his state's main airport was vulnerable to multiple hijackings.

"He just did the Pontius Pilate thing and passed the buck" on back through the federal bureaucracy, said Brian Sullivan, a retired FAA special agent from the Boston area who in May 2001 personally warned Kerry that Logan was ripe for a "jihad" suicide operation possibly involving "a coordinated attack."
www.nypost.com/postopinion/opedcolumnists/20808.htm

[NormsRevenge]

Thanks ,, I believe that was posted earlier as a FR thread as well.. THE WARNING KERRY IGNORED

[GrandMoM]

"When it comes to protecting America from terrorism, this administration is big on bluster and short on action." ....once again the pot calls the kettle black

The warning KERRY ignored

[Zeppo]

John Kerry on Monday criticized President Bush's record on homeland security, saying his Republican rival is "big on bluster and short on action" in protecting the nation.

The Democrat added: "When it comes to protecting America from terrorism, this administration is big on bluster and short on action."

I had mistakenly thought that the dishonest tactic of accusing your blameless opponent of committing the crimes that you yourself are guilty of was merely a pathological Clinton trait, but now it has become abundantly clear that it is a widespread Demo/Commie trait (the knowing false accusation).

No wonder they blanch at the thought of posting the ten commandments in a courthouse - bearing false witness is one of those little 'quirks' that the Demo/Commies embrace on a daily basis.

[cajungirl]

Bush is short on action? WTF does he thinks this recent war has been about. God save us if he thinks that is short on action. What is his suggestion. That we all, en masse, turn tail and run into the ocean? Or that we nuke five or ten countries. Or that we draft, say four million young people and send them marching off someplace. This man is deluded. And mean. And dishonest.

[raloxk]

have you noticed that it is constantly Kerry on the attack and Bush on the defensive????? Even when they manage to respond, it is usually weak. This election is going to be a disaster

[monkeywrench]

I believe his suggestion is to give union firefighters and cops gazillions of dollars as we wait for attack.

[VadeRetro]

Kerry Criticizes Bush on U.S. Security

True security lies in surrender, as all Democrats secretly understand.

[lonerepubinma]

The mayor of Boston " Mumbles Menino" just announced this morning the hiring of a city "Homeland Security Director".
He wanted someone with an international security backround to handle the $40 million dollars that was awarded to the city for First responders. This money has nothing to do with the convention, this was money that all other large cities have received.

[bornintexas]

"This election is going to be a disaster."

I see your back with another 'positive' post about our President's re-election bid. Go Away.