The Raw Deal: John Kerry's Empty National Service Promises

George W. Bush ^ | May 10, 2004

[RWR8189]

"John Kerry's rhetoric supporting national service is at odds with the reality of Kerry scaling back his national service proposals and with President Bush's unmatched commitment to national service. While Kerry makes empty promises, the President is taking action by increasing the size of Americorps by 50 percent, proposing the largest Peace Corps budget ever and calling to double the number of Peace Corps volunteers."
- Steve Schmidt, Bush-Cheney '04 Spokesman

Kerry Plans To Cut His National Service Program

Kerry Plans To Cut Back "Service-For College" Initiative. "At least one of Kerry's own proposals to encourage young Americans to make a difference -- a $3.5 billion 'service-for-college' initiative that would offer students the equivalent of their state's four-year public college tuition in exchange for two years of service -- will be scaled back because of the ballooning federal budget deficit." (Patricia Wilson, "Kerry: Peace Corps Can Help Heal Iraqi Abuse Damage," Reuters, 5/8/04)

Kerry Said National Service Program Would Have To Be Scaled Back. "Kerry said with the deficit growing, he'll have to 'slow down' some of his promises or phase them in over a longer period. He cited proposals for early childhood education and to provide tuition to students at state colleges in exchange for two years of national service. He didn't say by how much they would be scaled back." (Nedra Pickler, "Kerry unveils plan to control federal spending," The Associated Press, 4/8/04)

Kerry Said National Service Proposal Would Be Reduced. "Kerry also said his own proposals, including universal healthcare for children and Peace Corps-type program for high school graduates, would be subject to the deficit-neutral requirements, which his advisers said was setting a new tone in leadership on fiscal discipline." ("Kerry presents plan to cut deficit," UPI, 4/7/04)

Kerry Later Repeated That He Would Scale Back National Service Program. Kerry: "I've said if we can't do--if we can't pay for my national service program, I'm going to have to scale it back." (NBC's "Meet the Press," 4/18/04)

Kerry's Comments Supporting National Service Are Empty Promises

Kerry Urges College Graduates To Commit To Public Service. "John Kerry on Saturday urged college graduates to commit to public service, saying their participation in the Peace Corps and other programs can overcome the damage to America's image from the prisoner abuse scandal in Iraq. 'America needs your generation to surprise those who underestimate the idealism and commitment of young people in the United States of America,' the Democratic presidential candidate said in remarks prepared for delivery at Southern University's commencement." (Mike Glover, "Kerry Urges Young People To Serve Nation," The Associated Press, 5/8/04)

Kerry Previously Promised To Double Size Of Americorps. "As part of a 'Defend America Initiative,' Kerry proposes to enlist the National Guard in homeland security and double the size of AmeriCorps, the national community-service program, and expand its mission to include homeland security." (Mark Silva, "World Views: The Candidates' Outlooks Are Similar, So They Like To Tell Voters About Their Experience And Background," The Orlando Sentinel, 1/18/04)

President Bush Has Already Called For Substantially Increasing The Peace Corps And AmeriCorps:

President Bush Proposed The Largest Peace Corps Budget Ever. "On February 2, 2004, President Bush reiterated his support of the Peace Corps when he unveiled his fiscal year 2005 budget requesting $401 million for the Peace Corps—the largest budget request ever made for the agency." ("Presidents' Day: Reflecting on 4 Decades of Presidential Support for the Peace Corps," http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.media.press.view&news_id=914, Accessed 5/8/04)

President Bush Calls For Doubling Number Of Peace Corps Volunteers. President Bush: "And America needs citizens to extend the compassion of our country to every part of the world. So we are renewing the promise of the Peace Corps, doubling its volunteers over the next five years, and asking it to expand its efforts to foster education and development in the Islamic world. We will fight resentment and hatred with hope and progress." (Remarks by President Bush, Washington, DC, 2/26/04)

In His 2002 State of the Union Address, President Bush Called For A 50 percent Increase In The Size Of AmeriCorps To 75,000 Volunteers. President Bush has already substantially increased AmeriCorps funding levels over funding levels in FY 2003, and the FY 2005 budget would achieve the President's goal of supporting 75,000 AmeriCorps members. (http://www.cns.gov/news/nsn/151.html; http://www.collegiatetimes.com/linkedFiles/pdfarchive/092503.pdf; http://www.nationalservice.org/news/pr/020204.html)

President Bush Has Also Already Expanded AmeriCorps to Include Homeland Security

AmeriCorps Launched Homeland Security Grant Program In July 2002. The program awards $10.3 million in competitive grants to 43 non-profit and public organizations in 26 states and the District of Columbia. "The AmeriCorps homeland security grant program was launched in July of 2002 in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks. President Bush asked AmeriCorps and Senior Corps to devote more resources to homeland security, and the Corporation was the first federal agency to distribute grants after the 9-11 attacks to engage volunteers in homeland security. The grants support AmeriCorps members' efforts to recruit volunteers; develop disaster response plans; teach disaster preparedness to students; assist firefighting and police operations; train people in first aid and CPR; respond to national and local disasters; and, develop partnerships with organizations involved in homeland security such as Citizen Corps Councils and Neighborhood Watch Programs." ("Corporation for National Community Service Announces Renewal of 13 Americorps Homeland Security Grants," States News Service, 2/18/04)

[KarlInOhio]

the President is taking action by increasing the size of Americorps by 50 percent, proposing the largest Peace Corps budget ever and calling to double the number of Peace Corps volunteers."

Is he trying to make my decision in November difficult?

[DManA]

Oh my gosh. Bush trying to maneuver LEFT OF KERRY? What a bone head play.