Posted on 07/12/2004 7:15:56 PM PDT by VU4G10
The new pledges, timed to coincide with the opening in Thailand of the six-day 15th International AIDS Conference, came as a new opinion poll showed the Massachusetts senator widening his lead over President George W. Bush (news - web sites).
Kerry welcomed the upcoming conference and promised to work with US international partners, faith-based and non-governmental organizations to strengthen the world's capacity for a sustained response to the AIDS epidemic.
But in his statement, he also made a commitment that is likely to draw more fire from conservative groups insisting on tighter immigration requirements.
"I will work with Congress to lift the immigration ban on HIV (news - web sites)-positive people that has prohibited the United States from hosting this lifesaving meeting," promised the senator.
Approximately 40 million people are currently infected with HIV around the world, and six million need antiretroviral therapy now, according to UN experts, who point out that more than 20 million have already been killed by the epidemic.
The United States is testing all new immigrants for HIV, and a positive test is usually grounds for denying admission.
With only about 400,000 people in developing nations having access to treatment, Kerry said, his strategy "starts with doubling US funding."
President George W. Bush promised last year commit 15 billion dollars to the international campaign to combat AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria over the next five years, and Congress has already begun making allocations under the program.
But the Democratic candidate said the White House was falling short of delivering on its promise.
"I will turn up the diplomatic pressure to seek similar increases from our partners," Kerry said. "I will provide rapid distribution of quality medicines, including generic affordable, safe and effective drugs."
He blasted the Bush administration for hampering US efforts in fighting AIDS "with policies crafted to appease its political constituencies, putting ideology before science."
Meanwhile, a new opinion poll by Newsweek magazine showed the Democratic ticket had widened its lead over the Republicans going into the November 2 US presidential election.
The survey indicated that if elections were held today Democratic candidate John Kerry and running mate John Edwards (news - web sites), both US senators, would get 51 percent of the vote versus 45 percent for Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney (news - web sites).
The numbers represent a five-point jump for the Democratic ticket since May.
But the poll also brought good news to Bush, who saw his job approval rating climb to 48 percent, a six-point increase from two months ago.
While 52 percent of those surveyed said they did not want to see the president re-elected for a second term, 47 percent said they thought Bush will win the election over Kerry, who got 38 percent.
Lift the ban on stem cell research
Lift the Kyoto Treaty
Lift the ban on HIV infected immigrants ban
And give illegal aliens citizenship
Can the World Court be far behind?
HA HA HA HA. What is Newsweak smoking?
----
Meanwhile, a new opinion poll by Newsweek magazine showed the Democratic ticket had widened its lead over the Republicans going into the November 2 US presidential election.
The survey indicated that if elections were held today Democratic candidate John Kerry and running mate John Edwards (news - web sites), both US senators, would get 51 percent of the vote versus 45 percent for Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney (news - web sites).
The numbers represent a five-point jump for the Democratic ticket since May.
But the poll also brought good news to Bush, who saw his job approval rating climb to 48 percent, a six-point increase from two months ago.
While 52 percent of those surveyed said they did not want to see the president re-elected for a second term, 47 percent said they thought Bush will win the election over Kerry, who got 38 percent.
OMG. That's all I can say after reading this. What else is he going to promise? OMG.
Even more evidence that Kerry doesn't give a damn about this country, just like all the other RATS at the national level.
I know there are a lot of conservatives pissed at Bush, but if you can't bring yourselves to vote for Bush, please vote for the Republican Senate and House candidates (unless they are gun-grabbing statists). There are some really good candidates running this year, like Tom Coburn in Oklahoma.
If conservatives pick up a few seats in Congress, we can stop this crap from ever becoming law.
You forget reverse the Bush Tax cut, All of these are first on his list, By way of Executive Order
I betcha Ron Reagan Junior gets his heart broken right off.......LOL.
Whatever it takes.
Oh, we both forgot the gag rule about family planning!
Is Kerry nuts or what?
The US has the best treatments in the world for AIDS. We would be mobbed with HIV+ immigrants if this ban was lifted and the cost to tax-payers would be unbelievable.
John Kerry joins Republicans in passing ban on immigrants with AIDS
OOPS
sniff...sniff. Man! Somebody smokin' weed?
tell that ass to shut up and help the president with this terrorist threat. I don't care about his stupid promises and I certainly don't care aabout AIDS in other countries right at this moment.
" Kerry promises, if elected, to lift ban on immigrants with AIDS as lead over Bush grows "
That's because the hourly help born and raised in America are starting to put a strain on the Heinz/Kerry (liberal elites) annual residential maintenance budget. They need to keep finding cheaper labor, disposable is preferred, that insures no future raises for the dead. (disgusted)
" Kerry promises, if elected, to lift ban on immigrants with AIDS "
And where would we Americans go from here?
Oh, wait, couldn't he just contact his staff in DC and have them draft it for him! Or don't they accept collect calls?
ruin the country's medical system trying to take care of all the fags in the world....screw kerry
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