Posted on 07/25/2004 10:46:30 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
BOSTON - It's the economy, John Kerry (news - web sites). That's what delegates to the Democratic National Convention say their presumed presidential nominee or — they shudder to think — President Bush (news - web sites) should concentrate on first in 2005, an Associated Press survey of Democratic delegates found.
Health care was the No. 2 issue, followed by the war in Iraq (news - web sites), according to the survey of some three-quarters of the 4,300-plus delegates.
The delegates' to-do list aligns closely with the message that Kerry and vice presidential candidate John Edwards (news - web sites) are trying to craft on the campaign trail in the face of rising optimism among the general public. The Democratic duo hopes their message about a struggling economy and job loss strikes a chord with anxious voters.
It certainly hits home with a number of delegates, typically among the party's most loyal and active followers.
"The economic situation is a lot worse than the Republicans lead us to believe. Outsourcing jobs overseas is a huge issue, and raising the minimum wage is a big deal," said Jim Wallace, a delegate from Carson City, Nev.
"This administration has made a major blunder in tax cuts, which have caused huge deficits," said delegate Ellen Kay Kurpowski of Rancho Mirage, Calif.
A recent Pew Research Center poll found that Democrats were more trusted to do a better job of handling the economy, health care and education, though the Massachusetts senator and President Bush were still in a virtual tie for election.
The delegates, who will officially nominate Kerry and Edwards at the convention in Boston, were asked to rank what they thought should be the next president's top three priorities, regardless of who wins the November election.
About 70 percent ranked the economy and jobs among their top three issues. It was followed by health care, mentioned by some 52 percent of delegates. Roughly 44 percent said the war in Iraq.
"I don't think you do anything until you fix the mess in Iraq," said delegate Rene Greff of Ypsilanti, Mich.
Education (37 percent) and fighting terrorism (17 percent) were next on the list.
The economy was also the issue most often ranked as the No. 1 priority, selected by about 35 percent of the delegates. Nineteen percent said Iraq, while health care and education were mentioned as the top priority by about 9 percent.
Delegates to the 2000 Democratic convention chose health care (30 percent) as their No. 1 priority by a narrow margin over education (29 percent). The economy/employment was next at 16 percent.
On abortion, three-quarters of this year's Democratic delegates said they were in favor of abortion rights. The question was not asked in 2000.
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Associated Press Writers Kathy Barks Hoffman in Lansing, Mich., and Brendan Riley in Carson City, Nev., contributed to this report.
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On the Net:
Democratic National Convention: http://www.dems2004.org/
Plug your ears because if I hear, I'm not gonna vote for Bush because he hasn't done anything for ME, one more time, I will scream.
 Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites)(L) sings during a service at the First Church of God in Columbus, Ohio, July 25, 2004. Kerry and running mate John Edwards (news - web sites) will be formally anointed next week at the Democratic convention in Boston as the party's challengers to President George W. Bush (news - web sites) and Vice President Dick Cheney (news - web sites) in the November 2 election. Photo by Jim Young/Reuters |
oops, looks like you beat me.
Anti-war protestor plays music wearing a gas mask, during a rally of A.N.S.W.E.R. the Coalition against War and Racism at the Democratic National Convention in Boston, July 25, 2004. Police and security forces cleared streets around Boston's Fleet Center convention site and F-16 fighter jets patrolled the skies on Saturday as thousands of delegates and guests streamed into the jittery city for Monday's start of the party gathering. REUTERS/Marc Serota US ELECTION
Democratic Presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites), D-Mass., smiles during worship services at the First Church of God in Columbus, Ohio Sunday, July 25, 2004. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
or just blessing "his" flock?
Democratic presidential candidate Senator John Kerry (news - web sites) (D-MA) speaks during a service at the First Church of God as Bishop Timothy Clarke listens in Columbus, Ohio, July 25, 2004. Kerry and running mate John Edwards (news - web sites) will be formally anointed next week at the Democratic convention in Boston as the party's challengers to President George W. Bush (news - web sites) and Vice President Dick Cheney (news - web sites) in the November 2 election. REUTERS/Jim Young US ELECTION
Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry (news - web sites) speaks at Sunday service at the First Church of God in Columbus, Ohio. Kerry says he can persuade US voters that he can better protect them against terrorism than George W. Bush.(AFP/Luke Frazza) Sun Jul 25, 1:52 PM ET
"Health care was the No. 2 issue"
"Woe to him that increases himself with that which is not his."
That's what delegates to the Democratic National Convention say their presumed presidential nominee or — they shudder to think — President Bush Oh, thank you for not being biased, AP. [/bile-rising sarcasm]
A anti-war protestor poses, during a rally of A.N.S.W.E.R. the Coalition against War and Racism at the Democratic National Convention in Boston, July 25, 2004. Police and security forces cleared streets around Boston's Fleet Center convention site and F-16 fighter jets patrolled the skies on Saturday as thousands of delegates and guests streamed into the jittery city for Monday's start of the party gathering. REUTERS/Marc Serota
Democratic Party Chairman Terry McAuliffe, left, claps during a tour on the floor of the FleetCenter in Boston, Sunday, July 25, 2004.Preparations continue today for the start of the Democratic National Convention beginning on Monday. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
#1 The Economy #2 Getting France to Like Us #3 Free Heatlh Care
That would have been cute in the pre 9-11 world.
The media should ask Clueless Kerry if he is even aware that we are at war.
So far, the "lovers of peace and tolerance " have already started rioting to get a group of skin heads out of town, and also a man who brought a pro-life/pro-marriage sign - who was doing nothing but sitting on his knees and praying. They swarmed the poor guy and threatened his life if he did not leave the area.
I absolutely agree. The DemonRATS campaign strategy, as always, will come down to FREE STUFF. The FREE STUFF never shows up, of course, but the constitutional moochers who make up their power base never get tired of hearing it. Fortunately for us, vast numbers of the FREE STUFF crowd are too lazy to get off the couch and get themselves to the polls.
Those who spend too much time in the past are unaware of the present.
"Those who spend too much time in the past are unaware of the present."
Thats why Kerry wants to ramble on about Vietnam - he's done nothing of consequence in 35 years that followed.
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