Posted on 07/30/2004 8:00:57 PM PDT by crushkerry
HARRISBURG, Pa. - Newly installed Democratic presidential team of John Kerry and John Edwards (news - web sites) defended their ticket from President Bush's charge that his challenger has no "signature achievements" as they drew thousands of supporters Friday, the first official day of the general election campaign. Kerry and Edwards embarked on a two-week coast-to-coast trip just eight hours after standing in a downpour of balloons and confetti at the end of their nominating convention.
They were barely on their way before being challenged by the president.
"After 19 years in the U.S. Senate, my opponent has had thousands of votes, but few signature achievements," Bush told supporters in a Midwest campaign swing.
Bush said despite Kerry's promises to reform America's intelligence, health care and education systems, he has no significant record of doing so during 19 years in the Senate.
"In fact, he and his running mate consistently opposed reforms that limit the power of Washington — reforms that would leave more power in the hands of the people," Bush said.
"Here we go again," Edwards said, lamenting Bush's criticism to a chorus of boos from the crowd in Harrisburg.
"They're trying to take this campaign for the highest office in the land down the lowest possible road," Edwards continued. "You can reject this tired old hateful negative politics of the past and instead embrace the politics of hope."
Edwards led the crowd in his convention speech refrain that "Hope is on the way." Bush answered with his own chant that "Results matter."
In an interview, Kerry dismissed Bush's criticism with a laugh as "the response to a positive campaign." He said he was behind a long list of legislation during his Senate career, including funding for more community police, improvements to health care and support for fisheries programs.
"They don't have a record to run on, so all they can do is attack," Kerry said.
Kerry's caravan of 10 buses and at least 11 other support vehicles rolled through Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York and Pennsylvania Friday. He didn't stop in safely Democratic Connecticut, but pulled over at Wendy's, a fast food restaurant, in New York's GOP-leaning Hudson Valley for an anniversary tradition.
John and Elizabeth Edwards ate at a Wendy's on their wedding night 27 years ago when they were recent law school grads too broke for a fancy meal. Although they have become millionaires several times over, they say they observe the tradition each year.
"I have to admit that Wendy's with an entire presidential campaign press corps is a little different than the first time we went there," Elizabeth Edwards said.
The Edwards had hearty meals of burgers and fries and shared a chocolate Frosty. Teresa Heinz Kerry, apparently unfamiliar with the Wendy's menu, pointed at a picture of chili and asked the cashier what it was before ordering a bowl. Her husband had the same, along with a Frosty.
The two couples brought along their adult children and blockbuster actor Ben Affleck for some extra attention on their tour's opening weekend.
"Don't confuse me for being on the front bus," Affleck said after being mobbed by media outside the restaurant. He said he was riding behind Kerry's lead motorcoach in a bus that he said seemed more like it was from the Eisenhower-era.
While Affleck signed autographs, patrons congratulated Kerry on his speech to the Democratic National Convention Thursday night. Registered Republican Chris Smith said he became convinced Kerry would beat Bush after watching it.
"I don't like the way the present administration is handling Iraq (news - web sites) or the National Guard," said Smith, a nuclear plant worker and Navy veteran.
Kerry's morning rally was surprisingly small for the hometown nominee, with no more than 500 people only half-filling a harbor-side park. With a long day ahead and little sleep the night before, the candidate opened by sleepily saying, "I'm longing to have my head hit a pillow."
The afternoon rally in Scranton was a more impressive draw, with several thousand cheering supporters filling at least three city blocks, hanging out of office buildings and garages. And at a twilight rally in Harrisburg, thousands filled the state Capitol steps and spilled back as far as one could see into the park and streets.
Kerry opened his Scranton rally by thanking Edwards and his family and his daughters for their performances at the convention. He said he started to tear up as he watched them introduce him and had to turn away so he could compose himself for his own speech. Then he noticed that his daughter Vanessa wasn't listening — the Harvard medical student was tending to a rally-goer who was feeling faint in the heat.
"These are dangerous times today," Kerry said, referring to the threat of terrorism, not the heat. "We're living in a world that's changed dramatically from the world of four years ago and we deserve leadership that tells the truth to the American people and helps America act like a beacon to the world."
Meanwhile, the Federal Election Commission (news - web sites) on Friday approved the release of $74.7 million in federal funds that Kerry and Edwards will use from now until Election Day. The agency notified the Treasury Department (news - web sites), which will wire the cash to the campaign, the commission said.
Because Kerry accepted public funding for the general election, he is barred from spending any other cash since becoming his party's nominee.
Wow! What a towering record of achievement that is! What a putz!
Kerry was challenged by some ABC reporter, traveling with them, forgot name, to name one piece of legislation that Kerry was instrumental on passing and Kerry dodged the question without answering then accused President Bush of negative politics. He's a slick one!
I heard a sound clip of Kerry ordering on the radio: "I'll have a chili and a Frosty, a chocolate Frosty."
Ever had a vanilla Frosty? or a strawberry one?
Obviously JFK hasn't ever been to Wendy's, either!
Old tagline:
John Kerry: Saving the Hamsters, aborting the Humans
Funny comment at crushkerry.com: Te-RAY-za: Wendy's Is For the Little People - She can speak all those languages but she's still a dunce. The "African Queen" has to ask to lowly cashier at Wendy's what chili is before ordering a bowl.
Hey african queen, you ain't gonn get a decent bowl of chile at a Wendy's, but you wouldn't know the difference anyway, what do they eat in africa??? Lion? or maybe elefants?
Kerry gets something that's funny looking...he tells Tereeza, "Chili's its name"
She says it's something she's never cooking...she can't relate to Wendy's
"Teresa Heinz Kerry, apparently unfamiliar with the Wendy's menu, pointed at a picture of chili and asked the cashier what it was before ordering a bowl"
(((( Clue #1 )))))
Teresa can speak in FIVE different languages BUT she can't read a Wendys menu? Something stinks and it isn't the oinion rings folks.
Hey Afflect --- you are being used!
Last time I ever watched and affledted movie. He is no better the misheal moore. F**k you both, may you loose at the theaters. And, you will.
That's how cocooned their are from ordinary Americans.
That's how cocooned they are from America period. Ivory tower residents.
Right... remember, they live in mansions in which the chefs cook all their gourmet meals. I bet their fare isn't what graces the dinner tables of ordinary folks. No wonder they don't know what chili or a frosty is.
Thats very unfair. Maybe Edwards wants his wife a little heavier, thereby limiting the chance that Horseface will hit on her.
No, no, his parents asked them to watch Ben. He's been kind of naughty unsupervised.
Kerry's caravan of 10 buses and at least 11 other support vehicles
Do those carry the people who sit behind him when he's giving a speech to give the appearance that they really like him?
Who all are on 10 buses?
It's a Convoy....................who paid for all that gas?
Damn those demoncraptic gas hogs!
Does Liz make more $$$$ than Teresa? I don't think Edwards has to worry. . . Looks don't seem to matter to Horseface that much.
I see the press hasn't changed. Non-stop attacks from Democrats are a positive campaign, and responses from Republicans are a negative campaign. The Republicans are put on the defensive if they are attacked and if they attack.
The press is certainly going all out worse than ever to distort the facts.
If you ever go to Philly you have to go to Pat's (It's world famous). It's at 9th and Catherine just a block from the Italian market. And before you order, make sure you know how to do it or they charge you an extra .50. If you want a cheesesteak w/ Onions and Cheese Whiz (you get to choose from American cheese, Cheese Whiz and mutzarelle) the proper way to order is as follows:
"One Wit Wiz" Translated "One Cheesteak with onions and and cheese whiz". There's no "h" in "with" at Pat's.
My personal favorite - One witout Wiz.
Only a dorky elitist like Kerry would get the garden salad one. I've been to Pat's about 100 times and I've never seen anyone get one of those.
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