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.
Edwards would be in the crowd getting yesterday's fries at the kitchen door, no coffee.
Give it a rest, Breck Girl. Your party is the master of the 'low road' politics.
Just another photo op!
Darn, I want a Frosty now.
They are starting to sound like the woman running for DA and she promises SHE will run a clean campaign and stick to the issues.
Her SPIEL:
"I will not run a law practice out of the DA's office"
"I will not hire my brother"
"i will not have an affair with my secretary"
etc etc etc...
What's funny about this picture and that of the Marines who didn't appreciate being poked at by an overenthused POS like Kerry... is how many of the people in the restaraunt have their backs turned to the Hamsterman.
Even more bizarre, eating at Wendy's is a Kerry anniversary tradition and she still doesn't know what chili is?!?!?
Are the buses solar powered?
The stupid media morons call it that as well.
It is just a frosty.
MEDIA ALSO JUMPED ALL GHWB FOR NOT KNOWING THE PRICE OF GAL. OF MILK.
I think it was supposed to be an Edwards tradition.
This doesn't pass the smell test. This campaign "product placement" of Wendy's is a little too convenient. It's one monster commercial.
The star of Gigli is a "blockbuster actor"? Gobble gobble!
Provolone, Velveeta, or Cheeze-whiz.
"Even more bizarre, eating at Wendy's is a Kerry anniversary tradition and she still doesn't know what chili is?!?!?"
No it's the Edwards anniv. tradition to eat at Wendys. Evita Teresa Peron is the one who didn't know what chili was or how to read Wendys English menu albeit her mastery of five languages. The empress wouldn't know a drive-thru if she got run over in one.
"MEDIA ALSO JUMPED ALL GHWB FOR NOT KNOWING THE PRICE OF GAL. OF MILK."
I'm Jane Doe citizen and could be blamed for that too. I'll notice the price of milk the day it costs $5.00 a gallon. Otherwise the 7 day working dairy farmers deserve every cent they get which is pitifully little compared to the middle men they must go through.
Of course the media won't point that out, like they did back in 92 when then President Bush was confused at the supermarket checkout counter. They used that to point out how "out of touch" he was.
He probably said "this bus is from the '50's, dude!" and the reporter made up "Eisenhower era" himself.
""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.""
Can't run on your records, hey? Big hat, no cattle.
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