ANOKA, Minn. - John Kerry wasted no time turning new Census data against President Bush.
The Census Bureau said today that the number of Americans living in poverty rose by more than a million people last year. And the number of people without health insurance jumped by nearly a million and a half.
Kerry told an audience at Anoka Technical College that the figures are "fact, not political diatribe." And he says his policies would be better.
Statement from Senator John Kerry on New Census Numbers
Today confirms the failure of President Bush's policies for all Americans. While George Bush tries to convince America's families that we're turning the corner, slogans and empty rhetoric can't hide the real story. Under George Bush's watch, America's families are falling further behind. Family income has fallen $1511 under George Bush - declining for three straight years. 5.2 million people have lost health insurance under George Bush -- 1.4 million people this year alone. 4.3 million people have fallen into poverty under George Bush -- 1.3 million this year alone. All while good paying jobs are disappearing and families struggling to make ends meet are being squeezed by skyrocketing costs for health care, energy and college tuition."
And the Republicans aren't standing up to put these "poverty" numbers in context!