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A New Course For America (Kerry Speech: NO MENTION OF even the word TERRORISM or SECURITY)
John F. Kerry ^ | Sept. 3, 2004 | John F. Kerry

Posted on 09/03/2004 6:31:47 PM PDT by FairOpinion

Springfield, OH - The election comes down to this. If you believe this country is heading in the right direction, you should support George Bush. But if you believe America needs to move in a new direction, join with us. John and I offer a better plan that will make us stronger at home and more respected in the world. We offer responsible leadership and with your help, we’re going to bring that leadership to Washington!

For four days in New York, instead of talking about real plans for creating jobs, strengthening the economy, expanding health care, and bringing down gas prices, we heard almost nothing but anger and insults from the Republicans. And I’ll tell you why. It’s because they can’t talk about the real issues facing Americans. They can’t talk about their record because it’s a record of failure.

Tonight, President Bush got up and told us that he’s got a plan for the economy. That’s exactly what he said four years ago. But with the largest deficit in American history, I don’t think we can afford four more years of this president’s plans. That’s because for four years, this president has taken us in the wrong direction.

But the plans he offered tonight are just more of the same policies that are failing at home and in Iraq now. And we know he won't change them. In fact, the President is quite proud of the fact that not even failure will force him to change course.

You all saw the anger and distortion of the Republican Convention. For the past week, they attacked my patriotism and my fitness to serve as Commander-in-chief. We’ll, here’s my answer. I will not have my commitment to defend this country questioned by those who refused to serve when they could have and by those who have misled the nation into Iraq.

The Vice President called me unfit for office last night. Well, I'll leave it up to the voters to decide whether five deferments makes someone more qualified to defend this nation than two tours of duty.

Let me tell you what I think makes someone unfit for duty. Misleading our nation into war in Iraq makes you unfit to lead this nation. Doing nothing while this nation loses millions of jobs makes you unfit to lead this nation. Letting 45 million Americans go without healthcare makes you unfit to lead this nation. Letting the Saudi Royal Family control our energy costs makes you unfit. Handing out billions of government contracts to Halliburton while you're still on their payroll makes you unfit. That's the record of George Bush and Dick Cheney. And that only scratches the surface. I believe it's time to move America in a new direction; I believe it's time to set a new course for America. And together, you, John Edwards and I will do that on November 2nd.

For four years, George Bush has stubbornly misled America and taken us in the wrong direction.

He's misled America's workers – he told them his economic plan would create 6 million jobs. The truth is we've lost nearly 1.8 million since George Bush took office. He said his plan would create 266,000 jobs in Ohio. Instead Ohio has lost 230,000 jobs since he took office -- 112,000 jobs since the recession ended in November of 2001. Earlier this week, his Labor Secretary even said outsourcing was good for America. I don’t believe that. John and I have a plan that will put an end to tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas and reward companies who create and keep jobs here in America. And we have a plan that will give tax credits to employers who create new jobs – and we’ll eliminate capital gains taxes for those who make long-term investments in their small businesses. We’ll also help small businesses meet the rising costs of health care – costs that keep so many of them from hiring and expanding.

For four years, George Bush has misled America's families – saying he had a health care plan for America. The truth is he's done nothing as 5 million more Americans have lost their health care, bringing the total number to 45 million people without coverage nationwide. In Ohio, 114,000 people have lost their health coverage since bush took office, bringing the total number of Ohioans without coverage to 1.4 million. John and I have a plan to make quality health care affordable for all. Because we believe that your health care is as important as any politician’s in Washington, DC.

When it comes to getting gas prices under control, George Bush has misled America. America is more dependent than ever on Mid-East oil. John and I have a plan to make America energy independent by investing in new technologies and alternative fuels. John and I believe we need to rely on American ingenuity and brainpower to ensure our country's freedom and independence, not on the Royal Saudi family.

Worst of all, George Bush misled America when he took us to war in Iraq. The truth is, when it comes to Iraq, it’s not that I would have done one thing differently, I would’ve done almost everything differently. I believe it’s time we had a president who told the American people the truth.

We need to take America in a new direction. And we have a specific plan to do just that. So tomorrow morning, John and Elizabeth and Teresa and I are hitting the road on a bus tour across America’s heartland. From here, we’ll go out and talk with Americans in towns across Ohio, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan. And because a stronger America begins at home, we’ll talk about our plan to create jobs, cut taxes for the middle class, lower health care costs, and make America safer and more secure.

I believe we can be stronger at home – we can create jobs again, get health care costs under control, and make ourselves independent of Mid-East oil – but George Bush's policies won't get us there. And I believe we can be more respected in the world – but it won't happen with George Bush's arrogant, go-it-alone foreign policy.


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: kerry; kerryspeak
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To: Blue Scourge
lets try this again...

For four days in New York, instead of talking about real plans for creating jobs, strengthening the economy, expanding health care

Which Convention where you watching....President Bush did all of that in his speech.

and bringing down gas prices,

Nothing was mentioned...so

we heard almost nothing but anger and insults from the Republicans.

And going after Kerry's voting record and his own statments is considered a mean and insulting thing....next.

And I’ll tell you why. It’s because they can’t talk about the real issues facing Americans. They can’t talk about their record because it’s a record of failure.

Last I checked our candidate isn't basing his election on 4 months in Vietnam

That should look much better.

21 posted on 09/03/2004 6:48:35 PM PDT by Blue Scourge (Off I go into the Wild Blue Yonder...)
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To: WVNan
What did I miss?

A viable energy plan that has languished in the Senate for over 3 years thanks to a bunch of left-wing fascists and their Useful Idiots, starting with Kerry, Ted Kennedy, Patty Murray, Babs Boxer, Dianne Feinswine...

22 posted on 09/03/2004 6:49:56 PM PDT by Morgan's Raider
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To: phoenix0468

Yes, I did notice that. I've also noticed that a large part of his rhetoric is plagerized from the President's campaign. "Hope is on the way"....? That is a steal from Cheney's "Help is on the way" from 2000. There were several other instances that I can't recall right now.


23 posted on 09/03/2004 6:50:29 PM PDT by WVNan
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To: Robert_Paulson2

Actually I just heard on FoxNews that the surgery is scheduled FOR NEXT WEEK!!!

Maybe we'll find out that it has been scheduled weeks ago.


24 posted on 09/03/2004 6:51:39 PM PDT by FairOpinion (FIGHT TERRORISM! VOTE BUSH/CHENEY 2004.)
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To: WVNan

His retoric is like the buzz of a mosquito. With a little patience you can wait till it lands and then swat the hell out of it.


25 posted on 09/03/2004 6:52:32 PM PDT by phoenix0468 (I like Cubans. I could smoke 'em all day. Yeah, with my M-4 carbine.)
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To: phoenix0468

LOL.


26 posted on 09/03/2004 6:54:27 PM PDT by WVNan
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To: FairOpinion
There is NO room for nuance when fighting terrorists. I choose George W. Bush as my leader.


27 posted on 09/03/2004 6:55:41 PM PDT by Libertina
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To: FairOpinion
The Vice President called me unfit for office last night. Well, I'll leave it up to the voters to decide whether five deferments makes someone more qualified to defend this nation than two tours of duty.

Yet this is from Friday, and Cheney's speech was on Wednesday night. If this were Bush making this error, the media would be all over him for being so stupid.

28 posted on 09/03/2004 6:57:07 PM PDT by NYCVirago
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To: FairOpinion

29 posted on 09/03/2004 6:57:54 PM PDT by Jenya (Buy Unfit for Command. Donate to Swiftvets.com. It's your American duty.)
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To: NYCVirago

Cheney did NOT call Kerry "unfit". Another lie.

Here is Cheney's speech at Bush/Cheney website.

Do a search and "unfit" will come back "not found".

Kerry just can't stop lying.

Wednesday, September 01, 2004
Vice President Cheney at the RNC: America's Security at Stake in This Election

http://www.georgewbush.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=3419

Here is what he did say about Kerry:

"The President's opponent is an experienced senator. He speaks often of his service in Vietnam, and we honor him for it. (Applause.) But there is also a record of more than three decades since. And on the question of America's role in the world, the differences between Senator Kerry and President Bush are the sharpest, and the stakes for the country are the highest. (Applause.) History has shown that a strong and purposeful America is vital to preserving freedom and keeping us safe -- yet time and again, Senator Kerry has made the wrong call on national security. Senator Kerry began his political career by saying he would like to see our troops deployed "only at the directive of the United Nations."

AUDIENCE: Booo!

THE VICE PRESIDENT: During the 1980s, Senator Kerry opposed Ronald Reagan's major defense initiatives that brought victory in the Cold War.

AUDIENCE: Booo!

THE VICE PRESIDENT: And in 1991, when Saddam Hussein occupied Kuwait and stood poised to dominate the Persian Gulf, Senator Kerry voted against Operation Desert Storm.

AUDIENCE: Booo!

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Even in this post-9/11 period, Senator Kerry doesn't appear to understand how the world has changed. He talks about leading a "more sensitive war on terror" -- (Laughter.) -- as though al Qaeda will be impressed with our softer side. (Laughter and applause.)

He declared at the Democratic Convention that he will forcefully defend America -- after we have been attacked. My fellow Americans, we have already been attacked. (Applause.)

AUDIENCE: USA! USA! USA!

THE VICE PRESIDENT: We're faced with an enemy who seeks the deadliest of weapons to use against us, and we cannot wait until the next attack. We must do everything we can to prevent it -- and that includes the use of
military force. (Applause.)

Senator Kerry denounces American action when other countries don't approve
-- as if the whole object of our foreign policy were to please a few persistent critics. (Applause.) But, in fact, the global war on terror, as in Afghanistan and Iraq, President Bush has brought many allies to our side. (Applause.) But as the President has made very clear, there is a difference between leading a coalition of many nations, and submitting to the objections of a few. (Applause.) George W. Bush will never seek a permission slip to defend the American people. (Applause.)

AUDIENCE: USA! USA! USA!

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Senator Kerry also takes a different view when it comes to supporting our military. Although he voted to authorize force against Saddam Hussein, he then decided he was opposed to the war, and voted against funding for our men and women in the field.

AUDIENCE: Booo! Flip-flop! Flip-flop! Flip-flop! (Applause.)

THE VICE PRESIDENT: He voted against body armor, ammunition, fuel, spare parts, armored vehicles, extra pay for hardship duty, and support for military families.

AUDIENCE: Booo!

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Senator Kerry is campaigning for the position of Commander-in-Chief.

AUDIENCE: Booo!

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Yet he does not seem to understand the first obligation of a Commander-in-Chief -- and that is to support American troops in combat. (Applause.)

In his years in Washington, John Kerry has been one of a hundred votes in the United States Senate -- and fortunately on matters of national security, his views rarely prevailed. (Applause.) But the presidency is an entirely different proposition. A senator can be wrong for 20 years, without consequence to the nation. (Applause.) But a President -- a President -- always casts the deciding vote. (Applause.) And in this time of challenge, America needs -- and America has -- a President we can count on to get it right. (Applause.)

AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!

THE VICE PRESIDENT: On Iraq, Senator Kerry has disagreed with many of his fellow Democrats. But Senator Kerry's liveliest disagreement is with himself. (Laughter.)

AUDIENCE: Flip-flop! Flip-flop! Flip-flop!

THE VICE PRESIDENT: His back-and-forth reflects a habit of indecision, and sends a message of confusion. And it is all part of a pattern. He has, in the last several years, been for the No Child Left Behind Act -- and against it. He has spoken in favor of the North American Free Trade Agreement -- and against it. He is for the Patriot Act ? and against it. Senator Kerry says he sees two Americas. He makes the whole thing mutual
-- America -- (applause) -- America sees two John Kerrys. (Laughter and
applause.)"


30 posted on 09/03/2004 7:05:00 PM PDT by FairOpinion (FIGHT TERRORISM! VOTE BUSH/CHENEY 2004.)
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To: FairOpinion
I Love-it!

The m-an just doesn't get it! He sounds like an infant throwing a tantrum. The American people will not elect a puffed up, phony as a two-dollar bill packaged liberal President!!!

He's spent his whole life inflating, puffing himself his acheivments and all for political game!

31 posted on 09/03/2004 7:05:16 PM PDT by GeorgeWashington777
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To: All
Campaign 2004: Bush Opens Double-Digit Lead TIME Poll: Among likely voters, 52% would vote for President George Bush, while 41% would vote for John Kerry and 3% would vote for Ralph Nader Friday, Sep. 03, 2004 New York: For the first time since the Presidential race became a two person contest last spring, there is a clear leader, the latest TIME poll shows. If the 2004 election for President were held today, 52% of likely voters surveyed would vote for President George W. Bush, 41% would vote for Democratic nominee John Kerry, and 3% would vote for Ralph Nader, according to a new TIME poll conducted from Aug. 31 to Sept. 2. Poll results are available on TIME.com and will appear in the upcoming issue of TIME magazine, on newsstands Monday, Sept. 6.
32 posted on 09/03/2004 7:06:38 PM PDT by Gucho
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To: EscapedDutch

33 posted on 09/03/2004 7:06:41 PM PDT by FairOpinion (FIGHT TERRORISM! VOTE BUSH/CHENEY 2004.)
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To: 68skylark
I don't care what the "polls" say, the "rumors" etc.

MAKE SURE YOUR YOU ARE CURRENTLY REGISTERED
AND ACTUALLY VOTE
DOUBLE CHECK YOUR VOTER CARD TODAY!



34 posted on 09/03/2004 7:07:14 PM PDT by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (MAKE SURE YOUR YOU ARE CURRENTLY REGISTERED AND VOTE Nov 2nd!)
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To: The G Man

35 posted on 09/03/2004 7:08:33 PM PDT by FairOpinion (FIGHT TERRORISM! VOTE BUSH/CHENEY 2004.)
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub

You are absolutely right.

We must all get out to vote for Bush, regardless of how we think he is doing.

Every vote counts.


36 posted on 09/03/2004 7:10:01 PM PDT by FairOpinion (FIGHT TERRORISM! VOTE BUSH/CHENEY 2004.)
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To: FairOpinion
Wow, unbelievable!

And he thinks he should be CIC? Is he nuts?
37 posted on 09/03/2004 7:11:46 PM PDT by Bullish
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To: Jenya

"(Buy Unfit for Command. Donate to Swiftvets.com. It's your American duty.) "

People need to ask themselves, how much is is worth to them to make sure Kerry does NOT get elected.

Just think of our safety, and the taxes we'll be paying, if Kerry gets elected.

It's much cheaper and more effective to donate to the Swiftvets now, and prevent disaster.

http://www.swiftvets.com


38 posted on 09/03/2004 7:12:04 PM PDT by FairOpinion (FIGHT TERRORISM! VOTE BUSH/CHENEY 2004.)
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To: Bullish

He also said absolutely NOTHING about what he would do to defend us, or that he even would defend us, he only whined about people questioning his commitment to defend the country.

How committed is he to defend us, if he doesn't even mention a single word in a speech billed as "A new course for America" about the threat we are facing: with terrorism on top of the list.


39 posted on 09/03/2004 7:14:56 PM PDT by FairOpinion (FIGHT TERRORISM! VOTE BUSH/CHENEY 2004.)
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To: FairOpinion
NO MENTION OF THE WORD TERRORISM, TERRORIST or SECURITY.

Well, no surprise. He is so convinced (read: deluded) that his particular brand of diplomacy - appeasement and bowing to global consensus - is the right brand and the only way, so that he would not want to mention terrorism. It is shocking in light of the events in Russia over the last few days. Well, shocking but not surprising. And his hatred of Bush is so intense and his blue-blood superiority so extreme (forget that the 2 are distantly related) that he must distance himself from Bush and terrorism, as though terrorism was some new thing that Bush brought to us.

Kerry is all too willing to make us the United States of the UN under global leadership or consensus of countries he approves as allies like France and Germany and not Italy or Great Britain whose alliance he disdains, that he is willing to throw away the baby and keep the bath water. His treatment of dissenters at the DNC speaks volumes of the 'freedoms' he will 'permit' his own citizens all the while bending over backwards to please the shifting sands of global public opinion.

40 posted on 09/03/2004 7:15:27 PM PDT by fortunecookie (My grandparents didn't flee communism so that I could live in Kerry's Kommune.)
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