Posted on 10/10/2004 11:56:56 AM PDT by admiralsn
Bush Attacks Kerry for 'Dour Pessimism' Oct 9, 5:54 PM (ET) By Steve Holland
CHANHASSEN, Minn. (Reuters) - President Bush sought momentum on Saturday from his second debate with Democratic Sen. John Kerry by attacking Kerry for saying he has a consistent position on Iraq and would not raise middle-class taxes.
"Who's he trying to kid?" Bush told thousands of cheering supporters in the Minneapolis suburb of Chanhassen. "He can run, but he can't hide."
Bush aides were clearly buoyed by Bush's aggressive performance on Friday night after the president was widely panned for a lackluster performance in their first debate that helped the Massachusetts senator catch up in the polls.
At stump speeches in the swing states of Iowa and Minnesota, and earlier in St. Louis, Bush jumped on Kerry's debate denial that he had shifted positions on Iraq.
Kerry had said: "I've never changed my mind about Iraq. I do believe Saddam Hussein was a threat. I always believed he was a threat."
"With a straight face he said, 'I have only had one position on Iraq,"' Bush told about 8,000 supporters at a rally in Waterloo, Iowa. "I could barely contain myself. He must think we've been on another planet."
Bush said Kerry had said in the spring of 2003 it was the right decision to invade Iraq but now says it was the wrong war. Kerry has said repeatedly that Bush rushed to war without a plan to win the peace.
"You know, after listening to his litany of complaints and his dour pessimism, it was all I could do not to make a bad face," said Bush, criticized after the first debate for scowling and looking irritated.
Bush aides rejected Kerry camp charges that Bush got angry at the debate when Kerry complained about "going it alone" in Iraq. "You tell Tony Blair we're going it alone," Bush had said, referring to the British prime minister, an Iraq ally.
'IMPASSIONED,' NOT ANGRY
Bush senior campaign adviser Karen Hughes said Bush was "impassioned" and "he was not going to let it stand."
Bush also challenged Kerry's pledge not to raise taxes on middle-class Americans to pay for his spending promises.
"We're not going to let (the) senator tax you. We're going to whip him in November," Bush said.
Asked if he would pledge not to raise taxes on middle-class Americans, Kerry looked into the camera and said: "I am not going to raise taxes. I have a tax cut."
Bush estimated Kerry's spending promises at $2 trillion and that his plan to take away tax cuts for Americans making more than $200,000 a year would raise $600 billion to $800 billion, leaving a gap of at least $1.2 trillion. The Kerry campaign disputes those figures.
"He can't have it both ways. To pay for the big spending program he's outlined during his campaign he will have to raise your taxes. He can run but he cannot hide," Bush said.
The Kerry campaign dismissed Bush's charges.
"The president continues to think he is running against some imaginary figure that his ad-makers created. It's time to come back to reality. He's running against John Kerry, who has a plan to get the country back on track," Kerry campaign spokesman Phil Singer said.
The third and last presidential debate is on Wednesday in Tempe, Arizona.
Bush's senior adviser, Karl Rove, said Bush would attack Kerry's 20-year Senate record again and try to portray him as a liberal out of touch with mainstream America.
3 Weeks!
"With a straight face he said, 'I have only had one position on Iraq,"' Bush told about 8,000 supporters at a rally in Waterloo, Iowa. "I could barely contain myself. He must think we've been on another planet." = GOOD ZINGER!
I am glad to see this. It's about time JFK's negative attitude is pointed out. All we hear in the media is how Bush scowls, etc. I am so sick of media bias. If I make it through the election without developing an ulcer, it will be a miracle.
All that I hear from Kerry is pessimism: "The worst economy since the great depression", "Iraq, a collosal mistake", "Pitiful jobs record", "No credibility in the world", "Lower earnings", "No healthcare", "No coalitions"
Kerry wants these things because he thinks it will win him the Presidency.
What was the popultaion of the USA during the 30s? What is it now? What was the unemployment rate during the 30s? What is it now? Nothing to compare..the Unemployment rate is LOWER than it was during Clintons re-election.
You wrote:
It's about time JFK's negative attitude is pointed out.
it's not just him. I have yet to see ANY lefty that had a pleasant disposition! They thrive on chaos, negativity, bad news, and hopelessness! How satisfying can THAT be??? Then they have the audacity to say 'Help is on the way!' Unbelievable!!!
Plus he knows that if he wins, things aren't nearly as bad as he makes them seem so that when he "fixes" all these problems, he will get the credit.
You are exactly right. That's how the left tries to gain power, making Americans worry about the state of a country that is doing just fine, thank you very much. They try to get votes by making people feel that they might soon be in the need of handouts and so they had better vote for the party who is more likely to throw things their way.
Liberals always accuse what they themselves are doing. It's odd.
True. BTW, I saw Laura was with him at his rallies yesterday. The Bush family needs to spread out, sending each one of them out on the campaign trail by themselves:
Dad Bush, Barb, Laura, Jenna, Barbara and nephew George P. Bush who is a young, Spanish speaking "JFK Jr - type" guy.
Spread out there and bust your butts until the polls close on November 2.
Bush stood by and absorbed intense hysterical attack after intense hysterical attack by the 'Rats for a year and a half now. He's paying the price for his New Tone--for having refused to rebut such attacks--hell, for aiding and abetting them in many instances. He has a chore in front of him to stop his current breakdown in support, and it'll be difficult to do so in only three weeks after bending over and grabbing his ankles for 80 weeks.
Every democrat will tell you Kerry "has a plan". Just be sure to ask them what that plan is, because it's really fun to watch them stammer and stutter while they try to think what it is.
Those that rob Peter to pay Paul will always enjoy Paul's support...
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