Posted on 11/02/2004 12:02:27 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
Kerry says choice in election will resonate around the world
DETROIT — Democrat John Kerry said the choice in the presidential race will resonate around the world as he made an election-eve appeal to swing voters in Florida and the Midwest.
"We want independents, moderate Republicans, thinking people to help change the direction of our country," Kerry said at a rally in Joe Louis Arena, home of the Detroit Red Wings. Earlier, he told a rain-soaked crowd in Milwaukee that "the hopes of the whole world are on the line tomorrow."
"This president rushed to war without a plan to win the peace, and we need a commander in chief who knows how to get the job done," Kerry said.
Kerry's closing argument was that President Bush was responsible for lost jobs, a new deficit and a failed policy in Iraq. He said Bush had taken away the hope of the diseased and dying by limiting embryonic stem cell research and had done nothing to help uninsured people get health care.
"This is a solemn and unique moment when the American people get to decide," Kerry said. "Take away the clutter. Take away all the labels — Democrat, Republican, independent. ... This is your chance to hold George Bush accountable for the last four years."
Kerry added star power to his last-minute push for votes, with singers Jon Bon Jovi, Stevie Wonder and Bruce Springsteen serving as opening acts for rallies in Milwaukee, Detroit and Cleveland, respectively. The Springsteen-Kerry combo brought out a massive sea of people that filled the city hall mall.
Kerry, who also plays the guitar, said he was thrilled that Springsteen gave him his guitar pick as he came off stage. "I tell you, this pick is going to play in the White House," he said, holding the pick up for the crowd. "Here it is! The lucky pick!"
The Massachusetts senator displayed confidence and a burst of energy as he campaigned to the finish. In Milwaukee, he cracked jokes and bounded off the stage to high-five a boy pressed at the front of the crowd under a cold, steady rain.
"A little rain like this is nothing compared to what old George Bush has been doing for the last four years, so we can do it," Kerry said. Then he led the crowd in a chant. "One more day! One more day!"
Gone was the drawn, admittedly tired Kerry who has been campaigning across the country nonstop for five weeks, sometimes silencing his initially rowdy supporters with lengthy speeches full of facts and figures. Kerry said Monday was not a day for a long speech.
"You all know why you are here, and you know the job we have to get done in the next hours," Kerry told supporters gathered at the Orlando airport to see his plane off from his final campaign stop in Florida.
"This is the moment of accountability for America," Kerry said. "All of the hopes and dreams of our country are on the line today. The choice is clear."
In an interview broadcast Monday on CBS' "The Early Show," Kerry said voters should reject Republican charges that he's not tough enough to take charge, and he recalled his own Vietnam experience.
"When I turned my boat in Vietnam into an ambush and I went straight into the ambush and overran it, I didn't see George Bush or Dick Cheney at my side," Kerry said. "So I'm not going to take a second seat to anybody in my willingness to be tough to defend the United States of America. I did it when it mattered, and as president I will defend the United States of America with everything I have."
In Milwaukee, Kerry thanked Wisconsin for the Green Bay Packers' win Sunday over the Washington Redskins. The crowd cheered, many aware that a Redskins loss in the team's last home game before the election has predicted an incumbent loss for nearly 70 years. Wisconsin Sen. Herb Kohl, a Democrat who owns the Milwaukee Bucks, stood at Kerry's side.
"He was telling me that when it comes to the Milwaukee Bucks, he always goes for the taller player," said Kerry, who is five inches taller than Bush. "And he said the same thing holds for being president of the United States, a taller player."
Kerry planned to spend the night in La Crosse, Wis., and to appear there Tuesday before returning to Boston for his Election Day tradition — lunch at the Union Oyster House. He planned a series of satellite interviews to battleground states and a celebration outside at Copley Square.
Kerry has been voting, talking and meeting with the enemy - working against our best interests - all his adult life.
Can you belive he actually had the gall to say that? Kerry is living in his own fantasy land. Few real vets I know would say something like that.
He is a lacking sack of excrement! He FLED THE SCENE!!
How can you tell when Kerry's lying?
His lips are moving.
Kerry's no man, he's a slug with lips.
This man will never serve a day as POTUS
The ones smart enough to kill the weak and less intelligent for their own advancement...
Bingo, Senator.
And after trashing the military for over some 35 years, he wants to be OVER the military?
No thanks.
Kerry will use the global test and ask for U.N. approval of U.S. policy.
I don't think Mr. Kerry is going to be happy with our "choice," do you?
Bump!
Between 1000 and 2000 people! That's IT! With rock stars!
On the day be the national election.
Too bad Bruce never took his lucky pick to entertain any of our troops overseas!
"We want independents, moderate Republicans, thinking people to help change the direction of our country," Kerry said
And as he continued, "And I want a man who got an "Other than Honorable Discharge" from the military to lead, and that be me".
Kerry never went either. Wonder why? Same reason he didn't show up at Fenway again after he got booed?
I'll be honest: I'm nervous, having a hard time sleeping.
Kerry never went to Walter Reed to visit our wounded either did he?
Nope; said he did; never saw the pictures; and you KNOW if he went, we most definitely would have seen those pictures.
Oh PLEASE!!!! Bush/Cheney have more guts in their little toes than this traitor has in his entire long face and body. This is just pathetic pandering and lies.
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