Gephardt says Bush is on 'the wrong path' - he looks forward to challenging him in presidential race

Associated Press ^ | January 5, 2003 | Associated Press Staff

[MeekOneGOP]

Gephardt says Bush is on 'the wrong path'

He says he looks forward to challenging him in presidential race

01/05/2003

Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Democratic Rep. Dick Gephardt, who is taking a first step toward a White House bid in 2004, said Saturday that President Bush is offering poor leadership at a crucial time in the nation's history.

"On nearly every issue of importance to the country - national security, the economy, health care, education, energy policy - President Bush is leading the country either down the wrong path or not leading at all," Mr. Gephardt said in a statement.

"I look forward to challenging President Bush and offering a distinctive choice and different direction for our domestic, economic and national security policies," said Mr. Gephardt, the outgoing House Democratic leader from Missouri.

Mr. Gephardt, 61, who ran unsuccessfully in 1988, plans to file papers for his presidential exploratory committee Monday. Such committees are established by budding candidates mainly to raise money, finance travel around the country and help gauge voter support.

White House spokeswoman Claire Buchan said Mr. Gephardt's criticism of Mr. Bush was unfounded.

"The president's leadership is clear," she said. "His focus is on waging the war on terror, on defending our homeland and on strengthening America's economy, and we're making great progress on all fronts."

Mr. Gephardt joins several candidates who have already decided to seek the Democratic nomination: Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, North Carolina Sen. John Edwards and the Rev. Al Sharpton of New York.

Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota and Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman also appear poised to enter the race.

Mr. Gephardt said Saturday that he is naming S. Lee Kling of St. Louis, a leading fund-raiser for Democrats over the years, treasurer of the committee.

Plans to set up the committee became public Thursday when a supporter released an invitation to a Jan. 22 fund-raising reception for the committee.

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Online at: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dallas/nation/stories/010503dnnatgephardt.137cc.html

[MeekOneGOP]

Attack, attack, attack. What a Liberal Loser 'RAT !

[friendly]

I have no idea what Gephardt ever says, because I pass out and fall to the floor in a narcoleptic stupor whenever I hear the first syllable of his whining monotone boring arrogant affect.

And don't even mention "Lieberman"...ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ....

[DooDahhhh]

You could not have said it better!!!!!!!

[ClaireSolt]

Gephart--one of the captains of corruption and election fraud--advocates the easier, softer way. Exploit the poor, the blacks, women, and ignorant! Promise them pittances to buy their votes for ambitious white men! See Dick run. Run Dick Run.

Bus the people from East Saint Louis all over the land. Let them vote in every state in the Union. If they are lucky, they will find a decent place to live, and we will welcome them when they want to defect.

Can the children in St Louis read? No Dick No. Could we teach them? In a heartbeat. But they might then defect from their ghettos and join the Republic of America.

[RLK]

If Gephard ever took a laxative it would be an act of suicide because he's all crap with no significant body.

[friendly]

bttt

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Gephardt is by far the most credible and formidable RAT presidential candidate for 2004. He's the only one to actually give something up (HML) to make a serious run at the White House, has run before, could make a credible Commander in Chief argument, and is the most likely to hold the RAT electoral college base states.

I find it interesting that the media is focused on the eastern liberals (Losererman, Lurch, Pretty Boy, Rev. Racist, Dean) and aren't giving Gephardt much attention.

[John Jorsett]

Gephardt says Bush is on 'the wrong path'

Of course he does. What's he going to say, "Bush is doing a good job, but vote for me anyway"? I remember Reagan's reelection. The economy was booming, so the poor Democrats had to go out and scrounge up the 3 people in America who weren't doing well, and put them in their campaign commercials. And all those new jobs that had come into being during the 4 years? They were derided as "burger-flippping" jobs, only worthy of being spat on. What a joke that campaign was. And here comes Gephardt with another one.

[John Jorsett]

He's the only one to actually give something up (HML) to make a serious run at the White House

Did he really give it up voluntarily, or was he asked to do the gentlemanly thing (or else)? For Daschle the ouster was obvious, but I've wondered about the dynamic of what happened with Gephardt.

[hgro]

This crooked politico from the corrupt politics of St. Louis will be educating us on ethics for the next year.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

As I recall, Gephardt announced before the 2002 election that he would step down if the RATS did not gain control of the House. I don't know if he was forced out by the Pelosi-left, but the guy is serious about his run for president.

At age 61, he's not just positioning himself for 2008 like Lurch and Pretty Boy, doesn't have the baggage like Lieberman, Hitlery and Rev. Racist, and will likely be embraced by the RAT base which will reduce the chances that Nader will run again.

[lysie]

"On nearly every issue of importance to the country - national security, the economy, health care, education, energy policy - President Bush is leading the country either down the wrong path or not leading at all," Mr. Gephardt said in a statement.

Wait a minute Geppie. I thought the reason you were ousted as minority leader was because your friends thought you were following too close to that path.

[lysie]

Oh! :-)

[mewzilla]

So, let's see...Which dwarf is Dick? I know! Blondie!

[Grampa Dave]

Does anyone want this insane Rat to be our president?

This insane POS should be freeped at every appearance with this picture enlarged and 8 X 11 copies passed out with this simple statement. "No Insane Presidents!"

[Behind Liberal Lines]

Is it really news that a politician, running against an incumbent, would say that the incumbant is doing a bad job?

[Carolinamom]

Like President Bush says, it's all "backgroud noise."

[Northern Yankee]

Let's see... first Gephardt was against sending in troops to Iraq, then he was for it, now he's against it? (Bush on the wrong path...)

Just what is a liberal to do?...

[Carolinamom]

Also "elbowing" and "posturing".

[tet68]

Mr. Gephardt said Saturday that he is naming S. Lee Kling of St. Louis, a leading fund-raiser for Democrats over the years, treasurer of the committee.

What! He's not letting bill handle the finances? The ingrate! after all bill has done for his party too.