Kerry claims Bush, not Davis, to blame for state's problems

Oakland Tribune ^ | 6/28/03 | Justin Jouvenal

[NormsRevenge]

MILLBRAE -- Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry blasted efforts to recall Gov. Gray Davis and said President Bush should call on state Republicans to halt the campaign.

The remarks came during a campaign stop here Friday, ahead of the President's visit to Burlingame later in the day to raise money for his 2004 re-election drive.

"Republicans are making an effort to recall that is like the monkeying that went on with the 2000 election," Kerry said referring to the controversial presidential election that year. "Just because you are upset with a budget doesn't mean you change your governor."

Sen. Kerry, D-Mass., blamed Bush for much of California's $36 billion budget deficit. During the power crisis, Kerry said, Bush sided with big energy companies like Enron as they took billions from the state's consumers by inflating electricity rates.

Kerry also said the Bush administration has tried to stymie numerous state initiatives on issues ranging from banning offshore oil drilling to stricter regulations for appliances.

"Over and over," Kerry said, "President Bush has stood in the way of California doing better."

The four-term senator hammered away at what many Democrats perceive to be President Bush's weakest issue: the economy.

Kerry said during Bush's watch "never before has there been an economic reversal so fast."

"I'm here to remind George Bush that landing on an aircraft carrier does not make up for a bad economy," Kerry jibed.

In keeping with his attacks on Bush, much of Kerry's campaign platform focused on economic issues targeted at the Democrat's traditional base in the working and middle classes.

He said he would advocate for the following:

- Proposing tax cuts for the "average American."

- Putting Americans back to work by investing in jobs.

- Retraining unemployed workers.

- Maintaining a "Clinton-era" balanced budget.

- Helping states that are struggling with homeland security costs.

- Re-energizing small businesses.

John Kerry finished third in a closely watched straw poll of Democratic presidential contenders organized by the online Democratic group MoveOn.org. In the results announced Friday, Kerry garnered 15.7 percent or 49,900 votes. Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean finished first with 43.8 percent of the vote and Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich finished second with 23.9 percent of the vote. A total of 317,600 votes were cast in the "virtual primary."

Kerry also picked up the endorsement of a prominent state Democrat Friday. State Controller Steve Westly said Kerry has the best chance of unseating Bush in a crowded Democratic field of nine presidential candidates.

"John Kerry has the right ideas to get our economy moving again," Westly said. "As President he will create new jobs -- here in Northern California, in other parts of the state, and for all of America."

[NormsRevenge]

The "Kerry" Doctrine *-; Ping

[squidly]

Looks like I didn't have to live all that long before I'd heard everything.

[dufekin]

Why, Kerry, are California's problems unique to California if Bush is to blame and not Davis? Is not the Governor ultimately responsible for the fate of his State? Will you be responsible for the fate of this great Nation if you are elected President? Or will you pawn off the blame for the decline and destruction of America on your watch to another party?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Bizarre!!!!!!!!!!!!

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[squidly]

Kerry appears to be a guy who will say virtually anything on the campaign trail, veracity be damned. If he keeps it up, he's going to make himself even more unelectable than he already is.

[onyx]

Kerry is as mean as Dean and uglier.

[Pikamax]

He said he would advocate for the following:

- Proposing tax cuts for the "average American."

>>>I get money back!

- Putting Americans back to work by investing in jobs.

>>>I lose money back

- Retraining unemployed workers.

>>>I lose money back

- Maintaining a "Clinton-era" balanced budget.

>>>I lose money back

- Helping states that are struggling with homeland security costs.

>>>I lose money back

- Re-energizing small businesses.

>>>I lose money back

5 negatives
1 positive

[Brad’s Gramma]

No, Mr. Kerry, it's YOUR fault.

[Cobra64]

Wilbur: "Mr. Kerry, why such a long face? Nevermind, you're not Mr. Ed."

[Dog]

Kerry is becoming as looney as his nutty wife.

[G.Mason]

It use to be they promised "A chicken in every pot".

Give Kerry a few more weeks and he will be giving oral sex to anyone who will vote for him.

Though many will have momentary enjoyment, he will still lose.

[JustAmy]

Since it is Bush's fault, looks like the other 49 states will soon be bankrupt. First remove Davis, then the remainder of the liberal assembly must go!


Then oust the remainder of the Liberals who are
forcing our citizens to look for places to relocate.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

These people are absolute idiots, just like their voters.

[alloysteel]

Devious and tortured reasoning - yes, there are advocates for flat-earth geography, and on paper, the logic is impeccable. Plus, one large flat map may be stored more easily, and it would be simpler to trace out routes over long distances. But the flat-earth representation does not reflect three-dimensional reality. Distortions creep in, and assumptions made on one part of the map may not necessarily be applied on another part of the map.

Reality bites. Sometimes in the gluteus maximus

[mombonn]

"I'm here to remind George Bush that landing on an aircraft carrier does not make up for a bad economy,"

Just how many ways is he going to beat the aircraft carrier landing into the ground?

He's already overused it - by the debates it's going to be as cliched as "bridge to the 21st century".

[Mr. Jeeves]

To those who oppose the recall: ponder why John Kerry would even bother sticking his neck out for Gray Davis unless he foresaw what impact a successful recall would have on the national Democratic Party.

The whole party is running scared.

[Welsh Rabbit]

Give Kerry a few more weeks and he will be giving oral sex to anyone who will vote for him.

I agree. I didn't think it possible, but Ketchup Boy even more petty and opportunitistic, and has even less dignity than Albore.

[kdf1]

Kerry would do for the U.S.A. what Grey Gavis has done for California. Elaboration not necessary. Pray for real Christians and people of high ethical standard for leaders(and vote for them).

[Welsh Rabbit]

Just how many ways is he going to beat the aircraft carrier landing into the ground?

I'm surprised he didn't begin the speech by reading off his combat decorations from Vietnam....