Kerry visits Texas, fires up opposition
Deep in GOP territory, candidate stumps with Bush-bashing speeches
11:48 PM CST on Saturday, March 6, 2004
SAN ANTONIO – He may not have much of a chance in heavily Republican Texas, but John Kerry did his best Saturday to boost beleaguered Lone Star State Democrats.
Noting that it had been 168 years to the day since the Alamo fell, Mr. Kerry told supporters to remember President Bush's "broken promises" when it comes to jobs, deficits, money for schools, health care, and Iraq.
"As they say, 'Remember the Alamo,' I say remember those people who've lost their jobs," Mr. Kerry told supporters in Maury Maverick Plaza, a huge Texas flag behind him. "Remember those kids who've downsized their dreams.
"Remember those teachers struggling in our schools. Remember those people who deserve health care."
Mr. Kerry visited just days before the state's primary, rendered mostly meaningless by his near-sweep in the Super Tuesday contests. And while he would need a miracle to take the state's 34 electoral votes in the fall, he was hoping to collect campaign cash, help out a party that has lost all of its power in state government, and pointedly appear in the state while Mr. Bush was at his Central Texas ranch.
Campaigning within 200 miles of Mr. Bush's summit with Mexican President Vicente Fox, Mr. Kerry strolled along San Antonio's famous Riverwalk. He was later joined by Democratic lawmakers and former Mayor Henry Cisneros, along with 3,000 Democrats who chanted, "No more Bush, no more Bush."
Replied Mr. Kerry: "I promise you, he's going to hear that tonight in Crawford."
Mr. Kerry also pointed to a sign in the crowd that read, "Beat Bush – The Worst President Never Elected."
"I knew there really were a lot of smart people down here in Texas," the Massachusetts senator said.
Anti-Kerry signs reading "Red, White, and Bush," and "Kerry = Out of Touch Liberal" were also visible.
Mr. Bush, at a news conference at his ranch near Crawford, accused his opponent of wanting to raise taxes.
Responding in San Antonio, Mr. Kerry said he only seeks repeal of tax cuts for the wealthy, while keeping and expanding those for working families.
"Once again, President Bush has told one of those tall Texas tales," Mr. Kerry said, claiming "a long trail of broken promises behind this president."
Mr. Kerry expanded on the theme in speeches in Houston and San Antonio, peppering both with Texas references.
During a town hall meeting at a Houston community college earlier in the day, Mr. Kerry cited last month's Super Bowl at nearby Reliant Stadium.
"I am in a place where Patriots from New England have proven they can win, right?" Mr. Kerry said. "And we're going to prove it again next November."
As part of his accusations, Mr. Kerry said the Texan president has abandoned pledges to create jobs, preserve budget surpluses, adequately fund education, and forge a humble foreign policy.
"You know, George Bush is a walking contradiction and a walking barrel of broken promises," Mr. Kerry said.
One of Mr. Kerry's questioners in Houston said: "I'll take great joy when you kick George W. Bush out of the White House – but I'm sad to see him come back to Texas."
Mr. Kerry replied, "Well, every state has its burden."
In San Antonio, Mr. Kerry's appearance seemed to double as a Democratic pep rally.
Since the 2000 election, Texas Democrats have watched Republicans extend their hold on state government and move – through redistricting – to the cusp of a majority in the U.S. House delegation.
Mr. Kerry and others invoked the memories of legendary Texas Democrats from Lyndon B. Johnson to Barbara Jordan and pledged to help make the state party proud again.
And Democrats also plotted their ultimate revenge: the defeat of Mr. Bush.
"In Texas, we're used to great figures who can take a punch and give one back," said Mr. Cisneros, an early Kerry supporter in this race. "We won't let them tear [Mr. Kerry] down. We're going to stand with him."
Mr. Cisneros, a former Cabinet secretary to Bill Clinton, also alluded to Mr. Bush's service in the National Guard during the Vietnam War.
"When other young men were making other decisions about how they would spend their youth, [Mr. Kerry] volunteered to serve our country in Vietnam," Mr. Cisneros said.
The president and Republicans have defended his service, and that of all Guard members, as honorable.
Hometown Congressman Charlie Gonzalez said that when it comes to policy, the people were not getting the truth out of the Republican administration.
"When the president says 'Leave no child behind,' he leaves children behind," Mr. Gonzalez said. "It is time to leave George Bush behind."
Taking a page from the Ronald Reagan playbook, Rep. Ciro Rodriguez, also of San Antonio, asked the crowd, "Are you better off today than you were four years ago?"
Though the crowd, assembled by labor and Hispanic leaders, cheered Mr. Kerry, they seemed to embrace him mostly out of their dislike for President Bush.
"The man has no credibility," said Jerry Mitchell, a retired Navy pilot who attended the rally with his family. "You can trust John Kerry to tell the truth."
During the program in Houston, congressional Democrats alluded to the redistricting dispute that will likely cost some party colleagues their jobs. Each promised to fight throughout the fall.
Said Rep. Chris Bell of Houston: "Democrats are going to demonstrate that just like John Kerry, we're not going to be run over by Republicans anymore."
Some Texas Democrats said they weren't all that confident that Mr. Kerry won't be run over by Mr. Bush in their home state.
"I don't think any Democrat has much of a chance in Texas," said Justin Crane of Houston, who is in the computer business. "He's got a shot nationally."
Suzanne – a Houston chemical business employee who wouldn't give her last name because "I work for a very conservative company" – said even a symbolic vote is important.
"I just want my vote registered against George Bush," she said. "At least we can show there are Democrats in Texas."
On a more discordant note, three protesters were asked to leave the town hall meeting after unfurling a banner that read, "Vietnam Veterans Are Not Fonda Kerry," a reference to anti-Vietnam war activist Jane Fonda. Some veterans were angered when a picture of Mr. Kerry seated near Ms. Fonda at a rally surfaced on the Internet.
As the Kerry motorcade left the event site, a protester held up a sign that said "traitors."
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