Posted on 07/30/2004 8:00:57 PM PDT by crushkerry
HARRISBURG, Pa. - Newly installed Democratic presidential team of John Kerry and John Edwards (news - web sites) defended their ticket from President Bush's charge that his challenger has no "signature achievements" as they drew thousands of supporters Friday, the first official day of the general election campaign. Kerry and Edwards embarked on a two-week coast-to-coast trip just eight hours after standing in a downpour of balloons and confetti at the end of their nominating convention.
They were barely on their way before being challenged by the president.
"After 19 years in the U.S. Senate, my opponent has had thousands of votes, but few signature achievements," Bush told supporters in a Midwest campaign swing.
Bush said despite Kerry's promises to reform America's intelligence, health care and education systems, he has no significant record of doing so during 19 years in the Senate.
"In fact, he and his running mate consistently opposed reforms that limit the power of Washington — reforms that would leave more power in the hands of the people," Bush said.
"Here we go again," Edwards said, lamenting Bush's criticism to a chorus of boos from the crowd in Harrisburg.
"They're trying to take this campaign for the highest office in the land down the lowest possible road," Edwards continued. "You can reject this tired old hateful negative politics of the past and instead embrace the politics of hope."
Edwards led the crowd in his convention speech refrain that "Hope is on the way." Bush answered with his own chant that "Results matter."
In an interview, Kerry dismissed Bush's criticism with a laugh as "the response to a positive campaign." He said he was behind a long list of legislation during his Senate career, including funding for more community police, improvements to health care and support for fisheries programs.
"They don't have a record to run on, so all they can do is attack," Kerry said.
Kerry's caravan of 10 buses and at least 11 other support vehicles rolled through Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York and Pennsylvania Friday. He didn't stop in safely Democratic Connecticut, but pulled over at Wendy's, a fast food restaurant, in New York's GOP-leaning Hudson Valley for an anniversary tradition.
John and Elizabeth Edwards ate at a Wendy's on their wedding night 27 years ago when they were recent law school grads too broke for a fancy meal. Although they have become millionaires several times over, they say they observe the tradition each year.
"I have to admit that Wendy's with an entire presidential campaign press corps is a little different than the first time we went there," Elizabeth Edwards said.
The Edwards had hearty meals of burgers and fries and shared a chocolate Frosty. Teresa Heinz Kerry, apparently unfamiliar with the Wendy's menu, pointed at a picture of chili and asked the cashier what it was before ordering a bowl. Her husband had the same, along with a Frosty.
The two couples brought along their adult children and blockbuster actor Ben Affleck for some extra attention on their tour's opening weekend.
"Don't confuse me for being on the front bus," Affleck said after being mobbed by media outside the restaurant. He said he was riding behind Kerry's lead motorcoach in a bus that he said seemed more like it was from the Eisenhower-era.
While Affleck signed autographs, patrons congratulated Kerry on his speech to the Democratic National Convention Thursday night. Registered Republican Chris Smith said he became convinced Kerry would beat Bush after watching it.
"I don't like the way the present administration is handling Iraq (news - web sites) or the National Guard," said Smith, a nuclear plant worker and Navy veteran.
Kerry's morning rally was surprisingly small for the hometown nominee, with no more than 500 people only half-filling a harbor-side park. With a long day ahead and little sleep the night before, the candidate opened by sleepily saying, "I'm longing to have my head hit a pillow."
The afternoon rally in Scranton was a more impressive draw, with several thousand cheering supporters filling at least three city blocks, hanging out of office buildings and garages. And at a twilight rally in Harrisburg, thousands filled the state Capitol steps and spilled back as far as one could see into the park and streets.
Kerry opened his Scranton rally by thanking Edwards and his family and his daughters for their performances at the convention. He said he started to tear up as he watched them introduce him and had to turn away so he could compose himself for his own speech. Then he noticed that his daughter Vanessa wasn't listening — the Harvard medical student was tending to a rally-goer who was feeling faint in the heat.
"These are dangerous times today," Kerry said, referring to the threat of terrorism, not the heat. "We're living in a world that's changed dramatically from the world of four years ago and we deserve leadership that tells the truth to the American people and helps America act like a beacon to the world."
Meanwhile, the Federal Election Commission (news - web sites) on Friday approved the release of $74.7 million in federal funds that Kerry and Edwards will use from now until Election Day. The agency notified the Treasury Department (news - web sites), which will wire the cash to the campaign, the commission said.
Because Kerry accepted public funding for the general election, he is barred from spending any other cash since becoming his party's nominee.
I think we should defend democracy...... and the great all-American custom of eating chili.......by sending Terayza our favorite chili recipes.
LIZ’S BEST ALL-AMERICAN TEXAS CHILI
Saute briefly in olive oil onions, green bell peppers, shallot, jalapeno peppers, garlic clove, all pureed together in processor. Add to pan grnd beef (or use grnd turkey). Cook a bit. Add can crushed tomatoes, beef boullion granules, water (or use canned boullion), crushed baked corn tortillas, hot sauce, honey, cumin, paprika, turmeric, black pepper, chili powder, ketchup, to taste. Simmer 30 min. Serve topped with shredded cheddar, or jalapeno jack, dollop sour cream. Texans eat this with saltine crackers.
What strikes me is that it seems the only patron paying any attention to them is the curious little girl behind the Edwards. Even Clinton drew crowds in McDonalds but there's no such attraction here obviously.
What a boring way to begin a speech. Erudite, but boring. He needs lessons from Dan Rather. Wouldn't that be funny. Kerry trying to pull off Rather's colorful, hokey, spacey terminology.
Maybe it's just me, but when I fix Steak-um's for my family, American cheese seems to fit well on them.
But the Wendy's tradition is kinda touching.
Te-RAY-za's a nut case.
Ah! My bad. I confused John for John...
LMAO! 'The African Queen'
You call that slick? If people can't see through that! Rudy was doing a great job at a press conference in saying how the Demonrat convention and the Kerry/Edwards campaign are doing their best to RUN AWAY from their record. It is pretty obvious all those yrs. in the Senate show Kerry is no friend to the military, intelligence agencies and has nothing of note on domestic issues as well. How does a man who proposes a 50cent gas tax claim he is for the middle class and poor?? And then claiming those who make over $200,000 are 'rich'?? They happen to be the people who would create jobs! His answer is raise the taxes and promise everything to everybody, but he's supposedly going to balance the budget!! I also hope the President will hit back at Kerry in one of the debates when Kerry claims the so-called 'rich' don't need the tax cuts-why does Kerry need 5 multi-million dollar homes?? Where is he in giving them away to the homeless and those who are in need? Complete phony.
Teresa (to John E.): "What is that... that thing you are eating?"
John E.: "It's a cheeseburger."
Teresa: "Sheezebuhrgair? I have never heard of such a thing."
John E.: "No, it's cheese-burg-er."
Teresa: "That is what I said. But what is it? It looks vile."
John K. (interrupting): "It's sort of like minced filet mignon avec fromage, honey. Some of the common people eat such things on the cook's day off."
Elizabeth: [makes grunting sound] "You gonna finish those fries, Terry?"
Teresa: "This sheezebuhrgair sounds amusing. Perhaps with some chopped truffles mixed in..."
John K.: "Ummm, no."
Teresa: "Or a slice of paté on top..."
John K: "Well, hon, I don't think..."
Teresa [snappishly]: "Yes, zis is a problem of yours; you don't think."
Elizabeth: [makes loud slurping noise as her straw pulls up the last of her Frosty] "Hey John, get me 'nother one of these -- they're good."
Teresa: "Perhaps a sauce of reduced Bordeaux, some shallots..."
Slick was in reference to his ability to convince to poor sorry souls that actually believe in him. Hopefully those sorry souls will wake up and spell the coffee before the election.
And you believe that the Edwards clan walks into a Wendy's if there's no pool camera to record it?
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