Kerry says Bush 'unfit to lead this nation'

Mel · #1 (**permalink**) 09-03-2004, 05:10 AM

Back to business as usual eh?
CNN

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (CNN) -- Striking back less than an hour after the completion of the Republican National Convention, where he was the subject of countless GOP barbs, Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry re-entered the fray, calling President Bush "unfit to lead this nation."

"I have five words for America: This is your wake-up call," the Massachusetts senator told a cheering crowd at a midnight rally in Springfield, Ohio.

"We all saw the anger and distortion of the Republican convention," Kerry said. "For the past week, they attacked my patriotism and my fitness to serve as commander-in-chief.

"Well, here's my answer: I'm not going to have my commitment to defend this country questioned by those who refused to serve when they could have and by those who have misled the nation into Iraq."

Kerry was a decorated Navy officer in Vietnam who became a prominent antiwar activist upon returning home, and that history has played a major role in his presidential campaign.

The speech followed Wednesday night's attacks on Kerry by Vice President Dick Cheney and by renegade Democratic Sen. Zell Miller, who savaged Kerry as unfit to serve as commander-in-chief.

The Georgia senator blasted the party he still nominally belongs to as one "motivated more by partisan politics than by national security," while Cheney said Kerry "does not seem to understand the first obligation of a commander in chief, and that is to support American troops in combat."

Kerry counterpunched in his Ohio speech by saying, "Misleading our nation into war in Iraq makes you unfit to lead this nation.

"Doing nothing while this nation loses millions of jobs makes you unfit to lead this nation. Letting 45 million Americans go without health care makes you unfit to lead this nation. Letting the Saudi royal family control our energy costs makes you unfit to lead this nation. Handing out billions of government contracts to Halliburton while you're still on their payroll makes you unfit. That's the record of George Bush and Dick Cheney, and it's not going to change."

"The vice president even called me unfit for office last night," Kerry said. "I guess I'll leave it up to the voters whether five deferments makes someone more qualified to defend this nation than two tours of duty."

Cheney was the recipient of the Vietnam-era draft deferments.

Kerry said the next 60 days leading up to the November 2 election are key and give Americans a simple choice -- "If you believe this country is heading in the right direction, you should support George Bush, but if you believe America needs to move in a new direction, join with us."

"For four days in New York ... we heard almost nothing but anger and insults from the Republicans, and I'll tell you why," he said. "It's because they can't talk about the real issues facing Americans. They can't talk about their record because it's a record of failure."

In the president's acceptance speech, he focused on his leadership following the Sept. 11, 2001, al Qaeda attacks on the United States, but also outlined about 15 domestic initiatives on education, health care, jobs and taxes, including proposing economic "opportunity zones" for poorer areas that would offer tax relief to lure new businesses.

Kerry's response: "All hat, no cattle" -- an expression common in Texas used to refer to phony cowboys who dress and talk the part but are pretending to be what they aren't.

I guess we could say Kerry is "All boloney, no skin".

Poor man, I bet his esteem is a notch lower after this week. Maybe his wife should take him on a shopping to the mall to help him feel better.

Also I love what Boortz said yesterday:

Listening to a report on CNN last night I heard a reporter make a reference to the president's claim that Saddam Hussein had chemical weapons. The the reporter said "of course, no such weapons have been found." Is this reporter stupid, uninformed or intentionally lying? Sorry ... chemical weapons have been found ... enough to kill a half-million people. What threshold has the left applied to the amount of chemical and biological weapons that must be found? Enough to kill one million? Two? It seems that a half-million isn't enough.

BooBoo · #2 (**permalink**) 09-03-2004, 06:07 AM

Kerry...the morning after the Republican National Convention. Muahahaha!

Mel · #3 (**permalink**) 09-03-2004, 06:17 AM

babypatience · #4 (**permalink**) 09-03-2004, 07:05 AM

Whine Whine Whine.

I suppose we should be given a list to say what we are allowed and not allowed to critize on Kerry.

#1. War record: KERRY not the RNC made this an issue and the RNC has NOT questioned his patriotism at all. Cheney did not say he was unfit.. Miller might have but hey.. Dems can call Dems whatever that want

#2. Domestic policies: Hmmm I suppose Republicans aren't allowed to say anything here since ours domestic polices try and be the kind that allow a person to help themselves... Dems must not see that as real compassion.. I personally think that is what its all about.. help you help yourself.
#3. Sept 11, 2001: Well obviousley the very event that changed the WHOLE nation is not a topic Bush is supposed to talk about. he is not allowed to mention the devastation the event had on our economy and the resulting intelligience weaknesses (Kerry should take note there as he is on the Intelligence committe.. oh yeah.. can't blame him he never goes to the meetings).
#4. Economy: Well Dems don't want Bush talking about that because there is good news there and they want to keep saying our economy is HORRIBLE and America is in poor shape... funny the numbers don't show that... But if Bush and the media don't report it... they can say otherwise.

I saw a bit of Kerry's come back last night.. I think there is good reason this is NEVER normally done: NO matter what Kerry said he was a whiney baby. It doesn't help he never has any substance: Why doesn't Bush's plans work? What EXACTLY are you going to do that is better? (Besides be more "sensitive, compassionate, better"?) He makes snide remarks (Which Bush really didn't a few jokes here and there but come on .. not like KErry did not...)

Bush did not call Kerry a liar!! Kerry did call Bush one!! This burns me up since Kerrry and Edwards both agreed SH had WMD's!! Of course last night was a different story cause it suited the moment.
Personally I AM SICK AND TIRED of that crud!! Heaven help me if he DOES get elected cause my head will blow up with all his flip flops and mis representations of himself....

I think Bush did a wonderful job but I am a republican. I think he laid out a plan which Kerry did not in his speech. I think you also really saw who Bush was which Kerry did not either. All he talks about his Vietnam.. come on.. lets talk about TODAY I DONT" CARE ANYMORE ABOUT 1960 something!!!!!

kjo · #5 (**permalink**) 09-03-2004, 09:44 AM

Kerry and the whole Democratic Party is grasping at straws here. Does ANYBODY remember the '92 election? According to Dem's, a service record didn't matter. It didn't matter that Clinton was a draft dodger, and that Bush served his country with great honor and courage. Now, it does? It is really, really sad. Like Glenn Beck said this morning: "Did Kerry read the book '101 ways to lose an election?' " LOL

loraleismommy · #6 (**permalink**) 09-03-2004, 02:16 PM

Slightly O/T- my dad listens to Glen Beck every day. He gives me the skinny on some things from his show. That guy is on the money. sKerry must HATE him too!