Ignoring Other Candidates, Kerry Turns Focus on Bush

[Feanorcurufinwe]

Surging in the New Hampshire polls, Senator John Kerry ignored his rivals on Wednesday and blasted President Bush on health care and charged that new rules on overtime supported by the administration would bar many veterans from overtime pay. Mr. Kerry said the president had rightly praised American troops and veterans in his State of the Union address. "But once again it's an example of a say-one-thing-and-do-another administration," he said, pointing to the overtime dispute.

<snip>


Wednesday night at Phillips Exeter Academy, he drew about 1,000 people, easily his largest crowd for a stump speech in New Hampshire. In his noon speech in Nashua, he rolled out a few new phrases to depict the president as out of touch with everyday Americans and in the thrall of the "special interests." "You can tell from his State of the Union address that the president is facing re-election," Mr. Kerry said. "I wish he'd face reality. Watching President Bush's speech last night, one thing kept coming back to me: He just doesn't get it."

He invoked "the unheard majority in the health care debate," saying, "We need a president who's going to make sure their voice is finally heard, that they have access to the White House, not just those who contribute significantly to campaigns." Mr. Kerry said he would reverse rules barring Medicare and states from negotiating for discounts on bulk purchases of prescription drugs and repeal a ban on re-importing American-made drugs from Canada. He called on Mr. Bush to work with states like New Hampshire that have tried to start re-importation.

Deriding the Medicare bill enacted last year as a benefit only for pharmaceutical companies, Mr. Kerry said, "If I'm president, I pledge to you, we will repeal that phony bill."
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/22/politics/campaigns/22DEMS.html

[aquart]

1. Smart.

Now he's using his head.

[Born Free]

5. "Now he's using his head."

He is the one in the hot seat now, so it is better to divert attention elsewhere, he certainly doesn't want to come under the same kind of attacks as Dean in Iowa. As the field grows smaller, the messages may become more defined and as we grow closer to the election, the more focus there will be for the radical right wing fanatics running our country today.

[jjmalonejr]

2. Kerry has found his voice!!!

To those corporations and special interests who have found a home in the Bush White House, I have a message for you.

We're coming

You're going

And don't let the door hit you on the way out!!!!

[CalProf]

3. Yes!

He has found his voice.

Keep it sharp and punchy.

Go Kerry.

[jamesinca]

4. All the candidates need to focus on Bush

They need to point out what is wrong with Bush and what is correct about them. They need to quit tearing each other apart and go after Bush. They all have their strengths, they should take Bush apart very systematically. Dean on health care because he is a Dr. Clark on national security and defense because he is a non AWOL Gen. Kerry on the workings of the government because he has been a part of it so long. Edwards on access to legal help and capping legal fees because he is a lawyer. Kucinich on what it means to have a heart and to truly care about the country you are representing. Lieberman on people that sell out their party to ride the coat tails of a president like Zell Miller and Liberman do.

[Tigerlily]

6. I like this strategy!

Each candidate could draw on his own strengths and areas of expertise to point out how truly weak Bush has been in all ways.

[Enraged_Ape]

7. Good for him

I'm liking him better and better. But then, what am I saying? I'd vote for Ernest Borgnine if he won the nomination.