Kerry tours areas hit hardest by Charley

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Sat, Aug. 21, 2004



Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry meets with hurricane victim George Nies in Cleveland, Fla., on Friday. LAURA RAUCH/AP



Kerry has a lighthearted conversation with residents of Punta Gorda, Fla., an area hit hard by Hurricane Charley. LAURA RAUCH/AP


Barbara Timpf, one of many residents in Cleveland, Fla., to have been affected by the hurricane converses with Kerry. LAURA RAUCH/AP



Kerry comforts a Cleveland resident in front of what remains of her home. HECTOR MATA/AFP


Kerry tours areas hit hardest by Charley

John Kerry toured devastated Southwest Florida, saying he wanted to get a 'personal' look at Hurricane Charley.

BY LESLEY CLARK

[e-mail]


PUNTA GORDA - Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry touched down in true battleground Florida on Friday, touring neighborhoods ripped apart by Hurricane Charley and declaring himself impressed with the resilience of the storm-tossed residents.

Kerry's visit to the hardest hit part of the state came a week to the day that Charley barreled ashore, toppling trees and shredding homes in its wake. Flanked by U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, the presidential candidate toured the staging area for thousands of emergency workers who have labored to return electricity to the area, then visited several neighborhoods and mobile home parks, shaking hands and offering hugs.

''They've survived under tough circumstances,'' Kerry said to reporters as he toured one home near the battered downtown.

The Massachusetts senator, who canceled two earlier Florida campaign stops this week saying he didn't want to interfere with recovery efforts, told reporters his visit was not aimed at seeking votes or raising his profile in the state where polls show him in a statistical tie with President Bush.
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http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/state/9456375.htm
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[coloradodem2005]

1. I think Kerry picked a good time.

He goes down there to show that he cares. But does not do it so promptly as to politicize it the way Bush did.