Kerry Cancels Trip to New Mexico

[GreenPartyVoter]

WASHINGTON (AP) - Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry canceled a trip to the swing state of New Mexico Tuesday to make a rare appearance in the Senate.

The Massachusetts senator wants to vote for a measure that would require mandatory funding of health care for veterans, a key constituency that he's trying to win in his race against President Bush. Kerry is a Vietnam War veteran who rarely gives a speech without calling for better benefits for those who have served in the military.

"I have met thousands of veterans as I travel across this country who fought with pride and honor, but still don't have the quality health care they need," Kerry said in a statement issued Monday night while he was campaigning in Colorado. "I will return to Washington to fight for them."

The president opposes mandatory veterans health care funding. Bush campaign advisers say mandatory funding would put all veterans in the federally funded health care system, even those who have health coverage elsewhere, and would reduce the amount available to cover veterans who need the care most.

http://apnews1.iwon.com/article/20040622/D83BTN280.html

[NMDemDist2]

1. good for JK n/t

[tandot]

2. Good move

New Mexico is important, but he is still a senator and needs to vote on important issues. Otherwise, the Bush team will just take him apart for not voting on issues that he touts.

[JayS]

3. It is being reported here as "Kerry skipped campaigning today...

...to make a rare appearance in the Senate." This is from our most liberal station...so I can only imagine how it is being covered elsewhere.

[tandot]

4. I hate the media...

although I've heard that he hasn't voted on many issues lately.

I am sure that he'll make up for that and re-schedules his trip.

[JayS]

5. He is starting to get hammered on the "multi-millionaire...

...does not go to work and still gets paid" angle also. This is not exactly helping his image.