Kerry Sidesteps Job Growth as He Hits Bush on Economy

[papau]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-kerry15jun15.story

Kerry Sidesteps Job Growth as He Hits Bush on Economy
The senator spotlights middle-class struggles, overall employment losses since 2001.
By Matea Gold and Michael Finnegan Times Staff Writers
June 15, 2004

MIDDLETOWN, N.J. — After a weeklong hiatus, John F. Kerry resumed campaigning Monday by sharply attacking President Bush's stewardship of the economy, shrugging off the recent spike in job growth.

"The fact is that the middle class is going backward, and those trying to get into it are sliding backward, working harder, two or three jobs, can't get ahead while the people at the top are doing better and better," Kerry said, speaking at a fundraiser hosted by rock singer Jon Bon Jovi.

"We need a president who fights as hard for the jobs of the middle class and the values of the middle class as he does for his own job, and for the values of people at the top of the income scale in this country."<snip>

The presumed Democratic presidential nominee is highlighting the rising costs of child care, healthcare and gasoline as he makes the case that the Bush administration has failed middle-class families. On Monday, Kerry's campaign released a state-by-state breakdown of those expenses, along with bankruptcies.<snip>

The campaign painted a dismal picture of Bush's economic record, despite the recent surge in job creation. About 1.3 million jobs have been lost overall since Bush took office.

"If you get D-minuses for 3 1/2years in college, one semester with a B-minus doesn't put you on the honor roll," Kerry economic advisor Gene Sperling said.<snip>

[lovedems]

1. What Kerry can say regarding job growth is they are all underpaying

service sector jobs.

My husband has been unemployed for a year and he needs a *good* job to support the family. He doesn't want a McJob or to greet people with a smile at Wal-Mart. He wants a professional IT job and they aren't anywhere to be found.

Kerry can talk about job growth if you ask me because the types of jobs that are being "created" suck.

[ACK]

2. He has said this and so has his campaign spokesman

Heard that on NPR this morning.

[lovedems]

3. Good.

He should make a campaign ad based on it. I think most middle class Americans could relate to that type of ad rather then the rosy picture the chimp is trying to paint.

[flpoljunkie]

4. JK: "I want an economy in America where the worker is not just working...

"I want an economy in America where the worker is not just working for the economy but the economy is also working for the American worker." - John Kerry

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/politics/

Great line!

[ACK]

6. Another great line: "I want an economy that broadens the middle class not

one that squeezes them." or something like that.

That was a killer line.

[flpoljunkie]

5. From AP's Nedra Pickler, more great quotes from JK today on the economy

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A43313-2004Jun15.html

By NEDRA PICKLER
The Associated Press
Tuesday, June 15, 2004; 11:34 AM

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry on Tuesday accused President Bush of ignoring American values in his economic policies by giving tax cuts to the wealthy and running up the deficit on the backs of workers and the needy.

"All these politicians running around talking about values, I just think it's wrong," Kerry told the New Jersey State AFL-CIO. "For middle-class Americans to be saddled with endless debt and deficits while the most fortunate among us walk away with billions in tax cuts. Where does that value come from? As president, I'm going to fight to put America's tax code in line with our moral code."

Kerry also criticized the Bush administration for preparing to cut budgets for education, domestic security, veterans and other programs after the election, citing White House planning documents. "If you think that is compassionate conservatism, then Dick Cheney is Mr. Rogers," he said at the start of a two-week focus on economic problems facing middle-class Americans.

"This reckless deficit will not be put on the backs of veterans, cops and firefighters," Kerry said to applause from the union, which is backing his campaign. "It will not be put on the backs of women and children in need. The price of these deficits will not be paid for by the poor. Let me tell you my fundamental value - you don't make America strong by attacking the weak. And we are going to make that clear on November second of this year."

__________________

Give 'em hell, JK!

[ACK]

7. That last line.... woh!

That is the Kerry I have been waiting for.

That is the populist give 'em hell tone I can get behind.

Hell, I have been holding off donating again to Kerry but it looks like it is time to display my approval.

_

[Darkamber]

8. Excellent!! Finally talk about the deficits...

Yes, this is what I have been waiting for. This the GOP can not hide and these deficits also piss off the fiscal conservative Republicans.

Run on this theme and Bush and company will be put on the defensive.