John Edwards calls on Bush to stand up for families, not Halliburton

[Cocoa]

Kerry campaign has been making Halliburton an issue, will the media report it?

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?ReleaseID=34869

WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Today, while campaigning in Louisiana, Sen. John Edwards will call on the Bush-Cheney administration to pay as much attention to helping families as they do helping their friends at Halliburton. New reports show that the administration, in an unusual move, is reversing its decision to withhold payment to Halliburton despite that they cannot account for nearly half their work it has been paid for in Iraq and Kuwait.

Statement of Sen. Edwards:

"At a time when 22,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost here in Louisiana and nearly 2 million across the country - why would you cut back help just at the time when people need it the most? The Bush Administration can't claim money, because yesterday they showed us that they've got it.

"One minute they're withholding $60 million a month while Halliburton is being investigated for fraud and then the next minute, Halliburton's getting paid in full. So far $4.3 billion.

"I guess someone made a phone call, looking out for their interests instead of yours. What kind of priorities are these? We know that working people in America are trying to get back to work and do what's right. This Administration won't help them, but they'll make a quick call for the people at Halliburton.

more...