Kerry FINALLY Getting Tough: Bush 'unfit to lead this nation'

[ulTRAX]

From: http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/president/2004-09-02-kerry_x.htm

NORRISTOWN, Pa. (AP) — Fighting back, Democratic Sen. John Kerry called President Bush "unfit to lead this nation" because of the war in Iraq and his record on jobs, health care and energy prices. He lashed out at the incumbent and Vice President Dick Cheney for avoiding service in the Vietnam War.
"I'm not going to have my commitment to defend this country questioned by those who refused to serve when they could have and by those who have misled the nation into Iraq," Kerry said in prepared remarks issued as the Republican was poised to accept his party's nomination for a second term.

Cheney and Sen. Zell Miller, D-Ga., led a chorus of Republicans who challenged Kerry's credentials to be commander in chief, arguing that although they respect his decorated Vietnam War service, his 20-year voting record in the Senate on national security issues made him unfit for the nation's top job.

Kerry answered his critics with a blistering statement.

"For the past week, they attacked my patriotism and my fitness to serve as commander in chief," Kerry said. "We'll, here's my answer. I'm not going to have my commitment to defend this country questioned by those who refused to serve when they could have and by those who have misled the nation into Iraq."

Bush served stateside in the Texas Air National Guard. Cheney received five deferments and never served in the military.

[Ready4Change]

1. About time!

I've been waiting for the gloves to come off, and this fiercely negative RNC is as good a time as any.

[Chichiri]

2. Is there a link to his full remarks? (n/t)

[ulTRAX]

3. expanded story

No link yet to full text. Here's an expanded story: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2004/09/02/politics1912EDT0757.DTL

[soothsayer]

4. Attaboy!

Get him!