HOMELAND SECURITY - Kerry's "Big" Issue

[sandersadu]

Why is this not one of Kerry's main issues? The argument's very simple:

(1) Homeland Security was originally a Democratic idea (Joe Lieberman, I believe). Bush originally threatened to VETO HS Dep't. I guess Bush was against Homeland Security before he was for it.

(2) Port Security/Nuclear Facility Security: Our port-security and nuclear facility security is being seriously underfunded, mostly due to the Bush tax-cuts and deficits. Kerry should ask Americans directly: Do you want to secure our ports and nuclear facilities from terrorists, or do you want more tax cuts. Your choice.

(3) First Responders: Kerry needs to parade his "other" band of brothers (firefighters and policemen) who've already endorsed Kerry, and have them give "real-life testimonials" both on the campaign trail and in commercials, that they can't do their jobs b/c Bush has underfunded them. Really pull on the heartstrings. Show some firefighters or cops in big and small cities unable to protect their own citizens b/c Bush won't provide the $.


In my view, Kerry's got to boil his campaign down to 4 or 5 issues, of which Homeland Security should be one. The others: Jobs/Outsourcing, Health Care/Medicare, Mistakes in Iraq, General Fear and Division Bush has sewn in America and in the world.

Thoughts?

SmartDem2004

[sandersadu]

1. HS

Agreed!

[blm]

2. Bush was AGAINST Homeland Security before he was FOR it.

Bush was AGAINST the 87 billion dollar appropriation bill, threatening to veto it before he was FOR it.

Bush was AGAINST a 9-11 probe before he accepted it.

[radiclib]

3. Excellent thought. HS should be #1

Kerry should hammer on it for the rest of the campaign. Would people feel safer if they understood how vulnerable Bush has left us. Isn't it odd that when discussing F911 no one mentions the part about the unguarded coast of Oregon?
I'd add energy independence and alternative energy development to your list. Kerry's always been big on it (they won't fid any flip-flopping there) and he could easily propose a 10 year plan that would both offer a clear vision for the future and a way Americans could sacrifice to help win the "war on terror".
Or he could continue to say that "W stands for wrong". It's his choice. :crazy: