From my pal, Wayne Williams: Here is why I'm working so hard to support John Kerry for President, in light of the continued debacle in Iraq, the prisoner abuse and the continued denial of this Administration to hear any bad information that doesn't meet their agenda, Kerry provides a refreshing point of view that gives us a clear choice this November.

WW
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Kerry: Pledging to Lead With Strength
From Remarks of Senator John Kerry
Democratic Leadership Council
May 7, 2004
Phoenix, Arizona


"The first responsibility of the President is to keep our country safe and secure. That means honoring America's calling to be the strongest force for freedom around the world and the greatest engine of opportunity here at home. That is why I am running for President. And I will never cede the issue of strength to the other party.

Strength means working with our allies to win the war on terror, not going it alone. Strength means taking responsibility. Today, Secretary Rumsfeld apologized on Capitol Hill. But the chain of command goes all the way to the Oval Office. Harry Truman did not say “The buck stops at the Pentagon.” And after 241 Marines were killed by terrorists in Beirut, Ronald Reagan had the strength to say, “If there is to be blame, it properly rests here in this Office and with this President. And I accept responsibility for the bad as well as the good.

America does not merely need a new Secretary of Defense. We need a new President. One who is strong enough to give our brave troops the allies and the armor they need; and one who is strong enough to take responsibility and, when necessary, correct course. We need a President who knows the difference between strength – and stubbornness.

Strength means standing up to the chemical industry to protect our chemical plants from attack, not giving in to big campaign checks. Strength means giving our firefighters and police officers the equipment and training they need to keep us safe, not telling local officials: "You're on your own."

Strength means lifting up the middle class and giving them the bigger tax break, not just the wealthiest Americans. Strength means having a health care plan that lowers costs, not pretending that nothing's wrong. Strength means ensuring that our kids get a good education, not just in affluent neighborhoods but everywhere. Strength means balancing the budget, not passing on trillions of dollars in debt to our kids. And strength means leading in a way that brings opportunity to all and special privileges to none.

It is time America had a president who understands that strength abroad means providing real leadership in the world, and taking responsibility for the bad as well as the good. And strength at home means building a stronger economy by getting results for the American people, and demanding accountability.

This is the kind of president we need in Washington, the kind of president I will be. It's not a new way or a third way-it's the right way to lead America and make America strong again.

Our opponents think that all they have to do is run $60 million in misleading ads. They think we'll back down and we'll cede them the issue of strength. Well, if they think the tired old arguments of the past are going to win in this new world-they guessed wrong. We will debate this Administration on every issue, any time, any place. We're ready because we know that they don't own the flag: they don't own patriotism; they don't own strength. All of these values belong to all of America. And we're going to stand our ground, tell the truth, and fight for a country that lives up to our ideals."


John Kerry's Plan to recover America's severally damaged position in the world as well as here at home

LEADERSHIP IN THE WAR ON TERRORISM

· Restore Responsibility and Leadership in the World. John Kerry will work to repair damage that Bush has caused around the word and restore America’s capacity to lead the world. Kerry condemned the images of abuses and said he that as Commander-in-Chief he will honor the commitment of the men and women in uniform and take responsibility for the good and the bad.

· A Stronger Fight Against Terrorism. John Kerry believes we must step up the fight to win the war against terrorism. He believes the Administration made a mistake relying on Afghan forces to capture Osama Bin Laden, rather than committing ground forces. Kerry will strengthen our armed forces by adding troops so our forces are not spread so thin around the globe.

KEEPING FAITH WITH AMERICA’S MIDDLE CLASS

· $172 billion wage deficit -- $1,600 per household. While profits are at near record levels wages are at the lowest level on record. Total wages are $172 billion below what they should be given the amount of national income that historically goes to workers. That is $1,600 per household. As the same time, health care has increased by $792 or 50% since Bush took office and college tuition has increased by 28 percent.

· Tax Cuts for 99 percent of Americans and 98 percent of businesses. John Kerry will provide relief to the middle class. His plan cuts taxes for 99 percent of Americans – including tax cuts for health care, education, and children. Kerry also has a plan to cut taxes for 98 percent of businesses with international tax reform that will grow jobs at home by ending incentives to ship jobs overseas, cutting corporate tax rates by 5 percent.

A RECORD OF REAL REFORM

· Led the Effort to Put 100,000 New Cops on the Street. John Kerry led the fight to put 100,000 new cops on the street by introducing an amendment to the 1993 Crime Control Bill that provided the money to help pay for the new officers. [S Amdt 1202 to S 1607, 11/4/93]

· Voted for Welfare Reform. John Kerry voted for landmark welfare reform that included tough work requirements and time limits. [RC 262, HR 3734, 8/1/96]

· Fought for Campaign Finance Reform. John Kerry worked hard for comprehensive campaign finance reform. He has never taken Political Action Committee money in his races for the US Senate. [Federal Election Commission]

A COMMITMENT TO REFORM

· Reform Education. Just this week, John Kerry has outlined a plan to reward teachers who work in high need areas and subjects. His plan will ask more from teachers but offer more rewards. He will also work to increase the number of students who graduate from school.

· Get Health Care Costs Under Control. John Kerry has a plan to cut administrative costs by giving incentives for smarter, more efficient systems. He also would cut the cost of prescription drugs cost by allowing reimportation and allowing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate better prices for prescription drugs.




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