• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Bush Chides Kerry on Domestic Programs

Posted on: Saturday, 2 October 2004, 06:00 CDT

COLUMBUS, Ohio - President Bush lashed out at Sen. John Kerry on Saturday for his stands on domestic programs ranging from retirement to health care, saying the Democrat is obstructing needed reforms that would give workers more control over their financial future.

"He's decided to put his faith in the wisdom of the government," Bush said of Kerry. "I will always put my faith in the wisdom of the American people."

The president criticized a recent Kerry speech in Detroit in which the Democrat said, "This president has created more excuses than jobs." Kerry often criticizes the Bush administration for the first job-loss record since the Depression.

"Not once in his speech did he mention expanding ownership," Bush said. "Not a word on how we help more Americans own their own homes, or stocks, or savings accounts. Instead, his agenda focuses on expanding the scope and power of the government."

In that Sept. 15 speech, Kerry tried to reassure his conservative-leaning audience that he would be a friend to business, declaring, "I'm an entrepreneurial Democrat."

In remarks to the National Association of Home Builders, Bush said Kerry voted against tax-deductible health savings accounts and expanding personal retirement savings. The president said Kerry opposed proposals to strengthen Social Security by allowing younger workers to put some of their taxes into personal accounts that they control and that Kerry "opposes our plan to allow small businesses to join together to purchase health insurance discounts available to big companies."

Bush and Kerry, shifting away from the sharp debate over war and terrorism, returned to bread-and-butter economic issues in campaign stops in two closely divided states.

Bush trumpeted his economic agenda, encouraging policies that let individuals and families hold a stake in an "ownership society" on a bus tour that marked his 27th trip to Ohio. That agenda includes partly privatized Social Security accounts, homeownership and changes in health care, along with the promotion of the president's signature tax cuts.

His Democratic opponent scheduled a speech for delivery in Florida that accused Bush of forgetting middle-class families and favoring wealthy special interests.

"For the last two years, I've traveled all over this country and listened to the stories of Americans struggling to make ends meet," Kerry said in prepared remarks. "I've also shared their frustration at this administration's constant state of denial, which neglects their needs."

Repeating the theme he hit during the first presidential debate, Kerry said, "George Bush has a four-word plan - more of the same."

Bush's tour through Ohio comes as polls show the race to be close. Hurricanes and their aftermath have complicated polling and campaigning in Florida, where some polls show Bush ahead and others indicate a close race.

The switch from foreign matters to pocketbook issues comes as the campaigns look ahead to the candidates' second face-to-face meeting on Friday, where undecided voters pose the questions.

The campaign opponents roared out of the first debate with sharpened attacks over Iraq and terrorism, hitting the campaign trail with more aggressive attacks and hoping to influence voters' impressions of their performance.

Instant polls revealed that viewers thought Kerry performed more ably, and Democrats claimed a clear-cut victory. The Republican campaign said the president won in substance, if not style.

---

On the Net:

Kerry campaign: http://www.johnkerry.com

Bush campaign: http://www.georgewbush.com

More News in this Category