Posted on 07/30/2004 8:00:57 PM PDT by crushkerry
HARRISBURG, Pa. - Newly installed Democratic presidential team of John Kerry and John Edwards (news - web sites) defended their ticket from President Bush's charge that his challenger has no "signature achievements" as they drew thousands of supporters Friday, the first official day of the general election campaign. Kerry and Edwards embarked on a two-week coast-to-coast trip just eight hours after standing in a downpour of balloons and confetti at the end of their nominating convention.
They were barely on their way before being challenged by the president.
"After 19 years in the U.S. Senate, my opponent has had thousands of votes, but few signature achievements," Bush told supporters in a Midwest campaign swing.
Bush said despite Kerry's promises to reform America's intelligence, health care and education systems, he has no significant record of doing so during 19 years in the Senate.
"In fact, he and his running mate consistently opposed reforms that limit the power of Washington — reforms that would leave more power in the hands of the people," Bush said.
"Here we go again," Edwards said, lamenting Bush's criticism to a chorus of boos from the crowd in Harrisburg.
"They're trying to take this campaign for the highest office in the land down the lowest possible road," Edwards continued. "You can reject this tired old hateful negative politics of the past and instead embrace the politics of hope."
Edwards led the crowd in his convention speech refrain that "Hope is on the way." Bush answered with his own chant that "Results matter."
In an interview, Kerry dismissed Bush's criticism with a laugh as "the response to a positive campaign." He said he was behind a long list of legislation during his Senate career, including funding for more community police, improvements to health care and support for fisheries programs.
"They don't have a record to run on, so all they can do is attack," Kerry said.
Kerry's caravan of 10 buses and at least 11 other support vehicles rolled through Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York and Pennsylvania Friday. He didn't stop in safely Democratic Connecticut, but pulled over at Wendy's, a fast food restaurant, in New York's GOP-leaning Hudson Valley for an anniversary tradition.
John and Elizabeth Edwards ate at a Wendy's on their wedding night 27 years ago when they were recent law school grads too broke for a fancy meal. Although they have become millionaires several times over, they say they observe the tradition each year.
"I have to admit that Wendy's with an entire presidential campaign press corps is a little different than the first time we went there," Elizabeth Edwards said.
The Edwards had hearty meals of burgers and fries and shared a chocolate Frosty. Teresa Heinz Kerry, apparently unfamiliar with the Wendy's menu, pointed at a picture of chili and asked the cashier what it was before ordering a bowl. Her husband had the same, along with a Frosty.
The two couples brought along their adult children and blockbuster actor Ben Affleck for some extra attention on their tour's opening weekend.
"Don't confuse me for being on the front bus," Affleck said after being mobbed by media outside the restaurant. He said he was riding behind Kerry's lead motorcoach in a bus that he said seemed more like it was from the Eisenhower-era.
While Affleck signed autographs, patrons congratulated Kerry on his speech to the Democratic National Convention Thursday night. Registered Republican Chris Smith said he became convinced Kerry would beat Bush after watching it.
"I don't like the way the present administration is handling Iraq (news - web sites) or the National Guard," said Smith, a nuclear plant worker and Navy veteran.
Kerry's morning rally was surprisingly small for the hometown nominee, with no more than 500 people only half-filling a harbor-side park. With a long day ahead and little sleep the night before, the candidate opened by sleepily saying, "I'm longing to have my head hit a pillow."
The afternoon rally in Scranton was a more impressive draw, with several thousand cheering supporters filling at least three city blocks, hanging out of office buildings and garages. And at a twilight rally in Harrisburg, thousands filled the state Capitol steps and spilled back as far as one could see into the park and streets.
Kerry opened his Scranton rally by thanking Edwards and his family and his daughters for their performances at the convention. He said he started to tear up as he watched them introduce him and had to turn away so he could compose himself for his own speech. Then he noticed that his daughter Vanessa wasn't listening — the Harvard medical student was tending to a rally-goer who was feeling faint in the heat.
"These are dangerous times today," Kerry said, referring to the threat of terrorism, not the heat. "We're living in a world that's changed dramatically from the world of four years ago and we deserve leadership that tells the truth to the American people and helps America act like a beacon to the world."
Meanwhile, the Federal Election Commission (news - web sites) on Friday approved the release of $74.7 million in federal funds that Kerry and Edwards will use from now until Election Day. The agency notified the Treasury Department (news - web sites), which will wire the cash to the campaign, the commission said.
Because Kerry accepted public funding for the general election, he is barred from spending any other cash since becoming his party's nominee.
"Editorial writers were quick to seize on the notion that President Bush's "amazement" demonstrated he had never seen a supermarket scanner before and criticized him for being out of touch with the daily concerns of ordinary Americans."
"Then the details of the story started to dribble out. Andrew Rosenthal of The New York Times hadn't even been present at the grocers' convention. He based his article on a two-paragraph report filed by the lone pool newspaperman allowed to cover the event, Gregg McDonald of the Houston Chronicle, who merely wrote that Bush had a "look of wonder" on his face and didn't find the event significant enough to mention in his own story. Moreover, Bush had good reason to express wonder: He wasn't being shown then-standard scanner technology, but a new type of scanner that could weigh groceries and read mangled and torn bar codes.
Dude, can you imagine a President that doesn't even know the Frostie favors at Wendy's? What a looser man.
>"They're trying to take this campaign for the highest office >in the land down the lowest possible road," Edwards >continued. "You can reject this tired old hateful negative >politics of the past and instead embrace the politics of >hope."
WTH??? Ok, so Bush isn't supposed to say anything negative about his opponet, but they can say whatever they want? Keep saying it John, it's going to get old quick. People are stupid, but even after a while, they will see through the tricks of not actually countering what Bush is saying, but throwing that "hateful politics" crap. He was chastising his RECORD. Nothing hateful in pointing out that your opponet is a loser.
Heeeyyyy, wait a minute. Why didn't this unbiased journalist point out that the marines in the Wendy's were upset at Kerry for imposing on them and that they were voting for Bush?
>Hey Afflect --- you are being used!
Given Affleck's current movie bombs, I think it is the other way around.
> "Editorial writers were quick to seize on the notion that >President Bush's "amazement" demonstrated he had never seen a >supermarket scanner before and criticized him for being out >of touch with the daily concerns of ordinary Americans."
It was this and Clinton's "bout a dollar" deal on MTV that got me to vote for Clinton in 1992. Struggling to pay the bills, Roseanne was on TV and I thought it couldn't just be me... I just hope there aren't as many ignorant 20 year olds out there this year.
Who all are on 10 buses?
Well, I guess Aflac was one, you know, the duck?
I think he's more deserving of a "chocolate swirly" myself.
I felt as if I had entered the bizarro world while reading this. Wendy's for a multionmillionaire's wedding anniversary, a potential first lady not knowing what chili is, and the most strange thing of all: Ben Affleck tagging along with their caravan. What the h*ll????
Pres. Bush was talking about their Senate record.
Person A goes hunting every year for 18 years and bags a few deer for his freezer.
Person B says, "Person A likes to eat deer meat."
Person A says, "Why are you attacking me like that?!!"
amazing. . .
Seeing this pic I am stuck by two things,
One: I know it is a photo op and all, but if it is their anniversary, shouldn't the Edwards' be sitting across from each other, not next to?
Two: Look at the people in the background, it looks like the guy right next to them had to turn his chair sideways in order not to be seen in the pic... it's amazing what you find when you study these pics
>I felt as if I had entered the bizarro world while reading >this.
LOL!! I know what you mean. I kept waiting on another doozy, like aliens landed in the parking lot with a "We hate Dubya" sign hanging from thier ship.
Jeez, I mean Ben Affleck?!? At the Wendy's? And how long as that woman been in this country that she doesn't know what Chili is?
When I get to $1 billion I will have a Burger King next to the tennis court and a Wendy's in the middle of the circular driveway. Staff and guests will have to buy their own lunch. Any hoboes that get past the gate will be able to get yesterday's fries at the kitchen entrance for free. I will let Teresa work the drive-up window, which should be a kick.
She'll probably have the trots tonight.
Better not order coffee and spill the java. Edwards will sue.
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