IPW Daily Report – Saturday, March 20, 2004
"Over the years, he's [John Kerry] voted over 350
times for higher taxes on the American people,"
President Bush
said.
"People aren't buying what this administration is
selling," said
David Wade, spokesman for John Kerry.
"Frankly, I find it outrageous that the president
is running for re-election on the grounds that
he's done such great things about terrorism,"
the former White
House counterterrorism coordinator Richard A.
Clarke told CBS. "He ignored it. He ignored
terrorism for months, when maybe we could have
done something."
Bush moves on Florida
Bush moves his campaign to Florida in a test of
how good his organization is. Volunteers will
spread out over Florida to register new
Republicans to vote. Bush will be speaking at a
rally in Orlando, Florida. This will be President
Bush’s 20th visit to Florida.
A St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald poll taken
early this month showed Kerry with a 6-point lead
over Bush.
The Kerry campaign quickly rallied Florida
Congressional Democrats to launch a preemptive
attack on Bush before he arrived in Florida.
"I wish the president would spend some more time
in central Florida and speak to people other than
his most loyal supporters, because he needs to
hear that his misguided policies are hurting
people," said Sen. Bob Graham.
"President Bush's economic policies have failed
Florida," said Rep. Kendrick Meek, Kerry's state
campaign chairman. Bush's "corporate buddies have
shipped 70,000 Floridian manufacturing jobs
overseas and now it's time for Mr. Bush to get the
pink slip."
Scott Stanzl, Bush’s campaign spokesman said,
"President Bush has provided steady leadership
during a historic time of change. In contrast,
Sen. Kerry's plan for higher taxes, new
regulations and more litigation would devastate
jobs across the country."
Democrats were working hard to move the subject on
to jobs Saturday with Michigan Gov. Jennifer
Granholm using the Democrats' weekly radio address
to blame the Bush administration for the loss of
manufacturing jobs in Michigan and nationwide.
Michigan Republican chairwoman Betsy DeVos replied
in a statement that Granholm is the one
responsible for the state losing 82,000 jobs over
the past year and failing to entice Electrolux to
stay for lack of "bold, pro-economic growth
policies."
Who’s in the Money
Helping Bush along the way will be the fact that
campaign finance disclosures report that the Bush
campaign has raised a record $158.2 million since
it began in June of last year. It also reported
$110 million in the bank.
Sen. John Kerry disclosed the names of 71 new
major fund-raisers, bringing his total to 181. His
opponent Bush has 458 "Pioneers" and "Rangers" who
have been pouring cash into the Bush-Cheney '04
Committee.
Kerry now has 59 backers who have earned the title
of "vice chair" by raising $100,000 or more, and
122 "co-chairs" who have raised at least $50,000.
The
Associated Press is reporting that they expect
Kerry and Bush to spend nearly $455 million in the
campaign. The Associated Press puts Bush at $275
million and Kerry at $180 million and that does
not include funds by other 527 campaigns that are
expected to spend nearly $200 million and Kerry’s
primary expenditures.
The President’s radio address
Iraq anniversary
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. One year ago this
week, ground forces of a strong coalition entered
Iraq to liberate that country from the rule of a
tyrant. For the Iraqi people, it was the beginning
of their deliverance. For the world, it was the
moment when years of demands and pledges turned to
decisive action.
The liberation of Iraq was good for the Iraqi
people, good for America, and good for the world.
The fall of the Iraqi dictator has removed a
source of violence, aggression, and instability
from the Middle East. The worst regime in the
region was given way to what will soon be among
the best. The demands of the United Nations were
enforced, not ignored with impunity. Years of
illicit weapons development by the dictator have
come to an end. The Iraqi people are now receiving
aid, instead of suffering under sanctions. And men
and women across the Middle East, looking to Iraq,
are getting a glimpse of what life in a free
country can be like.
Helping Iraq emerge as a free nation is a global
responsibility, and the nations of the world are
meeting their responsibilities. Troops from
Britain, and Poland, and Japan, are securing
important areas of the country. Special Forces
from El Salvador, Macedonia, and other nations are
helping to find and defeat Baathist and terrorist
killers. In all, more than 50 nations are helping
the Iraqi people emerge from decades of tyranny,
and realize a democratic future.
There are still violent thugs and murderers in
Iraq, and our coalition is dealing with them. Not
long ago, we intercepted a planning document being
sent to leaders of al Qaeda by a terrorist named
Zarqawi. Along with the usual threats, he had a
complaint: "Our enemy," said Zarqawi, "is growing
stronger and his intelligence data are increasing
day by day. This is suffocation!" Zarqawi is
getting the idea. The resolve of our coalition is
firm. We will never turn over Iraq to terrorists
who intend our own destruction. We will not fail
the Iraqi people, who have placed their trust in
us. Whatever it takes, we will fight and work to
assure the success of freedom in Iraq.
The terrorists hate and target a free Iraq. They
also hate and target every country that stands for
democracy, and tolerance, and freedom in the
world. The murders in Madrid have revealed, once
again, the agenda and the nature of the terrorist
enemy. They kill the innocent -- they kill
children and their mothers on a commuter train --
without conscience or mercy. They cause suffering
and grief, and rejoice in it.
The war on terror is not a figure of speech. It is
the inescapable calling of our generation. The
terrorists are offended not merely by our
policies. They are offended by our existence as
free nations. No concession will appease their
malice. No accommodation will satisfy their
endless demands. No course of therapy will cure
them of their hatred. There can be no separate
peace with the terrorist enemy. Whatever it takes
we will seek, and find, and destroy the
terrorists.
Earlier this week, I traveled to Fort Campbell, in
Kentucky, where I met with Green Berets and
special force soldiers, and members of the 101st
Airborne -- the "Screaming Eagles." These men and
women are defending their fellow citizens against
ruthless enemies. They have liberated millions
from oppression, and added to the momentum of
freedom across the world. Like all of their
brothers and sisters in uniform, they are making
America safer and more secure. Because of their
service and sacrifice, I know that justice and
freedom will prevail over terror and tyranny.
Thank you for listening.
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