Kerry making ‘closing arguements’ for change while Bush looks for upbeat finish
SIOUX CITY, IOWA (AP) – Sen. John Kerry says the United States is “in a bigger mess by the day,” citing the murky fate of missing explosives in Iraq to sharpen the indictment of his opponent. President Bush has put together an end game that includes persistent appeals for Democratic votes and a rarely used weapon in this bruising campaign – a positive commercial.
SIOUX CITY, IOWA (AP) – Sen. John Kerry says the United States is “in a bigger mess by the day,” citing the murky fate of missing explosives in Iraq to sharpen the indictment of his opponent. President Bush has put together an end game that includes persistent appeals for Democratic votes and a rarely used weapon in this bruising campaign – a positive commercial.
With their agendas laid out, Bush and Kerry are going for spirit over substance in the final days, trying to create an aura of excitement in get-out-the-vote rallies and snag the dwindling pool of voters who haven’t taken sides.
Rockers Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi were rejoining the Kerry campaign California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is bringing his star power – and moderate GOP reputation – to Bush’s side later in the week.
Bush turned to the iconoclastic Democratic Sen. Zell Miller of Georgia to introduce him Wednesday at Pennsylvania and Ohio events, in keeping with his late-breaking appeals to Democrats who aren’t sold on their own party’s nominee.
The president has been talking up the “great tradition of the Democratic Party,” citing the steeliness in crises shown by the likes of Franklin Roosevelt and John Kennedy, to make the point Kerry doesn’t measure up.
Kerry mentioned those presidents and more, saying great U.S. leaders built alliances that protected this country while Bush “has failed in his fundamental obligation as commander in chief to make America as safe and secure as we should be.”
The Democrat was focusing on economic troubles of the middle class in a Sioux City speech Wednesday before stumping in Minnesota and back in Iowa, at a Cedar Rapids event. Aides saw that speech and one Friday that will blend his campaign’s economic and foreign policy proposals as his “closing arguments” for change.
After ripping Kerry for weeks as an equivocator, Bush planned to close the contest with a 60-second commercial meant to show he’s steady, trustworthy and compassionate in these dangerous times.
