2004 Presidential Campaign Blog

John Kerry Address to Supporters at Fanueil Hall

Boston, MA - Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much. You just have no idea how warming and how generous that welcome is, your love is, your affection, and I'm gratified by it.

Earlier today, I spoke to President Bush, and I offered him and Laura our congratulations on their victory. We had a good conversation and we talked about the danger of division in our country and the need – the desperate need – for unity, for finding the common ground, coming together...

...I'm proud of what we stood for in this campaign, and of what we accomplished. When we began, no one thought it was possible to even make this a close race. But we stood for real change, change that would make a real difference in the life of our nation, the lives of our families. And we defined that choice to America.

I'll never forget the wonderful people who came to our rallies, who stood in our rope lines, who put their hopes in our hands, who invested in each and every one of us. I saw in them the truth that America is not only great, but it is good.

So here -- so with a grateful heart -- I leave this campaign with a prayer that has even greater meaning to me now that I've come to know our vast country so much better. Thanks to all of you and what a privilege it has been. And that prayer is very simple: God bless America. Thank you.
Full Text

"Your Hands" New Kerry-Edwards 2004 TV Ad

NEW KERRY AD: “Soon the Campaign Will End and the Election Will be in Your Hands”

Washington, DC – The Kerry-Edwards campaign today released the new television ad “Your Hands.” With the campaign in the closing days, the 30-second spot sums up the choice for voters on November 2nd, urging those who want a fresh start in Iraq and a president who fights for the middle-class at home to vote Kerry.

“Your Hands” will air in several battleground states beginning today and throughout the weekend. It can be viewed online at: www.johnkerry.com

Title: “Your Hands”
Type:  :30 TV
Date:   10/28/04
Paid for By: Kerry-Edwards 2004, Inc.

AD SCRIPT

JOHN KERRY: “Soon the campaign will end, and the election will be in your hands.”
JOHN KERRY: “If you believe we need a fresh start in Iraq…
JOHN KERRY: “If you believe we can create and keep jobs here in America…
JOHN KERRY: “If you believe we need to get health care costs under control…”
JOHN KERRY: “If you believe in the promise of stem cell research…”
JOHN KERRY: “If you believe our deficits are too high…”
JOHN KERRY: “…and we’re too dependent on Mideast oil…”
JOHN KERRY: “…then I hope you’ll join me, and together, we’ll change America.  I’m John Kerry and I approve this message.”

"Heroes" New Kerry-Edwards 2004 TV Ad

New Kerry Ad Honors America’s Troops

Washington, DC – The Kerry-Edwards campaign Wednesday announced the television ad “Heroes.” With the president sidestepping important questions about missing explosives in Iraq and choosing instead to play politics, the thirty-second spot thanks America’s soldiers and families for their sacrifice and stresses John Kerry’s commitment to always support our troops.  John Kerry believes that we can honor our troops at the same time as changing our direction in Iraq.   

“Heroes” can be viewed online at: www.johnkerry.com

Title: “Heroes”
Type:  :30 TV
Date:   10/27/04
Paid for By: Kerry-Edwards 2004, Inc.

AD SCRIPT

NARRATOR: “Our soldiers fighting in Iraq are heroes, their families have earned our thanks and our support.  As we see the deepening crisis and chaos in Iraq, as we choose a new commander-in-chief and a fresh start, we will always support and honor those who serve.  Strength.  Courage.  Patriotism.” 

CHYRON: “Thank you.”

JOHN KERRY: “I'm John Kerry and I approve this message.”

"Obligation" New Kerry-Edwards 2004 TV Ad

New Kerry Ad on Bush Failure to Secure Explosives /Misjudgments that Have Made America Less Secure

Washington, DC – The Kerry-Edwards campaign released the new television ad “Obligation” Tuesday. Emphasizing that it is the obligation of a Commander-in-Chief to keep our country safe, the 30-second television spot focuses on George W. Bush’s misjudgments that have put our soldiers at risk and made America less secure, including his failure to secure 380 tons of explosives in Iraq.

“Obligation” will run in markets that Bush campaigns in this week. It can be viewed online at: www.johnkerry.com

Title: “Obligation”
Type:  :30 TV
Date:   10/26/04
Paid for By: Kerry-Edwards 2004, Inc.

AD SCRIPT

JOHN KERRY: “The obligation of a Commander in Chief is to keep our country safe.  In Iraq, George Bush has overextended our troops…”
VISUAL: John Kerry.
JOHN KERRY: “…and now failed to secure 380 tons of deadly explosives.” 
VISUAL: New York Times article headlined “Huge Cache of Explosives Vanished from Site in Iraq,” Source: New York Times, October 25, 2004
JOHN KERRY: “The kind used for attacks in Iraq, and for terrorist bombings.”
VISUAL: “Iraq insurgents may have missing explosives cache” Source: WCNC, Charlotte, NC, October 25, 2004
JOHN KERRY: “His Iraq misjudgments put our soldiers at risk, and make our country less secure.  And all he offers is more of the same.  As President, I’ll bring a fresh start to protect our troops and our nation.  I’m John Kerry and I approved this message.
VISUAL: John Kerry.  Approved by John Kerry & Paid for by Kerry-Edwards 2004, Inc.

"Protect" New Kerry-Edwards 2004 TV Ad

Kerry Campaign Unveils New Response Ad “Protect”

Washington, DC -  The Kerry-Edwards campaign responded to the latest desperate attack ad from the Bush-Cheney campaign today with the new ad “Protect.” The ad features John Kerry talking about his plan to make America safer at home and respected in the world.

“Protect: can be viewed online at www.johnkerry.com

Title: “Protect”
Type:  :30 TV
Date:   10/22/04
Paid for By: Kerry-Edwards 2004, Inc.

AD SCRIPT

JOHN KERRY:  “To make America safer, we can no longer go it alone in the world.  We need to move in a new direction.  When it comes to protecting our nation, I will stop at nothing to find and kill the terrorists.  If I'm president, America will always have the strongest military.  But I will return our foreign policy to the values that have always earned us the respect of the world.  I'm John Kerry and I approve this message because to be safer at home, America must be respected in the world.”

John Kerry "Fresh Start for America” Rally

John Kerry returned to the Gopher State Thursday, October 21 for a “Fresh Start for America Rally”  in front of a record breaking 30,000-plus supporters in Minneapolis.

The rally took place outside the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on the east side in the parking lot located at South 5th Street and South 11th Avenue.

"Looking" New Kerry-Edwards 2004 TV Ad

New Response Ad on Mess Created by Bush in Iraq: “We See It for Ourselves”

Washington, DC – Responding to the latest misleading Bush-Cheney ad, the Kerry-Edwards campaign Tuesday took to the airwaves with the new ad “Looking.” The ad recounts the mess in Iraq Americans are seeing every day and notes Kerry’s strong record on and commitment to keeping our country safe.

Title: “Looking”
Type:  :30 TV
Date:   10/18/04
Paid for By: Kerry-Edwards 2004, Inc.

AD SCRIPT

NARRATOR: “We see it for ourselves.  The mess in Iraq created by George Bush.  Over 1,000 US soldiers killed.  Kidnappings.  Americans held hostage.  Bush sees nothing wrong.  It’s time for a fresh start.  John Kerry has voted for the largest military and intelligence budget increases in our nation’s history.  Endorsed by chairmen of the joint chiefs under Presidents Reagan and Clinton. Kerry:  ‘As president, I’ll stop at nothing to get the terrorists before they get us.’”

JOHN KERRY: “I’m John Kerry and I approve this message.”

"Ever Since" New Kerry-Edwards 2004 TV Ad

9/11 Widow Shares Her Story in Latest Kerry Ad

Washington, DC – 9/11 widow Kristen Breitweiser is featured in the latest Kerry-Edwards television ad. Titled "Ever Since," the ad shows Breitweiser talking about the reasons she is supporting John Kerry for president over her 2000 choice, George W. Bush:

"Ever Since" can be viewed online at johnkerry.com

Title: "Ever Since"
Type: :30 second TV
Date: 10/18/04
Paid for By: Kerry-Edwards 2004, Inc.

AD SCRIPT

Kristen Breitweiser: My husband, Ron, was killed on September 11th. I've spent the last three years trying to find out what happened to make sure it never happens again. I fought for the 9/11 Commission, something George W. Bush, the man my husband Ron and I voted for, didn't think was necessary. And during the Commission hearings we learned the truth, we are no safer today. I want to look in my daughter's eyes and know that she is safe, and that is why I am voting for John Kerry.

John Kerry: I'm John Kerry and I approve this message.

"Bush's Mess" New Kerry-Edwards 2004 TV Ad

New Kerry Ad - “Bush’s Mess”

Washington, DC – The Kerry-Edwards campaign Monday released a new ad titled “Bush’s Mess.” Noting the president’s failures in the war on terror, Iraq and his comments insisting that he is “not that concerned about” Osama bin Laden, the ad says it is time for a new direction to protect America.

“Bush’s Mess” will be available online at www.johnkerry.com

Title: “Bush’s Mess”
Type:  :30 TV
Date:   10/18/04
Paid for By: Kerry-Edwards 2004, Inc.

AD SCRIPT

NARRATOR: “In Iraq, American troops are attacked 87 times a day.  At home, the Bush administration has acquired just 530 doses of licensed anthrax vaccine for America’s civilian population.  In Afghanistan, the Bush Administration relied on Afghan warlords to go after Osama bin Laden.  He got away.  Bush said.... ‘I don’t spend that much time on him...I truly am not that concerned about him.’  It’s time for a new direction.”

JOHN KERRY: “I’m John Kerry and I approve this message.”

"January Surprise" New Kerry-Edwards 2004 TV Ad

New Kerry Ad Exposes Bush’s January Surprise - Social Security Privatization

Washington, DC – Just over two weeks before the election, the Kerry-Edwards campaign Sunday released a new ad revealing George Bush’s real agenda - his intention to “come out strong” to privatize Social Security should he be sworn in for a second term.

The ad “January Surprise” will be available online at www.johnkerry.com

Title: “January Surprise”
Type:  :30 TV
Date:   10/17/04
Paid for By: Kerry-Edwards 2004, Inc.

AD SCRIPT

NARRATOR: “The truth is coming out... George Bush has finally admitted that he intends to privatize Social Security in a second term. ‘I'm going to come out strong after my swearing in,’ Bush said, ‘with…privatizing of Social Security.’  First, George Bush threatens Social Security with record deficits of over $400 billion.  Now, Bush has a plan that cuts Social Security benefits by 30 to 45%. The real Bush Agenda? Cutting Social Security.” 

JOHN KERRY: “I'm John Kerry and I approve this message.”