2004 Presidential Campaign Blog

John Kerry Minnesota Reception with Carole King

Minneapolis, MN – Minnesotans for Kerry today announced that John Kerry will visit Minnesota for a reception with Minnesota supporters. The reception will feature Carole King and local musicians, with ticket prices starting at $35 for students

Kerry Campaign Announces Significant New Ad Buy Introducing John Kerry’s Lifetime of Service and Strength

Kerry Campaign Announces Significant New Ad Buy Introducing John Kerry’s Lifetime of Service and Strength

Washington, DC –The John Kerry for President campaign announced a critical component of its election strategy today, unveiling two new biographical television ads introducing John Kerry’s lifetime of service and strength to the American people. The 60-second ads are backed by a significant, 19-state ad buy and mark another step forward in the campaign’s rollout of John Kerry’s vision for building a stronger America.

“These ads communicate to the American people who John Kerry is and what he stands for,” said Kerry Campaign Manger Mary Beth Cahill. “As a soldier, prosecutor, Lt. Governor and United States Senator, John Kerry’s life story has been defined by service and strong leadership, and these are the same qualities that will define his service in the White House. John Kerry will be a President who builds a stronger America by fighting to put our economy back on track, creating new and better jobs, expanding access to affordable health care and improving our nation’s schools.”

Today’s new ads – “Heart” and “Lifetime” – feature the people who know John Kerry the best talking about the service and strength Kerry has displayed throughout a life that has included: earning the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and Three Purple Hearts; making decisions that saved his crewmates lives in Vietnam; fighting for victims’ rights as a prosecutor; and serving America in the Senate as a strong voice for issues that make a difference in the lives of every day Americans.

In “Heart,” Kerry Vietnam crewmate Del Sandusky and fellow-soldier Jim Rassmann, as well as Kerry’s daughter Vanessa and wife Teresa, talk about Kerry’s service to his country and record as someone who fights for what matters. “Lifetime” tells Kerry’s life story, from his birth in a Colorado Army Hospital to his service in Vietnam to his career in the Senate taking on tough fights for the American people, like the fight for children’s healthcare, the search for truth about POWs and MIAs in Vietnam and his break from his Party to support a balanced budget.

Both ads will be seen by voters in the following states: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

“Heart” and “Lifetime” can be viewed online at www.johnkerry.com. Scripts and back-up can be found below.

-30-

Scripts

Title: “Heart”

Date: 5/4/04

Type: 60 sec.  TV

Paid for By: John Kerry for President

Heart:

John Kerry:  I was born in Fitzsimons Army Hospital in Colorado. My dad was serving in the Army Air Corp.  Both of my parents taught me about public service.  I enlisted because I believed in service to country.  I thought it was important if you had a lot of privileges as I had had, to go to a great university like Yale, to give something back to your country.

Del Sandusky:  The decisions that he made saved our lives.

Jim Rassmann:  When he pulled me out of the river, he risked his life to save mine.

Narrator:  For more than 30 years, John Kerry has served America.

Vanessa Kerry:  If you look at my father’s time in service to this country, whether, it’s as a veteran, prosecutor, or Senator, he has shown an ability to fight for things that matter.

Teresa Heinz Kerry:  John is the face of someone who’s hopeful, who’s generous of spirit and of heart.

John Kerry:  We’re a country of optimists, we’re the can do people and we just need to believe in ourselves again.

Narrator:  A lifetime of service and strength.  John Kerry for President.

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

Title: “Lifetime”

Date: 5/4/04

Type: 60 sec.  TV

Paid for By: John Kerry for President

Lifetime:

Narrator:  He was born in an Army Hospital in Colorado. His father was an Army Air Corps Pilot. His mother… a community leader. He went to college at Yale-- and volunteered to serve in Vietnam.

Sandusky: The decisions that he made saved our lives.

Rassmann: When he pulled me out of the river, he risked his life to save mine.

Narrator: In combat, he earned the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and three Purple Hearts. Then he came home, determined to end that war. For more than 30 years, John Kerry has served America. As a tough prosecutor, he fought for victims' rights. In the Senate, he was a leader in the fight for healthcare for children. He joined with John McCain to find the truth about POWs and MIAs in Vietnam. He broke with his own party to support a balanced budget……then in the 1990’s cast a decisive vote that created 20 million new jobs. A lifetime of service and strength. John Kerry for President

Disclaimer:  "I'm John Kerry and I approved this message."

"Weapons" New Bush-Cheney '04 TV Ad

Bush-Cheney ‘04 Announces New Television Ad

ARLINGTON, VA – Bush-Cheney ’04 today announced the campaign’s newest television ad, entitled “Weapons.”  The ad highlights John Kerry’s troubling record of opposing weapons systems essential to fighting and winning the War on Terror.  The ad will run on national cable and in selected local markets.  Nine other versions of the ad, specific to selected states, will also air. The script for the ad and supporting documentation are attached.

SCRIPT

Bush-Cheney ‘04

TV:  30

Weapons

President Bush:

I’m George W. Bush and I approve this message.

VO:

As our troops defend America in the War on Terror, they must have what it takes to win. Yet, John Kerry has repeatedly opposed weapons vital to winning the War on Terror:  Bradley Fighting Vehicles, Patriot Missiles, B-2 Stealth Bombers, F-18 Fighter Jets and more. Kerry even voted against body armor for our troops on the front line of the War on Terror. John Kerry’s record on national security:  Troubling.

"Doublespeak" New Bush-Cheney '04 TV Ad

Bush-Cheney ‘04 Launches New Television Ad

ARLINGTON, VA – Today, Bush-Cheney ‘04 released the campaign’s newest television ad, entitled “Doublespeak.” The ad will air on national cable.

Script for “Doublespeak”

President Bush:

I’m George W. Bush and I approve this message.

VO:
John Kerry says, "A lot of people don't really know who I am."

Well, actually, a lot of people do. Kerry’s hometown paper says, “In his continuing effort to be all things to all voters … John Kerry is engaging in a level of doublespeak that makes most voters wince.”

The Wall Street Journal said Kerry's tax plan “would mean increasing the tax burden again, which would likely kill the recovery." On Iraq, The Washington Post said “Kerry’s attempts to weave a thread connecting and justifying [his] positions are unconvincing.”

The Union Leader says Kerry has “waffled” on historic education reforms he supported in 2001, but now opposes.

And the non-partisan National Journal magazine ranks Kerry the most liberal member of the Senate – more liberal than Hillary Clinton or Ted Kennedy.

John Kerry’s problem is not that people don’t know him. 
It’s that people do.

The new ad will be available at www.GeorgeWBush.com at 4:00 p.m. EST

"Commitment" "Risk" New Kerry-Edwards 2004 TV Ads

Kerry Launches significant NEW ad Campaign on his plan to build a stronger america

Washington, DC – The John Kerry for President campaign today launched a significant new ad campaign designed to tell the American people how Kerry will build a stronger and more secure America. The first two in what will be a series of ads emphasize John Kerry’s clear strategy to win the peace in Iraq and his plan to rebuild America by putting our economy back on track, creating new and better jobs, expanding access to affordable health care and improving our nation’s schools.

“John Kerry offers real leadership and vision of how to build a stronger America,” said Kerry Campaign Manger Mary Beth Cahill.  “These ads communicate where John Kerry wants to take the country, including building a stronger economy, improving health care and education and making the nation safer and more secure.”

“Commitment” features Kerry talking directly to the American people about the steps he will take to make America stronger, including keeping America safe and secure, ending tax incentives that encourage companies to move jobs overseas and investing in education and healthcare. “Risk” shows Kerry talking about his plan to change the situation in Iraq by reaching out to the international community in order to share the burden and risk.

The ads will air in the following 17 states: Maine, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Iowa, New Mexico, Oregon, Wisconsin, Florida, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, Nevada, West Virginia, Arizona, Arkansas, Washington and Ohio

These ads highlight Kerry’s detailed plan to build a stronger America. His “Jobs First” economic plan will create 10 million new jobs in America and eliminate all of the tax breaks that encourage companies to move jobs overseas. His comprehensive health care plan will simultaneously hold down costs while expanding coverage to more Americans. For education, Kerry will rollback the Bush tax cut and heavily invest in our public schools.

The ads also reinforce Kerry’s clear strategy to win the peace in Iraq. Kerry has called on America’s leaders to be honest with the American people about the difficulties we face in Iraq. He has said we must supply our military commanders with the additional troops they have requested in order to provide the security the Iraqi people need to go about the business of daily life.

Kerry has also said we must remove the “Made in America” label from the Iraqi occupation, and he has called for the creation of an international mission authorized by the United Nations that will help the Iraqi people hold elections, restore government services and rebuild their economy.  Finally, Kerry has said we should transform the military force in Iraq into a NATO security force under the leadership of an American commander, so that the United States is not shouldering the burdens and risks alone.

Both of today’s new ads can be viewed at www.johnkerry.com

SCRIPTS:

“Commitment”

Kerry To Camera: 

“As President I’ll set a few clear national priorities for America.
“First, we will keep this country safe and secure. Second, I’ll put an end to tax incentives that encourage American companies to ship jobs overseas. And third, we’ll invest in education and healthcare.
“My priorities are jobs and healthcare. My commitment is to defend this country.
“I’m John Kerry and I approved this message because together we can build a stronger America.”

“Risk:”

Kerry to camera:

“Let me tell you exactly what I would do to change the situation in Iraq.
“I would immediately reach out to the international community in sharing the burden, the risk because they also have a stake in the outcome of what is happening in Iraq.
“The American taxpayer is paying now almost 200 billion dollars and who knows how many more billions and we’re paying the highest price in the loss of lives of our young soldiers, almost alone.
“I’m John Kerry and I approved this message.”

Bush Cheney '04 Web Site Redesign

Bush Cheney '04 Minnesota Headquarters Grand Opening

Commerce Secretary Don Evans opened the Bush Cheney '04 Minnesota Headquarters Grand Opening on April 5, 2004.

"10 Million Jobs" New John Kerry 2004 TV Ad

New Ad Highlights Kerry Commitment to Keeping Jobs Here

Washington, DC – With President Bush and his economic advisors continuing to insist that sending American jobs overseas “makes sense,” the Kerry campaign today launched a new 30-second television ad assuring American workers that John Kerry is committed to keeping jobs here.

The 30-second spot will run in 17 states beginning Friday: Maine, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Iowa, New Mexico, Oregon, Wisconsin, Florida, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, Nevada, West Virginia, Arizona, Arkansas, Washington and Ohio.

“American workers deserve to know the truth about how the Bush administration feels about the loss of American jobs to countries overseas,” said Kerry Spokesperson Stephanie Cutter. “President Bush has no plan to stop outsourcing because he does not even believe it is a problem. John Kerry knows what is right for American jobs. He will change the failed economic policies of the Bush administration, create 10 million new jobs in America, not overseas, and lead the country in a new direction.” 

Last month, Kerry announced the most sweeping reform of international tax law in over 40 years to help America’s workers and businesses become more competitive at home.  The Kerry plan will eliminate all of the tax breaks that encourage companies to move jobs overseas and use the savings to encourage companies to create jobs in America.  Using a New Jobs Tax Credit paid for by a one-year tax holiday to encourage companies to reinvest their foreign earnings in America, Kerry will help jumpstart job creation. The plan is part of Kerry’s detailed agenda to create 10 million jobs in his first term as President.

Despite a record loss of American jobs, various Bush administration officials have repeatedly praised the benefits of outsourcing. On Tuesday, Treasury Secretary John Snow defended outsourcing during a stop in Ohio, saying “you can outsource a lot of activities and get them done just as well at a lower cost.” This followed the president’s 2004 Economic Report, which said outsourcing “makes sense,” and comments by the president’s chief economic advisor N. Gregory Mankiw that outsourcing is a “good thing.”

The text of the ad, called “10 Million Jobs,” is below:

Announcer: While jobs are leaving our country in record numbers, George Bush says sending jobs overseas “makes sense” for America

Announcer: His top economic advisors say “moving American jobs to low cost countries” is a plus for the U.S.

Announcer: John Kerry's proposed a different economic plan that encourages companies to keep jobs here.

Announcer: It's part of a “detailed economic agenda” to create 10 million jobs.

Announcer: John Kerry. A new direction for America.

KERRY: "I'm John Kerry and I approved this message."

The ad can be viewed at www.johnkerry.com

"Wacky" New Bush-Cheney '04 TV Ad

Bush-Cheney ‘04 Launches New Ad

ARLINGTON, VA – Bush-Cheney ’04 today will hold a conference call to preview the release of its newest television ad, entitled “Wacky,” which will begin airing Wednesday throughout the country on cable and local affiliates. The ad highlights John Kerry’s career-long support for higher gas prices, including his support for a 50-cent per gallon gas tax.  Additionally, the campaign today launched the Kerry Gas Tax Calculator, so voters can find out how much the 50 cent gas tax, which Kerry has supported, would cost them at the pump.

The video of the new ad will be available at www.GeorgeWBush.com at 7:00 a.m. EST

Script for “Wacky”

President Bush:

I’m George W. Bush and I approve this message.

VO:

Some people have wacky ideas. Like taxing gasoline more so people drive less. That’s John Kerry.

Graphic:

That’s John Kerry

VO:

He supported a 50 cent a gallon gas tax. If Kerry’s tax increase were law, the average family would pay $657 more a year.

Graphic:

Kerry’s Plan:  Pay $657 More a Year For Gas.

VO:

Raising taxes is a habit of Kerry’s.  He supported higher gasoline taxes 11 times.   

Graphic:

John Kerry:  Supported Higher Gas Taxes 11 Times.

VO:

Maybe John Kerry just doesn’t understand what his ideas mean to the rest of us.

Graphic:

John Kerry:  Wrong on Taxes.

"21st Century" “Differences” New Bush-Cheney '04 TV Ads

Bush-Cheney ‘04 Launches New Ads

ARLINGTON, VA – Today, Bush-Cheney ’04 released the campaign’s newest set of television ads, entitled “21st Century” and “Differences.” The ads highlight President Bush’s leadership in a changing economy, and John Kerry’s support for higher taxes and his plan to raise taxes by $900 billion in his first 100 days. The ad, “Differences,” will air in both English and Spanish.

Script for “21st Century”

President Bush:
We are in changing times and the economy is changing.
We need new small business owners.
And that’s why the policies I’ve put forth help small businesses.
We’ve got tax cuts in place that’ll help the economy grow.
But we’ve also got plans to help people get the skills necessary to fill the new jobs of the 21st century.
I’m optimistic about America because I believe in the people of America.
I’m George W. Bush and I approve of this message.

Script for “Differences”

President Bush:

I’m George W. Bush and I approve this message.

VO:
John Kerry’s economic record: Troubling….. Kerry voted to increase taxes on Social Security benefits.
And, he voted against giving small businesses tax credits to buy health care for employees.
Kerry even supported raising taxes on gasoline 50-cents a gallon… Now John Kerry’s plan will raise taxes by at least 900 billion dollars his first hundred days in office…. And that’s just his first 100 days.

Script for “Differences” (in Spanish)

Presidente Bush:
Soy George W. Bush y aprobé este mensaje.

VO:
El plan economico de John Kerry… preocupa
Kerry votó por aumentar los impuestos de los beneficios del Seguro Social.
Se negó ayudar a nuestras pequeñas empresas poder dar mejores beneficios médicos a sus empleados
Kerry apoyó subir los impuestos de la gasoline…. 50 centavos por galón
Ahora el plan de Kerry aumentara? los impuestos 900 billones de dolares…
Y eso es solo en los primeros 100 días