Bush attacks 'two-faced' Kerry
2004-03-04 08:19
Los Angeles - President George W Bush, campaigning for re-election in November, on Wednesday attacked Democratic challenger John Kerry for vacillating on key issues.
"Since John Kerry has been in Washington he has taken both sides on every single issue," Bush said of the senator from Massachusetts who emerged as the evident Democratic presidential candidate after a near sweep of Tuesday's 10 primary elections.
Kerry has been a US senator since 1984.
Bush also attacked Kerry on the issue shaping up as a major plank in his campaign platform - the war on terrorism.
"Some are sceptical that the war on terror is a war at all," he told a Republican fund-raiser. "My opponent says that the war on terror is far less a military operation and far more an intelligence gathering, law enforcement operation. I disagree.
"Our nation followed this approach after the World Trade Centre was bombed in 1993. The matter was handled in the courts and thought by some to be settled. But the terrorists were still training in Afghanistan, plotting against our nation and drawing up more ambitious plans," said Bush.
Chaos and carnage
"After the chaos and carnage of September the 11th, it was not enough to serve our enemies with legal papers."
Bush's comments constituted his first frontal assault on Kerry since the senator's candidacy became certain.
"I am ready for this campaign," he said. "I look forward to state the alternative squarely for the American people. We will win on November 2nd."
Bush already has a campaign war chest estimated at more than $130m, compared to Kerry's $40m.
The president's campaign is to kick off with a series of television spots in 15 states on Thursday, which are expected to be pivotal in the election.
- AFP