DLC Likes Kerry's Contract With the Middle Class [View All]

[Freddie Stubbs]

DLC | New Dem Daily | April 26, 2004

As we've hoped and expected, Sen. John Kerry moved his campaign fully into a general election mode with a speech last Friday that offered a positive argument for change building on the Clinton-New Democrat successes of the 1990s, while stressing several distinctive personal themes such as tough-minded internationalism and energy independence.

Speaking to the American Society of Newspaper Editors, Kerry proposed a "Contract with America's Middle Class" with four main planks: making America safer; restoring fiscal responsibility while creating millions of new jobs; cutting middle-class taxes; and reforming government to reduce waste, end corporate cronyism and address the big challenges facing America.

Security First: Kerry emphatically refuted GOP charges that he is soft on terrorism and unwilling to use military force. "We are in a new kind of war, and we need a commander in chief with a plan to fight this war and win it," said Kerry. "I have many differences with President Bush over how we should wage the war against terrorism and extremism.... But we share the same goal of total victory. You can count on this: No matter who wins this presidential election, the terrorists will lose." To remove any shadow of doubt about his resolve, Kerry said: "I will never hesitate to use American power to defend our interests anywhere in the world. I will stand up for our country, our flag, and our values, and make it clear that the first definition of patriotism is keeping faith with those who wore the uniform of our country."

Cutting the Deficit and Boosting Jobs: Citing President Clinton's success in eliminating budget deficits while creating 23 million new jobs, lifting 7 million Americans out of poverty, and enabling more Americans to attend college, Kerry contrasted the Bush administration's determination to "put wealth ahead of work, something-for-nothing ahead of responsibility, and special privilege for the few ahead of what's right for the nation." Recalling his support for tough deficit reduction measures dating back to the 1980s, Kerry observed: "Our budget is a mess again, and we must fix it to keep our country strong. My plan calls for no new spending without cutbacks to pay for that spending. My plan will end corporate welfare as we know it, roll back the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, and impose a real cap on spending." On the jobs front, Kerry made clear his belief that "the private sector is the engine of economic growth, and that instead of being a burden to business, government has a duty to help business succeed" with measures such as tax cuts "for businesses that do right by America." He also said he will "create 10 million jobs with a proven strategy built on a simple principle: We should reward work, make sure Americans have a chance to work, and get ahead when they do."

more: http://www.ndol.org/ndol_ci.cfm?kaid=131&subid=192&contentid=252547