Joint Center News from the Convention Floor - Friday, July 30, 2004
Kerry Stresses Military Background; Few Specifics on Domestic Issues
BOSTON—Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts accepted the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination with a speech designed to demonstrate that America would be stronger and safer under his leadership.
The first words of his 45-minute address last night -- “I’m John Kerry, and I’m reporting for duty,†delivered with a snappy salute – set the tone for a three-month campaign during which Democrats hope to take the national security issue away from President Bush.
Kerry promised to “fight a smarter, more effective war on terror†and, hinting at Bush’s Iraq decision, added that “a threat that was real and imminent … is the only justification for going to war.â€
“I know what we have to do in Iraq,†he said, although he continued to be vague on that issue. He spoke instead in broad terms: “We need a president who has the credibility to bring allies to our side and share the burden, reduce the cost to American taxpayers and reduce the risk to American soldiers. That’s the right way to get the job done and bring our troops home.â€
In an address meant to energize the party faithful rather than outline policy details, Kerry also mentioned domestic programs, though he avoided specifics. He criticized Bush’s budget cuts in after-school and policing programs. He said he would not privatize Social Security or cut its benefits.
There was more detail on health care. Kerry promised that “under our plan, Medicare will negotiate lower drug prices for seniors. And all Americans will be able to buy less expensive prescription drugs from countries like Canada.†He did not mention Medicaid, the federal/state funded program for the poor, which has suffered serious cutbacks in many states.
Kerry did not discuss ways to alleviate poverty specifically, though he referred to the middle class several times. He mentioned race only obliquely, in sharp contrast to vice presidential nominee John Edwards’ speech the night before.
But that did not bother African Americans leaving the Fleet Center after Kerry spoke. “I think he was poignant,†said Warner Macklin III, a Pittsburgh business consultant who is co-chair of Pennsylvania’s African American Business Leaders for Kerry. “He was more animated and passionate than he was in the past.â€
Macklin was glad to hear of Kerry’s plan to “reduce the tax burden on small business,†because that “greatly impacts African Americans.â€
Dave Eastmond, a 48-year-old labor leader from Boston, said Kerry’s decision not to deal specifically with American racism probably was based on a political decision not to turn off White voters. “You have to be very strategic,†Eastmond said.
That decision was okay with Eastmond, because he has confidence in Kerry. Like other African Americans at the convention, he said he “would have liked to have heard more†on racial issues, but he added: “I feel he’s going to do the right thing.â€
Joe Davidson is the editor of FOCUS magazine at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies.