The 2004 Presidential campaign

Presidential Candidates

The presidential elections are due this November and therefore the campaign by the candidates is in full swing. The two candidates, Senator John Kerry and the present President George W. Bush, have adopted various strategies and campaign styles that could possibly help them win majority's votes. Here, is a comparison of their campaign styles, statements, position on various issues and websites and how this all has affected their poll results.

John Kerry has been traveling around the country, giving speeches at different universities, cities, union meetings etc. The main aim of his campaign is to pinpoint the mistakes/blunders committed by the Bush Administration and how he plans to amend them. However, neither his official website nor his speeches mention any of his past successes as a Senator, which would guarantee people of his success as a President. Below are some of extracts from his speeches and plans.

One of most important steps taken by bush' administration, was attack on Iraq. According to Kerry "Today we know that the mission is not finished.... We're still bogged down in Iraq, and the administration stubbornly holds to failed, unilateral policies,." "What we have seen is a steady loss of lives and mounting cost in dollars to the American taxpayer, with no in sight." Furthermore he believes that American soldiers are alone in Iraq has Bush has failed to build international support for his move. (Ref 1) He believes that real solution to problem of Iraq lies in planning out a strategy to secure the safety of the troops, and stabilize Iraq instead of wasting $87 million at Bush failed policies.

Kerry even believes that the 9/11 incident was "just another campaign issue" for Bush's administration.

He has also criticized Bush for inappropriate handling of economy and tax cuts for wealthy. "This administration has put a tax giveaway for the very wealthiest of our nation over making sure we do all we can to win the war on terror here at home" (ref 3) He plans to focus on middle class families and helping them overcoming financial problems. Besides that he promises to fight hard to cover the loss of nearly 3 million jobs during Bush's tenure.

Further, he promises to provide affordable health care facilities to nearly 96% of the population. "Seven months ago, I unveiled my health care plan at Mercy Medical in Des Moines. On that day, I vowed to fight for the day when affordable health care is a right, not a privilege, for every American. I vowed to fight for the 40 million uninsured Americans who have no coverage -- including the nearly quarter of a million who live right here in Iowa. I vowed to fight for senior citizens forced to choose between their meals and their medicine." (Kerry Official site)

Further he plans to lay out a 100 day "Real Deal," an action plan of steps he will take in his early presidency days such as establishing a new National Educational Fund, reviving economy and rewarding companies that create jobs etc. However all of the plans of John Kerry mentioned at his official site is aimed at improving and focusing on the economy unlike that of Bush's that mainly focused on defense and military actions. (Ref 5)

George W. Bush's campaign also focuses on the track record of his opponent and counterattacks to accusations made by Kerry. However, the tone of his speeches is harsh and mocking. But his campaign also underscores some of successes during his years such as War against Terrorism as president, which gives his campaign an edge over that of Kerry's. Below are some of counterattacks to Kerry's criticisms which are mainly record of Kerry's voting on various issues and how he keep switching his positions on those issues which shows Kerry indecisiveness and myopia

Vice President Dick Cheney while addressing to an audience at Ronald Reagan Presidential Library examined Kerry voting record, which contradict his present statements. He showed how Kerry voted against move to drive Iraq out of Kuwait in 1991 but voted for resolution to attack Iraq, the move he now sternly criticizes.(1) he voted for the No Child Left Behind Act but now he opposes it as it didn't work. Similarly he voted for USA Patriot Act but now repeals it as being intrusive.

On March 21, while addressing at Orlando, Florida, Bush informed his audience of tax raises that his opponent plans to enforce once he wins the elections. He told the people that Kerry has voted 350 times to increase taxes in past 20 years including an increase in the child credit, an expansion of the lowest tax bracket and a cut in the tax on dividends. He admitted of job loss during his tenure, however said his tax cuts were working and economy was creating jobs.

He voted for the No Child Left Behind Act but now he opposes it, as it didn't work. Similarly he voted for USA Patriot Act but now repeals it as being intrusive. (Ref 6)