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SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) -- President Bush and newly crowned Democratic standard-bearer John Kerry wasted no time blasting each other Friday at the official start of the general election campaign, trading identical criticisms that the other is short on accomplishments.
Kerry and running mate John Edwards embarked on a two-week coast-to-coast trip across the country just eight hours after standing in a downpour of balloons and confetti at the end of their nominating convention.
"Americans are playing by the rules while a whole group of people are writing the rules for themselves and leaving the rest of America out," Kerry said at an early morning rally along Boston Harbor. "We're going to change that around. Help is on the way for the average person in this country."
Kerry did not directly refer to the president in making his point. Bush was more straightforward.
My opponent has good intentions, but intentions do not always translate to results," Bush said. "After 19 years in the United States Senate, my opponent has had thousands of votes, but very few signature achievements."
Kerry fired back at Bush's criticism, dismissing it with a laugh as "the response to a positive campaign." He said he was behind "a long list" of legislation during his 19-year Senate career, including funding for more community police, improvements to health care and support for fisheries programs.
"They don't have a record to run on, so all they can do is attack," Kerry said.
His caravan of 10 buses and at least 11 other support vehicles rolled through Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York and Pennsylvania Friday. He didn't stop in the Democratic stronghold of Connecticut, but pulled over at Wendy's, a fast food restaurant, in New York's GOP-leaning Hudson Valley for an anniversary tradition.
John and Elizabeth Edwards ate at a Wendy's on their wedding night 27 years ago when they were recent law school grads too broke for a fancy meal. Although they have become millionaires several times over, they say they observe the tradition each year.
This time, dozens of peering reporters and photographers may have ruined the romance. But at least Kerry paid the bill.
Edwards and his wife had hearty meals of burgers and fries and shared a chocolate Frosty. Teresa Heinz Kerry pointed at a picture of chili on the menu and asked the cashier what it was before ordering a bowl. Her husband had the same, along with a Frosty.
The two couples brought along their adult children and blockbuster actor Ben Affleck for some extra attention on their tour's opening weekend.
"Don't confuse me for being on the front bus," Affleck said after being mobbed by media outside the restaurant. He said he was riding behind Kerry's lead motorcoach in a bus that he said seemed more like it was from the Eisenhower-era.
While Affleck signed autographs, patrons congratulated Kerry on his speech to the Democratic National Convention Thursday night. Registered Republican Chris Smith said he became convinced Kerry would beat Bush after watching it.
"I don't like the way the present administration is handling Iraq or the National Guard," said Smith, a nuclear plant worker and Navy veteran.
Kerry's morning rally was surprisingly small for the hometown nominee, with no more than 500 people only half-filling a harbor-side park. With a long day ahead and little sleep the night before, the candidate opened by sleepily saying, "I'm longing to have my head hit a pillow."
The afternoon rally in Scranton was a more impressive draw, with several thousand cheering supporters filling at least three city blocks, hanging out of office buildings and garages.
Kerry opened by thanking Edwards and his family and his daughters. He said he started to tear up as he watched them introduce him and had to turn away so he could compose himself for his own speech. Then he noticed that his daughter Vanessa wasn't listening - the Harvard medical student was tending to a rally-goer who was feeling faint in the heat.
"These are dangerous times today," Kerry said, referring to the threat of terrorism, not the heat. "We're living in a world that's changed dramatically from the world of four years ago and we deserve leadership that tells the truth to the American people and helps America act like a beacon to the world."
Meanwhile, the Federal Election Commission on Friday approved the release of $74.7 million in federal funds that Kerry and Edwards will use from now until Election Day. The agency notified the Treasury Department, which will wire the cash to the campaign, the commission said.
Because Kerry accepted public funding for the general election, he is barred from spending any other cash since becoming his party's nominee.
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On the Net:
Kerry campaign: http://www.johnkerry.com
Bush campaign: http://www.georgewbush.com
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/D/DEMOCRATS?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=HOME
SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) -- President Bush and newly crowned Democratic standard-bearer John Kerry wasted no time blasting each other Friday at the official start of the general election campaign, trading identical criticisms that the other is short on accomplishments.
Kerry and running mate John Edwards embarked on a two-week coast-to-coast trip across the country just eight hours after standing in a downpour of balloons and confetti at the end of their nominating convention.
"Americans are playing by the rules while a whole group of people are writing the rules for themselves and leaving the rest of America out," Kerry said at an early morning rally along Boston Harbor. "We're going to change that around. Help is on the way for the average person in this country."
Kerry did not directly refer to the president in making his point. Bush was more straightforward.
My opponent has good intentions, but intentions do not always translate to results," Bush said. "After 19 years in the United States Senate, my opponent has had thousands of votes, but very few signature achievements."
Kerry fired back at Bush's criticism, dismissing it with a laugh as "the response to a positive campaign." He said he was behind "a long list" of legislation during his 19-year Senate career, including funding for more community police, improvements to health care and support for fisheries programs.
"They don't have a record to run on, so all they can do is attack," Kerry said.
His caravan of 10 buses and at least 11 other support vehicles rolled through Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York and Pennsylvania Friday. He didn't stop in the Democratic stronghold of Connecticut, but pulled over at Wendy's, a fast food restaurant, in New York's GOP-leaning Hudson Valley for an anniversary tradition.
John and Elizabeth Edwards ate at a Wendy's on their wedding night 27 years ago when they were recent law school grads too broke for a fancy meal. Although they have become millionaires several times over, they say they observe the tradition each year.
This time, dozens of peering reporters and photographers may have ruined the romance. But at least Kerry paid the bill.
Edwards and his wife had hearty meals of burgers and fries and shared a chocolate Frosty. Teresa Heinz Kerry pointed at a picture of chili on the menu and asked the cashier what it was before ordering a bowl. Her husband had the same, along with a Frosty.
The two couples brought along their adult children and blockbuster actor Ben Affleck for some extra attention on their tour's opening weekend.
"Don't confuse me for being on the front bus," Affleck said after being mobbed by media outside the restaurant. He said he was riding behind Kerry's lead motorcoach in a bus that he said seemed more like it was from the Eisenhower-era.
While Affleck signed autographs, patrons congratulated Kerry on his speech to the Democratic National Convention Thursday night. Registered Republican Chris Smith said he became convinced Kerry would beat Bush after watching it.
"I don't like the way the present administration is handling Iraq or the National Guard," said Smith, a nuclear plant worker and Navy veteran.
Kerry's morning rally was surprisingly small for the hometown nominee, with no more than 500 people only half-filling a harbor-side park. With a long day ahead and little sleep the night before, the candidate opened by sleepily saying, "I'm longing to have my head hit a pillow."
The afternoon rally in Scranton was a more impressive draw, with several thousand cheering supporters filling at least three city blocks, hanging out of office buildings and garages.
Kerry opened by thanking Edwards and his family and his daughters. He said he started to tear up as he watched them introduce him and had to turn away so he could compose himself for his own speech. Then he noticed that his daughter Vanessa wasn't listening - the Harvard medical student was tending to a rally-goer who was feeling faint in the heat.
"These are dangerous times today," Kerry said, referring to the threat of terrorism, not the heat. "We're living in a world that's changed dramatically from the world of four years ago and we deserve leadership that tells the truth to the American people and helps America act like a beacon to the world."
Meanwhile, the Federal Election Commission on Friday approved the release of $74.7 million in federal funds that Kerry and Edwards will use from now until Election Day. The agency notified the Treasury Department, which will wire the cash to the campaign, the commission said.
Because Kerry accepted public funding for the general election, he is barred from spending any other cash since becoming his party's nominee.
---
On the Net:
Kerry campaign: http://www.johnkerry.com
Bush campaign: http://www.georgewbush.com