Kerry: Bush Not Compassionate on Finances

[AmyStrange]

Kerry: Bush Not Compassionate on Finances
By NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press Writer

FROM: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040616/ap_on_el_pr/kerry&cid=694&ncid=1963&sid=96378798
CINCINNATI - Democrat John Kerry (news - web sites) said Tuesday there's no compassionate conservatism in the Bush administration's economic policies, which prompted the president to respond that the economy is strong and growing. "I guess if you want to find something to be pessimistic about, you can find it," President Bush (news - web sites) said.

"I'm optimistic," Bush said during a news conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in the White House Rose Garden. He described the economy as strong and continuing to improve. "I have seen what we have come through. We've been through a recession, a national emergency, corporate scandals, a war and yet our economy is incredibly strong."

Bush has some statistics on his side — 1.2 million jobs have been created this year, and he also noted that consumer spending and after-tax disposable income is higher. But Kerry is armed with numbers that paint a more sobering picture — 1.2 million more people unemployed than when Bush took office in January 2001, and Kerry says the costs of health insurance premiums, child care, college tuition and gas are rising as workers earn less.

In a speech to the New Jersey State AFL-CIO, Kerry criticized the Bush administration for preparing to cut budgets for education, domestic security, veterans and other programs after the election, citing White House planning documents.

<SNIP>

[edkohler]

1. Better off than in 2000?

I don't think we'll hear Bush asking the American public if they're better off today than they were in 2000.

[AP]

2. Right on.