http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5406959Rhetoric on values turns personal
Attacks sharpen in presidential race
BEAVER, W.Va., July 9 - The growing debate over the presidential candidates' values turned personal Friday, as Sen. John F. Kerry blasted President Bush for laziness and lax pursuit of Enron Corp.'s Kenneth L. Lay, while the Bush campaign accused the new Democratic ticket of condoning a "star-studded hate-fest."
At a morning fundraiser at New York's Pier 94, Kerry and his new running mate, Sen. John Edwards (N.C.), tried to preempt GOP attacks by accusing Bush of talking about values for political reasons and belying them with his actions in office.
"I will give you a value: The value is that when you are entrusted with the presidency you are not entrusted to go and spend one-quarter of your term vacationing," Kerry said. "You're not entrusted to take the time away from efforts to serve the American people." Bush has spent several months of his presidency at his Texas ranch.
For the first time as running mates, Kerry and Edwards blasted the Bush administration for failing to aggressively pursue Lay, the former Enron chief executive officer who was indicted Thursday for allegedly conspiring to deceive shareholders and the government. Lay, whom Bush called "Kenny boy," for many years held the distinction of being the largest financial backer of Bush's political career. "Values are putting the full force of the Justice Department on Day One in an effort not to take three years and a few months before the election before you bring Ken Lay to justice," Kerry said.