We were invaded by candidates again yesterday. The difference in the two appearances was striking.
First up was Cheney
Article on Cheney
He appeared at local JB's restaruant with 12 people "hand picked by the Republican Party", 5 teachers, 5 doctors (all OBGYNs, BTW) and two retired Air Force officers. Cheney explained that the purpose of his trip to ABQ was "we get together and we try to talk informally and we try to ignore the press." Uh-huh. Oh, and the entire restaurant was packed with BC04 supporters.
A high school teacher mentioned that NCLB was a hot topic and some are uneasy about demands and delays. Cheney's well thought-out and deep response was "I don't doubt it creates a lot of problems out there".
Democrats released a news release about the Cheney event titled "Deferment Dick to Duck Difficulties at Closed Coffee Klatch."
Then was Kerry's turn
Article on Kerry's Appearance
Kerry spoke before a crowd of "several thousand" at what was to be a health care rally, but he hit Bush on a range of issues. He was introduced by Wes Clark after Gov. Bill Richardson warmed up the crowd. Also speaking briefly were Sen. Jeff Bingaman and Rep. Tom Udall.
The article states Kerry said Bush has deprived education, health-care and environmental programs of support in order to fund tax cuts for the wealthy and to try to rebuild Iraq. "Every time the president had a chance to make a choice for you, he chose something else," Kerry said.
Clark dismissed criticisms about Kerry's military service and said that "after four years in office, Bush had 'nothing to show for it but a mess in Iraq'".
Kerry outlined more of his health plan including helping small businesses offset insurance premiums and sending the presecription drug benefit bill back to Congress to be fixed.
It was noted that " The Bush administration charges Kerry's plan would be too expensive and would limit consumer health-care choices. Bush supporters say the cost could exceed $1 trillion over 10 years. Health policy analysts have put the cost of Kerry's plans at anywhere from $650 billion to $900 billion over 10 years."
Kerry also promised to appoint an attorney general who respects civil liberties. (Yeah!)
All in all, I think Kerry had a good visit to NM. He spent the night here and was holding an invite-only event where he is expected to announce a plan to reform the defense contracting system.