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Bush Reaches Out to Mahoning Valley Democrats
By Andrea WoodYOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Marching his campaign deep inside the Democratic Party territory in this must-win state, flanked by two Democrats -- Zell Miller and George W. McKelvey -- who abandoned their party's standard bearer, President George W. Bush today came to the Mahoning Valley to plead for crossover votes.With polls showing U.S. Sen. John Kerry gaining ground since The New York Times reported Monday that Iraqi insurgents stole 380 tons of high explosives Americans failed to guard, Bush also attempted to disarm Kerry's claims the missing munitions confirm his administration's incompetence. "Our military is now investigating possible scenarios, including this one -- that the explosives may have been moved even before our troops arrived at the site," the president said. "A political candidate who jumps to conclusions before knowing the facts is not the person you want as commander in chief."Slamming Kerry as far left of the Democratic Party mainstream, Bush told the 10,000 supporters gathered inside a hangar at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport that he is a "proud Republican but I believe my policies appeal to many Democrats, and my opponent is running away from the great traditions of the Democratic Party." Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Harry Truman, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson and Hubert Humphrey all led "this country with strength and conviction," he said. "But many Democrats look at my opponent and wonder where that firm conviction has gone."Bush outlined four areas where he shares common ground with Democrats: fighting the war on terror "with strength and idealism," improving public schools, "protecting the institution of marriage," and outlawing so-called partial-birth abortion. "I hope people who usually vote for the other people will take a close look at my agenda," he said. "If you are a Democrat and your dreams and goals are not found on the far left wing of the Democratic Party, I'd be honored to have your vote, and next Tuesday I ask you to stand with me."The president was accompanied to the Mahoning Valley by his wife and U.S. Sen. Zell Miller, the Georgia Democrat who delivered the keynote address at the Republican National Convention. Miller was introduced by McKelvey, who opened the rally by taking a verbal shot at his critics. "If you turn on the radio and hear one those experts say President George W. Bush will forget Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley [after he's re-elected], you can tell them they're crazy," he said. Bush referred to the strong support of McKelvey and Miller as he launched his remarks by addressing "fellow Republicans, discerning Democrats and wise independents."The president's standard stump speech followed. "The outcome of this election will set the direction of the war against terror," he said. "We are relentless, steadfast. We are pursuing the enemy across the earth so we do not have to face them at home, and we are spreading liberty." Bush reminded his audience of Sept. 11, 2001, the subsequent war in Afghanistan to destroy terrorist training camps and install a democratically elected government. "Americans have seen how I do my job. Even when you might not agree with me, you know where I stand. You know what I believe and you know where I intend to lead this country," he said.Bush criticized Kerry and his running mate, U.S. Sen. John Edwards, for not voting for the $87 billion bill to fund military operations in Iraq and support "our troops in harm's way."The president then deftly changed the subject to the 380 tons of explosives missing in Iraq and presumably in the hands of the insurgents. Bush's comments, nearly identical to ones he made this morning at a rally in Lancaster, Pa., were the first statements from the president on the weapons cache since the story broke two days ago. "After repeatedly calling Iraq the wrong war, and a diversion, Sen. Kerry this week seemed shocked to learn that Iraq is a dangerous place, full of dangerous weapons," Bush said. The military forces in Iraq have "recovered 400,000 tons of munitions including explosives at more than thousands of sites, and we continue to round up the weapons every day," he explained."If Sen. Kerry had his way... Saddam Hussein would still be in power. He would control those all of those weapons and explosives and could share them with his terrorist friends. Now the senator is making wild charges about missing explosives, when his top foreign policy adviser admits, quote, 'We do not know the facts.' Think about that: The senator is denigrating the actions of our troops and commanders in the field without knowing the facts...It's part of a pattern of saying anything to get elected."Bush underscored his point by asserting Kerry does not understand how the 9/11 terrorists attacks changed his obligations as commander-in-chief. He recalled standing at Ground Zero in New York City and hearing "workers in hard hats yelling at me, 'Whatever it takes.' Ever since that day I have awakened trying to figure out how best to protect this country."In addition to determining who can best protect their families, voters must make four more determinations Nov. 2, Bush said. They must decide how to protect their family's budget (not allow Kerry to pass new taxes), how to improve education, how to provide health care and how to protect Social Security.The president's speech, which ended with the recitation of Democratic leaders and Bush's appeal to that party's core support in the Mahoning Valley, lasted about 50 minutes. From here the president flew to Findlay for a rally. His day ends in Detroit, where another rally is scheduled for this evening.MORE LOCAL NEWS ON PRESIDENTIAL CONTEST:Battle Lines Drawn In Vienna as Demonstrators Protest Bush VisitDemocrats, Republicans Line Up for President's Visit to ValleyEmotional Appeals to Get Out YSU's Vote When Bush Touches Down, Ask These Questions Contact Andrea Wood at [email protected]"