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If it goes as I expect, Kerry is going to outline a lot of plans that do cost money. Bush is going to be chomping at the bit to explain how Kerry is going to raise taxes, and this, unfortunately, resonates with some voters.
So, I think Kerry needs to de-fang Bush whenever Kerry introduces his plans, and should say something like this.
"Now, my opponent will respond and will incorrectly claim that we cannot pay for this plan. This is coming from a President who last week in the debate said that we could not pay for my homeland security proposals without raising taxes. I believe that America cannot cede its security to tax cuts for the wealthiest 1%.
These attacks also come from the President who squandered a $5 trillion surplus and turned it into a $2 trillion deficit. When he says that I cannot pay for my plan, he is not willing to hold himself to the same standard.
Then, he'll say that we were attacked on 9/11, which is true, but he'll say that this is the reason that we're running a high deficit. Let me be clear. Spending for homeland security is money well spent. However, when you add up all of this President's initiatives, leaving out the homeland security spending, he is still running a deficit. For him to hide behind the events of 9/11 as an excuse for his fiscal irresponsibility is something that I reject, and it is behavior that is beneath the office of the Presidency.
America can do better and we will. If we come together in the time-honored tradition of sacrifice, we can pay down our debt, protect the homeland, and offer safe, accessible, and affordable healthcare to all Americans.
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