Yahoo! News - Kerry Hits Back at GOP 'Insults'
NEWARK, Ohio - In a scathing attack, Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry accused Republicans of hiding President Bush's "record of failure" behind insults and promised a new direction for the country under a Kerry-Edwards administration.

Kerry, speaking to a midnight rally as Bush closed the GOP convention in New York with his acceptance speech, said the president was "unfit to lead this nation" because of the war in Iraq and his record on jobs, health care and energy prices.

He lashed out at the commander in chief and Vice President Dick Cheney for not serving in Vietnam during the war and for comments made during the convention about Kerry's fitness to occupy the Oval Office.

Kerry faulted the president and Republicans for not talking about "real issues" — creating jobs, improving the economy, expanding access to health care and reducing gasoline prices.

"They did everything except talk about that" at the four-day convention, Kerry said. "We've had insults, we've had anger from Republicans. And I'll tell you why," Kerry said. "Because they can't come to you and talk to you about having created jobs since they've lost them. They can't come to you and talk to you about creating health care since 5 million Americans have lost it.

"Their own labor secretary talks about exporting jobs overseas," he said. "They can't talk about their record because it is a record of failure. And so all they do is attack."

Go et 'em John. As much as I'd like to see the campaign remain positive, I feel a need to respond to the Pub nastiness. To let it slide emboldens them to continue. Like the big bully in a schoolyard, they need to be put in their place a few times and perhaps then their true cowardice will become apparent.

If John Kerry wants to prove he will be a tough, effective leader, he will have to show that he can deal with these assholes first.