http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=694&ncid=703&e=2&u=/ap/20040410/ap_on_el_pr/kerryBy MIKE GLOVER, Associated Press Writer
CHICAGO - Touring a struggling job-training site, Democrat John Kerry (news - web sites) on Friday sought to refocus the presidential race on pocketbook issues, warning of "almost criminal" cuts in bedrock training and education programs.
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"I'm tired of talking about valuing families and not valuing families," Kerry said. "There are unbelievable, unacceptable, staggering numbers of young lives that are being abandoned in our country."
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Illinois is a state that has trended Democratic in recent elections and is one Kerry likely must win in the fall. Obama said there's a solid chance Kerry can lock up the state even before the fall campaign.
"We hope to take Illinois out of play sometime in the summer," Obama said.
Kerry opened his day with a fund-raising breakfast where he brought in another $100,000 for his campaign.