http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-kerry9sep09.story Kerry Says War Siphoning Billions From Home Front
By Michael Finnegan
Times Staff Writer
September 9, 2004
CINCINNATI — Sen. John F. Kerry escalated his attacks Wednesday on President Bush's conduct of the war in Iraq, saying it cost $200 billion that America needs for schools, healthcare and other domestic needs.
Speaking at the Cincinnati museum where Bush laid out his rationale for the war nearly two years ago, Kerry said the president's "wrong choices" on Iraq had "left America without the resources we need so desperately here at home."
With war costs mounting, the federal deficit has soared to new heights while Bush has shortchanged job training, veterans' healthcare and aid to local police, Kerry told about 750 supporters.
"When I'm president, America will once again stand up to our enemies without destroying or denying our best hopes here at home," he said.
In casting the war as a costly misadventure that has harmed Americans in their day-to-day lives, Kerry sought to reframe the Iraq debate in a way that shifted attention to domestic matters. Polls generally have found voters give Kerry the edge over Bush in dealing with jobs and healthcare, but the president is given higher marks on waging the war against terrorism and other national security issues.<snip>