Full Version: Kerry coming to St. Paul 5/3
QUOTE(politicasista @ May 1 2005, 10:51 PM)
I was there! Here is a report from the Star Tribune:
http://www.startribune.com/stories/587/5384071.html
Kerry rallies St. Paul crowd on health care for children
Sharon Schmickle, Star Tribune
May 4, 2005 KERR0504
In his first visit to Minnesota since the November election, Sen. John Kerry rallied supporters in St. Paul on Tuesday for a national policy battle that would pit President Bush's tax cuts against health coverage for 11 million uninsured children.
"We've got to get mad," said the Massachusetts Democrat, who won Minnesota but lost the national presidential race. "We've got to get organized and go out there and do what's right for the children in America."
The policy themes and the fervor among some 250 supporters at the morning rally echoed last year's campaign. Shelley Madore of Apple Valley was one of many in the crowd who pleaded for relief from the struggle of rearing children with serious medical problems and little or no health coverage.
Kerry made no mention of his political ambitions but spurred the crowd to help make a difference in the 2006 congressional races. Later, during an interview, he did not rule out running for president in 2008 but said his goal for now is to keep alive the momentum behind the policy agenda that helped him win 59 million votes last year.
Casting the choices in moral terms, Kerry urged the Minnesotans to become "citizen co-sponsors" of a bill he has dubbed the Kids First Act. It would form a state-federal partnership to provide health coverage to 11 million children who currently go without. The costs could be covered by rolling back Bush's tax cuts for Americans who earn more than $300,000 a year, Kerry said.
A national coalition of labor and health organizations representing more than 17 million Americans is rallying behind the cause, Kerry said. But he acknowledged that the bill faces little chance of passing the Republican-controlled Congress.
Seven members of Minnesota College Republicans picketed the Lakes & Plains Regional Council of Carpenters and Joiners Hall before Kerry spoke. Two of them wore oversized replicas of flip-flop sandals that students used last year to taunt Kerry for changing positions on issues. Tyler Sunderman, 20, expressed mock alarm about what he called a competitive rift between Kerry and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York over who will represent Democrats in the 2008 presidential race.
"We are out here to record the feud going on in the Democratic Party," Sunderman said.
Kerry dismissed the claim: "I am doing a huge fundraiser for Hillary in Boston in three days. We are good friends."
After arriving in the Twin Cities late Monday, Kerry met with a small group of supporters and raised an undisclosed sum for a political action committee that plans to help congressional candidates next year, said Ken Martin, who coordinated Kerry's Minnesota campaign.
Martin underscored Kerry's point that Tuesday's meeting was not a campaign rally but instead a bid to use the momentum Kerry built last year.
"He raised his profile, and now he is able to tackle these issues with more clout," Martin said.
The Minnesota visit is part of a tour that has taken Kerry to Georgia, Texas and Washington state. His next scheduled stops are in Louisiana and Florida.
And another report from the St. Paul Pioneer Press:
http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/11553572.htm
Kerry returns to Minnesota with new campaign
BY BILL SALISBURY
Pioneer Press
Defeated Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry brought his latest campaign to St. Paul today at a town hall meeting on children's health care that had all the trappings of a political rally.
The Massachusetts senator was here as part of a four-city, cross-country tour this week to promote his "Kids First" bill to provide health-care coverage to 11 million uninsured American children, including more than 80,000 in Minnesota.
Speaking to about 300 nurses, other health-care providers, children's advocates and Democratic activists at an East Side carpenters' union hall, Kerry said he was here to build "an army of citizens who will hold politicians accountable" for making health care accessible to all children.
It's a simple choice, he said: health insurance for kids or tax breaks for the rich.
"I believe that long before you give people earning more than $1 million a year $32 billion worth of tax cuts next year, we should cover every child in America with health care," he said.
The states and the federal government currently provide health care to the poorest children through Medicaid (called Medical Assistance in Minnesota) and the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Kerry's plan would expand coverage to more children in working poor families.
Under his bill, the federal government would pay would pay all Medicaid costs for children under age 21 with family incomes at or below the poverty level — $15,670 a year for a family of three. In exchange, states — which currently pay about half of Medicaid costs — would offer coverage to children under 21 with incomes up to three times the poverty level or $47,010 for a family of three.
Kerry's plan would cost about $264 billion over 10 years. He proposed paying for it by repealing President Bush's income tax cuts for Americans earning more than $300,000 a year.
U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum, a St. Paul Democrat and co-sponsor of the Kids First bill in the House, told the rally grassroots voters must pressure their leaders to make children's health a priority. "This is a question of priorities, values and morality as a country," she said
While Kerry, who spoke and fielded questions for 75 minutes, focused most of his attention on health care, he also touched on a wide range of other political issues. He criticized President Bush's proposal to overhaul Social Security, accused the Republican Congress of "passing a tax cut we can't afford," faulted the GOP for failing to fund the president's No Child Left Behind and relaxing environmental standards.
The partisan crowd gave him several standing ovations. Many had volunteered for his 2004 presidential campaign and said they are ready to back him again in 2008.
"I'm so proud that he's continuing the work that he would have done as president," said Lynn Wilson, an emergency room nurse and Democratic activist from Rochester. "Would I work for him again? In a heartbeat."
http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/11553572.htm
Kerry returns to Minnesota with new campaign
BY BILL SALISBURY
Pioneer Press
Defeated Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry brought his latest campaign to St. Paul today at a town hall meeting on children's health care that had all the trappings of a political rally.
The Massachusetts senator was here as part of a four-city, cross-country tour this week to promote his "Kids First" bill to provide health-care coverage to 11 million uninsured American children, including more than 80,000 in Minnesota.
Speaking to about 300 nurses, other health-care providers, children's advocates and Democratic activists at an East Side carpenters' union hall, Kerry said he was here to build "an army of citizens who will hold politicians accountable" for making health care accessible to all children.
It's a simple choice, he said: health insurance for kids or tax breaks for the rich.
"I believe that long before you give people earning more than $1 million a year $32 billion worth of tax cuts next year, we should cover every child in America with health care," he said.
The states and the federal government currently provide health care to the poorest children through Medicaid (called Medical Assistance in Minnesota) and the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Kerry's plan would expand coverage to more children in working poor families.
Under his bill, the federal government would pay would pay all Medicaid costs for children under age 21 with family incomes at or below the poverty level — $15,670 a year for a family of three. In exchange, states — which currently pay about half of Medicaid costs — would offer coverage to children under 21 with incomes up to three times the poverty level or $47,010 for a family of three.
Kerry's plan would cost about $264 billion over 10 years. He proposed paying for it by repealing President Bush's income tax cuts for Americans earning more than $300,000 a year.
U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum, a St. Paul Democrat and co-sponsor of the Kids First bill in the House, told the rally grassroots voters must pressure their leaders to make children's health a priority. "This is a question of priorities, values and morality as a country," she said
While Kerry, who spoke and fielded questions for 75 minutes, focused most of his attention on health care, he also touched on a wide range of other political issues. He criticized President Bush's proposal to overhaul Social Security, accused the Republican Congress of "passing a tax cut we can't afford," faulted the GOP for failing to fund the president's No Child Left Behind and relaxing environmental standards.
The partisan crowd gave him several standing ovations. Many had volunteered for his 2004 presidential campaign and said they are ready to back him again in 2008.
"I'm so proud that he's continuing the work that he would have done as president," said Lynn Wilson, an emergency room nurse and Democratic activist from Rochester. "Would I work for him again? In a heartbeat."
And one more:
http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/n...ol/11556338.htm
Kerry touts children's health care
Tour preserves '04 candidate's visibility
BY BILL SALISBURY
Pioneer Press
Defeated Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry brought his latest campaign to St. Paul on Tuesday, speaking at a town hall meeting on children's health care that had all the trappings of a political rally.
The Massachusetts senator stopped at an East Side carpenters' union hall as part of a four-city, cross-country tour this week to promote his "Kids First" bill. It would provide health care coverage to 11 million uninsured American children, including about 81,000 in Minnesota.
Speaking to about 300 enthusiastic supporters — nurses, other health care providers, children's advocates and Democratic activists — Kerry said he was here to build "an army of citizens who will hold politicians accountable" for providing health care for all children.
Organizers said the event wasn't political. But just as Kerry is using his fame to promote a popular cause, the event and others like it keep him visible on the national stage — an important ingredient for anyone thinking about running for president in 2008.
So, is Kerry running? "It would be excessively cautious to say he's keeping his options open," said Norm Ornstein, a political analyst at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington. "There's little doubt that he wants to keep up his national visibility."
Kerry said he was here to call attention to the growing need for health care for children. Providing it, he said, requires a simple choice: health insurance for kids or tax breaks for the rich.
"I believe that long before you give people earning more than $1 million a year $32 billion worth of tax cuts next year, we should cover every child in America with health care," he said.
The states and the federal government currently provide health care to the poorest children through Medicaid (called Medical Assistance in Minnesota) and the State Children's Health Insurance Program. States pay about half of Medicaid costs.
Kerry's plan would expand coverage to more children in working poor families while saving states money. Under his bill, the federal government would pay all Medicaid costs for children under age 21 with family incomes at or below the poverty level — $15,670 a year for a family of three. In exchange, states would offer coverage to children under 21 with incomes up to three times the poverty level, or $47,010 for a family of three.
Kerry's office estimates his plan would cost about $264 billion over 10 years. He proposed paying for it by repealing President Bush's income tax cuts for Americans earning more than $300,000 a year.
"This is a question of priorities, values and morality as a country," U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum, a St. Paul Democrat and co-sponsor of the Kids First bill in the House, told the rally.
At the meeting, mothers stood up and told Kerry about their struggles to insure children with health problems. Nurses talked of parents who couldn't afford to pay for treatments for their children's diseases, broken bones and mental illness.
While Kerry directed most of his remarks at health issues, he also made partisan comments on a wide range of other political issues, including criticizing President Bush's proposal to overhaul Social Security.
The partisan crowd gave him several standing ovations. Many had volunteered for his 2004 presidential campaign and some said they are ready to back him again in 2008.
"I'm so proud that he's continuing the work that he would have done as president," said Lynn Wilson, an emergency room nurse from Rochester who volunteered for Kerry's 2004 campaign. "Would I work for him again? In a heartbeat."
Minneapolis attorney Meg Killian said she admires his courage. "There's nothing more difficult than to lose and then stand back up and keep fighting," she said. "At least he didn't disappear like Al Gore."
What are the prospects for passing Kids First? "Slim," said political analyst Ornstein. Any Democrat will have difficulty moving legislation through the Republican-controlled Congress, and "you're not going to find a whole lot of Republicans who are eager to join forces with Kerry."
http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/n...ol/11556338.htm
Kerry touts children's health care
Tour preserves '04 candidate's visibility
BY BILL SALISBURY
Pioneer Press
Defeated Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry brought his latest campaign to St. Paul on Tuesday, speaking at a town hall meeting on children's health care that had all the trappings of a political rally.
The Massachusetts senator stopped at an East Side carpenters' union hall as part of a four-city, cross-country tour this week to promote his "Kids First" bill. It would provide health care coverage to 11 million uninsured American children, including about 81,000 in Minnesota.
Speaking to about 300 enthusiastic supporters — nurses, other health care providers, children's advocates and Democratic activists — Kerry said he was here to build "an army of citizens who will hold politicians accountable" for providing health care for all children.
Organizers said the event wasn't political. But just as Kerry is using his fame to promote a popular cause, the event and others like it keep him visible on the national stage — an important ingredient for anyone thinking about running for president in 2008.
So, is Kerry running? "It would be excessively cautious to say he's keeping his options open," said Norm Ornstein, a political analyst at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington. "There's little doubt that he wants to keep up his national visibility."
Kerry said he was here to call attention to the growing need for health care for children. Providing it, he said, requires a simple choice: health insurance for kids or tax breaks for the rich.
"I believe that long before you give people earning more than $1 million a year $32 billion worth of tax cuts next year, we should cover every child in America with health care," he said.
The states and the federal government currently provide health care to the poorest children through Medicaid (called Medical Assistance in Minnesota) and the State Children's Health Insurance Program. States pay about half of Medicaid costs.
Kerry's plan would expand coverage to more children in working poor families while saving states money. Under his bill, the federal government would pay all Medicaid costs for children under age 21 with family incomes at or below the poverty level — $15,670 a year for a family of three. In exchange, states would offer coverage to children under 21 with incomes up to three times the poverty level, or $47,010 for a family of three.
Kerry's office estimates his plan would cost about $264 billion over 10 years. He proposed paying for it by repealing President Bush's income tax cuts for Americans earning more than $300,000 a year.
"This is a question of priorities, values and morality as a country," U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum, a St. Paul Democrat and co-sponsor of the Kids First bill in the House, told the rally.
At the meeting, mothers stood up and told Kerry about their struggles to insure children with health problems. Nurses talked of parents who couldn't afford to pay for treatments for their children's diseases, broken bones and mental illness.
While Kerry directed most of his remarks at health issues, he also made partisan comments on a wide range of other political issues, including criticizing President Bush's proposal to overhaul Social Security.
The partisan crowd gave him several standing ovations. Many had volunteered for his 2004 presidential campaign and some said they are ready to back him again in 2008.
"I'm so proud that he's continuing the work that he would have done as president," said Lynn Wilson, an emergency room nurse from Rochester who volunteered for Kerry's 2004 campaign. "Would I work for him again? In a heartbeat."
Minneapolis attorney Meg Killian said she admires his courage. "There's nothing more difficult than to lose and then stand back up and keep fighting," she said. "At least he didn't disappear like Al Gore."
What are the prospects for passing Kids First? "Slim," said political analyst Ornstein. Any Democrat will have difficulty moving legislation through the Republican-controlled Congress, and "you're not going to find a whole lot of Republicans who are eager to join forces with Kerry."
I just hope that if he comes to Phx, that I will have enough notice to get the day off from work. I wouldn't miss it for anything!
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