Kerry Faults Bush On Gas Crisis

Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry said Tuesday that inaction by the Bush administration in the face of soaring gasoline prices and rising health care costs is costing Americans their jobs and savings.

"It's time we had a president who will lead in a way that benefits you," Kerry said in remarks prepared for a visit to a training center. "We know that a strong economy and a strong middle class are the key to building a stronger America. That is why when we win back the White House, we will offer real relief to working families, so they have the opportunity to save and get ahead."

The Kerry campaign contended in a statement that Mr. Bush "stubbornly refuses to offer help" even as higher gasoline prices, which have risen to more than $2 per gallon, will cost the average Oregon family an extra $1,006 a year and squeeze family budgets already hurt by a weak job market and higher costs for college.

Unemployment in Oregon is 7.2 percent, the highest in the nation, and gasoline sells for $2.25 per gallon, the Kerry campaign said. Families in the state are paying nearly 50 percent more for health care than they did three years ago, it said.

The Bush campaign criticized Kerry for supporting higher gas taxes in the past. "Kerry has obstructed efforts to enact a comprehensive energy policy that would ensure a reliable energy supply, key to lowering gas prices," Bush campaign spokesman Steve Schmidt said.

Kerry received a rousing boost Monday night from former rival Howard Dean, who built a substantial following in Oregon during his failed bid for the nomination. Dean's full-throated backing for Kerry was a clear signal to any of his backers who might be tempted by the maverick campaign of Ralph Nader.

Dean ran on a staunchly anti-war platform, but praised Kerry's record as a decorated military hero.

"I want my children, who are 19 and 18 years old, to be citizens of a United States of America led by a man like John Kerry who served his country with patriotism and valor and stood up for what was right."
Dean said he was confident that as commander in chief Kerry would send troops into harm's way only after "telling the truth to the American people about why they're going."

CBS News' Steve Chaggaris reports Kerry was also effusive about Dean, though maybe not as effusive as the former Vermont governor.

"Thank you for helping to awaken the Democratic Party, to awaken our country. … Thank you for putting your country ahead of everything else," said Kerry.

Dean can play an important role for Kerry in swing states like Oregon. Its seven electoral votes are considered up for grabs in this year's election. In 2000, Democrat Al Gore carried the state by just 6,765 votes.

Dean has been clear that he wants his former backers — he dropped from the race three months ago — to vote for Kerry.

"The only way to send George Bush back to Crawford, Texas, is to vote for John Kerry," Dean has said. "Because unfortunately a vote for Ralph Nader is the same as a vote for George Bush."

While Kerry voted to authorize the use of force in Iraq, he's been critical of Mr. Bush's prosecution of the war, and he warned the prison abuse scandal shows the nation is off course.

"We cannot possibly prevail in Iraq if we give up our values in the process," said Kerry. "Our nation is viewed by people all over the world as much more than the name of a country. ... We are viewed as an idea."

On his campaign plane, Kerry reminded reporters that he had pledged to back Mr. Bush's policies in Iraq if the president internationalized the effort.

"I want to give the president some room to get things done," said Kerry. "I'm trying not to talk about it in politics."

But, he said, "I wish the president would lead, he needs to lead."

Kerry's home state of Massachusetts on Monday became the first state to let same-sex couples marry. The candidate was asked by a Portland television station if he would attend a same-sex marriage if invited by someone close to him.

"I would never reduce the happiness of any two people in life who find whatever way it is that they privately believe makes them happy and fulfills their needs and rewards them as human beings," said Kerry. "I've been to a commitment ceremony when it was a commitment ceremony. Would I respect my daughter or my stepson or anyone who came to me and said, `This is who I am'? Of course I would. I'd love them."

President Bush, meanwhile, renewed his support Monday for a proposed constitutional ban that has been introduced in Congress.

"The sacred institution of marriage should not be redefined by a few activist judges," he said.