Democratic Presidential Contenders Criticize President Bush at Debate in South Carolina

Strategic Insights -

The Democratic presidential candidates gathered at a debate in South Carolina on Thursday, criticizing President Bush's handling of Iraq and terrorism, as well as his stance on trade and the economy. The debate marked a shift in dynamics after Senator John Kerry's victories in the first two contests in Iowa and New Hampshire. The candidates focused their fire on Mr. Bush, rather than on each other, with most of them expressing frustration over his leadership on national security and the economy.

Key Takeaways:

  • Howard Dean questioned Senator Kerry's record and effectiveness, citing his lack of success in passing health care bills during his 19 years in the Senate.
  • Dr. Dean also suggested that other candidates had adopted his themes, such as change and bringing people into the party, without acknowledging his early advocacy for these issues.
  • Senator John Edwards argued that President Bush had focused too much on the war on terrorism, neglecting other domestic needs, and said that a president must be able to "walk and chew gum at the same time."
  • Senator Kerry faulted Mr. Bush for exaggerating the threat from Iraq and for failing to find unconventional weapons in Iraq, saying that these claims were "clearly misleading."
  • Dr. Dean characterized Vice President Dick Cheney's influence on intelligence reports as a "red flag," suggesting that the Bush administration had manipulated intelligence to justify the war in Iraq.
  • General Wesley Clark criticized the Bush administration's priorities, arguing that they did not have a plan to deal with Osama bin Laden, and that President Bush should be held accountable for this failure.
  • Senator Edwards, Senator Kerry, and Dr. Dean called for an independent commission to investigate the intelligence on which Mr. Bush relied to justify the war in Iraq.
  • The candidates also discussed the economy, with Dr. Dean calling for a change to the North American Free Trade Agreement to include labor and environmental protections, citing the loss of 65,000 jobs in the textile industry in the last 10 years.
  • Senator Kerry attacked Mr. Bush for promising technical training for workers but cutting funds for this program, and vowed to close tax loopholes that reward companies for moving offshore.
  • Representative Dennis J. Kucinich called for repealing Nafta, arguing that Americans should have a social consciousness about the impact of free trade on workers.

Statistics:

  • 22 million jobs created under the Clinton economic record
  • 900,000 new jobs netted out by Nafta
  • 65,000 jobs in the textile industry lost in the last 10 years in South Carolina
  • $120 million promised by Mr. Bush for technical training for workers in his State of the Union address
  • $1 billion cut by the Bush administration over the last few years for technical training programs

Sources:

  • The New York Times, Thursday, January 16, 2004
  • Tom Brokaw, moderator of the debate
  • Senator John Edwards, Senator John Kerry, Dr. Howard Dean, General Wesley Clark, and Representative Dennis J. Kucinich, quoted in the debate
  • David A. Kay, former chief American weapons inspector in Iraq
  • Terry McAuliffe, chairman of the Democratic National Committee
  • The Rev. Al Sharpton, quoted in the debate