The Class Warfare Conundrum: Bush-Cheney Attacks Kerry's Wealth

Strategic Insights -

As the US presidential campaign heats up, the Bush-Cheney campaign has launched a blistering attack on Democratic candidate John Kerry's wealth, portraying him as a "limousine liberal" out of touch with ordinary Americans. The campaign has even created a video game, Kerryopoly, which mocks Kerry's affluent lifestyle and boasts of his family's extensive property holdings. However, critics point out that this attack on Kerry's wealth is hypocritical, given the riches of Vice President Dick Cheney and President George W. Bush, who have amassed personal fortunes through their business careers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Bush-Cheney campaign's attack on Kerry's wealth is a critical component of their strategy to portray him as out of touch with ordinary Americans.
  • Kerry's net worth is estimated to be around $500 million, thanks to his wife Teresa Heinz Kerry's inheritance of the Heinz family fortune.
  • The campaign's video game, Kerryopoly, is part of a broader effort to highlight Kerry's privileged upbringing and connect him with the wealthy elite.
  • Vice President Dick Cheney's personal wealth is estimated to be between $24 million and $107 million, while President George W. Bush's personal net worth is between $8 million and $20 million.
  • Both Bush and Cheney have been accused of hypocrisy for attacking Kerry's wealth while enjoying their own riches and surrounding themselves with wealthy advisors.
  • The Kerry campaign has pushed back against the attack, arguing that Bush and Cheney are the ones who are truly out of touch with ordinary Americans.
  • The Los Angeles Times reported that a Republican-linked group, Citizens United, ran an ad criticizing Kerry's wealth, which included photographs of his boats and real estate.
  • The Washington Post/ABC News poll found that 44% of respondents believed Bush cares more about serving upper-income people, compared to 41% who felt he cares equally about all people.

Statistics:

  • Kerry and his wife Teresa Heinz Kerry own at least five homes and vacation getaways across the country, valued at nearly $33 million (Associated Press).
  • Kerry's net worth is estimated to be around $500 million (Associated Press).
  • Vice President Dick Cheney's personal wealth is estimated to be between $24 million and $107 million (PEW Research Center).
  • President George W. Bush's personal net worth is between $8 million and $20 million (PEW Research Center).
  • 44% of respondents in the Washington Post/ABC News poll believed Bush cares more about serving upper-income people (Washington Post/ABC News).

Sources:

  • Bush, et al. (no date). Kerryopoly.
  • RNC. (no date). Kerryopoly. Available at: [www.gop.com](http://www.gop.com).
  • Associated Press. (March, 2004). Kerry, wife own 5 homes, vacation getaways.
  • Los Angeles Times. (no date). Ad targets Kerry's wealth.
  • Washington Post/ABC News. (no date). Bush Cares More About Upper-Income People.
  • Pew Research Center. (no date). Bush's Personal Wealth: Cheney's Personal Wealth.