Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards sharply criticized the tone of the Republican National Convention after speakers repeatedly portrayed presidential nominee John Kerry as inconsistent and weak on national security.
Edwards said the speeches reflected hostility rather than vision, and argued that his ticket offered Americans something different: a plan for better jobs, expanded health care, and improved conditions for troops serving abroad.
Vice President Dick Cheney accused Kerry of chronic indecision, saying his shifting positions sent a confusing message to allies and adversaries alike. Cheney also charged that Kerry placed too much weight on foreign approval when shaping American foreign policy.
Perhaps the sharpest criticism came from Georgia Senator Zell Miller, a Democrat who nonetheless spoke in support of President Bush. Miller argued that Kerry had been consistently wrong on defense issues for over two decades and accused the Democratic Party of focusing obsessively on defeating Bush rather than rallying behind the commander-in-chief during wartime.
The convention, held in New York, was set to conclude Thursday. At the time, polls showed Bush holding a narrow lead over Kerry in the presidential race.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this AFP wire report, first published in September 2004, in its own words.