Kerry kicks off Midwest tour
VP speculation heating up
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CLOQUET, Minnesota (CNN) -- With speculation over his choice of a running mate heating up, Sen. John Kerry kicked off a tour Friday of the Midwest, a region that's home to several battleground states in the fight for the White House.
Appearing at a flag-waving rally here on the eve of the Fourth of July holiday weekend, Kerry took aim at the Bush administration, suggesting it was using patriotism to divide Americans and saying its economic policies had done little to spur growth in rural America.
"This administration says this is the best economy of our lifetime," Kerry said in remarks prepared for delivery. "They say this is the best we can do. They've even called us pessimists. Well, I say the most pessimistic thing you can say is that America can't do better."
Kerry's speech came on the same day that a new government jobs report was released, showing a gain of 112,000 workers -- far less than many economists had predicted . CNN/Money: Jobs growth disappoints
At the White House, President Bush hailed the figures, coupled with earlier reports, as evidence of "steady growth," but Kerry had a different view.
Kerry said that, overall, the nation had lost jobs under Bush and that some jobs people were getting fell short of what they wanted.
"Don't tell the people getting those second-rate jobs, don't tell the people working two or three jobs that's the best we can do," Kerry said. "We have a million and a half jobs lost, and I don't believe that's the best we can do."
Kerry's speech was replete with references to America's promise and the values of the "heartland." Kerry's three-day "Spirit of America" bus trip will take him through parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa.
"There are those that question the patriotism of Americans who suggest that there's a better course for this country," Kerry said. "So here is my answer, our answer together on this Independence Day weekend. Here is our answer for those who exploit the flag for their own political purposes and exploit patriotism.
"That flag, that flag at the end of the street -- that flag doesn't belong to any president, or any party or any ideology ... That flag stands for the best hopes of all Americans and it belongs to all American people."
Kerry highlighted several parts of his domestic agenda, including a repeal of Bush's tax cuts for Americans who make more than $200,000, more money for education, giving seniors more choice in health care plans, and enacting mandatory country-of-origin labeling, to help consumers buy US. food products.
Much of the buzz around Kerry's campaign Friday had little to do with what he was saying. Instead, the focus was on what he's expected to do: announce a running mate. Some sources say an announcement could come as early as next week.(Full story)
Kerry has said little about the selection process, but Democratic sources said the short list of contenders includes Sens. John Edwards of North Carolina, Joe Biden of Delaware and Dick Durbin of Illinois.
Durbin, however, told reporters Friday that speculation about him was "plain wrong" and said he would not be on the Democratic ticket.
Rep. Richard Gephardt of Missouri and Gov. Tom Vilsack of Iowa are also said to be under serious consideration.
Kerry said Friday that when he makes a decision on a running mate, the announcement would first come in an e-mail to supporters.
Kerry opened his speech with a jibe at Vice President Dick Cheney, the subject of considerable news coverage last week for his use of profanity against Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont. Leahy has criticized Cheney for his ties to Halliburton, the oil-services giant that has won lucrative contracts in Iraq.
Cheney has acknowledged he swore, but has not revealed his choice of words. Sources said he used the "F" word.
"If you think Dick Cheney is cursing now, wait until November 2nd when we finish doing what we're going to do," Kerry quipped.
Written by CNN.com Producer Sean Loughlin with reporting from CNN's John Mercurio and Steve Turnham.
