President, Democrats trade barbs on benefits

MUSKEGON, Mich. – President Bush chided Sen. John Kerry and fellow Democrats on Monday for asserting that Republicans will undermine Social Security, calling the strategy “the most tired, pathetic way to campaign for the presidency.”

Traveling by bus through the southwest corner of this battleground state, Bush tried to improve voters’ perceptions of his domestic policies by condemning Democrats for going negative – even as he held Kerry’s plans up to the harshest possible light.

“I’m running against a fellow who has got a massive, complicated blueprint to have our government take over the decision making in health care,” the president said. “Not only is his plan going to increase the power of bureaucrats in your life, but he can’t pay for it unless he raises your taxes.”

“What would you expect from a senator from Massachusetts?” Bush said, as a partisan crowd cheered the reference to Kerry’s home state and its liberal leanings.

Kerry’s campaign said that Bush mischaracterized its health care policy and that the president’s plans would indeed put Social Security in peril.

Bush made three stops during a six-hour bus tour in Michigan, a state he narrowly lost in 2000, before heading to Colorado on Monday night. Polls show Kerry clinging to a slight lead in Michigan, with job losses and health care costs worrying voters.

“Of the 18 percent of voters who are not 100 percent committed to either candidate, their No. 1 issue is health care,” said Michigan pollster Ed Sarpolus. The bulk of those wavering voters are elderly women, Sarpolus said, which might explain Bush’s posture on Social Security.

Bush said, “You’ll hear the same rhetoric you hear every campaign, believe me – ‘They’re going to take away Social Security checks.’ It’s the most tired, pathetic way to campaign for the presidency.”

Kerry spokesman Phil Singer responded: “The only thing that’s tired and pathetic is George Bush’s warmed-over Social Security privatization plan from 2000 that jeopardizes the program, cuts benefits and results in a $2 trillion deficit.”

Kerry plans to expand the health insurance system for federal employees to private citizens through tax credits and subsidies. The government would help companies and insurers pay an employee’s catastrophic medical costs if the firms agreed to hold down premiums.

Outside analysts peg the cost at $895 billion over 10 years, to cover 27 million more people. Kerry says he would pay for it by rolling back Bush’s tax cuts for people earning more than $200,000 a year.

The number of Americans without health insurance has risen during Bush’s presidency, reaching nearly 45 million in 2003. Medicare costs are rising rapidly.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.