In response to remarks by Sen. Kerry in last night's debate, the Bush Cheney campaign issued a release today charging that Sen. Kerry repeatedly exaggerates his role in children's health coverage.
In release titled "Debate Fact #4: Setting the Record Straight on Children's Health Coverage " the campaign said:
In response to question #9 John Kerry said:
"But more importantly, with respect to the question of no record, I helped write - I did write - I was one of the original authors of the early childhood health care and the expansion of health care that we did in the middle of the 1990s, and I'm very proud of that." (Sen. John Kerry, Third Presidential Debate, Tempe, AZ, 10/13/04)
The Real Record:
Kerry Repeatedly Exaggerates His Role on Children's Health Coverage
'"I introduced yesterday in the United States Senate a bill to give 10 million kids in the United States of America health care with a voluntary subsidy program.' It was stirring campaign rhetoric, with just one problem: It wasn't true. Kerry had not introduced a bill. . ." (Michael Grunwald, "Kerry Files Health Bill After 3-Month Delay," The Boston Globe, 10/2/96)
- After Kerry Was Re-Elected In 1996, Kennedy "Did The Heavy Lifting" To Pass Children's Health Insurance Bill. (John Aloysius Farrell, "At The Center Of Power, Seeking The Summit," The Boston Globe, 6/21/03)
KERRY: "We did child care, five million children have health insurance in this country."
ABC's LINDA DOUGLASS: "Kerry did introduce an early bill but sources in both parties say he did not play a significant role in passing the final child health care law. Scholars who study the Congress say Kerry is not known for passing many laws." (ABC's "World News Tonight," 1/30/04)
Bush-Cheney '04 Communications
10/13/04
