06.09.2004

Four Senate Hopefuls Criticize Bush Policies

By KEN THOMAS, Associated Press

NAPLES - Four Democrats hoping to succeed retiring U.S. Sen. Bob Graham took aim at President Bush's first term on Tuesday, saying the administration has mishandled the war in Iraq and failed to build the economy.

Noticeably absent during the televised forum was any mention of the recent comments by Al Gore, who referred to Miami-Dade County Mayor Alex Penelas as "the single most treacherous and dishonest person" he encountered during the bitter 2000 election.

Penelas and U.S. Rep. Peter Deutsch shared the stage for the first time since the Gore statement, but none of the questions during the hour-long televised forum led the candidates to the comments -- only a passing reference by former Education Commissioner Betty Castor.

"This contest is not about silly attacks of one of us upon the other," Castor said. "And it's not about spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on negative campaign ads in the next 90 days; it's about which one of us has a positive plan."

Deutsch, who represents a Fort Lauderdale-based district, emphasized his experience in Congress and vowed to fight for constituents in the Senate. Addressing Iraq, Deutsch criticized the administration's rebuilding efforts.

"Iraq is not an American problem. It is a world problem. But unfortunately, what has happened, it has become a American problem," Deutsch said. "And in fact, I put most of that blame directly on the president."

Penelas turned to his immigrant roots and referred to himself as a "proud Democrat," earning applause from a large contingent of supporters when he touted the party's presidential candidate.

"Our number one priority must be to make sure that we elect John Kerry as the next president of the United States," Penelas said.

Castor said the Bush administration has failed to develop high-wage jobs while racking up a record deficit that could hurt the nation's future.

"There are a lot of people who are in lower-wage jobs and they're stuck there," Castor said. "The deficit has created a serious situation. This bubble will burst."

Hollywood businessman Bernard Klein touted his experience as an outsider who represents the "average person." Giving mostly brief answers, Klein won laughs when he responded to a question about the high cost of prescription drugs with a terse answer: "I think that we take too many drugs."

Castor has led early polling, but a chunk of voters remain undecided before the Aug. 31 primary.

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