Kerry slams Bush on environment record

Concern for the environment "is not some cuckoo, do-gooder, silly notion," he said on a fundraising visit to Tampa. But he was clearly at pains to avoid the "liberal" label.

[Times photo: Toni L. Sandys] With Kerry in Tampa's Ballast Point Park is Mary Wilkerson, Ann Vanek-Dasovich, Carol Browner and Susan Glickman.

[Times photo: John Pendygraft] Democratic presidential hopeful John Kerry addresses a luncheon at the Wyndham Westshore Hotel in Tampa on Tuesday.

View related 10 News video: 56k | High-Speed

TAMPA - Standing on the shore of Hillsborough Bay, John Kerry on Tuesday accused President Bush of reversing 30 years of environmental progress. As president, the Democratic candidate said, he would prove environmentalism and commerce go "hand in hand."

"Protecting the environment is not just about doing what's right to preserve our land. It is about protecting our economy, protecting our jobs, protecting our future, protecting our health. They are all inter-connected," Kerry told about 100 environmental and Democratic activists invited to Ballast Point Tuesday morning.

"What we have to realize is that being responsible about the environment is not some cuckoo, do-gooder, silly notion that you embrace once a year on Earth Day," said the Massachusetts senator.

Kerry, who later raised $500,000 for his campaign at a Tampa luncheon, timed his environmental message as a lead-up to Earth Day on Thursday. A recent Gallup poll, however, found the environment slipping as a top voter concern as issues such as the economy, terrorism and Iraq dominate the news.

Nor did other new polls provide especially good news for Kerry. A new ABC/Washington Post poll showed Bush leading Kerry 48 percent to 43 percent among registered voters, with independent candidate Ralph Nader drawing 6 percent. Without Nader in the race, the poll showed a statistical tie. A CNN/USA Today poll found Bush ahead 50-44 among likely voters, with Nader at 4 percent.

Those results came despite weeks of potentially damaging developments for the president: a critical book by his former counterterrorism chief; questions about pre-Sept. 11 security efforts by the 9/11 commission; and revelations about Bush's war planning in a Bob Woodward book.

"The president continues to have strong support," Bush-Cheney strategist Matthew Dowd said, asserting Kerry is "demonstrating real weakness" in leadership.

Kerry predicted during his Tampa visit that when voters start learning more about his plans to improve the economy and cut taxes for most Americans, they will embrace his candidacy.

Having the money to spread his message should not be a problem. His campaign on Tuesday reported raising a record-breaking $54.8-million in the first three months of 2004, including nearly $43-million in March after he secured the nomination.

Kerry's determination to avoid the liberal label was apparent throughout the day. While touting his passion for the environment, he repeatedly talked of "reasonable" and "flexible" regulations and enforcement and his commitment to helping the economy.

"What works for a power company may not work for a dry cleaner in the middle of a city," he said.

While Kerry has consistently opposed oil drilling off Florida, he said he supports drilling where it already has been approved. Likewise, he's "all for" development, though it should be "smarter." And while he has pushed for higher emissions standards for auto manufacturers, "I'm going to work with the industry. We don't want to lose jobs. We don't want jobs to go overseas."

Kerry walked to the end of the Ballast Point Pier with several area residents who told him that Hillsborough Bay has been cleaned up over the past two decades but still faces serious threats from run-off. A dolphin skimmed across the water nearby.

"There he is over there," Kerry pointed. "He's saying, "Help, help, help.' "

Among those joining the candidate on stage were former Environmental Protection Agency Secretary Carol Browner, a Florida native who called the Bush administration "simply the worst ever" for the environment and public heath. Mary Wilkerson, who owns vacation rentals on Indian Rocks Beach, echoed Kerry's comments that pollution hurts tourism.

Kerry accused Bush of rolling out programs with environmentally friendly names that really do more harm than good. On air quality, for instance, the Kerry campaign contends Bush's "Clear Skies" initiative will allow 21-million tons more pollutants into the skies.

"He thinks that empty slogans like the "Clear Skies' initiative and the "Healthy Forest' initiative - that somehow names that would make George Orwell rise up and cheer ... will make people forget what is really happening in our country," he said.

The Bush campaign dismissed the criticism.

"John Kerry's false attacks on the president's strong environmental record are purely political and ignore the progress that has been made under President Bush," said Bush campaign spokesman Steve Schmidt.

But a number of environmental groups are actively campaigning against Bush. One of them, the League of Conservation Voters, gave him an "F" for his record, a first for any president. Over his 20 years in the Senate, Kerry earned a lifetime grade of 92, which amounts to an A-.

More than 200 people gathered at the Westshore Wyndham hotel for a $1,000-per-plate lunch featuring stuffed chicken and American flag cakes. The event raised an estimated $500,000 for the Kerry campaign, believed to be a record for a single Democratic fundraising event in the bay area. Joining him there and at Ballast Point were Florida Sens. Bob Graham and Bill Nelson.

North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, like Graham a former Democratic presidential candidate, also went to the Wyndham, where he greeted contributors and held a separate fundraiser for Kerry.

Tuesday night, Kerry headed to Miami and Bal Harbour, where he was expected to raise $1-million for his campaign and another $1-million for the national party.

Tampa Bay area supporters spoke of strong party unity, but some suggested Kerry needs to start revving up his Florida campaign.

Gerald White of Tampa said he was disappointed by the lack of diversity in the invited crowd for Kerry's environmental speech. He said the campaign needs to get to work motivating minority voters.

"Activists are ready, but we definitely need a true grass roots, door-to-door campaign in order to reach the voters," White said.

At the Wyndham, former gubernatorial candidate Bill McBride said many Democrats are eager to get to work for Kerry, but don't know what to do.

"There are a lot more volunteers right now than there is a structure to handle them, but I think that will comes soon," McBride said.

Outside the hotel, there was another dolphin sighting. This time it was someone in a dolphin suit out to portray Kerry as a flip-flopper. The dolphin wore a sign saying, "Hey, Kerry, I'm A Flipper, Too."

- Times staff writer Tamara Lush contributed to this report. Adam C. Smith can be reached at 727 893-8241 or adam@sptimes.com

John Kerry's second quarter fundraising so far appears strong, with Floridians contributing heavily. Over three days, Kerry hosted a series of events across the state and in Atlanta to fund his campaign and the national party:

SUNDAY

Palm Beach County: $750,000 for the Democratic National Committee.

MONDAY

Palm Beach County: $250,000 for the Kerry campaign.

Atlanta: $1-million for the Kerry campaign.

TUESDAY

Tampa: $500,000 for Kerry campaign.

Miami: $1-million for Kerry campaign; $1-million for DNC.

Source: John Kerry campaign.

World and national headlines

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times 490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 Contact the Times | Privacy Policy Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright