Kerry, Bush trade accusations on Iraq war positions

SPRING GREEN, Wis. — President Bush and rival Sen. John Kerry paused from private debate practice on Monday to accuse each other of a lack of clarity on Iraq as they campaigned in “must win” states for each — the Republican incumbent in Ohio and his Democratic challenger in Wisconsin.

Bush portrayed Kerry as indecisive on the war, and Kerry accused the president of “still trying to hide” from voters the extent of what remains to be done in Iraq as both sides maneuvered for advantage ahead of Thursday’s leadoff debate.

Meanwhile, the two campaigns sparred with dueling television ads emphasizing the same ideas.

In their Monday appearances, the two candidates auditioned themes certain to come up at the 90-minute showdown in Coral Gables, Fla., where the topic will be foreign policy and national security.

Speaking at a town hall style meeting here, not far from the hideaway resort where he is preparing for the debate, Kerry ridiculed Bush for saying in a television interview that he had no regrets over his “Mission Accomplished” speech aboard an aircraft carrier — and would do it again.

“Since he said that, over 900 have given their lives for the country. The mission was not accomplished when he said it,” Kerry said.

“He didn’t know it and didn’t understand it. It’s not accomplished today. And he’s still trying to hide from the American people what needs to be done in order to be successful in Iraq,” Kerry added. Bush didn’t actually say “mission accomplished” at the time, but spoke beneath a huge banner on the carrier bearing those words.

Bush was asked in an interview with Fox News whether he would still give that May 1, 2003, speech, knowing what he knows now. “Absolutely,” he replied. A transcript of the interview, to be aired Monday-Wednesday, was made available by Fox over the weekend.

In another part of the interview released on Monday, Bush told Fox News that the situation in Iraq is “tougher than heck right now” because terrorists are killing innocent Iraqis and U.S. soldiers “in order to try to get us to leave.” If the United States wavers, the situation will get worse, he said. “That’s what the terrorists are watching, they’re watching us like hawks,” Bush said.

Bush sounded a favorite theme at a rally at the Midwest Lifestock and Expo Center in Springfield, Ohio: that Kerry has vacillated repeatedly on Iraq. “You cannot expect to lead this world if you try to take both sides of every position,” Bush said.

Referring to the faceoff scheduled for Thursday night, Bush said, “He probably could spend 90 minutes debating himself. It’s been a little difficult to prepare because he keeps changing positions on the war on terror.”

Meanwhile, the Bush campaign rolled out a new ad asking: “How can John Kerry protect us when he doesn’t even know where he stands?” It shows quick clips of the Democrat commenting on the war.

Kerry’s campaign hit back with a spot that claims “Bush has no plan what to do in Iraq” and inquires: “How can you solve a problem when you can’t see it?”

Both sides are using commercials to try to sow and reinforce questions in the public mind about the credibility and fitness of the other candidate to serve as commander in chief.

Bush campaigned in the Cincinnati area before returning to Texas, addressing tens of thousands of supporters at a rally in West Chester, Ohio, where an enormous U.S. flag and a “Victory 2004 in Ohio” banner dangled from construction cranes.

The president holds a slight lead in polls in Ohio, which he won in 2000. With its 20 electoral votes, Ohio is viewed a “must win” state for Bush by GOP strategists. No Republican has ever been elected president without carrying Ohio.

Similarly, Wisconsin is of vital importance to Kerry. Democrat Al Gore won the state in 2000, but state polls now show a tie or a slight Bush lead. Democrats agree it would be difficult for Kerry to win without Wisconsin’s 10 electoral votes.