John Kerry: President Bush has turned U.S. domestic security into a campaign tool - 2004-05-27

John Kerry, the Democratic candidate in the U.S. presidential election, accused President Bush of turning the issue of domestic security in America into a campaign tool, stating that the President has failed to provide enough funding to states and communities to protect themselves against a terrorist attack. Kerry's remarks come as Bush administration officials have warned that al-Qaeda intends to attack the U.S. within the next few months. In his statements on Wednesday, Kerry asserted that President Bush has used the topic of U.S. domestic security and the threat posed by al-Qaeda as a promotional opportunity for the upcoming November election. Former Vice President Al Gore also strongly criticized the Bush administration on Wednesday. Gore, who ran against Bush in the 2000 presidential election, delivered a passionate speech at New York University, claiming that the President has demonstrated his arrogance and ruthless policies in Iraq. Gore also called for the resignation of key Bush administration officials, including Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, and CIA Director George Tenet. Gore urged attendees at his speech to vote for Senator Kerry in the upcoming November election. Senator Kerry is scheduled to deliver a major speech on national security and U.S. foreign policy in Seattle, Washington today. Kerry's campaign aides state that he will begin an 11-day campaign period during which he will outline his views on Iraq and how to win the fight against terrorism.