Kassi KappelosAfter a close battle in 2000, it appears that President Bush
faces an even closer race against John Kerry in the upcoming Nov. 2
elections.
The war in Iraq is an issue that Bush consistently defends and
he’s optimistic about America’s involvement in re-building it.
In the first presidential debate, Bush responded to Kerry on the
issue of the war in Iraq by saying, “To say that there’s only one
focus on the war on terror doesn’t really understand the nature of
the war on terror. This is a vital mission. A free Iraq will be an
ally in the war on terror. And that’s essential, a free Iraq is
essential for the security of this country.”
Despite criticism, Bush has asked for large amounts of money to
aid in the war on terror and support the army and strengthen
intelligence. He’s proposed an additional $3.6 billion for
terrorism preparedness grants in his proposed budget for 2005.
“We’re reforming and strengthening our intelligence
capabilities,” Bush said. “We’re transforming our military so the
all-volunteer army will remain an all-volunteer army. We’re staying
on the offensive. We will strike the terrorists abroad so we do not
have to face them here at home.”
On Nov. 5, 2003 Bush signed the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act
of 2003 in his widespread effort to promote abstinence in schools
and decrease the abortion rate.
“This right to life cannot be granted or denied by government,
because it does not come from government, it comes from the creator
of life,” said Bush.
Despite Kerry’s accusation that the Pell Grants were down and
that Bush did not do his job to secure those grants for college
students, the president responded, “Let me start with the Pell
Grants. In his last litany of misstatements. He said we cut Pell
Grants. We’ve increased Pell Grants by a million students. That’s a
fact.”
In addition to Bush increasing the Pell Grant to $12.9 million,
in turn making it possible for one million more students to receive
aid, the president wants to grant $125 million to community
colleges so that high school students can take classes there and
receive college credit in order to graduate college earlier.
