*EPF409 08/05/2004
Bush, Kerry Campaigns Launch Cross-Country Tours
(Race for the White House intensifies in battleground states) (420)

By Darlissa Crawford
Washington File Staff Writer

On August 4 President Bush and Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry campaigned within a quarter mile of each other's rallies in Davenport, Iowa, a key city in that hotly contested battleground state. The Bush-Cheney and the Kerry-Edwards campaigns have both launched cross-country tours in the hopes of gaining ground in the month between the two major party conventions.

Kerry, a Massachusetts senator, and running mate North Carolina Senator John Edwards have visited the battleground states of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Missouri, Michigan and Iowa since the close of the Democratic convention. At an August 4 economic forum in Iowa, Kerry released a list of 200 corporate executives who endorse the Kerry-Edwards campaign. The business world, a traditionally Republican stronghold, is being wooed by Democrats trying to counter charges that their candidate would hinder business development by supporting higher taxes.

The campaigns are reaching out to voters in other ways as well. The Kerry-Edwards campaign is promoting a new book entitled, "Our Plan for America: Stronger at Home, Respected in the World," which is available on its Web site.

On August 3 the Bush-Cheney campaign launched a new political ad -- "President Bush: Moving America Forward" -- in 18 states. That ad is available on its Web site.

The polls are reporting conflicting information, with some of the differences falling within the margin of error. According to a recent Newsweek poll, Kerry experienced a four-point "bounce" following the Democratic convention and leads Bush 49 percent to 42 percent. However, a July 30-31 USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup poll reported that Bush is ahead among likely voters with 50 percent, Kerry second at 46 percent and Independent candidate Ralph Nader registering 2 percent.

In speeches in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Missouri, Bush emphasized national security and the war on terrorism. "When it comes to better securing the homeland, to fighting the forces of evil and spreading peace, results matter. ... When it comes to choosing a president, results matter," he said.

On August 3, Bush addressed the national convention of the Knights of Columbus, the nation's largest Catholic lay organization, in Dallas, Texas, and stressed his administration's programs to support "faith-based" charity groups. Both Republicans and Democrats are making efforts to court Catholic voters, especially in the states of Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Catholics are estimated by USA TODAY as comprising one-fourth of the electorate.

(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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