BOSTON, July 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Just hours after officially becoming the
Democratic nominee for president and with the country still buzzing about his
acceptance speech, John Kerry hit the campaign trail early Friday morning with
running mate John Edwards as they kicked off a cross-country, 21 state, 3,500
mile "Believe in America" tour across the United States. Riding an incredible
wave of momentum out of Boston and the 2004 Democratic National Convention,
Kerry and Edwards set out to tell voters directly that hope and help are on
the way.
As they relayed in their speeches in Boston, Kerry and Edwards believe
America can do better and that together, we're going to write the next chapter
of American history by building an America that is stronger at home and
respected in the world. On the "Believe in America" tour, Kerry and Edwards,
campaigning together and separately, will take this message from the
convention podium to front porches across America.
Joined by their families Friday in Boston, they kicked off the tour at a
morning rally before making stops in Scranton and Harrisburg, PA.
"Today, we set out on a journey across this great country to share with
Americans on main streets and family porches and in cities and towns our plan
to make America stronger at home and respected in the world," Kerry said.
"For the next two weeks, we're going to talk about our positive,
optimistic vision -- our plan to move this country in the right direction,"
Edwards said.
The highly successful 2004 Democratic National Convention ensured Kerry
and Edwards started this tour with tremendous momentum at their backs. The
four-day showcase of the Kerry-Edwards plan to make America stronger at home
and respected in the world energized Americans everywhere.
On Wednesday, the campaign shattered its previous online fundraising
record, raising over $3.3 million dollars in one day, only to crush it on
Thursday with a total of $5.6 million raised -- bringing its two-day total to
$8.9 million. At times during Kerry's speech, johnkerry.com received over
5,000 hits per second.
The campaign also succeeded in energizing people in states across the map.
On Thursday night, more than 200,000 Americans gathered with friends and
fellow supporters at over 5,000 house parties to watch Kerry accept the
nomination.
Most importantly, millions of Americans over the last four days learned
about the lives of service and strength Kerry and Edwards have lived, about
their experience standing up for middle-class values and their plan for
America's future.
"America can do better and together, we will," Kerry said. "We're the
optimists. For us, this is a country of the future. We're the can do people.
We just need to believe in ourselves and we can be strong again."
Kerry and Edwards have a comprehensive plan to build an America that is
stronger at home and respected in the world. Their plan will strengthen the
middle class by creating new and better jobs and keeping American jobs at
home, make health care affordable and accessible for all Americans, end our
dependence on Mideast oil and strengthen national security.
"We will work our hearts out on this tour and throughout this election,"
Kerry said. "But, my fellow citizens, the outcome is in your hands. It is time
to reach for the next dream. It is time to look to the next horizon. For
America, the hope is there. The sun is rising. Our best days are still to
come."
The "Believe in America" tour will take Kerry and Edwards and their
families on an historic journey from coast-to-coast -- from the birthplace of
the American revolution to the place where dreams are made. The tour will
trace this country's Westward expansion, highlighting the optimistic American
spirit that is at the heart of the Kerry-Edwards plan to build a stronger
America.
This weekend, Kerry and Edwards will continue heading through Pennsylvania
and into West Virginia and Ohio.
http://www.johnkerry.com
Paid for by Kerry-Edwards 2004, Inc
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