Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry on Saturday challenged Democrats to take back statehouses and governor's mansions across the nation in November, saying the country has become less secure under Republican control. "The fact is, the United States of America is less secure today than we were five years ago," he said. "Less secure because North Korea has four or five times more weapons .... Iran is running amok, the Middle East -- the wheels are coming off, and Iraq is a quagmire."| “North Korea has four or five times more weapons .... Iran is running amok, the Middle East -- the wheels are coming off, and Iraq is a quagmire.” |
He has been helping state-level candidates around the nation, and was in Story City for a $30-a-head brunch for Democrat Rich Olive, who is running for the Iowa Senate District 5 seat. Kerry said he's focused on helping other Democrats such as Olive win in 2006, and not on a potential run for president in 2008. "I'm here because '06, not '08, is really important," said Kerry, who has raised and given $10 million to Democratic candidates and committees through his own political action committee.
Kerry took some time to explain what's happened since his defeat by President Bush. "When you run for president of the United States ... and you come as close as we did and you get knocked on your butt, you have to dust yourself off and pick yourself up," he said. "It's a good time to take stock about what life is about, what our country is about and what our challenges are."