Kerry speaks to firefighters... He compares them to troops in Iraq....
Thursday, July 10, 2003, By HOLLY RAMER, Associated Press

Democratic presidential hopeful John Kerry said yesterday he'd replace President Bush's "broken promises" to firefighters with a pledge of his own to put 100,000 more of them on the streets.

The proposal, modeled after the Clinton administration COPS program for police officers, earned the senator from Massachusetts a standing ovation at the annual meeting of the Professional Firefighters of New Hampshire.

"What we need is an administration that understands how you make America stronger," he said....

Kerry answered by outlining several job creation proposals, from expanding high-speed Internet to rural areas to putting people to work rebuilding schools, roads and airports.

"There's no excuse for not putting America back to work tomorrow, but if your priority is feeding the rich and country clubs, it's going to be tough," he said in a swipe at Bush's tax cut plan....

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