Kirk Watson: “President Bush has campaigned across the 50 States, has campaigned by issuing promises to strengthen our Nation. He has…”

“President Bush has campaigned across the 50 States, has campaigned by issuing promises to strengthen our Nation. He has pledged to improve our schools, to create jobs, to protect our homeland, but soon after these promises were made, we see how empty they are. President Bush fought against providing funds for his own education bill. It is still unfunded and leaves our children behind. President Bush fought to prevent Congress from extending unemployment benefits for laid-off workers. We worked hard to at least to get a reference, and now President Bush is fighting to prevent the Federal Government from spending the funds necessary to protect our homeland. When we say 'homeland security,' we are not talking about fancy technology or a building. We are talking about training and equipment for first responders, the men and women of our local police force and fire departments, the ones who will be putting their lives on the line in case of a terrorist attack. Warren Rudman, the former Republican Senator, who helped lead the United States Commission on National Security in the 21st Century, said about the Bush budget, 'The bottom line is that it appears to us we are going to be underfunded in several key areas.' His comments were echoed by a current Republican Senator and decorated Vietnam veteran who said Bush's budget is 'not even sufficient to provide for the first responder program in the States.'”