Kerry says threat of terrorism is exaggerated

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts said during last night’s Democratic presidential debate that the threat of terrorism has been exaggerated.

“I think there has been an exaggeration,” Mr. Kerry said when asked whether President Bush has overstated the threat of terrorism. “They are misleading all Americans in a profound way.”

The front-runner for the Democratic nomination said he would engage other nations in a more cooperative fashion to quell terrorism.

“This administration’s arrogant and ideological policy is taking America down a more dangerous path,” Mr. Kerry said. “I will make America safer than they are.”

All seven remaining Democratic White House hopefuls clashed on stage here last night for 90 minutes in the final debate before seven states, including South Carolina, hold primaries or caucuses Tuesday.

NBC anchorman Tom Brokaw moderated the debate, sponsored by the Young Democrats of Furman University and held in the university’s Peace Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Greenville.

Sen. John Edwards, who was born in this state and has said he must win here, took the first opportunity to disagree with Mr. Kerry, the victor in both the binding Democratic contests held so far — the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary.

“It’s just hard for me to see how you can say there’s an exaggeration when thousands of people lost their lives on September 11,” Mr. Edwards said.

But Mr. Edwards, who represents North Carolina in the Senate, added that while national security is important, Mr. Bush has ignored other pressing issues.

“The president of the United States actually has to be able to walk and chew gum at the same time,” he said.

Howard Dean, the former front-runner who is struggling to regain the edge in his campaign, criticized the Bush administration for the Patriot Act, which he said has gone too far toward eroding individual liberties.

“I think in some ways, unfortunately, the terrorists have already won,” he said.

Mr. Dean, a physician, also fired several broadsides at Mr. Kerry, livening up the debate.

“Senator Kerry is the front-runner, and I mean him no insult, but in 19 years in the Senate, Senator Kerry sponsored 11 bills dealing with health care, and not one of them passed,” the former governor of Vermont said. “If you want a president who will get results, I suggest that you look at somebody who did get results in my state.”

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