Miller begins 'Democrats for Bush'

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Originally published 11:41 p.m., March 24, 2004, updated 12:00 a.m., March 25, 2004

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Sen. Zell Miller yesterday kicked off a national "Democrats for Bush" drive, labeling fellow Democratic Sen. John Kerry a tax-and-spend liberal who is weak on defense and national security.

"Fortunately, Democrats like us have a courageous and principled leader that we're proud to support. It just so happens that he has a little 'R' after his name," the Georgia Democrat said in a speech.

While Mr. Miller has been a vocal supporter of the president throughout his term, voting for the war in Iraq and supporting across-the-board tax cuts, it is unusual for a Democrat to categorically denounce a presidential candidate from his own party.

But Mr. Miller, who is not seeking re-election in November, says the Democratic Party has moved so far from the ideals once at its core that he no longer can support its actions.

"Frankly, I've had it up to here with the politicians who claim to represent my party but really represent nothing but special interest groups and their own partisan agendas," he said.

"I remember when most Democrats were in favor of projecting America's power abroad, because we believed that America was a great force for good over evil. ... For decades, the Democratic Party maintained peace through strength. We worked with Republicans to ensure that freedom and democracy would not falter in the face of any threat," Mr. Miller said.

"These days, it seems like some people in my party are motivated more by partisan politics than by national interest," he said.

Marc Racicot, campaign director for Bush-Cheney '04, said in a conference call with Mr. Miller that the senator "has decided that he is going to be very intimately and very importantly involved in our campaign."

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