Angry Ohioans tell Kerry to end job outsourcing

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XENIA, Ohio -- Democrats in this pivotal battleground state told John Kerry yesterday to end the outsourcing of jobs to foreign countries that has been made possible under international free trade laws.

"Stop outsourcing," yelled supporters gathered in a high school gymnasium here as an auto-worker shared the emotional tale of losing his job to cheaper foreign labor. Michael Adams, who said he's personally seen equipment in his plant "packed up and moved to our so-called sister plant in Remir, Mexico," was laid off earlier this month.

"I had to cash out my retirement fund so I can apply to community college and pay the household bills before the creditors come and take what I have," said Mr. Adams as he introduced Mr. Kerry, "but the money will not last for very long."

"Thanks, George Bush," one man shouted angrily from the audience. "Outsource Bush," screamed another.

But Mr. Kerry voted for the law that these voters blame for job losses -- in 1993, seven years before President Bush was elected. Polls show that an overwhelming majority of Ohioans blame the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) for their lost jobs.

Though Mr. Kerry's running mate, Sen. John Edwards, was not in the Senate in 1993, both men voted in 2000 to grant China "Most Favored Nation" trading status in 2000, which also has been widely blamed for losses in manufacturing jobs.

Nevertheless, it is an issue that both men hope will propel them to victory in this state of 20 Electoral College votes that Mr. Bush won in 2000. Polls show the race here very close, with Mr. Kerry possibly having a slight edge.

Before Mr. Kerry took the microphone, Mr. Adams noted that Mr. Bush said during one of the debates that workers have "got more money in your pocket as a result of the tax relief we passed."

Then Mr. Adams pulled both of his empty pants pockets inside-out and said, "Personally, I'd like him to tell me where that money is." Others in the audience began shouting: "Show us the money."

Mr. Kerry did not disappoint, striking a highly populist tone. He accused Mr. Bush giving the rich tax breaks on the backs of common workers and of bungling the distribution of the flu vaccine.

Though polls appear to be leaning away from Mr. Bush here, two new polls released yesterday show Mr. Bush with a lead in the popular vote nationwide. A Newsweek magazine poll shows Mr. Bush with a solid six-point lead, and a Time magazine poll showed him with a slim one-point lead.

During his visit, Mr. Kerry took out of his pocket a small buckeye nut -- believed to bring good luck -- that he was given before winning the primary. He credited it with his success in the campaign so far and figured it would carry him into the White House.

"That buckeye's gonna sit right there on the desk in the Oval Office, and it's going to bring this nation good luck," he said.

Mr. Kerry's most pointed attack was over the shortage of flu vaccine this year. He said it was the result of bad decisions that are typical of the Bush administration. Among other issues, Mr. Kerry blamed the president for outsourcing the production of the vaccine.

Bush campaign spokesman Steve Schmidt dismissed Mr. Kerry's criticism and said that Mr. Bush has increased "spending on flu preparedness" to $283 million from $39 million since he took office. He also blamed Mr. Kerry for opposing Bush-backed legislation to encourage vaccine production.

"His incredible hypocrisy just demonstrates again his willingness to say whatever will benefit him politically, no matter how out of touch his rhetoric is with the facts."

A Kerry campaign spokesman said the senator -- like Mr. Bush -- would forgo a flu shot this year.

Later yesterday, Mr. Kerry motored through rural Ohio aboard his campaign bus in an effort to reach out to voters in sparsely populated areas that are not normally Democratic strongholds, said spokesman Mike McCurry. His schedule included a planned stop to purchase a hunting license, though Mr. McCurry wasn't sure what or when he'd be hunting in Ohio.

Mr. Kerry also stopped at a roadside pumpkin and gourd shed where the candidate bought a pumpkin that was selling for $10. He took out of his pocket several neatly folded crisp $10 bills and paid $20 for the pumpkin without getting change.