Kerry speaks on the economy

Today, Kerry gave what his campaign has described as a major policy speech on the economy. The speech is unlikely to breakthrough the media focus on Iraq, understandably so. However, here are a couple key sections:

When it comes to the federal budget, I will move America in a new direction - by cutting the deficit in half in four years while making health care affordable; by paying for every program I propose; and by rolling back the Bush tax cut for the wealthiest Americans while expanding tax cuts for the middle class.

This will not be easy. It will require tough decisions - not just for one budget or one campaign, but for years to come and often in the face of unforeseen circumstances. But I know we can take this course and stay this course - because we've done it before.

And that is why Americans can trust what I am saying: I have a voting record that, on the most critical budget votes of the last 20 years, helped balance our budget and pay down our debt.

This is a great counter argument to those that claim that a 20 year voting record is a hindrance.

And for those, inside and outside the Kerry campaign, that don't want to give up on the idea of a VP McCain:

By going after corporate welfare, as John McCain says, we can save tens of billions of dollars a year. Our bill calls for a Corporate Subsidy Reform Commission to recommend cuts and submit them to Congress for an up or down vote - with no amendments.

John McCain can't get anyone in the Bush White House to listen to our proposal. If I'm President, John McCain will get the first pen when I sign this bill into law.

This seems to be an overt appeal for McCain's support and perhaps the beginning of an effort to reach out to McCain and his Independent supporters.