By Jill Lawrence, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — John Kerry doesn't talk much about how he'd fight terrorism and usually comments on Iraq only when asked. But that's about to change.
The Democratic presidential candidate kicks off an 11-day focus on national security Thursday in Seattle with a broad introductory speech. Kerry will offer details in a later speech on how he would handle Iraq. Other events will focus on military needs, homeland security and restoring U.S. leadership in the world.
The tour signals Kerry's intent to challenge President Bush in an area the Bush campaign views as a major strength: leadership in the war on terrorism. It's also an area in which Kerry has been under attack by Bush and needs to make gains with voters. "We certainly don't cede ground on these very important issues," Kerry spokeswoman Allison Dobson said.
A USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll this month found people nearly evenly split on who could better handle Iraq: 48% said Bush, 45% said Kerry. But Bush had a 55%-38% lead on handling terrorism.
Dobson said Kerry will have "an exclusive focus" on national security for an 11-day period that includes Memorial Day. Events include speeches, town-hall meetings and discussions with military families, veterans, and fire and police personnel.
Some Democrats have pressed Kerry to lay out his plan for Iraq. He voted in 2002 to authorize the war, but he also warned Bush not to rush to war without international support and a detailed postwar plan. He often criticizes Bush's conduct of the war but says the United States cannot "cut and run."
WASHINGTON — John Kerry doesn't talk much about how he'd fight terrorism and usually comments on Iraq only when asked. But that's about to change.
The Democratic presidential candidate kicks off an 11-day focus on national security Thursday in Seattle with a broad introductory speech. Kerry will offer details in a later speech on how he would handle Iraq. Other events will focus on military needs, homeland security and restoring U.S. leadership in the world.
The tour signals Kerry's intent to challenge President Bush in an area the Bush campaign views as a major strength: leadership in the war on terrorism. It's also an area in which Kerry has been under attack by Bush and needs to make gains with voters. "We certainly don't cede ground on these very important issues," Kerry spokeswoman Allison Dobson said.
A USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll this month found people nearly evenly split on who could better handle Iraq: 48% said Bush, 45% said Kerry. But Bush had a 55%-38% lead on handling terrorism.
Dobson said Kerry will have "an exclusive focus" on national security for an 11-day period that includes Memorial Day. Events include speeches, town-hall meetings and discussions with military families, veterans, and fire and police personnel.
Some Democrats have pressed Kerry to lay out his plan for Iraq. He voted in 2002 to authorize the war, but he also warned Bush not to rush to war without international support and a detailed postwar plan. He often criticizes Bush's conduct of the war but says the United States cannot "cut and run."
