IA State Senators urge Dean to tell the truth [View All]

[sandnsea]

Urges Dean to tell Iowans the truth about John Kerry’s Record

December 31, 2003

For Immediate Release
Des Moines, IA –

State Senator Jack Kibbie of Palo Alto County and Jim Schaben, former Minority Leader of the State Senate and family farmer from Harrison County sent the following letter to Howard Dean.



December 31, 2003
Dear Howard Dean,

We found the letter issued by your campaign yesterday to include false information about John Kerry’s record and it attempts to mislead Iowa farmers. Iowans will not stand idly by and let you distort the record of a man who has stood up time and again for family farmers.

I know John Kerry’s record and he has vigorously worked to give family farms a fair shot to compete against large corporations, to remain economically viable and to help them recover for natural disasters and other crises.

Senator Kerry stood with Senator Tom Harkin to fight against the damaging Farm Bill in 1996 and provide farmers with the support they need. Kerry stood with Harkin to stop the corporate control of livestock production by supporting a ban on packer ownership. Kerry stood with Harkin to support country-of-origin labeling and continues to speak out for it. Kerry was a leader in the Senate fighting for—and not against—effective flood relief programs for farmers.

Without any doubt, Senator Kerry understands the real challenges facing rural communities today and has taken action to help farmers deal with these challenges.

The information given to Chris Peterson is false with respect to John Kerry’s record. The people of Iowa should be told the truth and you should correct the record. Before we caucus next month, I hope you change the tenor of your campaign. Iowans deserve straight talk, not mud-slinging.

Sincerely,

State Senator Jack Kibbie
Palo Alto County

Jim Schaben
Harrison County

http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2003_1231b.html