Dick Gephardt meets with Laconia area Democrats

By GEOFF CUNNINGHAM Jr.

Staff Writer

LACONIA — Meeting with area residents to discuss his run for the 2004 nomination, Democratic presidential hopeful Dick Gephardt had harsh words for George W. Bush on Monday.

The veteran lawmaker from Missouri also supplied a prediction on this year’s ice-out at a campaign stop at the home of School Board Member Ed Philpot.

More than 25 area residents were on hand for the visit, one of several campaign stops the candidate has made in the state during the past three days.

Gephardt, a 14-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives, is among eight Democrats currently vying for the presidential nomination in 2004.

New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation primary will be held on Jan. 27.

The congressman attended Monday’s gathering with his wife, Jane, and began his pitch with a prediction that had nothing to do with politics.

"Before I start, there is a piece of business that I must attend to. I have a prediction on when ice-out will happen," said Gephardt, who pegged the date at April 30.

However, Monday’s session hardly focused on jokes as the legislator spoke openly about his belief that the current president is failing to lead the country in the right direction.

Gephardt, the son of a milk truck driver, characterized Bush as a leader who is out of touch with the normal working person.

"I think it’s time we have a president in the White House who thinks about people like my parents every day," he said, adding that the current administration is marred by special interest.

If elected, Gephardt said he would create an administration that recognizes the important interconnections of a diverse country.

"I want to be a president who ties us together," he said, adding that Bush’s policy is indicative of a "survival of the fittest" attitude.

Gephardt also blasted Bush for the struggling economy, saying the president’s policies have completely squandered what were years of work towards a balanced federal budget.

"The economy is a mess. I am furious at this president."

Gephardt described the primary campaign as a "two-year job interview" with voters, and said his candidacy would focus on his experience in politics and his vision for the country’s future.

He emphasized the importance of establishing a rapport with a voting public that looks to character in making presidential decisions.

The veteran legislator said a key to his victory will be the support of the normal working American.

"If we are going to beat Bush, we are going to beat him in the industrial heartland of this country," he said.

Gephardt cast aside what he described as purely negative views of government by the Republican Party.

"We need to reacquaint people with their government."

And while many of his statements focused on his philosophical stands, Gephardt also introduced plans to solve issues relating to health care and education — two of his biggest priorities.

One plan would require all businesses to offer health insurance options to their employees and would offer tax credits of up to 60 percent to offset such costs.

Another would have government pay off the students loans of teachers willing to work in targeted districts.

Gephardt followed his comments with a brief question and answer session.

Bill Bardsley of Andover asked the candidate if he is prepared to expose the administration for its shortcomings.

Gephardt responded by saying he is eager to debate a president he feels is susceptible to defeat.

"We will take this to them every day of the week ... we can win this," he said.

The candidate also fielded questions relating to the war in Iraq and unfunded federal mandates found in the recently enacted No Child Left Behind Law.

Gephardt’s travels on Monday also took him to Nashua, where he participated in a roundtable discussion at GT Equipment on health care.

The candidate said he plans to make many more trips to the Granite State as he continues to pursue the nomination.