The following are the main campaign promises made in Massachusetts Senator John Kerry’s acceptance speech for the Democratic nomination to run for president in the 2 November election.
Economy:
– Invest in new technology and alternative fuels to lessen
US dependence on foreign oil.
– Make America “finally and forever” independent of Middle East oil.
– Cut the US deficit in half over four years by ending corporate tax cuts, which he called “corporate welfare.”
– Offer targeted tax breaks for the middle class.
– Roll back tax cuts granted by the Bush administration to people earning over $200,000 a year.
– Close tax loopholes to companies moving jobs abroad and give breaks to firms keeping good-paying jobs at home.
– Pledged not to privatise Social Security or to cut benefits.
– Incentives to revitalise manufacturing and investment in technology and innovation.
Foreign policy
– Pledged that as commander-in-chief he would never lead the United States into a preemptive war, only sending troops to battle “a threat that was real and imminent.”
– Immediately reform intelligence gathering.
– Rebuild alliances with other nations.
– Ensure the United States would lead the global effort against nuclear proliferation.
Defence
– Add 40,000 active duty troops.
– Double the number of US special forces.
– End the military’s heavy reliance on National Guard and
military reservists.
September 11 commission
– Immediately implement the recommendations of the September 11 commission.
Health Care
– Offer incentives that would save families $1,000 a year on health insurance costs.
– Allow Americans to buy prescription drugs from countries like Canada, where they are often less expensive.