HOLD THE SWEET PEPPERS
President Bush is fond of using the phrase, “When I say something, I’ll mean what I say,” in his stump speeches.
It is one of his ways to attack John Kerry, who he contends has taken multiple positions on a number of issues.
But in Kenosha, Wis., on Friday, it wasn’t exactly clear what Bush meant when he made an unscheduled stop to visit Tenuta’s deli.
The president stopped at the outside counter where Rachel Brulport, 19, asked him if he wanted one of the restaurant’s famous $2.99 Italian sausages. Brulport said the president told her he would “go inside.”
But after a quick trip inside the restaurant, shaking hands, and posing for pictures, the president didn’t order a thing.
— Rick Pearson
FORCE OF NATURE
The presidential campaigns in Florida are becoming accustomed to consulting the weather before making travel plans.
Just when the candidates thought it was safe to return to one of the most critical battleground states, Hurricane Jeanne weighed in. And Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards’ weekend campaign trip was scrapped.
First, Edwards was scheduled to rally Democrats along Florida’s Space Coast on Saturday. Then, his schedule was adjusted to campaign on the western Gulf Coast.
Finally, the campaign decided Friday not to tussle with Mother Nature. Instead, Edwards will spend the weekend in Michigan and New Hampshire, where no storms are in the forecast.
— Jeff Zeleny