425 Kerry's Revised Budget Plan

A former campaign aide for McCain’s 2000 Presidential bid, notes this interesting media failing in this campaign:

"One of the more curious developments in the presidential campaign is that the media has a strikingly different standard for Democratic and Republican candidates. Senator Kerry litters his stump speeches with countless proposals, but even now, has not provided voters with a careful accounting of how his plan fits together. That job has been left to others."

Kevin Hassett steps in to correct this and provides the links and analysis here, and goes on to summarize:

“. . . the net increase in the deficit associated with Kerry's proposals is on the order of $2.2 trillion. . . . Senator Kerry's health care proposals. . . would add more than $900 billion in federal outlays. Education expenditure accounts for nearly one quarter of Kerry's new spending, with almost $500 billion added over ten years. A $400 billion expansion of military personnel and benefits for veterans comprises most of the remainder of Kerry's spending plans, with the balance distributed among numerous social programs and increases in international aid. . . . [Kerry and surrogates] repeatedly have made the claim that they will restore fiscal discipline if elected. They have also promised to adopt a "pay as you go" rule that will guarantee deficit reductions. But they do this at the same time that they promise voters the moon and the stars."

With tech stocks tanking in the past month or so, as they did in 2000, I wonder if Kerry is elected, will the Democrats blame him for a slump that took place before he took office? Well, obviously not, but just thought I'd ask.