1. Kerry woos Delco Dems
Published: Wednesday, July 21, 2004
By David Bjorkgren and Melissa McDermott
"I know what it means to be in a community like this. It's the heart of America," Democratic
presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry told an appreciative crowd.
Kerry was visiting the home of William and Mary Kay Bowden on Glentay Avenue. They and their
family were chosen to kick off the candidate's nationwide "Front Porch Tour." William - a window
company consultant, and Mary Kay - a pre-school teacher, former borough secretary and Democratic
committeewoman, are the first of many families Kerry will visit over the next few months.
The Senator talked about "restoring common sense and true values to American life" as he stood at
the top front porch steps of the Bowdens' pleasant brick Colonial, adorned with red shutters and flying a
vintage American flag.
Sandy Kenworthy of Drexel Hill stopped while visiting her son to see what all the excitement was
about. "I'm registered Republican but I am interested in what he has to say," she said.
The Bowden family stood on the porch behind Kerry, serving as an effective backdrop to his speech.
A group of invited guests, comprised of Lansdowne Democratic officials and other supporters, sat
below him in the front yard, while members of the public and the press stayed off to the side or across
the street.
Kerry arrived to applause, rhythmic clapping and chanting.
The candidate appeared relaxed, speaking warmly as he passed through the crowd, shaking hands
and signing autographs.
He exchanged words briefly with Lansdowne Mayor Jayne Young as he made his way to the front of
the house, jokingly offering his services to the borough. "Is there a pothole that needs filling?" he
quipped.
At one point, the Senator balanced on a front garden wall, walking over to the side crowd. "I'll come
over and get you later," he promised.
William Bowden introduced the Senator. "I, myself, am feeling confident that I'm standing here with
the next president of the United States," he said.
Kerry often included his host family in his remarks, addressing issues like student loans, medical
benefits and retirement.
Amanda Bowden, one of the Bowdens' daughters, talked about paying for student loans to cover
$40,000-a-year tuitions.
"You're burdened with loans, working four jobs," Kerry remarked sympathetically. "Bush says the
jobs are there. I've been meeting lots of people who have two or three of them. We have four right
here."
He asked the family about its health care coverage. "How much do you pay?" Kerry asked.

2. "Half of my pre-school salary pays for health benefits," Mary Kay Bowden said. When asked about
paying for retirement, she responded, "We're figuring that just won't happen. We want to provide for
our children. Now we have to weigh the odds."
Rising taxes, and a school system that doesn't work are two big concerns for the couple. "This is a
great community but what happens when the grandchildren want to go to school?" Mary Kay asked. "I
think the resources are there, but are not being used properly," she said. "If we get aid, we can take care
of it. We're a strong community."
Kerry promised to fully fund the No Child Left Behind program and special education.
At one point, Kerry opened up the mike to the invited guests, who asked him about issues that
ranged from the environment, civil rights, alternative energy and senior citizen pharmacy cards, to the
troubles in Sudan and getting people out to vote.
"I know you gotta get over that cynicism hurdle," he said. "I'm running for president because I'm
frustrated and tired of watching them throw words around like it doesn't mean anything and playing
with your lives. "
Kerry talked about a 50 percent rise in health care costs, a 41 percent rise in gas prices and a 35
percent rise in tuition.
"Everybody's slugging it out, playing by the rules, but they're not getting ahead. We have a wage
recession."
Kerry said he would rollback the Bush administration tax cut and invest it in lowering health care
costs and education.
Mike Hathaway offered to give his tax cut to Kerry. "We are blessed financially," he said of his
family. "Take it and do something good with it. We don't need it."
Ryan Mattox, 10, spoke with Kerry about the war. "It's evil, because millions of innocent people are
being killed," he said.
Kerry replied, "The U.S. should never go to war because it wants to. It should go to war because it
has to." The candidate said he wanted to bring the troops back home and bring other countries back to
our side.
Kerry concluded by urging the crowd to take action, by knocking on doors and getting involved.
"This is the most important election of our lifetime and we need them to understand that," he said.
"Let's reclaim our Democracy in the United States," he said, followed by applause and whistles.
As Bruce Springsteen's "Glory Days" blasted throughout the yard, Lily Scott of Swarthmore, who just
turned 1, clapped her hands.
"It was great to see the next president of the United States," said her father, Bob Scott, who used to
be a Nether Providence Township Commissioner
Afterwards, Kerry signed more autographs and mingled with the crowd. "Great job, great job," Sally
Morbeck of Rutledge told Kerry. "With your help," he replied.