Bush ‘Welcomes’ Kerry into Race for Office By JENNIFER LOVEN, Associated Press Writer

On Thursday, the Bush campaign was launching a $10 million television advertising blitz even as the president headed to Silicon Valley to gather more cash for a re-election operation that has already raised more than $153 million.

Bush, facing re-election in November, is trailing Kerry in opinion polls. …

”[W]e will win on the second of November,” Bush told the crowd of 600 at the Shrine Auditorium that added $800,000 to his campaign coffers.

The president’s comments came on the first day of a two-day swing through California scooping up millions for his campaign and those of fellow Republicans.

”He seems to be against every idea that gives Americans more authority, more choices, and more control over our own lives,” Bush said. ”It’s the same old Washington mind-set: They’ll give the orders, and you will pay the bills.” …

Bush later attended a private event at the fine art-bedecked home of A. Jerrold Perenchio, the chairman and chief executive of the Spanish-language media giant Univision.

Note Bush’s astonishing accusation that Kerry opposes choice and freedom. Are you more FREE under Bush? Free from debt? Free from oppression? Free from fear? Free to choose anything? mjh