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Kerry Attacks Bush on Security Sen. John Kerry says President George Bush has taken the wrong approach to combating terrorism by waging war in Iraq. Kerry, in the first of several planned speeches on national security, called for improved alliances with other nations and modernizing the U.S. military. NPR's Wendy Kaufman reports.
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Kerry Attacks Bush on Leadership, Iraq

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Kerry Attacks Bush on Leadership, Iraq

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Kerry Attacks Bush on Leadership, Iraq

Democratic Challenger Turns Focus to National Security Issues

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Kerry Attacks Bush on Leadership, Iraq

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U.S. Presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) waves to the crowd after arriving to speak at a campaign rally at Pier 62 in Seattle, Wa., May 26, 2004. Reuters hide caption

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Sen. John Kerry, speaking Thursday in Seattle, accused President Bush of taking the wrong turn in the war on terrorism by waging war in Iraq.

"Staying the course is important but staying the wrong course is not a sign of strength, it is a mark of stubbornness and it ultimately weakens this nation and the world," Kerry said.

Excerpts from Kerry's Speech

In a speech in Seattle Thursday, Kerry layed out for four national security imperatives, and called for more international support in Iraq . Listen to excerpts:

Listen Building Alliances

Listen Modernizing the Military

Listen Diplomatic, Intelligence and Economic Powers

Listen Ending Dependence on Mideast Oil

Listen Situation in Iraq

Full Text of Speech

The Democratic candidate for president vowed, if elected, he would seek greater global alliances to fight terrorism.

Kerry's campaign has begun a focus on national security. For the next 11 days, he plans to highlight various facets of the issue, in the wake of new Bush administration warnings that al Qaeda could be planning an attack on U.S. targets this summer.