President's uncle speaks at Cape rally

President Bush's uncle -- William H.T. "Bucky" Bush -- blasted Democratic challenger John Kerry during a GOP rally in Cape Girardeau on Saturday, accusing him of "tearing down our troops" in a desperate effort to win Tuesday's presidential election.

"I think he has crossed the line," Bucky Bush said of Kerry's criticism of the president's handling of the war in Iraq and recent reports of missing explosives in the war-ravaged nation.

Bush said Kerry has resorted to "baseless slander" by blaming the president and American troops for not safeguarding explosives at an Iraqi ammunition depot.

Bush, of St. Louis, said he's optimistic that voters will re-elect his nephew. Polls show President Bush is leading in Missouri and some of the other battleground states, Bucky Bush said.

A crowd of more than 130 Republican supporters cheered for Missouri's GOP candidates who earlier had participated in Southeast Missouri State University's homecoming parade.

The entire slate of GOP candidates for statewide office attended the rally in the H&H Building on Broadway. They included U.S. Sen. Kit Bond, gubernatorial candidate Matt Blunt, lieutenant governor candidate Peter Kinder, secretary of state candidate Catherine Hanaway, state treasurer candidate Sarah Steelman and attorney general candidate Chris Byrd.

Blunt, 33, dismissed criticism from Democratic opponent Claire McCaskill that he is too young for the job of governor. "When it comes to government, age is not a good indicator of success," he said.

U.S. Sen. Jim Talent, who is not up for re-election Tuesday, also spoke at the rally. "Don't vote for me," he quipped, sparking laughter from the crowd.

"You are fighting the good fight," Talent told GOP supporters. "Now finish the race."

mbliss@semissourian.com

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