Kerry Tells Blacks He’ll Make Each Vote Count

WASHINGTON —  Sen. John F. Kerry vowed Saturday to “fight tooth and nail” to ensure every African American vote was counted in the November election, saying Democrats would not “stand by and allow acts of voter suppression.”

The Democratic presidential nominee stepped up criticism of President Bush for declining invitations to meet with black lawmakers and civil rights groups.

“Let me tell you, when I’m president, no one’s going to have to twist my arm, or kick me in the rear end, or call me up to remind me that your voices matter,” Kerry told several thousand people at a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation dinner.

Kerry, who earlier Saturday attended ceremonies in Boston commemorating the third anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, began his speech with a tribute to those who died that day. He then leveled his criticisms at the president.

Bush campaign spokesman Steve Schmidt questioned the appropriateness of Kerry directing what he called “baseless and divisive attacks” on Sept. 11. “Today is a day of remembrance and reflection,” Schmidt said. “The Bush campaign will respond on Sept. 12.”

Kerry’s speech was part of a renewed effort to appeal to black voters, a key Democratic constituency. On Thursday, he accused Bush of neglecting the needs of blacks and other minorities in a speech to African American Baptist leaders at a convention in New Orleans. On Friday, he campaigned with the Rev. Jesse Jackson in St. Louis.

At Saturday’s dinner, some blacks expressed concerns about the effectiveness of Kerry’s efforts to spur a heavy turnout by black voters.

Elvin W. Moon of Los Angeles said Kerry’s effort to stimulate black turnout was “not strong enough.”

Kerry cited the network of lawyers assembled by his campaign to monitor polls, safeguard voting rights and avert the kind of disputes that marred the 2000 election in Florida, when Democrats accused Republicans of engaging in “dirty tricks” to suppress turnout by blacks.

Republicans have denied such charges, but Kerry aired them in his speech. “What they did in Florida in 2000, some say they may be planning to do this year in battleground states all across this country,” he said. “Well, we’re here to let them know we will fight tooth and nail to make sure that this time every vote is counted.”