Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John F. Kerry delivers remarks at Philadelphia union hall during which he renewed a call for Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to resign following the release of a report on abuses committed at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. A transcript follows.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)
KERRY: What an extraordinary hall. This steam fitters local is really beautiful. You ought to be congratulated. How many members -- you got a few members here?
(APPLAUSE)
It is such a privilege to be here this morning, and especially to be introduced. Pat Eiding does an outstanding job of leading the state AFL-CIO. We’re honored to be with him.
Thank you. Thank you very much, sir.
(APPLAUSE)
And Tom Gallo (ph), the business agent. Good man here.
Thank you, Tommy. Appreciate it.
(APPLAUSE)
And your next congresswoman from this district, State Senator Allison Schwartz.
Thank you very much. Doing a great job. Thank you.
(APPLAUSE)
Before we talk about the economy, which is what we want to talk about, and jobs, and health care, and things that really make an important difference; the difference to the lives of everybody in this country; the things that lift us up and help us to live the American dream -- and that’s what we want to talk about today -- I want to just take a minute, if I can, to share thoughts about something equally as important, because it’s about leadership and it’s about responsibility and accountability. And that’s what the American people want from their government. They want the truth and they want accountability.
