KERRY IN EARTH DAY GAS-GUZZLER PUZZLER
By DEBORAH ORIN
April 23, 2004 -- WASHINGTON - <font size=4>On Earth Day, Democrat John Kerry reluctantly admitted to having a gas-guzzling SUV in the family - but blamed his wife.
"The family has it. I don't have it," Kerry said yesterday.
But at first, Kerry - quizzed by reporters on a conference call - tried to deny any links to a gas-guzzler on a day when he was touting his credentials as an environmentalist.
"I don't own an SUV," he initially insisted - but 'fessed up when asked if his wife, ketchup heiress Teresa Heinz Kerry, owned the Chevrolet Suburban seen at their Sun Valley ski lodge.
Kerry, who has called for a 50 percent increase in fuel-economy requirements, said he owns and drives a Dodge 600 and a Chrysler 300M, adding it's important for his family to buy American-made cars.
Meanwhile, Kerry backed away from claiming President Bush improperly sought a secret deal with the Saudis to lower gasoline costs before the election - and instead demanded that Bush do more to cut gasoline costs.
Kerry claims his charge of a secret oil deal is based on Bob Woodward's new book, "Plan of Attack" - but Woodward says that's not in his book. Saudi officials also say there was no secret deal.
Woodward told Fox News Channel: "Sen. Kerry took what
was in the book and called it a 'secret deal,' I believe.
And that, I think, that was not in my book and not in the
facts as we know them."
Saudi Ambassador Prince Bandar has said there was no
secret deal and all presidents push for low oil prices,
including Democrats Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter.
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NEW YORK POST |
