Zell Miller blasts fellow Democrat Kerry at state GOP convention

COLUMBUS, Ga. (AP) _ Sen. Zell Miller, the Bush campaign's most famous Democratic attack dog, ripped into John Kerry Saturday as an ``out-of-touch, ultraliberal from Taxachusetts'' in a speech

Saturday, May 15th 2004, 10:47 am

By: News On 6

COLUMBUS, Ga. (AP) _ Sen. Zell Miller, the Bush campaign's most famous Democratic attack dog, ripped into John Kerry Saturday as an ``out-of-touch, ultraliberal from Taxachusetts'' in a speech before Georgia Republicans.

Miller, the lone Democratic senator publicly backing Bush, made the remarks in a Bush-Cheney grassroots event during the state Republican convention, where he was greeted as a hero.

``I'm afraid that my old Democratic 'ties that bind' have become unraveled,'' he said in a speech that evoked sustained applause, cheers, laughter and two standing ovations.

The Georgia Democrat said the nation is more secure with Bush in the White House.

``With John Kerry on national security, it's vacillate, retreat and turn over to the U.N.,'' he said. ``With John Kerry on domestic policy, it's tax, spend and redistribute income.''

He said Kerry deserves praise for his war record in Vietnam but declared his Senate voting record on national defense ``shameful,'' saying Kerry voted ``against every single major weapons system that won the Cold War.''

``The man now wants to be the commander in chief of U.S. armed forces? U.S. forces armed with what, spitballs?''

Miller said Kerry's handlers are trying to soften the Democratic candidate's image and depict him as an average guy.

``Look, John Kerry couldn't find Main Street with both hands,'' he said. ``You can't make a chicken swim and you can't make John Kerry anything but an out-of-touch ultraliberal from Taxachusetts.''

Miller, a lifelong Democrat, was Georgia's governor from 1991 through 1998 and was lieutenant governor for 16 years before that. In 2000, Democratic Gov. Roy Barnes chose him to succeed the late Sen. Paul Coverdell, a Republican.

Miller was a strong, early supporter of Democratic presidential candidate Bill Clinton back in 1992 and delivered a nominating speech for Clinton at the party's national convention.

But he has ruffled the feathers of Democratic colleagues since joining the Senate, siding with Republicans on virtually every key issue and writing a best-selling book in which he accuses his party of being out of touch with Southern voters.

The speech was a hit with Republicans.

``That was the greatest speech he's ever made,'' said convention delegate Ernest Dyal of McRae. ``He could get re-elected today.''

Miller, who will be 73 next year, is not seeking re-election and he confirmed again following the speech that he is not changing parties.

``I'm comfortable right where I am doing what I'm doing. I want to be doing everything I can to help President Bush be re-elected, and Dick Cheney. I think they're doing a superb job.''