Gephardt Statement on Filing for Presidency in Missouri

October 22, 2003 -

"I am very proud to be the first Democratic presidential candidate to file for the Missouri presidential primary.

"My home state of Missouri has been devastated by President Bush's economic policies. Since President Bush took office, Missouri has lost 90,200 jobs and there are more than 609,878 Missourians without health insurance.

"We need to get the American economy back on track and growing again; we need to get American workers back to work in good paying jobs that will strengthen the middle class; and we need bold ideas to lead the way. Every idea I am proposing has one goal: to grow the economy, to create jobs and get Americans working again.

"I know that with the help of supporters in Missouri and throughout the country, we will take my campaign for job creation, economy security and health care all the way to the White House."