Detroit, MI - After four years of a president who makes excuses in an attempt to cover up his failures, John Kerry Wednesday called for a new direction in America while laying out the economic case against George W. Bush in a speech at the Detroit Economic Club.

When it comes to the economy, Kerry’s speech noted that George Bush has been the “Excuses President.” He wants Americans to believe that his failed record is the result of bad luck, not bad decisions, and that he’s faced the wrong circumstances, not made the wrong choices for middle-class families.

Kerry criticized the president for using excuses to cover up his wrong choices, and he outlined the Kerry-Edwards plan to build a stronger America where every family has the chance to work hard and get ahead.

“After four years of hearing no from this president – no, it’s not our fault; no, there’s nothing wrong; no, we can’t do better; no, we haven’t made a single mistake – it’s time for a president who will start saying yes,” Kerry said. “Yes to good jobs with higher wages; yes to affordable health care and middle-class tax cuts; yes to a government that lives within a budget and businesses that can out-compete anyone in the world.”

Over the past four years, middle-class Americans have faced difficult economic times as a result of George Bush’s wrong decisions. They are making $1,535 less while paying more for health care, gasoline and education. In Michigan, Bush’s wrong decisions on the economy have cost workers 245,000 jobs and 162,000 good-paying manufacturing jobs

The president likes to make up excuses for his failures, but the truth, as Kerry emphasized today, is that Bush’s failed record is due to his failed policies and choosing to put special interests over middle-class families time and time again.

“We know the truth,” Kerry said. “George Bush’s failed record is the result of George Bush’s failed policies. And he chose time and again to do nothing to improve our economy or ease the burden on middle class families. In fact, nearly every choice has made it worse. You can even say that George Bush is proud of the fact that not even failure can cause him to change his mind.”

Kerry stressed that every time George Bush has the opportunity to make a choice, he has failed to choose middle-class families. He has shifted the tax burden on to middle-class families while giving tax breaks to the wealthy few. He has given billions to drug companies while doing nothing to control costs for seniors. He has stood by while oil companies rake in record profits and families are squeezed at the pump. He has praised outsourcing and refused to enforce our trade agreements while American jobs are shipped overseas.

Kerry and Edwards know America can do better and have a four-part plan to strengthen and expand the middle class.

First, they will create good-paying jobs in America by ending tax breaks for companies creating jobs overseas and cutting taxes for 99 percent of taxpaying corporations. They will help American businesses compete and create jobs by enforcing our trade agreements.

Second, the Kerry-Edwards plan will strengthen the middle class by cutting taxes and lowering health and energy costs. 98 percent of families will get a tax cut under their plan, which includes up to $1,000 in health care premium relief.

Third, they will restore America’s competitive edge by ending energy dependence and investing more in research and development.

Finally, they will restore economic confidence by cutting the deficit in half in four years and paying for every proposal.

“John Edwards and I believe that the measure of a strong economy is a growing middle-class where everyone has the chance to work hard and get ahead,” Kerry said. “And that’s why we are determined to set a new direction for America.”