By AP/KWMU
St. Louis, MO – Presidential hopeful John Kerry spoke at the New North Side Baptist Church in St. Louis Sunday morning.
That came after rallying with former rival Dick Gephardt at the World's Fair Pavilion in Forest Park on Saturday.
The Democratic presidential candidate never mentioned President Bush by name during his speech Sunday, but he criticized what he described as "our present national leadership."
He also cited Scripture, asking what
good it is "if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds."
A Bush campaign spokesman said Kerry's comment "was beyond the bounds of acceptable discourse and a sad exploitation of Scripture for a political attack."
Kerry told worshippers in the largely black congregation that the country's leadership has served the privileged while ignoring people who live in neighborhoods like theirs.
His visit also allowed him to catch up with someone he hadn't seen in 35 years.
Bobby McRath is a fellow veteran who had served on a boat that often participated in joint ventures with Kerry's vessel in Viet Nam.
McRath now lives in Jennings and met privately before yesterday's service.