By Brett Barrouquere
The Associated Press

LOUISVILLE - Alan Winkenhofer sees in Democratic presidential contender John Kerry something he finds lacking in President Bush.

"We want somebody who will take responsibility for their actions," said Winkenhofer, a resident of Elizabethtown. "The current administration won't do that."

Winkenhofer, a Vietnam veteran who was invited along with about 10 other military veterans to Kerry's Monday rally at Louisville International Airport, was hoping for some assurances from Kerry about America's place in the world.

Kerry, speaking to an enthusiastic crowd of about 500 inside an airplane hangar, promised to help restore the United State's reputation in the world.

Kerry brought his campaign to Kentucky as part of a 24-hour stop in the Bluegrass State. Along with Monday night's rally, Kerry is scheduled to meet with business owners and hold a $1,000-a-plate luncheon today.

At the airport rally, Kerry spoke about health care, the economy and jobs, saying Bush has "the worst economic record since the Great Depression."

Kerry, a decorated Vietnam veteran, didn't directly address the recently revealed abuses of Iraqi prisoners by U.S. soldiers. Instead, he talked about his admiration for the soldiers in combat and "leading the world to a better place."

"I will change the American direction in the world," Kerry said. "I'm going to keep the faith for those who serve in uniform."

Lack of responsibility

For Abe Pena of Louisville, who earned three Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star with a "V" for valor during a tour with the Marines in Vietnam, Kerry is the right person to straighten out "the mess" in Iraq.

"He knows what happened in Vietnam," Pena said. "We don't need a repeat of what happened in Vietnam."

Navy veteran James Patrick of Grayson said Kerry can manage a war zone because, unlike Bush, he has experience in a war zone.

"They should have seen and heard shots fired in anger," said Patrick, who served in Vietnam. "I think our president doesn't have any idea of what he sent our children into over there."

Winkenhofer is disturbed by what he considers Bush's lack of responsibility about what is happening in Iraq. He then recalled President Harry Truman's famous statement, "The buck stops here."

"We need another Truman," Winkenhofer said. "Kerry is that."

'Getting to the people'

To win in Kentucky, Kerry will have to overcome Bush's advantage in the polls.

Bush won Kentucky in 2000 by about 15 percentage points over then-Vice President Al Gore.

Tony Miller, who is running for Congress in the Louisville area against U.S. Rep. Anne Northup, R-Ky., said both he and Kerry can win, despite the recent Republican turn in the state.

"The key is getting to the people," Miller said. "If we can get our Democrats together and some Republicans, we're going to do well."