Doyle compares Edwards, 'angry old' Miller He says the Republicans have avoided key issues By Ray Barrington News-Chronicle Gov. Jim Doyle blasted Republicans for avoiding the topics of jobs and health care during their convention and said he expected "a positive image and positive vision" from Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards on a Wisconsin tour that starts today in Green Bay. Doyle, speaking by telephone to reporters around the state, contrasted Edwards to U.S. Sen. Zell Miller, D-Ga., who provided the Republicans' keynote address Wednesday with multiple attacks at Miller's own party. "Zell Miller was an angry, frustrated old man last night," Doyle said. "I would guess the Republicans wish they could have that speech back." However, Edwards would "focus on creating good-paying jobs and on the health care problems people have. The difference between Edwards and Zell Miller last night is going to be night and day," Doyle said. The weekend tour by Edwards is the latest in a series by both sides that Doyle fully expects will continue to election day. "We're not getting the surrogates, we're getting the candidates," he said, telling reporters "strap on your seat belts, you're going to see a very intense campaign in the next two months." He said Wisconsin was not only close in the polls, it was a reflection of the entire country. "We have a manufacturing base, an agricultural base ... and increasing ethnic diversity. In many ways Wisconsin is becoming a real bellwether state," he said. He also said he'd like to see visiting candidates talk more about current issues and less about Vietnam. "We must insist the candidates do not talk about what was going on 35 years ago, but about jobs, health care and education," he said. That's something he doesn't think the Republicans have been doing this week. (Doyle spoke before President Bush's acceptance speech Thursday.) "The most remarkable thing (about the Republican convention) is that he's been president 3 1/2 years and they have nothing to point to on issues central to voters in Wisconsin," Doyle said. "One of the issues they ought to address is a report from the General Accounting Office that shows health care costs in Wisconsin have outstripped the rest of the nation." He said he believed Bush's plan was "to live by the ups and downs of the world economy. If that means outsourcing, that's too bad. We've taken a different approach." - Tickets for the appearance by Edwards at Bay Beach Park will be available today at the campaign's local office, 404 Dousman St., or on the Internet at johnkerry.com/greenbay. Gates open at 11 a.m.