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Chuck Z Ombie AC2000
LCDR
Joined: 19 Aug 2004
Posts: 426
Location: Northern New Jersey
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 Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2004 7:33 pm Post subject: Kerry Not so 'Swift' and also Dick Morris |
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http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/19116.htm
| Quote: | KERRY NOT SO 'SWIFT'
By LEONARD GREENE
September 2, 2004 -- In a much-anticipated address to the largest veterans group in the nation, Sen. John Kerry yesterday completely dodged the Swift Boat Veterans controversy, which has dogged his campaign, and instead launched an attack on President Bush's wartime leadership.
Speaking to the American Legion in Nashville, Tenn., Kerry promised new benefits to veterans, talked about the 60-year-old GI Bill and even mentioned John Glenn's mission to space — but failed to mention the words that many had come to hear: swift boat.
For nearly two weeks, Kerry, a Navy swift boat commander in Vietnam, has been dragged down by accusations that he inflated his war record for political gain.
Although he has railed against ads aired by the group called Swift Boat Veterans for Truth — even filing a federal complaint — Kerry said nothing about the controversy, even as he addressed a room full of people who have seen battle and know all about the fog of war.
He was received with polite applause, though not as warm a reception as President Bush got the day before, when he appeared before the convention flanked by popular Sen. John McCain, his 2000 rival for the GOP nomination.
Analysts thought Kerry might use the moment to confront the issue head-on since some vets — including McCain — have taken great offense at the ads.
Kerry was also dead silent about his strident anti-war activities after he came back from Vietnam. He famously accused GIs of war crimes and atrocities in televised hearings, and some pundits had predicted he might apologize or explain his actions.
Instead, Kerry focused on the war being fought now, chiding Bush for failing to secure Iraq after Saddam Hussein's fall. Kerry said the president even ignored advice from his own military leaders on the number of troops needed for postwar operations.
"When it comes to Iraq, it's not that I would have done one thing differently," Kerry said. "I would've done almost everything differently."
Kerry told the veterans that the war in Iraq has been a series of missteps guided by a policy that has just not worked.
"Violence has spread in Iraq," Kerry said. "Iran has expanded its influence, and extremism has gained momentum."
Bush campaign spokesman Steve Schmidt derided Kerry's claims.
"This is a candidate who voted for the war, voted against the troops, said he was an anti-war candidate, and then said he would make the same vote for the war again," he said.
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Here is a take by Clinton apologist Dick Morris
http://www.nypost.com/postopinion/opedcolumnists/19107.htm
| Quote: | DEMS' DEADLY DIVIDE
BY DICK MORRIS
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Email Archives
Print Reprint
September 2, 2004 -- LAST night, Dick Che ney said that "Amer ica sees two John Kerry's" and that Kerry's "liveliest disagreement" is with himself. But that's not Kerry's biggest problem. His real conundrum is that his voters disagree with one another on almost every major foreign-policy and terrorism issue. So, no matter what Kerry says, he will alienate a goodly portion of his voters.
This handicap is likely to loom larger and larger as the election moves into its debating phase. But, for now, the Republicans are doing a good job of throwing curveballs that force Kerry to choose between his voting blocks — antagonizing some and invigorating others, bleeding support the whole way.
In an incredibly striking contrast, Bush voters are united on virtually all the questions that divide the Kerry vote. So Bush can advance his agenda with impunity while taking aim at Kerry voters who are antagonized by their candidate whenever he has to choose a position.
From the excellent polling and brilliant analysis of Scott Rasmussen, who takes daily tracking polls, comes evidence of Democratic division and Republican unity.
One example: Rasmussen asked if Iraq was a part of the War on Terror or a distraction from it. Republicans overwhelmingly said it was integral — by 79-14. But Democrats were divided. Half said it is a distraction — but 36 percent felt it was a key part of the war effort.
So what is Kerry to say? Either way, he loses votes. And if he waffles, he strengthens his reputation for flip-flopping.
Should we give a priority to finishing the mission in Iraq or to bringing the troops home? Republicans say "stay the course," 71-23. Democrats divide: 54 percent say "come home"; 37 percent want us to finish the mission.
Who is winning the War on Terror? Republicans say we are, 77-10. Democrats divide almost equally, with 33 percent saying America is winning and 42 percent saying the terrorists are gaining the upper hand.
So how is Kerry to characterize the war? Say it's a success — and alienate 42 percent of his vote — or call it a failure — and drive away 33 percent?
Republicans are sure, by 67-12, that if we'd left Saddam in power, life in America would be more dangerous. Democrats again divide, with 20 percent saying life is safer because he is out, and 34 percent saying it's not.
Should the United States follow the lead of its allies more than we do now? Republicans say "No," 72-5; 44 percent of the Democrats say "Yes," and 19 percent say "No."
So, on each of these issues, whenever Kerry opens his mouth, he loses.
The Republicans are skillfully exploiting this weakness in their opponent. At the outset of the campaign, they are making much of Kerry's inconsistent positions on issues and undermining his credibility by attacking his war record.
At the convention, the GOP is hammering home these issues to set them up for use down the road. Then, in the debates, Bush will close in for the kill, making Kerry fish or cut bait on these pivotal questions, always being prepared to say, "There you go again" if he waffles.
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John Kerry, R.I.P. (Rot In Paris) |
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coldwarvet
Admiral
Joined: 03 Jun 2004
Posts: 1125
Location: Minnetonka, MN
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| Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2004 7:41 pm Post subject: |
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I am starting to think we may see a clean sweep. As the liberals realize the Kerry campain is a lost cause they will split their vote with the man they really agree with Nader. I am starting to think Nader might get more then 10% before this thing is over.
CWV
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Defender of the honor of those in harms way keeping us out of harms way.
"Peace is our Profession"
Strategic Air Command - Motto
USAF 75-79 Security Police |
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lolajl
Lt.Jg.
Joined: 09 Aug 2004
Posts: 136
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| Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2004 7:43 pm Post subject: |
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| coldwarvet wrote: | | I am starting to think we may see a clean sweep. As the liberals realize the Kerry campain is a lost cause they will split their vote with the man they really agree with Nader. I am starting to think Nader might get more then 10% before this thing is over. |
Remember . . . let's not be overconfident. There's still the whole of September, and the whole of October, to go by before we can stick a fork on it. |
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jataylor11
Vice Admiral
Joined: 10 Aug 2004
Posts: 856
Location: Woodbridge, Virginia
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| Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2004 9:03 pm Post subject: |
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The main thing is that everyone needs to vote in November --- create a landslide so that history records the message that untrustworthly, self-serving, lying, slandering traitors will not impose themselves upon the public again.
And maybe the DNC will learn to move to the center and respect the military. |
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noMOass
Former Member
Joined: 02 Sep 2004
Posts: 67
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| Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2004 9:53 pm Post subject: |
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yes, we CANNOT be overconfident. We must remember the very fickle
Swing(Ding)-A-Ling-Voter |
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low26
Lieutenant
Joined: 08 Aug 2004
Posts: 219
Location: Chicago il
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| Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2004 9:57 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | yes, we CANNOT be overconfident. We must remember the very fickle
Swing(Ding)-A-Ling-Voter |
I agree we have to keep it up and not relent!! You can bet on one thing if the pols show a shift toward Bush it is MUCH higher than reported. The Democrats are worried their internal data must be bad |
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air_vet
PO2
Joined: 08 Aug 2004
Posts: 374
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| Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2004 11:29 pm Post subject: |
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| jataylor11 wrote: | | And maybe the DNC will learn to move to the center and respect the military. |
That will happen only when pigs learn to fly! |
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