SwiftVets.com

[Jack Mclaughlin]

So far John has creamed the competition but tonight he will will have his work cut out for him. He may have to adopt a different strategy as Matthews will use his usual M.O, of turning it into a sermonizing monologue. I have seen Chris back off when those he interviews demands to be heard. I`m sure John knows better than anyone how to handle the playground bully types.

[jack white]

First heads up: Chris Matthews would love to be a speechwriter for John Kerry. He tried to get a job with Bill Clinton and when it didn't pan out he turned on him. That's the type person you are facing. Nonetheless, Matthews will be fair only if forced to be. Otherwise, as noted, he will try to engage in self-righteous monologue. His show basically is a 60-minute Kerry infomercial/resumer builder but he can be forced to appear fair.

Next, John needs to drive home the point that Kerry already admitted he lied about Christmas in Cambodia, and explain why it couldn't have happened and this forced Kerry to recant. Matthews will try to gloss this topic over or avoid it altogether like the Washington Post did today. Don't let him.

Also tell Matthews this could all be cleared up if Sen. Kerry would release his military and medical records. This would be a good rejoinder whenever Matthews contrasts Bush and Kerry. Matthews, I think, was one of those who harped on the AWOL charge until Bush made his records available.

Matthews will concetrate on the medals because he thinks this is where SBVT is vulnerable. Explain crisply about Dr. Letson actually being there, and about how Rassman was pulled out of the water AFTER Kerry came back to assist the other boats.

Look for Matthews, if things go well for John, to try to claim this is about 1971 and not 1968. Hit on what Kerry did in 1968 and be candid it was his actions that in 1971 that caused you to expose him. If John gets a chance, he can also point out that his family and he were Democrats, and I believe he has said, and should repeat, that he wouldn't be there if John Edwards had won the nomination.

Matthews also will throw out red herrings like the claim this group worked against John McCain, which can easily be disproven. He also will claim this is a GOP front group. O'Neil can simply point out the large amount of money contributed by vets and point out the funding difference between this group and the Soros groups.

Get in your points and responses even if Matthews--who will--tries to cut them off.

O'Neil has done all this already, and quite effectively. He certainly can hold his own against Matthews, who like all bullies folds when things don't go his way.

[Steve02C5]

Matthews main weapon is his machine-gun ability to say numerous words per minute, which in a lot of cases leaves his opponent speechless while they're absorbing what's been said.
As for as mentality and the ability to debate the issues, O'Neill can hang with the best of them.

[Dwight Callaway]

Please - If you are able - tape this and save it. Also if you are able,type up his best attack points and send them in to the "Answering Democrat Attacks "thread on the Resources Board With O'neill's replies if you can.

We must go to school on guys like Mathews and Lanny Davis and John Hurley

Thanks
Dwight
_________________
We have the Government and the Institutions that we deserve. If you want better government then YOU want to be a better citizen.

[Dabba55]

I think O'Neill is so good, he really doesn't need points, however, the one thing that frustrates me with every appearance is the issue of the records. It needs to be stressed that the "Certificate" for the medal is a recitation or an embellishment of the original filing written up by someone else.

"Why would I demand records that would show me to be a liar?" and "If Kerry's telling the truth, why won't he release the records to prove it?" He keeps promising he will and then doesn't.

O'Neill should also be prepared for the Fitness Report quotes. Rather than get sucked into explaining the "nuances" of those, he should go back to form 180. Kerry can remove this cloud once and for all. Why won't he?

Why deploy lawyers when all he has to do is file form 180?

[ASPB]

I'd suggest sending suggestions for talking points and questions to media@swiftvets.com
_________________
On Sale! Order in lots of 100 now at velero@rcn.com Free for the cost of shipping All profits (if any, especially now) go to Swiftvets. The author of "Sink Kerry Swiftly" ---ASPB

[integritycounts]

Matthews make conclusions within his questions that are not fair....most often just answering the question make like you admit to his erronous conclusions.

I have already seen O'neill work incredibly well through other tactics like this...so no worries

Matthews was a speech writer for Carter as I recall.

[hankholmes]

Just a reminder: Hardball is starting.

[ASPB]

[hankholmes]

Unfortunately, the first 30 mins. has been all about Gov. McGreevey and his "quest for identity"...

If you watch later tonight, you can safely skip the first half of the show.

As for the rest, O'Neill is putting up a good fight but Chris Matthews' "style" is making it tough. Matthews clearly hasn't even read a single page of the book!!

[kurtsprincess]

John is doing fantastic so far!

Loved it when Chris called him a "Republican from Texas" and John said that is "not true". Chris wanted clarification for listeners. John said that he lives in Houston but has voted for Perot, Gore and some other democratic politican in Texas.

So.....one myth busted!!!!

Although....the part about being a Texan is true.
_________________
KP

A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.
History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid.
Dwight D. Eisenhower

[Navy_Navy_Navy]

Hurley just called the 2nd in Command JAG a liar!

Oopsies.

Hang tough, John! We're with ya!


*******************
Holy smokehouse - O'Neill just dropped the bomb that three of Kerry's Band of Brothers dropped a dime on Kerry's Cambodia story and were later instructed not to speak to the private investigator again.

I wonder if that's when the word went out that the Band of Brothers would only speak through the campaign?

Whoa! Go, John O'Neill! Hurley's losing ground faster than he can make it up!
_________________
~ Echo Juliet ~
Altering course to starboard - On Fire, Keep Clear
Navy woman, Navy wife, Navy mother

[manelly]

EXCELLENT JOB JOHN

The Dems Are actually trying to support JK's lies with more lies

These guys must think we are as stupid as Michael Moore says we are,

But we got news for them don't we
_________________
Enlighten the people, generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like spirits at the dawn of day.
- Thomas Jefferson

[Navy_Navy_Navy]

Matthews had "Kerry Hack" written all over him - three times denigrating the service of the President in this one segment, three times in effect accusing John O'Neill of being a Republican shill, got very rude and nasty with him at the end, and John still kept going without getting nasty back to him.

Two against one and John O'Neill still came out looking like the better man!

Where was even the appearance of neutral moderation on this program?
_________________
~ Echo Juliet ~
Altering course to starboard - On Fire, Keep Clear
Navy woman, Navy wife, Navy mother

[jack white]

That did not go well, but I didn't expect better because of Matthews.

Notice how Matthews' got off Cambodia IMMEDIATELY?

When the host is in the tank for Kerry, planning to get a job as his speech writer, this is what you will get.

The best thing John did was flash the book twice

And, yes, come across as truthful, which Matthews and Hurley didn't.