SwiftVets.com

[azpatriot]

Kerry Stiffed
By Wlady Pleszczynski
Published 10/9/2004 2:53:41 AM


ANNANDALE, Va. -- The story line this weekend will be that President Bush did a lot better, and John Kerry not as well, in their second debate. The only worry now is that in Arizona Wednesday the two will again be behind lecterns, which will once again play to Kerry's advantage and Bush's distinct disadvantage.

The Washington Post's often astute, sometimes maddening TV critic Tom Shales has already declared Bush the St. Louis winner on style, Kerry on the winner on substance. Coming from a Dan Rather liberal, that's saying something. Specifically, that Kerry lost on both counts. In liberal eyes the fix is always in on substance -- by definition there's no way a nonliberal can win here. What's more, the superiority on that front is supposed to go hand in hand with stylistic command. When it doesn't, it's a dark day indeed.

Poor Kerry. Without a lectern to tower over, he was a freak show. Perhaps John Edward can sue the television camera manufacturers. But exposed in his thin tallness on the stage floor, particularly when caught in profile, Kerry came across as some sad mix of scarecrow and arthritis sufferer, unable to bend his back at all or even take an unstiff step.

Bush by contrast thrived. No longer short he was in his sauce -- because he was among people. It's no accident his best performances have always seen him in a sea of humanity. (Yes, even on the USS Lincoln.) He was made to be seen with others. He easily leads because he likes and is liked by those he serves.

Kerry is another matter entirely. As someone has said, he can't help but treat people like help, and even to remind them they're help. Has anyone ever said anything more revealing than Kerry Friday night, apropos his tax hike promises on higher income brackets, when he said: "And looking around here, at this group here, I suspect there are only three people here who are going to be affected: the president, me, and, Charlie, I'm sorry, you too."

And looking around here, in this tacky auditorium? At this group of obvious nobodies? That's what he meant. By the way, he forgot to include his wife among the high rollers in the room. Or to convey any understanding of the American dream, more importantly.

There were some surprises. The awfulness of the town hall format was mitigated by the participation of some fine and serious citizens. The few dolts gave themselves away, usually by not having the good grace to wear a tie to such an event or being able to read the question they themselves had composed. The pointed questions seemed mainly directed at Kerry, and they all came from women. In response to Ann Bronsing's question about why no further attacks on U.S. soil since 9/11, Kerry stumbled badly, his practiced smoothness suddenly giving way to confusion ("…it's not a question of when, it's a question of -- excuse me -- not a question of if, it's a question of when. We've been told that") and lots of filler about the need for good intelligence. Before he was done he jumped back to answer an earlier questioner. (He did that several times in the evening, picking up on John Edwards' bad habit.) Two pro-life questions just about finished him off, in part because they allowed Bush to drive home some key points, but also because they brought out the NARAL side of Kerry which requires him to use the mother's health excuse as his reason for backing partial birth abortion and to oppose parental notification because all teen pregnancies apparently stem from incestuous rape.

Charlie Gibson will hear it from his colleagues for allowing those questions through. But has there been a lovelier and sweeter young American at such an event than Sarah Degenhart, who asked the second pro-life question? You have to wonder what tax bracket she'll end up in when she gets to heaven.


Wlady Pleszczynski is editorial director of The American Spectator and editor of this website.
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[zinfella]

[quote="azpatriot"]


"Charlie Gibson will hear it from his colleagues for allowing those questions through. But has there been a lovelier and sweeter young American at such an event than Sarah Degenhart, who asked the second pro-life question? You have to wonder what tax bracket she'll end up in when she gets to heaven."

Didn't you just love the one sided question that Gibson allowed to Dubya, when the woman asked if he had made any mistakes, and would he please name three of them? What a freebee for John F-ing Kerry! For that alone, Gibson goes to that place where no excuse lets you out. Talk about biased moderating!!!!!!!!!

Sarah, looked to me to be on the verge of tears, and the question was chock full of emotion, giving John F-ing Kerry a swift kick in the slats, and highlighting his inability to escape his LIBERAL stance on the issue. Of course Dubya handled it with complete confidence.

John F-ing Kerry is totally out of touch with most people in this country, and these debates are showing it.
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No whiners!

[Guest]

[zinfella]

[rparrott21]

and now trying to interfer with one down under...A man in touch with the common man...give me a break..

[Nomorelies]

I am amazed that Kerry can look into an audience and quickly determine that none of the plebians make $200,000 or more a year. Did he look at the labels on their clothes? The cut of their jibs? The hair? The way they walked. Geez. What an aristocratic boob.

Frankly, I've met Ted Turner in person and he looked like he had slept in his suit. Kerry should be called on the carpet for that elitist statement.

"I can tell by the way you dress that you are a nobody."
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[Ellis]

>>> But has there been a lovelier and sweeter young American at such an event than Sarah Degenhart, who asked the second pro-life question?


I half expected Kerry to answer according to his recent stump speeches - that her views were right-wing extremism. But of course he did not.

Bush effectively busted Kerry for his extreme votes against every moderate attempt to regulate the worst extremes of abortion legislation. Bush would be wise to turn the heat up on this issue.

[Ellis]

>>> But has there been a lovelier and sweeter young American at such an event than Sarah Degenhart, who asked the second pro-life question?


I half expected Kerry to answer according to his recent stump speeches - that her views were right-wing extremism. But of course he did not.

Bush effectively busted Kerry for his extreme votes against every moderate attempt to regulate the worst extremes of abortion legislation. Bush would be wise to turn the heat up on this issue.

[MrJapan]

[shadowy]

I'm from St. Louis, and I'm here to tell you, we have multiple Walmarts here and we don't even need 'em! Lots of us can afford to go to one of our many retail sporting goods stores and buy flashy spandex windsurfing togs and big daisy zipper pulls for our snowboarding jackets.
We even have us some hairdressers here that could glue down that wig so nothing short of a Florida hurricane could move it, and they charge like trial lawyers, too.

I guess John Kerry doesn't recognize rich people who fit in with average Americans, instead of towering so very far above them on their high, high horse.

[Nomorelies]

For the record, my son makes in excess of the $200 thousand magic mark. He also has three young kids and a wife to support. He also has to save for his kids college educations, pay for his home, cars vacations, medical bills and he tithes 10% to his church. He coaches little league football and baseball. He teaches Sunday School and counsels preteens. He is not rich by any means. He is comfortable. He works hard and contributes to society. So why should John Kerry want to punish my 36 year old son? He is also a small business owner and has 8 employees. Increasing his tax burden will take away the money he needs to grow his business and hire more people. The $200K mark anymore is not rich. Why does John Kerry think that amount is the very wealthiest?????

Rich is Terrreeeezzzza at a billion of her former husband's dollars.

Do we belive that an income of $200K means a person is rich?
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[depotoo]

one of the greatest things Kerry could have done in my opinion WAS make that remark - showing how shallow he really is to all the world to see.
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May God Bless us all and let truth reign.

[Stevie]

[Stevie]

[fr11]