Kerry For President! (He Supports The Troops AND Served in Vietnam!)

John "I Support the Troops of Ghengis Khan" Kerry reassures Bush voters that they made the right choice in 2004 by delivering this updated support for the troops at a campaign rally for Gubernatorial candidate Angelides in California:

“You know, education, if you make the most of it, if you study hard and you do your homework, and you make an effort to be smart, uh, you, you can do well. If you don’t, you get stuck in Iraq.”

The Captain wonders whether other Dems will denounce this.  As if!  Michelle Malkin is doing great outrage.

Here is a local paper covering the same event, giving us a bit of crow reax:

Hoping to breathe life into a flagging gubernatorial run, Democrats on Monday turned out a cast of party all-stars for Phil Angelides at a Pasadena City College appearance.

Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, state Assembly Speaker Fabian Nu ez and California Sen. Barbara Boxer all gave the California treasurer ringing endorsements, while telling about 370 PCC students that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger does not have their best interests in mind.

...But while the students showed proper enthusiasm for Angelides by waving his signs and wooing and booing at the right places, the energy in the room clearly belonged to Kerry. He took the stage to roaring applause and left it only to be mobbed by students and reporters.    

Kerry charmed the crowd with tales of surfing at Mission Beach and got laughs for a series of one liners, including telling the crowd he had just returned from Texas, "Where the president used to live - now he lives in a state of denial."

Kerry then told the students that if they were able to navigate the education system, they could get comfortable jobs - "If you don't, you get stuck in Iraq," he said to a mixture of laughter and gasps.

I want to say that having listened carefully to the audio, it is possible that Kerry was misunderstood - he did not say "if you study hard... you can do well. If you don’t, you get stuck in Iraq".  What he said was, unless you study hard "you get stuck with Democrats".

Well, maybe.

MORE:  This may simply be a well-done spoof site, but here is Kerry's "response".  Shorter Kerry - Your mother wears Army boots but you never did.  And Rush Limbaugh is fat.

As Teresa might say, quel clown.  Jiminy, Kerry had a choice: (a) apologize, get beaten for a news cycle, and move on, or (b) try to tough it out and turn this into a multi-day beat down.  Hey, (b) works for me.

Hot Air has more, including a CNN clip - apparently CNN is pushing this hard.

John McCain thinks Kerry owes the troops an apology:

Senator Kerry owes an apology to the many thousands of Americans serving in Iraq, who answered their country’s call because they are patriots and not because of any deficiencies in their education. Americans from all backgrounds, well off and less fortunate, with high school diplomas and graduate degrees, take seriously their duty to our country, and risk their lives today to defend the rest of us in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere.

They all deserve our respect and deepest gratitude for their service. The suggestion that only the least educated Americans would agree to serve in the military and fight in Iraq, is an insult to every soldier serving in combat, and should deeply offend any American with an ounce of appreciation for what they suffer and risk so that the rest of us can sleep more comfortably at night. Without them, we wouldn’t live in a country where people securely possess all their God-given rights, including the right to express insensitive, ill-considered and uninformed remarks.

KERRY'S SIDE:  From the Huffers we see that Kerry simply can't tell a joke - he meant to deliver a Bush-basher with "You end up getting us stuck in a war in Iraq" as the punchline.

Fine - Kerry should apologize for not being able to speak English as well as the typical recruit.  But enough already with Kerry delivering "Bush is dumb" jokes.

FROM HOTLINE:  Hotline asks a couple of presumably non-rhethorical questions:

Do Republicans really believe that Kerry wasn't talking about Pres. Bush? (We believe that Kerry was referring to Bush because he's used a similar formulation in our presence before and quite clearly meant to call Bush a dummy.)

Aren't Republicans being a bit intellectually dishonest by taking Kerry out of context?

As to the "context" question, the quote was clear enough and Kerry's non-apology was absurd enough.  Kerry's backdoor explanation - the quip was a Bush-basher that went awry - is probably true, but how would we have known that (Kerry has not used a similar formulation in our presence)?

As to believing that Kerry meant this as a troop-basher - well, it is hard to believe that he would have reflected carefully and said this.  However, Kinsley's definition of a gaffe applies - this appears to be a perfect case of a politician telling the truth.  Let me break it to Hotline gently - I think there are plenty of Republicans who don't believe the Democrats (and particularly the Democrats of Kerry's anti-war generation) have a visceral respect for the military.

Possible data points would include:

(a) Kerry's Winter Soldier testimony - many Swift Vets saw his characterization of the troops in Vietnam as murderous rapists akin to the army of Ghengis Khan as something like the opposite of support.

(b) Charles Rangel's call for a draft.  I understand he had many motivations, but his basic message is that the poor get stuck with serving because "the rich" have better choices.  That is quite consistent with Kerry's message of 'study hard, don't get stuck in Iraq'.

(c) Has Hotline checked the availaibilty of ROTC on Ivy campuses?

(d) Kerry is a liberal Northeasterner.  White Northeasterners are under-represented in military recruiting (Go West, and South, young man!).  I daresay that wealthy white liberal Northeasterners are very under-represented in military recruiting.  In Kerry's milieu, people don't enlist and their sons and daughter don't enlist.  Kerry himself only enlisted after his deferments ran out. [Lots on recruiting here; more in the CS Monitor.]

Look, it may not be fair to characterize Democrats as believing that military service is a last choice rather than a first choice, but I think many Republicans believe that of Dems, and not entirely without reason.  Consequently, I did not read Kerry's remark and immediately think that he could not have meant it.  As an alternative example, if Kerry had been quoted as mocking black people I would have immediately assumed his mouth had disconnected from his brain, as has happened before.

Comments

[clarice]

And if you really blow off college like Kerry did you get stuck being a Dem Senator from Massachusetts for life.

[nittypig]

To come up with a stretched defense of Kerry what if he meant to say:
"If you don't you end up leading the country to get stuck in Iraq."

I suspect he's taking a cheap shot at Bush rather than being a complete ass. Perhaps I give him too much cerdit.

[iqvoice]

His elitism and condescension just can't be restrained, can they? I can only imagine how insuferable we would have been as President.

[iqvoice]

His elitism and condescension just can't be restrained, can they? I can only imagine how insuferable he would have been as President.

[maryrose]

I shudder to think that this asshat{Kerry} came so close to being president in 2004. His disrespect for the military is legend and is the reason he lost in 2004. He now has a snowball's chance in hell of winning the nomination in 08. A good friend's husband }he's in his fifties } is a guardsman and has a college degree and is currently serving in Iraq. This lily-livered scum-bag{Kerry} has a lot of nerve taking cheap shots at the military. It's a classic Kerry {I voted for it before I voted against it} I can't wait to see the campaign ads using this footage. What a colossal moron.

[Scot]

Nitty, the comment was obnoxiously condescendingly despicable if directed at the troops, and obnoxiuosly cluelessly despicable if directed at the president. Six the one, half dozen the other...

Kerry's still a pompous jerk. Can't somebody remind him that his 15 minutes ended two years ago and ask him to sit down, shut up, and get out of the way? There are adults out there with real work to do.

[maryrose]

Scot:
I totally agree with your statement. Ditto for Bill Clinton!

[Sue]

Come on guys, we just aren't smart enough to understand Kerry's nuance. Give him a chance to explain what he meant.

[Jane]

Since he is my senator (she said with overwhelming shame) I just emailed him and demanded an apology to our troops. I'll let you know if I get a response.

[Squiggler]

Is this Kerry's idea of the way he is going to kick the asses of Vets who despise him, a la his threats against the Swifties a few months ago? I mean, maybe there were still one or two who were still willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Not good to have any honorable Vets or their families still in his corner, he is compelled to have them all hate him. After all, his Code Pink/John Murtha/great unwashed are sooooooo much smarter than we average humans.

[Squiggler]

UPDATE -- The two Hudson brothers whose house was raided yesterday as part of the wildfire arson investigation, both have rap sheets and are known as troublemakers. One of the brothers served time for arson. He burned down a mobile home because the occupant was gay. No arrests yet, but many bags taken out of the home including jugs from the garage and a computer.

[TexasToast]

I gotta agree and disagree with you Tom. You correctly point out that Malkin does faux outrage better than anyone, and then turn around and imply that Kerry actually was “disparaging the troops”

Weren’t you the one accusing Democrats of “faux” outrage in the Foley brouhaha?

The fact is that the military is “meeting“ its recruiting goals by significantly undermining the standards for new recruts. Sad, but true.

[Squiggler]

The facts are that studies show that the average level of education of active duty military is higher than the national average as a whole. The fact is that young men and women who can't afford ivy league educations or even city college, can get an education through their military service. My ex is a perfect example -- graduated h.s. at 17 with no money and no family college background. Joined the Navy, stayed in, advanced from enlisted thru the officer ranks with all the subsequent schools, retired 26 years later with his degree in Business Administration and walked into a mid-top management position with a major corporation and a six figure income. Without the military, he would have been relegated to low paying (min. wage) jobs. And unlike the coward Kerry, he actually earned his medals and wore them proudly. I doubt Kerry would be qualified to serve in today's high tech military.

[Sweetie]

Odd that a 'Senator for Life' would disparage troops for not being smart enough to make it in the private sector. Pot, kettle and all that.

Although technically Kerry has been successful in the private sector. Though marrying for money isn't normally considered a job.

[danking70]

McCain just called for him to apologize.

What a maroon.

[PoliticalCritic]

Kerry is worthless. Much like that other Democratic Senator in Massachusetts, he is just trying to stay relevant by staying in the news.

[pagar]

Or you can go where ever America's enemies are
and bow down and kiss their rear and adopt whatever plan they intend to use against America. In turn, you'll be rewarded by being
nominated for president of the US by a political party that cares a whole more for
America's enemies than they do for America.
The Democrat Party insulted every American who has ever; supported, fought for, died for, this great Nation, when they nominated John Kerry as their presidential candidate.
They continue to insult every American in uniform today by their continual support of
America's enemies. A vote for any Democrat
candidate in this upcoming election, is a vote against America, and an insult to every person serving in America's military today.
They have told every American, they will not
defend America, why would any American vote for them?

[Florence Schmieg]

Careful listening of the tape has been done and indeed it was directed against the troops. Also, the Heritage foundation has published a study showing that the demographics and educational level of military today disproves Kerry's thesis. When choosing which Kerry is the real one (Vietnam "hero" or anti-war zealot who maligned the troops), this statement shows his true colors.

[Florence Schmieg]

Also, I believe that the only job he has held outside of politics was as an assistant prosecutor somehere. That is not exactly a job in the private sector.

[Carol Herman]

Well, actually, in John Kerry's case, you need to be a delusional sociopath, who willingly marries rich bitches. A puke on his taste. And, for what passes as his morals.

[Bob]

Texas Toad... you're kidding right?

There's no way to spin this, other than this jackass Kerry just can't seem to keep his true inner feelings from showing through.

He betrayed his fellow soldiers in Vietnam, and he's at the front of the line to do it again to these great men and women now serving. Why the idiots of Massachusetts let him and the drunkard Kennedy stay in office, is a true embarrassment!

[Seixon]

Shorter Kerry: Only dummies go to Iraq.

[Old Dad]

The most charitable thign that I can conclude is that Kerry is simply a dope.

Besides, what self respecting Democrat would appear with Angelides at this stage of the debacle?

[Paul]

Kerry's statement:

If anyone thinks a veteran would criticize the more than 140,000 heroes serving in Iraq and not the president who got us stuck there, they're crazy. This is the classic G.O.P. playbook. I’m sick and tired of these despicable Republican attacks that always seem to come from those who never can be found to serve in war, but love to attack those who did.

I’m not going to be lectured by a stuffed suit White House mouthpiece standing behind a podium, or doughy Rush Limbaugh, who no doubt today will take a break from belittling Michael J. Fox’s Parkinson’s disease to start lying about me just as they have lied about Iraq. It disgusts me that these Republican hacks, who have never worn the uniform of our country lie and distort so blatantly and carelessly about those who have.

The people who owe our troops an apology are George W. Bush and Dick Cheney who misled America into war and have given us a Katrina foreign policy that has betrayed our ideals, killed and maimed our soldiers, and widened the terrorist threat instead of defeating it. These Republicans are afraid to debate veterans who live and breathe the concerns of our troops, not the empty slogans of an Administration that sent our brave troops to war without body armor.

Bottom line, these Republicans want to debate straw men because they’re afraid to debate real men. And this time it won’t work because we’re going to stay in their face with the truth and deny them even a sliver of light for their distortions. No Democrat will be bullied by an administration that has a cut and run policy in Afghanistan and a stand still and lose strategy in Iraq.

[Appalled Moderate]

I understand why this is news. I understand the great delight commentors are having in making Kerry a pinata. And, for such a dismissive comment, Kerry deserves all he gets.

Nonetheless, there is no way anyone (except, perhaps, Kerry) believes he's going to be the nominee in 2008. So the brouhaha is a bit academic, isn't it?

But one last observation for the lefties. Is an elite that manifests contempt for military service, contempt for the ideals of the country, and comtempt for misbegotten places like Kansas who fail to vote right wise, healthy, or even particularly progressive? There is a Marie Antoinette feel to the Vanity Fair/ Hollywood/Seattle axis that seems to me very toxic. My guess is that if the left could shed it, they could count on being in power for years on the basis of the nightmare brought to this nation by Bush/Rove.

But they just don't seem able to do it. hence, I suspect I will be remaining appalled, and moderate

[Sue]

So the brouhaha is a bit academic, isn't it?

Actually, I think his comment reflects the thoughts of other democrats as well. They are just smart enough to remain silent. Kind of funny, huh? You could have changed his comment to something along the lines of if you stay in school, get a decent education, you won't wind up with your foot in your mouth every time you open it.

[Bob]

yeah right Paul... get off the Kool-Aid, and then read a little History about your Democrat Heroes.

[Squiggler]

Paul -- total B.S. Kerry is scum. The entire anti-war movement is made up of scum. The boots on the ground in Iraq think we are doing the right thing there and they VOLUNTEER to go back again and again. Dick Cheney's service to his country includes serving in Congress and being SECRETARY OF DEFENSE. Ask anyone serving if they would rather serve under George Bush and Dick Cheney or John Kerry? Say John Kerry and be ready to run like hell. Vets and active duty know who the true patriots are, they know who to trust with their lives and/or legacy, and it "ain't" John Kerry and his scumbag ilk.

[Sue]

Come on y'all. Paul managed to use misled and Katrina in one sentence. It takes a special talent to do that.

[hit and run]

Seixon:
Shorter Kerry: Only dummies go to Iraq.

Yes, but subliminally Shorter Kerry really reads - only dummies went to Vietnam. And while as a broad sweeping statement it most certainly is not true, he does speak with absolute moral authority in at least one case specifically.

[roanoke]

Are people going to fall for the "I meant Bush before I meant the troops" excuse?

This is part and parcel of what the Democrats think of guys and gals willing to believe in something higher than themselves.

Kerry comes from "the better dead than red" crowd.

Actually he comes from the Vietnam era where the kids that didn't go to college were sent to Nam.....

He is pontificating from that old position.

That is how long it has been since the Democrats were in power.

That is why they still like these two ideas-

Bring back the draft!

Let the press beat us on the streets!

Imagine the field day the press would have if a prominent Republican had said this.

They'd want-

Investigations and-Resignations!

[Appalled Moderate]

Paul:

Is that your imagined statement, or did Kerry really say that? It's tone deaf enough and full enough of bogus machismo for Kerry. But I can't tell if he is denying he said what's on tape, or just refusing to apologize for some mysterious Kerry reason.

[SaveFarris]

Ladies and Gentleman, I think we've just seen Karl Rove's October Surprise...

[Paul]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I posted Kerry's statement. Those are not my words.

[clarice]

Paul was simply quoting Kerry's statement today.
http://www.johnkerry.com/news/releases/release.html?id=33

[Old Dad]

Kerry: "If anyone thinks a veteran would criticize the more than 140,000 heroes serving in Iraq..."

Perhaps in this one special sense, Iraq is like Vietnam. Kerry smears the vets.

[owl]

pagar said it best...The Democrat Party insulted every American who has ever; supported, fought for, died for, this great Nation, when they nominated John Kerry as their presidential candidate.

If we had decent MSM that actually researched facts, even the clueless young would have understood it. Of course, today's Dem would have just ignored that this is The Traitor of Vietnam.

[hit and run]

Fine, Mr. Senator

If anyone thinks a veteran would criticize the more than 140,000 heroes serving in Iraq and not the president who got us stuck there, they're crazy.

Call me crazy (warning, pdf):

And there is no reason, Bob, that young American soldiers need to be going into the homes of Iraqis in the dead of night, terrorizing kids and children, you know, women,

--John Kerry on CBS' Face the Nation, Dec 4, 2005

[molasky]

the interpretation that he was "criticising the troops" doesn't make sense. He was trying to take a dig at Bush.

[Appalled Moderate]

Um -- the intro to that press release is priceless:

"Senator John Kerry issued the following statement in response to White House Press Secretary Tony Snow, assorted right wing nut-jobs, and right wing talk show hosts desperately distorting Kerry’s comments about President Bush to divert attention from their disastrous record:"

I mean, the man is a US Senator, not a diarist on DailyKos.

[Cecil Turner]

So the brouhaha is a bit academic, isn't it?

Yeah, but it's fun. And ya never know, it might have legs: FLASH: McCain Calls On Kerry To Apologize. Probably no, but even if it just provides some cheap entertainment 'round here, Kerry remains the gift that keeps on giving.

My guess is that if the left could shed it, they could count on being in power for years on the basis of the nightmare brought to this nation by Bush/Rove.

At least until the next 9/11. Al Qaeda is down but not out, and wholesale withdrawal from the MidEast that'd form the centerpiece of Dem security strategy would eventually spark another attack. IMHO.

[Patrick R. Sullivan]

It's a Kinsleyian 'gaffe', a politician accidentally saying what he really thinks.

But only John Kerry would think he could talk his way out of it with a statement that reads like a Lileks spoof.

[molasky]

It was supposed to be a "bush is stupid" joke: “You get US stuck in Iraq”, he meant to say.

[Jane]

"Katrina foriegn policy"

I swear I know some of the people making this shit up. It all sounds so familiar, and sooooo Massachusetts.

Kerry sounds like every smug moonbat on the planet. Anyone who disagrees with them is too bloody stupid to live and that includes our soldiers.

His response is nearly as bad as his original words. He really really really needs to go.

BTW Kennedy is up for re-election this year. I have not seen one ad, or one sign or one piece of news about his opponant who I just recently found out is named "Chase".

[molasky]

however, CNN is reporting it as if he were actually saying "the troops are stupid." This is actually worse than the Allen claim that Webb is a pedophile.

[hit and run]

Appaled Moderate:
I mean, the man is a US Senator, not a diarist on DailyKos.

Um, well, actually...

[TexasIsHeaven]

And I am going to throw up if I hear or see one more remark about Hurricane Katrina.

The City of New Orleans have known for years that if a Cat 4 or 5 ever hit the city directly that the levees would not hold. I lived there - I know. And the attitude was always it won't happen in our lifetime so why worry.

Those of us who live on the Gulf Coast know the risks - we know when Hurricane season comes there is a chance we will get hit.

The city was not evacuated when it should have been - they had plenty of warning. Hurricanes are weather events - they are not man made.

And if you do get hit - you clean up the mess and go on - you don't sit on your dead ass and blame the President and wallow in your "victim hood" Please stop with the whining and bed wetting and hand wringing.

[clarice]

Molasky,He is saying the troops are stupid.

[Paul]

Quick damage control: Kerry will hold a press conference in 30 minutes. We can only hope he says that he will not be swiftboated again.

[hit and run]

Just read on NRO's Corner that Jim Webb has a son in Iraq.

Someone get that guy a microphone.

[clarice]

Rove saved his October surprise--Kerry is a stupid jerk and will kill his party--for the last possible moment.

[arrowhead]

He should immediately call the press and PROFOUNDLY apologize to all those who are currently serving or have EVER served in the military for his insulting, insensitive and erroneous comments --- but he won't.

[clarice]

For the record:
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2005/06/07/yale_grades_portray_kerry_as_a_lackluster_student/

Maranass of the WaPo did a better job on comparing Bush and Kerry's school records, but that article is harder to find.

[Jane]

Rove saved his October surprise

I wonder how Rove gets Kerry to say this stuff. He's a bloody GENIUS!

[roanoke]

The people who owe our troops an apology are George W. Bush and Dick Cheney who misled America into war and, have given us a Katrina foreign policy that has betrayed our ideals, killed and maimed our soldiers, and widened the terrorist threat instead of defeating it.

OK....what the heck is he saying?

"Katrina Foreign Policy"-quick somebody get me the Paris traitor translator-

[clarice]

Just get him speaking engagements in front of people as stupid and arrogant as he is--i.e. college students.

[Bob]

Kerry... the gift that keeps on giving! Aren't you suppose to stop digging when your in a hole.

And isn't it funny how only the moonbats heard the joke as being directed towards Bush. Another fine example of Bush Derangement Syndrome.

[clarice]

"American Legion to Sen. Kerry: Apologize Now 10/31/2006 1:49:00 PM To: National Desk Contact: Ramona Joyce, 202-263-2982 or 202-445-1161 (cell), Joe March, 317-630-1253 or 317-748-1926 (cell), both of the American Legion INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 31 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The National Commander of The American Legion called on Sen. John Kerry to apologize for suggesting that American troops in Iraq are uneducated. "As a constituent of Senator Kerry's I am disappointed. As leader of The American Legion, I am outraged," said National Commander Paul A. Morin. "

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=75399

[Sue]

It would seem that Kerry holds us all in the same contempt he holds those who serve the military. He is now trying to insult our intelligence by claiming he was referring to George Bush. The man is a maroon.

[Jane]

He's toast as a serious presidential candidate. Now the important thing is to make sure he is toast in MA too.

[clarice]

Get Murtha a mike!
"MONONGAHELA, October 31) -- Washington County Commissioner and Pennsylvania 12th district Republican Congressional nominee Diana Irey -- responding to remarks by U.S. Senator John Kerry (the most recent presidential nominee of the political party to which Jack Murtha owes his allegiance), who yesterday declared before a gathering of students that, "You know education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework, and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. And if you don't, you get stuck in Iraq" -- today released this statement:

"Will Jack Murtha stand with the men and women of the American military and TODAY demand an apology on their behalf from his good friend Senator John Kerry? Or will Jack Murtha continue his cut-and-run campaign and refuse to take a stand on this matter of honor and respect?

"Senator Kerry's comments suggesting that only the less-educated and less-smart 'end up in Iraq' are insulting in the extreme to every man and woman who has worn our nation's colors in Iraq -- and, frankly, they are insulting in the extreme to every man and woman who has EVER worn our nation's colors, period.

"Insulting, yes. Surprising, no. Given the records of men like John Kerry and Jack Murtha -- both of whom claim that their prior records of military service give them license to say whatever they wish about the men and women now serving in our armed forces -- it's not surprising at all that John Kerry would insult our armed forces. "

http://www.irey.com/printer/article.asp?c=37046

Happy Halloween:
"Kerry gives fellow Dems Halloween trick

Posted by Frank James at 11:00 am CST

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) really has a way with words. Fortunately for Karl Rove, it’s a way that makes keeping a Republican Congress easier.

For Republicans, Kerry is the gift that keeps on giving. For Democrats, he’s turning out to be the October surprise and Halloween all wrapped into one."
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/news_theswamp/2006/10/kerry_gives_fel.html

[Sue]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I posted Kerry's statement. Those are not my words.

My apologies. It read like a spoof. It is truly worse than I thought. The man is not only a maroon, he is an idiot to boot.

[Bob]

I just couldn't resist going over to the DU for their take on this

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2525839>KERRY: "I’m not going to be lectured by a stuffed suit White House mouthpiece"

Blue State Native
Tue Oct-31-06 01:51 PM
Response to Reply #19
71. So Kerry made the statement on purpose knowing it would piss off

the repugs, so he could respond and showcase their lies and miserable policy failures, or something like that? And they fell for it, hook, line and sinker. :rofl: Pure genius!

Yup there you have it "pure genius" he planned this, just like the swift boat reaction!

[maryrose]

Old Dad:
I loved your comment-"Kerry is just a dope". It made my day and in fact is so true. And this is the best the dems had to offer in 04.? God help us. In 08 if Hil is seriously considered then the dems have learned nothing. The only candidate they have that makes a lick of sense is Bill Richardson who at least knows you don't raise taxes and then expect to get elected.Barack Obama or Evan Bayh would be good also. I like Mitt Romney and Guiliani as possibilities for the repubs.

[Sue]

Yup there you have it "pure genius" he planned this, just like the swift boat reaction!

That man isn't smart enough to pour piss out of a boot with instructions written on the heel.

[clarice]

That release isn't cutting it. He called for a press conference today at 2 and is late for it.

This should be fun to watch:"I was mistaped"?

[Sue]

I wish Kerry would debate the 'empty suit behind the podium' at the WH. He is referring to Tony Snow. Kerry would last about 2 seconds in a debate with Tony.

[maryrose]

We all know what a great debater Kerry fancies himself to be. He's such a moron he doesn't know he's stepped in it.
Sue:
"Pour piss out of a boot with instructions on it" Second best comment of the day on this blog.

[Sue]

If we don't join the military, we're fat ("doughy" like Rush Limbaugh) cowardly chickenhawk nutjobs.

If we do join it, we're just drooling morons.

I like http://ace.mu.nu/>Ace's take on John F'n Kerry.

[clarice]

Fox is now shooting the empty chair as Kerry still hasn't shown up for his presser.

[Jane]

empty chair

Kerry - empty chair, is there a difference?

[Sue]

Clarice,

LOL.

[Sue]

You too, Jane. ::grin::

Kerry really is the gift that keeps on giving. Even CNN has been running his comments.

[Bob]

"That man isn't smart enough to pour piss out of a boot with instructions written on the heel"

Brilliant Sue! I must remember that one... I'll just have to make sure I only use it if it reaches the level of "Kerry Stupid".

[Sue]

I wouldn't be surprised if he views this controversy as an opportunity—to prove that now he's ready to fight back, he'll never let himself get "swift-boated" again, etc. etc.

Rich Lowry's take on http://corner.nationalreview.com/>NRO

[Other Tom]

Here's what right-wing nutball John S. McCain has to say:

"Senator Kerry owes an apology to the many thousands of Americans serving in Iraq, who answered their country's call because they are patriots and not because of any deficiencies in their education. Americans from all backgrounds, well off and less fortunate, with high school diplomas and graduate degrees, take seriously their duty to our country, and risk their lives today to defend the rest of us in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere.

"They all deserve our respect and deepest gratitude for their service. The suggestion that only the least educated Americans would agree to serve in the military and fight in Iraq, is an insult to every soldier serving in combat, and should deeply offend any American with an ounce of appreciation for what they suffer and risk so that the rest of us can sleep more comfortably at night. Without them, we wouldn't live in a country where people securely possess all their God-given rights, including the right to express insensitive, ill-considered and uninformed remarks."

I guess that, among other things, McCain and Texas Toast disagree on the quality of the men and women now entering the service. With all due respect, I'll go with McCain's assessment.

[Geek, Esq.]

Please, someone get him to go away. Jeebus.

[Jane]

Well I think we should seize on this moment to drive John Kerry out of office. It's what Kos would do.

[Sue]

Thanks you guys, but I can't take credit for it. Just repeating a saying I've heard when someone is as dumb as a fence post.

[Bob]

Chicago Tribune

http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/news_theswamp/2006/10/kerry_gives_fel.html>Kerry gives fellow Dems Halloween trick

[Sue]

including the right to express insensitive, ill-considered and uninformed remarks.

I can hardly stand John McCain. On this one though, I'll heartily agree with him.

[Jane]

So far:

"It's all Bush's fault that I said that".

[Jane]

"This is a textbook republican strategy. I'm not going to stand around and let it happen

This is a classic GOP textbool republican campaign tactic and I'm sick and tired of it?"

[Jane]

"I'm not going to lectured by a whitehouse and Ruch linbaugh who are going to lie about me"

Back to the "Katrina foreign policy.

The republicans are afraid to debate real men in this country."

[mark c.]

Well, he didn't apologize. he did mention Katrina and failed policy alot.

[arrowhead]

Unbelievable! He raises obfuscation to an art form.

You succeeded in fooling the American public in 1971, Mr. Kerry. Not again. Not ever again!

[Jane]

"John McCain knows I never said that and wouldn't say that. John McCain should ask Don Rumsfeld for an apology

Americans know my true feeling."

What did you mean?

"Those who didn't study it properly got us into Iraq

That was clearly a remark directed at the administration."

[Jane]

Boy that was a HUGE Mistake!

[roanoke]

Wow. How many times can a politican fit "I" and "me" into a statement?

I agree with John.

He is sick.

He is tired.

"One more question and then I gotta run." Sen. Kerry.

Hey! Finally the Democratic "answer" to Iraq.

[mark c.]

thank god he reported for duty in time for the election!

[hit and run]

John McCain knows I never said that and wouldn't say that. John McCain should ask Don Rumsfeld for an apology

Rumsfeld should hold a press conference:

"I apologize that John Kerry is a dumbass."

[Old Dad]

Maryrose,

Happy to be of service.

Kerry really is an odd duck isn't he? He's apparently modestly intelligent, but for the life of me, I can't make sense out of the foolishness that crosses his lips.

W can mangle the King's English with the best of them, but Kerry's got to be one of the top 10 gaffers of all time.

[clarice]

Kerry never apologized. After knocking over the mike, he called himself a real man, said it was a botched joke, accused McCain of being a liar, and attacked Cheney, Rush and Bush.

He's due to campaign for Casey tomorrow...LOL

[Jane]

Campaign Carl says that this could have the same effect as the WEllstone memorial in 2002, forcing every democrat candidate to deal with it for the next week.

[Sue]

He called it a botched joke? Then why the earlier statement? That didn't mention a botched joke? He must think people, other than him, are really stupid. Oh wait. I forgot the earlier posting from DU. There are some as stupid as he is.

[clarice]

It would be just like the Wellstone funeral if Wellstone had committed suicide and buried himself live on tv.

[maryrose]

Once again Kerry has proven himself to be nothing more than a posturing foppish nutjob in the guise of a failed politician. Blame others for all his shortcomings. Imagine him talking about surfing to a California crowd. Yeah- windsurfing-anyway the wind blows.

[Sue]

http://ace.mu.nu/>Ace is on a roll.

The old "study hard or you'll end up President" motivational speech. If I heard it once in high school, I heard it a thousand times.

[owl]

Anyone notice....that man fought!!!! Everyone knows this!!!! He alone put on his Superman Cape, went to Vietnam for 3 months, collected enough Metals to get out, decides to Solve a little war problem since he had so Much Experience and Maturity. I mean this fighter even Met with our enemies to try to Solve Vietnam. Superman testified to Congress because he had so Much Experience in his Three Months that only HE was needed. Shortest stint in history.

Kerry, the fighter, went to Vietnam, doncha know? Those 250+ and those prisoners of 5 YEARS are Nothing. Swifties.....geesh!

[Bob]

How does Karl Rove do it... It's like some kind of mind control thing. All he needs to do is think this stuff up, and some dopey Democrat like Kerry will oblige!

I wonder if he can bend spoons with that mind of his. He certainly can make the moonbats spew out the dumbest stuff!