John Kerry Responds
John Kerry took time today to speak about the speech he made yesterday and the distortions that have appeared today.
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And here’s what Max Cleland had to say this afternoon:
And here’s what Max Cleland had to say this afternoon:
“I think people will remember John Kerry’s press conference today as the moment we Democrats stopped once and forever accepting the disgraceful smears of Republicans. John Kerry showed our Party how to fight back with the truth.“John Kerry is a patriot who has fought tooth and nail for veterans ever since he came home from Vietnam. He has stood with his brothers in arms unlike this Administration which exploits our troops to make a political point and divide America.
“John Kerry should apologize to no one for his criticism of the President and his broken policy in Iraq. George Bush is the one who owes our troops an apology. This is text book Republican campaign tactics.
“Everybody knows it’s not working this time around. 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’ve got a partisan political agenda and that’s the bottom line. We’re not going to take it any more.”
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Ed Schultz weighs in:
http://audio.wegoted.com/podcasting/103106ShowOpen.mp3
Thanks for this video. I watched it earlier. Maybe some folks from the earlier thread will actually watch it and know that he was talking about Bush’s failed policies.
Clearly, he was not disrespecting the troops.
Senator Kerry is a man of his word, and his explanation is not only good enough, it’s the real truth about Bush’s failed policies that people need to hear!
Senator, come on man, you don’t really mean that do you?
That our heroes are not intelligent enough to stay out of Iraq and the military? I’m very disappointed in you. I thought you were a better man than that.
Now we know that you’re a waste of presidential looks. Physically, you sure look like a president and your voice sounds very presidential, but your beliefs about our military are definitely not presidential.
You just hurt the feelings of 150,000 American troops serving in Iraq. Are you gonna turn your back on them now after serving honorably in Vietnam? You’re just helping out the worst President in US history if you refuse to apologize and keep stirring up trouble.
Both you, John Kerry, and your former opponent, George W. Bush, are idiots. You for insulting our military and Bush for getting us into this Iraq mess.
Dear Senator Kerry;
You don’t need to apologize for your service to our country. You don’ t need to apologize for speaking out against a failed policy. The only people who need to apologize are the people who want to stay the course. Oh, I forgot, George Bush never said that. My brother served in Vietnam . I ‘m proud of his service and yours. Thank you for speaking up for true Americans. Keep up the good work and I hope to vote for you again in 2008.
Thank you for speaking up.
Roger Goppelt
A taxpayer
“ I remember Vietnam”
Mike, he was not talking about the troops. He was talking about Bush.
Have you never misspoken? Damn, the man’s been on the road campaigning nonstop for the past month. Everyone makes mistakes.
His words about Bush’s failure are no mistake, though. They’re the truth!
It’s pretty obvious “Mike” doesn’t really know what the Senator said.
Doesn’t Mike owe John Kerry an apology for being ill-informed?
FINALLY something the ‘wingers can rage about.
A mangled joke.
I’m so, so happy for them. {{{’wingers}}}
Ask John Kerry to call his Democratic Generals who have served this country so proudly and ask them how they feel. I for one am a college graduate, served my country and now work hard to take care of my family and grow our economy. John Kerry should be ashamed. He is doing our party an injustice by making those comments. By the way, I AM a democrat!!!!!!
Edited by moderator. As stated above the comment box, please be respectful of the opinions of others, and keep in mind that children may be reading this site.
It just goes to show, one must watch every syllable that comes out of one’s mouth! Mr. Kerry has been in this business long enough to know that such a remark would be snipped out and blasted across the country. This is going to do our close run to take Congressional seats big harm--face it! Now more than ever get your friends out to vote, or we will be looking down Bush’s and cohorts’ gun barrels at least two more years!
FROM DAILYKOS
The John Kerry nonsense
by kos
Tue Oct 31, 2006 at 02:31:16 PM PST
Man, there are times when this stuff is more ridiculous than anything a fiction writer or satirist could ever dream up.
So John Kerry mangles a sentence in a public appearance, and the right-wing smear machine and its traditional media enablers are apoplectic. I mean, John Kerry is a, um, junior senator not running for reelection! And he’s, um, a war hero who hates the troops! And um, we hate him because he’s John Kerry!
Trust me, I haven’t been shy to pile on Kerry when warranted, but what a load of bullshit this is. And showing that he has learned from his Swiftboating days, Kerry hit back hard:
“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 .”
Kerry has nothing to apologize for. The people who have turned their backs on the troops do. And even though this ridiculousness will lead the evening news, fact is, we should embrace the opportunity to remind Americans how Republicans rally to the “troops” defense only when it suits their own cynical political ends.
Like John McCain, who said indignantly today:
“I go out to Walter Reed quite often and see these brave young soldiers who have served and sacrificed so much. Many of them have lost limbs, as you know. And it’s a very sad thing to see. But at the same time it’s very uplifting.
Sure. Uplifting. Except he said this at a campaign appearance with Pete Roskam, who is running against Democrat Tammy Duckworth—an Iraq war vet who lost both her legs in combat.
I don’t think he intended to be ironic.
Kerry responded perfectly. Perhaps not in a way that the DC wise men would approve, those Gang of 500 fools who have enabled this administration’s disasters at home and abroad.
Perhaps not in a way that will appease the 101st Fighting Keyboardists and their acolytes who would rather talk tough than actually show genuine courage by enlisting in the armed forces.
And sure, not in a way that will appease Republicans hoping to find anything to desperately detract from their crappy policies, crappy candidates, and lie- and hate-filled campaigns.
Yeah, those people won’t be happy with Kerry’s response.
But in this case, Kerry responded the right way. Not by bowing to the full blast of the right wing noise machine, but by standing up to it on behalf of our troops, our nation, and the truth.
Update: From a comment in a different thread by cecil vortex:
One surprise: just heard Tweety say flat out that reading the full transcript it’s clear that Kerry was insulting the president, not the troops. Dick Armey was on at the time and essentially agreed and laughed about how funny it was that the GOP was feigning mock outrage. Ha ha. Ha ha. Funny funny GOP.
If Republicans want to debate who supports the troops more, let’s have that debate. I’d love to talk about nothing else than Iraq for the next week.
And for the rest of you who think this is the end of the world—stop being afraid of your own shadow. Just stop it. Fight or get out of the kitchen. It will get hotter than even this.
From the Independents for Kerry Blog:
http://ifk-johnkerry.blogspot.com/2006/10/white-house-attacks-kerrys-iraq.html
Thank you, Senator Kerry, for standing up for your beliefs and refusing to back down in face of the lies and distortion of the Republican attack machine. Anyone who takes the time to inform themselves of your beliefs knows that you would never disrespect our soldiers. But this administration deserves no respect whatsoever. It’s about time someone stood up and called their Iraq policy the sham that it is. Again, thank you Senator Kerry. Keep fighting for us.
I agree with John’s statement about troops in Iraq as keeping grades up may obtain a degree and employment, but if grades fail and student has to enter the present job market, with the current administrations attack on the middle class, a job may not be found and the service may be the only employment opportunity (as it is with the poorer people) for the dropout or below average graduate.
Anyone who honestly thinks that John Kerry, a person known for his integrity and vocal support of our troops, would actually “insult our military” is either supremely ignorant or has a political agenda to smear a good, honest leader.
I agree with Mr. Kerry--the way the Bush administration is using this non-story amounts to abuse of our troops. They are out there fighting and giving their lives because they made a commitment to do so. That’s brave and heroic. Bush’s lies and manipulation and the way he hides behind the troops to try to deflect criticism of his asinine policies is--as Kerry aptly put it--"despicable."
John Kerry is a much-needed voice of truth. It is Mr. Bush who owes Mr. Kerry and the rest of the world an apology--for his lies, for shirking his responsibility, and for putting his greed and hunger for power over the safety and welfare of not just our own military but also that of thousands of Iraqis. It truly is a horrible, reprehensible shame on our country.
Thank you, Mr. Kerry, for speaking out today--even though you shouldn’t have had to.
From the Kerry ‘08 blog:
http://kerryforpresident2008.blogspot.com/2006/10/are-american-soldiers-stuck-in-iraq.html
“Sometimes we can speak the truth by saying something we never intended to say at all!”
Durimg the 2004 campaign with almost 3,000 Americans blown to bits, our illustrious leader made this statement, or something very close to it - “I don’t know where Osama Bin Laden is, and I don’t care?” Well thats obvious because he decided to get this country bogged down in a civil war in Iraq rathe then capture the maniac who actually attacked us.
I think Kerry was warning college students that if we stay in Iraq the draft is inevitable. His remark I’m pretty sure was in its proper context - “stay in school or lose your college deferment”.
Are the Republicans so desperate that they are trying to glom onto this? Gimme a break. I got a newsflash for you Karl -straight out of CSI Miami - “We Can’t Get Fooled Again.” And by the war WHERE IS BIN LADEN? I know where he is. Sitting somewhere in the hills of Pakistan thanking Allah for George Bush - and the Neo Cons. The best friends a terrorist ever had.
Dear Senator,
You should apoligize for your comment, even if it was supposed to be directed at President Bush. Calling a man intellectually lazy, isn’t a very tasteful joke. Didn’t you mother ever tell you “If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”
PS
@ Mike
I can think of worse Presidents than Bush, trust me.
GV and others:
Yes we have all misspoken, but sometimes it’s better just to take the high road and apologize. How many political scandals have been created not because of the original act, but in a botched repair job afterwards.
John Kerry,
Today your response to the White House is the reason why I am re-energized to put an end to this sad chapter in the history of this great country of ours. Your response is proof that American leadership of the finest caliber is alive and well and, more than ever, needs to be asserted to turn this country back in the right direction. It starts with truth and is maintained simply by speaking it to all those who would try and distort it for all the world to hear. I, like millions, need to hear it - again and again especially when the same old lies are all we ever hear. You spoke it today and I, for one, am ready to join you again to make our country the way it should be. My contribution of $100 is on its way and the next phonecall I make is to my local Democratic Party office to offer my help and support.
Thank you John Kerry.
Fighting back against Bush & Company is fighting for America.
Tom Tripp
ANOTHER ONE FROM KOS:
NBC/WSJ Poll: Democrats With Commanding Lead, Iraq’s The Reason
by DemFromCT
Tue Oct 31, 2006 at 03:51:21 PM PST
As for overreacting to the Bush-Kerry non-story, a slow news day is detrimental to in depth news coverage, it seems. While the cable news producers may think it’s important, it is not likely that anyone in the voting public cares.
Iraq? That’s a different story altogether. From the WSJ:
President Bush is getting a bit more credit from voters for positive economic news, but there is little sign the modest bump is benefiting fellow Republicans in a midterm election campaign dominated by voters’ anxieties about Iraq.
A week before Election Day, the new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll shows the president receiving improved marks for handling the economy, an issue Republicans are increasingly emphasizing in their 11th-hour attempts to hold their congressional majorities. Amid rising stock values and falling gas prices, Mr. Bush essentially breaks even on the issue with 46% of voters approving his economic stewardship and 48% disapproving. That is up from 39% approval and 56% disapproval in June.
Yet raging violence in Baghdad in recent weeks has further darkened Americans’ mood about Iraq—the issue voters call most important to their election decision-making. The result: voters want Democrats rather than Republicans to control Congress by a 15-point margin, 52% to 37%. That gap matches the record for the question in Journal/NBC polls, set earlier in October.
“Iraq sits in the middle of this election,” says Bill McInturff, the Republican pollster who helps conduct the Journal/NBC survey. While Republicans may welcome voters’ improving attitudes toward the economy, adds Democratic counterpart Peter Hart, “they’re getting swamped on the issue of Iraq.”
In fact, the poll demonstrates how attitudes on Iraq in effect translate into voters’ ballot choices. A 54% majority of the electorate now says removing Saddam Hussein from power wasn’t worth the human and financial costs—the highest percentage in the Journal/NBC poll since the war began in March 2003. Among those voters, fully eight in 10 want Democrats to control Congress after the elections.
But among the 37% who say the war has been worthwhile, seven in 10 want Republicans in charge on Capitol Hill. Among all voters, 61% say they feel “less confident” the war will end successfully, while just 27% feel “more confident” about the outcome.
Cook’s numbers and analysis was presented earlier. The generic polling numbers support the thesis that little has changed. And according to the poll, if you think the Iraq war was not worth it (and that’s 54% of the public), you will wants Democrats to control Congress over Republicans by 82-10.
That’s a lot of votes.
I believe that Sen. Kerry’s original comments were meant to be a well deserved blast at Bush, but it came across the wrong way to many people. I’m afraid that this misinterpretation may hurt some of the democratic candidates that Sen. Kerry has worked so hard to promote and I think he should apologize for the way this comment came across and try to do as much damage control as possible at this critical time before next Tuesday’s election.
Two planes reportedly collide on the ground at Newark International Airport, New Jersey. No word on injuries yet.
Joyce:
As we have written repeatedly, the comments Senator Kerry made were at the President. NOT at the troops.
And please, before you say Democrats are soft on terrorists, there are more terrorists AND Al Qaeda in Iraq now that Bush has us IN Iraq than before.
Its the President who insults our troops by risking THEIR lives without having an exit strategy--or even thinking harder about other means of dealing with terrorirsts WITHOUT having to send our troops in without enough support.
If you believe what the President says about his respect for the troops, then why would you let a man who continues to lead our soldiers into battle without a clear-cut case for being there stay in command? If any general did that to his troops, would he be at his command for long?
THAT is the real tragedy behind this distraction you’re participating in against John Kerry. Have you thought about the over 100 Americans who died in the last two days? Or is this alleged insult, which really DID NOT HAPPEN, more important to you?
Think about it.
AND FOR ALL OF YOU WHO THINK THIS IS GOING TO STEM THE TIDE FOR THE MIDTERMS, SEE THE KOS ARTICLE ABOVE:
It’s still about the war.
Not one vote is going to be lost over Senator Kerry’s statement! In fact, I think he just inspired a few thousand more people to vote the Republicans out!
Phony outrage can’t mask the horror Bush created in Iraq!
Go ahead John Kerry! But Kerry should repeat more clearly what he said. Repeat, Repeat REPEAT:
George W. Bush takes pride in his “C” grade point average. American students must become better, smarter students.
George Bush and the Republican criticize Affirmative Action programs, but George Bush was a recipient of a special kind of affirmative “legacy” action in getting admitted into Yale U.
George Bush came into the office of President with little or no foreign policy experience and too little experience traveling or studying abroad, American education students must become better at learning other languages and cultures.
George Bush’s administration can be faulted on a lack of intelligence before 9-11-2006.
Now some Bush administration officials are claiming that things are getting better in Iraq. State of denial.
The Bush cabinet is a group of arm-chair generals sending other Americans and Americans’ children to an unnecessary war in Iraq!
The lesson or moral is: if George Bush had done better in school, had studied abroad, had learned more about other cultures, had used the intelligence of experts who disagreed with his ideology, perhaps America would not be stuck in the sand in Iraq!
George Bush is a failure at war!
Posted by Waqas | October 31, 2006 7:46 PM
“You don’t see Bush making rude jokes about Senator Kerry.”
No, Waqas you don’t. Its because he has his Republican smear machine do it for him.
“I believe, Mr. Senator, you owe an apology to the troops and their commander in chief (no matter personal beliefs)”
Senator Kerry should apologize for NOTHING. President Bush should apologize for sending our troops to fight a war based on lies.
‘’I’m sure if someone called you intellectually lazy, you wouldn’t be too happy, would you?”
Its unfortunate that the President continues to be too intellectually lazy to even appreciate that the joke was on HIM.
Norse:
Dear Senator,
You should apoligize for your comment, even if it was supposed to be directed at President Bush. Calling a man intellectually lazy, isn’t a very tasteful joke. Didn’t you mother ever tell you “If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”
PS
@ Mike
I can think of worse Presidents than Bush, trust me.
Re: Posted by Pam | October 31, 2006 7:25 PM
Pam, I don’t think it will hurt at all, and could even help, if every high-profile Dem started using this as a lead-in to start hammering the TRUTH about Bush’s failure in Iraq, and everywhere else.
This could be a golden opportunity if Dems will get together and USE it. But will they stand behind JK and use this to the party’s advantage?
Thank you Senator Kerry for speaking truth to power. They can spin all they want, because in the end it is this pResident and this republican congress who has made a disaster out of this war in Iraq.
They have nothing to run on and so they attack. Guess all the hate fliers they mailed about Dems in the last weeks didn’t work. They are the one’s who should be ashamed.
Dear Mr Kerry-
Didn’t you get the memo to stay off mic this week leading up to the election? I miss all those great sound clips we were getting from your esteemed colleagues Reid, Pelosi, Kennedy and Dean a few weeks ago when the DNC was allowing you to show your true colors.
Show some respect for our troops and apologize.
Fe
Thanks for posting the Kos things - I just read them.
It seems there was a time when Bush entertained an audience at a fundraiser by looking for WMDs under desks and tables. That certainly was a “joke,” I hope - not meant to diss our troops.
I’m wondering if no one thinks people join the military because of the poor job market, lack of educational opportunities and relaxed standards - but we’re not allowed to think about that - are we.
We would never see the Bush twins serving or that kid of Martin’s.
Is it true Bush will be on Limbaugh tomorrow - are the Dittoheads all that’s left of his “base”?
The problem with wingers is they can’t still admit that we lost the Vietnam war.
George W. Bush made better grades at Yale than John Kerry, but that’s not what today is all about.
It’s about bitterness. John Kerry is a bitter, bitter man.
Maybe he slipped in his speech. I’d like to give him a pass.
But his response at his press conference later in the day, attacking President Bush and Rush Limbaugh.
Shameful. Very shameful.
Steve:
“Giving Sen. Kerry the benefit of the doubt about what he may have meant to say does not change what was said.”
Then I suppose allowing Bush the slack for first saying:
1) “We have to go into Iraq because we believe they have WMDs"…
and then because they didn’t find any, he says…
2) “We have to go into Iraq because we believe they have weapons programs”.....
and then because they didn’t find any programs, he says…
3) “We have to stay in Iraq to help them form a new shining example of democracy in the Middle East....”
and then, when the Iraqis voted a majority Shiite-clerical block in their parliament and to head UP their government…
Does this ring a bell for you? Do you see how insignificant Senator Kerry’s gaffe is compared to the 2,820 American dead, and the 655,000 Iraqi killled since the start of this stupid war?
And wasn’t it President Bush who said: “I was looking for Bin Laden before I said he was no longer important”.
If Senator Kerry put his foot in his mouth, it can’t compare to the full-body insertion the President has made between his own two lips over the last four years.
And the American people are no longer buying it.
I was proud to vote for you in 2004 but after your education comment it will be very difficult to ever vote for you again.
I’ll call you Kerry because you don’t deserve the respect to be called Senator. Your STUPID comment regaurding our Troops made me sick and for you to back track and say you were talking about our President is something a child would do. And it also makes me sick to see a U.S. Senator try to make fun of a sitting President . YOU ARE A DISGRASE TO THE DEMOCRATS.
“If you had any pride at all you would at the very least apologize and at the most, step down from the senate.
You are truely reprehensible.”
~~Posted by Kevin | October 31, 2006 8:01 PM
Yes, Kevin. John Kerry should step down from the Senate for stepping on a joke. And then the man who really knows how to mangle a line (you know, GWB) can… well, what do you think he should do?
I know one thing, J.F.Kerry’s statement was crystal clear. Another thing that is crystal clear is that this was a big hit at the Democrat’s water line. Blog what you want folks, but John, you’ve angered many.
Mr. Kerry,
I am writing this note with disappointment and urgency. I read the comments that you made at a California college recently. I must state that I am of neither party in belief, but an independent. I am conservative on some issues and liberal on others. I feel that many in this great country are just like me. What struck me most about your comment and those of many other politicians is that the negativity is being taken to a whole new level. In a society where one of the political platforms is violence in children, what precedence does your negativity set for our younger generations? Our children and grandchildren are watching you, roll playing you. You should be apologizing to the youth of this country as well as the military.
They volunteer to be where they are, and that is never a decision to be taken lightly or of a uneducated mind. My parents and in-laws are all vets like you, and whether or not they agree with President Bush, never would that comment have come from them. Many people may not agree with this war, but never should we speak of our men and women in uniform that way. Without them we would not have such freedoms as the one that let’s you make a bad joke. Maybe this was a joke “gone bad” and aimed at our president, and if so, do you not think that you should be setting an example and taking the “high road?” As for your agreement or lack there of with our current president and administration, he was elected by the people and whether or not the people feel he has lived up to his word will show in the next election. I truly believe that there are much more positive and articulate ways to express your opinions and disappointment in our current administration. Take the high road and start showing the future presidents, senators, representatives, etc. that there is a better way. Start being a positive role model!! This country needs more of those now than it ever has.
Those of us that are registered voters are capable of learning the facts and voting in the way we see fit. We do not need to turn on the radio or TV and see someone telling us how to vote, or speaking at us like we are to uneducated to think and make that decision on our own. We want to see civil debates that present your platforms and important issues, we do not want to be bombarded with negative propaganda, and we do not want it thrown at our youth!
I personally challenge you to apologize to the youth and military personnel by all means possible. And I challenge you, President Bush and all of those running for office or campaigning for another, to present positive campaigns, leaving your personal opinions at home. We are intelligent enough to form our own!
I read it different from everybody else. It seems to me that Kerry is really talking about George Bush- not our troops. If George would have spent more time studying and learning about the circumstances at play in Iraq (rather than taking month long August vacations), then, maybe, just maybe, he would have made a more intelligent and rationale decision prior to leaping into a war that 1) will most certainly lead to another radical islamic state like Iran in the middle east, 2) create more terrorists, and 3) isolate us from the world. The only thing that I blame Kerry for is not standing up to George Bush in 2004. If he had shown this kind of political backbone then, our country would be better off today.
Thanks Bailout Kerry. I too am a Brown Water Sailor. The difference is that I still serve after 20+ years, you chose to sell out to politics after getting scared once.
Please, retract your statement about the military and commend us and make amends! We are very highly intelligent. I challenge YOU to man a AEGIS Class Warship and try to operate it. I don’t think you can. You can’t even keep your mouth shut when in front of the world.
Hell, you couldn’t man a machine gun mount correctly during your Swift Boat days in accordance to your ex-boat crew.
You were a disease to the United States Military Services during your active duty time, you were a disease to us during your anti-war compaign days (listening to too much Jefferson Airplane were ya?) and you are still a disease.
I BEG you to come to the Norfolk-Hampton Roads Area for a “Grip and Grin Session” and get a real taste of what the United States Military thinks of your disgusting service to your fellow servicemen and fellow citizens past, present and future!
If you can’t recant your most recent statement, shut up now and save the current brave and willing military some grace. A Mea Culpa by your spin doctors is not enough!
You had your 15 minutes of fame. Shut down your stupidity now.
Signed-
Neither a Republican nor a Democrat.. just a honorable military serving service member-
Show some respect for our troops and apologize.
Posted by Matt Harmon | October 31, 2006 7:57 PM
Matt Harmon:
Have the President show some respect for the troops and apologize first to the parents of those soldiers killed over the last two days in Iraq.
“I was proud to vote for you in 2004 but after your education comment it will be very difficult to ever vote for you again.”
~~Posted by Tom | October 31, 2006 8:03 PM
Since telling a joke correctly seems to be the main criteria for voting, I wonder if we could persuade Jon Stewart to coach all our legislators. Hmmmm
“Your response is proof that American leadership of the finest caliber is alive and well and, more than ever, needs to be asserted to turn this country back in the right direction. It starts with truth and is maintained simply by speaking it to all those who would try and distort it for all the world to hear. I, like millions, need to hear it - again and again especially when the same old lies are all we ever hear.
You spoke it today and I, for one, am ready to join you again to make our country the way it should be. My contribution of $100 is on its way and the next phonecall I make is to my local Democratic Party office to offer my help and support.”
~~Posted by Bill Flanigan | October 31, 2006 7:33 PM
Bill Flanigan, sing it, brother! @;-)
HOORAA kERRY!!
I T’S ABOUT TIME SOMEONE GAVE THESE DISPICABLE REPUBLICAN’S SOME OF WHAT THEY PASS OUT EVERY DAY.
cHEANEY LIKES TO TELL PEOPLE WHAT TO DO TO THEMSELVES, BUT HE CAN’T STAND ANYONE THAT DOES NOT AGREE WITH HIM.
ON READING THIS, I NOTICED i STARTED CHENEYS NAME WITH A SMALL C. I AM NOT WRONG. HE IS AFTER ALL A VERY SMALL MAN!!!
THESE PEOPLE CAN’T STAND LOSING. WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IF, THEY LOSE THE ELECTION?
WILL OUR COUNTRY SURVIVE? WILL OUR FREEDOMS BECOME EXTINCT? bUSH COULD IF HE WISHED, DECLARE A NATIONAL EMERGENCY, INSTALL MARSHAL LAW, DISBAND THE CONSTITUTION, AND BECOME KING. JUST WHAT WE NEED ANOTHER KING GEORGE!
Posted by MikeG | October 31, 2006 8:07 PM
Mike G:
On the contrary, I think Mr. Kerry has indeed brought up the registration and GOTV for the democrats.
Thank YOU, Senator Kerry!!!!
did he or did he not make the comment in california, that people who cannot navigate the ducational system end up in Iraq?
I am a democrat. I voted for you. I am ashamed. Your explanation regarding your comments was weak and tepid at best. I am shocked that you could somehow try and justify your comments with that stumbling explanation that it was somehow directed towards the current administration. That is obviously not the truth. We are at a cusp here and your comments were unecessary. WE (democrats) are at a cusp, we don’t need you making the ridiculous comments that get US nowhere. If you blow this thing, if the media won’t let go of it, where will WE be then. I have a sick feeling, the attack dogs are on. Don’t shake ‘em off, do the honorable thing and go down with them chewing on you and don’t pull the rest of us down in the gutter defending yourself. I feel sick, I see what’s happening, your the top story and this WILL alienate some voters.
Next time your on your ‘bully pullpit’ try and think about what your going to say before it comes out of your mouth, not after.
Don’t ever expect my vote in the future, your a disgrace to the Democrattic Party.
sandman:
No he did NOT make that statement. He made it about the PRESIDENT. Not the troops.
And when you all go back to Malkin’s site, tell her she still, as always, needs to get her facts straight. She rarely EVER does.
My husband reports that the general wisdom on Hardball and the other shows is that the Republicans are desperate for something to use to rally any of those who can be fooled into voting for Republican candidates and they’re seizing on this because they, poor fools, don’t have anything more of value to offer to the American people.
Senator Kerry got it right.
The Republicans are using this as a diversion. And boy do they need it!
Forget about Mark Foley for awhile, we can attack a veteran for not supporting the troops.
Forget about the fact that America has violated the Geneva Conventions and water-boards prisoners. What’s a “little dunk” per Dick Cheney when you can tell Americans about John Kerry questioning soldiers?
Forget about the Signing Statements that undermine the legitimacy of our system of government and defy checks and balances! Who cares when you can point a finger at John Kerry!
Forget about rendition and taking people to third world countries for torture!
Forget about Katrina, we have Kerry!
Forget about FISA courts! Who remembers Valerie Plame? Forget about Abramoff, Ney, Cunningham, DeLay and the rest! We have Senator Kerry who misread a line in his speech!
Forget about the phoney reporter in the White House Press Pool...what’s his name? Jeff Gannon? We can forget about him because we have John Kerry!
Forget about the deficits, the rewriting of the global warming reports by the lawyer turned Exxon employee! Forget about the cronies appointed to regulatory positions, forget about the Mexico City Policy, because John Kerry flubbed a joke.
But Americans aren’t forgetting!
And Senator Kerry isn’t apologizing for a missed line. Not when we have thousands of Americans who shall not be returning to America from Iraq! Not when we have many more thousands who will never be made whole again. And not when we have a President sitting in power, who isn’t being held responsible for the horrible mangling of public policy, the abuse of the Constitution, and the bankrupting of our nation!
Thank you Senator Kerry for speaking truth to power!
We know that you support our soldiers. The first thing about supporting soldiers is not sending them to be in harm’s way on the basis of lies and distortion!
We are here for you and urge to to Kerry on!
Robert Freedland
John Kerry for President 2008
To be fair My good left of center friends arent exactly running on anything either. Its quite a disappointing season.
Just when we had some decent momentum!
PLEASE APOLOGIZE!
FROM JANE HAMSHER AT FIREDOGLAKE:
Tucker Carlson is on MSNBC asking Al Sharpton if, as a Democrat, he resents the fact that John Kerry is making it “all about himself” a week before the election.
Oh fer the love of Gawd. They just hate it when Democrats like Mike Stark and John Kerry fight back. This is the GOP nightmare one week before the election, that high profile Democrats start saying stuff like this:
“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.”
Al Sharpton went on to observe that “If John Kerry is smart, he will keep the issue out there about what he said about Iraq” and “thanks be to Tony Snow. He’s brought [the war] back front and center.” Even the WSJ acknowledges that the war is what’s killing the GOP at the polls. The only ones who seem to be proud of their roles in leading us into war are George Bush, Dick Cheney and Joe Lieberman.
I’ve been reading some of these comments with disbelief. I just checked icasualties.org and I saw 103 US deaths in Iraq this month, and you want an apology for a misspoken joke? I can’t believe it.
There was a soldier in my town who lost a leg and the use of his arm while serving in Fallujah in Iraq. He came home and actually lost medical coverage for 7 weeks because this Administration’s incompetence and bungling left him with a hole in his medical coverage. And you want an apology for a misquote?
John Kerry has stood up in Congress for better funding of the TriCare system, he has stood up for getting our troops more body armor and for trying to get them an actual plan to to deal with the situation in Iraq as it exists, not as it the Bush Administration imagines it exists. He has stood up for our troops and for a sane policy in Iraq. He is doing his job as a US Senator.
I wish I could say that our President was doing his job. The deaths go on, the Administration can’t agree on what do about Iraq, they can’t deal with the Iraqi government and they won’t agree to any oversight hearings so the American people can figure out what is really going on in Iraq.
And some people want an apology for a misquote? Some Americans have the wrong priorities. I’m proud of Sen. Kerry for not backing down to these people. I am also proud of everything he has done to actually support our troops. Wish I could day the same about the President.
Don’t worry bc, we still have momentum. The Republicans are too stupid to recognize the joke is on them. The more they protest, the more the subject stays on Iraq. Thank-you John Kerry.
I agree with oncall. This kerfluffle has brought all the attention right where it needs to be--on the failed policies of this adminstration. Yes, it’s about Iraq and torture and lies and the betrayal of our troops by THIS President.
Ed,
Which service are/were you in? Do you have kids or relatives in the service?
Well I do have relatives in the service, one nephew will be on his way there any day now. I do NOT appreciate ANYONE who says “go, war in Iraq!” Rah, Rah, huh? Is it just like a video game to you?
How in the world can you even say that?
And you have the NERVE to insult someone who misspoke a line in a speech? Get real. And get your own butt into the military.
oncall, you are EXACTLY right. I just hope certain Dems don’t screw up and blow this opportunity.
Bill Frist is up, calls for an apology:
http://www.volpac.org/index.cfm?FuseAction=Blogs.View&Blog_id=508
This from a guy who wanted to surrender to the Taliban:
U.S. Senate majority leader calls for efforts to bring Taliban into Afghan government
http://www.iht.com/bin/print_ipub.php?file=/articles/ap/2006/10/02/asia/AS_GEN_Afghanistan_Frist.php
Dear senator Kerry,
Being a Viet Nam veteran, I don’t think you meant to say what it sounded like, when speaking to the students. It did however sound like you were slamming the troops. How about apologizing to the troops if they felt offended, and repeat your argument concerning the chicken hawks.
I am outraged by what Mr. Kerry said yesterday in Pasadena! Not only did he insult the men and women in our military, he also insulted their families, of which I am proudly one of them. And to add insult to the injury, Mr. Kerry attempted to blame the Republicans, President Bush and the White House, as if the American people cannot think for themselves without someone telling them what to think. I can think independently for myself, and decipher exactly what Mr. Kerry meant. The point is this is just one example of what he really thinks of the men and women in the military. And he has the audacity to point out that he is a veteran. What travesty that he can call himself a veteran when it is very clear that he was only using his military service to further his (eventual) career in politics. Oh yes, I forgot he was only telling the truth about the evils American GI’s committed in Vietnam. What despicable man Mr. Kerry is! Please do not insult the men and women in the military and their families with your apologies or explanation. We know you do not mean them anyway!
John,
Speaking as a ‘04 Kerry contributer and a passionate Democrat:
Please. Shut. Up.
Summer and Ed,
John Kerry was talking to and about President Bush. Not the troops.
Personally, I’m enjoying this peek into the minds of rightwingers. I guess I’ve missed it since leaving Rural Red for Less Rural Red.
I mean, what matters? The War Iraq II, the Constitution, Torture Bill, War in Afghanistan, Social Security, Healthcare, Jobs, Deficit, lack of alternative energy R&D;… etc. etc. etc. none of that seems to get a rise out of the rightwingers.
But John Kerry stepping on a joke line, that matters.
Fascinating, as always.
Hey Rush:
Speaking of phony--how ABOUT that shot of the CIC Codpiece on the USS battleship, with a banner that says “Mission Accomplished!!!”
And three years later, we have over 100 American dead in one month.
Hmmm-what a winner that bright George Bush is.
Oh and by the way--thanks for bringing up the service—which puts us all on the page about the war in Iraq--the very war that is hung around the Republican Party’s neck like a big fat millstone.
Remember to look up when you blow bubbles of water over your head…
I want everyone to know in the land of politics that george bush is a political thug who does not know how to lead.The word “leader” should be an insult to the American people.what a waste.Thank you john kerry.Good luck!!!!
At least some of the democrats are actually feeling very bad about his comments even if he is not man enough to atleast say that he made a mistake! It takes a bigger man to apologize than it does to make a stupid mistake in the first place. God, please do not let our sons and daughters lives be left in the balance and controlled by such a person...Amen!
Editing is out in full force tonight, nice guys, You still won’t ever get a vote from me OR my entire family. All my family members support the republicans and guess what, we have several in the military.
also:
MH,
I also have SEVERAL CLOSE friends and relatives in the armed services.
Also I do plan on joining the military after I graduate college. I love people who just speak garbage, like all democrats.
Edited for language. Please be respectful of other posters.
Thanks to Kerry’s brilliance, its Democratic smackdown time right before the election. Thanks John! Just like Lynn did to Wool Blitzer.........that little cowering communist.
“At least some of the democrats are actually feeling very bad about his comments even if he is not man enough to atleast say that he made a mistake!”
Doug:
Are there some republicans who feel bad right now because the President isn’t man enough to admit he made a mistake about sending 2,814 Americans to their death in Iraq?
“It takes a bigger man to apologize than it does to make a stupid mistake in the first place.”
He certainly isn’t in the White House.
“God, please do not let our sons and daughters lives be left in the balance and controlled by such a person...Amen! “
I only wish that prayer were prayed earlier--like around December of 2000 when the SUpreme Court elected Bush to the Presidency.
Posted by Doug | October 31, 2006 8:32 PM
Ed, thanks for sharing your voting criteria.
As quoted from a CNN article---"Sen. John Kerry is the subject of fierce criticism after telling college students they’d get “stuck in Iraq” if they didn’t study hard.”
Senator Kerry..I hate politics and especially when a politician wants to play hard ball with terminology with an offensive nature intended for the President and not keeping in mind others that it may effect.
It’s bad enough I have to tolerate politicians who claim they support the government but instead have their own agenda.
As a veteran, I’m appauled at your statement to even fathom that the troops in Iraq are less educated...you may have not said it like that but with all due respect Senator it must be nice to be a postion where you can shoot off your mouth and and not think twice.
You were once a soldier and what were you taught on active duty “..to support and defend the constitution and follow the orders of the leaders appointed over you...”...well, Senator, why don’t part of the solution and not the problem.
As a European I’m following American politics since a while with amazement. How childish can this Bush White House become? Or better how desperate to try to attack Kerry with this stupid smear? With the American people finally awake and seeing what we have seen all along, Bush’s failed policies, I’m convinced it won’t work anymore. John Kerry is a great man and he has nothing to apologize for. Everyone who followed his career just a bit and who knows what he has done for his fellow veterans will know that he would never ever attack the American troops. And calling Bush stupid? Well. there may still be people who don’t agree with this, but history will prove them wrong and I’m looking forward to it. I’m also looking forward to getting the “old America” back, the great nation that we Europeans loved to call our friend and partner. It’s big time!
If I remember, in the 2004 election it was Kerry who got all the lawyers he could to go after the absentee ballot, mostly service men, disenfrancise is the word that cans to mind, my son has an I.Q. of 145 way smarter then Kerry, he is in Iraq because he feels he is helping, millions of young men an woman have died so he can run his mouth.
Edited for language. Please be respectful.
No Problem KJ, thanks for posting a useless comment totally irrelevant to the original post.
There is no “JOKE LINE” when you are standing in front of a bank of cameras and video machines you simpletons! Everything you say will be used for AND against you!
When in the public eye you choose you words very carefully! Apparently Mr. Kerry forgot to remember that. Now it’s up to his hired henchmen of spin doctors to repair the damage that has been caused.
As a service member, we are briefed repeatedly to the point of drill and file about our words when we visit a foriegn country. Anything we do and say can be taken the wrong way with a purpose.
Once again, spin doctors are saying that this was all a joke? Guess again people! This Kerry speech was no flippant joke. If it was, I don’t want him leading MY country!
Posted by Dick Cheney | October 31, 2006 8:34 PM
Dead Eye! I just love it when you stop by. @;-)
Need another deferment?
Posted by Dick Cheney | October 31, 2006 8:34 PM
Just like Lynn did to Wolf Blitzer? Wolf Blitzer a communist?
ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!
Jonathan Grant:
Passionate Democrats don’t bash one of their own. Grow up and you know that blurb about supporting and contributing in ‘04, how lame.
Mr Kerry,
You DO owe the troops an apology. Every one of our fine service members on duty today are VOLUNTEERS, not some puppets of the Bush Administration. In case you have forgotten, the purpose of the military is to “kill people and break things” (Ret AF Gen John Jumper). Most people join for “love of country”, not for some personal agenda. If you have difference with President Bush, I have no problem with that, however, DO NOT use the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen as some sort of made up leverage to suppport your position. I guarantee that what small support you may have had from military members was greatly deminished by your remarks, and rightly so. No matter what your staff or supporters try to say as to the real meaning of your statement, YOU are the one that needs to make a sincere apology to the military and veterans. President Bush did not make the comments, YOU did, so get off it already. Take some responsibility for yourself...I’m confident that the Navy requires that of its modern “academically challenged” officers.
Best of luck to you as you either dig yourself deeper or show yourself as humble on this one.
Regards,
JD Davis, USAF Retired
“No Problem KJ, thanks for posting a useless comment totally irrelevant to the original post.”
~~Posted by Ed | October 31, 2006 8:36 PM
Yes Ed, I am remiss in not commenting about the original post. Thank you for pointing that out.
ORIGINAL BLOG POST:
“And here’s what Max Cleland had to say this afternoon:
“I think people will remember John Kerry’s press conference today as the moment we Democrats stopped once and forever accepting the disgraceful smears of Republicans. John Kerry showed our Party how to fight back with the truth.
“John Kerry is a patriot who has fought tooth and nail for veterans ever since he came home from Vietnam. He has stood with his brothers in arms unlike this Administration which exploits our troops to make a political point and divide America.
“John Kerry should apologize to no one for his criticism of the President and his broken policy in Iraq. George Bush is the one who owes our troops an apology. This is text book Republican campaign tactics.
“Everybody knows it’s not working this time around. 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’ve got a partisan political agenda and that’s the bottom line. We’re not going to take it any more.”
SING IT, MAX!!!
JD Davis, right on man. Well said.
Senator Kerry,
I heard your comments regarding the military and was appalled at your remarks. Like you, I served my country and the United States Navy proudly.
Most men and women with whom I had the privilege to serve had bachelor’s degrees and many had master’s degrees. I resent the implication the only the uneducated serve in the military. Some of the brightest and most intelligent men and women get their start in the military. I am proud to say that I have fought side by side with them.
As a retired member of the Armed Forces, I demand that you issue a public apology to all servicemembers
“Once again, spin doctors are saying that this was all a joke? Guess again people! This Kerry speech was no flippant joke. If it was, I don’t want him leading MY country!”
How about Ann Coulter saying it was a joke to put rat poison in a Supreme Court Justice’s creme brulee, OR the President of the US looking for WMDs under his desk in a video?
THESE are the people whose jokes you need to be aware of and shame on them for it. They blatantly lied to lead us into war and continue to do so while dishonoring those who HAVE served.
Another day, another wasted day in the lives of those men and women who DO serve a Commander in Chief who has done NOTHING to deserve their trust OR respect.
Mike:
That wasn’t Kerry who tried to suppress the vote in 2004. That’s a Republican speciality. You might want to ask your RW buddies however why the Pentagon never released the vote totals of the military vote from that Presidential year. I think you might be surprised.
Tay
The statement by Senator Kerry is clearly a joke directed at Bush who got us stuck in Iraq.
And even if Senator Kerry didn’t make that as clear as some “intellects” need it to be, why isn’t he cut the same slack that Bush has been when he mis-spoke no less than several hundreds of times (ie: every time he opens his mouth) over his years in office?
Apparently Kerry is though of as more literate and intelligent than our President. The conservatives should be careful about pointing out Kerry’s mis-speak because it only shines a light on Bush’s inability to communicate at all.
“Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we.” -George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., Aug. 5, 2004
“Well, as I say, we haven’t heard much from him. And I wouldn’t necessarily say he’s at the center of any command structure. And, again, I don’t know where he is. I—I’ll repeat what I said. I truly am not that concerned about him.” - George W. Bush, on the subject of Osama bin Ladin, Washington, D.C., Mar 13, 2002
Posted by EuropeGirl | October 31, 2006 8:36 PM
Many, many, MANY of us have been working not only to bring the old America home, but a new America home. Thanks for your patience and support. We need it.
TayTay
The US military does not keep records on military voting.
However
The Army times reported a 78% vote for republicans in the US Army.
Now, if we go back to 2000, we can look at the organized campaign to throw out military votes(absentee ballots) because of their heavy conservative bend.
6 of one half-a-dozen of another right?
Sen Kerry
Why don’t you do us all a favor and resign? You and Ted Kennedy are an embarrassment to Massachusetts!
Dick Cheney:
Only 25 percenters believe that Bush earned good grades. Case in point:
And so, we’re strongly committed to corn-based ethanol produced in America. Yet you’ve got to recognize there are limits to how much corn can be used for ethanol. I mean, after all, we got to eat some. And animals have got to eat.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/04/25/national/w100149D92.DTL
People who attest to Bush’s intellect will continue voting Republican.
Re: Posted by Ed | October 31, 2006 8:33 PM
Ed, it’s great to hear that you “plan” to join the military once you finish college. Do you know that the military has a great college plan, and they really need patriots just like you right now to go fight Bush’s war?
I just don’t understand why the folks cheerleading for this war - like yourself - always have so many excuses not to actually go serve in it. If Bush’s leadership is so great, wouldn’t you want to join up before he’s out of office?
I’m a Viet vet who was outraged by Kerry’s actions in 1971 while he was still on active duty---his comments about soldiers in Iraq show he hasn’t changed much.
Copping an excuse that he made a “failed joke” is just another example of his manipulative, preppy gamesmanship.
TR:
I was just about to ask the same thing of President Bush. Only then, he would be doing a favor for the entire country.
With brain trusts like “Dissapointed in Sen. Kerry” it is no wonder the Republicans are trailing in every poll on both the subject of Iraq and the 2006 midterm elections.
John Kerry proves my point every time he opens his mouth. Liberalism is a mental disorder. By the way, why wont he disclose his military records? IF he had the courage to do this, certainly it would clear his name, would it not? Unless, of course, he has something to hide.............
Sen. Kerry,
This isn’t the first time, nor the second time that you have besmirched American Troops. Out of respect for our men and women in uniform I ask that you resign from the Armed Services Committee immediately and appologize to these heroes and their families.
You are not fit to be a United States Senator but that is up to the people in your home state to determine. God help them.
I think the only people whom Senator Kerry insulted in his speech were the Republicans.
He spoke fairly realistically to students - given the mess our economy is in, some of them will have no choice but to join the armed services and take their chances over where they’d be deployed. The Republicans, once again, are doing their damnedest to shoot the messenger.
--
Laurie D. T. Mann
http://www.dpsinfo.com/factsdomatter/index.html#vote06
Don’t forget to vote on Tuesday, November 7.
Help bring a fact-based government back to
America. Let’s have a government again
that respects the Constitution, the Bill of Rights
and the rule of law. America is supposed to be
a government of the people, by the people
and for the people. It’s not supposed to be
a government of the Republicans,
by the special interest groups and for the rich.
Mr. Kerry, will you please get your bumbling self off the National stage and shut the hell up.
We are about to take back the Congress and maybe the Senate, after you choked on the last election - Please don’t make us choke on another election because you want to grandstand and place yourself in the media spotlight with a fight right before the election.
You are like the Energizer Bunny - a loser who keeps on losing for us. Please just stop.
-signed.
One of your supporters in ‘04 who spent time and energy campaigning for you, and now is asking you to step out of the spotlight before you do our party and our nation any more damage.
MH
No one is cheerleading the war. It was funny I had a veteran, a student in my class discuss the IRAQ war to the class, he was actually in it ( make that clear for you). The things he said, just made me want to go over and join and help protect the people in our country. The bad side to that? Would be protecting an anti-american such as yourself.
Posted by ProSense | October 31, 2006 8:48 PM
Thank you for that laugh. I had completely forgotten about the “we got to eat some” quote.
Seriously, with GWB in the house, John Kerry as a comedian… well, poor guy just doesn’t stand a chance. @;-)
TR:
As a Massachusetts resident, I am proud to be represented in the Senate by John Kerry. I want someone in the Senate who stands up for veterans’ health care, who pushes for money for programs to support wounded vets and for PTSD programs. I want someone in the Senate who is trying to hold off Republican plans to cut TriCare and push veterans out of the program.
I am proud to have John Kerry representing me. I am even more proud to have him representing all the active duty service personnel and those who have served this country in the military in the past. I just wish there were more like him in the Senate. This country could use more courageous people who stand up the Republicans and who really fight for programs that actually help our troops.
I was about to vote for the Dems, until Mr. Kerry came along and stuck his foot in his mouth. The fact that he made the comment was bad enough, but was really sealed the deal for me is that he won’t swallow his pride and apologize to the people that deserve the apology.
What I see in these posts is that Dems still hate Bush, while Republicans that were about to vote for Dems have been pulled back from the precipice.
Ironically, the comment made Kerry look, well, uneducated.
John Kerry said exactly what he thought to that class. His only regret is that he let the way he really feels about our troops leave his lips. I am sure he is not sorry, only sorry he got caught with his thoughts “out loud.” My son is a US Marine and I cannot imagine John Kerry as my son’s Commander.
Dee Hughes
Ashland City, TN
Hey Bay Area Fan,
Why don’t you quote my ENTIRE post and work with it. Nope. Can’t, can you. Just a snippet of it. Oh so typical.
Spin Doctor in disguise you are… I stated my case, you helped solidify it by your post.
You like so many others only choose to pick and grab what will work for you and your chosen deity no matter how flawed.
Like I said… neither Left or right… just a Vet who still serves.
MH,
Also its not about thinking the war as a video game or “cheerleading” it as you so ignorantly put but its about support.
It is what it is, and instead of crying about it, I’ll support My friends serving in the military RISKING Their lives and my cousins in the WAR RISKING THEIR LIVES for UNGRATEFUL IGNORANT AMERICANS LIKE YOURSELF.
The Soldier IN my class said that the amount of positive support they received was amazing, its too bad YOU and the Democrats are so oblivious to the big picture.
The situation is very complicated here. Here we have a president who doesn’t care about our troops and keep attacking on Democrats. On the other side the today’s remarks of the senator Kerry.
To my opinion, I think senator you should appologize to our troops. Clear all the differences between our troops and your comments. We support you.
Posted by Doug | October 31, 2006 8:52 PM
Doug, (sigh)
Dems don’t hate bUsh, we just see through him. He’s a liar.
And Republicans are voting for the best person to represrent them. John Kerry isn’t running this year.
I think most Republicans who are leaning towards Dems are doing so because the candidates are patriotic, responsible, and serious about getting out of the mess we are in.
‘Nite, Gracie. @;-)
Sending virtual pizza and Monty Python dvds to the moderators, it’s going to be a long one.
Enough said
http://michellemalkin.com/archives/006237.htm
Catherine Dickson
Ah, John Kerry is not on the Armed Services Committee. What are you talking about?
You can find out who serves on what committees at this site: http://www.senate.gov/general/
Then click on Committee Assignments.
It’s a free country. You can yell at anyone you want. It’s more effective if it’s based on fact though.
blah blah blah APOLOGIZE YOU IDOT blah blah blah TRAITOR blah blah blah FAKE MEDALS blah blah blah JANE FONDA blah blah blah RESIGN AT ONCE blah blah blah MALKIN blah blah blah INSULTING TO ME MY FAMILY MY KID IN IRAQ MY DOG MY GOLDFISH blah blah blah ELITIST SNOB blah blah blah WIFE’S MILLIONS blah blah blah I AM NOT DUMN blah blah blah RUSH blah blah blah DRUDGE blah blah blah I WAS GONNA VOTE DEMOCRATIC BUT I JUST CHANGED PARTIES THANKS TO YOU blah blah blah 2004 blah blah blah 2008 blah blah blah 1971 blah blah blah blah blah blah PURPLE BAND-AIDS blah blah blah COMMIE blah blah blah FRANCE-LOVER blah blah blah APOLOGIZE AT ONCE YOU IDOT blah blah blah FLIP-FLOP blah blah blah DAMYANKEE blah blah blah YOUR FREUDIAN SLIP IS SHOWING blah blah blah HANNITY blah blah blah AMERICAN LEGION blah blah blah CHENEY blah blah blah FOX NEWS blah blah blah *9/11* blah blah blah YOU IDOT blah blah blah BUSH IS A HERO blah blah blah ROVE blah blah blah KOOL-AID blah blah blah CANNED TALKING POINTS blah blah blah I AM A ROBOT blah blah blah
jeez what a buncha maroons,
Otter
>>>Laurie Mann:
I think the only people whom Senator Kerry insulted in his speech were the Republicans.
He spoke fairly realistically to students - given the mess our economy is in, some of them will have no choice but to join the armed services and take their chances over where they’d be deployed. The Republicans, once again, are doing their damnedest to shoot the messenger.
Senator Kerry,
I think it would be extremely helpful if you were to publish a FULL TRANSCRIPT (and or video) of the speech which you recently delivered at Pasadena City College. Doing so would enable us (your supporters) to COMPLETELY PUT THINGS IN CONTEXT, when discussing this latest REPUBLICAN SLANDERING of your obvious intention to criticize MR BUSH, not our troops in Iraq.
If a full transcript has already been posted, please indicate the location (URL). Thank you for consideration of this request… and keep on keepin’ on!
How about some fair and balanced news on this blog....
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. “A generation ago, Sen. Kerry slandered his comrades in Vietnam by saying that they were rapists and murderers. It wasn’t true then and his warped view of today’s heroes isn’t true now.”
While addressing a group of college students at a campaign rally in Pasadena, CA., Monday, Kerry suggested that they receive an education or “if you don’t, you’ll get stuck in Iraq.”
“While The American Legion shares the senator’s appreciation for education, the troops in Iraq represent the most sophisticated, technologically superior military that the world has ever seen,” Morin said. “I think there is a thing or two that they could teach most college professors and campus elitists about the way the world works.
“And while we are on the topic of education, why doesn’t the senator and his comrades in Congress improve the GI Bill so all of today’s military members - reserves and guard included - can achieve the educational aspirations that the senator so highly values?” Morin said. “The senator’s false and outrageous attack was over-the-top and he should apologize now.”
Can someone please explain to me how anyone may have interpreted this remark as a joke? Seriously, if this was meant as a jab at Bush please connect the dots for me? I am willing to give the benefit of the doubt but cannot, for the life of me, understand how this can be construed as a statement on Bush and his failed policies!
Be a man John...admit you made a mistake, own up to it and move on. People would have more respect for you. Of course that would imply that people had any respect for you in the first place!
Ann R.:
With good reason they trail--after the misappropriations for no-bid contracts in Iraq, the Abramoff scandals, payoffs for political favors, Tom Delay, Mark Foley, the Dubai port scandal, the growing Iraq insurgency, the lack of adequate support in the event of an emergency, a nuclear North Korea, a nuclear Iran, and then there’s Katrina…
Oh and yes, we’re getting close to equalling the number of those Americans killed on September 11 with those Americans killed in Iraq.
So for all the Michael Savages and Rush Limbaughs of this thread please note we are chuckling at your feeble attempts to glorify this non-event by John Kerry into a phenomenon of major proportions.
Can’t happen, babes, not when the American people have been failed in national security by Republicans, made to cower in fear instead of face the real culprits of terrorism, and have been bamboozled out of their tax dollars while the republican men’s country clubbers go golfing in the Scottish highlands with lobbyists and special interest contractors.
And for all you trolls, thanks for giving us the space and opportunity to reiterate every one of Bush’s and the republican party’s failings---again and again and again. Couldn’t happen to a nicer group.
I was at the event yesterday and the wing-nuts have got it all backwards. I’ve had the pleasure of being linked by Malkin and quoted on air by a right wing talk jock - I have few things to say in response here - http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=4600
You know your party almost had me conviced but are Kerry’s remarks I’ve seen the light. You Dims hate our troops and want us to run from Bin Lauden who has called Iraq the front line of the war on terror. Thanks for reminding me of why we are there.
ABC has a quote up from a democratic congressman where he says “Kerry botched 2004 for us and now he’s done the same for 2006,thanks John!” I believe he is right.
Re: Posted by Doug | October 31, 2006 8:52 PM
Doug,
If one word not said by John Kerry (the “us” in “get “us” stuck in Iraq") was enough to make you choose the culture of corruption and complete incompetence that is the Republican Party, then it’s kind of hard to believe you would have ever voted for a Democrat anyway.
Senator Kerry:
I wouldn’t be turning my back on Nancy Pelosi any time soon.
[Edited. Thanx.]
Posted by Iwasgong tovoteDem | October 31, 2006 9:02 PM
IWGTVD:
You were never going to vote dem. Why pretend?
“Get and education or esle you will end up in the Middle Of Iraq”. What kind of idiot are you? My Husband has a college degree MR.Kerry and he is proudly serving on Active Duty in The Middle East as I am typing this comment.
Mind boggling how all of you politicians jump the fences when it is election time.
Frankly, I think every single one of you are dirty. You all have your hand in someone elses pocket. George W Bush may not be a rocket scientist, but he is respectful of educated/Non-educated Americans.
We are at war and you make a comment about the very people that will defend your pathetic butt when North Korea fianally suceeds on the next nuclear test.The very people you are supposed to stand up for you have degraded.
Food for thought Mr.Heinz-Kerry....Elections are in one week and if there is a"God" in heaven.You will not get re-elected for ANYTHING.
STAND UP AMERICANS. NO MORE REPUBLICANS OR DEMOCRATS! It is time we end thier puppet show. BUCK THE SYSTEM AND VOTE INDEPENDANT.
PROUD OF MY COLLEGE EDUCATED ARMY SOLDIER!
MH,
Believe it or not, think what you like, this did it for me.
I am a retired Marine Col. You need to resign NOW for the good of this country, given your recent statements on who goes to Iraq to protect this country.
I am an American Legion Vet and we have demaded an apology. Your first words were that you owed no one an apology. So I assume you meant it mis speak or not. You are a disgrave to our nation and should resign your Senate seat. You should be removed from the Armed Service committee.
Kerry,
I gave a similar speech to my kids...but in my speech I told them....
If you don’t have what it takes, if you don’t have the skills, smarts, bravery, dedication, and sacrifice to serve your country as a U.S. soldier, then you had better study hard and get good grades so you can become a businessman or a professional. Otherwise you will wind up a flunky working for the US Govt, leeching off the US taxpayer...never doing an honest days work, never accomplishing anything, never contributing to your society
[Edited. Thanx.]
Mike:
Posted by Mike | October 31, 2006 8:50 PM
Go back to your slimey lying swift boaters.
Kerry was not on active duty in ‘71 , thats your problem you can’t get the facts straight because you don’t know them.
“Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your way out”.
MM
I will try and help. The running gag is that Mr. Bush is an elitist monkey who got through school with daddies money, and with bad grades.
What we have here is called a double entendre. Or something with 2 meanings and through implication creates a joke.
The implication is that only stupid people goto Iraq, and joke is that bush is stupid and is stuck in iraq just like all the stupid people(poor people) who did not have the knowledge or money to goto college and become a platonic vision of a just man.
The first rule in scandal management - own up quickly to any mistake that was made.
This whole issue is a NON-ISSUE that Kerry is making into an issue because he doesn’t want to be “swift boated” again. But the problem is, this snafu has become much bigger than John Kerry. All the major news networks are blaring “Bush vs. Kerry in war of words” instead of blaring “Republicans headed towards tidal wave of opposition”.
If Kerry doesn’t want to contribute to another Democratic defeat snatched from almost certain victory, then he needs to apologize immediately for the appearance of slighting the troops, reaffirming his deep support for the troops as a veteran, and drop the issue.
If he doesn’t defuse this within 24 hours, he will impact the election and will have democrats across the nation like me HATING him for bumbling us into another loss of stagaring closeness.
I buy Kerry’s explanation, and I find it shameful that Bush would promulgate what is obviously a lie. I saw this same thing happen back in 2004, with the same bloggers and others intentionally misunderstanding various statements and reports.
Note, however, that I recommend voting against almost all Dem candidates due to their stance on illegal immigration.
“We are at war and you make a comment about the very people that will defend your pathetic butt when North Korea fianally suceeds on the next nuclear test.”
Carrie:
Please remember those first nuclear tests under BUSH’S watch.
“The very people you are supposed to stand up for you have degraded.”
Mr. Kerry made the remark about the PRESIDENT. Not the troops.
“Food for thought Mr.Heinz-Kerry....Elections are in one week and if there is a"God" in heaven.You will not get re-elected for ANYTHING.”
That’s fine, you’re entitled to your opinion, but FYI, Mr. Kerry isn’t running for re-election this year.
Vietnam Vet:
Thank you for your service. Sen. Kerry is not on the Armed Services Committee. Perhaps you could look things up.
Or did you just mis-speak? I wonder who is putting out this particular talking point. It’s odd to have two people or more quoting the same error.
John Kerry is not on the armed services committee.
The conservative desperation is showing and they are only hurting their cause.
Coming here is not going to change what is going to happen on November 7th. Americans have woken up and won’t take the neocon lies anymore.
John Kerry was clearly baiting Bush. His words had nothing to do with our military troops. And those who still criticize him for his 1971 testimony should remember that he was QUOTING words spoken by other heroic veterans, men who served in Vietnam.
Distortion of the truth is neither patriotic or honorable. You can lie. You can defame. You can come here and spread as much manure as you like but you cannot make your lies into truth.
You may all forget that everything we do is witnessed on a higher plane. No matter what you believe in, be it Christianity, Judism, Islam or Karma, the truth will out in the end and we will be held to account for our lies.
So for the operatives here who are attacking a good man and honorable veteran in your desperation, you should hang your heads in shame.
For those of you who are buying into this swill: do your homework. It’s easy to follow like sheep.
Joyce, I think I’m in love. I’m going to tuck this one away for when the time is right for my kids.
And everyone thought Bush was a bumbling idiot! What a gift right before the election!
You go get ‘em Senator Kerry! I cannot tell you how proud I am to support you and how proud I am that you are standing up to them instead of caving like some would. You have made all the points I’ve been complaining about for forever. You are a model Democrat and American hero. THANK YOU very much-you have done SO much for this country and the public owes you much more respect than you are getting. Thank you again.
Re: Posted by rachel | October 31, 2006 9:06 PM
Who else should he release them to? He already released them to at least two newspapers - who wrote that there was nothing significant that wasn’t released during the election, except the Yale grades.
Just to be clear - There is no chain of custody procedure for release of a living person’s military records to a certified neutral authority. And no one should be expected to turn their records over to smear merchants who have already lied repeatedly. A neutral authority is appropriate, and newspapers are the best we have in today’s system. And Kerry has already done that, a long time ago.
Senator Kerry,
I listened to both your original statement and your follow-up and I disagree with your spin that you weren’t showing disrespect to the troops.
Your statement clearly implied that if one doesn’t study one will “end up” in Iraq. Translated...if you’re not smart, you’ll end-up in the military. Or, by default, all our troops are stupid.
My husband is an officer in the military and has an undergraduate degree from the University of Texas and a Masters degree from the Naval Post Graduate School, a highly respected program in Monterey, California.
I also have a degree from UT and a Masters degree and both of our children attend private school in Fayetteville, NC.
The truth of the matter is that the majority of men and women serving in our armed forces are highly intelligent and deeply caring people who are working night and day to keep our country safe. They are thoughtful about what we’re doing and what we need to do in the future to win this war and keep the United States safe.
In addition, the families are willingly making sacrifices for this country on a daily basis because we believe in the importance of this mission.
What we’re tired of is the relentless pelting the President and our troops, by association, are taking at the hands of you and the rest of the democrats on a daily basis. You claim you care about the troops, but from my vantage point, you look like someone who only cares about yourself and making our President look bad.
Yes, the war is difficult. Noone ever said it wouldn’t be. We military families have known all along that this would be a long, difficult battle and it would take great sacrifice on our part.
We’re willing to make that sacrifice, for you and every American to keep our country safe. So, I suggest you start truly supporting our troops and keep your mouth closed.
Your comments give me another reason to vote Republican this Fall and further cement my separation from the Democratic party.
As far as I can tell, you just don’t get it.
“If you don’t have what it takes, if you don’t have the skills, smarts, bravery, dedication, and sacrifice to serve your country as a U.S. soldier, then you had better study hard and get good grades so you can become a businessman or a professional. Otherwise you will wind up a flunky working for the US Govt, leeching off the US taxpayer...never doing an honest days work, never accomplishing anything, never contributing to your society.”
Joyce:
Are you talking about the President or the republican party-either or both?
My mistake. Senator Kerry is not on the Armed Services Committee. Good. He can just resign from the Senate.
Jacob...so let me see if I understand you correctly...through “implication” Kerry is insulting the troops!! Wow, the second derivative of his comment is even an insult. He is more of an idiot than I thought!!
Oh, by the way, if I recall correctly President Bush had a better GPA at Yale than Senator Kerry!
It’s too late to diffuse this. By his refusing to apologize after the American Legion asked for it this morning it turned this into an issue that isn’t going to go away.
TayTay:
There is a lot of mis-speaking going on around here by the right-wing operatives who have been driven here in droves by their low poll numbers.
They are hanging on a straw because they want to distract the public from the issue at hand: America does not support the war in Iraq.
They are also counterproductive because they are keeping Iraq front and center in the media.
The Chickenhawks in Washington are afraid of losing their seats to veterans that John Kerry has been campaigning for. They are scared enough to attack Michael J. Fox for his disease, so what we have seen today does not surprise me.
They aren’t going down fighting: they are going down lying as usual.
MORE FROM DAILYKOS
More GOP Cutting and Running in House Races
by SusanG
Tue Oct 31, 2006 at 05:55:07 PM PST
A new round of money scrambling begins as reality sets in for the Republican Party, “signaling retreat,” according to AP:
Republicans scale back spending on competitive House races in three states
WASHINGTON --Signaling retreat, House Republicans are scaling back television advertising in three highly contested races, officials said Tuesday, including Rep. Curt Weldon’s scandal-tinged bid for re-election in Pennsylvania and open seats in