Kerry Questions Clark's Republican Ties

[arcos]

Kerry Questions Clark's Republican Ties

WASHINGTON - Wesley Clark (news - web sites) told skeptical party activists Friday "it's great to be home" as the Democrat's 10th presidential candidate, but rival John Kerry (news - web sites) questioned the newcomer's Republican ties.

"I stood against Richard Nixon, not with him," Kerry said as a parade of presidential contenders began two days of speeches to the Democratic National Committee (news - web sites).

Clark entered the race Sept. 17, two years after praising the Reagan, Nixon and both Bush administrations at a GOP fund-raiser — and without registering as a Democrat in Arkansas. His DNC address drew polite and repeated applause as Democratic activists said they were still taking his measure.

<snip>

Without mentioning his new rival by name, Kerry contrasted his Democratic credentials with Clark's. "This is not a commitment I made in the last year or that I stumbled across in the last campaign. This has been a cause to me of a lifetime," said the Massachusetts senator who also questioned Dean's commitment to Medicare and middle-class tax cuts.

<snip>

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=694&ncid=703&e=7&u=/ap/20031003/ap_on_el_pr/democrats_2004

[dolstein]

1. If this is the best Kerry can do . . . .

Sorry but "vote for me -- I opposed Nixon" sounds just a little desperate.

I'm far less interested in what a particular candidate was doing in 1972 than what they're doing -- and SAYING -- right now. And the fact is, while Clark may have voted for Nixon in 1972 (along with 60% of the country, including many Democrats), he was never a champion of Republican causes. The worst thing he ever did was accept an invitation to speak at a Republican dinner in his home state.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

5. A lifetime of fighting for progressive causes is not something to dismiss

so lightly. I respect the things Clark says and he is articulate, but we are not electing a position paper or a speech, we are electing a person. A person with a life history.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

27. but apparently it's too easy for many here to do.

it's enough to make one cry.

[IndianaGreen]

9. Whatever some of us may think of Kerry because of his Iraq war vote

we view Kerry as a Democrat with a solid liberal voting record and a distinguished career untainted by scandal, or war crimes.

[David Zephyr]

14. Yep!

n/t

[JI7]

28. kerry said many things

these comments are from a speech he gave. he took some shots at clark with those comments, but he also talked about other things he has done. it was one of his best appearances. but clark does a pretty good job of getting others to accept him as a democrat so it may actually help clark to respond to it. i personally accept clark as a democrat and i'm a kerry supporter. but kerry's speech was about himself and what he has done and will do.kucinich gave a similar one distinguishing himself from the other anti war candidates by talking about how he is the only one to do certain things like organize against the iraq war. he did good, although kerry's delivery was better.

[Nicholas_J]

2. It sounds like

Shaheen wrote that speech. I have heard that there was a split in the Kerry camp as to whether to remain above the fray and just focs on politics, or do do as Dean did earlier, sling mud at the Washinton insiders. Kerry has been advised to be more agressive in attacking the other candidates past records and performance and decisions. It does seem to be having and effect.

[Malva Zebrina]

3. How about questioning the lies of Bush Kerry?

Or is that not safe enough for you? Is attacking a competitor, such as Clark or Dean a whole lot "safer" in this run for the presidency, for you than exposing Bush? Are you afraid of Bush? Are you intimidated by his outing of Valierie Plame? Is there something in your history that you fear will be "outed"? or in your wife's history?

[Feanorcurufinwe]

4. What a pathetic smear you've posted, Marianne.

[Jinx]

6. I disagree

I didn't see anything smearesque at all in what Marianne said. In fact, it's a valid point. Bush is the enemy, not Clark.

[Demobrat]

8. A smear usually involves a lie.

She's brought up valid questions.

[Malva Zebrina]

11. Pathetic is what Kerry offers at this point.

Kerry is not what I want in a contender at this -point. Kerry is too indoctrinated into the mold for my taste . I predict he will drop out, and will be content to maintain his "safe" position in the Senate. He is not a risk taker and this is not his kind of a race. I do not think he has the energy it will take. Kerry is not a risk taker, obviously.

[sangha]

26. Kerry has called for "regime change" in the US

He has said that Bush* "misled" the country about Iraq (None of the other leading candidates has gone that far). He has called for an independent investigator into Intimigate.

And your predictions are smears.

[bearfan454]

21. You really think so Marianne?

Kerry did the BCCI investigations. That was good. Did anyone get handcuffed ? Kerry is worth 800 million dollars according to earlier posts about 2 months back. Is he REALLY one of us ? I wanted him at first, but I like Dean now.

[JI7]

22. why joe wilson donated to kerry

yup, that's why joe wilson donated to kerry's campaign.

[Rose Siding]

7. I didn't notice any of the others going after opponents

Dean made a statement of blanket distinction- Will this be the party of the status quo or the party that inspires a new generation-

But I didn't pick up on any other direct hits except for Kerry's. It seemed out of place. This wasn't a debate or a single candidate rally but a unified mtg of the DNC.

[The Magistrate]

10. Sen. Kerry Will Harm Only Himself With This Line Of Attack

We need people who have voted Republican in the past with us this time around.

The only proper object for criticism by any Femocratic Party candidate is the usurper and his criminal regime.

"LET'S GO GET THOSE BUSH BASTARDS!"

[schultzee]

12. Read more about Clark...he looks republican light to me

Tha Black commentator has an interesting take on him.

[catforclark2004]

13. Did read Clark.....He's more liberal than over 1/2 in the race

Politicians are whores....give me a politician that not a real politician any day! That's why I like Al Sharpton so much....He ain't ever won nothing....and he's doing some straight talking.

And that's why I'm supporting the General....Not only that, but unlike Dean, he won't have to prove that he's strong on National Security.

Clark, in becoming president, will probably fulfill more of the liberal agenda than Clinton ever even thought of.

[ozone_man]

15. A feast for the eyes.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=460511&mesg_id=460511

[catforclark2004]

29. Sorry, seen it!

[David Zephyr]

16. Good For Senator John (Democrat) Kerry!

Great stuff, Senator Kerry!

[catforclark2004]

30. Too bad most of the audience had left and replaced with fans!

Being the last speaker, many had already left the room, and were replaced by Kerry supporters......hence the wild applause and whistles.



Democrats Deride Bush and Dismiss One Another
By DAVID M. HALBFINGER

Published: October 4, 2003

........The most cutting remarks about other Democrats came from Mr. Kerry, who also drew the best reception, partly because he spoke last, after dozens of his supporters had taken the seats of people who had left.

New York Times

[JI7]

33. it was like our own little party

i was watching on tv, but it was like our own little party. i actually liked it like that. i thought it was nice to allow the supporters to come in like that since they had more room. kerry had also attended an event right before so he was even more impressive.

[Julien Sorel]

17. Is this what Kerry meant?

Pretty damn ugly. I'd question it, too.

[JI7]

19. HAHHAHAHA

yes, very ugly

[jumptheshadow]

18. How this issue will play

As a long-time liberal Democrat, my sense is that the question about Clark's political affiliation will be important mainly to the hardcore activists and to the people in partisan camps.

My sense is that many voters are 1) Tired to death of partisan politics, and, 2) Looking for common sense solutions to the national problems that have seeped into their day-to-day lives.

[The Magistrate]

32. That Is True, Ma'am

Very few people will care about it in the slightest. If cadre have any discipline, and desire for victory, they will get over this by the general election.

"LET'S GO GET THOSE BUSH BASTARDS!"

[JI7]

20. he was playing up his record to show difference

anyone who heard the speech knows he was playing up his own record by comparing it to others. kucinich did kind of the same thing when he emphasized how he was the only one who organized against the war. to make their record stand out against others who may have a similar position. although kerry's delivery was better, and one of the best.

[JI7]

23. matters more clark voted clinton and gore

i think it matters more that clark voted for clinton and gore since it's more recent. but this is a way for kerry to distinguish himself from others including clark. before he used his military record, with clark in the race he brings up his stand against nixon and reagan. i thought the speech was great though.

[goforit]

24. Kerry?.......I thought you wanted Bush out of office?

Hmmmmm.......

[zekeson]

25. The list of potential running mates for Clark gets whittled down

every day, doesn't it?

:shrug:

[catforclark2004]

31. Yes sirree Bob

Edwards still looking good though for that spot!

[IndianaGreen]

35. I guess Noriega could run on the Clark ticket

Wasn't Noriega in Panama when Clark was at SOUTHCOM?

[IndianaGreen]

34. "I’m proud of having stood against Richard Nixon, not with him.”

“I’m proud of having stood against Richard Nixon, not with him.”

“I’m proud that I stood against Ronald Reagan and not with him when his intelligence agencies were abusing the Constitution.”

“I wasn’t one of those who could stand up there and say that I thought that Bush or Cheney or Rumsfeld were right for America. I thought they were wrong then”

Way to go Kerry!