Why isn't the Kerry Campaign actively defending his Senate Record?

[Pachamama]

The Bu$h Co. and Karl Rove mud-slinging has begun...Their talking points are clear because its the same on every network and cable news station using the same buzzwords like "Extreme Makeover" etc.

I heard on three different networks the same buzz line about Kerry not talking about his 19 years in the Senate because they are failed, nothing to show, embaressing etc. They all said the same catchy lil' tidbit of "of the 5000+ words in Kerry's speech, only 70+ (less than 2%) mentioned anything of his Senate Record"....

They keep attacking him on his failed Senate Record and then touting how successful Bu$h's record is (although we all know it isn't so).

Why isn't the Kerry Campaign or DNC or anyone who has access to the media speak out and defend his Senate Record? I've seen some of it before and there is not anything to be ashamed of (unless being pro-choice, pro-civil liberties, pro-fiscal responsibility is something to be ashamed of - which it's not). If I were the Bu$h campaign, I'd be more concerned about Dick Cheney's record while in Congress....In fact, from what I've seen, his record on Defense spending votes is far more problematic than anything John Kerry or John Edwards previous votes while in the Senate....

Anybody out in the DU have any idea as to why the Kerry/Edwards campaign isn't saying anything? Anyone have access to a list of his votes or any analysis's of them? As well as Dick Cheney's record?

[emulatorloo]

1. johnkerry.com: Facts on John Kerry's Legislative Record

Check the rapid response section of website. . .no doubt surrogates will be out spreading the word.


http://blog.johnkerry.com/rapidresponse/archives/002284.html#more

<snip>

Facts on John Kerry's Legislative Record

Continuing to cast one misleading attack after another, George Bush unveiled a new stump speech once again devoid of any ideas for how he would lead the nation but chock full of scurrilous attacks against John Kerry.


Kerry spokesman Phil Singer: "Results do matter, and the fact that George Bush's policies have resulted in record deficits, skyrocketing health costs, lower quality jobs, a military stretched thin and an isolated nation stand in stark contrast to John Kerry's plan to make America stronger at home and more respected in the world."

John Kerry has a distinguished legislative record:

>> He and John McCain negotiated an agreement with Vietnam to provide a full accounting for POW-MIAs.

>> He wrote the first bill reducing acid rain.

>> He has repeatedly led the charge in protecting the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from drilling.

>> He has passed legislation that shut down money laundering activities of terrorists and drug traffickers.

<snip>

[Pachamama]

2. Thank you....I just wish now the Dems and Kerry were out on the Media

about this...or maybe they are and the media isn't reporting? :eyes:

Yeah, that's probably more the likely explanation....

[rumguy]

9. It's not enough to just have it on the Kerry blog

You got to go out and explain it to people. Kerry doesn't have to waste time doing it. But when his people are interviewd I think they have an obligation to defend his record. It's a matter of honor.

[Pachamama]

10. One of reasons I posted this was to understand why as well as what to do

about it...I think everyone who has responded here mentions good points and correct way to address it...

I personally intend on defending Kerry's record in conversation's with people and to write letters to the media (TV, newspapers etc)..

I personally think the Bu$h administration has got nothing to stand on and is desperate, so they are attacking him instead of talking about the real issues...I also think they are hoping to get Kerry to respond and spend his money so he doesn't have it later....I say now that they are smart to not even waste their time or money responding...but we can all join on their site something called "Kerry Media Corp" and set the record straight....

[Redneck Socialist]

3. Because explaining senate procedure isn't going to win many votes

just ask Bob Dole.

In the long run pictures of Kerry toting a M 16 do a better job of projecting a strong leader image than the minutia of the senate. Additionally war hero not only contrasts with bush more strongly it also works better as a 30 second add.

Let them go on about his senate record. Most folks don't give a rats ass. We're not going hear about bush saving anyones life under fire so all they can do is scream Kerry's a liberal.

[Pachamama]

4. Your right about the Military Record vs AWOL's....I just wish the media

gave equal time to the Kerry answer to Bu$h's attacks on his Senate Record and did their job of giving the full story...

[Redneck Socialist]

6. I'd rather they not get caught up in responding to every attack

that allows the pubs to set the agenda and we spend all our time responding to their criticisms. Much better that we set the agenda and promote our message, strength and leadership.

[NightOwwl]

13. Agreed Redneck

As soon as Kerry starts defending one attack, BushCo will just move on to next, and so on and so on.

Kerry wasted almost a week trying to defend himself against the "did he/didn't he throw his medals away" controversy. All it accomplished was to keep BushCo's negative message in the public eye. I think his campaign learned from that experience.

[Pepperbelly]

5. What should they do?

They can (and probably are) screaming about it but we wouldn't necessarily see it.

No ads right now. Not with Bush having an extra month to raise money.

[Pepperbelly]

7. something else that occurred to me ...

do you think that barring a barrage from the Kerry camp, will Smirk and Sneer have the willfully stupid courage to use those same tired lame lies in the debates?

That would be the time to hammer them with their lies. To their face, in front of everyone, and without a filter.

[magnolia]

8. For him to defend it....

...is to validate it. Criticism of his record and particularily the so-called "flip flopping" is not valid and he should not validate it by addressing.

We, on the other hand, can address it to our dimwitted republican friends. First: a short lesson on the nature of voting in the senate. Hundreds of bills, an inch thick, that aren't just one issue but padded with a million unrelated issues. It's not a matter of being for or against...it's looking at the whole package and deciding that there is more good than bad, or vice versa and voting accordingly. If they vote against a bill because there are too many bad things, they will also be voting against those few things that are good. Those good things will come up again in other bills where they then vote for it. Hence, they vote for and against the same issues. All senators, both dem and rep have a record of voting for and against the same issues which is why they rarely run for president.

It's no different than many things we have to deal with. You might need car insurance...you talk to an agent, you don't like the premiums or deductable, whatever and you decide not to go with it. Does that mean you are against car insurance? NO. If you switch from one cell phone service to another, does it mean that you were against cell phones and now you are for them? NO.

The best example of team Bush doing this is not even about Kerry. In the 2000 republican primary, the Bush bottom feeders accused McCain of voting against Breast Cancer research while his sister was suffering with breast cancer. His sister did have breast cancer...and at some point in his long career of voting on hundreds of bills he voted against one that included breast cancer research. For all we know, maybe he did consider the research but maybe he didn't think it allotted enough money for the research. The point is, they twist things around to create dirt where there isn't any.
money was being allocated.

[Pachamama]

11. I was having visions of what they did to Max Cleland and McCain....

that's why it was making me so angry....But I agree, while it is twisting the truth and dishonest, it has been successful for them each time, so its bothering me...

[TexasSissy]

12. GOP is trying to divert from Bush's lack of a record. It's an old tactic.

Kerry will answer questions and speak about his record - with the people. So far, it looks like he doesn't directly answer GOP questions. Probably a strategy thing.

The Dem. Convention was no place to go through a laundry list of items. He could only hit the high points, and he made a decision to focus on his biggest advantages, like his military record, his family, his character, etc. There's plenty of time for detail, and his website lays everything out there (as the GOP knows).