Kerry KISS

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

Keep It Simple Stupid -

I was NOT criticizing the troops. I was criticizing their Commander-in-Chief. Anyone who hears the tape knows this is true. Anyone who argues otherwise is once again willfully misleading the American public. It's what they do. They can't stop doing it. You deserve better.

[Strelnikov_]

1. Agree. Good Job n/t

[Fluffdaddy]

2. He should have said that 15 hours ago. it would have been a non-story

Kerry is slow on his feet

[Exiled in America]

3. I disagree. If I was his campaign manager, I would tell him:

We don't want it to be a non-story! We want it to be OUR story. I would tell him to make the statement he made today and do the press conference exactly like he did. It turns the attention back on Iraq and this failed administration, it shows the American public that democrats do actually have some gravitas, which is all they need to see to swing more our way (a majority already disapprove of the president, GOP control of congress). And it forces the GOP to move defensively instead of offensively.

That's for today.

Now TOMORROW, I would totally tell Kerry that any further questions about this should get the statement you just wrote. I wouldn't let him say anything more about it than that statement no matter how many times they asked. Because now it would be time for other Democrats to become the hit men. Kerry would step back and other heavy hitters would step up and continue to take the "kerry quote" question and then pivot and bridge right back into the same messaging from Kerry's statements today - aggressive, bold, honest, unapologetic and sternly critical of the GOPs disgraces.

That's how you win. If you're not on offense your on defense.

[hijinx87]

4. I fear . . .

that kerry's response had much more to do with his 2008 candidacy than
it did the 2006 midterms.

[sandnsea]

6. He did

"My statement yesterday -- and the White House knows this full
well -- was a botched joke about the president and the president's
people, not about the troops."

[MalloyLiberal]

5. Video of Kerry press conference on YouTube

I can't post it yet not enough posts in the Video Forum

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGwc-9pmmbM

[Nedsdag]

7. This is pure CYA by him

But in the future, John, leave the jokes to Bill Maher and Stephen Colbert.

[Snivi Yllom]

8. Still not correct, where's the apology?

this would have appeared apologetic and strong:

"I deeply apologize for my ill-worded remarks which especially offended American servicemen and women. I regard any American's decision to join the US military to be one based on bravery and intelligence of the highest caliber. By no means did I mean to imply members of the military are uneducated. My words were meant as a comment on the failed policies in Iraq, no more, no less."

AND THAT'S FUCKING IT! This would have ended it.

[Dr Fate]

9. So we have to apologize everytime the GOP/media lies about us?

???

[yellowcanine]

11. No and he should not. Watch the news conference. If Kerry had

responded that way to the swiftboaters he might be President. He has learned. Don't apologize for something others have ginned up for their own partisan reasons. No way does one take this as a slam on the troops if the statement is taken in its proper context. People should not be rewarded for lifting quotes. Otherwise, any of us could have our words twisted. This is not the same as using a racial or ethnic epithet where the word itself is offensive. It is not like calling a brown skinned man "macaca". Context doesn't matter in that instance. But in this on context is everything, because it is clear the subject of Kerry's jibe was Bush, not the troops. So to apologize is to accept the twisting of your words by someone else.

[enough already]

14. Couldn't agree more

Politics 101, quickly and completely close down the "issue", then get back to smacking Bush around on the war.

[mhatrw]

10. Two more sentences.

I am sorry that my meaning wasn't perfect clear. Of course, I support and admire our troops 100%, and it's ridiculous and heinous for anyone to insinuate otherwise.

[Bobbie Jo]

12. This is a gift alright....

For Democrats that is....Look, this "issue" has caused the RW to show the only hand they know how to play. It's a classic case of RW denial on display. Nearly everyone who has seen or heard the remarks don't really believe Kerry was referring to the troops. The only people buying into this crap are the ones who would follow Bush to the bitter end, and vote accordingly ANYWAY.....that's right his so-called "base."

In other words...don't believe what you see and hear, even when it's right under your nose.

At this same time...Kerry has managed to expose this denial pattern in action, and by the looks of things has fired up the Democratic base who have all but fallen asleep for the past 6 years.

No my friends.....this is OUR gift. Let's accept it graciously.

[Duer 157099]

13. Or perhaps explain what "projection" is

Because that's exactly what is actually happening.