I think Kerry should call a press conference & issue this challenge to Bush

[mtnsnake]

Kerry fucked up, but there's still time to turn the tables on Bush and make it work for us instead of for them. He already said that Bush should apologize for the war, but he needs to take it one step further and issue a direct man-to-man challenge. Doing so would open a whole can of worms that could put the final nails into the Republicans coffins.

Anyway, I'd like to see Kerry call for a major televised press conference and say something to this effect and do it in the most serious tone of voice he's ever used:

I made a joke the other day and completely botched it up. I apologize to the troops and the nation for any misperceptions that resulted from my mistake in delivering that joke (Then a lengthy hesitation). Now I want to challenge President Bush (Then another hesitation, looking even more steely eyed). I challenge you, Mr President, to apologize for misleading our nation into a war that should never have happened, a war that's taken the lives of thousands of our brave soldiers and injured & maimed countless thousands more (Then another hesitation). I botched a joke. You botched an entire war, yet you continue to stay the course. Now it's time for YOU to apologize. We'll all be waiting.

Please, John, do it!

[Captain Hilts]

1. Agree. Challenge much, mano a mano. nt

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. I think the strong statement he issued yesterday was enough.

Don't keep flogging this thing.

[terip64]

5. Enough for you and me but not the rest of the yahoos in this country

If he wants to run in 08 he has to put this to bed and I think this is a great idea, may even turn it around!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

9. Perhaps -- but this isn't about Kerry running in '08.

It's not about saving his career -- frankly, I hope he doesn't run again -- it's about letting the next news cycle take its course and not keeping this completely overblown incident going.

[IWantAChange]

3. TREMENDOUS idea mtnsnake... let's all forward this to

Senator Kerry and the DNC - there's still time to turn this into a Democratic wedge.

[mtnsnake]

7. Thank you, and please do.

All too often I think our Democratic strategists need all the help they can get.

[BootinUp]

4. Why should the news be about Kerry right now?

This makes absolutely zero political sense. Doing this hands more ammo to the RW to fire up their base and get out the vote.

[mtnsnake]

6. None of us want the news to be about this, but unfortunately it is, so

we should make a golden opportunity out of it for us, not for them. By issuing a direct man-to-man challenge to Bush in the "apologies" category, it puts Bush back on the defensive instead of the offensive. Kerry apologizes for his mistake in delivering a punchline and Bush is put into a corner to apologize for his botching of a war. The emphasis goes from Kerry to Bush.

[BootinUp]

8. I think your suggested statement is good

why didn't you call Kerry and advise him yesterday? ;)

At this point I think there is a diminishing return to extending the news coverage on this.

[babylonsister]

10. He has nothing to apologize for. If he did, the rethugs would smirk

and say 'I told you so.'
Nothing! This man has had only the soldiers on his mind and would never make light of their service.
So I pray he never apologizes.

[mtnsnake]

12. His apology for botching a joke would only be a setup

for turning the tables on Bush to apologize, something Bush would never do.

[babylonsister]

13. Kerry knows that so what would be the point in apologizing?

No point whatsoever.

[mtnsnake]

17. It's explained in the OP.

He's only apologizing for a botched joke. Then he makes a man to man challenge to Bush for him to apologize.

By apologizing...and then calling for Bush to apologize for what he's done to our soldiers...Kerry completely shifts the focus back to where it belongs, back to the mess the Republicans have created.

[babylonsister]

18. I don't want the word 'apologize' to pass his lips is my point.

I understand where you're coming from, but dimson will never rise to any 'challenge' anyone throws in front of him. And dimson doesn't even make mistakes, so don't expect he might be apologizing for them. :eyes:

[Dawgs]

11. I like it, but is this what we want?

Do we want to have a media circus surrounding Kerry and Bush? Do we want to kill any momentum we've had by making this the lead story for a week?

[BlueStater]

14. In my opinion, Kerry should just keep quiet

I don't think he did anything wrong and the media and GOP are once again being a bunch of assholes but it would be best not to engage them unless this story continues to get a ridiculous amount of coverage (and from what I can tell it's already dying down). A response would just bring this story back to life.

[Toots]

15. BS I don't think suggesting that the people in the military are not college grads

needs any apology. I think he should ask Bush* why he is not at the Whitehouse doing his job instead of campaigning when he isn't even running for anything. Ask Bush* why our education system is not better and more accessable so that so many who don.t go to college only have the military to fall back upon for advancement. Ask Bush* how many Republican college grads are enlisted men in the military. No Kerry owes no one any apologies for stating a simple truth. He said nothing wrong and if he apologized he would be seen as a wimp and flip-flopper once again..

[babylonsister]

16. Props to you, Toots! Exactly!

:toast: