Ann Richards changed my thoughts on Kerry's strategy - not fighting back?

[mzmolly]

I have often become angry at Kerry for what I viewed as inaction on his part. I thought, why the heck isn't he speaking up!? Where's our fearless leader?!

Well... After watching Ann Richards on CNN last night...

KING: All right, let's talk politics. Bush has got approval rating below 50 percent. That's usually troublesome if you're an incumbent in any race, mayor, Senator or whatever, but Kerry does not seem to be jumping on top of this. What do you make of that?

RICHARDS: Well, here's what I think is going on. No. 1, people don't know John Kerry. They're just getting to know him. And two, the interest in this country on the news every night is not what John Kerry is doing or saying politically, but what's going on with an ever-unfolding scandal in Iraq. And as a consequence, getting any kind of traction, it would be very difficult for him to do.

I, for one, think he's doing exactly what I would do if I were in his shoes. It's going to take him some time to put his marker down on every issue that the people will want to know about. What does he think about education? What does he think about jobs? What does he think about the environment? You know, what is he going to do for our kids in the public schools?

And he's got to tell them all of that stuff. And this is a good time for him to do that while the country is distracted by other stuff. And one rule of politics, believe me that is inviolate, Larry, is that when your opponent is in serious trouble and becoming unraveled the way this administration is, don't get in front of it. Don't get in the way of it. Don't distract. You just let that go on and do its thing, and you just continue to talk about the things you want to talk about. Believe me, the public's going to make up its mind which one of these people they want to be president when the time comes.

Ann Richards on Larry King 5/20/2004 ~ Transcript here...
http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0405/20/lkl.00.html

Well, it appears Mr. Kerry is letting Bush do himself in and doesn't want to get in the way? :shrug:

[JI7]

1. he has to get people to know and trust him first

or else it would be easy to just attack him as a partisan democratic opponent who is only attacking for his own personal gain.

once people can get to know him and trust him they will actually pay more attention to what he says rather than just view him through right wing lies.

[DinahMoeHum]

2. "Never get in the way of a perfectly good train wreck"

thus spake an oldtime Windy City politico and our own WilliamPitt.

:kick:

[AP]

3. I bet some of the posters here begging Kerry to attack know about

this inviolate rule.

I bet they know it'd backfire, and they're just trying to score some points by introducint the "damned if you don't" angle to the "damned if you do" angle.

[JI7]

4. and recent news about maybe delaying accpeting the nomination

shows that he is thinking long term and taking into account everything he will have to deal with.

[Richardo]

5. Gov. Richards knows politics, Texas politics and Shrubby

I'd defer to her judgement.

"Governor Richards". *sigh* I miss that phrase... :cry:

[mzmolly]

18. My thoughts too. And she's a fighter no doubt.

:hi:

[ACK]

6. Don't get in the way of a perfectly good train wreck.

That is the idea.

Listen the man has made statements over and over again. The press is not focused on Kerry right now.

Unless he does something outrageous to self-destruct they will not focus on him.

He said enough to draw the ire of Repukes claiming he is taking advantage of the war for political gain and putting soldiers at risk.

Hell they are focusing anti-Kerry ads on that right now.

_

[Submariner]

7. Exactly!

If it was Labor Day, this would be a different story. But with the June 30th massacreturnover coming, followed by the convention and a long hot summer, Kerry has PLENTY of time to get Bush.

[TheDonkey]

8. Um' JK just had weeklong tours about jobs, education, and healthcare

but like Anne said, the media could give a damn. Kerry can't force the news or people to listen to him, but he is definetly talking.

[JI7]

9. right, like he did in iowa

he knows he can't depend on the big media to be fair so he went directly to the people. it will be tougher in a national campaign but for those whodo see him and decide to help and get others to support him it can all make a difference.

[sandnsea]

16. Don't underestimate local media

I live in Oregon, his appearance got good coverage here. 15,000 people who saw him can get the word to alot of people. Going straight to the people may not make big national media splashes, but it works.

[MrBenchley]

10. Remember...

Kerry won't officially be the nominee until the end of July....and in the meantime why the hell would he want to do anything to distract in the slightest from what's going on?

[Guirigui]

11. Let's not forget: She also did LOSE to bush.

Don't get me wrong, I think Richards ROCKS and I like listening to her, but she did lose in her re-election bid as Tx. gov. to Chimpy McHappyCrack. It's my understanding she initially had a large lead in the polls at the start of her re-election campaign. So while her advice certainly should not be dismissed, it also need not be anointed as automatic words of wisdom (kind of like campaign advice from Al Gore/Donna Brazille).

[Richardo]

12. Context: That was 1994, the year of the big GOP backlash...

They took over the H of R and many governorships that year. The Dem governor in Texas could have been Harry Truman, JFK and FDR all rolled into one and would have lost that year.

[Melodybe]

14. It was not her fault that she could not stop them from stealing it.

Ann Richards is my political Idol and a woman that I respect more than any other in politics. She knows her stuff and she just amazing and caring. I love her. She knows what's up Kerry would be bright to listen.

[booksenkatz]

21. Yeah!

What Melodybe said! LOL

edit: Melodybe, have you read Ann's autobiography? It's amazing. I adore her.

[MaryBear]

17. Yes, and she learned

from her mistakes. The woman holds a lot of wisdom.

[displacedvermoter]

22. And I think even she was amazed at the time just how low

Bushco would go in that race. She was an early victim of this regime, as it were! Molly Ivins describes the race well in her works. Lee Atwater inspired attacks.

[mzmolly]

23. Love that Molly too! Them Texan women are incredible!

:)

[mzmolly]

19. Ann Richards endorsed Dean and I respect her immensely.

;)

[stinkeefresh]

13. yep. JK is being smart, patient and calm

tricks I bet he picked up in Viet Nam.

He's going to destroy this "president".

I was a full-on hard-core Dean supporter from that first California speech. But now that I've been looking at Kerry, I see what great value so much political experience can bring.

[cestmoi]

15. As Iraq worsens and Shrub Cartel starts issuing more terror warnings

people will appreciate Kerry's calm deliberate manner. Shrub's "bring it on" idiocy and the shrill hysterics of rightwing radio will grate on fraying nerves. Calm and boring will be valuable assets.

Ann Richard's is on the mark. There is another adage not to be forgotten - give someone enough to rope to hang himself.

[mzmolly]

20. I am beginning to agree.

;)

[Raenelle]

24. I trust Kerry, and my signature line has said the same thing for awhile.