Max Cleland on Kerry's response to GOP attacks

[splat@14]

Max Cleland fired off a response to John Kerry’s press conference today, in support of Kerry, as Bill Frist was saying Kerry owed the troops an apology. Frist is wrong - oh so wrong. Max knows what it’s like to be hit by the Republican smear machine. Kudos to Max for stating the obvious:

“I think people will remember John Kerry’s press conference today as the moment we Democrats stopped once and forever accepting the disgraceful smears of Republicans. John Kerry showed our Party how to fight back with the truth.

“John Kerry is a patriot who has fought tooth and nail for veterans ever since he came home from Vietnam. He has stood with his brothers in arms unlike this Administration which exploits our troops to make a political point and divide America.

“John Kerry should apologize to no one for his criticism of the President and his broken policy in Iraq. George Bush is the one who owes our troops an apology. This is text book Republican campaign tactics.

“Everybody knows it’s not working this time around. If anyone thinks a veteran would criticize the more than 140,000 heroes serving in Iraq and not the president who got us stuck there, they’ve got a partisan political agenda and that’s the bottom line. We’re not going to take it any more.”

http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=4603

[Charlie Brown]

1. Georgian here. Go Max! nt

[Skinner]

2. Max, I hope you're right

"I think people will remember John Kerry’s press conference today as the moment we Democrats stopped once and forever accepting the disgraceful smears of Republicans."

[EVDebs]

39. MSM ignores Jan comments by Fred Kaplan (basis of Kerry quotes)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2919859

A truth offensive is needed NOW to counter GOP spin on the destruction of our military. Rep Murtha alluded to it (well, he actually SAID it but you aren't allowed to tell truth to power in GOP-land) and now that the facts are dribbling out about the reality of the ongoing FIASCO, the center cannot hold and the worst are full of passionate intensity

""...The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity."" -- Yeats

[PATRICK]

52. The speech was right

and there SHOULD have been a loud Dem attack to match the constant lying assault, unchecked and nationwide. As it is, Kerry was the exception and the party leadership as a whole not not ready but apparently not considering the necessity of instantly grabbing the national mike these last days.

When the GOP grasps the straws, set the straws on fire. The Gingrich Contract On America sweep played this last minute hold-the-ball strategy and the media of course allowed it and helped. It is just the OPPOSITE for Democrats especially with the media doing its GOP job. You take ball and bludgeon through the end zone for more points.

[Jackpine Radical]

3. Cheesehead here.

Go Max!

I had the honor to meet & speak with Max at some length on a couple of occasions when he came up here for the Kerry campaign. I will remember him forever.

[blm]

55. Now THAT is a man Veterans could trust as head of Veterans Affairs.

.

[Jackpine Radical]

57. Amen.

[stepnw1f]

4. Way to Hit it Home!!! War Veterans Should All Stand Up Now...

ONCE AGAIN the GOP uses the TROOPS as a political football. They were the first ti inject the troops into this, shey are the ones that should be apologizing to our troops, to America and then to the rest of the WORLD. But they won't because they are sociopathic rejects.

[ClintonTyree]

53. But the American Legion..........

"is appalled" by Kerry's statement and stands firmly behind their commander in thief. :eyes:
Once again, Republicans are using veterans for campaign purposes, to "catapult the propaganda", as Bush would say, but their actions and words don't seem to mesh. The RepubliCONS are still cramming it up veterans asses but all we hear from them is, "thank you sir, may we have another". :shrug: I don't get it. Why do our veterans support the very men that are reducing their benefits and treating our current soldiers on the field of battle like crap? Why do they do it? Is it because of some mythical bond between RepubliCONS and veterans groups? Is it still a remnant of the Viet Nam fiasco? I just don't get it, how any veterans group can blindly support these fucking shysters. :banghead:

[Monkeyman]

5. Vets For Kerry IL HERE GO BROTHER MAX

[Clarkie1]

6. Let's get this one up to over 100 recommends, too! nt

[malaise]

7. Kick n/t

[badgerpup]

8. K & R for Max and John...

:patriot:s both of them!


:kick:

[Straight Shooter]

9. "george bush is the one who owes our troops an apology."

Amen, Max, amen.

:patriot:

[mntleo2]

10. YESSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! n/t

Cat In Seattle

[Rainscents]

11. Max is the man!!!

:kick: :kick: :kick:

[tblue]

12. I'm sure Wes Clark will chime in any moment

We'll show those mofos what macho is. Class, too.

Do the Repugs understand John Kerry is NOT running?

[morningglory]

13. Yaaaay Kerry! Yaaaaay Cleland! Recommending... n/t

[Tanner_B.]

23. K&R

"Do the Repugs understand John Kerry is NOT running?"

No, or Michael J. Fox, either.

FIGHT BACK!

[flaminbats]

14. Max Cleland and Zell Miller have similar voting records..

it amazes me how different the personalities of these individuals are, and how the one with courage lost while Zell Miller won two years later! too bad our Republican friends believe their own well being and reward is far more important than defending friends or the truth from these neocon slimes.

[texpatriot2004]

15. Agreed! nt

[Laelth]

16. Delighted to K&R this fellow Georgian!

Go Max!

:dem:

:patriot:

-Laelth

[me b zola]

17. k&r for Max & Kerry!

:kick:

[_dynamicdems]

18. Max is a real American hero.

And they swiftboated him too.

Kick and recommend for MC & JK!

:kick:

[RoyGBiv]

19. "We're not going to take it any more."

Repeat that, often, both in your minds and out of your mouths.

Max Cleland just gave us the line. We damn well better use it.

[flyarm]

20. I was honored to do a speech with Max the first morning of early vote Fla 2004

at a Vet center in ST Petersburg Fla..I spoke about 9/11 as i was a just retired flight crew with one of the airlines involved in 9/11 and i was from the NY base..and i was a delegate for Kerry

Max spoke about VA problems and spoke to the Vets about voting for Kerry..

I can never talk about my co-workers who died that day without tears coming to my eyes..i just can't ..and when i was speaking ..Max rolled his wheelchair up and held my hand..and so sweetly carressed my hand as i spoke.

When we were both done with our "Talks"..we walked with the Vets to the polling place,..the Vets were so in love with Max Cleland..all i can say is ..this is a man with so much love in his heart and so much kindness in his soul...this man..is an incredible human being..

I can not say enough about a true hero I shared the stage with..He is a giant..among mere mortals.....( myself being a mere mortal )

I do not and will never understand how anyone in "this " administration could even open their filthy coward mouths ..among all the brave men i met that day..especially Max Cleland!

I met Max numerous times during the 2004 election campaign..and he is one of my greatest Hero's in life..and he will always be my hero!

fly

[JAN8525]

21. MAX AND KERRY

KUDOS TO MAX WHO IS ALWAYS SPOKE HIS MIND AND KERRY ITS ABOUT
TIME YOU STARTED FIGHTING BACK AFTER ALL WERE FROM THE
GENERATION THAT MASSED SOME OF THE LARGEST MARCHES AND PROTEST
THIS COUNTRY HAD EVER SEEN.IT SADDENS ME OUR YOUTH DIDNT HAVE
THE SAME SPIRIT& SENSE OF GOVT DITRUST . THE LAST SIX YRS
WOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED AND IRAG AND TRILLION IN DEBT
WOULDNT BE ONE OF OUR COUNTRYS MANY PROBLEMS NOW.

[redqueen]

26. Hi, Jan!

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[SteppingRazor]

64. Yes, clearly, Bush is all the fault of my generation

:sarcasm:

Has it occured to you that, without the draft, none of those massive protest marches would ever have happened? You become invested in a cause when you have something to lose.

[TahitiNut]

65. It's called "skin in the game" ...

.... and is something we could use more of, imho. ;shrug:

[farmboxer]

22. Allen's thugs attacked a VET! Shows what Allen really thinks of our

troops! Actions speak louder than words.

When it was Bush's time to fight, he ran! Bush went AWOL, became a deserter on the 31st day. What if our troops were to do what Bush did? Kerry is a Vet, Clelland is a very who left two legs and an arm in Nam while Bush was having fun! It's time Dems bring this out! Bush went AWOL, became a deserter! How is that being patriotic?!

Kerry and Clelland, two American heroes who fought for America, while Bush was having fun!

[opihimoimoi]

24. Isn't it Insane how the Pubs attack our vets Max and Kerry?

They are trying so hard to distract from their own sorry ass 6 year record of nothing but CRAP.

[ponthedge]

25. Kerry still gave them the sound bite they needed...

by not clearly stating what it was he was saying and just refusing to apologize played into their spin. I have been monitoring the repuke radio and they are playing it over and over...the sound bites are not pretty and play well into the minds of the ignorant and the dumb.

We live in a sound bite culture. Words have to be measured and precise or there can be no control over context.

I know what he meant to say and I admire him for not taking it any more, however, he should have been clear and not give them anymore sound bites. Kerry's sound bite is all over repuke radio and when taken out of context this is all they need to stir their base and get them out in droves.

Words are the power and John Kerry's words were not a criticism of the president. His written speech was. What he said and what was written are two entirely different things.

I know I will get slammed for this opinion but here goes, John Kerry should have apologized to the troops for flubbing the joke and INADVERTENTLY calling the troops uneducated. Then used the opportunity to restate the joke. Read it from the script. Make it clear that B*@h was the target. Then the repuke radio hosts would have had nothing for today. JMO.

flame on...

[blm]

40. Jesus and MLK get their words twisted by BushInc. Does it matter how

perfectly ANY person speaks when BushInc creates LIES or edits and chops their words?

[ponthedge]

42. No it does not.

Agreed that their spin machine is highly tuned. It looks for any tidbit it can find to twist it as you say. However, this is politics in the new era. It is not the same game it once was, The Republican party has changed the rules forever.

I reference Harold Ford Jr. and his measured and precise choice of words. You can see it in his face when he speaks.

It is reminiscent of Bill Clinton, Ford is measuring each word BEFORE he speaks. He is thinking, not reacting. In order to win at this new game that will have to become the norm for the Dem's. To think and not react. When we react, our words are used against us.

Just my opinion...

Kerry/Ford 2008!!!

[blm]

44. And we still hear about the carefully constructed "meaning of the word is is"

Ford isn't travelling all over the country campaigning at 3 or 4 events every day for candidates, as Kerry has been the last month. He's traveling Tennesee.

Kerry has been making powerful speeches against BushInc for this entire time. Ford CAN'T make the powerful speeches in Tennessee that directly attack Bush the way Kerry has been.

If BushInc wanted to target exclusively on Ford, they'd be picking apart every statement or CREATE a lie. That's what they do.

Kerry is just the target, again. If he wasn't sticking his neck out so much to oppose BushInc, he wouldn't be the chosen target, would he?

[ponthedge]

51. They did create a lie

and Ford came out on top, with measured eloquence. Kerry used repuke tactics for a moment and it backfired. Today he apologized.

But your point is taken. If you paint a target on your back, expect the worst. Perhaps, that was the strategy.

To me, Kerry was not the target, Democrats, Liberals and thinking people were the target, of which Kerry represents. Kerry is our voice. He is using fighting words. They were waiting to pounce and when he slipped, they did.

Regards...

[truedelphi]

46. Yeah Remember that MSM edited the audio

On Dean "screaming" and the audio on the "Boos" that Michael Moore received
at the Oscars.

I don't think that Kerry is saying anything differently than what I would be telling my kid were he in high school - "Get good grades or you are more likely to be cannon fodder!"

[ponthedge]

54. I think he is...

saying something different. As it was pointed out to me, he slipped whilst attacking a big dog and got bit.

As for becoming Cannon fodder should you not get good grades in school, I think you just made the same mis-step. Even though I understand you intention, here goes...

Our Military is one of the most highly trained in the world. I personally know of several in the military that would take umbrage at your comment, as well as they took umbrage with Kerry for his mis-step. Which is why I posted.

We play a dangerous game when we, even if it is said with no harm intended, belittle those who fight for our freedoms. Without the greatest military on the planet we would have been over run decades ago by other nations more powerful. My thanks to those who were cannon fodder. I owe them my freedom.

It is a delicate test of 'King of the Hill' in this world. If you don't believe it, then...I will cordially beg to differ.

As to your meaning, I understand what you were saying...I just wanted to show you that words are the single most powerful weapon at our disposal as a people. They are being used by the Rovians to slander and ridicule the very people who should not be slandered or ridiculed because they are fighting the GOOD fight. That is the essence of PROPOGANDA. Distort the truth and tell lies.

Regards...

As for my 6 year old boy...last night while watching KO, he said...'There goes Bush...lying again!'

[truedelphi]

62. I know what you are saying and I agree - but being

Of a generation where you *enlisted" in the Army only if that was the only
route possible to take in life - I can't quite get my mind around that idea.
(even though it it true that now it is the reality)

I know that the military tests its recurits and that many are rejected if
they cannot demonstrate a certain level of intelligence (that was not true
in Vietnam and in this sense Iraq and Afghanistan are different)

I don't mean to offend anyone in uniform. I apologize that my prejudice is offensive.

And for me, regardless of how admirable the people are who are serving - the war is so
pointless to me - I mean, my father, a decorated war hero as many of his
generation were, spoke of WWII as being a mistake - I was brought up
to be very concerned about nations using the military to "solve" problems.

If young people didn't serve where would Bush and Halliburton's pointless war be?

[IWantAChange]

27. Max is twice the man Dubyha will ever be..

A true patriot who continues to fight for what is right and against what is wrong in this country.

[blm]

56. Any troop would want Max or Kerry in a foxhole - would any troop prefer Bush

or Rove?

[Beelzebud]

28. ...And then Harold Ford Jr. began calling for him to apologize.

So much for the fucking party sticking together.

[curiousdemo]

36. I agree.....

I know he's in a Red State, but come on Harold get with the program. Free your mind, and you ass will follow.

:kick: ass!!

[Strawman]

29. Bill Frist owes shelter cats an apology

If only he had merely made remarks about shelter cats that were twisted beyond recognition.

Nope. He conducted gruesome experiments on them and killed them.

Fuck that asshole.

[Hepburn]

30. Max Cleland....

...:yourock:

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[RubyDuby in GA]

31. Any Democrat saying Kerry needs to apologize needs to STFU now!

Jesus Christ on a Trailer Hitch! Would it kill anyone in this party to show a spine and to understand the concept of 'Big Team, Little Me'? So Kerry misspoke. It's not like W doesn't every damn time he opens his mouth, i.e. Is our children learning? To be able to put food on your family...

Kerry said exactly what needed to be said. And he said it even further in his press conference later. The damn Democrats piling on for an apology need to sit down and shut the hell up. This is why we're seen as being weak on everything. We can't even play nice together when one person, who is clearly a highly educated man, gets so far ahead of himself in his thoughts that he mispeaks. I had no trouble whatsoever understanding exactly what he meant. Why can't the media (who are the ones really making this an issue)? And why can't those Democrats who are calling for his apology?

[grizmaster]

33. I second that wholeheartedly

Kerry was talking about bush not the troops and I challenge any who say otherwise to show me where in the line he refers to the troops. It doesn't, period.

[ponthedge]

35. at least you didn't tackle me...

But you could have replied to my post rather than the thread.

But I will never just STFU. If I have an opinion, I will state it. For the record.

Problem with that?

Let's see. Now I am a Damn Democrat who needs to STFU. And I am not a team player because I questioned one of our own and wished that he hadn't even given them the sound bite.

What country do you f'ing live in?

Perhaps, DU is just for followers. Not really my cup of tea if this is the norm. I prefer discussion. Can't handle that then perhaps there is a re-think needed as to who needs to STFU. But then that would lower me to your level and I would never ask you to STFU, reagrdless of your position.

So sing on little birdie...as will I.

[ponthedge]

41. One more thing..

At least Kerry is a bigger man than those who thought it was cool to be just like the repukes and apologize for nothing.

Kerry is the best! I applaud him for taking the wind from their puny little sails today and I hope he never STFU!!! Kerry/Ford 2008!!!

http://ca.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-11-01T164205Z_01_N01379172_RTRIDST_0_NEWS-USA-ELECTIONS-KERRY-COL.XML

and...In my post, I said should have, not MUST NOW. I was merely pointing out a missed opportunity. Read next time before typing out your anger.

Love to all DU'ers

Kerry/Ford 2008!!!

[Wetzelbill]

32. yeah if anybody knows how these clowns operate

it's Max.

[JoMama49]

34. You Go Max! n/t

[Virginia Dare]

37. Cleland is still waiting for his apology too McCain you whore...n/t

[Miss Chybil]

38. K & R. nt

[truedelphi]

43. The crime - It's not what Kerry said

The crime is the Bush Administration.

We have been in Iraq - a nationof 21 million people - 2 and a half years longer than we spent defeating Germany (a nation of 80 some million people)

[Old Smokey]

45. Well Said, Max

excellent response.

[smb]

47. In Response...

...Rush Limbaugh stated that Cleland was "acting" like a triple amputee or else had deliberately quit using his wheelchair.

[blm]

49. OMG - you totally nailed Limbaugh's style.

.

[smb]

48. In Response...

...Rush Limbaugh stated that Cleland was "acting" like a triple amputee or else had deliberately quit using his wheelchair.

[minustwentyseven]

50. Basic Logic

Once again the right-wing nut-jobs have failed to grasp basic logic. This is how logic works for them:

Elephants are gray. Therefore everything that is gray is an elephant.

Uneducated Americans will get stuck in Iraq. Therefore every American stuck in Iraq is uneducated.

Makes perfect sense, right?

[pecwae]

58. I admire and respect

Max Cleland tremendously and am proud to be a fellow vet. Today he has risen even more in my esteem. "George Bush is the one who owes our troops an apology." Damn straight!

[omega minimo]

59. .

[Dr Fate]

60. Max needs to say this on TV. Bloggers already know this stuff.

I love Max, but when will Democrats learn that obscure web-text is NOT "fighting back?"

SAY IT ON TV, MAX.

If they deny you equal time on TV, then you need to SAY SO.

[Catchawave]

61. KnR for Max....

Will he be addressing John McCain's "uplifting" comments about troops who've lost their limbs ?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2542740

[JAN8525]

63. MEDIA

ON KERRYS SO CALLED FOPA{NOT] the neocon media is who needs to
shut the F--- up they so are not liberal all owned by neocons
these days they kick and pick at a dead horse till it makes me
puke!!!!!!!!!

[newyawker99]

66. Hi JAN8525!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: