I am beginning to think the Kerry episode energized our base more than theirs

[Quixote1818]

To be honest, I don't think the right wing really cares about what Kerry said. They just saw it as an opportunity to make headlines and bash Kerry. On the other hand, the pure rage and anger felt by the left on seeing the same old tactics by the captain of the Exxon Valdez and his crew swift boating Kerry again scared the crap out of our side and we had visions of thinking we were going to win only to see it evaporate right in front of us. We saw RED!!!!

I have Republican friends and they were laughing about what Kerry said. They were more interested in seeing it hurt us than them really being offended. Our side however, felt real, genuine anger and rage seeing the same evil crap from the other side.

They think they won that episode but they really lost.

[WI_DEM]

1. you may be right

[NewYorkerfromMass]

15. The letters the NYTimes published today on Kerry

lead me to believe that the sentiment is generally against Bush, if not entirely behind Kerry. There are 2 completely rabid anti-Kerry ones, but the other 5 eventually look toward Bush for blame:

Kerry, Bush and the Iraq Flare-Up (7 Letters)

After hearing and reading Senator John Kerry’s so-called insult to our military men and women, I needed a moment to understand what the flap is all about. Then I remembered the scope of the Republican spin machine.

This administration has consistently lowballed the intelligence of the American people, and the Republican Party seems optimistic that this latest uproar will drown out the tolling of the bells. Let’s hope that the American voters can see through the smoke.

Yes, Senator Kerry referred to the need to make the most of one’s education (study hard, do the homework, make an effort to be smart) to avoid getting stuck in disastrous situations like Iraq.

He was clearly speaking about George W. Bush....
________________________________________________

While John Kerry’s initial usage of words was careless, his message and especially his subsequent response to Republican critics was anything but.

Senator Kerry is a legitimate war hero, whose criticism of the war on returning from Vietnam was also a heroic act. His bond with those who serve our country is strong and true.

Can anyone seriously doubt that he would not defend his fellow soldiers, to the death, even now?

Shame deservedly falls not on him but on those who, with carelessness beyond belief, have sent nearly 3,000 of our fighting men and women and many more Iraqi citizens to their deaths, with no expression of regret.

I am proud of John Kerry for having found his voice to speak out against this debacle, as he and timid fellow Democrats should have done a long time ago.

His response eloquently and rightly lays the blame for the betrayal of our troops on those truly responsible....
___________________________________________________

John Kerry’s “botched joke” is just what it is (“As Vote Nears, Stances on War Set Off Sparks,” front page, Nov. 1).

But if the senator put his foot in his mouth, the fact is that the ultimate insulting and shameful suggestion belongs to the White House when our commander in chief manipulated the minds of Americans for the reason to go to war in Iraq.

Where is President Bush’s apology for the loss of more than 2,800 American lives? .......
___________________________________________________

Regarding John Kerry’s gaffe: Whose side is this guy on? I am outraged by his remarks, botched joke or no. He owed us all an immediate apology, and I am no “right-wing nut job,” as he so quickly characterized his critics on this issue.

I am a Vietnam veteran who opposes this administration’s policies, at home and abroad.

I am pleased that Mr. Kerry has now taken responsibility for his mistakes. We’ve got people in power now who don’t do that, and look where they’ve gotten us....
______________________________________________

and the crème de la crème:

John Kerry botched a joke. George W. Bush botched a war.

Hank Wallace
Washington, Nov. 1, 2006

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/02/opinion/l02iraq.html?

This is a good sign as the Times letter choices are meant to reflect the balance of opinion in whatever they decide to publish.

[blm]

16. Thanks, NY... this episode MOTIVATED the base while "strategists"

were clucking like scared hens.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

18. Yep.

and I love the way the Times saved that last letter as the "punch line".
I think we're gonna come out of this alright.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

36. NYTimes letters - Day 2

Eye on the Ball: It’s Bush, Not Kerry (7 Letters)

To the Editor:

In “The Great Divider” (editorial, Nov. 2), you acknowledge what has been obvious for weeks.

President Bush’s behavior at rallies across the country has been abominable and clearly demeans the office of the president.

He has blatantly mocked Democrats and encouraged crowds to jeer fellow Americans along with him.

I am disappointed, I am disgusted, I am outraged.

In addition to the issues of the day, a return to bipartisanship and civility, and establishing legitimate oversight in Congress, should also be considered when Americans cast their votes.
______________________________________________________________________________


Your editorial “The Great Divider” hits the nail on the head, but your “wondering whether this president will ever be willing or able to make room for bipartisanship, compromise and statesmanship in the two years he has left in office” leaves me wondering: Based on the last 70 months, why would you ever expect statesmanship, compromise and bipartisanship from this president?
______________________________________________________________________________


John Kerry’s remark about getting educated or getting stuck in Iraq was crude and ill conceived. After two days, he has apologized.

His judgment was bad, but at least he had the intestinal fortitude (guts) to admit it, albeit belatedly.

So in the interest of “fair and balanced” treatment, when will President Bush apologize for his remarks claiming that the terrorists will win if the Democrats win the coming election?

Surely his words were as insulting to every patriotic American who differs with the president as Senator Kerry’s remark was insulting to the soldiers in Iraq.

Do the rules cut both ways? And if so, does the president have the guts to admit that his remarks were extremely offensive?
_____________________________________________________________________________________


....President Bush has been proclaiming his readiness to adopt new tactics in Iraq. His favorite catch phrase “stay the course” was discarded, apparently to underscore his new image of flexibility.

I wondered whether this new posture was heartfelt or merely a politically expedient response to polls showing dissatisfaction with the war.

With the president’s vow to keep Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld till the end of his administration, I have my disappointing answer.

If the president wanted to reappraise how we are conducting the war, one of his first actions should have been to replace Mr. Rumsfeld.

Instead, he insists on retaining the very man whose flawed judgment and refusal to recognize mistakes played a major role in bringing about the utter mess that Iraq has become.
____________________________________________________________________________________


John Kerry on his worst day could not insult the troops more than President Bush did when he announced that Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld was doing a “fantastic” job and would remain with him through the remainder of his presidency.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

(This one's my favorite)

President Bush said on Rush Limbaugh’s radio show that John Kerry “ought to understand the consequences of words.” Mr. Bush must have been referring to his own words regarding the Iraqi insurgents: “Bring ’em on.”
___________________________________________________________________________________


President Bush’s appearance on Rush Limbaugh’s radio program just days after Mr. Limbaugh mocked the uncontrolled behavior of Parkinson’s disease sufferers brings to mind two words: “compassionate conservatism.”

[blue cat]

24. John Kerry botched a joke. George W. Bush botched a war.

Great line. I have been madder than hell about this to the point that I was a terrible bitch at work today. I know that I shouldn't be so affected by it, but damn it to hell, I was affected by it greatly. I am a small nonviolent woman, but I feel like I could punch out anyone about this who got in my face about it.

[Graybeard]

2. YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES ..........n/t

[KAZ]

3. Hope you're right. I have felt nothing but rage for ...

..the last 6 years. Here's hoping it will be abated somewhat by Wednesday.

[Hatalles]

4. I completely agree. nt

[C_U_L8R]

5. it was a good jolt

with the extra benefit that the nation saw what
slimey fucks the republicans are as they distorted
Kerry's words and lied about Iraq.

All in all.. good for us... let's stay on our toes til tuesday

[uppityperson]

6. Indeed, seems like a good conclusion

[Democrafty]

7. Well, they've spent 2.5 days talking about

Kerry instead of talking up their own candidates.

Probably not a wise move for the GOP.

[SouthernBelle82]

8. I think so too

Just look at John Kerry for an example. :loveya: I know I'm pissed off and I can't wait until next Tuesday to go and vote.

[Beetwasher]

9. Oooh, You Know What, You're Right!

Great point. As a smear it was a failure on so many levels, I completely overlooked that one, and in the end it may be the most important one!

Great post!

I just posted on the whole Kerry thing and how it shows Rove is no genius because the whole thing was such a failure and I didn't even consider this aspect of it!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2554707&mesg_id=2554707

[applegrove]

10. It was a downer. But not of significance in the end. There are so many

more important things. And the comeback..Bush botched a war..is the issue of this election.

[blm]

11. Two things: GENUINE disgust with the tactic and the smell of THEIR desperation

that led us to the pile on.

Having Kerry say out loud on television for 15 minutes pretty much alot of what we, the netroots say about Bush and the GOP and their scummy tactics didn't hurt, either.

Then Keith did it with such precise slashing it was like watching Ed Murrow/Michael O'Donoghue's lovechild.

Kerry kicked back. Netroots kicked back. Keith kicked back.

[Quixote1818]

13. It was watching Keith when I came to this conclusion. nt

[INdemo]

12. I was talking to a fellow Democrat and he mad a comment about

the Kerry episode and my reply was.."See that is why the Republicans are successful with their propaganda". well the conversation ended on a positive note ...........But yes I believe your are correct Democrats and not gonna take this BS anymore..Man I am so excited

And as far as these polls that are changing on a daily basis favoring the Republicans,well I believe they are front loaded with Repub respondents in an attempt to energize the Repub base to encourage them to vote.

[MeDeMax]

14. it sure did ! -- n/t

[LittleClarkie]

17. It certainly has my blood going. And after an absense, I'm back on DU.

It does smack of 2004. Only this time Kerry did what everyone said he should. And they kept going anyway. What did we think he was going to accomplish if he did that in 2004?

I find it depressing though, and somewhat helpless as I watch history repeat. I just hope the American people are smarter this time.

[Quixote1818]

19. Sounds like we can thank Kerry for bringing you back to DU! Welcome back! nt

:pals: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

[Bouncy Ball]

21. Same here.

I figured hey, let them get their jollies where they can--everything else is shit for them.

[Quixote1818]

23. Welcome Back Bouncy Ball

See, Kerry is reuniting the DU family! it's a DU family reunion!

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

[Olney Blue]

29. Hi LittleClarkie!

Nice to see you.

[The Backlash Cometh]

20. You bet.

[hexola]

22. Just thinking the same thing - They have been thrown off message moreso...

than our side...we just had to hold our breath for a few minutes while they wasted (and continue) to waste theirs...

[seabeyond]

25. walked into store and saw headline kerry apologizes. i was livid

all over again. couldnt remember why i was there. standing in front of cashiers, and customers behind i say i am soooo PISSED at the lying sack of shit republicans. i will NEVER vote for them ever. they lie about everything and this latest with kerry has me hot. i had a couple agree, until i could focus why i had come in. and then cashier said something about how bad they were and i was back at it.... not able to focus on how much money

had another gal, rw tell me the kerry stuff was stupid and much more important things like getting out of iraq should be talked about

[Olney Blue]

26. When I saw the erratic chimp jumping around trashing Kerry...

it made me madder than ever.

I don't care if I have to crawl to the polls, I will cast my vote for all the Dem candidates on my ballot!!!!!!!!

[Quixote1818]

27. It caused me to go and do early voting. I was going to wait but

I didn't want to take the chance of dying before I could vote against these ass holes.

[Olney Blue]

28. Good point! Maybe I should go into a hermetically sealed chamber

until next week. :scared:

[glitch]

33. ROFL! Thank you, I needed that. nt

[Exultant Democracy]

30. Iraq Iraq Iraq...anyone who wants us to win and talks about anything else

is doing us a big disservice.

[The Count]

31. Personally I don't think it did bubkus for anyone - except to prove again

just how much the media is manipulated by BFEE. It also obscured the news about the Iraq war being lost.

[Hepburn]

32. IMO, the RWs made a big mistake in going after Sen. Kerry

I know when I saw that phony "Kerry insulted the troops" BS, I got mad ~~ really mad ~~ and I took out my checkbook and looked around at a few close races that I thought could use a few bucks. All I could think of is how those fucking asshole RWs in the 2004 election swiftboated an American hero while praising that fucking AWOL Bush and there was no payback for what they did ~~ well, maybe it's coming on the 7th, tho. So, I put my money where at times I only had put my mouth before. I also called the local Dem headquarters and asked what they needed in the way of help. I have not heard back from them ~~ but whatever it takes, I will be there. I used just get depressed about the Repuke attacks and take some pride in the fact that Dems did not act like the Repukes ~~ yes, we lost, but we were honorable and that counted for a hell of a lot. But now??? I am mad as hell and I am NOT going to sit back and take this lying BS from them anymore. The Repukes have taken a very good run at ruining this country and I will be damned to hell if those assholes are gonna get away with that bullshit again!

End of rant.....:hi:

[Quixote1818]

34. Good for you!

[Hepburn]

35. Thanks....

...I just used to be sad and depressed over the Bush Reich. Now??? I intend to get as many of those Bush butt-kissers out of office as possible. I am nearly 60 years old ~~ and today, I felt the energy going through me like I did in the 1960's when the Vietnam War was a HUGE issue with me.

The STUPID RW BushCo attack on Kerry ~~ whether people agree or disagree about him making a mistake, etc ~~ pissed me off to the max. I am mad as hell and instead of just bitching as I have done too often in the past without getting off my fat ass and doing something, I am gonna do as much about it as I can!

Btw: Paul Newman coming out for Lamont today ~~ wow, another rush for me! I am walking around tonight and feel like my feet are about 6" off my floors!

:hi:

[Beelzebud]

37. Actually, I would have to agree.