Kerry seeks balance, Bush readies barrage

[UpInArms]

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/president/articles/2004/03/21/kerry_seeks_balance_bush_readies_barrage/

KETCHUM, Idaho -- When John F. Kerry cursed about a Secret Service agent who had collided with him Thursday on a snowboarding run, Republican strategists rejoiced: The senator might be on vacation, but he was not taking a break from making gaffes they could use to embarrass him.

Only two weeks ago Kerry was basking in mostly favorable press coverage as he coasted along the glide path to the Democratic presidential nomination. President Bush was under fire for using images from Sept. 11, 2001, in new campaign ads. Yet by the time Kerry flew to Idaho Wednesday, he had inflicted more bruises on his own candidacy than his Democratic rivals had during the months-long primary season. Republicans demanded that he back up his statements that overseas government leaders wanted him to beat Bush, and they immediately turned into a TV spot a comment in which Kerry said he supported $87 billion for US troops in Iraq, when he actually voted against that funding.

Bush campaign officials expressed confidence in recent days that they are successfully sullying Kerry's image and defining him in voters' minds as a flip-flopper who says whatever he thinks voters want to hear. Republican operatives even circulated to reporters and party members news of Kerry's jab at his Secret Service escort -- which Kerry aides say the senator made in jest. "It's perfect material showing that Kerry will say anything, and can't control what he says," one Republican strategist said.

...more...

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. The freepers are already spreading this

and embellishing on what was said. Of course, according to them, Kerry was mean spirited about it. And now they are calling him names like Lurch.

The liberals on the board said that they'd rather have someone cuss a little and be a real leader. And they pointed out how much Bush cusses.

Frankly, I don't see the cussing angle as getting far in gaining or losing votes. The only ones who seem to care are the freepers.

[NuttyFluffers]

5. i'd just reply:

i'd rather have a curmudgeon than a looney with a messianic complex

and then segue into bush's claims that god spoke to him.

ps i'm sure there's a better way to say that, by the way. i think it might be a tad too... polysyllabic.

[DeepModem Mom]

2. Aides say remark to SS agent made in jest --

"Republican operatives even circulated to reporters and party members news of Kerry's jab at his Secret Service escort -- which Kerry aides say the senator made in jest." What the aides are saying actually has the ring of truth to me, and is what I thought when I first heard of the incident. Saying, "I don't fall down," seemed part of a joke to me.

This is quite an article from the Boston Globe, however. I think they're correct that the past week hasn't been our guy's best.

[tlcandie]

3. Repubs doing what they do best!!! Pilling the shit on and awaiting

the flies!!! I'm not optimistic :(

[freeforall]

4. This exemplifies what is wrong with political campaigning.

Who gives a sh*t that Kerry cursed?

I think most intelligent people are more interested in his beliefs about the current domestic and foreign issues. I really hope that he will stick to discussing issues and not get sidetracked. Bushco just lies about their positions on everything and have no vision to offer, so Kerry needs to keep hammering away and presenting his vision for the country.

Getting caught up in these petty trivialities is just the type of thing that encourages voters to stay home.