"Sign Kerry Up As A Surrogate For Bush" Says Bush Campaign Leader

[Solidarity]

Kerry's Latest Colors
By Howard Fineman and T. Trent Gegax
Newsweek
May 10th Edition



"What's interesting is not how different the substance of the message is from Bush's—but how similar.

In a well-crafted—and well-received—speech at Westminster College in Missouri late last week, Kerry in essence agreed with Bush on most points: that we can't leave Iraq precipitously, that we may need more troops, that we have to involve NATO and train the Iraqi military carefully.

'We should sign him up as a surrogate,' said Nicolle Devenish of BC'04 . 'Those are all our positions.' But she may be missing the point. For now, at least, Kerry's strategy is clear: if the country wants a commander in chief, pick the one who has actually been under fire in war, not the stateside guy who got us into Iraq."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4881085/

So will John Kerry be more effective in prosecuting the war and occupation of Iraq than George Bush? I think he will. That seems to be Kerry's message. Vote for a better war president with military experience. Wonderful.

It's starting to look like a re-run of Gore 2000.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

1. It takes the issue away from Bush

It's a good place to argue from. A good starting point.

[Solidarity]

3. Huh???

Perhaps John Kerry should also campaign hard in support of NAFTA and the Patriot Act. That would also take those issues away from Bush.

Any other suggestions on other Bush issues that Kerry should campaign in support of?

[NewYorkerfromMass]

7. Only this one.

Only works for Iraq.

[readmylips]

6. A good place to argue from....

It sounds like a good place to argue to, for bushe's advantage.

The media is not on Kerry's side, all they is Kerry same as bush so why change bush. This campaign is critical, not just to secure the US but secure the world. Kerry cannot continue to look himself in the mirror and see bush. He needs to see Kerry. I'm really frustrated by Kerry's continued support for the war and sounding like bush.

[blm]

2. They know Kerry has the superior plan so they SPIN it as if it's their's.

Kerry has been promoting an international effort since before the IWR. For Bushies to spin this into Kerry agreeing with THEM is patently absurd.

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. Agreed

but how many people have been paying that much attention?

Don't say we have, as we are the minority.

It takes insane ammounts of effort to stay informed and they are
counting on that

[IrateCitizen]

5. While it may be patently absurd, sadly it works

Characterize Bush as the "dim-bulb" all you want, if there is one thing he has proved to be a master at throughout his career, that is the ability to co-opt the programs of others -- many of which he initially opposes -- as his own. Molly Ivins and Lou DuBose lay out many instances of this in Shrub and Bushwhacked.

Another sad reality is the fact that there is no position in the "mainstream" political debate for such heretical ideas like whether we should even be there in the first place, or the possibility that it might just be our military presence causing all the instability and that the first step toward helping Iraq rebuild is to PULL OUT.

Note, I don't blame Kerry for either of these -- I'm just trying to highlight what I see as unfortunate realities.

[Kolesar]

9. He* stole his tax-cut-plan from primary opponent Steve Forbes

Just for more proof of what you said.

I am really in a quandry about your second paragraph. I have a feeling we are going to leave Iraq in chaos whether we leave in a few months or in a few years. Maybe it is time to pack up and go.

[IrateCitizen]

10. I think we'd leave Iraq in much less chaos NOW...

... as opposed to if we tried to hang on for a few years, and THEN pulled out.

Each passing day in which the country is a battleground only increases the likelihood of chaos when we leave.

[displacedtexan]

8. This plan only works with Kerry... won't work with Bush*!

The world won't cooperate until Bush* is ousted! Col. Ken Allard (CNN analyst) actually said this plan would only work because of JK. I thought Chris Jansing was going to choke when he said that!

[shrike]

11. I pay little attention to any article with Fineman's name on it