For those handwringing over Kerry's statement...how this can help us

[SaveElmer]

How many of you were doing t he same thing two days ago after Allens' pathetic attempt at using excerpts from Jim Webb's novel...

The way to turn this around to our advantage is very simple...

The media will focus for now on the Kerry statements...

But, if the response is forceful enough...they will turn their attention to the response...

If that response 1. is unambigious in its defense of Kerry and 2. Focuses the response of Bush's handling of the war...it will turn to our advantage...

It worked two nights ago, it can work today...

We don't need Democratic complainers right now!!!

[Hosnon]

1. Could not agree more. I'd rather Kerry not "botch" things this close to the election but if we can

learn anything from Rove it is to never admit fault and come out swinging.

The most talented debater is able to take a negative and turn it into a positive.

[Jacobin]

3. I would feel more comfortable with all this

If this were the Big Dog in this fight. I will also go out on a limb and suggest that the Big Dog would not have taken the risk of using troops in a joke about Iraq when the paid of losses in Iraq is now hurting the republicans.

In short, Kerry is no Big Dog and I would hope, after this flap for which I hope he DOES NOT apologize, he will be a bit more circumspect and sit down and shut up while the republicans flame out.

[Hosnon]

6. Exactly. He's reacting correctly but it's disappointing that this is in the news to begin with. nt

[SaveElmer]

10. The Republican response is an opportunity...

They are again overplaying their hand...

By having George Bush directly challenge John Kerry, the media will be forced to air Kerry's response. We know what that will be...

This could have the effect of refocusing on Bush's conduct of the war...

Also, I have trouble believeing folks will seriously believe John Kerry was insulting the troops...

It very well may be perceived for what it is...another Republican slime attack!

[sandnsea]

2. Bush got us stuck in Iraq

That's what he said and that's the truth of it. It is NOT the Dem leadership that has no balls - it's the damned grassroots that quivers every time the Republicans wave a shred of red meat.

[renate]

4. I agree...

Every Democrat who's asked about this needs to 1) repeat that Kerry was talking about Bush, not the troops, and 2) quote at length from his awesome response today.

If they apologize for the gaffe instead of talking about what Kerry said today (especially the part about men who've never been to war themselves), they will miss a golden opportunity.

[jean]

5. Attention all handwringers! Get busy dialing up for GOTV in your

state. Nothing better than busy hands - stop fretting!

[cali]

7. I didn't handwring at all over the stupid Allen trick

with Webb's novels, and I'm not handwringing now. We'll just have to see how this thing sugars off. It may hurt us. It may help us. We'll see, but in any case, it was unavoidable. Kerry flubbed his lines, the pukes twisted it, and he has no choice but to vigorously fight back. What I do think is silly, is immediately acting like this is a gift.

[SaveElmer]

8. It requires an aggressive response...

The gaffe itself is not the gift...the Republican response is!!!

They are going to do what they always do...overplay their hand. George Bush directly challenging John Kerry will FORCE the media to fully air Kerry's response.

That response will force the focus back on Bush's war failure!!!

[blm]

11. I think you assessed this correctly - Republicans are sweaty desperate over this.

But people stopped believing them after Katrina.

[SaveElmer]

12. Exactly right...

The Republican tactics today would only work if they still had any shred of credibility left with the American people. That credibility is gone...so it is more likely that this will be seen for what it is...yet another lame attempt by the Repubs to shift the focus away from their failures...

[Pryderi]

9. Doesn't the NCLB require schools to send failing students info to recruiters?