If true, how much will the Drudge allegations hurt Kerry?

[Padraig18]

Your opinion

[MidwestTransplant]

1. How can anybody say he is done

if there are no facts known yet. We don't even know if it is true.

[BeyondGeography]

The question is "IF TRUE"

eom

[Freddie Stubbs]

32. Becasue the voters will never elect a womanizer

[Woodstock]

66. Hee hee hee

Nice one.

[Terwilliger]

2. What is this shit? Clinton-itis? Is everybody at DU so thin skinned?

:shrug:

[Padraig18]

3. When you've been beaten with chains often enough...

... it only takes the rattling of links to make you flinch.

[Cuban_Liberal]

62. Good analogy, Paddy!

[robsul82]

4. Two things.

Partly being afraid that Kerry will get ripped apart in the GE because of "He's Clinton Part Deux!" rumors and partly being afraid he'll be ripped apart anyway.

Later.

RJS

[Terwilliger]

I've nver been sanguine about Kerry

yet a few words from a right-winger like Drudge, and all the sudden its "TRAGEDY! TRAGEDY! WE'RE GONNA LOSE! LOSE LOSE!"

Do you think that Repukes were going to let Dean get by without trashing him?

[Uzybone]

5. Not everyone

usually those with a certain avatar who hope that this story is true. Its sad.

[Padraig18]

7. No one HOPES it's true.

Many of us are afraid it's true, which is a crucial difference.

[JVS]

37. Sticking up for that triangulating bastard sucked. I want no repeat.

[Atlant]

42. That's why this will be fatal to Kerry if it even SOUNDS true. (NT)

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Padraig18]

8. 'Pathetic'?

Please elaborate.

[West Coast Democrat]

10. I'm really disappointed in anyone who is gleeful about this

Really disappointed

[Padraig18]

13. I'm not gleeful, I'm apalled.

If it's true, it's better that it come out before he's the nominee.

[Name removed]

18. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Padraig18]

20. That's not the story.

But I'm not going to demean myself by pointing out what the patently OBVIOUS story IS, if true.:eyes:

[Name removed]

25. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Padraig18]

26. Thank you.

We'll see, won't we?

[West Coast Democrat]

40. Sorry, you don't get off that easily

you're going to have to tell me WHAT exactly the story is before you start these polls.

[Cuban_Liberal]

41. Might I suggest checking the drudge website?

I'm not aware that the original poster has an obligation to inform anyone about information which is a mouse-click away.

[Cheswick2.0]

21. who is gleeful?

Maybe you are projecting how you would feel, if this were about Dean, onto us?

Seriously, I don't like Kerry but I don't dislike his supporters. This is not the real world. You can't really dislike a fake persona.

Some of you treat Dean supporters like shit. What did we ever do to you besides not want to vote for your crappy candidate and have a lot of media attention last fall?

[OutlawCorporatePolls]

50. gleeful schmeeful.

after what the media did to dean, i am soooo glad that it may be an independent media source like drudge that MAY end kerry's run. its less about the candidates and more about the reporting.

if 70% of new jobs are created by small business, it's time to get rid of the corporations if theyre not adding new jobs. if we get rid of the competition, the corps(es), small business would account for 95% of the new jobs. its time to de-oligopolize this country. release their market share to the people (again).

[meegbear]

12. Oh ... I don't know

the way people are saying how his campaign over.

[no one in particular]

9. Face it. Many here want him gone.

As can be seen from my avatar, I don't have a clear preference. I just want Bush gone.

Most here don't like Kerry and would privately, or even publicly, jump on the "Kill Kerry" bandwagon to clear the way for their candidate.

[Cuban_Liberal]

81. Very true.

Many of us would prefer a different candidate, and that preference is based upon serious concern about Sen. Kerry's electability; simply stated, we don not believe him to be the most electable candidate to face Bush in November.

[jpgray]

11. Can we have a "too soon to tell" option?

Too light on the facts to formulate an opinion, in my case.

[Padraig18]

14. That would be the 'Remains to be seen" option. n/t

[jpgray]

17. My humblest apologies--didn't see it. Sorry

:crazy:

[maddezmom]

15. key words~IF TRUE?

why don't we wait and see the evidence before we speculate. Drudge is a slug, don't trust him.

[KnucklesBuchanan]

19. Word.

Also, does anyone in their right mind believe that Clark would drop out if he "knew" that Kerry was due to implode? What a bunch of hooey.

[DuctapeFatwa]

16. Depends on the allegations against the others

It's still early days...

[GCP]

22. I think the majority of people are sophisticated enough

not to be swayed by this. Hell, Clinton managed to get elected and re-elected with a much worse record with women.

[Toucano]

23. Post-Clinton

infidelity is irrelevent.

I don't think voters care about it anymore. That's the consquence of their harping on Clinton so much: desensitized electorate.

As Rev. Al said, it's not about who you sleep with, but whether you have a job when you wake up.

[On the Road]

24. I Honestly Can't Believe So Many People Think Kerry is Done

I mean, the accusations may turn out to be total bullshit! They could be old, or from the period when Kerry when a divorcee. And we don't know how he'll respond and how the public will judge his response.

It could be a Donna Rice, a Gennifer Flowers, a Monica Lewinsky, or a Clinton mulatto love-child story. We don't know a thing yet.

[Padraig18]

27. FWIW, I voted 'remains to be seen'.

It's odd that a Dean supporter (me) can't even post a poll about this matter without being attacked by some posters (NOT you). Oh well, I've got a very thick hide. :shrug:

[11 Bravo]

28. Sadly, more than a few DUers appear almost indecently pleased

by this allegation.

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[Lisa0825]

30. I voted RTBS. But what I wanted to vote was depends on the details.

not enough details are out yet... how long ago it was, for example.... Drudge implied it was recent, but the way he worded it was ambiguous.... did he mean recent ALLEGATIONS of infidelity, or recent infidelity?

And Kerry was seperated from his ex wife for several years before their divorce was final. If it was a matter of dating while seperated, I think that is no problem.... Even if he cheated on Teresa, it may not hurt him if it was long ago, and she knows about it and they worked it out, but if it was recent, or if it's news to her, he'd be toast.

So, I am hoping the report is an attempt to twist his single/seperated days and make it look like something more. If so, he'll be fine.

I am not a Kerry supporter, but I am ABB, so I do NOT wish this story to be true.

[Walt Starr]

31. If he truly had an adulterous affair recently

he's done.

I think the story is hooey, though.

[Cuban_Liberal]

33. IF true, Democrats will run from Kerry like rats jumping ship. n/t

[West Coast Democrat]

34. My opinion (as a Clark supporter)

this thread should be locked. Show some respect!

[Cuban_Liberal]

35. What's 'disrespectful' about it?

It's a legitimate question.

[West Coast Democrat]

36. Drudge is not a news source

[Cuban_Liberal]

38. That doesn't make the poll 'disrespectful'.

BTW, please remember that Drudge broke both the Monicagate and Rush/oxycontin stories.

[Tinoire]

39. In which case we'll bury our heads like we did when he broke Lewinsky

and desperately shout that it's a lie & persecution until months have dragged on, fingers are wagged on TV and incontrovertible proof is thrust in the face of a hypocritically pious American public (we're aiming for the Center remember? Not understanding, tolerant Leftists).

Drudge is unfortunately a news source & one that many people pay attention to. Democrats may not like him because some of the dirt he's dug up has hurt us but it's dirt nonetheless and cutting him off as a source does NOT make the news go away. All it does is allow for spin denial.

The pictures of the woman, of Kerry and the woman, are already up on the net.

If it's a smear, it needs to be dealt with- not ignored because people don't like the messenger.

The moral heterosexual marriage-centric DLC wanted to pander to the Center? Well, they're going to suffer now because the Center doesn't like this kind of stuff.

[JVS]

43. We could rally to support a sitting president, but not a primary candidate

it's just easier to run a different candidate

[Tinoire]

46. I think that's what people are missing. Was this why the mad rush

to a coronation?

How Kerry handles this is critical. And he better hurry because the pictures are already up.

[Cuban_Liberal]

47. You're 100% correct.

He'd better handle this openly and honestly and QUICKLY.

[Tinoire]

52. His wife getting out there and tactfully telling people to mind their own

business wouldn't hurt either.

Remember how Hillary saved Bill's goose when the story about Jennifer Flowers broke? I expect no less from Teresa. She's a smart cookie.

[oldcoot]

48. Unfortunately, you are correct

We cannot afford to ignore Drudge or Fox News for that matter. Even if this story turns out to by a total lie, Kerry and his supporters need to be prepared to deal with it and deal with it quickly and honestly. Kerry should also express outrage over the invasion of this poor woman's privacy. She does not deserve to have her photograph posted on the internet.

[Cuban_Liberal]

49. There are several things Sen. Kerry needs to adress forthrightly.

This and his connections to Toricelli are just 2.

[Tinoire]

53. outrage over the invasion of this poor woman's privacy - Yes

that would be an effective tact I think.

People felt sorry for Monica towards the end and would probably feel the same here.

I saw a photo of the woman. Looks like an average woman. Nothing fancy or sleazy that people couln't relate to or would want to crucify.

Time however is passing... Hope Kerry says something today.

[KamaAina]

44. *If true*, how will the moon being made of green cheese affect NASA?

It's Drudge. Your call.

[Cuban_Liberal]

45. Bill & Monica, Rush & oxycontin.

We shouldn't be so quick to dismiss everything Drudge puts out as unsubstantiated.

[HazMat]

51. This is why a right wing hack like Drudge has so much power

because he's even taken seriously on a non-right wing site such as this. Drudge made this up just like he made up the botox story. People are so blinded in their hate for Kerry that they're willing to side with right wing hacks like Drudge. Disgusting.

[Cuban_Liberal]

54. Did he make up Bill & Monica, or Rush & oxycontin?

What I find disgusting is this ridiculous 'Move on, nothing to see' attitude that comes with ANY question about Sen. Kerry.

[BL_Zebub]

59. Kerry could be caught at a murder scene with the smoking gun in his hand

...and some of you would still think he was "set up".

[Cuban_Liberal]

60. Isn't that the truth?

I'm developing a permanent lump where I keep getting smacked with all the "Move on, nothing to see" posts here today and yesterday.

[Zynx]

55. Game. Set. Match.

That would be it.

[Cuban_Liberal]

56. Kick for the evening shift

[mitchum]

57. Lot of wishful thinking washed down with sour grapes wine...

on this poll and thread

Big surprise

Kerry 2004

[Cuban_Liberal]

58. I don't see it that way at all.

IF true, it goes right to the heart of the 'electability' issue.

[mitchum]

73. Of course, you don't

[Lydia Leftcoast]

61. Remember how much it hurt Clinton

NOT?

[JohnKleeb]

63. depends

If my countrymen and women are idiots which I dont think they are, then yes he is finished, and if people react with human emotion, then he'll be fine. Clinton survived much more than this, and we dont even know if its true.

[saracat]

64. Drudge is unsubstantiated tripe

Please read Drudge for yourself. It is an unsupported rumor not backed up by fact. It is ridiculous for even Drudge to push this junk. Boston Globe investigated this in 1998 and it had no legs then.Does anyone actually believe that Teresa of all people would put up with this? A a self avowed feminist with her own money, and the intelligence of a corporate guroo? She has no political ambitions.She turned down the Senate when she was offered it. She doesn't "need" Kerry , and would have walked long ago. The other campaigns that are fostering this ought to "stick a fork in themselves" as they are "done". Rejoicing about the hope of the frontrunner's smear is pathetic, and only offers aid and comfort to the enemy, the Republicans!

[Padraig18]

67. No one is 'rejoicing' in anything.

Secondly, this is NOT about the 1998 a;;egations, but about during THIS campaign!

Do the names Monica and Bill, or Rush and oxycontin ring a bell? Drudge broke those, too.

[saracat]

82. Not 1998, Facts Drudge's claims "no substantiation>"

How about the fact that Howard Dean's chief fundraiser as established by NPR is a Republican woman named Cook? And his campaign is run by three lobbyists with Roy Neel being only one of the three? Check out who gave the big numbers to Dean while your at it! Now I don't care about these statements ,though they are true. I just think credible sources need to be quoted before a rumor is spread and Drudge is not credible. He just got lucky a few times. And by the way, He is now backing away from the story and calls it "unsubstantiated". Everyone should check source material before they post, especially if it is being used to hurt fellow Democrats! We must beat Bush at all costs.Our country is at stake. We must win in spite of whatever personal agenda'a an individual candidate might have.Discuss it later. Bush must go!

[snippy]

65. This will affect perverted coprophagic fucktard voters.

They all vote republican anyway. Most decent Americans are tired of republican crotch sniffing.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

68. What allegations? Did I miss something?

;)

[Padraig18]

70. Apparently so.

;)

[rucky]

69. Two Words: Gary Hart

eom

[Woodstock]

72. Why not these two?

Bill Clinton?

[arewethereyet]

78. its because of your two words that the prior two words are significant

if there is anything to it, he'll be stepping down

[mlawson]

71. It depends upon whether the DNC continues to push Kerry.

Is the nomination already set in concrete, so far as McAuliffe is concerned?? That is the question; I suspect the answer is 'yes'.

[quaker bill]

74. It doesn't even have to be true

It just needs to be credible enough to raise a serious character question. "Electability" is an imaginary quality based on unfounded suppositions about future performance. It is like betting on tech stocks in the 90's. One bad piece of news or rumor of such caused share prices to plummet.

This story will be incredibly damaging if it is not shot down early and convincingly.

[Padraig18]

75. The Kerry campaign's "No comment" isn't helping it.

They need to address this issue forthrightly and immediately.

[knight_of_the_star]

76. Excuse me, but

Anything that comes out of Drudge's mouth should be taken with a grain of salt the size of Alaska. Why bother asking if they are true?

[Padraig18]

77. Bill and Monica, Rush and oxycontin.

2 excellent reasons for not dismissing Drudge out-of-hand, because he scooped both stories. Just because WE don'ty like him doesnt mean NO ONE doesn't like him. He has sources, just like any reporter.

[deutsey]

79. I don't support Kerry, but

these allegations, even if true, are ridiculous.

I guess we Americans will never grow up. I do not intend to cheat on my wife, ever, but it happens, especially to the egomaniacs that are drawn to running for president. The more important question is: do they have what it takes to lead a nation? Sexual dalliances just don't have much of an impact on that for me.

Personally, I think Clinton was a creep for doing what he did with Monica...so was Jefferson for having sex with a slave, so was Eisenhower for his affair, etc. But they were good leaders (despite Eisenhower's flaw of being Republican).

[Padraig18]

80. 'Electability'

That's what matters, and if this is true, it diminishes Kerry's--greatly.

[dsc]

84. He is on record as saying I am unfit, on moral grounds, to marry

thus his marriage and his alledgedly cavilier treatment of it, is my business. Thus if true this story is exactly and precisely my business.

[JackRiddler]

83. To see him go would please me but

NOT FOR THIS REASON!

He should fight it all the way.

But if it turns out true, then he is a fool. He has followed in the footsteps of Hart and Clinton by denying it, challenging the media.

Why could Papa Bush just throw a tantrum and say, "how dare you" and get away with it?

Kerry should have said:

- NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS, AMERICANS BELIEVE IN PRIVACY!
- UTTERLY TRIVIAL TO PRESIDENCY, AMERICANS WANT THE ISSUES!

And that's what he should have said EVEN if the allegations are untrue. The only way to fight this kind of smear-by-prudism is to defang the bogus values that underlie it.

What's more important than privacy? (Oh, but I forget, he was for the PATRIOT Act.)

Because you KNOW this isn't even going to be the only damn thing of this nature. If nothing else the guy's a party animal. (I know, I'm going out on a limb here, but unlike many at DU that is for me not a term of moral approbation.)

Foolish.