Rove Theory on Kerry and the Intern Bomb

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

Tin foil or not, here's my theory on why Rove is hoping that Kerry wins the Democratic nomination:

1.) Rove throws Democrats off Dean by showing up at rally.
2.) Intentional (non-intentional looking) goof on Bush's Guard records to inflate Kerry as the logical choice against Bush.
3.) Vietnam War activity and "electibility" issue are pumped-up to insure that Kerry is the Democratic nominee.
4.) As soon as Kerry is the nominee and there's no going back, Rove pulls out the proof that Kerry had an affair with intern.
5.) Public backlash and dropping support of Kerry, and Bush waltzes back into another four years.

...remember apparently the Kerry intern gave her story on tape in December and the media has been sitting on it.

Maybe I'm giving too much credence to Rove, but it would certainly fit his prior modus operandi to orchastrate such a plan.

JB

[trotsky]

1. Rove is good, but I don't think he's THAT good.

Kerry's Iowa victory was a huge surprise, gave him the boost to win NH, and it's been a cakewalk for him ever since. KKKarl couldn't have orchestrated that much.

Now the intern story, maybe. But I have no doubt KKKarl has dug up significant dirt on ALL the Dem candidates, just in case. But I really think it's going to take more than an intern sex "scandal" to make people vote for Bush*.

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

7. I wish I could agree on the non-issue of sex, but don't forget the media..

The media will run Kerry sex stories 24/7 and will saturate the airwaves for months. Sex sells. Bush policy failures don't.

JB

[Zinfandel]

33. "Rove is good' yes he is that good and slimy...these fascist are not

going to give up power, they are going to lie, steal and cheat, point the finger at the democrats say they started it, will say the democrats are mean, to slow them down, then smear the democrats behind their backs, they spy and steal critical information from the democrats, they will continue their electronic voting machines and hold off people concerned about the software until after the election, break laws and worry about it after the election, they will kill if they have to. Spend hundreds of millions of dollars to a very greedy corporate media.

Fascist care for only one thing, POWER!

Rove has a whole team of people coming up with ideas and getting ready to implant and set up to kick the democrats ass.

Fuck man, these people do not play fair, they play for keeps.

Wake up and not a moment too soon!

[onebigbadwulf]

2. Don't forget

6.) Drop Osama off in prison on OCT 30th
7.) Show military records of Bush serving full guard duty OCT 31st
8.) Find WMDs in IRAQ NOV 1st
9.) Another terrorist attack on America NOV 2nd

[mzmolly]

5. 10. Air Intern interview taped before Kerrys front runner status on Oct 1

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2004072203,00.html

"Journalist Alex Polier taped a talk with a US TV network at Christmas.

The former Washington intern, 27, told all about an alleged fling with the 60-year-old super-rich senator in spring 2001."

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

10. Right! Now, do we know if Rove showing up at the Dean rally was before...

Rove may have had prior warning on the Kerry sex issue, enough to make sure that Dean was derailed.

I've ALWAYS been very suspicious of Rove showing up at that Dean rally...there's more to it.

JB

[mdmc]

34. Holiday parade - Dean supporters present

so was Rove. Is he a fag, by the way?

[emulatorloo]

14. Consider the source, mzmolly - Embellishment Phase

Isn't this whole pattern (Drudge to Fox Rush to Wash Times) just pretty standard operating procedure????

Franken re Fox News Washington Times, New York Post, Editorial pages of WSJ,Talk Radio:

"The members of the right-wing media . . .employ a tried-and-true methodology. First, they concoct an imflammatory story that serves their political goals. . .They repeat it. . .They embellish it. . .They try to push it into the mainstream media. All too often they suceed. . .Occasionally, they fail. . .But even thier failures serve their agenda, as evidence of liberal bias. Win-win. You got to admit. It's a good racket."

[funky_bug]

6. But don't forget... the deceit.

Bush has been the master of deceit for SO long, that anything he says is tainted in the eyes of the American public. It's kind of like this... if I flunk out on all my tests, then ace the final, I'll still fail the class. Bush has flunked out over and over again. In my opinion, he's not eligible for the final. Hell, he's not eligible to walk my goddamn dog! For that matter, if my husband fucked an intern and I took his ass to the cleaners, I'd STILL vote for him over Bush.

My support for Kerry at this stage is in support of his efforts, and based largly on the kick-ass add he ran against Bush on Saturday. I have no doubt that he has the experience needed to stand up to these Rovian tactics. That being said, I believe any of our fine candidates could do the same. Hell, wouldn't it be hilarious to see Sharpton debate Bush? I laugh just thinking about it.

[mzmolly]

3. I was thinking this myself. They know the intern story will take Kerry

out in the GE. Kerry is the master plan, and we bit on it.

[HalfManHalfBiscuit]

17. LOL

Drudge.

Tabloids.

I BELIEVE!

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

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

[Alopenia]

8. But why wouldn't Rove have waited until Kerry was the nominee

before the intern story came out? My feeling, though, is that Rove wanted Dean to win because he'd be more likely to self-destruct on his own. While it appeared Dean was going to win, releasing the Kerry intern story was unnecessary. It was only when the tide turned to Kerry that the need became apparent to shoot Kerry down and keep Dean in the race.

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

11. Drudge slipped it out too early...wasn't in on the phone call, I guess.

Drudge leaked the sex rumor. It's possible that it wasn't intended for distribution prior to Democratic nomination.

Another consideration is that Clark (working with Kerry behind the scenes) leaked the story early to deflate the impact of a sex scandal after the nomination.

JB

[Bucky]

19. a Clark leak. hmmm...

A Clark leak raises some interesting possibilities. I don't think Clark's all that political or media savvy to orchestrate something like that. But a leak before the revelation could work like the political scandal equivalent of an innoculation shot. Of course getting a bimbo-buzz going on Kerry this early could also backfire.

If you have whispers followed by confirmation, then you're more likely to increase the perception that the affair is part of a character pattern rather than a one-shot deal.

[liberalmike27]

15. Unless

There is something on the television today that I've missed, the Intern story is still firmly under wraps other than on the small Internet groups that like these boards.

[Alopenia]

28. Nah, it's all over the talk shows. Nothing secret about it.

[BruinAlum]

9. No, I don't buy any of that

They got caught flat-footed on Bush's Guard records. It's hurting Bush

Rove would have prefered to run against Dean, and until recently thought they would. Kerry's rise was recent, sudden, and a surprise.

Rove does NOT want to run agaist Kerry. Much bigger risk.

Rove is not pumping up the electability issue. Angry voters are. People angry at Bush - who are turning up at the polls in record numbers.

Rove is behind the intern trash story - to slow Kerry's momentum and to divert attention from Bush's AWOL troubles and defense mode they've been in for the last couple weeks.

There is no proof that Kerry had an affair with the intern. If there were we would have seen it by now and Kerry would not have emphatically denied it, and if there were really a taped interview we would have seen it by now.

You give Rove far too much credit to control unknowns.

[rucky]

12. Here's my theory:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=337432

[Philosophy]

13. Problem with your theory

Excepting perhaps self-righteous Christian televangelists, voters don't care if politicians have adultery. Clinton's approval rating never fell below 60% during his impeachment. If they're going to try to make this election about "character" like the last one, then *'s character, as evidenced by his unquenchable warlust, blatant pandering to the wealthy, proven repeated lies to the American people and the world which resulted in the deaths of thousands of innocent people, and inability to ever admit he could be wrong or make a mistake, is infinitely more questionable than Kerry's, even if he admitted to having one minor sexual indescretion. People would much rather vote for a man with a character flaw rather than a character of pure, unadulterated evil.

[Bucky]

16. a lot of this is categorically tin foil alright. I think you over-reach

I agree with the point that the media have been sitting on the Kerry story until he's the nominee. The "let's wait till the facts are clear" story the media is saying (or implying) doesn't pass the sniff test. But some of the other things you claim seem implausible. Too often you seem to look for overly complicated explanations for facts that require much simpler explanations (recall Occam's razor). To wit:

1.) Rove throws Democrats off Dean by showing up at rally.

The idea that Dean was ever a plausible candidate against Bush relies on makework rationalizations by Dr Dean's more intense supporters. He would be a remarkably weak candidate; he alienated at least as many "sure" Democratic voters as he brought in among his vaunted new voters. Rove likes to do his own field work and sniff around for truffles (same as any pig), which is why he was at that Dean rally last year. But his cheering them on was hardly a calculated move designed to dissuade us from nominating Dean. That theory requires him to be able to calculate too many variables, from how (and if) the reporter would report the spontaneous outburst to the eventual emergence of Dean as frontrunner--something not even Rove forsaw last summer.

2.) Intentional (non-intentional looking) goof on Bush's Guard records to inflate Kerry as the logical choice against Bush.

I think you underestimate the paranoia and compulsive secret-keeping impulses among the Bushies. They have a real embarrassment to cover up there and the real "goof" came from Bush saying he'd do a total release of all records when Rove & friends hardly expected him to say such a self-destructive thing. Bush is not a well spoken man--his record is clear on that. To expect Bush to play such a pivotal roll in a red-herring like "accidental" offer of candidness ignores the fact that Bush is a mental child in over his head with his current job and simply knows he's supposed to appear candid and forthcoming.

3.) Vietnam War activity and "electibility" issue are pumped-up to insure that Kerry is the Democratic nominee.

It's the Democrats, not the Republicans, who are pumping up these issues like Vietnam service. The press is pretty quick to point out that a previous war not a principal issue when we're fighting a couple of real wars right now. The same goes with electability. All my Democratic friends want Bush out and want him out bad. One reason Dean didn't gel with a lot of people I know is because he talked too much about taking over the party, and not enough about saving the country.

4.) As soon as Kerry is the nominee and there's no going back, Rove pulls out the proof that Kerry had an affair with intern.

Not Rove, but his proxies. At least that was the game plan. Their personal Frankenstein monster, Drudge, escaped from the laBORatory and started killing the villagers too soon. But don't worry, Rove has got a few more tricks up his sleeve.

5.) Public backlash and dropping support of Kerry, and Bush waltzes back into another four years.

I think you're just repeating the far more obvious gameplan against Dean. But obviously a smear-and-stand-clear strategy was in their cards no matter who we put up against them. Nonetheless the "culture war" card has always been the strongest card in Bush & Rove's hand and despite whatever skels come rolling out of Kerry's closet, Dean would still be a fatter target for the culture war attack.

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

21. Thanks. But, doesn't this mean that Kerry ISN'T "electible"??

If "electibility" is the driving force, then why are we even considering a candidate with a possible shady sex scandal waiting in the wings??

Sometimes the logic of voters escapes me...

JB

[karnac]

18. You will just have to wait

I know it is agonizing, but we should have a better idea of what we are up against. It's too soon. Once it's corroborated THEN worry.

I'd say within a week or two Ms. Polier will either confirm or deny. I doubt she could hold off the press any longer.

Karnac

[diplomats]

20. How do we even know there is an interview?

I'm sorry, but the Sun is a Murdoch-owned British tabloid that's often had to print retractions. You assume that Kerry is letting himself fall into some sort of trap. And if there is such an interview, obviously the Kerry campaign knows about it and would have a response ready. If there's even the slightest hint this woman has been approached by or funded by the GOP (and I'm not saying there is) this will backfire big-time.

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

23. If there's no truth (or at least a kernel), then why is she HIDING?

If there's no issue here, than why doesn't this woman come out and categorically deny that there was an affair?

This is the burning question that has been bothering me. Also, why is she hiding in Kenya???

JB

[madrchsod]

22. a tv network sitting on the story???

kerry is so incredibly dumb he`d have an "affair" with a young girl? if he`s that fuck`n stupid ,he shouldn`t be a dog catcher let alone a president

[diplomats]

24. He's not that dumb

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

25. Money and power blind even the wisest man. n/t

JB

[karnac]

26. Allegedly the network in question is ABC

From what I have heard, the interview is prepped and ready to air tonight. I don't KNOW if this is true. This is the first time I've heard it and it's from a source I don't know.

Tree

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

30. HOW Convenient? If there's no story, then what's this taped interview???

Still not satisfied the story is over.

JB

[karnac]

32. interview

If you see it tonight, Big story. You don't see it tonight, NO Story.

Or just a festering little rumour with no corroboration.

Karnac

[BruinAlum]

27. STATEMENT FROM WOMAN ABOUT SENATOR KERRY

Statement From Woman About Sen. Kerry

12 minutes ago

By The Associated Press

A statement released Monday by Alexandra Polier, who has been the subject of rumors linking her to Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites):



"For the last several days I have seen Internet and tabloid rumors relating to me and Senator John Kerry. Because these stories were false, I assumed the media would ignore them. It seems that efforts to peddle these lies continue, so I feel compelled to address them. I have never had a relationship with Senator Kerry, and the rumors in the press are completely false. Whoever is spreading these rumors and allegations does not know me, but should know the pain they have caused me and my family. I am in Kenya with my fiance visiting his family, and we ask that the press respect our privacy and leave all of us alone."


A statement by Terry and Donna Polier, the parents of Alexandra Polier:


"We have spoken to our daughter and the allegations that have been made regarding her are completely false and unsubstantiated. We love and support her 100 percent and these unfounded rumors are hurtful to our entire family. We appreciate the way Senator Kerry has handled the situation, and intend on voting for him for president of the United States."


http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040216/ap_on_el_pr/kerry_polier_statements&cid=694&ncid=2043

CAN WE PUT THIS TO REST NOW??

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

29. Hmmm. I guess this ends it...or does it? Why the flip-flop?

I guess $$ talks.

JB

[alcuno]

31. Please! Rove is a political operative NOT the Master of the Universe.

Have you ever tried to manipulate a situation using many people? Tell me it did not blow up in your face.