In a previous post on the Kerry-medals controversy:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=510062&mesg_id=510062I said Kerry should call Bush a slacker or a coward.
Now, Josh Marshall in his Talking Points Memo takes up the challenge to Kerry: "But here's some free advice for Kerry. Don't get mixed up on the details. Take this directly to the president. Tell him to turn over a new leaf in life and stop being a coward. If the president wants to attack or question your war record or what you did after the war, tell him to do it himself. No special deals, no hidden help from family retainers, no hiding behind Karen Hughes. Tell him, for once, to fight his own fights."
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/This is what I think, too. Kerry needs to do this himself, and he needs to take the fight to Bush, himself.
Bush has got Cheney out there today in Missouri attacking Kerry, and there a plenty of new ads attacking Kerry. But Bush is talking about tax-free broadband! Kerry should challenge Bush today to "fight his own fights" as Marshall says. Not tomorrow, or at the convention, or at the debates ... TODAY!
Kerry needs to make this a one-on-one fight with Bush ... that means figuratively "calling him out." Make the charge directly to Bush and challenge Bush to answer the charges himself. "What was Bush doing in Alabama?" "Did Bush use illegal drugs in the 70s?" Tell us, George! A defense from your brother or mother is not going to be good enough this time! YOU answer! No, Dick Cheney cannot hold your hand as you answer these question like he's going to do at the 9/11 commission.
But Kerry has got to deal with this, in my opinion, and deal with it now. It's a risk but Kerry is going to win and win big IF he really takes that kind of risk and keeps the 'Anybody But Bush' folks motivated and enthusiastic. You know, the majority that voted against Bush in 2000. Kerry already has enough potential votes to win, the key is to keep them excited!
Heavens knows there is plenty of ammunition for Kerry to use against Bush, as today's www.earthside.com shows. Let's see Kerry lay out the indictment -- TODAY!