GOP unity vs Democratic unity.

[Mass]

I guess I have to get that out of my system.

Today, we have a great example of Republican unity, trying to change the subject to Democrats disrespect the troops. From Michele Malkin and Drudge to George Bush, all ask that Kerry apologize.

Kerry's answer was great, using this to attack Bush on Iraq. (even if Bob Novak is calling him hysterical).

Where are the other Dems rushing in the breach Kerry opened and attacking Bush on Iraq. All I can hear is a deafening silence.

[beachmom]

1. Didn't somebody say that Clark criticized Kerry?

There will be no support for Kerry from the Dems. As usual. It's up to us.

[Mass]

2. Not clear what he said. Fox has him somehow criticizing Kerry , but there is

no context and the quote does not make sense, so it is possible that there is a piece missing.

Anyway, this is not even about supporting Kerry. It is about using this opportunity to attack Bush and co about the troops. The GOP is asking an apology. Is it not time for the Dems to ask Bush an apology about what he actually did.

[wisteria]

3. Exactly! Kerry is on his own again. Even Clark jumped the gun.

I can't say I am shocked though.

[FrenchieCat]

4. a link please, on what Wes Clark said?

Thanks!

[FrenchieCat]

5. Actually, I did some digging and this is what I found

Wes Clark was asked about John Kerry's comment early this morning....on Fox...

It's the last question he is asked about in this interview....so you can speed foward!
http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/9354


Clark more or less said (paraphrasing)....I can't speak for anything that John Kerry said cause I haven't seen it, but our troops are.....etc....

Never refers back to John Kerry.

So did Clark jump the gun, or did you maybe?

[wisteria]

6. I was referring to the words attributed to him on Fox News.

My intention is not to discredit Clark,or start a Clark war, however, it would appear from the Fox article that Clark did indeed not defend Kerry. Perhaps, Clark should issue a statement clarifying the comments from this article.



"I can not explain anything John Kerry said," said Clark, who also ran for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination. Clark added that he's spoken to military leaders about the next troop rotation coming. "They tell me the troops are ready. The families are ready back here. They know what they're facing. It's the best army we've ever had."


http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,226490,00.html


What you have is satisfactory, but I still question where Fox got their Clark comments.

[FrenchieCat]

7. Because they cut off the part where Clark said that he didn't see what

John Kerry had said!

The words in the article came from Clark's televised interview with the part about why he couldn't explain what he said cut out!

"I can not explain anything John Kerry said," said Clark.....

vs.

"I can not explain anything John Kerry said," said Clark, "because I didn't see it".

Wes Clark's was not there to "defend" or "attack" John Kerry before John Kerry himself could respond (the interview was BEFORE kerry's press conference). Now, that would be jumping the gun considering that Kerry's statement just became an issue.

It's one thing to defend other Democrats, but to do so without knowing what's really gone on or what was really said and in what context would be foolish of Wes Clark. John Kerry isn't running for anything right now. :eyes:

[karynnj]

18. This seems completely reasonable

"I can not explain anything John Kerry said," said Clark, "because I didn't see it".

Clark was completely reasonable.

[wisteria]

22. I understand, and I appreciate the clarification. n/t

[Mass]

9. Thanks. I was looking for the context!

[IA_Seth]

8. Speaking of jumping the gun....

I don't think anything Clark was quoted as saying can possibly be labeled as disparaging...

Is there something you've seen that we havent? A link maybe?

[FrenchieCat]

10. Looks like some believe that Wes Clark should have been

defending John Kerry early this morning, even if Wes Clark wasn't totally aware of what they were refering to exactly. Guess that Wes should still be John Kerry's surrogate even before John Kerry defends his own words in particular when John Kerry is not running for anything? :eyes:

[IA_Seth]

17. I think it is more...

About not searching to find the context, and then getting upset when they fall for Fox's crap.

What is sad is that if Kerry supporters, who should remember well all that Clark did for Kerry in 04, will fall for this type of crap, how many Americans will fall with them?

Clark couldn't explain it because he hadn't seen it, the ONLY way that can be construed to be some sort of attack is if the context is missing.

[wisteria]

23. I will consider your comments in the future and not assume Clark is being

quoted correctly.

[Mass]

11. I do not think so. I think it was referring to a FOX article who took Clark out of context.

[IA_Seth]

12. Agreed, and I just noticed that...

It makes a lot more sense once the entire context is read, right?

[FrenchieCat]

13. Guess that comment from Beachmom just didn't really sit well with me....

You know, this one that kinda of made Clark "appear" to have "Criticized" Kerry! :(

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=273&topic_id=109693&mesg_id=109695

I understand that John Kerry is a victim of the GOP and the media on this issue, but I also believe that Beachmom's approach wasn't helpful considering that John Kerry is the one that was doing the talking....and Wes Clark shouldn't bear the responsibility for the GOP attacks on John Kerry. That's all!

[beachmom]

21. Actually, I was asking a question (I didn't know if it was true or not)

Thank you for setting the record straight.

[wisteria]

14. Check out reply #6.

And look, I was disappointed that Clark didn't defend him. I wasn't bashing Clark. Gosh, I respect the man.

[FrenchieCat]

15. John Kerry defended himself, which is how it should be......

Give Wes Clark a damn break, will ya?

[ProSense]

16. You said it well!

Kerry defended himself!

[FrenchieCat]

19. And did a fine job of it...at that!

And at the end of the day, that is how it should have been. Kerry is his own man, and certainly this happened very quickly....this quote catching fire with the GOP blowing on it! I actually believe that they attempted to ambush Wes Clark by even asking him about it....and considering, Wes Clark's response was the wisest considering the timing and the lack of information he had on this. Note that in even attempting to quote Clark, the best that they could come up with, even cutting 1/2 of his sentence away, was not harmful to the saga......although weaved in with everything else does not "defend" John Kerry (but then this is a Fox News article, so one couldn't fair and balanced, could one?) :shrug:

[Mass]

20. What I meant to say in this post, said a lot better by SaveElmer.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2918130&mesg_id=2918130