Top Secret Kerry Party Quotes

[emulatorloo]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5605763

[karynnj]

1. You beat me

The comment in the polished speech already suggested that there were grounds. (though as Kerry voted against conviction of Clinton, he had the wiggle room). The real problem is that even getting rid of Cheney and Bush wouldn't help.

[Blaukraut]

2. interesting story

And a good quote by Senator Kerry.
And then this;

"But several in Kerry's audience said the comment made them uncomfortable, in part because they believed the press would discover what Kerry said and twist its context. In keeping with Kerry's wishes, several attendees, while acknowledging what he said, declined to comment when asked about the remarks."

And therein lies the rub; No matter what - Kerry can't seem to win. If he speaks his mind, our side is happy, but the media rip him apart. If he speaks with caution, our side gets frustrated, and the media calls him inconsistent, flip-flopper, what-have-you.

on edit; changed post title. The story isn't so much good as it is interesting.

[karynnj]

3. In keeping with Kerry's wishes

That sentence makes no sense - if his wish was that they say nothing, doesn't it mean they don't acknowledge it! Their comments are irrelevent. This story seems suspect in that I doubt several people interrepted it this way. (sounds like MCM redux, but does confirm the wisdom of comments of the Boston party attendees that they really weren't going to say things that Kerry asked to be kept private.)

[jenndar]

4. Especially if these are former campaign workers.

I remember being coached in how NOT to comment on questions like that, which was not to comment at all. I know the campaign's over, but as a once and future volunteer, I wouldn't have a discussion like that with a reporter.

[TayTay]

5. Who would say this stuff?

Who leaks this stuff all the time? I don't get it. MCM, I get. He is a lone wolf on a crusade. But these are supposed to be friends of JK. What the hell were they smoking before this party? Honestly, don't they know that the world is currently in the mist of an epidemic of humor-impairedness and that you can't trust anyone with something as fragile as a joke? Geez, we need remedial listening skills in this country as well.

I don't get it. We, the grassroots, know enough to not tell tales out of school. Why don't they? I don't get it.

[beachmom]

6. Okay, can I just pay an enormous compliment to you Boston revelers?

Ya'll know how to keep your mouth shut . . . unlike PAID supposed Democratic staffers. This makes me SOOO angry -- where is the loyalty? You know, at first all of us here on the JK forum were grovelling, begging, whining, screaming for more, more, more -- but you folks are wise and knew that by protecting the Senator you were protecting all of us. Thank you so much for your wisdom to divulge what was important while keeping to yourself what the Senator explicitly asked you not to talk about. There is nothing ambiguous about "don't tell anyone". So what did these idiots do? Pick up their cell phone and dial the National Journal 3 minutes after the event?

I've decided that what makes his b-day party so pure and special is the fact that the MSM has NO idea about it. It's true that we have been fearful about the blogosphere, but in fact, unless something is in the MSM or displayed front and center on a blog, nobody even pays attention. In this case, that's a good thing. JK is probably thinking -- Jesus Christ (sorry my more pious members, I need his name right now) -- those nice bloggers are more trustworthy than my OWN CAMPAIGN STAFF. Next time, he needs to be really careful about who he hires. It's a delicate balance -- you can't be surrounded ONLY by loyal yes men like * is. On the other hand, it's not much help to be surrounded by backstabbers either.

[WildEyedLiberal]

7. Thank you.

I agree with everything you said, though I'd like to add an addendum to that last part. I am as loyal to John Kerry as can humanly be - I would fight beside him no matter the odds or the inevitability of defeat. But there's a difference between noble, honorable loyalty to someone deserving of it and being a yes-man. If I am ever so blessed as to have John's confidence, I will certainly not surrender my ability to think and reason and give him my own ideas and perceptions, and to let him know if I think his could be improved in any way. THAT'S the true definition of loyalty. Bush has perverted loyalty into something sinister and unthinking, in which his associates MUST agree with him 100% of the time and never venture any independent thoughts of their own. That's not loyalty, that's just being a mindless minion. I would be loyal to John Kerry unto death, but I would certainly exchange a free flow of ideas with him and let him know if he could be doing something better - but the bottom line is, I'm not out for myself or my own personal amibition or gain. That's loyalty, and he needs a staff that is 200% loyal to him.

[karynnj]

9. WEL, that is incredibly deep and so true

Also, from someone's comment that unlike Bush's staff that was afraid to bring him bad news, Kerry's while respectful were sassy to him. From the article on how he and his staff interact, I doubt he would have any use for anyone who didn't think independently. If Kerry were a person who expected everyone to fall in line and never question anthing he said I doubt that Teresa would have had any interest in him.

[Mass]

8. Talk about people being out of touch with the American people

Given, the hotline is for insiders, not the average people, but really, in the order of things, is that that important?

The Patriot Act, a couple of conference reports that are hurting people, that is what is important, not what Kerry said or did not say to a few staffers during a Xmas party. And now, strategists lose their time on that, rather than on how our dear Democrats are going to vote on that.

I'd wish these guys stopped being so worried for everything.

And of course, I would hope that the bashers do not jump on everything.

[Dr Ron]

10. Response at The Democratic Daily

Despite all the stereotypes in the press we are learning once again what we already knew–John Kerry has a sense of humor. When in small groups with friends he talks just like we do, in this case questioning why if Clinton was impeached for misleading the country, Bush might not be impeached for the same should the Democrats take control of Congress.

No big deal, except some bloggers appear to be the ones lacking a sense of humor. We’d expect Rush Limbaugh to come up with his usual nonsense, but I’d expect better from liberal bloggers. After the clarification came out that Kerry was joking, some bloggers are attacking Kerry for not actually calling for impeachment, and taking this as an overall sign of Democratic weakness.

It’s one thing for John Kerry to talk about impeachment in private. As David Wade said in his email response to this report, “Impeachment jokes in Washington are as old as Don Rumsfeld and as funny as Dick Cheney is gruff.” It’s another matter for a Senator to formally call for impeachment at this point. First of all , acts of impeachment are initiated in the House, not the Senate. Secondly, it is premature to call for impeachment before a formal mechanism is initiated to investigate the the crimes.

The proper and sensible course of action is not to call for impeachment at this point but to work to reveal the manner in which Bush has deceived Congress and the country. John Kerry has been doing this, just as he worked to expose the BCCI and Iran Contra scandals. The bloggers who think that calling for impeachment now will increase Democratic votes are spending too much time listening to other liberals and not enough time considering the country as a whole. At the moment, only32% of the country favors impeachment. While not a good sign for Bush, this is far from enough people to give Democrats control of Congress. I bet a far larger number would support a more general platform supporting holding Bush accountable.

Hey guys, there are real issues out there. I’ve backed John Kerry because of the way he has intelligently looked at these problems and proposed solutions. I don’t care whether he’s joking or serious when bringing up impeachment.

As for the Republicans who are protesting, it would be interesting to hear exactly how they can justify impeaching a President over a private sexual affair and but not for lying the country into a war.

http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=1410

[Mass]

11. Great answer, Ron

[karynnj]

12. I agree - very sensible answer

[WildEyedLiberal]

13. I like the last line

It's really hilarious to hear them bitch about the impropriety of impeaching a president over repeatedly lying to the country about matters of war and national security after they spent 3 years trying to justify impeaching one over lying about a blowjob.

[ProSense]

14. Well said! n/t

[karendc]

15. I was there

He was joking around.

Whoever gave that story to a blogger is really trying to elevate themselves. Or heading in the other direction. Or has trouble with reading affect. Possibly all of the above.

[emulatorloo]

16. thnks for the insight

glad to hear from someone who was there -- and sounds about right re the "leaker" . . .

AND WELCOME TO DU!

:hi:

[globalvillage]

17. Thanks, Karen.

Good to hear it from someone who was there.

[ProSense]

18. Thanks for the insight

That's why I believe it's all about discretion, and people inadvertently or intentionally violate trust for reasons unknown to others. Point is, David Wade's statement that the comment was a joke will compel reasonable people to consider the article's anonymous source: listener. Who the hell is that?

[jenndar]

19. Perfect. n/t