Clark Challenges Kerry on '92 Affirmative Action Remarks | NYT

[Ediacara]

Clark Challenges Kerry on '92 Affirmative Action Remarks
By EDWARD WYATT


Voters in Columbia, S.C., questioned Senator John Kerry and five other Democratic candidates today.

Published: January 30, 2004

COLUMBIA, S.C., Jan. 30 — Gen. Wesley K. Clark attacked Senator John Kerry today for statements that the Massachusetts senator made in 1992 about affirmative action, and the retired general also said that Mr. Kerry failed take responsibility for those statements during a debate among the Democratic candidates in South Carolina on Thursday.

The remarks by General Clark come as he is struggling to move up in opinion polls in the seven states holding presidential primaries or caucuses on Tuesday. He finished a distant third in New Hampshire, behind Mr. Kerry and Howard Dean, the former Vermont governor.

General Clark had vowed not to attack his Democratic rivals and recently took them to task for critical comments some had made about Dr. Dean. When fellow candidates assailed Dr. Dean for statements he made regarding Medicare in the mid-1990's, General Clark said that he did not think such history was relevant to the current race for president.

More at the New York Times

[jean]

1. we've heard that Rove has a five inch thick book

of Kerry material with which to attack him. Maybe our candidates need to take some hits from eachother for practice, if nothing else.

[loudnclear]

2. Kerry's 1992 stand will endear him to southern whites...

this is not an issue that will hurt him.

[Rose Siding]

4. There's a familiar Southern Strategy

[bluedeminredstate]

3. Attacked?

"Gen. Wesley K. Clark attacked Senator John Kerry today for statements that the Massachusetts senator made in 1992 about affirmative action..."

..."The remarks by General Clark come as he is struggling to move up in opinion polls in the seven states holding presidential primaries or caucuses on Tuesday. He finished a distant third in New Hampshire, behind Mr. Kerry and Howard Dean, the former Vermont governor.
General Clark had vowed not to attack his Democratic rivals and recently took them to task for critical comments some had made about Dr. Dean."


How is this an "attack" on Kerry? Isn't this just what candidates do when running against other candidates? The press love to throw that word around. It seems to apply to any type of statement a candidate makes that questions or points out another candidate's position on an issue that might warrant further explanation or clarification.
I even saw it on the CNN crawl this morning - "Democrats ATTACK Bush in SC debate last night." Christ Almighty, they're running against Bush - they're supposed to bring to light the differences between them and him so that voters can make an informed choice. Their campaigns are all about telling the public why they would be better for the country than Bush and why they should get the nomination rather than their Democratic opponents. How is that "attacking" Bush? How is this statement by Clark "attacking" Kerry?

This seems like a hit piece on Clark, implying quite clearly that his remarks were made as a way to boost his poll numbers AND noting that he's breaking a "vow" not to "attack" other candidates. Has the whoring press forgotten that campaigns are supposed to be all about public debate?

After reading this article I am so disgusted and disheartened. This is a small taste of what we can look forward to in the fall when the press feigns shock and dismay that our Democratic nominee would dare "attack" the Commander in Chief. Forget about accountability, debate, ideas and genuine differences on the issues - the press has decided that legitimate questions equal an attack. God help us.

[KingofSwords]

5. I don't think Kerry opposed affirmative action..

He more than likely meant he disagrees with the supposed "results" affirmative action was trying to achieve. He wants it to be more about empowerment than another welfare program. That's what the quote implies.