Menino lets loose: Mayor slams ‘incompetent’ Kerry camp

[hightime]

Mayor Thomas M. Menino unloaded a searing attack on fellow Democrat John F. Kerry yesterday, calling his presidential campaign ``small-minded'' and ``incompetent'' - laying bare a years-old rift weeks before the city plays host to Kerry's FleetCenter coronation.

Menino, in an exclusive Herald interview, let loose on the hometown senator two days after Kerry snubbed him by siding with union picketers outside a U.S. Conference of Mayors event.

``Maybe they should use some of their energies to get their message across to the American people instead of trying to destroy the integrity of someone who is on their team, to try to discredit someone on their team,'' Menino said. ``They have better things to do.''

But, in a move that might only intensify the public war of words, the Kerry campaign responded by suggesting Menino made the comments because of the ``pressure'' he's under as convention host.

http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=33881

[Submariner]

1. Go cheney yourself Tom

get over it.

[thebigidea]

2. talk about irony

"Maybe they should use some of their energies to get their message across to the American people instead of trying to destroy the integrity of someone who is on their team, to try to discredit someone on their team,'' Menino said. ``They have better things to do.''

Meanwhile, he attempts to try and discredit someone on his time. Who happens to be running for President in one of the most important elections in American history. Mmm hmmm.

[PATRICK]

3. Side with the unions

If stiffing the guy who can't control his city regarding good labor relations gets more publicity fine. So whose vote will Kerry lose? Menino's wife?

Looks OK to me. The less he kowtows to establishment ego groupies the better.

[dolstein]

4. Somebody needs to read Menino the riot act

NT

[lancdem]

7. I agree wholeheartedly

[olddem43]

5. I guess he thinks Kerry should have snubbed the union

Way to go Kerry! I knew we were in good shape when the Teamsters came to support Kerry at the Cincinnati rally in April.

[agingdem]

12. One of my father's cardinal rules...

never cross a picket line.

[Cocoa]

6. I don't trust this account

I think the Herald is trying to stir up trouble.

[Rose Siding]

9. I do

And from what I've read about the situation, Kerry isn't exactly on the side of the angels in this one.

Menino has already offered the police union (which will probably back Bush anyway!) nearly 12% of the 18% increase they asked for. The city doesn't have anymore $ than that. What are they supposed to do, cut bennies to other city workers? Lay-offs? I've been told that although they haven't seen raises in 2 years, (who has?) Boston PD isn't dramatically underpaid.

I don't blame Kerry for not crossing a picket line at this point in the campaign, but it's disappointing that that was the best he could do in this instance.

[stepnw1f]

10. You Got It

Menino is actually a very decent Mayor. I personally see the results daily. This is definitely a seeded issue from that Nazi paper. The Herald is disgusting, I know because I used deliver the damn paper.... bleh!!!

[earthside]

8. Sam Yorty

For those of you old enough to remember, Menino is sounding like LA's Democratic mayor from years ago who was always making a fool of himself -- Sam Yorty.

[teryang]

11. Isn't this a dupe?