Kerry team slams reports VP Cheney had a flu shot

[Rose Siding]

PITTSBURGH, United States (AFP) - Senator John Kerry (news - web sites)'s presidential campaign slammed Vice President Dick Cheney (news - web sites), a heart patient, over reports he had a flu shot, despite a shortage of the vaccine.

The campaign complained that Treasury Secretary John Snow and Senate Majority leader Bill Frist also had jabs, despite Bush's advice that the young and healthy did not need to get an injection.

"Once again, the Bush administration proves that it is the 'do as we say, not as we do' White House," the campaign said in a statement issued in Pittsburgh where Kerry was campaigning.

"The very week that (health) secretary (Tommy) Thompson is telling Americans to keep calm, Dick Cheney, John Snow and Bill Frist are getting flu shots."

"It is unfortunate that the Bush administration failed to do the work necessary to ensure that all Americans, including those most at risk, had been able to get shots as well."

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1506&ncid=696&e=6&u=/afp/20041021/ts_alt_afp/us_vote_kerry_flu

[cheezus]

1. a 100 year old man with serious health problems can't have a flu shot?

What have we come to?

[aquart]

4. Did he show up before other 100 year old men with health problems?

They didn't get on line. And they didn't wait like they told us to wait.

[Carolab]

34. Trust me

if the tables were turned and Kerry took the shot (remember he has had cancer) Rove would pounce on him too. The message is: oh, look, your "leaders" have plenty of vaccine, but YOU don't.

[Born Free]

59. local oncology office doesn't have flu vaccines

Although it is well known that chemotherapy kills off vital cell production for the immune system along with rapid growing cancer cells, and chemotherapy patients are at high risk, the local oncology center was cut off - they didn't have flu vaccines. It's ironic, I can call any time for the day and someone will send a prescription for almost any drug I feel I need but to get a flu shot - forget it, sorry we would love to help but can't . However, all the young healthy people working for the politicians in Washington get the flu shot. It's ironic the bush coward and his team of cutthroats can't protect Americans from the flu but boast they are the only ones that can protect Americans from a terrorist biological attack.

[trogdor]

65. Well, although I really can't begrudge Crashcart his shot...

...all things considered, and all that, when you put it that way, it's about damned time our side got in a couple cheap shots. No apologies.

You really must read the whole thing, though.

The campaign complained that Treasury Secretary John Snow and Senate Majority leader Bill Frist also had jabs, despite Bush's advice that the young and healthy did not need to get an injection.

I wonder which other Republicans have had their shots, post-shortage.

[PartyPooper]

2. I hope Bill Clinton openly declares that he didn't receive a flu shot.

:bounce:

[aquart]

5. At which point I will wring his neck.

GET THE SHOT BILL!

Post-surgery time is BAD for immune systems.

[aquart]

7. I hope he gets the shot and says it's because he's rich now.

[TriMetFan]

12. The difference between Clinton and Chaney is

Clinton just had his chest split open a month ago.

[JI7]

58. and Clinton is not responsible for this problem and telling others not to

get one as the bush administration is.

[Freddie Stubbs]

30. Senator Clinton has already stated that he has recieved the shot

(AP) Former President Clinton is proving to be a surprisingly "patient patient" as he recovers from quadruple heart bypass surgery, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton said Monday. But his doctors haven't yet cleared him to hit the campaign trail for fellow Democrat John Kerry.

"That is still being worked on as we speak," the former first lady said during a news conference about flu vaccine. She said the former president has received a flu shot.

more: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/10/20/health/main650222.shtml

[demokatgurrl]

69. I hope Bill Clinton ALREADY HAD a flu shot!!!! n/t

[Norquist Nemesis]

3. Go ahead and flame me.

*sigh* Since this is an election year and the politicians are going among the masses, I think they should get a flu shot. There, I said it.

However, I DON'T think they should be getting it for FREE. They should be paying full price. It's not like they can't afford it.

[sandnsea]

8. yeah, well, it's always something

I suppose the CEO's should get theirs too because how would the world ever function without them being able to make decisions about their companies. There's always an excuse for the powerful to have what the masses don't have.

On edit:

I'm actually praying Bush gets the flu. I'm feeling kind of sick, is he going to be in Oregon soon? I'll go breathe on him.

[Norquist Nemesis]

13. Except the CEO's aren't shaking hands and

kissing babies from town to town all over the country. If it weren't an election year, I'd probably have a different opinion about it.

I see it kind of like Typhoid Mary.

[sandnsea]

22. Protecting the public?

I suppose, I don't know. Like I said, it's always some excuse or other with these people. They get, we suffer.

[despairing optimist]

75. He IS the flu! He's the worst bug to infect the US since George III

He's brought his sickness to the rest of us.

[Zero Division]

9. I won't flame you. I actually agree.

[Lorien]

43. So do I

I think there are plenty of other things the Kerry campaign could be focusing on right now. This one's a loser, IMHO.

[TexasBushwhacker]

64. Me too

Frankly, Cheney probably qualifies as high risk. He's 63. He's had, what, 4 heart attacks. He may be on medication that affects his immune system. All of them should be getting them. They are in a career that's putting them in contact with lots of people right now. That's one of the criteria.

Kerry should have made his point in another way.

On a side note, a friend of mines mother, who's in her 70's thinks that the shortage is a "conspiracy", even to the point that she won't tell my friend the details over the phone. Now when you have little old ladies saying they don't trust our government, that's something.

[L84TEA]

68. I personally thought Monkey boy

Was a fricken moron for not getting one!!! As soon as he said it at the debate, I was thinking... You are the president, on the campaign trail and you didn't get a flu shot? You ARE the dumbest man alive. To me it was just another red flag that says. GW doesn't give a crap about this country. Not only because he is suppose to protect himself as he is our 'acting president' yet, if he gets it and shakes the thousands of hands that didn't get it.....
.... I hate GW.... He irratates the crap out of me.

[CAcyclist]

94. I so totlly agree

That's exactly what I was thinking.

[Lizzie Borden]

98. He just has this thing...

about appearing to be a macho man.

[demokatgurrl]

70. I agree- it's irresponsible of Bush NOT to get a flu shot-

as much as I wish it were otherwise, he is in charge of running this country and we don't need him off on sick days in addition to all the vacation time he takes. So, this time, I disagree with the Kerry campaign.

[Skittles]

79. he is not the f***ing president

that's why he said he's not getting one but Dick surely did

[Child_Of_Isis]

104. You all really aren't believing that shrub didn't get a flu shot, are you?

eom

[elsiesummers]

76. Is Bill Frist at high risk? He's not senior, so is he hiding a disease?

The reason only high risk individuals are supposed to receive the shot is the assumption that others who catch the flu will survive it. Snow is a senior citizen, so there is some basis for his vaccine.

I see no reason why Frist is any more likely to spread the flu than a toll collector or a cashier at a busy mall or an airport book store employee.

Is Frist hiding an illness or is he just being me first selfish? He is denying a vaccine to someone elderly and infirm unless he has a hidden reason for receiving the vaccine.

[Wols]

101. The only thing Frist is at high risk of....

is adopting cats from aniumal shelters and then dissecting them! Watch out for that sicko.

[mantis49]

86. Much as I don't like Cheney,

he is high risk because of his heart problems. Therefore, he should have a flu shot. I don't think it was a good idea for Kerry to make it an issue. The others, however, are fair game.

I am a nurse in long term care and have had a flu shot to protect my patients from me. Otherwise, I would skip it.

[Child_Of_Isis]

103. Free hell!

Most likely the taxpayers paid for it.

[Gloria]

6. Shut up about Cheney! He's certainly high risk!!! Let's not blow this

on lesbians, Laura's jobs, and CHeney's flu shot!!! For Pete's sake!!
And who knows about the reports?? They may not be true...and there are some indications that say a flu shot is a no-no. So, we may not know... and if he has to have one, it's a stupid thing to say!

Empathize with the little people and don't pop off about CRASHCART!

[sandnsea]

11. Haves and have mores

Bush's base, remember? They get taken care of. It's proof of what Kerry's been saying about his health care plan all year. I'm behind it, as long as they don't single out Cheney. What do the rest of them need it for?

[partisan to truth]

15. agreed... as much as we dislike cheney, the man's about to keel over

[Eye and Monkey]

21. So - should he be running for office, about to keel-over and all ???

I agree on his being at-risk.

[partisan to truth]

27. definitely shouldn't be, for far more reasons than poor health! nt

[Eye and Monkey]

44. well, maybe he should withdraw from the race, about to keel-over and all

[partisan to truth]

107. if only that take on the situation was represented by the media

somehow i'm doubting it, but i'm hopeful

[saigon68]

55. The Haves and the Have Mores

Got to love MM for exposing that lovely smirking statement. Its truly the Chimps base.

[sr_pacifica]

14. Hey, you know what , Gloria

I'm wid ya.:eyes:

[Pax Argent]

26. That was my first thought.

Much as I don't care for Darth Cheney, he is a heart patient. As far as Frist and Snow are concerned, they can suck ass.

[Bluebear]

57. It's not only about Cheney. The whole Congress was urged to get them

Frist told the whole Congress to get them, as they "shake hands with a lot of people." Like you or I don't.

[trapper914]

67. I Don't Begrudge Cheney the Flu Shot

He's not healthy...oh, wait a second...they told us he was just fine, being that he's a "heartbeat away" from the presidency and all.

[partisan to truth]

10. this might not be a good idea for Kerry... (nt)

[aquart]

17. Why? Can they claim Cheney is sicker than most? Do they DARE?

THINK about it.

Then enjoy a giggle.

[partisan to truth]

24. definitely not sicker than most...

but definitely a more substantial risk than most due to the sheer number of people he's coming into contact with b/c of elections

[aquart]

31. Is he healthy enough to run for office or not?

Do you really think they want to open this can of ugly squirmy worms?

[partisan to truth]

36. good point- i'm curious to see how they respond though... any hypotheses?

[MaryBear]

41. That is indeed the questiion, aquart!

Is he healthy enough to run for office or not?

Further:

If he isn't healthy, then why is he running?

If he is healthy, then why the special treatment?

[Inland]

96. That's what I thought--will they admit that Cheney is "at risk"?

[AnnitaR]

16. They got their heads up their asses on this one!

He's a 63 year old man with a loooooooong history of heart problems. He IS HIGH RISK!

Jeez did anyone over at Kerry HQ bother to find out just who they qualified as "high risk". As much as I hate the man he def falls into that category.

Could we please quit shooting ourselves in the ass and looking like idiots doing it?

[aquart]

20. Excuse me, then why is he running for office????????????

No, this is hoist with their own petard.

Either Cheney is healthy enough to take over as president in which case he can wait for a shot, or he's among the most feeble of the nation and deserving of one of our precious shots to save his life this winter.

Well, is Cheney more feeble than our parents and grandparents and babies, some of whom will die because these EXECUTIVES don't know how to plan for an emergency? Or even for the day to day. Well?

You tell me. Who needs the shot? Dick or Daddy? Dick or Gram? WHY?

[sr_pacifica]

18. Cheney has heart problems

okay, maybe we would like the guy to make an early exit, but, really, doesn't that make him one of the high-risk people? All the other healthy members of congress and cabinet people I do not believe should be getting the vaccine though.

This can backfire.

[NNguyenMD]

23. Cheney's Flu Shot

I'm only a second year med student, not quite reliable for a fully lisenced doctor's opinion, but I do know that Dick Cheney's and Bill Clinton are at serious risk for developing Pericarditis (NOT GOOD) due to their history of ichemic (reduced or loss of blood flow) heart disease. I'm no fan of Dick Cheney, trust me, but I'm surprised that they didn't check with a health professional or Alexandra Kerry's opinion before attacking Cheney for getting a flu shot. Jumping the gun like that without checking things out with a professional can only make us look bad.

[aquart]

28. Saying again. If Cheney is more frail than the rest of us....

What the bloody hell is he doing running for VEEP????

Bill Clinton isn't running for anything. If he runs for so much as a bus, I would personally duct tape him to a chair. Yes, he's at risk. But he isn't planning to run the country for the next four years, is he?

Either Cheney is healthy enough to run this nation or he shouldn't be running at all.

[partisan to truth]

37. Dumb question- if Cheney 'expires', who's his replacement?

[Robb]

90. Speaker moves up

Technically, the President appoints a new Vice President. The appointment is subject to the approval of a majority of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. ...Although interesting that House Resolution 2319 does several things:

* Includes the Secretary of Homeland Security in the line of presidential succession after the Attorney General.
* Modifies succession requirements relating to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore to specify, instead, persons holding the office of Speaker or President pro tempore at the time of the need for the succession.
* Provides that an individual acting as President shall continue to do so until the expiration of the then current Presidential term (as under current law), or until the individual's earlier death, resignation, removal from office, or inability, unless the individual's discharge of the powers and duties of the office is founded in whole or in part on the inability of the President or Vice President, in which case the individual shall act only until the removal of the President's or Vice President's disability.
* Exempts an acting President from automatic resignation of his or her current office if such person's service as acting President is based in whole or in part on the temporary incapacity of the President or Vice President.
* Removes acting cabinet officers from the line of presidential succession.

[partisan to truth]

93. thank you so much- very helpful

I wonder what the motivation was behind removing acting cabinet members from the line of presidential succession... and also the addition of the secretary of homeland security in line.

[NNguyenMD]

40. Cheney's Flu Shot

Yeah, but you can use the same argument against someone like Max Cleland who, as a triple amputee, has a truckload of major risk factors affecting his health, same thing with the late Paul Wellstone who had Musculosclerosis, or JFK who had addison's disease. But we don't exclude people from running for office b/c for their ailments and risks of illness, as long as we can help manage them with drugs and treatment. Using that same logic that you just gave, why not exclude all women of child bearing age from office then? They are after all at risk of getting pregnant, and no contraceptive is 100% perfect. Though Cheney is not a good Vice President, and is the Darth Vader of our generation, he has a right to getting a Flu shot under the guidelined established by health and human services. And as a student physician I can tell you that no right minded doctor would let someone with Cheney's medical history walk out their office without getting a Flu shot, vice president or not.

[gulliver]

63. Cheney's health is a major issue.

Your argument holds no water. We can't legally "exclude" anyone from office, but we can sure take into account the difference between a healthy, active Edwards and a pale, overweight Cheney who is so unhealthy he needs to take a flu shot away from a child.

[NNguyenMD]

82. "Pale Unhealthy Cheney"

If the white house physicians say that Cheney is healthy enough to sit in office with the assistance of medications and treatment, then he's physically able to hold office. The general health of a government official shouldn't be an issue unless its something that can't be reasonably managed with treatment, such as Reagan's suspected bout with Alzheimers and Dementia during his presidency.

Cheney's battle with heart disease, the same as the MILLIONS of other "pale overweight" Americans whom must deal with it, can be reasonably managed with treatment. You can't punish him just because he has been ill in the past. Its the same reason why we shouldn't allow employers and insurance companies to discriminate against employees whom suffer from AIDS and cancer in favor of healthier workers.

Case in point, Kerry has had treatment for prostate cancer in the past (the same disease that pulled Giuliani out of the 2000 NY Senate race), and because he's had radiation and surgical treatment for it he is technically "less healthy" than Bush and also at risk for possible complications from his prostate cancer treatment in the future. How would you feel if the Republicans employed your reasoning for voting against Kerry?

You wouldn't like it because it would be wrong, callous, and discriminatory. That is why we don't invoke Cheney's heart disease when campaigning against him, and that why we shouldn't rail on him for getting a flu shot. If we're going to win this election, then a clear distinction has to be made between differences in our policy and ideas, and our personal misgivings for this shrewd troll-like evil man. Mixing the two will just push first time and independent voters away further from our side. Thats why we're better people than the Bush campaign, and thats why we'll do a better job, because we can make those distinctions.

[CAcyclist]

95. I don't buy that argument

Heart disease may be common but people who have had 4 cardiac surgeries are not at all common. Risk for anything from acute heart attack to stroke to sudden death are much higher for him. Anything that can result in him not being able to do his job is a valid concern.

I agree he shouldn't be railed on for getting a flu shot, but as someone else said - one cheap shot from our side is justified considering what the Repubs would say.

Another point - I personally don't like some stranger telling me what I do or don't like or would or wouldn't like. You have your opinion, I have mine.

[CAcyclist]

97. The comparison also doesn't hold up

Prostate cancer is slow growing and treatable. There is no significant risk of sudden death. On the other hand, sudden death *is* a significant concern for heart patients.

[NNguyenMD]

100. I was comparing Kerry to Bush, not Kerry to Cheney

And I was trying to point out that it is unfair to compare Kerry's physical health to Bush, because technically speaking Bush is in better physical health than Kerry b/c he hasn't been irradiated for prostate cancer. Just like it is unfair to compare Cheney's physical health to Edwards.

[NNguyenMD]

105. Cheney's Cardiac History

I don't know what Cheney's specific medical history is, but he is constantly followed-up by cardiologists and internist, and they would be better judges than we would be on his health.

Yes we have a right to be concerned about the health of the man who is second in line for the presidency, and it is an important issue to be concerned about. But we should also draw a line defining the difference between genuine concern for someone's health, and peevish "say-anything" politics to instill doubt in an individual's ability to hold office. Heart disease and chronic illness are a very serious and sensitive issues for patients and their families, and we should thus wield our concerns with sincerety and compassion for that person's health.

[NNguyenMD]

106. One last point

I'm not criticizing any one person's comments here as being peevish, insensitive, or callous of Cheney's bout with heart disease. Just trying to point out that the campaign in general should be careful when bringing up that issue.

[NNguyenMD]

102. Its better that we don't make...

cheap shots at someone's health. And I am sorry for presuming your and anyone elses opinion about an issue. But I always thought because we're not Republicans, we hold ourselves to a standard far above the political pot shots that they make so often. Bush did it to McCain by invoking his struggle with post-traumatic stress as a POW, and Norm Coleman did it to Mondale by accusing him of being a rambling demented old man in the 2002 MN Senate election. Those are low below the belt blows, I like to think that we a above that kind of petulant mudslinging.

[PittLib]

29. Hi - and welcome!

:hi:

[sr_pacifica]

35. Welcome to the club!

:toast:

[NNguyenMD]

42. THANKS =)

Its really an honor to join you guys. I've been religiously reading DU for 2 years now, and the people here are just wonderful.

[Norquist Nemesis]

47. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

We'll have to see how this pans out. Tonight, the media was all about how high the attacks have gotten. On the one hand, I'm thrilled to see Kerry hitting back...Bush has been out to destroy since taking office in January 2001. It's going to depend on whether the media decides to pick this up and make Cheney out to be a poor, fragile, sensitive man being unfairly attacked.

But I think they should all get a shot.

[NNguyenMD]

52. Two very different problems...

One is did the Bush administration screw up big time on acquiring enough flu vaccine for the population? YES it did, and they should pay for it November 2nd for being so reckless and negligient.

Two is, does Cheney's heart condition merit his getting a flu vaccine dose? YES it absolutely does and its reckless of him not to get one.

We all know what kind of person Dick Cheney is publically, and he's certainly not the type to stand out there at the Washington Mall vocally refusing a flu vaccine until everyone else gets their dose.

Its a crime that all these people who can't get a flu shot will suffer, and everyone at DU I know will work very hard to make sure that these people pay for what they've done. But don't attack a guy for not openly endangering his own life because he screwed up. I would have a greater respect for Cheney if he took active responsibility for this travesty but buying the extra doses from other countries, but he's not, so I don't. But I don't expect anyone to foolishly put their life in danger like that b/c of a political or bureacratic screw-up.

[progressivebydesign]

39. So does my Mom, PLUS COPD.. and she CAN'T GET ONE!!! n/t

[NNguyenMD]

45. Its really awful that thats the case...

I don't claim to be a technocrat in health and human services, nor know the details on how they distribute the vaccine. I think that its terrible that people who need a flu shot can't get one. They really ought to seriously consider buying out Canada's extra doses of flu vaccine to broaden the access. I just wanted to make the point that it is not a crime or a travesty to give someone like Cheney a flu shot. This may come across as condescending and arrogant, but don't withhold treatment from someone just b/c they're evil or bad, no one deserves to get their treatment withheld from them just b/c of political reasons. Would it have been honorable if Cheney declined the shot until everyone else got one? Absolutely. But I can't blame him and his family for wanting him to get one at the same time.

[sr_pacifica]

49. With COPD?

Can't her doctor give her one? That's serious. I have a respiratory condition as well and I intend to get one through the VNA. Waiting now for my doctor to send a note documenting my condition. I'm not absolutely confident I will get one, but I'm hoping, or my ass is grass if I get the flu. I have no insurance so if there were complications, it will be very costly for me.

I sympathize with your mom.

[allalone]

51. caliphoto's mom here

my Drs office is already out of the vaccine and don't know when they will have more. My old Dr. used to call me and I would go in and get one, but this one is not as with it, I guess. Two stores around here were going to have them but had to cancel. It's way weird. But you know, it isn't really flu season yet and there is no epidemic, so no need to panic. Thanx for your concern.

[partisan to truth]

19. rated the article a one... maybe it'll go away :::praying:::

[aquart]

25. Not at all. Let them yell about Cheney's poor, frail heart.

We will go to funerals this winter because the shots weren't planned for.

Whose would you rather attend? Your mother's or your congressman's?

[partisan to truth]

32. as sadistic as it sounds... a cheney funeral sounds lovely

I am certainly upset about the vaccine shortage- the only reason I'm worried is that this could be a prime opportunity for Rove to pounce- we already saw him do it with the Mary Cheney reference. days before the election, this could be risky.

[Poiuyt]

33. I think Cheney is near death

He can't even stand for a debate or a campaign speech.

[Stephanie]

78. His heart bypass has reached its expiration date

Remember he had his first heart attack at around 42 years old. His bypass has a shelf life of about 20 years, which he has exceeded. He will die any day now. He certainly qualifies under the flu shot criteria.

[progressivebydesign]

38. At first, I felt it okay that Cheney had one.. cuz of his heart..

.. but then I realized how MANY people in WORSE health than Cheney, cannot get a shot right now! It's one thing if they've made sure that ALL high risk people have had shots, but when the COngress, the White House, etc., all got shots before the average high-risk people, then I can see why Cheney getting one is a big deal. It's NOT as If ALL the high risk people have been taken care of already.. they're STILL in deep, deep, trouble.

[Dogmudgeon]

46. Add me to the "Agree" column

All politicans should get a flu shot.

They have an obligation to get the flu shot. If they are around thousands of people in the course of a month, they can pass the virus to hundreds of people in the same time.

People who don't deal with the public AND who are in low-risk categories can go without. If you do get the flu, you can take an antiviral medicine which dramatically cuts down on the effects and damage the flu does.

Medical treatment should be separate from politics. This is an issue mainly because of the dereliction of Team Bush in its duty to promote the public health. Sadly, it's just one of many such derelictions. That's the issue we should be hammering on.

--bkl

[flamingyouth]

48. I know a 98-year-old man who can't get a flu shot

The mind reels, truly. He's already prone to bronchitis, but at any rate, HE'S FUCKING 98 YEARS OLD. Why can't he get a flu shot?:grr:

[bobbieinok]

60. RW answer: he's 98,too old to worry about.....'let them eat cake'

[allalone]

50. He is in a high risk group

so I guess he should have one, but I wish he would have had to stand in a line of a thousand people in the sun and to pay up to $91.00 for it. No doubt he sat in his cushy office and a Dr. came and gave it to him. Those people in government have no clue how real people live. Side bar: cheney is only 63??? I've seen dead guys that looked better.

[T Bone]

53. well Cheney Does have heart problems but I thought he was Tougher

than ordinary folks. So much for Cheney's personal TOUGHNESS. It has got up and went and this proves it. He has wimped out. heheh

Cheney's a WIMP. He had to have a flu shot. Spread the meme.

[TacticalPeek]

54. I won't get worried

until they all start taking Cipro again.

:evilgrin:

[juajen]

56. It is a mistake to castigate Dick Cheney for getting a flue shot

Anyone with the problems he has had with his heart, should certainly have a flue shot.

[Skidmore]

73. I agree...

[freedom_to_read]

80. but here's the point:

"It is unfortunate that the Bush administration failed to do the work necessary to ensure that all Americans, including those most at risk, had been able to get shots as well."

If the Bush's want to make an issue of this, they will have to bring up the fact that there aren't enough flu shots to go around. The point is not that Cheney should or shouldn't get a jab; the point is that this administration FAILED to do what it should to make sure we don't have to make choices like this.

[Skidmore]

81. I understand the point that the administration failed to

do its job and agree with that . Picking Cheney as the example is a bad choice here since he is a member of the high risk group designated to receive the shots. I think there are other ways to make the point that the vaccines do not exist in sufficient numbers for those needing them.

[freedom_to_read]

88. agreed

It's not the best tactic, but there is a rationale for it. It's not always about making the most cogent argument, so much as keeping the words "flu shots" and "shortage" in the public spotlight.

Note that Kerry himself is not making this statement, but letting his surrogates do it.

Yes, it's not the most noble approach. But it works. Thanks Karl!

[shawn703]

61. Sorry, I don't see why it's wrong to attack on this

Whose fault is it we don't have enough vaccine? The Bush administration drops the ball, and now our population will have to suffer for it. If they wanted to make sure they were able to get a flu shot, they should have made sure everyone else could get a flu shot. We bitch and moan about CEOs laying off workers for their failed policies while they give themselves pay raises, and yet we're reluctant to hold this administration's feet to the fire for failing to protect the public health while ensuring their own.

Furthermore, if Cheney's not healthy enough to risk going through this season without a flu shot, maybe he should be in a bubble in an undisclosed location instead of at campaign rallies. Avoid high-risk behavior, right? Isn't that what you're supposed to do to prevent illness?

[bklyncowgirl]

62. Not a great move

Cheney is a 60 year old man with a heart condition. He is high risk. For that matter, Kerry as a cancer survivor may also be considered high risk (don't know about that one)

We come off sounding pretty small with this one. Let's pick the bastard apart for what he says not for taking care of his health.

Now if we hear that Barb & Jenna got flu shots, that's a different story.

[Jawja]

66. A man who has had

four heart attacks should not be Vice President, period.

By getting a flu shot and making it public, the * campaign has also brought Darth Cheney's bum ticker into the spotlight.

They should have waited a couple of more weeks. Bad move.

[i_c_a_White_Ghost]

71. I hope it was tainted

:evilgrin:

[mtnester]

72. We have over 80 paramedics that are going to be coming to flu infested

houses everywhere, and I cannot even get THEM a flu shot...those who are the FIRST line of defense. Do you know how many calls we get during flu season where all we do is tell them they have the flu and advise them to see their family doctor and then they never do? All they want is that reassurance from us and then they drink liquids like we tell, them, blah blah, and I CANNOT EVEN GET A FLU VACCINE FOR THESE FOLKS!

Whaddya gonna tell all those people when the medics cannot even roll Dick? You should have given your shot to one of them dammit.

[Mike Daniels]

74. Bill Clinton received a shot too.

Gonna criticize him?

[Out the Parasites]

84. Well, he may have been ordered by his doctor...on principal

I don't think that the members of congress should be getting shots while their constituents, who may need them more, are dying while waiting in line or going without.

Remember, this flu shot stuff did not happen under Clinton's watch.

[Stephanie]

77. Cheney is an elderly man at death's door

Maybe he'll have a bad reaction to the shot and croak.

[Bridget Burke]

83. Cheney is in wretched health & needs a flu shot.

In fact, he deserves early retirement. But I don't see the harm in mentioning others who need the shot as much & can't get it. Especially since this administration's main claim is that they will take care of us; they've failed, once again.

Politicians with fewer excuses have also availed themselves of the privilege. WASHINGTON - At least nine Texas lawmakers, including Sen. John Cornyn and House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, got quick and free flu shots from the Capitol's attending physician days after the government announced a vaccine shortage, aides confirmed Wednesday.

Rep. Nick Lampson, D-Beaumont, also was among those who got shots even though they didn't meet vaccine candidate criteria suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/2858676

[TrogL]

85. Just a reminder

I had my flu shot on Tuesday.

No lineups. Didn't cost me a dime.

Dubya was saying what about Canadian drugs?

[freedom_to_read]

87. i think he said

"You forgot Poland."

[NewYorkerfromMass]

89. it's about being among the elite class

which Cheney clearly is.

[SidDithers]

91. The Kerry camp should have defended Cheney's shot...

"Of course the Vice President should have recieved the shot. With his history of 27 heart attacks, his multiple DUI's and his lesbian daughter, he definately qualifies as someone in the high-risk category."

Sid

[qwlauren35]

92. I think the Kerry camp erred here.

In my book, Cheney is completely entitled to a flu shot. I think anyone who has survived 4 heart attacks is entitled.

We gave out 25 flu shots at my office today based on the following criteria:
Asthma
Cardiac Problems including Cardiac Surgery
Chronic Lymphacytic Leukemia
Chronic Respitory Problems
Diabetes
And anyone with a child in their home under the age of 2 years.
Anyone age 65 or older

I helped my mom get one on October 9th. We got in line at 10am, and received ticket #128. There were a total of 300 shots given out, starting at 12 noon. We got out around 1:30pm. We figure it was worth it. My mom is 78, has had a stroke, has a weakend immune system, asthma and a heart arrhytmia. There were probably another 2-300 people who were turned away because they came too late. And those people may have been older or sicker than my mom. I'm VERY sorry they didn't get a shot that day, but I wasn't about to suggest that my mom give her shot to someone else!

I think the Kerry camp was off-base in mentioning Cheney in its statement. Everyone KNOWS!!!!!!!! that Cheney has a heart condition!

And I'm sure Bill Clinton got a shot too. I sure as heck hope so.

[hughee99]

99. Right Idea, wrong spin...

Kerry should definately point this out, but in a different way. Rather than castigating Dick(head) for getting a flu shot, he needs to make this argument (though I would hope he worded it better)...

"* seriously F'd this whole flu shot situation, and it's not as if he didn't understand the issue, even his own VP understands how important flu shots are. This is a situation where * knew what the problem was, had time to fix it, and did nothing. Now he's trying to blame someone else (trial laywers, foreign companies, etc...) for a problem that would have been within his power to fix had he acted in a timely manner. If he can't fix a simple issue like this, which with a little foresight, could have been completely avoided, then how can we trust him with more difficult issues like Iraq and the economy"