Kerry calls for Rove's firing

[Chichiri]

On the Senate floor, just now. I'm paraphrasing:

"Well, I think a lot more needs to be said about Karl Rove's motives, because they're not the people's motives, and if the President really believed his own words of unity, then at the very least he should demand a public apology -- and frankly, he oughta fire him."

[Dr Ron]

1. Text of Kerry's statement

http://www.lightupthedarkness.org/blog/default.asp?view=plink&id=1139

[seemslikeadream]

6. Thanks Dr. Ron

Let's post it here

John Kerry's Floor Speech on Karl 9/11 Remarks
23 June 2005



Text of John Kerry's Floor Speech on Karl Rove's 9/11 remarks:

Intro to Kerry's speech: "Karl Rove made some remarks last night that need to be addressed, that need to be apologized for..."

"Mr. President, None of us will ever forget the hours after September 11th, the calls to our families, the evacuations, the images on television -- and then the remarkable response of the American people as we came together as one to answer the attack against our homeland.

"We drew strength when our firefighters ran up the stairs and risked their lives, so that others might live. When rescuers rushed into smoke and fire at the Pentagon. When the men and women of Flight 93 sacrificed themselves to save our nation's Capitol. When flags were hanging from front porches all across America, and strangers became friends. It brought out the best in all of us.

"That spirit of our country should never be reduced to a cheap and divisive political applause line from anyone who speaks for the President of the United States. I am proud that after September 11th all our people rallied to President Bush's call for unity to meet the danger. There were no Democrats. There were no Republicans. There were only Americans. That's why is hard to believe that last night the most senior advisor to the President of the United States is twisting those days of unity to divide us, that rather than focusing attention on finding Osama Bin Laden and smashing Al Queda, he is instead challenging the patriotism of Americans every bit as committed to fighting terror as he is.

"For Karl Rove to equate Democratic policy on terror to "indictments" and "therapy" is an outrageous attempt to divide the nation at just the moment we must be unified. Just days after 9/11 the Senate voted 98-0 and the House voted 420-1 to authorize President Bush to use "all necessary and appropriate force" against terror. After the bipartisan vote, President Bush said, I quote: "I am gratified that the Congress has united so powerfully by taking this action. It sends a clear message - our people are together, and we will prevail."

"Karl Rove also said last night, quote: "No more needs to be said about the motives of liberals."

"Well, I think a lot more needs to be said about Karl Rove's motives, because they're not the people's motives, and if the President really believed his own words of unity, then he should fire Karl Rove. If the President of the United States knows the meaning of his own words, he should listen to the plea of Kristen Breitweiser, who lost her husband when the Twin Towers came crashing down: she said, "if you're going to use 9/11, use it to make this nation safer than it was on 9/11.

"And that's not being done. If you're going to use 9/11, if you're going to be impassioned about the lives lost on 9/11, then do so by making us safer."

"Karl Rove doesn't owe me an apology, he doesn't owe Democrats an apology, he owes her an apology -- he owes an apology to every one of those families who paid the ultimate price on September 11th.

"Millions of Americans across our country are questioning whether this Administration is making us safe. Kristen Breitweiser wants to tell her daughter that she'll grow up in a country safer than on the day her father was taken from her.

"Mothers and fathers spend sleepless nights worrying about sons and daughters in humvees in Iraq that aren't protected. They're asking Washington for honesty and results and leadership, not political division.

"Before Karl Rove delivers another political assault, he needs to think about those families. The 9-11 Commission has given us a path to follow, endorsed by Democrats, Republicans, and the 9-11 families. Implement the recommendations of that commission. We shouldn't be letting ninety-five percent of container ships come into our ports without ever being physically inspected. We shouldn't be leaving our nuclear and chemical plants without enough protection.

"Until they've done the work of making America safe, don't dare question the patriotism of Americans who offer a better direction. Before wrapping themselves in the memory of September 11th, and shutting their eyes and ears to the truth, they should remember what America is really all about -- that leadership isn't insult or intimidation, it's the strength of making America safe -- they should remember what their responsibility is to every American -- and start to do the work of living up to it."

[Chichiri]

11. He went off the prepared remarks a fair bit

But the gist is the same

[LittleClarkie]

15. That generally means

he's quite peeved.

[Skypilot 18]

55. Don't fire

CONVICT !

[EFerrari]

74. Welcome to DU, Skypilot!

:hi:

[edbermac]

2. Don't fire Rove...fire his boss...

[babylonsister]

4. Fire the whole lot of 'em! nt

[Lorien]

7. Fire the whole Junta

his boss is nothing without turd blossom and unca Dick anyway...

[blm]

3. FIRE ROVE!

FIRE ROVE!

FIRE ROVE!

[Cha]

5. snotty already said the roverat

wasn't going to apologize now or ever.

[Chichiri]

10. In an ideal world . . .

The good guys would tear him a new one until he did.

[FreedomAngel82]

64. Then democrats shouldn't either!

Why should we apologize to them? They're the one's who are being jerks!

[lebkuchen]

8. How about a public flogging and interrogation session?

The Netherlands outlawed such civic responsibilities in the 18th Century, but the US uses them still, with wreckless abandon.

Why not put a shame mask on Karl and go for "broke" on the wheel?

[underpants]

22. Can we find a little girl to beat Rove up?

Like back when he was a kid?

[lebkuchen]

24. How about getting a prostitute to smear his face with menstrual blood

and pee on his personal copy of "The Little Prince?"

[Gabi Hayes]

44. you mean the Prince, or the frog book?

Bush is the Little Prince, aka Dauphin, btw

[FreedomAngel82]

65. Maybe we should find the actual girl!

LOL. I'd bet she'd like to kick his ass again. LOL!

[LittleClarkie]

9. How is he delivering the speec h

measured or angry. For this cube rat, please.

[karynnj]

30. A unique Kerry combination,

mainly reasonable, compelling and serious - but very angry at the appropriate parts. After the speech, Sen Johnson rose to ask a "question", which was whether Kerry tought Rove understood that the soldiers were both Rep and Dem, Johnson's son is in Iraq. Kerry answered the question by talking about having been to Iraq and finding that many soldiers told him they voted for him and were Democrats. He then said Rove owed an apology to Johnson's son and to the other soldiers.

[moobu2]

12. Hey Hey, ho ho, Carl Rove has got to go, hey hey !!!!!

This is to much, Carl Rove has done enough fucking damage to our country...

[Avalux]

13. Well, that will never happen.

Kerry's right though - Rove's motives are not the people's. Rove has stated his goal in life is to change the course of American history and insure lasting one-party rule. He did it here in Texas, now he's working on the whole country.

[orwell]

16. There's One Problem

A pendulum swings both ways...

[Avalux]

17. True. Let's hope so anyway! n/t

[salin]

19. there is a potential irony of national poetic justice proportions

that might be in the making. Due to his hubris - and all around dasturdly view of exploitation of the American people (ala the policies he pushes for political expediency and dominance) that a swing back could break the current GOP (as the public becomes more repulsed) - and indeed lead to a long period of one party rule. Just not quite the party Rove intended.

[HockeyMom]

23. you are right

I have lived long enough to have seen that, although this is most extreme right wing I have witnessed in all my 56 years.

[Burried News]

32. For five years its been swinging their way - our turn now.

If we can take it they can take it.

[bryant69]

14. Holy Crap!

That's really great to hear.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[dweller]

18. he oughta read 'senator brent's' comments...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=1879795&mesg_id=1879795

:D

dp

[lateo]

20. Kerry will say he is sorry tomorrow...

I'm suprised he hasn't already.

[blm]

21. He said Rumsfeld should resign twice before and Rumsfeld offered his

resignation to Bush twice. Bush turned it down.

Kerry never apologized.

[Disturbed]

25. Kerry should not have talked about Rove at all.

Dems on the Defensive.


This is Rove's game. He isn't a genius. He is scum that has figured out how to attack his enemey. No.1 Rule. Attack the strong points of the enemey. Dems are weak and appease, for the most part. They are quesy with Offense and cave in when pressured. Of course, I am not saying that all Dems are like that but wouldn't you agree that it's a general case?

Dems should frame the issues. Go on the offensive and never apologize. Come back with even a strong Offensive when attacked even by their own.

Do not ask Rove for an apology. Go on the Offensive.

The Bush Regime prepared for a savage War On Iraq BEFORE the 911 Attack.
The Bush Regime used the 911 Attack as a reason to illegally invade Iraq and lied to Congress about WMDs. Impeachment is required!

[orwell]

29. Break the Frame

I think it is incumbent on the Dems to begin to explode the frame. In other words, don't attack the Pugs perceived strength, as they do. Instead point out their tactics.

Dems need to learn to look right into the camera and call a spade a spade. Don't talk to Chris Matthews, go past him directly to the audience. Look them in the eye and tell the people that they are being lied to, marketed to, manipulated into fear, just for the political control of a few powerful elites.

In effect, you are then attacking their real strength, which is massive deception...bait and switch.

Iraq is worse off.
Terrorism is on the rise.
The administration lied us into an illegal war.

These statements are all true and must be brought directly to the American people. If we rely on the corporate media filter, we are screwed.

I would use the slogan: "Had enough America?"

[blm]

35. He said Rove should be FIRED. He didn't ask for an apology.

He said Rove should be fired - and that Rove should apologize to the 9-11 families whose deaths were used for political fodder.

[second edition]

37. Sorry, I don't agree with you on this.

We needed to counter Rove's remarks. We needed to put and end to them using 9/11 for political motives. Kerry has a right to address Rove's comments. He was our candidate and his loss can be attributed in large part to the lies surrounding 9/11. They used this tragedy for political gain then and they're using it now.
I do agree your comments need to be addressed also, I just don't think today was the proper time to bring these up.

[Canuckistanian]

53. Dems are weak and appease? Nuh-uh

But they don't attack the weak, the defensless and the innocent. And this is weakness?

[ibegurpard]

28. Doubtful

He's not the only one making an issue out of this. Perhaps they are finally seeing that they cannot continue to fold when they get the Republican media glare on them. Maybe what happened to Durbin was the last straw.

[seabeyond]

33. there you go democrat you, diss kerry. that is the move

ya right

[lateo]

42. Maybe I should march in lockstep...

like the Republicans do...would that make you happy?

[ibegurpard]

47. Sometimes that's not a bad thing

Like backing the people who you want to speak out when they finally DO.

[lateo]

67. "When the finally do"

When Kerry gets a spine and backs up his post election promises let me know. Until then I don't give a crap what he says...

[seabeyond]

48. that comment was nothing more than to diss kerry

there was no individuality or productivity in it. if there had been actual reflection or thinking in that comment, i wouldnt have said a thing. the only purpose for your comment was to dismiss kerry

now if you think that means i am suggesting you walk lockstep, i will tell you now, your interpretation is incorrect. i have never suggested, nor do i expect of myself, to walk lockstep with a damn thing

but i do call you on a empty comment to just dismiss what a fellow dems is doing. in a non truth. especially since factually, if you were to do research you would see at least since kerry's campaign he does not apologize

if you can enlighten me to the validity of you comment, bring it on

[lateo]

50. I don't like Kerry.

So I will diss him if I wish.

[seabeyond]

51. fine but dont glorify your anomosity to any more than what it is

petty. juvenile. and in a struggle and battle against the republicans, for the nation and the future of my children, certainly a waste of my time. not to mention feed the division to allow republicans even more power. in the meantime, dont expect to be taken seriously in your desire to accomplish and succeed as a democrat. wont happen

i, on the other hand, not being a democrat, will put to side the little issues i have with democrats, because i am that concerned for my childrens future and the lives of those we oppress and kill in the name of our country and our religion

[seabeyond]

52. in other words, bully for you n/t

[politicasista]

56. He is probably cool as long as it's anyone but Kerry

Probably just mad their candidate didn't give the speech. No wonder we lose elections.

[seabeyond]

59. No wonder we lose elections.

no kidding. i wonder if it is just a lot of young emotional testosterone driven youth, or if this is really indicative of the democratic party. and seeing how the other elected officials cant seem to support their own brother and sisters trying to accomplish the same goal, i have to assume it is a party issue. but whatever, i have never seen any group be successful with divisiveness. as bush very well has given us the example as a country. we cannot succeed as a country if we continue to be so divided. not hard stuff here.

[lateo]

62. This battle you speak of...

I share the goal but I don't feel like Kerry does. He is a sell out.

[LittleClarkie]

34. Riiiiiight

When has he apologized for anything he's said about this administration.

You will be waiting for a cold day in hell.

[in_cog_ni_to]

26. It will never happen and KKKRove will be promoted tomorrow...asap.

NOTHING will happen to KKKROVE. You need this to be driven by the media. HELLO! The corporate media IS NOT going to give this a second thought.

The corporate media only does full, all out assaults on Democrats.

[second edition]

38. The point has been made. That is whats important right now! n/t

[mzmolly]

27. Great statement.

:toast:

[DoYouEverWonder]

31. Call the White House

Demand Karl Rove's resignation.

I just did. The young lady who took the call was very polite and I thanked her for hearing me out. It felt great.


Mailing Address

The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Phone Numbers

Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461

TTY/TDD

Comments: 202-456-6213
Visitors Office: 202-456-2121
E-Mail

President George W. Bush: [e-mail]
Vice President Richard Cheney: [e-mail]

[EFerrari]

75. This needs its own thread. Enough already. n/t

[cyberpj]

36. How about if we stop the he said/he said and return to IMPORTANT stuff!?

Downing Street Memos
Voter Verified Paper Ballots
Halliburton Bribes and Profits
Abuse of Detainees
Use of Napalm and Depleted Uranium

you know, dumb stuff like that?

[second edition]

41. Good point, however, we need to address attacks like this or

have our image be defined by Rove. We have tried ignoring them and we end up losing in the end.

[Dr Fate]

46. Do both: "Rove lied last night, just like Bush is lying about the DSM"

n/t

[NightOwwl]

49. Many of our men and women fighting overseas are Democrats.

Most of the people killed on September 11 were Democrats. In one fell swoop, Rove smeared them, along with every other Democrat in this country. He basically insinuated that over half of America is unpatriotic and Anti-American.

Scottie is trying to defend his statement by saying Rove was referring to Michael Moore, Moveon...you know the usual gang of "wing-nut" "loony lefties" (I put those terms in quotes, because that is their terminology, not mine.) It's too late though, the damage has been done.

This is incredibly important. Rove made huge miscalculation, and he should suffer for it.

[cyberpj]

71. Ok. I get it. But it's still just words so call them on it but don't

waste days and print time fighting about who said what while they keep passing laws and placing people and Halliburting contracts and bombing more people and - well, you see what I'm saying?

It's still a Rove tactic and we're falling for it AGAIN.

[bvar22]

39. "Republicans prepared for War".....

...AGAINST the WRONG GDDAMED COUNTRY!!!!
IRAQ had NOTHING to do with 9-11!!!!
Don't forget the DSM!!!!

Asking for apologies from a sociopath is SOOOOO much a waste of time.
ATTACK bush* for invading the WRONG COUNTRY.
ATTACK bush* because Bin Laden is still free!
ATTACK bush* for pissing away $300BILLION Dollars while schools are unfunded! (That's YOUR money!)
ATTACK bush* for WASTING 1700 American Lives for NOTHING!
ATTACK bush* for the senseless killing of 100,000 Iraqis!



Thanks for speaking up anyway.
Everything helps.


Remember the DSM!

[lonestarnot]

40. "Off with his head!," said the Queen

[Dr Fate]

43. Rove/Bush is lying, and they should be called "liars."

That would also get Kerry's words repeated over and over on the media as well.

Fuck demanding an apology- call them LIARS and say "I know they will never apologize for their lies, just like they will never tell the truth about the DSM, etc..."

OFFENSE NOW!!!

[rniel]

45. If Bush wants to be "A UNITED AND NOT A DIVIDER"

He should walk the walk. Not just talk the talk.

[Catrina]

54. Good he did that

Hillary, Schumer, Reid and now Kerry. This needs to continue until every last Democratic leader has expressed outrage at this lying pos!

I think he's going to hear from the NYC firefighters, most of whom are traditional Democrats who lost so many of their members on 9/11.

The troops, many of whom are Democrats, half the population of the US, many of whom have lost loved ones in various wars. Wars which not one of his chickenhawk cohorts ever fought in.

Coward, liar and despicable human being who even Bush Sr. had to get rid of because of his devious and unethical behavior. He's a deviant, lying pos, not fit to wipe the shoes of even the lowliest Democrat.

[bunny planet]

61. Unfortunately, the NYC Firefighters were the only fire dept. to endorse

Bush in the election, other fire depts. across the country including the National Firefighters Association backed Kerry. I have friends who are in the NYC dept., and I've tried to get an explanation without offending them. I think it's a case of not wanting to believe the President could be so criminal in linking Iraq to 9/11 and diverting the troops from going after Bin Laden without good reason. The NYC Fire Dept. went through so much trauma, losing 343 members that day, they went into deep denial I guess. I haven't talked to my best friend's husband, who is NYFD, since Thanksgiving, when he was saying there was a connection between Saddam and Osama and that's why he supported the war in Iraq. Perhaps the department is starting to come around now. I hope so, if they make a statement against what Rove said it would be very powerful. The NYFD are worshipped in NY because of their bravery on 9/11, so people would listen, I think the media might even have to carry that story.

[Catrina]

68. I'm sorry to hear that

I didn't realize they had endorsed Bush, but as you say, I think it might have been a question of showing unity at the time.

My neighbor was killed on 9/11 and a friend lost her pregnant daughter that day. She is a Democrat and hates Bush, she has written open letters to him asking why her daughter died. Needless to say, she got no answer from the man who claims to care so much about the victims of 9/11 he started two wars over it, one in the wrong country.

I do know that NYC firefighters were very upset when three of their fire houses were shut down after 9/11 and when Giuliani tried to drive them away from the site before all the bodies were recoverd.

I do hope they are no longer fooled by Bush ~ you're right, a statement from them would be very powerful.

[bunny planet]

70. I'll see if I can feel my friend out about it. He's retired from the

dept.last year. Perhaps he hasn't checked recently with his buddies still on active duty to see whether or not they are starting to feel differently in greater numbers. I do know that the firefighters were at the site when Bush flew up to stand on the wreckage with them with his little bullhorn. We all know it was just a publicity stunt for him, but for the firefighters, who were raw at the time, it meant a lot. I think that's why they have had a harder time accepting the idea that he's a liar. It would really add to the pain they've already experienced to realize they'd been had. My friend is a really bright guy, I just know he'd have lost it if he'd had to face up to the President being a traitor to him and his fallen brothers while they were going through that kind of grief. Denial is sometimes a very strong protective force.

So sorry about your neighbor. I live 10 miles away from NYC, we lost quite a few people in this town too. We lived in the city and my husband worked at the Trade Center during the 1993 bombing. I made him quit that job and soon after we moved to NJ. I am glad I nagged him about it that's for sure.

[SammyWinstonJack]

57. Fire him and Impeach the rest!

:applause: Go Kerry!

[deacon]

58. rove will be on 'Scarburro' tonight-it will be an ass kissing contest n/t

[deacon]

60. Division = Diversion-- same ole, same ole

He don't want anyone following up on the DSM's or watching the war to closely, he wants finger pointing and useless rhetoric being the hot topic

[cyberpj]

72. I am SO VERY WITH YOU ON THIS. Call him on it but don't

waste days and print time fighting about who said what while they keep passing laws and placing people and Halliburting contracts and bombing more people and - well, you see what I'm saying?

It's still a Rove tactic and we're falling for it AGAIN.

[LiberalAndProud]

63. Perhaps Rove should get an earful from us.

http://www.democrats.org/blog/comment/00012258.html

Karl Rove's office number is 202-456-2369.
The fax line for his office is 202-456-2461.

[DS1]

66. Has the Turd finally Blossomed?

:eyes:

[Ksec]

69. Good for John Kerry

My compliments

[spanone]

73. Go Kerry. Get an APOLOGY FIRST!!!