Kerry NH Chairwoman Jeanne Shaheen says Clark "not a Democrat"

[goobergunch]

<snip>

Also Monday, former New Hampshire Gov. Jeanne Shaheen, the national chairwoman of Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry's presidential campaign, renewed criticism of Clark's praise for the Bush administration two years ago.

Shaheen and two other state Democratic officials noted that Clark was a keynote speaker at a Republican fund-raiser in May 2001, and that he praised President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and other members of the administration. They also played a video of Clark's speech.

Clark and Kerry are competing for second place, behind Howard Dean, in the New Hampshire presidential primary on Jan. 27.

Shaheen said "the issue here is this candidate is not a Democrat," and doesn't support Democratic values.

Clark responded: "When you're attacked like this, it's the sincerest form of flattery in politics."

more...http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A10680-2004Jan12.html

[KittyWampus]

1. Kerry Is Stretched Too Thin

Last night Chris Matthews asked Kerry about O'Neill's revelation and Kerry brushed it aside and talked about Dean.

Clark issued a statement calling on Congress to investigate these revelations...

Kerry apparently was too busy campaigning in Iowa to respond to O'Neill's revelations today and is too busy to deal with Clark up in NH.

[kerryistheanswer]

3. Wrong on O'Neil

Did we see the same interview? He did respond both on Meet the Press and in written form - go to his website.

I'm not sure its fair to say the Clark does not have Democratic values but to point out Clark's voting record is fair game. We all know how often Dean has brought up the IWR vote. Voters should know the truth.

[KittyWampus]

16. After The Debate Chris Asked Kerry About It

and Kerry just essentially brushed it aside... and launched into a Dean "thing". That's how I saw it.

I apologise for not knowing Kerry released a statement regarding the revelations though!

Kerry will roar like a lion no matter WHERE he sits in 2004!

[blm]

9. Kerry's statement was pretty strong about O'Neill's charges.

John Kerry Responds to Secretary O’Neill’s Iraq Charges


January  10,  2004

For Immediate Release
Des Moines, Iowa -
 

“These are very serious charges by a former high ranking Administration official. We already knew the Administration failed to focus on the threat from Osama Bin Laden and Al Queda. We already knew the Administration broke every promise they made to work through the U.N., use the resolution to enforce inspections, build a coalition, and plan for peace. But Secretary O’Neill’s revelations would mean the Administration never intended to even try to keep those promises. It would mean they were dead-set on going to war alone since almost the day they took office and deliberately lied to the American people, Congress, and the world. It would mean that for purely ideological reasons they planned on putting American troops in a shooting gallery occupying an Arab country almost alone. The White House needs to answer these charges truthfully because they threaten to shatter their already damaged credibility as never before.”

I wish the spokespeople wouldn't say that about Clark. It doesn't feel right to me, even if it is technically accurate.

[IndianaGreen]

37. Kerry should have said "I-M-P-E-A-C-H-M-E-N-T"

because if O'Neils's account of events is correct, then Bush should be impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors.

[IndianaGreen]

35. Kerry fumbled a golden opportunity to raise questions about Bush

Bush planned for a war of aggression against Iraq since before the day he took the oath of office. Bush lied to the nation and the world. Bush conspired with others to lie to the nation and the world. Bush lied to Congress on the State of the Union Address.

Bush is now trying to use security as a pretext to suppress from the public documents bearing on his guilt.

What Kerry should have done is to raise the possibility that Bush committed an impeachable offense, and he should have called for hearings, if not demand that Articles of Impeachment be filed in the House.

Kerry was more interested in attacking Dean than he was in attacking Bush and in raising a serious Constitutional issue to the fore.

Kerry is not qualified to be President!

[jeter]

2. Here it comes...I knew this was coming

Now Kerry attacks Clark.

Does the Kerry campaign have anything remotely positive to say about anyone? Or does he just attack anyone who happens to be ahead of him in the polls?

This is why I can't stand Kerry and the number one reason why I think he is floundering so badly.

STAY POSITIVE HAIR-BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kerryistheanswer]

4. The poster of this is a Dean supporter

who is obviously trying to cause friction among Kerry and Clark supporters.

[jmaier]

5. I'd say Jeanne Shaheen

is the one trying to cause the friction in this case. :-)

[mouse7]

25. There's a thread with article that Kerry ordered Shaheen to do this

It's on a thread last night. So either the AP is psychic, or someonne in the Kerry campaign leaked it that Kerry had ordered Shaheen out to trash Clark.

[maddezmom]

6. not working here

:)

[goobergunch]

7. It was the top story on politicsus.com

I didn't see it here, so I thought I might as well post it.

See for yourself: http://www.politicsus.com

[bitchkitty]

13. Yea, you're right.

We took up a collection - and paid for the reporter to write this story for the Post.

[Padraig18]

22. So what?

Does it mean she didn't say it? Welcome to the big time, Clark supporters...

[DancingBear]

10. Wrong

Please refrain from comments like this - Kerry is doing what he thinks he needs to do to catch Clark for #2 in NH. I don't agree with the tactic, but that is his choice. It is an upfront strategy, and while I think it foolish I have seen nothing from him during this campaign to make me think any less of him -and I wish I had his hair. :)

[Padraig18]

23. He does have great hair!

I hope mine looks that good or is that full when I'm his age. :)

[Bread and Circus]

33. I have to whole-heartedly agree...great points.

[Tatiana]

8. Unfortunately these attacks are going to get him nowhere.

In fact, he is the candidate that has probably alienated most of the Democratic base. Dean is popular. Clark is popular. He should be challenging the opponents on the issues instead of making petty personal attacks against them.

It's really sad to see what kind of campaign a Statesman like Kerry is running.

[kerryistheanswer]

12. Wrong again!!

Issues? How can Kerry talk about issues when all people ask him about is Dean? If there is ONE candidate who has constantly stayed about the fray - it's John Kerry. But when his opponent, Dean, constantly gets away with flip-flops, he should speak out when asked.

Kerry would love to talk about the issues because no other candidate has as much breadth and insight.

Peace.

[KittyWampus]

14. Well,Matthews Asked Kerry About O'Neill Last Night & He Talked About Dean

it was actually sort of odd.

[citizen snips]

17. Wrong.

Kerry chooses not to talk about the issues. He just wants to attack the front runner.

[Tatiana]

30. Kerry can talk about issues the same way Kucinich does.

Remember DK's smackdown of Ted Koppel? That way. He can take it upon himself to bring the topic back to his (stellar) record of service, both militarily and in Congress. He can talk about BCCI, about Iran-Contra and the lessons his dedication helped us learn.

He can talk about his own tax plan, his own plan to stimulate this economy. He can talk about reducing the national debt.

He can talk honestly and sincerely with the American people about how he was misled about voting for the IWR.

That would be a start.

[isbister]

15. So Clark's republican past shouldn't be mentioned?

Should we just forget about it? I know Rove won't.

Can anyone honestly say this will not be the number one thing the republicans hammer Clark with if he wins the nomination? Every day?

I think it will be and am not sure the political novice will be able to convince the majority of the American people to believe what he says he believes now and not what he believed two years ago.

[KittyWampus]

18. Sure, Talk About His Past But HE IS NOT A REPUBLICAN

"the issue here is this candidate is not a Democrat,"

That is fucked up.

If Kerry wants to say that let it come out of his own mouth. Why get Shaheen to do his dirty work.

[jmaier]

20. I've no problem with it being

mentioned but it's how:

- it is true to claim that Wes Clark voted Republican in the past
- it's true that he's praised Republicans upon occasion

Neither of those acts however prevents him from being a Democrat as the general electorate well knows. Outside of a 35% Dem & 35% Rep band many voters have crossed over at one point or another.

Of course, all attacks are pretty much to be expected and I don't forsee Wes Clark losing any real sleep over this one.


on edit:

Not to mention having shown an independent streak isn't exactly a negative among NH voters. :-)

[Tatiana]

31. His past record of voting for Republicans is fair game.

To accuse him of being a Republican is just wrong. He's not a Republican. He's a Democrat.

[isbister]

45. Re:

I've got stuff in my fridge older than he's been a Democrat... but you're right, he is a Democrat.. joined last October...after he announced he was running and someone told him he had to join first.

[maxanne]

50. he sure is

for three whole months now!! Congratulations, General!

[TacticalPeek]

11. "it's the sincerest form of flattery in politics"

Clark is so cool, and so right.

Maybe Kerry surrogated this so they can still be friends someday?

[Bread and Circus]

34. Clark had a great line there

:hippie:

[sandnsea]

19. Damn, attack the issues not the candidate

There are so many legitimate questions to ask Clark. I don't know why this campaign can't figure out how to get to the meat without these silly comments about whether he's a Democrat or not. And the media doesn't help. I was amazed that nobody cared whether Dean's positions today matched his record. And I'm amazed nobody cares what Clark really thinks about Reagan, considering he had to implement Reagan's 80's military policy and voted for him.

[dfong63]

44. a candidate's voting record and past statements ARE issues

[neverforget]

21. Purity test politics! I can't wait to hear by whose standard

a Democrat is defined.

[Renew Deal]

24. This has worked for Lieberman

I am glad Kerry has latched onto an effective strategy.

[mouse7]

27. Well, Kerry will be attacking Lieberman too tomorrow.

Kerry just freefalled into a tie with Lieberman at 10% in NH.

Kerry's freefall is approaching terminal velocity.

[mmonk]

26. low road again

from an IWR voter campaign.

[SahaleArm]

28. Clark's hostile takeover didn't sit well with Kerry - sends proxy...

Have you no shame, John F* Kerry?

[dajabr]

29. Kerry reacts too late...again.

sigh...

:shrug:

[Bread and Circus]

32. I like Kerry, but his campaign is ran by a band of idiots.

Period.

[andym]

36. Shaheen probably believes in negative ads

The radio was saturated with mindless ads shouting "Jeanne Shaheen, taxing machine" over and over for a full minute during her quest for the senate in October 2002. I heard some while I was in Massachusetts at the time.

Even though she had been a popular governor, she lost her senate race, helping the Republicans to win back the senate.

So, she does understand the power of attacks.

[retyred]

38. Bada Bing......another failed attept....more Clark laughter

Clark responded: "When you're attacked like this, it's the sincerest form of flattery in politics."

Again Clark trivializes the importance of another candidate.



retyred in fla
“Good-Night Paul, Wherever You Are”
So I read this book

[robbedvoter]

39. Dear mr Kerry

Dear Mr Kerry
I had sworn to myself I'd never vote you for anything after your refusal to join the Florida 14 in denouncing the Florida electoral votes (Jan 6, 2001) and then insulting me by saying "No one asked". I did.
    You topped that with your vote for war (the Kennedy or Byrd resolutions were not good  enough for you?)
   On St Patrick's Day you quipped: I may not be Irish, but at least I am not French". Lovely.
   You followed this with yet another scornful message to those "who cry in their tea cups over the stolen election"
   So, if democracy twarting is so meaningless to you, who appointed you the gate keeper of the democratic party? How dare you question Wesley Clark's credentials?
    I am sick and tired of Mayflower democrats like you and Dean who think the membership in the party is some kind of birthright. (I advise you to take a look at James Trafficant and Zell Miller before you puff up too much with your titles).
    I am a former independent, drawn to the democratic party by anger over the stolen election (tea cup cryer to you). It's attitudes like yours that maybe driving me back out, to independent status.
    P.S. Is marrying a republican a mortal sin or a misdemeanor for Mayflower Democrats like you?
Kindly take me off your mailing list - as a former independent, I am not worthy..

[quaker bill]

40. I think it is Bush who is not a Democrat.

Let's focus on him.

[Capn Sunshine]

42. Fu#Kin' A quaker Bill !

Fu*kin' A. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

pay attention , you Clark supporters!

[bain_sidhe]

51. Yeah, what the Capn said!

only without the potty mouth. ;-)

Yeah, we need to focus on BUSH...

OTOH, we've gotta get through the primaries first. And baptism by fire into the Democratic-style of primary brawling is probably a good thing for Clark. It's Dean's ability to handle it that has given me most of the respect I have for him, and I believe Clark will come through it with more respect from the party as well.

So, on second thought, let the games begi... er, continue!

[jsw_81]

41. Shaheen is being unfair

It's not like General Clark voted for Reagan or attended GOP fundraisers. Oh wait...

[SahaleArm]

43. I thought the cutoff for someones past was two months...

Oh that's just for Howard... :P

[Hoppin_Mad]

46. She's a wise and sage woman - Knows a poseur when she sees one ! -eom-

[Nazgul35]

47. Dang nabit John Kerry!!!!!

every time he attacks someone, their poll numbers go up! This is a blantent attempt to make Clark go up in NH to stop Dean!!!!

Knock it off damnit!!! Go back to attacking Dean!!!

What's next? Lieberman attacking Clark!!!!!!!

[Printer70]

48. Anyone explain Clark's non-sensical reponse?

He is "flattered" to be called a Republican? I guess his true colors are showing through.

[TexasSissy]

49. The neg. stuff isn't going to do it for Kerry, I'm afraid.

I think people are getting tired of it. I know I am.

This is old news. Clark supporters have seen that his views are Dem. views. They don't care who Clark voted for in the past. I guess Kerry's hoping some of the independents and undecideds will care. I guess time will tell.