25 threads (26 including this one) on the front page about the Kerry flap.

[TheVirginian]

Its safe to say that the next couple of news cycles have been hijacked.

Somebody make sure that Rahm Emaneul isn't within a ten-mile radius of John Kerry right now.

[Ignacio Upton]

1. Kerry should just keep his mouth shut and not campaign for anyone

For the next week.

[emulatorloo]

7. Kerry should flap his trap more often -- he kicked Bushco's ass today n/t

http://www.johnkerry.com/news/releases/release.html?id=34

[SaveElmer]

9. No he shouldn't...

If he responds, the media will have to cover it. The nature of his response, which if todays statement is any indication, will be strongly worded. Meida focus will turn to the response.

If nothing is said this will fester for far longer than if aan aggressive response is forthcoming!

[TheVirginian]

14. You really think media attention will turn to Kerry's response?

The next stories that come out about this will be the effect Kerry has had in conservative districts where the Democrat is ahead.

[SaveElmer]

15. Yes I do...in fact...

His is the only one that will be paid attention to...

This is a media shitstorm...nothing more really...

People are not going to believe Kerry is dissing the troops...because he has no history of that.

The way to knock it out is to forcefully respond. Say nothing and it will percolate longer, and then may have an effect.

[TheVirginian]

16. This was not news until Kerry responded

This was a small flap between McCain and Kerry until Kerry picked up his megaphone and responded to it. Then the White House got involved, and now every Democrat who had momentum in conservative districts are going to be asked whether they support the statements of the 2004 Democratic nominee for President.

[SaveElmer]

18. No longer matters how it started...

It is the response that matters...

Democrats from Michael Dukakis on forward (except Bill Clinton), have been burned time and time again by not responding to Republican attacks...

Bush has turned this into a Bush vs Kerry flap now...Kerry's response will have to be given wide coverage. The counterattacks on Bush need to continue...they need to be focused on slimy Republican campaign tactics and on Bush's handling of Iraq...


This can be turned to those issues...and in fact I predict they will by tomorrow afternoon.

[TheVirginian]

19. By tomorrow, the story spreads across the country

And infiltrates every competive race in a conservative district/state. "Do you support the statements made by the 2004 Presidential nominee of your party?"

[SaveElmer]

20. Not if the response is aggressive...

And focuses on Iraq...

In fact, this tactic will fail largely becuse Bush no longer has any credibility with the American people...they are now inclined to believe he is lying than the other way around...

[TheVirginian]

21. Its too late for that. Every Republican is going to ask that question tomorrow.

And in some races, this is what the rest of the race is going to be about.

[SaveElmer]

31. Sorry I disagree...

I think you are being waaaay to pessimistic.

[blm]

2. Why? Did Emanuel not want Bush's failures on Iraq in the news cycle?

Did he prefer the stories about Republicans "closing the gap" with Democrats the media has been pushing?

[TheVirginian]

8. You know as well as I do that's not what the cycle is about.

Most of the projected Democratic pick-ups are in conservative or moderate districts. These districts are prepared to vote for a Democrat, but they didn't like Kerry in 2004, and they sure as hell don't like him now.

[blm]

13. Really? I heard he won with 60-65 million votes.

You should stop buying Republican spin - FIGHT SPIN, don't WEAR IT, fer chrissakes.

[TheVirginian]

17. I'm not worried about the spin, I'm worried about our candidates.

[terryg11]

22. agreed. unfortunately

Most voters, especially the large numbers of undecideds out there get their news from the six and ten o clock soundbite broadcasts anymore. It's almost surely not going to play well in Kerry's favor regardless of wht he meant

[blm]

23. What do you think the Fighting Dems and Patriot Project are about?

They are about FIGHTING BACK when lies are told about them and Dem vets.

BushInc was going to do this about ANY Democrat who is out there working for candidates. I don't fear this battle at all.

I think a pack of nervous Dem establishment types are the ones who don't want the public to hear the tough talk - they want voters manipulated and massaged and not told the truth.

How convenient for them to be "outraged" over Kerry's remarks.

[TheVirginian]

25. How well do you think that plays in NC-11, ID-1, FL-13, OH-1, NY-25, WA-8?

[blm]

28. It's news to them that Bush uses the troops to cover his failures on Iraq?

If you GIVE IN to the spin, then it plays for Bush, if you HIGHLIGHT the LIES the spin won't work and then there is no news here.

[Mass]

3. Emmanuel could also use the opportunity to attack Bush on his Iraq policy.

just as Kerry did this afternoon in a press conference.

[sandnsea]

26. And their shameful treatment of our troops

$7.50 an hour to die for your country is not respecting the troops.

[MADem]

4. Wouldn't it be swell if a moderator combined them all?

That would piss off the "Let's start a thread without checking to see if one has already been initiated" crowd, and thwart their earnest desires to pee on this virtual tree!!

[emulatorloo]

5. But, now the focus for the repugs is back on the Iraq War

not "gay marriage" "flag-burning" etc etc. bet Rahm is happy about that

[SaveElmer]

6. Don't worry...I predict this story will develop like this...

Media will focus on Kerry's statement...air Bush's deninciation over and over until...

The are forced to cover Kerry's inevitably forceful response...

The media attention will then shift to campaign tactics employed by Republicans, and Bush's conduct of the war as those two points will be contained in the Kerry counterattack...

By Thursday morning t his story will be all but forgotten, with most Americans clusless as to what happened...

[rniel]

10. Wait till the spin cycle kicks in

After repeating it over and over enough all of the voters will believe that Kerry insluted the troops.

[wiley]

11. Heavily Freeped Board. Media Instigators. Chatter Freaks.

It's okay. Just let it go. Let it go. What anybody says is not going to bring back dead soldiers, or grow a missing leg or arm or hand.

[Torgo Johnson]

12. Rahm Emanuel shouldn't be within a ten-mile radius of any Democrat

[sandnsea]

24. Better Kerry than Webb, Ford of McCaskill n/t

[Uncle Joe]

27. I am trying to change it, I put my Rush Limbaugh/Bif poll out there

:shrug:

[many a good man]

29. Is there a transcript?

I still haven't seen a transcript of what Kerry actually said.

[ChiciB1]

30. Lou Dobbs Vote Was Pretty Lopsided... 72% Said Kerry Should NOT

apologize. I realize it's only a snap shot, but I wonder what Lou said? I emailed him myself as I know many of us did. Just couldn't STAND to watch him tonight!

I'm flipping ALL of it off for tonight! Just work to GOTV.... makes calls, got door to door! Kerry ISN'T running for anything and just like Clinton, some of our Dems are getting PISSED!

So we need UNITY!!

[leesa]

32. Amazing. A total nonissue. It will be forgotten by the weekend.