Kerry Fucked Up

[Jack_Dawson]

These idiots were drowning just fine by themselves and Kerry threw them a life preserver. Timing never was his thing. Yes we can debate the nuances about what he "meant to say" but we all know by now a large percentage of America doesn't "get" nuance.

Now...with a week to go - fairly or unfairly we will be painted as the party that thinks troops are stupid. Thanks JK! :hi:

On edit: I'm not debating the merits of what he said. He's right, of course. But GDammit where were those balls in '04 while he was being swiftboated? He couldn't have waited until 11/8 to giftwrap the victim card to these hapless fuckwits we have in office? I agree with the other poster...now that he finds himself in this position he might as well get down and dirty. He has the nation's attention again - make the most of it.

[jellybeancurse]

1. I highly doubt

Kerry's remark will have any impact on the election whatsoever.

[Jack_Dawson]

6. Don't underestimate the power of...

being unable to debate the merits of your own policy. Be the victim!

[lumpy]

77. I think we all know who 'fucked up'.

The truth of the matter says it was Bush and cronies.

[itsmesgd]

10. leave the repubs to hang themselves

We need to be sure to leave the repubs alone and not give them any ammo to use against the dems. I think that Kerry's move was not smart. This will get the anti-Kerry involved again. Rush will have a field day of this.

If Kerry loses a race when he's not even running, I think that he should committ sepuku (ritual suicide) to save his honor. This will only feed the rumors that Bush and Kerry are related.

[zanne]

56. On Washington Journal this morning...

One Republican caller said Kerry should be impeached. Another said "I hope he loses again this time". We're not dealing with brilliant people here. I think that the stupid know they're stupid and they resent it when someone points it out.

[TexasLawyer]

70. LOL!!!

Thanks for the reality check on who we're dealing with.

[Arkana]

71. I have to agree.

If you haven't decided who you're voting for, you're probably not gonna vote by now.

[valerief]

2. How does this large percentage of Americans overlook the

fact that Kerry was a war hero who served in Nam and numbnuts Bush/Cheny/Rummy/and the whole PNAC cabal and WH ho's never served in the military?

[Jack_Dawson]

I don't know...ask 2004? n/t

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. WE'RE DOOMED!!!!

This is how totally DOOMED we are: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3802032285333380788

[valerief]

24. They're one of the companies who told ABC not to air their ads

on AAR affiliates.

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2006/10/31/air-america-advertiser-blacklisted/

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

27. Still, it's a hilarious ad.

[Mr_Spock]

4. That "initial reaction"

that many of us have may be the only one many people have. Oh, well, whatchagonnado?

[emulatorloo]

5. RoveCO drug Kerry into this -- Blame him not, Kerry

And Kerry kicked some Repug ass today:

http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=4601

Video & Transcript- Kerry: “I Apologize to No One for My Criticism of the President”

<snip>

This administration has given us a Katrina foreign policy: mistake upon mistake upon mistake; unwilling to give our troops the armor that they need; unwilling to have enough troops in place; unwilling to give them the Humvees that they deserve to protect them; unwilling to have a coalition that is adequate to be able to defend our interests.

<snip>

[raysr]

11. The only way he can get

himself out of this is to get DIRTY! Call * a traitor, Rove a traitor for giving up Plame and on and on .........

[emulatorloo]

13. Kerry gave a great response today -- worth watching or reading

http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=4601

Read the whole thing, it is worth it


This administration has given us a Katrina foreign policy: mistake upon mistake upon mistake; unwilling to give our troops the armor that they need; unwilling to have enough troops in place; unwilling to give them the Humvees that they deserve to protect them; unwilling to have a coalition that is adequate to be able to defend our interests.

[lumpy]

76. Great response from Kerry. The troops 'know what

time it is' and so does Kerry. Kerry is a real soldier who is defending the troops, not Bush nor Cheney, period.

[BeyondGeography]

7. He should issue a press release tomorrow

regretting any misunderstanding that his remarks may have created and then stay out of camera range until after the elections.

[emulatorloo]

14. Sorry no, tired of Dems lying low -- his response today was terrific EOM

[BeyondGeography]

25. What's he running for, anyway?

Right now, he's nothing more than the Republican Party's one and only talking point. They'd love it if we followed your advice.

[me b zola]

26. Quite the opposite...

If the repukes want to push the story, Kerry should issue another statement saying in very plain English that he was calling bush* stupid and remind people that Kerry himself volunteered to go into dangerous duty in a war that had already become a quagmire very much like Iraq.

This is what he said in today's press conference, but if you don't spit it out in easy to understand words and draw pictures for republicans they are too stupid to understand.

[BeyondGeography]

31. He can say all that

and add his regrets...the point is he needs to take himself off the playing field; it's not as if we even need him out there anyway. Also, insisting that the other side is too stupid to understand only plays into the worst stereotypes about liberal elites. If you like to fire up the other side, keep playing that tune.

[nini]

8. actually I think it's going to end up helping

it shows the hypocrisy of he chicken hawks and the more they scream the more they show their ass.

[buddysmellgood]

9. You're a big help.

[walldude]

12. Nope... all the polls on this are way in Kerry's favor

After yesterdays reports about Halliburton feeding the troops expired food and giving them contaminated water, and robbing the American taxpayer so they can put a KBR monogram on the towels they send to Iraq. Kerry recovered from his gaff well and the American people aren't buying the "support the troops" lie any more.

[OzarkDem]

15. He should disappear for a while

that's the only way to get rid of this story.

Never would have dreamed Kerry himself would be one of our October surprises.

[TomInTib]

28. Maybe he could dress up in his bunny suit and crawl back in the shuttle

Or whatever that stupid get-up fuckup he pulled at NASA before the '04 election.

[WildEyedLiberal]

39. Stupid, pointless, inane comment. n/t

[TomInTib]

45. Yeah, I am good at that.

But my business is Marketing.

John Kerry's crew should be forever banned from the branding business.

They are an absolute embarrassment to us professionals.

I am neither stupid or inane.

I understand product development.

You are knee-jerk and what is wrong, in large part, with the popularist Movement.

Grow up.

A fuckup is what it is.

And Kerry's crew are fuckups.

Idiots.

That is why they missed the slam-dunk of the Century in '04.

[Arkana]

73. Uh, wha...?

There are 6 days left. If you've decided who you're voting for, Senator Kerry is not going to change your mind.

[NEDem]

16. We're fine

but if you want to go play in "Doom and Gloom Land" go right ahead. I'm going to keep working for my candidates though.

[oasis]

17. Freepers and ultrawingers are the only ones buying the WH spin on this b.s.

Their worst nightmare would be for Kerry to make the talk show rounds and pick apart Bush's non-strategy for Iraq.

[sendero]

21. That's what he has to do.

... and if he does it, all is forgiven :)

[zulchzulu]

18. Get off the field. Take a shower and go home to eat your Momma's pudding.

You're clueless.

[Jack_Dawson]

23. LOL

I don't even know what that means but it was funny. :hi:

[sendero]

19. Kerry made a mistake..

... but he can turn it around to our advantage. He can get on TV saying the stuff he's been saying since. He can use his "clarification" to rip the Bush administration the new asshole they so richly deserve. I hope he does so.

[Erika]

20. Only the hysterical are getting upset. The public isn't

Michael Savage and Laura Ingraham were having multiple orgasms about Kerry speaking truth to the power.

[Mr_Spock]

22. Local nightly news is leading with this story

I guess it's a story that's gonna get some play - we'll see how they report it.

[Got WMD]

29. Wow!!!

It amazes me the number of Chicken Little's at DU. Probably the same whiners that buried Webb last Friday for his "sex" book (I believe he's gained at least 5pts since then).

[MeDeMax]

30. Kerry did great today...buzz off *...screw off rove

YOUR TRUMPED UP TRASH AINT GONNA STICK.

You filth, you'd wh*re your own mother for a couple of poll points.

BASTARDS !

[itsmesgd]

33. I agree that Kerry's right, but his comments weren't needed

Why couldn't he just let them slump towards election day. He really did not need to crack a joke, that has taken on a twisted life of its own. When you open your mouth you never what will fly out, so keep it shut, especially if the repubs are losing already. Now Bush will be on Rush talking about Kerry.

Thanks for the surprise John
Rove thanks you too

[Erika]

34. And who listens to Rush anyway?

Kerry has every right to comment.

[Jack_Dawson]

36. About 10,000,000 voters

:shrug:

[Erika]

38. Yeah, the dittoheads who would vote GOP if W ate babies

Get serious.

[WildEyedLiberal]

40. Are you serious?

You think Rush dittoheads would EVER vote for a Dem anyway???

Jeez, this is ridiculous. The only people who are STUPID enough to buy the Repuke spin about this are people who were ALREADY GOING TO VOTE REPUKE.

[Jack_Dawson]

43. So...

100% of people who tune into Rush will vote Repuke?

[WildEyedLiberal]

44. If think that bloviating piece of shit makes valid points? Yes.

Why don't you go ahead and blame Michael J. Fox for "giving Rush ammo" while you're at it?

[Jack_Dawson]

55. That's a stretch

but whatever you have to do to make your point, I guess. Believe it or not Rush and Randi do attract independent listeners.

[Canuckistanian]

66. Right, it's just preaching to the choir

I seriously doubt that this will change any uncommitted voters's minds.

It might have lost Kerry some votes if he were running himself.

But it's a stretch to extend this "gaffe" to the rest of the candidates or the Democratic party itself.

[babylonsister]

32. Horseshit. He did fine, got the war back in the dialogue.

And I'm sorry you "HAD" to bring up 04, like every other person on DU who feels 'disappointed', 'overworked', whatever.
Where were those balls when the r/w machine had the polls and media captive? Are we sure he lost?
I like Kerry and I'm not afraid to admit it. And if you think anything the slink machine posited today regarding Kerry not respecting the troops is truthful, I totally disagree! :hi:

[Jack_Dawson]

35. Sorry but...

had he been a straight shooter and not a politician in '04 the media would've most likely reported on it. :beer:

[Blue Belle]

67. The media would have reported...

The story that the companies who own the media wants reported. Anyone who has been paying attention to politics for the past 6 years knows this is the case. Kerry could have done everything right - he could have literally walked on water and the press would have implied he was a "Liberal elitist" for doing so. It's obvious your issues against Kerry run a little deep and this gaff gives you reason to condemn, but let's get the facts straight: Any democrat who tries to take a stand in today's media gets labeled an extremist, - hell, Republicans who take a stand against this administration get labeled extremists - so what makes you think Kerry had the press eating out of his hands to begin with?

He was a straight shooter in '04 (Did you not watch the debates?) the only mistake he made was to listen to bad advice from his handlers, and while I was disappointed with his lack of response back then, I'm very glad he spoke up yesterday. I'm very glad to see the fire back in his eyes - it seems that enough is enough, and that's what the country needs to hear. 2004 is in the past, and he - like the rest of the Dems - are pissed off that these petulant asshole Republicans are trying to make a non-story the issue to hide the fact that their policies continue to harm our troops everyday. He called bullshit on the GOP's trite and desperate smear tactics, and I for one was very proud of him. Instead of helping the GOP make Kerry's statements the issue, maybe we should stop projecting our fear onto the man who is trying to fight back and lend him a little support. This election is only ours to lose now.

[Erika]

37. Kerry brought in an important dialog about Iraq

Who exactly are these troops? I know I read one study where this "war" is being fought disproportionately by the poor and middle class unlike any war before it.

[MeDeMax]

88. i think he did fine -- n/t

[cigsandcoffee]

41. I think he's being immensely selfish.

He made a gaffe. A quick explanation and apology for the misunderstanding (not the words as strategically interpreted by GOP blowhards) would have negated any national impact, and even called attention to his message - it might have helped on November 7.

Instead, he took the opportunity to appeal to an already-energized base by field-testing his new strategy against the Swift-boaters. But what plays well with the base is not going to be a sure thing with moderates - people more convinced by calm rhetoric than an angry diatribe.

I think he is zealous to resonate with the base and improve his chances of getting the 2008 nomination. That's fair enough, but this was not the time or the situation to do it. Instead of diffusing it, he's going to keep it in the papers to show how tough he is these days. That might be good for John, but it's not necessarily good for the party.

[itsmesgd]

42. thank you c and g

excellent user name, it's what I'm doing right now.
excellent point made as well. now is not the time

[babylonsister]

64. You just took Alter's talking point on Hardball, but you forgot

what Tweety said. John Kerry could not let this gauntlet go down without responding. A lie, unopposed, gets enlarged. Kerry had to defend himself as he is one of the biggest defenders of the troops. He didn't want his words twisted, and I don't blame him.
Selfish? I don't think so. This hasn't 'hurt' the party or anyone else, except perhaps the admin because they're flailing . And that's a good thing.

[napi21]

46. well said! Kerry will never be able to sound like theaverage guy

and he won't besounding like the average recruit either. He;s right in his statement, but it's not something he shoudl have tried to verbalize NOW!

[KharmaTrain]

47. Damn Those Democrats For Campaigning For Democrats

I'm one who hope Senator Kerry decides to sit 2008, based how poorly he fought in '04...but today he showed a pair...walking into a trap that wasn't just set for him but for any high profile Democrat. Dare if they say just one syllable out of place and sure enough it became major astroturf.

Sadly, too many here really don't see how the Mighty Wurlitzer works...and barely at that. All these goons were waiting for was a molehill to make a mountain of...and they thought they had a fish when Kerry's video showed up (how much ya wanna bet it was recorded by an RNC operative). The story starts in the morning newscasts...astroturfed onto websites and send in the daily Rove blast fax to hate talk show hosts around the country. By noon time every hate radio station was reading the same talking points of how Kerry had dissed the troops...before most people had ever seen his clip. By the afternoon, with all this hate radio chatter and the pushing of the RNC and the White House, this now became "the story" on the cable news channels. Just one problem with this tune compared to others...few were listening and those who were weren't going to vote for Democrats anyway.

I call this a "Hail Kerry"...a very desperate move by the Repugnicans to attempt to create "outrage"...one of the only tactics next to sliming an opponent. The GOOP polls see that this election has become a referendum on their manchild and they want a national Democrat to try to pick on and downplay how much this country now resents booosh and all he stands for.

Senator Kerry finally came out swinging this afternoon...and I hope he remains that way. Any Democrat that runs from him isn't a Democrat, just an opportunist. Note that the only Repugnicans who are making an issue of this are the worst of their coven...and having them shoot off their venom in the last days of the campaign isn't such a bad thing. Rusbho's sliming of MJ Fox could tip the balance in Missouri for McKaskill.

2006 isn't 2004 and the tricks that worked then aren't working this year. The cupboard of Democrat scandals and outrages are bare...thus they had to manufacture something/anything. It's "Hail Kerry" time...and I expect even more sleeze in the next couple days.

In the next few days we go into the last real news cycles that may have any affect on this election. As you saw today, a story can take off real quick, but if it is to have any reaction among electorates and move the polls, it has to come within 4 to 5 days of the election. Is this their last shot? Or is there one or two more in the next few days? These are caged animals now...very dangerous and not responsible for their own actions.

[ProSense]

48. General doesn't agree with your post:

Hit'em Back Harder, Harder

Kerry did a smack down with courage!

[understandinglife]

49. BULL. SHIT. Got that. If not. BULL. SHIT.

BE THE BU$H OPPOSITION - 24/7

[Disturbed]

51. I am disgusted by how many Dems are buying into the RWing

spin on his statement. They know damn well that he was referring to Busholini not the troops. Dems should know better than post stupid shit like the OP. Man, so many Dems are plain dolts.

[understandinglife]

54. As am I, my friend. And, I have no intention of letting anyone get away with it.

NO ONE.


BE THE BU$H OPPOSITION - 24/7

[Jack_Dawson]

84. Umm...

It's not about "buying in" to republican talking points. It's about FINISHING and not giving your opponent an opening. Maybe you've never played sports so I won't hold you accountable. :beer:

[Swamp Rat]

50. LOLOLOLOL!!!! ... Scaredy Dem! Scaredy Dem! ... BOO!

:rofl:

[flyarm]

52. utter bullshit!!!!!!!!!..Kerry is not the problem for the troops..bush is!@

the party with no power is not the problem..and Americans know that..they get it now..

this is utter bullshit!

* owes the troops and their families an appology..( and that would not be sufficient!)...and a trip to the hague!

where was the media on this..oh i know right up pissy pants ass!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTVJ_vFMoqg&eurl=

fly

[JeffR]

53. Respectfully, Jack, I say

bullshit he fucked up. Guess we'll have to agree to disagree.

[bigtree]

57. thing is

you're furthering the RW smear by suggesting he was referring to the soldiers. He was talking about Bush.

Peddling the RW lie that Kerry was belittling soldiers makes the rest of your argument silly, and the criticism, frankly, puts you in the position of actually doing to our party what you are bashing Kerry for.

[Jack_Dawson]

58. Disagree

Yes the *thinking* people understand he was slamming chimpy. Problem is, MSM isn't reporting it that way. And so while his comments predictably fire up DU and his base, he's in a position to lose the fencesitters which will ultimately decide this thing.

[bigtree]

59. the opposition can take any comment and lie about it

that's what they do. We used to understand how to defend our candidates against those smears. When Clinton came along (two-terms) he showed how to knock the outrageous lies back. It make no sense at all to pretend that we can say everything just perfectly and prevent the republicans from distorting our comments. Distortion is their game. They don't care if the evidence against them is right alongside their lie. Our job is to stand firm and knock them back, not equivocate and run away everytime they come up with some ridiculous campaign trick.

[PATRICK]

60. Wrong

There will always be GOP spinners grasping at strawmen. Almost every Congressional campaign has been subject to recent daring ads that dare say the Dems are going to ruin Social Security. These chinks and misinterpretations are desperate and have to be kicked back in their faces. Kerry provides a service in getting the whole sorry last minute game into the spotlight. It wouldn't matter it Hillary kicked a dog by accident or GOP linguists were able to spin someone's support for fair trade into Islamo-fascism, but leading the fray with a fight worth having is VITAL at this stage in the campaign.

Most people are not allowed to put together the last minute wave of incredible GOP lies and attacks. This does, squarely with one man not afraid to strangle the beast with full national attention.

Maybe it is because I am totally fed up with the exquisite perfection demanded of cautious Dems, where honesty and integrity and truth are not good enough and every fold of the napkin leads to blame and defeat. Crap. Nixon was running and McGovern had to be saintly and flawless- for which he was to be blamed as an out of touch inhuman radical. Natural HIS mistakes were put under the magnifying glass by the purposefully directed media and his support by the truculent organizational losers of his era.

It has been that way ever since. Horror show starring ham sandwich meet outstanding honest Democrat who loses by 3 1/2 Miss Manners points. And people die and the government is raped and the news is content in its nest with power. The GOP spin should be treated with the same respect they hold for the law and the people- absolute, unwavering contempt.

I'm glad he slipped up and seemed to give the inch of vulnerability the GOP is slavering for so they can be brought up close and beaten over the head in full public view.

[Virginia Dare]

61. Yep, NOBODY is perfect...

yes, he misspoke, and true to the rwmsm form, they pounced on it, I'm sure at Rove's and others' behest. Meanwhile the drug-addled alcoholic mentally deficient sociopath in the White House gets a pass daily. Unfortunately, there is no justice in it. It sucks big time.

Okay, so let's move on, and let's hope that EVERY Democrat who has their face on the camera and their voice on the radio is VERY careful about what they say between now and November 7th.

We're in the homestretch, and it's still looking good, let's keep hammering away at them on the war, and all of their other misdeeds, and maybe we can start turning things around.


:kick:

[OnionPatch]

62. Bull!!!

They were just waiting for something they could do a "Dean Scream" on. It doesn't matter who said it or what it was. They were going to do it to someone, somewhere, this week. Their media whores where waiting for the word to amplify it once it was chosen (by Rove or whomever.)

I think this is the time to point out that they always resort to these tactics to veer attention away from their failed policies. Also a good time to point out how the media plays lapdog to the right wing by focusing on such petty garbage.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

63. Thank you for your concern. -nt

[tuvor]

65. No, it's you who are fucking up.

You're allowing bush's handlers and supporters to conveniently ignore a reality called "ambiguity". They know exactly what he meant. Kerry handed them a lemon, and they're trying to make lemonade.

Sounds like you're drinking some of it right now.

[roguevalley]

68. If you cannot admit that Kerry fucked up with tthis, than it takes away

something from your ability to say when Bush does. NO ONE needed this right now. No one. Kerry fucked up. Calling people who are upset about it quizlings is crap. This isn't God we're talking about. This is the man called Kerry and he fucked up. Good thing that he attacked his attackers but it should never have happened at all.

[helderheid]

72. As alfredo said, Kerry bungled a JOKE. Bush bungled a WAR

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2539666

[roguevalley]

79. beside the point. he messed up and the machine is spinning. either

he is capable of messing up or he's God and he's not God.

[helderheid]

80. of course he's capable of fucking up and I must say the reaction from

many here and elected Ds is only fucking up further.

Deathtoll from Kerry's bungled joke: 0
Deathtoll from Bush's bungled war(s): 600,000 and rising daily.

[Jack_Dawson]

85. Valid points - for another day

Right now it's about news cycles and Kerry sure as shit shouldn't be dominating them.

[helderheid]

69. .

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2539666

[Snivi Yllom]

74. you got it right

Don't let those who are sticking their fingers in their ears going LALALALA trying to tell you Kerry's oopsie and subsequent response was all sunshine and puppies.

There is a time for everything, and creating unnecessary news stories a week before an election was a major mistake.

[helderheid]

75. it's OUR response we have to worry about

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2539666

[DainBramaged]

78. A crack in the wall we didn't need. If their stupid base turns out........

[Beelzebud]

81. Kerry should just pack it up and go home. He's done enough damage this decade...

[earth mom]

82. Bullshit! Don't buy into the rethuglican meme!

Others put it far better than I could on this thread, but the gut level reaction of most REAL dems/progressives is that what happened only serves to expose how conniving, evil and desperate the rethugs are. They will do themselves in on this one no doubt.

Step away from the kool aid. :eyes:

[Jack_Dawson]

83. Don't you get it?

It's not about being a "real Dem" or whatever else you're implying. The news cycles right now should be about Republicans flailing and the American military succumbing to Iraqi militias at the behest of Iraq's "democratically elected" leader which only further underscores what a clusterfuck Iraq is. But instead it's all about Kerry's lameass comments and it's rallying the same disenchanted repukes that Foley scared away. When I listened to Kerry's quote IN FULL the first time, my first thought was...it sounds like he's calling the troops dumbasses. He explained it and I get it now, but that was MY first reaction and I'm a lifelong Dem. Giving these idiots any ammo whatsoever right now is beyond comprehension.

[OwnedByFerrets]

86. John Kerry doesnt need to be out there fighing the fight

for us, but he does it every day. He could be sipping umbrella drinks on the Riviera, but nooooooooooooooooo, he is travelling the US fighting for America and its citizens. He doesnt need the headache but he does it because he loves this country. Which is more than I can say for this fucking administration OR the people who disrespect him......especially the ones in his own party.:grr:

[Jack_Dawson]

87. Great! So fight it November 8th

or whenever you plan to kick off your '08 campaign. But his comments have been a distraction and republican base-rallier which is the last thing we need.

[SouthernBelle82]

89. So let's see

a botched up oopsie joke or a oopsie that killed thousands of people? Who really fucked up? It wasn't John Kerry.

[LittleClarkie]

90. I hope the MSM is there the next time YOU drop a pronoun

The GOP was looking for something, anything, to save themselves. And they've latched onto the most ridiculous of memes. It was a fuck up, but it was a tiny little fuckup. Who knew they had someone staring at the man 24/7.

And what do you intend to agree with: what he said, or what he meant to say?