Iowa candidate asks Kerry to cancel campaign visit

[ECH1969]

DES MOINES, Iowa A Democratic Congressional candidate from Iowa is canceling a campaign event later this week with Senator John Kerry.

Brucy Braley says Kerry's recent comments about the Iraq war were inappropriate.

Braley is running against Republican Mike Whalen in Iowa's First District congressional race. It's a contest considered to be one of the most competitive House races in the country.

Braley's decision to distance himself from Kerry came as a furor grew from comments Kerry made about the Iraq War during a campaign stop in California on Monday.

http://www.eyewitnessnewstv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5616595&nav=F2DO
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Jesus, fregging whimp.

[Redstone]

1. He's a pandering asshole. How much do you suppose the Repubs paid him

to say that? I hope he loses.

Redstone

[aquart]

2. Let him lose two years from now.

On November 7,2006, ALL DEMOCRATS WIN.

[Erika]

4. Agreed

Our memories are long. If this guy can't honor and appreciate a veteran, he will be remembered.

[SharonAnn]

6. He's an extremely Progressive, Liberal Democrat in a very tight race.

It will be a Democratic "pick-up" since the previous Representative was a Republican.

He's one of the absolute best of the good guys. It's just a shrewd decision and I'm sure it hurt him to do it, since he likes John Kerry. But the stakes are really, really high and he's not got much of a lead. It could cost us (and him) the election to be seen with John at this time and there's no time to recover. Remember, it's the GOP blowing the whole thing out of proportion but nonetheless, it is now officially out of proportion.

Sometimes candidates have to make tactical decisions and this is one.

He'll be a great representative for all of us.

And, BTW, he's running in my home town, so I know the area pretty darn well.

[Redstone]

14. All that may be so, but for him to say what he said does imply

the he's afraid.

Afraid of a Democrat who tells the truth.

Redstone

[Clarkie1]

17. Nonsense. It implies nothing except he felt a Kerry visit would hurt more than help. nt

[wisteria]

33. A progressive distancing himself form Kerry. Sorry he is a jerk.

And, I am in a mood to tell him so.

[DURHAM D]

3. His name is Bruce, not Brucy. Is this a real tv station

and is this really their website

[SharonAnn]

11. Here's the local Waterloo, IA TV station article - KWWL-NBC

http://www.kwwl.com/Global/story.asp?S=5616562

1st District candidate Braley asks Kerry to cancel campaign visit

DES MOINES, Iowa 1st District congressional candidate Bruce Braley has canceled a campaign event scheduled later this week with Massachusetts Senator John Kerry, saying that the senator's recent comments about the Iraq war were inappropriate.
Braley, a Democrat, is running against Republican Mike Whalen in Iowa's 1st District congressional race -- a contest considered to be one of the most competitive House races in the country.

Braley's appearance with Kerry, the Democrats nominee for president in 2004, was scheduled for Thursday.

Braley spokesman Jeff Giertz says the decision to cancel the event with Kerry was made independently. The decision came as a furor grew over comments Kerry made about the Iraq War yesterday (Monday).

Speaking at a campaign event in California, Kerry said, "You know, education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don't, you get stuck in Iraq."

The remark has prompted sharp criticism from some Republicans, including President Bush.

Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

[Bluebear]

5. Grow a pair, "Brucey"

[SharonAnn]

8. As I said above, he's a really good Democrat, the kind we like at DU but

he had to make a very tough, tactical decision on the ground. He's an experienced trial lawyer and he knows how to read the "jury".

It's his race and I think he's calling it right.

It's my hometown so I know the area and the people.

He can win, but it's a tough, tough race.

Bruce is a very liberal, very progressive, unrestricted pro-choice candidate. He'll do us proud.

But if he loses, we'll get a right-wing Bush-licker instead.

[Bluebear]

10. I lost respect for him immediately, Sharon

I hope he wins, and I will take your word for his qualities. But if he caves in this easily on something that is a non-issue, does that also not say something about him? He is not saying Kerry misspoke, he said he meant it and it was not appropriate.

[SharonAnn]

13. If Bruce loses the race, we all lose. He likes Kerry so it had to be a

tough call. But Bruce can't spend his time defending Kerry at this time in the Election Cycle, he's got to finish his own race. He can defend Kerry later, and I'm sure he will. Just don't ask Bruce to take on the "Mighty Wurlitzer", Kerry's backlash, AND run a tightly contested race and win.

We don't control the media and right now the Right-Wing "Mighty Wurlitzer" is controlling the airwaves.

[Bluebear]

18. I appreciate all your sentiments

I really do, and you know you own area. How about this, could he not have uninvited Kerry without saying the remarks were "inappropriate"?

[SharonAnn]

24. I don't know. I wish he'd used different words, but I respect Bruce a lot.

I guess I'll give him a pass on this one.

The candidate has a lot of tough calls to make. When I was running here in my county last summer I chose to avoid a place where another candidate was appearing. It felt terrible but being pictured with him could've hurt my campaign because of some of the issue around him and there was nothing I could've done to help him. But I kept it quiet and had a "schedule conflict" situation. Also, I knew I could help him later because his election is next week, mine was in August. And I am helping him now.

BTW, I lost the race but I won the demographic that might've turned against me.

Let's support these people who are running their hearts out. He's losing income by running this race, he's campaigning night and day, and if he wins then we all benefit.

Kerry's statements have nothing to do with Bruce. Why should he take that on now, in the last few days of the Election Cycle when it could cost Bruce the election and wouldn't help Kerry.

[jefferson_dem]

16. Thanks for bringing reasoned insight to this discussion. I trust he's making right call on this one

n/t

[Gloria]

7. The Democrats SHOULD be jumping on the Kerry response and running

with it non-stop for the next week. A solid wave of attack against the Bush suckers.

But no.....

and this guy will be a wimp in training because there is no one with real guts directing such a massive wave.....

[SharonAnn]

9. But Kerry is not running at this time, let Bruce run his own campaign.

[Clarkie1]

12. He has to do with what helps him best in his district. Kerry should understand that.

So should all of us. No point in Kerry visiting if the local politics are not favorable toward him. Why potentially hurt our chances of winning another House seat? We need to be smart, and Kerry should not take it personally.

[wisteria]

35. Oh, I am sure Kerry understands. But, I have a real problem with

politicians treating him like he did something wrong. Kerry did nothing wrong.

[BlooInBloo]

15. My only problem with it....

... is the domino effect that's likely/certain to start now.

Next: Everyone else cancels Kerry visit
Next: Everyone has to give back Kerry donations
Next: Every other Democrat is pressed to disavow Kerry
Next: Every other Democrat is pressed to be republican-lite
.
.
.

In the end, Democrats are again shown to be a party that stands for nothing, and eventually lose to republicans.

For that reason, I don't think what the candidate did was wise.

[SharonAnn]

20. Again, this is getting lots of airplay because the GOP control the media.

Let's not give it any more oxygen.

[BlooInBloo]

22. Then talk to the guy/gal who started the thread, genius. Sheesh.

[SharonAnn]

25. Actually, I am a genius. For what that's worth.

[BlooInBloo]

29. Ah. Thanks for making it clear how this country got to where it is.

[WildEyedLiberal]

19. This is why Dems lose.

Too many are SO terrified to be associated with *gasp* controversy!

Ain't nothing in the middle of the road but roadkill.

[Bluebear]

21. There you are!!

I wanted to congratulate you on the World Series XOXOX

[WildEyedLiberal]

26. Thanks!!!

:woohoo: :bounce: :toast:

MWAH right back atcha!

[Blue_In_AK]

28. Thank you....

It's so ridiculous to think that John Kerry meant any disrespect to the troops that it's laughable. It's sad that people feel like they have to run from Kerry who has done more for the progressive cause over the past 30 years than almost anyone else I can think of. It's just a sad state of affairs that people continue to attack him instead of backing his play.

This is no reflection on this particular candidate -- just a general comment.

[confludemocrat]

23. What a shitwad. What kind of party is this? n/t

[Terri S]

27. WTF??!!

So, I don't know, standing up for the truth... giving it back to the Repubs in spades, using this to hammer home exactly why the Dems should be in power escapes this man????

A good Democrat??????????????????????

[confludemocrat]

30. This so-called "progressive liberal" is yes a shitwad for publically 86ing JK

he's a "progressive liberal"?, so that means weak-kneed and fainthearted in standing by his fellow party member under fire for no good reason.

[jwirr]

31. I think Braley needs a bit of education. Are we up to it DU?

[wisteria]

36. You have a link? I would like to express my opinion of his actions. n/t

[wisteria]

32. I expected as much. He won't be the last. I bet.

Gergan on CNN suggested he should lay low until after the election now. I am sure the DLC is advising this. It is ok for them to take the money he raised, but they don't want to appear with him. Frankly, IMO, this guy has already lost. He has proven himself to be a wimp. Iowa likes Kerry and they would understand how he was misquoted. I would like this guy to explain how they were inappropriate.It was the republicans who were inappropriate.

[understandinglife]

34. WIMP. WIMP. WIMP. And, did you notice I think he's a WIMP.

Never Forget: George W. Bush willfully violated National Security to cover-up his willful launch of a war of aggression and illegal occupation of Iraq.... and, if you doubt it, WIMP, just check 'the google' ...

[wisteria]

37. Here is a link to his site. Go tell him what you think of his remarks.

http://www.brucebraley.com/

I did!

[madfloridian]

42. Thanks I was looking for a link.

That makes 2 or 3 now...I intend to write every one of them.

[Atman]

38. I wrote him a letter.

God, I'm pissed tonight.

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Please reconsider your terribly short-sighted decision to ask American Veteran and US Senator John Kerry to stay away. You apparently are not paying attention to the voters, you are listening to a massive load of manufactured horse cr*p designed to distract us from the total breakdown in Iraq, and the humiliation handed President Bush by Al Sadr just a week before the election. If you cannot see that, then perhaps you really don't deserve a seat in the next congress, arguably the most important Congress we'll elect in our lifetimes.

While I am quite bothered by your decision, I still wish you the best in the upcoming election, for no matter how short-sighted you may be, you cannot possibly be worse than those running the asylum now.

Sincerely,
(Atman)

--------

:mad:

.

[wisteria]

39. Good letter. n/t

[Bluebear]

41. Good letter, atman

[dailykoff]

40. . . . and issues a press release to let everybody know.

The guy's getting rolled before he's even gotten elected. What a lamer.

:puke:

[Bluebear]

43. Dr. Dean needs to have a conversation with him

Let him know that he can win by telling the truth, not buying into GOP bullshit.

[DemReadingDU]

44. doesn't need to win