GOP's New Target

The New York Daily News ^ | February 1, 2004 | Zev Chafets

[quidnunc]

The Republicans launched a tricky new tactic this week, aimed at catching Teresa Heinz Kerry — and her husband — in the Muskie trap.

Hardly anyone remembers Sen. Ed Muskie of Maine, but back in the winter of 1972 he was as famous as John Kerry is today. A tall, Lincolnesque figure, Muskie came into the New Hampshire primary as front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination. And then he lost it, literally and figuratively.

The publisher of the Manchester Union Leader, famed Republican hit man William Loeb, did him in by accusing Muskie's wife of being a drunk. Muskie rented a flatbed truck, stood in front of the newspaper and defended his wife's good name. In the midst of the speech, though, he was overwhelmed by emotion and started to cry.

That was the end of his candidacy.

Muskie's ghost now haunts the Kerry campaign as a new generation of GOP trappers goes after his spouse.

"Kerry claims to stand up to powerful interests," writes Ann Coulter in her latest column, "but he can't even stand up to his own wife."

Coulter's bill of particulars includes the charge that Heinz Kerry made Kerry request the annulment of his first marriage to heiress Julia Thorne despite the fact that the senator has two children from that union.

Coulter also claims Heinz Kerry demanded a prenuptial agreement to protect her $700 million fortune from her new husband.

Kerry, according to Coulter, is "a gigolo" and a fortune hunter who has been sponging off rich women all his life.

Coulter's indictment was gleefully picked up and trumpeted by Rush Limbaugh. It is a soap operatic theme you will be hearing a lot from now on: Kerry as kept man, Teresa Heinz Kerry as domineering wife.

-snip-

[Free_at_last_-2001]

Don't we have rules around here ...? (regarding pictures!)

[Diogenesis]

If memory serves, the Muskie fiasco was ENGINEERED by Donna Brazile, a DNC operative.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

You want a picture of Kerry's wife? ; )

[jocon307]

I want her challenged on her opinion of the Zimbabwe situation, and also how she views the role of an AMERICAN First Lady.

[OldFriend]

Ter RAY za.......domineering. More like a head case. Crass, undisciplined and unintelligent.

Kerry didn't hire a handler for her because she was an asset to his campaign.

While the media has called her indiscrete mouthings, 'refreshing', they are simply spinning on her behalf.

[Savage Beast]

"Kerry, according to Coulter, is 'a gigolo' and a fortune hunter who has been sponging off rich women all his life."

...and now he's planning on sponging off the rest of us???

[Free_at_last_-2001]

No No Pleasse....!!!

[sticker]

Let's see the left, i.e. democRATs, are allowed any lie about a Republican but if someone brings up facts about a dim it's mean and cruel. Did I get it right?

[The Wizard]

and Ann was never challanged on the facts....

[Diogenesis]

[sticker]

Does this meet the rule?

[hellinahandcart]

Don't we have rules around here ...? (regarding pictures!)

Yah, rules is rules. So here you go:

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Oh, okay - here you go. : )

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Oh, my. She's lovely. : )

[hellinahandcart]

You could really frustrate the boys and make that pic even smaller.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

[Kerry] can't even stand up to his own wife.

Reminds me of what Florence King says her father used to say about FDR, "If he could stand up, he'd knock her down."

[sticker]

Sorry, it's only 7AM and I have only had two cups of coffee. Does this work better?