[Fledermaus]

I hope Kerry keeps up these type of attacks.

He is making a HUGE mistake. First, the people aren't going to care about him in Vietnam. His post-Vietnam record makes it a wash and a pushes it to negative territory.

His only response when it is brought up will be that "the Bush campaign is questioning my patriotism", blah, blah, blah. Same tired line they brought out when Max Cleland lost his Senate race in Georgia.

Anyone that still cares about Vietnam made up their minds about that decades ago. And Kerry was and still is in the "it was a huge mistake" crowd. Bush's line is good, he used it on Meet the Press, is "we learned lessons from Vietnam and that's not to allow the politicians to control the war...it was a political war". That counters Kerry's record of slashing defense, intelligence agencies, etc.

Also is plays up the fact he voted to authorize Bush to wage war on Iraq (and gives Bush more ammo since Kerry said, ridiculously, that he didn't intend his vote to actually allow Bush to use force, just the threat of force...yeah, right) but he voted against FUNDING our BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN fighting there now.

That's the same short-sightedness of the Congress during the Vietnam war. I can't believe the even the right wing pundits haven't picked up on that yet.

If Kerry wants to make this election on national security by continuing to bring up Bush's military record and degrading Guard and Reservists with his line comparing them to those that went to Canada or jail to dodge the draft, then let him! He'll pay dearly for that once he ticks off CURRENT family members of Guard and Reservists who are bravely fighting, dying and supporting regular military around the world today.

And it keeps to national security focus on his bad record.

Which is why he'll drop it like a bad habit probably in a month when he's sure he's got the nomination sewed up and then start the old "It's the Economy Stupid" playbook from 1992.

Remember, we had a better recovery in the 4th quarter of 1991 through the election of 1992 than we'll probably get this time. But the Clinton's were able, along with the willing liberals in the press, to paint the economy as the entire issue. Of course, the Gulf War was well over by then and just a blip on the screen. But unfortunately today, many don't think we are still in a war on terror.

So regardless of how well the economy does, they'll try the same trick. Fortunately, it's not 1992 and we have FoxNews, the internet, more and more conservative publications, FreeRepublic, blogs, etc.

And Bush is going to spend $200 million or more to win this! I don't think Kerry can get even close to that, not even half!

[ambrose]

Another big difference is no Ross Perot this time... His game playing of dropping out and then jumping back in the race were designed to do nothing but hurt Bush 41 - and it worked.

The stock market is also booming, which it wasn't in 1992. The indices will likely be back to and above their post-meltdown levels by election day.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

And Bush is going to spend $200 million or more to win this! I don't think Kerry can get even close to that, not even half!

Not without sleeping with another homely, desperate condiments heiress first, at any rate. :)

[GAGOPSWEEPTOVICTORY]

I don't get the Dim Bulb argument about Bush and the National Guard especially since Bush volunteered for the Guard, and didn't dodge the draft like x42 did. Plus, last time I checked the Guard back then was charged with protecting our shores against the Communists during the Cold War -- not exactly a low-profile, do nothing task -- while the other members of the armed forces were off fighting in Vietnam.

Kerry is likely to eat crow on these charges because of his own statements about Clinton's military service back 1992. He also has issues with his anti-veteran anti-troop conduct after he was sent home from Nam. Hopefully, the American people will wise up and realize how much of a disgusting, disingenuous person Kerry is and reject him come November.

[NYCVirago]

Excellent analysis. One comment: Self-important boomers like John Kerry think that everything they lived through -- JFK, Vietnam, etc. -- are the most important things ever. But there are two generations of voters now who neither remember nor care about such events. And for Kerry to argue over how he did more during the Vietnam era strikes the rest of us as the height of navel-gazing.

[Elkiejg]

His only response when it is brought up will be that "the Bush campaign is questioning my patriotism"

Well Johnny boy - I for one do question your patriotism and I'll shout it loud and clear. In fact, I question all the slimey RAT'S patriotism. America is at WAR and you are directly giving aid to our enemy by trying to divide our country. Every rant, every lie you utter only gives them courage in their quest to kill Americans - here and abroad. If you can't see that you're stupid AND a traitor. You are willing and even eager to get more Americans killed just so you can sit in the WH.

[Jorge]

I hope Kerry keeps up these type of attacks.

He is making a HUGE mistake. First, the people aren't going to care about him in Vietnam. His post-Vietnam record makes it a wash and a pushes it to negative territory.

Brilliant and accurate analysis.

This will ultimately work against Kerry in two ways; First he is insulting the service in the National Gaurd.

Secondly his testifying that Vietnam vets cut ears off and tortured and murdered innocent people and his appearance with Jane Fonda makes his Vietnam record a BIG negative when it comes to Vets.

[lepton]

Remember, we had a better recovery in the 4th quarter of 1991 through the election of 1992 than we'll probably get this time.

Based upon trends last year, the main job-producing trend should kick in to full-bore about June. It's a 15 to 18 month lagger.