Posted on 02/13/2004 6:38:53 PM PST by new cruelty
Top Republican and Democrat strategists are curious about Sen. John Kerry's choice of words to radio mega-host Don Imus concerning rumors burning up the Internet and newsrooms about a possible extramarital affair with a young woman.
Painfully similar to former President Bill Clinton's careful parsing of words, Kerry told Imus in a morning interview yesterday the following when asked about an item first revealed in print by Internet guru Matt Drudge:
"Well, there is nothing to report," Kerry told Imus. "So there is nothing to talk about. I'm not worried about it. No."
The failure to issue a flat-out denial that he had an extramarital affair or relationship "is very Clintonian," a top Democratic aide told Insight Online. "It's worrying."
A senior White House aide declined to speak directly on the issue but when pressed, smiled and said: "It was an interesting choice of words."
News organizations have not been able to get responses from Kerry or his campaign on what the senator actually meant with the three-part response to Imus.
Democratic strategists in Washington are worried in private because Kerry lately has been fairly black and white in his answers on important issues. "Why didn't he just say the rumors are false?"
Clinton, when confronted with rumors about Monica Lewinsky, told reporters early on in the scandal that "I've had no sexual relations with that woman. Miss Lewinsky."
The use of a term of art, sexual relations, was subsequently revealed to be a coy way to deflect questions swirling around the former president.
In fact, Clinton had engaged in sexual contact of another nature with the former White House intern as was subsequently revealed.
"Kerry needs to come clean and be absolutely clear about this rumor and other ones now starting to surface," a Senate source close to Kerry told Insight Online. "We need to know flat out if he's [fooled] around with women besides his wife."
Democrats still feel the sting of Clinton's sexual escapade and lying about it and worry that failure to fully dispel rumors involving Kerry will open old wounds and let out steam from the front runner for the party thus far.
"People's memories are not that short to forget the national embarassment Clinton caused and compounded with lies," a top GOP strategist said. "We don't want to touch this one with a ten foot pole but it'll be interesting to see if the press pursues this further."
Thus far, however, Kerry's carefully worded response seems to have quelled immediate press questions about the rumored affair though parents of the former intern have stated they think Kerry's character is less than desirable.
"This is a touchy subject because of Bill Clinton and it needs to be killed right away," the Senate source close to Kerry said. "His answers on the Imus show were less than forthcoming."
Meanwhile, reports that several news organizations are pursuing the alleged fling, and other sexual relations outside of his two marriages are being pursued.
No, its the big MO Hillary is after. Come into the convention with feear uncertainty and doubt; right up to the last minute. And head out the convention door with the crown on her head with a full head of steam.
"This type of unfounded character assassination has more than just me as a victim. I have a wife and a family who are effected by these lies. The seeds of distrust are sown among the many hard working people who have devoted a lot of their time to my winning the nomination.
If it was just me hurt personally I would brush it off. But my friends and family have to face other people who will now have doubts in their minds because of these rotten lies. The other person named is also smeared in this lie.
I have not had an extramarital affair of any kind.
Produce the so called people involved instead of making these scurrilous charges.
That bum Drudge, who smeared Sidney Blumenthal with the false wife beating charge just hasn't learned his lesson
My wife, my children, my friends, my co-workers, and the American people deserve better than this total fabrication".....
As the article says, memories aren't that short, and Hillary would galvanize the Republican party like no other opponent.
Don't forget: she has no money, and could not raise enough to mount a decent campaign two months out.
Hillary is not running in 2004; she's running in 2008, and it is in her interest to wound any Democrat candidate.
It was a Don Imus interview wasn't it?
I've eaten lettuce that had more smarts than Don Imus.
As soon as the Dem crown is about to be placed, there's a catastrophe, twice now.
Could it happen also to Edwards?
My hope is that this is a Clintonian machination, which the rad-dems reject as Shrillary tries to make her move.
It's like chess pieces being removed from the board....Dean the straightahead rook, and Kerry the angular bishop. Does the Queen have maximum freedom and power, or will she get removed herself, leaving the board empty?
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