Posted on 02/15/2004 6:59:26 PM PST by archy
BRING IT ON
Feb 14 2004
Kerry: I'm not worried about claims of affair
From Anthony Harwood, US Editor
PRESIDENTAL hopeful John Kerry yesterday rubbished claims he had an affair with an intern - and vowed to "fight back" against smears.
And he accused the Bush campaign of doing "anything" it could to deflect from the president's poor showing in the polls.
Kerry, 60, was accused on a right-wing website of a relationship with journalist Alex Polier.
NOTHING TO HIDE: Kerry
There is no evidence they had an affair but her father, Terry, 56, has branded Kerry, dubbed the new JFK, a "sleazeball".
But Kerry, who is riding high in the polls, yesterday said he was not worried about the report. He added: "There's nothing to talk about. I'm not worried about it."
Polier has been tracked down to Africa where she is believed to be on holiday with her boyfriend. She has refused to comment.
Democratic insiders insist the claim is a right-wing smear.
They claim the timing is significant because Bush's job approval rating has slipped to a new low amid questions about the Iraq War and the economy.
In a head-to-head contest Kerry leads Bush by 51 per cent to 43.
Kerry also leads Bush in four of the six key voting issues - health costs, jobs, the economy and education. He seems to be cruising to victory in the Democratic Party nomination after 12 wins in 14 states.
Kerry said he is bracing himself for more smears. He said: "We know exactly where these guys are going to go. And I'm ready for it because I've been at this for a while now and I've been through some tough races.
"I've been pretty well vetted and examined from one side or the other. I think they're in for a big surprise.
"I think the American people want the truth about a whole bunch of things and they're just tired of the games that are being played in terms of American politics." The Republicans, he said, "are going to want to do anything to change the subject".
Terry Polier, though, insisted Kerry, who invited his daughter to sit on his re-election committee, was "not the sort of guy I'd chose to be with my daughter".
Allegations of the relationship have so far been ignored by America's mainstream media and Democrats warn the smear could backfire on Bush if the public tires of "dirty tricks" politics.
Meanwhile, claims Bush did not complete his proper service for the Air National Guard in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1973 were denied yesterday by former Air National Guard officer, retired Lieutenant Colonel John 'Bill' Calhoun, 69.
Calhoun, a staunch Republican, said: "He was very dedicated. He showed up on time and he left at the end of the day."
Frantic efforts were being made at the Kerry campaign HQ yesterday to contain the Drudge story.
Asked if there was any truth to the report, spokesman Adam Abrams said: "I am not allowed to comment on it."
Another Kerry campaign aide said: "We have just heard about it and we are trying to work out how to deal with it."
In another twist yesterday, right wing radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh speculated that the claims about Kerry could have been leaked to Drudge by Bill or Hillary Clinton.
A possible scandal surrounding Kerry is believed to have been behind the decision of former governor and one-time frontrunner Howard Dean not to pull out of the presidential race. Kerry has won 11 states and lost just two in his campaign for the Democratic nomination.
-THE White House last night released dental records to counter claims that President George Bush did not do his proper service in the Air National Guard at a base in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1973.
When did Weasely Clark join the Vast Right-Wing conspiracy?
It doesn't matter, Every attack on Kerry will be treated as dirty tactics by the Republicans making them look mean sprited meanwhile every attack on the President no matter how far from the truth will be reported with glee.
The Republicans are a fault for allowing this to happen and these stupid allegations (Enron, Lied about WMD, etc.) to stick by not fighting back in the past couple of months.
yawn, what were the polls about Gore?
In a poll of all voters, Gore barely beats Bush. In a four-way race, Gore leads Bush 47 percent to 42 percent among registered voters, with Green Party candidate Ralph Nader holding 3 percent and Reform Party candidate Pat Buchanan at 1 percent.
Al Gore and Republican George W. Bush are currently locked in a virtual tie, with Gore winning support from 48 percent of all registered voters to 46 percent for Bush, according to a new CNN/Time poll released Friday. (March 200)
George W. Bush's campaign hasn't been touting poll numbers lately. That's because polls now show Bush, who once held a huge lead over vice president Al Gore, is now either trailing or in a dead heat. A Sept. 1 poll of registered voters by Newsweek called the race 49 to 39 for Gore. The same poll showed that if Ralph Nader and Pat Buchanan are out of the race, Gore beats Bush 53 to 41. On Sept. 4, another Newsweek poll showed a tighter race, 46 to 42 for Gore. Despite conventional wisdom that says the candidate who leads on Labor Day wins the race, Bush's closest advisors are still confident -- and well, a little cocky
yawn, what were the polls about Gore?
(snip newsmax)In a poll of all voters, Gore barely beats Bush. In a four-way race, Gore leads Bush 47 percent to 42 percent among registered voters, with Green Party candidate Ralph Nader holding 3 percent and Reform Party candidate Pat Buchanan at 1 percent.
(snip cnn)Al Gore and Republican George W. Bush are currently locked in a virtual tie, with Gore winning support from 48 percent of all registered voters to 46 percent for Bush, according to a new CNN/Time poll released Friday. (March 200)
(snip weekly wire)George W. Bush's campaign hasn't been touting poll numbers lately. That's because polls now show Bush, who once held a huge lead over vice president Al Gore, is now either trailing or in a dead heat. A Sept. 1 poll of registered voters by Newsweek called the race 49 to 39 for Gore. The same poll showed that if Ralph Nader and Pat Buchanan are out of the race, Gore beats Bush 53 to 41. On Sept. 4, another Newsweek poll showed a tighter race, 46 to 42 for Gore. Despite conventional wisdom that says the candidate who leads on Labor Day wins the race, Bush's closest advisors are still confident -- and well, a little cocky
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