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Joseph Perkins: John Kerry's numerous flip-flops (John Kerry has an Al Gore problem)
San Diego Union-Tribune ^ | 3.12.04 | Joseph Perkins

Posted on 03/13/2004 7:35:47 PM PST by mhking

John Kerry has an Al Gore problem. Gore was exposed during the 2000 presidential election as a congenital fibber. Among other whoppers, he falsely claimed that his poor old arthritic mother-in-law had to pay three times as much for her prescription medicine, Lodine, as Gore himself paid for the very same prescription medicine for his poor old arthritic family dog.

Kerry is a congenital flip-flopper. There hardly is any statement the Massachusetts senator has made, any principle for which the Democratic Party standard-bearer supposedly has stood, that he hasn't repudiated or abandoned to suit his vainglorious political ends.

There are many examples of Kerry's duplicity. But here are a noteworthy few:

l In the days following the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C., Kerry went on the CBS Sunday morning news program, "Face the Nation," and pronounced that "the single most important weapon for the United States of America is intelligence."

Yet, in 1995, Kerry introduced a bill to slash the overall intelligence budget by $1.5 billion over five years.

Not even the Bay State senator's fellow Democrats were willing to co-sponsor his proposed intelligence cuts, especially in the wake of the 1993 terror attack on the World Trade Center Kerry chose to ignore.

l In a major foreign policy speech at Georgetown University back in January, Kerry declared, "I believe the Bush administration's blustering unilateralism is wrong, and even dangerous, for our country."

Yet, in 1997, Kerry wasn't nearly so critical of the Clinton administration as it prepared for unilateral military action against Iraq – despite objections from France and Russia, among others.

Appearing on CNN's "Crossfire," Kerry asked, "Where's the backbone of Russia? Where's the backbone of France? Where are they in expressing their condemnation of such clearly illegal activity (Saddam Hussein's material breach of United Nations resolutions)?"

Kerry didn't think it wrong or dangerous back then for the United States to go it alone if need be. "I think the United States has always reserved the right, and will reserve the right, to act in its best interests," Kerry declared.

l During recent campaign appearances, Kerry has denounced the Bush administration "for rewarding Benedict Arnold CEOs who move profits and jobs overseas."

Yet, as The Washington Post revealed last month, the Democrats' standard-bearer has accepted money and fund-raising assistance from top executives at companies that Kerry considers the moral equivalent of the Revolutionary War traitor.

Like David Roux, who raised more than $250,000 for Kerry. He's co-founder of a California company that helped purchase Seagate Technology four years ago and incorporated in the Cayman Islands, a well-known offshore tax haven.

Same goes for Thomas Steyer, who raised roughly $200,000 for Kerry. He is a partner at the California investment firm Hellman & Friedman that helped set up an insurance company in Bermuda, another offshore tax haven.

The Post notes that the insurance company, Arch Capital Group Ltd., stated in a 2000 Securities and Exchange Commission filing that it had set up in Bermuda to reduce its U.S. tax liability.

As to corporations that move jobs overseas, Kerry need look no further than H.J. Heinz & Co., whose majority shareholder happens to be Teresa Heinz Kerry, the senator's wife. The ketchup maker boasts some 79 factories, 57 of which are overseas.

l CBS News notes that on Kerry's Web site, he excoriates "right-wing ideologues" for promoting conservatives for federal judgeships, slams the "right-wing assault on the rights of women," and claims the president has "appeased his party's right wing" by skewing scientific decisions for political purposes.

Yet, Kerry took umbrage when National Journal, the respected, middle-of-the-road political weekly, recently reported that he had the Senate's "most liberal" voting record last year, based on votes he cast on matters relating to economic, social and foreign policy.

When Kerry was asked about his National Journal rating, the not-so-stand-up liberal responded, "Labels are so silly."

During his campaign for his party's presidential nomination, Kerry's rivals never really forced him to defend his inconsistent statements and votes.

But Kerry's free ride is over. Between now and November, the American people will learn just how duplicitous the Massachusetts senator truly is.

Perkins can be reached via e-mail at joseph.perkins@uniontrib.com.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 2004; flipflop; josephperkins; kerry
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1 posted on 03/13/2004 7:35:48 PM PST by mhking
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To: mhking
Time to repeal the 22nd amendment. Let Bush stay in office 2 or 3 more terms.
2 posted on 03/13/2004 7:40:07 PM PST by syriacus (Time to repeal the 22nd Amendment. Give Bush three or four terms.)
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To: mhking
algoreia .. one step shy of dementia
3 posted on 03/13/2004 7:42:55 PM PST by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi Mac ... Support Our Troops! ... Thrash the demRats in November!!! ... Beat BoXer!!!)
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To: mhking
Kerry said the Bush campaign questioned McCain's service as a POW..false.
Kerry said the Republicans questioned the patriotism of Max Cleland ,who lost 3 limbs on the field of battle.

False on the lack of patriotism accusation and not accurate about"field of battle".Looks like Kerry is crooked and the big liar.

Kerry has challenged the President to monthly debates to discuss policy rather than the Bush campaign's continuing with the attack ads..which Kerry is way ahead on. Mort Kondrake is keeping score.

The answer to the debate challenge suggests Kerry "continue the debate with himself" until he can decide on which policy he promotes.
4 posted on 03/13/2004 7:57:16 PM PST by MEG33 (John Kerry's been AWOL for two decades on issues of National Security!)
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John Kerry - Prince of Hypocrites
posted by Lando Lincoln
Kerry and his friends in the Senate refused to vote on the candidates for the federal bench. Why? Because – dare I say it – the candidates may have reservations as the legal basis for killing 4000 children a day in this country. Ignore the fact that they all passed muster by the liberal ABA. The extreme, pro-abortion feminists own Kerry and his friends. With traitors to their heritage like Terry McAulliffe, these liberals have literally sold their souls for the ring of power. So what do they have in common with the working man? Face it – has John Kerry ever done manual labor? Has he ever cleaned bathrooms with people of color? Has he ever really considered how the average person really lives? Does he even have a clue?

5 posted on 03/13/2004 7:58:24 PM PST by SunkenCiv (What Massachusetts needs now is TWO new Senators)
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To: mhking
Joseph Perkins: John Kerry's numerous flip-flops (John Kerry has an Al Gore problem)

As Homer Simpson's evil boss would say:
"Excellent!"

Besides, Kerry's problems with truth and reality shouldn't be a surprise.
He was Dukakis' lt. governor.
6 posted on 03/13/2004 7:59:47 PM PST by VOA
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To: mhking
Between now and November, the American people will learn just how duplicitous the Massachusetts senator truly is.

Not if our Tokyo Rose press has anything to do with it. Thing is, each election cycle they have less and less to do with it.

7 posted on 03/13/2004 7:59:49 PM PST by VadeRetro
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To: mhking

8 posted on 03/13/2004 8:00:53 PM PST by binger
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To: mhking
Between now and November, the American people will learn just how duplicitous
the Massachusetts senator truly is.


Good thing the Democrats didn't learn anything during two terms of Clinton.
At least make sure your liar-candidate is charming.
9 posted on 03/13/2004 8:03:04 PM PST by VOA
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To: VOA
I might be totally tarred and feathered but I think Clinton was more of a uniter than Kerry could ever be. I would rather have four years of BILL Clinton than 2 months of Kerry.
10 posted on 03/13/2004 9:04:57 PM PST by merry10
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To: merry10
I might be totally tarred and feathered but I think Clinton was more of a uniter
than Kerry could ever be.


Speaking pragmatically, I think that is probably true.
Even though I grew to loath Clinton probably as much as he loathed our military.
11 posted on 03/13/2004 9:11:19 PM PST by VOA
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To: VOA

12 posted on 03/13/2004 9:12:19 PM PST by Lady Jag (It's in the bag)
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To: sciencediet
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL - Holy crap that's funny!
13 posted on 03/13/2004 9:15:40 PM PST by ServesURight (FReecerely Yours,)
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To: merry10
Clinton had charm,though I despised him for disgracing the office of the Presidency(literally).

Kerry is publically mean,he lies easily and erratically.His complaints and denunciation of attacks make him look silly as he's been attacking Bush for months and spent a bundle on TV attack ads.He isn't likable.His anti war statements about our troops in 71 make me despise him.He is a small man.
14 posted on 03/13/2004 9:20:12 PM PST by MEG33 (John Kerry's been AWOL for two decades on issues of National Security!)
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To: sciencediet
LOL!
15 posted on 03/13/2004 9:23:02 PM PST by MEG33 (John Kerry's been AWOL for two decades on issues of National Security!)
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To: ServesURight
Now the DNC is asking me to withdraw it because it's too realistic.
16 posted on 03/14/2004 7:03:27 AM PST by Lady Jag (It's in the bag)
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To: MEG33

If he can't get that finger-to-nose thing right, how can he point the country in the right left direction?


17 posted on 03/14/2004 7:05:45 AM PST by Lady Jag (It's in the bag)
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To: sciencediet
Kerry's campaign is complaining about the right wing internet.(said on Fox News Sunday)I think they mentioned you!...;)
18 posted on 03/14/2004 7:09:30 AM PST by MEG33 (John Kerry's been AWOL for two decades on issues of National Security!)
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To: MEG33
My stuff is way too sophisticated and realistic that's why. Like they are still trying to figure how I knew about this Top Secret meeting last month:




Notice who's in the background?!


19 posted on 03/14/2004 7:14:37 AM PST by Lady Jag (It's in the bag)
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To: sciencediet
A scoop!
20 posted on 03/14/2004 7:16:14 AM PST by MEG33 (John Kerry's been AWOL for two decades on issues of National Security!)
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