Rove: Kerry Has Taste Of Bush Campaign

The Guardian (UK) ^ | 3-17-2004 | Scott Lindlaw

[blam]

Rove: Kerry Has Taste of Bush Campaign

Wednesday March 17, 2004 11:01 PM

By SCOTT LINDLAW

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - White House political chief Karl Rove said Wednesday that President Bush had just begun to demonstrate the kind of targeted, multi-front campaign he plans against Democratic rival John Kerry.

Addressing a small group of conservative activists, Rove assured them that Bush planned a nimble campaign able to counterpunch even before Kerry opens his mouth. The White House adviser pointed with pride to the Bush camp's response Tuesday, when it got word that Kerry planned a national security speech to veterans in West Virginia.

Less than 24 hours after learning of the speech, the Bush campaign produced an ad criticizing Kerry for his Senate votes on military spending. It also dispatched volunteers to hand out pro-Bush material to West Virginians, and started radio ads in the state.

The Bush campaign has material read to go on Kerry based on his votes and speeches, said a Republican who attended the session. Whenever Kerry raises an issue, the Bush-Cheney campaign will be prepared to hand out leaflets, and run ads on TV and radio.

Kerry's vote authorizing force in Iraq, and on an array of military issues, put him ``in a box'' on the Iraq war, minimizing his ability to criticize Bush, Rove told the conservatives in the private meeting. In Rove's judgment, Kerry hurt himself by calling on one-time Democratic rival Howard Dean to voice support for him. Dean was a fierce critic of the Iraq war, but most Americans outside the Beltway back Bush on national security issues, Rove said.

Rove complained that Democrats were criticizing Bush for failing to stem joblessness, when the unemployment rate is roughly the same as it was during President Clinton's 1996 run. Unemployment in February of this year was 5.6 percent; in February 1996, it was 5.5 percent.

He also said the gay marriage issue is beginning to help Bush, because polls are starting to shift in Bush's direction, with more people opposed to same-sex unions. But Rove implored the activists to add their voices to Bush's call for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage to ensure that Bush is not perceived as standing alone on the issue.

And he expressed irritation that some disgruntled Republicans in Congress and elsewhere have increasingly chosen to go to the news media to air their complaints, rather than bringing them directly to the White House.

[genefromjersey]

For a campaign update by KC's own Suzy Bluett, go here :

http://kcnewsservice.blogspot.com

[Falcon4.0]

I'm gonna print this extra large and post it on my lawn!

[BallyBill]

You know, I actually feel sorry for these poor bastards. Kerry will spend the rest of his life trying to recover from the beating he is about to receive. With our help and Rove on the job, Kerry will be on defense for the rest of his public life.

[rdb3]

It's early yet, but I think Kerry is going to make Michael Dukakis look like a good candidate.

Now that's an ugly thought. I was only 16 when the 1988 election took place, and at that age thought Dukakis was an idiot.

Show 'em my motto!

[Eva]

Rove knows what he's doing. He hasn't even begun to unload the heavy artillery, yet.

oh, I don't know about that, I think he hit Kerrey with a secret weapon today, Dick Cheney. I bet Cheney was just chomping at the bit to strike back at the Democrats for all the nasty hits they have been making on him for the last few years.

[StriperSniper]

They have a choice. Protect Kerry or protect their credibility.

Let's hope they go down together. ;-)

[Maria S]

"The speaker was Senator Ted: America's favorite swimming coach..."


KC's own Suzy Bluett has quite a sharp wit about her, doesn't she? Wow!

[gitmo]

Kerry's only had the spotlight for, what, a month now? I predict Kerry will actually flame out -faster- than Dean, and he will spontaneously combust sometime over the next 90 days.

I've been of this opinion myself, but I don't know what that means. Let's say Kerry disinegrates immediately after the Rat convention. Will some left-wing judge rule that the laws don't apply because the country needs a race between 2 big parties? This has certainly happened in state races. Would they appoint a substitute candidate for the Rats?

[Miss Marple]

Here is the article on Rove. Ping!

[NYCVirago]

And he expressed irritation that some disgruntled Republicans in Congress and elsewhere have increasingly chosen to go to the news media to air their complaints, rather than bringing them directly to the White House.

When will our side learn that the media is not our friend?

[N. Theknow]

He is like Dean in slow motion. Very, very slow.

Well, it is Heinz.

[Dog]

Wow......and today Cheney sliced an diced Kerry.....

Jane did Kerry respond to Cheney?

[Miss Marple]

Not that I know of. Last I heard he and Theresa were heading to Idaho to vacation for a few days.

[Viking2002]

Personally, I think Cheney is a different weapon unto himself. His intellect and experience is such that I don't think he needs Rove's coaching; I think Rove is content to just give him a 'thumbs-up', and give him some autonomy.

[SuziQ]

Let's see how he fares in the prolonged jungle combat of politics.

I don't think he's ever run a sustained, seriously challenged campaign.

All those who've been complaining that Bush and company haven't been doing anything; looks like they were just waiting for the opportune time, and it has come!

[N. Theknow]

Not that I know of. Last I heard he and Theresa were heading to Idaho to vacation for a few days.

Don't think it will be much of a vacation in Sun Valley with his closest neighbor being George Soros.

[blam]

"Will some left-wing judge rule that the laws don't apply because the country needs a race between 2 big parties? This has certainly happened in state races. Would they appoint a substitute candidate for the Rats?"

Can't the 'parties' change candidates any time they want?

[Eva]

I think you're right, but I also think that Cheney has been chomping at the bit to get this chance.

[Capt. Tom]

Hey weren't you Freepers ripping me apart a couple of weeks ago saying we should have been on the attack much earlier? You flip flop quicker than Kerry.

[Miss Marple]

I hope someone has binoculars and a telescopic camera up there. It would be good to get pictures of them visiting each other.