Bush on offensive as Kerry stumbles

Washington Times ^ | 3/18/04 | Bill Sammon

[kattracks]

President Bush's re-election campaign has kept Sen. John Kerry on the defensive for days by employing an aggressive communications strategy that was largely absent just weeks ago.

The hard-charging approach entails simultaneous attacks on Mr. Kerry by the Bush campaign team, the Republican National Committee, the White House and the president. An abundance of Bush surrogates and well-financed TV ads round out the strategy.

[GOPrincess]

Yes, that's an excellent comparison, Kerry going after that guy in the town hall meeting was extremely similar to Dean's "not my neighbor" meltdown.

I really wonder if Kerry has what it takes psychologically to hold it together during a campaign this long without going into an even more pronounced Dean-like meltdown. His combination of entitlement and anger seems quite dangerous to me, in more ways that one.

[JasonC]

lol. Mythical leaders. I love it. We should flesh that out. Which foreign fictional characters support Kerry for prez? Ideas, ladies and gentlemen.

[torchthemummy]

"This won't die--Kerry will carry this for the rest of his life. Like Dean willl carry the scream."

Exactly. I knew when Dean had his "I have a scream" speech as it played out live was the defining moment (following so many) that would lead to Deans demise. It did. And Dean knew it once he saw the tape for the first time.

Then John Effin Kerry comes out with this "I voted for the $87 billion suplemental bill before I voted against it." Kerry knew immediately that his nuanced statement helped create a soundbite of confirmation that he sways with the political winds and has no core. He should have known that not only does this sound lawyerly/Clintonesque but that any rational person knows that you can't always win the revenue raising argument (insist on hiking taxes on rich, through repeal, to fund) for an essential defense bill that he says is so vital in regards to the safety/operational readiness of the troops in a war zone. The fact is he voted against it in an attempt to cancel out his vote for military authority in a transparent attempt to appease the anti-war left.

The fact will be proved as the campaign goes on that his "voted for then against" quote will come back to haunt him again and again, superceded only by the latest waffle statement he serves up.

[jcb8199]

And the Dems say "War Chest" like its a bad thing...of course, I guess it is (for them)...

[woodyinscc]

I agree. "Ash heap of history" kind of destroyed.

This is what President Bush wants, and I believe he will get it. It is going to be a long summer, and this ad campaign is just the first arrow out of a full quiver. I just saw one of his ads, right here in Orange County Calif. This county will go 70% for Bush. I cannot remember when I have seen a National ad for President here. They are dead serious about winning this election.

[faithincowboys]

I THINK HIS TREATMENT OF THE VOTER IN PENN. WAS SO DISGRACEFUL--THAT STICKS TOO.

[tonyinv]

She will engender that response no matter when she runs. Defeating her and defeating her very badly will be the goal of all Republicans and I bet some dems too.

It really is amazing that anyone thinks she can win anything on a national level. She was handed NY, it was her payoff for "standing by her man".

Her screeching, nails on a chalk board ways will inspire no one in 2008. That drubbing is also gonna be fun to watch. I dont think she'll make it out of the primaries.

In 2008 the dems will run a governor and by then will have washed its collective hands of the Clintons.

[My2Cents]

I know that the Bush campaign is still a "non-gloat zone," but didn't I tell you?! -- Two weeks ago, when Kerry was in a statistical tie with Bush, would be his high water mark. It's still a long 7-1/2 months, but I have a sense that Kerry is going to be on the defensive for the rest of the campaign. I think we'll find UBL sooner or later, but before November, and in all the flap about "lack of WMD," everyone has failed to notice that a final report on WMDs in Iraq has not yet been issued. I predict it will be a report which reveals as-yet undisclosed findings and will ultimately vindicate Bush and the Coalition. I hope Kerry enjoyed his moment in the sunshine.

[CyberAnt]

Actually .. I am really feeling better now that the plan is offense and not defense. And I agree with the premise that the President always acts like a gentlemen and going after the stupid stuff Kerry says will not hurt the President.

[teletech]

lol. Mythical leaders. I love it. We should flesh that out. Which foreign fictional characters support Kerry for prez? Ideas, ladies and gentlemen.

Well, Kerry did say he wouldn't reveal their names because the conversations were "private". See, it all fits. Kerry speaks to these mythical leaders everyday but they tell him not to reveal what they say. :)

[torchthemummy]

Absolutely. And Kerry will provide so many more to come but you are absolutely right - the for-against quote shows his waffling tendencies while the "none of your business" quote shows his disrespect for the Common Man.

[My2Cents]

I think the entire Democrat Party suffers from mental illness. Dean tanked. Kerry will tank, and will take all of the hate-filled screaming extremists in his party with him.

[woodyinscc]

In 2008 the dems will run a governor and by then will have washed its collective hands of the Clintons.

I hope you are right, but one thing I know, the Clintons will not believe it. They will not go quietly into the night.!

[My2Cents]

Did you see Dennis Miller completely dis Eric Alterman on his show tonight!? Miller was furious, and Alterman was simply himself -- a pompous ass.

[baseballmom]

Yes, I thought Dennis wanted to smack him. Pompass a$$ is exactly right.

[nopardons]

I tend to agree with almost everything you said,but...

She might win the Dem primaries of '08. It all depends on who runs against her and if the GOP,wonders of wonders, don't lose either House in '06. Then,there's world events, which no one can guess at.

Hillary is a far worse lightning rod, than Nixon ever was. :-)

[tonyinv]

Lets hope they dont "go quietly into the night",lets hope they trash the party becuase they feel entitled to run it forever. Nothing better then the party being destroyed from within.

Show all those sicophant clinton lovers just what Bill&Hill are made of.

[woodyinscc]

Miller jumped in, and found the water fine on our side. I heard him one night on Hannity and Colms, explain to Shaun that it was common sense that brought him over. Heck we have been telling the libs that for years.

[My2Cents]

In 2008 the dems will run a governor and by then will have washed its collective hands of the Clintons.

I think you're right on! Frankly, I believe the Democrat Party is under a curse, and has been since they gave blind allegience to "The Stain" during impeachment. There is a standard of absolute justice which guides the universe, and the Democrats have lived in opposition to it for some time. They are paying the price. They will never win back any branch of the federal government until they jettison the Clintons.

[woodyinscc]

Agree.!!