Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Some Democrats Say Kerry Must Get Back on the Trail
NY Times ^ | 3-20-04 | DAVID M. HALBFINGER and ADAM NAGOURNEY

Posted on 03/20/2004 5:56:04 PM PST by Indy Pendance

SUN VALLEY, Idaho, March 20 — After a 15-month campaign that took John Kerry from the brink of defeat to the nomination, and after a string of off-the-cuff statements that even his aides described as potentially damaging to his White House hopes, it may be hard to begrudge him a few days off.

Still, as Mr. Kerry disappeared to regroup on the slopes of Sun Valley this weekend, he left Democrats recoiling at the disparity between his campaign in the works and the White House, which has devoted six months to preparing for this moment.

As the White House greeted Mr. Kerry's claim on the Democratic nomination with an avalanche of advertisements and attacks, the challenger seemed at least a little spent as he faced the challenges of raising money, building a staff, responding to all of what his aides called the "incoming," and retooling his campaign to appeal to a general election audience.

Après ski, of course.

As the up-one-day, down-the-next cycle began in earnest, Democrats were wondering if even Mr. Kerry had underestimated the ferocity of the White House attack. In particular, they expressed concern about the potency of the Republicans' use of his Senate voting record to lampoon him as vacillating and indecisive, as he appeared to struggle to explain an array of votes the White House has come across during all these months of diligently researching his records.

"He has to come out forcefully and defend his record, because clearly the Republicans are trying to label him as a flip-flopper," said Gordon Fischer, the Democratic chairman in Iowa. "I don't think that's fair. But he's got to get out there, or his campaign has to get out there."

Senator John B. Breaux, Democrat of Louisiana, added: "He clearly is going to have to deal with that. But more important, he is going to have to talk about his positions on the issue of the day, not a vote on an amendment or what have you. People don't understand that. When you get into Washington-speak, it's a dangerous business. You've got to keep it simple."

While no one was ringing any alarm bells, Democrats around Mr. Kerry were contemplating some changes in course. Among the most prominent suggestions was that Mr. Kerry accelerate his selection of a running mate so that he has help raising money and making the Democratic case against Mr. Bush.

Democrats conceded that the past two weeks have highlighted some of Mr. Kerry's vulnerabilities, like his penchant for making politically unwise statements. On Tuesday, he responded to Republican attacks that he had voted against an $87 billion appropriation to support, in part, American troops in Iraq. "I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it," he said.

Republicans inserted a clip of Mr. Kerry saying that into their latest television advertisement in about as much time as it takes to say "on the other hand."

"You don't get a gift like Tuesday every day," said Matthew Dowd, a senior Bush strategist.

It was a gift that troubled some Democrats.

"This is a very important period, because it frames the candidates and the issues of the campaign," said Art Torres, the California Democratic chairman. "And I think that some of John's offhanded comments about foreign leaders are becoming a caricature for cartoonists and others. Once people start making fun of you, you're in real trouble and it's hard to move forward."

Slightly more disturbing, some Democrats say, is whether Mr. Kerry might have underestimated the effectiveness of the White House effort to point out what many people might view as conflicting votes he has cast during his Senate career. This is a common hazard for any member of Congress running for president, and part of why no sitting member of Congress has been elected president of the United States since 1960.

Democrats said that Mr. Kerry had yet to come up with an effective rejoinder.

In an interview three weeks ago, Mr. Kerry breezily dismissed suggestions that he might be vulnerable to that kind of attack. "My votes are actually going to be the easiest," he said. "I'm not concerned about votes to be honest with you. "

But a New York Times/CBS News poll conducted last week found that nearly 6 in 10 registered voters said that Mr. Kerry said what he wanted people to hear, rather than what he believed. Democrats said that reflected early Republican success at using Mr. Kerry's Senate votes, often on incremental or procedural bills, to raise questions about him.

A senior Bush aide said there was a "treasure chest" of votes and statements by Mr. Kerry that would let the White House continue this line of attack throughout the year.

Gov. Bob Wise, Democrat of West Virginia, a critical state for Mr. Kerry to win, said: "What's important is they've got to come back and rebut them right away, because he's not well known. He clearly has to rebut this, and keep swinging."

Mr. Kerry's weeklong vacation is welcomed by aides in no small part because of his remark about the $87 billion and a statement that Republicans have portrayed as him claiming that foreign leaders were rooting for his victory.

"When you burn the candle at both ends, you'll make a comment here or there that's blown out of proportion," said Scott Maddox, the Florida Democratic chairman.

While some Democrats said that they thought it was smart for Mr. Kerry to take time off now, others said he should not disappear for too long given that the White House was moving at full throttle.

Asked about Mr. Kerry's decision to take a vacation, Gov. Edward G. Rendell of Pennsylvania said, "I think he has to for a little bit."

"But not for long," said Mr. Rendell, a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee. "We need to be raising money."


TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2004; awol; kerry; sunvalley
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 101-103 next last

1 posted on 03/20/2004 5:56:05 PM PST by Indy Pendance
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

Comment #2 Removed by Moderator

To: Indy Pendance
Some Democrats Say Kerry Must Get Back on the Trail

Yeah. With or without those Secret Service sons-of-bitches.

3 posted on 03/20/2004 5:58:29 PM PST by Texas Eagle
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Indy Pendance
Sounds like some leftist RATS are getting nervous.
4 posted on 03/20/2004 5:59:01 PM PST by teletech (Friends don't let friends vote DemocRAT!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: wolf24
And this is from the NY Times.
5 posted on 03/20/2004 5:59:55 PM PST by Indy Pendance
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Indy Pendance
The McCainiacs better prepare. He is the only one who can make a difference in giving the RATS a chance. Everyone will be happy at first, but it is anybody's guess what Howard Dean will do. Next time they should know who they are voting for.
6 posted on 03/20/2004 6:07:24 PM PST by shrinkermd
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Indy Pendance
Finger in the wind...
7 posted on 03/20/2004 6:08:36 PM PST by binger
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Indy Pendance
The "ferocity" of the Republican "attack"... dear Lord, these people are a living parody of themselves.

Qwinn
8 posted on 03/20/2004 6:09:11 PM PST by Qwinn
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: wolf24
I've got to get a vote for Kerry bumper sticker
and hang some FlipFlops next to it.

For those in Riolinda, shower shoes.

We should all have a pair when ever we freep,
slap them together etc.

Imagine (Just imagine this) how this will look in the middle East, where the image of showing your shoesoles
to someone is a sign of disgust and aprobation!
9 posted on 03/20/2004 6:10:06 PM PST by tet68 ( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: teletech
Yes...but the real question is, will they commit suicide as required and actualy nominate this turkey?

They worship procedure, but this might be too much for even them to swallow.
10 posted on 03/20/2004 6:11:26 PM PST by proxy_user
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: shrinkermd
Yes, indeed. Kerry was the un-Dean.

When Dean imploded, that left Kerry and Edwards. Kerry was so far out of it most voters didn't even know who he was. So he got the "Anonymous Democrat" vote. Now they're starting to know him.

And by the way, it isn't "Après ski," it's "Après snowboard, Messers Halbfinger and Nagourney. (Did it really take two highly-paid by-line reporters to write this drivel?)
11 posted on 03/20/2004 6:13:02 PM PST by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: tet68
I love it Tet68!! Spread the word!!
12 posted on 03/20/2004 6:13:13 PM PST by mylife
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: binger
Finger in the wind...

Must be an awful draft in there. So vacant.

13 posted on 03/20/2004 6:14:56 PM PST by AnAmericanMother (. . . Ministrix of Venery (recess appointment), TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary . . .)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Indy Pendance
So, basically, the Democrats are concerned that every time John Kerry opens his mouth, he will get in trouble. Seems like they should have thought about that before they anointed him. Any openings at the Howard Dean Charm School?
14 posted on 03/20/2004 6:16:02 PM PST by White Eagle
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: wolf24
I can't wait for the Kerry response:

"The vicious right wing attack machine is trying to label me a flip flopper for my nuanced positions. While I frequently change my opinions on subjects, I am no flip flopper."

15 posted on 03/20/2004 6:16:53 PM PST by blanknoone (Give Kerry enough nuance, and he will hang himself.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Indy Pendance
Kerry is the Marie Antoinette of the Senate
16 posted on 03/20/2004 6:17:34 PM PST by VRWC For Truth
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: tet68
Hang flip-flops from the trees, signs and telephone lines wherever Kerry is to appear.
17 posted on 03/20/2004 6:19:55 PM PST by AF68
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Indy Pendance
"He has to come out forcefully and defend his record..." said Gordon Fischer, the Democratic chairman in Iowa. "I don't think that's fair. But he's got to get out there...

It's not fair to have to defend a voting record?! ~~ What a lame adolescent remark.

18 posted on 03/20/2004 6:20:50 PM PST by Right_in_Virginia
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Indy Pendance
Most Republicans want Kerry to get back on the trail too: the more time he has to speak, the more chances he has to make himself look like a fool.

Of course, he's not doing such a bad job of that while on vacation, either...
19 posted on 03/20/2004 6:22:01 PM PST by K1avg (Conservatism: Apply liberally)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: proxy_user
Yes...but the real question is, will they commit suicide as required and actualy nominate this turkey?

They worship procedure, but this might be too much for even them to swallow.

Kerry has all but sewed up the nomination. He has the delegates but the bigger question is if he self-destructs, as I believe he will, will the RATS pull the old switcheroo again like they did in New Jersey?

20 posted on 03/20/2004 6:22:21 PM PST by teletech (Friends don't let friends vote DemocRAT!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 101-103 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson