A Boston Surprise this Summer?

The American Thinker ^ | April 7, 2004 | Thomas Lifson

[quidnunc]

The Democrats have hitched their Presidential hopes to one of the strangest nominees in a long time, John Kerry. His cold aloofness, his thin-skinned nastiness, his habit of marrying wealthy women and living grandly on the proceeds, and his unique propensity for deep-cutting self-satire (“I voted for it before I voted against it”), make him remarkably unappealing to the non-ideological swing voters who will decide the election.

Recall for a moment that the only reason he became the front-runner was the Democrats’ desperation in the wake of the Howard Dean public meltdown. Prior to that moment, Kerry’s campaign had gone nowhere. He was tested and rejected by the activists anxious to back a winner. Only by virtue of his ability to mortgage a house purchased with his wife’s late husband’s money was his campaign even alive to pick up the pieces.

His sole positive attribute is his putatively heroic war record in Vietnam. But political gossip-mongers have long known that it is only a matter of time before serious questions about that record reach the public arena. Kerry received three medals, and an early exit from the combat zone, based on self-reported injuries which caused him to miss but one day of work.

-snip-

Keep in mind that there are still almost 200 days left before the election. There is plenty of time for second and third thoughts about Kerry, on the part of America’s non-ideological voters, and plenty for them to think over. The vetting of candidate Kerry has only just begun.

But of course, Kerry isn’t really the nominee yet. He is only the “presumptive nominee.”

So it is time to seriously wonder if the Democrats might not exercise what we can call the “Torricelli Gambit.”

-snip-

[rwfromkansas]

In other words, Kerry already has the nomination locked up since the delegates can't change their minds? I didn't know that. Hmm. Well, I guess we are facing Kerry then.

There is almost zero chance he would release his delegates (unless of course something really damaging comes out and gets press for several weeks).

[mabelkitty]

I think it's already in place.
State delegates are being reselected by the DNC to include delegates from other candidates - not Kerry's.
I couldn't help but believe this is their way out.
This is why I didn't want Bush to waste his money on Kerry campaign commercials - he isn't going to be the guy.

[mabelkitty]

Clinton's show at the Dems United dinner proved it to me - he's going to force Kerry to take Hill as VP or get him thrown off the ticket.

[Poohbah]

There is almost zero chance he would release his delegates (unless of course something really damaging comes out and gets press for several weeks).

Or if his Secret Service agents owe their first loyalty to Hillary...

[hershey]

Wonderful post! And we all know who's already been to Iraq...she's ('who must be obeyed') been laying low recently, emerging now and then to make a few critical statements about Bush, jobs, etc., but staying on the fence about Iraq while expressing support for the troops. She's got to be watching Kerry like a hawk. After Kerry's floundering on Cavuto tonight, she must be calling a few RAT operatives and discussing how to dump this loser. Even Fat Teddy K. can't fog/cover for Kerry's ineptness forever.

[Benjamin Dover]

The most obvious out for Kerry will be a health condition. If Hillary thinks she can win this time around, a Kerry FBI file will force Lurch to step down due to "health problems." His prostate cancer has resurfaced and he must step down for the good of the office. This will be the Torrecelli Twist everyone is alluding to.

[mtbopfuyn]

Republicans should be loudly and publicly speculating about the Toricelli Option as a way to preempt it, by forcing the Democratic leadership to disavow it.

Ooh, that's good. Really, you should tell them.

[Qwinn]

We should've all registered as Democrats and written in Zell Miller on the primary ballots.

Hey, Dems are trying it in PA for Specter. So why not?

Qwinn

[gg188]

I must say that Gov. Bredesen conducts himself with dignity and respect, is business-like and even. It's sad that our previous governor, a RINO, was such a scumbag.

[hershey]

I wonder if Hillary has Kerry's FBI files, medical records, and videos of his philandering. I bet she does. She could mastermind all sorts of nasty leaks that would ruin him and probably spell the end of his access to all that lovely Heinz money. I can see Kerry stepping aside...after another staged doctor visit. The RATs would be thrilled to pick Hill.

[Marathoner]

The most obvious out for Kerry will be a health condition. If Hillary thinks she can win this time around, a Kerry FBI file will force Lurch to step down due to "health problems." His prostate cancer has resurfaced and he must step down for the good of the office. This will be the Torrecelli Twist everyone is alluding to.

Very astute observation. Shades of what happened to whatshisname (McGovern's VP choice in '72).

[hershey]

Hillary is congenitally unable to tell the truth about anything.

[McGavin999]

Don't the delagate who were won in the primary have to vote for his nomination? Hasn't he already won enough delagates?

[UltraKonservativen]

OK, Here's the scenario. Mid October, under a bunch of "nasty" revelations, Kerry folds. Hillary's hat appears on the ring. She wastes another week being coy and capturing every news media channel while we conservatives and vast right wing conspirators are having a fit.
Write-in candidate Hillary rides a wave of sheeple stupidity along with a few fraudulent hanging chads right into the white house.
Hints of the scenario: Look for Hillary to start talking tough on Iraq.

[Benjamin Dover]

If Hillary "relunctantly accepts" the nomination, she'll probably go with southerner Edwards as VP. If I were her, I'd go with Southerner Sam Nunn, but he has too much integrity to accept. Hillary will call for a moritorium on campaign ads out of respect for Kerry's condition and her inability to raise funds on such short notice to counter Bush's "decadent and unfair war-chest." She'll propose 1 stacked debate with Bush, and go on another whirlwind listening tour. "No questions please. I've answered those all before." She'll try to Ashcroft the President, and the press will howl when Bush runs ads against the poor, helpless Hillary campaign. Bush will get pushed off the front, back and all other pages in between. We already know how many thousands of "advocacy" ads will be run on her behalf. Timing is everything.

[Poohbah]

Write-in candidate Hillary rides a wave of sheeple stupidity along with a few fraudulent hanging chads right into the white house.

Critical weakness in your scenario: the GOP base is more likely to be able to write in someone's name than the Democrat base.

[plain talk]

I don't accept the premise. I think the dems believe Kerry IS a good candidate because he speaks well, attacks well and has reasonably good lying skills (but nothing like Slick Willie's). His home state and record presents unfortunate baggage but the dems can lie and work around it. It will be Kerry vs Bush in Nov.

[Rocky]

"The question then becomes how to get Hillary's name on ballots in late Sept or early Oct."

Easy. I'm sure Hillary has something on Kerry that is extremely distasteful, possibly treasonous, and that Kerry will be glad to step down "for health reasons" rather than have it be made public.

[Las Vegas Dave]

The DNC convention is July 26-29

I'll be is Vegas that week, I won't worry about pickpockets, they'll all be in Boston....
at the RATS convention!

Hillary does not want the job, it's either number 1 or nothing...

[hinckley buzzard]

Candidates used to be, but since the dems have been taken over by control freaks it may no longer be allowed. Then again, they make their own rules and can change them at will.