Opportunism Knocks [WaPo's Broder Zaps Kerry]

Washington Post ^ | April 25, 2004 | David S. Broder

[aculeus]

[snip] ... If you watched Kerry on "Meet the Press," you saw many examples of dodginess on his part. At the very start, moderator Tim Russert asked for a "yes or no answer" to the question, "Do you believe the war in Iraq was a mistake?" Kerry's response was: "I think the way the president went to war was a mistake." By restating the question, he left the fundamental issue unanswered.

Over the course of the hour, Kerry struggled to explain why he had once -- decades ago -- advocated placing U.S. forces under the direction of the United Nations, why he had said in 2000 that the U.S. effort to isolate Cuba was a "frozen, stalemated, unproductive policy," why he had voted in 2002 for the resolution authorizing the use of force against Saddam Hussein and why he now criticizes that policy after promising he would not do so "once the shooting starts."

[aculeus]

Considering the source, very significant.

[Joe Boucher]

I was suprised that the Wash Post printed anything negative about Mr. Kerry. Only thing I ever thought I see from this fish wrap was that Kerry walked on water and fed all New England with two or three fish.
Kerry is so incompetant I wouldn't let him feed my goldfish nor walk my dog.

[YaYa123]

For anyone down in the mouth about the Bush/Cheney race, read every word of this one. And while reading....remember: Every liberal in Washington will read it too.

[Jimmy Valentine]

"Considering the source, very significant"

No kidding! This clown has and would excuse any action of the DemocRATS, e.g. "Don't be too tough on Rosti."

Kerry is losing traction like a hog on ice.

Regards,

[MEG33]

This from the Washington Post's David Broder is a shocker!

[MEG33]

Kerry stands on Jello!

[Erik Latranyi]

THE DEATH KNELL FOR THE DEMOCRATS

...if Kerry truly is the "most electable" candidate they have!

[mewzilla]

Wonder who the Toons have in mind as a replacement for Jean.

[Jim Noble]

THE DEATH KNELL FOR THE DEMOCRATS ...if Kerry truly is the "most electable" candidate they have!

But he isn't.

[MEG33]

I see all the predictions about his stepping aside or getting health problems and I don't buy it.Since when has that happened in the history of choosing a candidate in the last few elections.

The reason the networks hate the conventions now is because the candidate has already been chosen.I don't think I know for sure enough about the representatives of the states at the convention and how they are pledged to know if a change is possible.

[lizma]

What ever happened to the prediction that Hill wants to run in 08 and the Dims candidate has to loose in 04? I'd say things are going her way.

[SuzanneC]

This is the key paragraph in the article...

. . . he is trailed by a reputation for political opportunism. . . . Unlike many who are driven to succeed in public life by a core belief system, the arc of Kerry's political career is defined by a restless search for the issues, individuals and causes to fulfill a nearly lifelong ambition" for the White House.

The election is still six months away. But Kerry's reputation has been built over 40 years. And the voters seem to be sniffing it out.

[alnick]

What ever happened to the prediction that Hill wants to run in 08 and the Dims candidate has to loose in 04? I'd say things are going her way.

Sean Hannity says that the day after the 04 election is settled he plans to begin the campaign against a Hillary presidency.

Regardless of anyone here's opinion of Hannity, he has the right idea, that we should not wait until she officially begins her candidacy in four years.

We need more like him. Go Mr. Hannity!

[MEG33]

This is a nice Washington Post,David Broder piece!

[Dutch Boy]

Kerry is starting to act like he is either in way over his head or about to throw in the towel. Kerry doesn't have a passionate voice. He only raises and lowers his volume. Lately he is less passionate than normal. It's almost like campaigning is bothering him, an inconvienience. If this keeps up Bush will have a 49 state victory.

[MEG33]

I would love to believe you..but this country is so divided,I think it will be close again..to me close is anything less than a 5 point margin.Kerry would be a disaster..maybe some of the dem voters will stay home.

[kdot]

But Kerry's reputation has been built over 40 years. And the voters seem to be sniffing it out.

Great last line! MEG33 - thanks for the pointer.

BTW, I had to register to this site which gave me the willies! Fellow FReepers, feel free to use:
* Username: anonymous57@AOL.COM
* Password:anonymous

I set this account up as a retired male born in 1928.

[aculeus]

This site ...

http://artsjournal.com/

offers this:

Sites That Ask You To Register: If you encounter a registration screen when you click on a link, try the ArtsJournal registration:
Username: ajreader (or ajreader@artsjournal.com if an email is requested)
Password: "access"

[aculeus]

For anyone down in the mouth about the Bush/Cheney race, read every word of this one. And while reading....remember: Every liberal in Washington will read it too.

So will all liberal journalists and all DC political operators. This is good news and, I hope, big news.

[YaYa123]

I think you nailed the main thrust of the column:
Broder labels Kerrey a suit without a soul.

Broder is influencial, everyone reads him, and this would be the kiss of death, for a republican. And if it weren't already common knowledge. Democrats know the Flip Flopping French Kerrey will say anything, then reverse it. But (courtesy of Tom Harkin), Kerrey is all they've got.

Broder in this instance, and this early on in the campaign, chooses to be brutally honest about Kerrey. It's interesting isn't it?