JOHN KERRY'S QUIET COLLAPSE

http://www.nypost.com/postopinion/opedcolumnists/23296.htm ^ | April 27, 2004 | John Podhoretz

[pctech]

April 27, 2004 -- THE conventional wisdom is that the presidential election will be close. It's a 50-50 country, so the CW goes, just as it was in the year 2000.

Kerry is a terrible, terrible, terrible candidate.

It's not so much the policies he proposes, although they don't add up to all that much. The problem is Kerry himself. He no sooner opens his mouth than he sticks first one foot and then the other right in there.

[Onelifetogive]

"Senator, I was there 33 years ago, and I saw you throw the medals over the fence," Charlie Gibson of "Good Morning America" said point-blank."

Translation...

"Senator, I was there 33 years ago, and I cheered when you throw the medals over the fence," Charlie Gibson of "Good Morning America" said point-blank."

[Blood of Tyrants]

I have thought about that happening. It COULD, but only if something causes Kerry to withdraw first. If the conventioneers simply picked Hitlery over Kerry, they would betray the trust of millions of DemocRats by ignoring the legitimate nominee.

Talk about "selected, not elected", millions would abandon them for Bush or a third party or would simply stay at home. Bush would win in a landslide.

[wtc911]

As solid as Lieberman seems to be (I think he's ok in a "cream of the crap" sense) he is unelectable and the dems know this. Forget the fact that America is not ready for a Jewish POTUS, look instead to the impact that would have with the openly anti-semetic UN, EU and most importantly, ME. The world looks to POTUS as the only "honest" broker between Israel and its enemies. A Jewish POTUS means no one will ever sit down.

[Tacis]

I'm still betting that Kerry will either bail before the convention (Willie still has the FBI files) or the concention will reject Kerry. The nominees will be Gore and Hillie. Sure, they'll lose!! But, McAyliffe and the Clintons will still own the party and Hillie will stand a pretty good chance in 2008!!

Kerry can't even tell a decent lie about his SUV. When he starts getting questioned about each of his palaces and whether his wife wears briefs or shorts, he will bail or be bailed. My favorite bumper sticker will be, "GORE - No More!! in 2004!!"

[pctech]

That's what we call an "opps." I looked and didn't find it.

[mel]

Good points. Dole is quick witted while Kerry is dim witted.

[pctech]

I'm finding more and more articles with this kind of flavor. Looks like Kerry could be "Dole 96" all over again, this time losing it for the Dems.

[mel]

I am confused. I thought Kerry had said he threw someone else's medals away and for some reason kept his

[nina0113]

I'm still thinking there's time for Hillary to sweep in on a shining steed and save the day at the convention.

I'm sure that's why she was an "unscheduled speaker" at the March Sunday - she's keeping her name out there in case Kerry does implode. As soon as I heard her voice (on the radio that night) I was absolutely certain she was going on the ticket, either top or bottom.

[It's me]

So, who will be the Democrat Nominee?

I am beginning to doubt that it will be Kerry.

[marlon]

I don't agree, can't happen fast enough if you ask me. Here's why, his ego is too big he will not quite no matter what. I think Hillary is Satan in not good of a disguise but I don't think even Belsabob (sp?) can take down the candidate in full view. Besides, I think even the Clintons understand that everything but the kitchen sink hasn't turned a majority of voters away from Bush. No, she'll keep her hoofs dry and have four full years to plot for 2008

In the meantime, the country is not New Jersey and I doubt would rally around a last minute replacement for John Francois Fonda Kerry so they're stuck with him. So the more relentless the critisism is the sooner he's going to have his Deanatic momement. I would urge as many Freeps in as many places as possible. He should never make a public appearance without seeing plenty of taunting signs and should never utter a speech without hearing the sounds of flip flops flayling away in the audience.

Remember, above all he's an arrogant, thin skinned, elitist and will not be able to tolerate dissent from the serfs.

[Badeye]

I feel a full on DEANIAC moment coming soon......:)

Yep, he's moving closer to a full blown implosion with each passing day at this point. As noted, Kerry's "highwater mark" occured six weeks ago.

I realized about a month ago this race was going to be a blow out in the President's favor when a poll showed 67% of the respondents (note respondents, not a particular party) stated "Yes" to the question "Is a Kerry victory in the election a win for Osama bin Laden?" (paraphrase of the question, from memory).

At that moment, I relaxed. I strongly believe this race will be called within thirty minutes of the polls closing in California on election night.

[SpinyNorman]

Remember the old saw about how to make a candidate look bad "Senator, when did you stop beating your wife?" to make him defend himself against a non existent allegations?

Kerry's self destructive approach to defending his record is "Stop saying I beat my wife!" with respect to Republicans "attacking his patriotism."

[Phantom Lord]

Has he made a policy proposal you've heard people talking about?

As Rush said to his staff about a week ago on air...'can anyone here tell me one thing John Kerry has said or any policies he has proposed?'

Rush is right, nothing Kerry says, that he wants you to remember is memorable.

[winodog]

Gore would be their best bet. I am suprised that more people dont think he would be the one rather then hillary to get the nomination.
Although I think they will have to swim with kerry. I believe the dems know that the next 4 years will be rough because of the economy and the war. After that the people will be ready for a dem P. Thats when hillary will be smiling in old crusty. Reps better learn to fight dirty or she will be P and this nation will be done for.

[Hugin]

It's very hard to come back from a negative perception of character. Clinton could do it because things were going pretty well, and he's a great politician (as in a great salesman). Kerry is no Clinton in that regard.

[Phantom Lord]

He also has a great sense of humor

Unfortunately, Dole never let America see it until after the election.

His Letterman appearance, if only made a month sooner could have made a real difference and made it a close race.

[MEGoody]

"This is a controversy that the Republicans are pushing," he raged, "and this comes from a president and a Republican Party that can't even answer whether or not he showed up for duty in the National Guard. I'm not going to stand for it."

John, John, John. It was you and your shills that started this whole thing. You all ranted and raved about Bush's military record, so he produced the documents. (Which obviously, you haven't read.) Now that some of the press is looking at YOUR military records, you have your panties in a wad.

[elfman2]

"RNC needs to do some damage control for Kerry's team until Kerry shores up the nomination. IMO "

I was worried about that a while back, but now I think it’s too late. Maybe after the next good stumble, the GOB should endorse him.

[dougherty]

And to think I was disappointed when Howard Dean went down in flames....