Posted on 07/10/2004 2:55:24 AM PDT by kattracks
The Bush camp forced John Kerry yesterday to disavow raunchy celebrity comments at the Democratic gala at Radio City Music Hall as the presidential campaign erupted into a war over who has better values.Republicans hit the ceiling because John Mellencamp sang a song calling President Bush "a cheap thug" and Whoopi Goldberg joked about George Bush's last name and Dick Cheney's first.
The flap accomplished two GOP goals: trample on Kerry's rollout of John Edwards as running mate and block his attempt to move away from Howard Dean-style anger toward a voter-friendly message of hope.
Bush campaign manager Ken Mehlman branded Thursday's $7.5 million Democratic fund-raiser a "star-studded hatefest" and demanded Kerry release a video of the show.
Kerry's camp refused, saying Bush doesn't even let reporters cover his fund-raisers. "The hypocrisy ... is almost unimaginable," said Kerry adviser Tad Devine.
Kerry campaign manager Mary Beth Cahill said Kerry rejected some of the comments, which included Chevy Chase saying of Bush, "This guy's as bright as an egg timer."
"He does not approve of some of the remarks that were made last night and he has made that clear," Cahill told reporters. In fact, Kerry did not comment on the flap.
The Bush camp said Kerry should have disavowed the comments as soon as they were made."John Kerry just sat there, grinning like a mule eating briers," said Sen. Zell Miller (D-Ga.), a Bush supporter.
The Kerry camp noted Bush never condemned Cheney for telling a Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) on the Senate floor to go f--- himself.
Campaigning in Pennsylvania, Bush called Kerry "out of step with mainstream values" because he voted against funding troops, federal support for religious groups and a law requiring parental approval for teenage abortions.
Kerry and Edwards accused Bush of trying to distract voters from economic issues.
They said they represent "real American values" because they want to focus on education, health care and jobs instead of abortion, gay marriage and foul-mouthed celebs.
Originally published on July 10, 2004
The Two Johns don't know what they've gotten themselves into. Welcome to the big leagues, boys. Team Bush is going to clean your clocks.
The Dem candidate keeps stepping in doggie doo, while claiming he doesn't stink. It's like he's living repeated Wellstone memorials ala Groundhog Day.
George W. Bush is a master of political jujitsu - he just smiles and lets the other guy beat himself up. It worked on Ann Richards, it worked on Crazy Al, and it's going to work on Lurch and Gomez.
Edwards and Kerry have all the seriousness to be President/Vice that Ben Affleck and Matt Damon do. These two annoyances need to be swatted off the scene quickly so the real President and Vice can concentrate on the life and death issues that continue to threaten this country. These are serious times and a fan of Whoopi isn't a qualification needed on the resume right now.
The description of the Whoopi filthfest reminded me of the Wellstone orgy.
Good morning,
let them keep showing their true colors.
One minute Kerry says this is the "heart and soul of the Democratic Party" then he "backs off" from supporting his supporters!!!
Just another FLIP-FLOP!!
Now Kerry tries to define "values", truly laughable. I hope these gaffs continue and Rove takes advantage of every mis-step they make!!!
It's a good thing Kerry was in Vietnam and has those medals he did, or didn't, throw over the WH fence.Otherwise all the flip-flops would give you the impression of a lack of courage in the man's convictions!
Let's not go nuts. The Wellstone memorial at least had at its core a tribute to a rare unapologetic liberal. The problem with the Wellstone memorial wasn't obscenity, it was the inappropriate fist-pumping campaigning and the bizarre public request to the Republicans to concede Wellstone's seat to Walter Mondale out of compassion for his family and his constituency.
OTOH, Kerry's thing was a Bush bashfest from beginning to end. Nobody expected reverence, but nobody expected Kerry to act like the Hollywood values on display equaled the American values he claims to champion.
Boy... she sure is funny!
Of course, looks aren't everything!
That's not what the Vice President said.
What he said, directed at Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) (and not while the Senate was in session) was, " f--- off".
And yes, Ms Helen Kennedy, words do have meaning. Both for the Vice President of these United States, and reporterettes!
"The Kerry camp noted Bush never condemned Cheney for telling a Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) on the Senate floor to go f--- himself."
Its called defending your gentlemenly honor. If it occurred 200 years earlier, pistols and 20 paces at dawn. I think we all know who has the better shot. Cheneys got the good iron-stuff.
Long live W and Dick
D
Do you mean to tell me that the Republicans are incapable of smuggling a videocamera into the Filthfest? That's kinda scary.
The Wellstone "memorial" wasn't obscene so far as them shouting filthy words but as far as "memorials" go it was an obscene, bizarre, nutty, angry affair.
I agree. President Bush is a master of the strategic retreat.
Apparently, the media doesn't understand the difference between this and a very public display of filth, which Kerry characterizes as American Values.
I keep hearing the same comments "on the Senate floor" like Cheney was on the floor making these comments and not in a private conversation. It is not true and it is just another way of twisting the truth.
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