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Kerry's Jump The Shark Moment (What Was The Moment When the John Kerry Campaign Started Flopping?)
Self | August 2, 2004 | PJ-Comix

Posted on 08/02/2004 5:44:30 AM PDT by PJ-Comix

I believe that, like entertainment, political campaigns have Jump The Shark moments where you can trace the decline of a candidate's chances. For Gerald Ford in 1976, it was when he said Eastern Europe wasn't under Soviet domination. For Richard Nixon in 1960, it was when he showed up at the first debate with JFK without makeup to hide the thick shadow of his beard.

Perhaps the most famous political Jump the Shark moment was in 1988 when Michael Dukakis, in a double digit lead over George Bush, appeared atop a tank wearing a tanker's helmet that made him look like Snoopy. Arguably there were two other possible Jump the Shark moments in the Dukakis campaign. One was his emotionless response to a question about what he would do if his wife were raped. And a much less known Jump the Shark moment was when Dukakis appeared in public while power walking. There is absolutely NO dorkier exercise that power walking. You walk while wildly swinging weights in both hands. The net effect is to make the power walker look like the ultimate nerd.

So what is John Kerry's Jump the Shark moment? It must have already happened since he got a NEGATIVE bounce in the polls coming out of the Democrat convention. Was it when he wore that Sperm Cell outfit at NASA? Or perhaps that wimpy pitch at the Red Sox game where he was later booed? Or was it his overlong convention speech? Please give your ideas on John Kerry's Jump the Shark moment.


TOPICS: Political Humor/Cartoons; Politics/Elections; Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: johnkerry; michaeldukakis
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To: PJ-Comix
Well, after doing a little research, Lurch is (so far) safe from the sure fire kiss of death, otherwise known as Ted McGinley:

Contributor Candidate or PAC Amount Date MCGINLEY, TED BEVERLY HILLS, CA 90210 AARON SPELLING PROD GRANDY, FRED (R) House (IA 05) FRED GRANDY FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE $500 10/28/85

Whatever happened to Fred Grandy, anyway?

41 posted on 08/02/2004 6:08:32 AM PDT by FlJoePa (4 More Years for Joe, and 4 More Years for W!)
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To: PJ-Comix

When Dean shouted "Yeeeaaarrrrgghhhhh!"


42 posted on 08/02/2004 6:09:46 AM PDT by Chewbacca (I am single, because I like to work for a living, but not be forced to work for a living.)
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To: hellinahandcart

Howard Dean's Jump the Shark moment happened when Algore publicly endorsed him. Dean's chances at that time looked so good that many reporters were wondering why the other candidates bothered to even remain in the race. But as soon as Algore endorsed Dean, his campaign went straight down the tubes. It was exactly at the moment that Algore endorsed him.


43 posted on 08/02/2004 6:10:07 AM PDT by PJ-Comix
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To: PJ-Comix
"I voted for it before I voted against it..."

My son-in-law, a Canadian and no friend of Bush, was laughing hysterically at the 11 minute RNC video featuring "Flipper".

Even Chris Matthews was taken aback by the lack of leadership coming out of the convention, particularly on the biggest issue of the race, the Iraq war..."people of goodwill can disagree" and Kerry's unwillingness to offend any part of his base, his talk of decreasing dependency on mideast oil would not specify how oil demands would be met, because talk of drilling in ANWR alienates the greenies, and NOT drilling in ANWR alienates the unions that will lose out on lucrative jobs.

Esentially Kerry's tactic is to bash Bush, say he will do better but leave out particulars.

44 posted on 08/02/2004 6:10:39 AM PDT by Dutchgirl (The God who made us, made us free...)
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To: PJ-Comix
3rd Purple Heart. That was tantamount to when Pernell Roberts left 'Bonanza'.
45 posted on 08/02/2004 6:10:50 AM PDT by johnny7 (“John Edwards is a beautiful man!” -Ter-A-zah Heinz-Kerry)
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To: freeperfromnj
I talked with my brother last night -- he was blown away by Sharpton's speech! "No need to wonder why blacks don't vote Republican -- just watch that speech!!!"

My brother is a 46-year-old White Engineer, who grew up in a rich town, has an MBA, lives in a rich town, and has a 7-figure stock portfolio.

And he thinks Al Sharpton is Da Man! The kool-aid is ver' powerful stuff.

46 posted on 08/02/2004 6:11:31 AM PDT by ClearCase_guy (The Fourth Estate is a Fifth Column)
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To: PJ-Comix

Yep. And guess who was on the podium at the Convention last week?


47 posted on 08/02/2004 6:12:03 AM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
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To: PJ-Comix

I was repulsed by his “reporting for duty” salute – over-confident and arrogant.


48 posted on 08/02/2004 6:12:39 AM PDT by EnquiringMind
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To: PJ-Comix
Kerry's in a spiral down the toilet bowl, all of those reasons have started the swirl downwards. But it's still early, he could yet top himself.

I think my vote's with the bunny suit photo, when he goes down in defeat, I think that photo will be brought up as his Dukakis moment. It defines his unappealing panderousity.
49 posted on 08/02/2004 6:12:51 AM PDT by Brett66 (http://www.scifiartposters.com)
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To: mountaineer

50 posted on 08/02/2004 6:13:15 AM PDT by hellinahandcart
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To: Straight Vermonter

"I think voters have been waiting for a chance to walk away from the Kerry campaign."

I agree. It seems to me, perusing DU and other sites, that they were never really that much behind him...it was Dean, or Clark, they really wanted to be nominated. Now they're stuck "holding their noses" and backing Kerry. It reminds mind of Dole in 96 - we HAD to vote for him, but how many of us really wanted to?


51 posted on 08/02/2004 6:14:13 AM PDT by CaliGirlGodHelpMe
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To: PJ-Comix

As priceless as the human sperm suit was, I think Kerry's recent downward trend is just the tip of the ice berg. Come the debates he will truly reveal how much he is not a contender. Aw who am I kidding he reaffirms his ineptness daily.


52 posted on 08/02/2004 6:14:55 AM PDT by Conservative_boy_in_Bangkok
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To: BibChr
As others have said, it came from Fonzie jumping the shark -- that's when people think Happy Days was "over,"

For the Andy Griffith show, the Jump the Shark moment occured when it went to color. I watch that show on the tube and all the B&W shows were great while the color episodes sucked.

53 posted on 08/02/2004 6:15:16 AM PDT by PJ-Comix
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To: Hatteras

Gotcha covered..

54 posted on 08/02/2004 6:15:28 AM PDT by MassExodus (<--- Not just a FReeeper handle, but a sign of things to come)
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To: EnquiringMind

anyone have a pic of the Salute? I actually missed it live and only saw fleeting glimpses. Anyone who has been drilled properly to make one would never make it wrong, again. (OK WORMS - LET'S TRY IT AGAIN... A-TEHN-HUT!)


55 posted on 08/02/2004 6:16:02 AM PDT by epluribus_2
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To: PJ-Comix

It has to be the NASA bunny (aka sperm) suit moment. That image is one that will stick with people. That photo needs to be shown (life sized) at every FReeper protest and posted all over town on billboards.


56 posted on 08/02/2004 6:16:09 AM PDT by toomanygrasshoppers ("Hold on to your hats.....it's going to be a bumpy night")
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To: PJ-Comix
That ridiculous Arnold Judas Rimmer-esque salute -

Regards, Ivan

57 posted on 08/02/2004 6:16:48 AM PDT by MadIvan (Gothic. Freaky. Conservative. - http://www.rightgoths.com/)
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To: PJ-Comix

Selecting such a pretty running mate. Everybody had better credentials, longer resume, than Edwards, who has never governed so much as a law firm. A heartbeat away from the presidency, John Edwards!


58 posted on 08/02/2004 6:16:50 AM PDT by Graymatter (Countdown---94 more days.)
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To: PJ-Comix

When his campaign said we'd have to wait until after he's elected to here details of his "plans".


59 posted on 08/02/2004 6:17:01 AM PDT by PogySailor (Proud member of the RAM)
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To: PJ-Comix; Laura Earl

If he would just do an ad reading this poem I wrote for him with appropriate images inserted, he could turn this thing around.



Kerry 2004

(followed by picture of him and Edwards hugging)

I want to be the President,
Though all know I can’t lead.

(picture in jogging outfit)

I really want the power though,
It’s really what I need.

(picture in NASA garb)

I’ll lie and cheat and fabricate,
I’ll flip and flop for sure.

(picture of him in front of flag at DNC Convention)

The left’s so dumb they’ll vote for me,
For stupid, there’s no cure.

(picture of DNC delegates)

George Bush lied, I’ll chant and sing,
Though I know it’s not true.

(picture of him in front of flag at DNC Convention)

I love America I’ll say,
Another lie for you.

(picture of him a war protester)

I’ll back the UN’s global push,
No sovereignty for us.

(picture ?)

The world rides free at our expense,
We’ll even buy the bus.

(picture ?)

Let terror rain down on this land,
We really are to blame.

(9/11 images)

Oh yes, I fought in Viet Nam,
Four months, then home I came.

(Viet Nam picture?)


Three Purple Hearts for paper cuts,
Like some rite of passage.

(purple hearts picture)


You bet my name’s John Kerry,
And I approve this message.

(NASA picture again)

Conspiracy Guy 7/30/2004


60 posted on 08/02/2004 6:17:11 AM PDT by Conspiracy Guy (They are where you least expect. Look around and you'll see them too.)
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