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Posted on 08/24/2004 10:16:51 PM PDT by sissyjane
Washington Prowler Kerry's Last Stand Print Friendly Format E-Mail this to a Friend By The Prowler Published 8/25/2004 12:09:11 AM
BLOODY SUNDAY Rumors floating around Washington mid-day Tuesday had the Kerry campaign reaching out to a couple of media outlets -- NBC's "Meet the Press" and CBS's "60 Minutes" -- to discuss a possible appearance by candidate John Kerry this coming Sunday.
A Democratic strategist outside the campaign said the thinking appeared to be to get the candidate out to speak about the mounting Swift Boat Veterans for Truth controversy before the Republican Convention.
"I don't know if they are thinking a full-blown mea culpa from Kerry, but that seems to be the way some people are thinking," says the strategist. "He wouldn't use the words 'I'm sorry' in speaking about his actions after Vietnam here at home. But he would seek to try to put this thing to rest."
Swift Veterans for Truth have pointed to Kerry's antiwar activities as a reason for their campaign. But they have also pointed to Kerry's use of a fancified military record.
Kerry appeared on "Meet the Press" earlier this year, and at the time made a statement that appeared to be an indirect apology to veterans he might have offended with his activities in 1970. During that appearance he said he might have allowed his anger and frustration to get the best of him. But he stopped short of making any formal apology or admission that he was wrong for taking such a public stance against the war.
Kerry advisers are said by some to be alarmed at how quickly the Swift Boat story has spun out of their control. Not only is campaign staff now furiously trying to keep up with the Swift Boat story, but there are mounting inquiries coming into the campaign about Kerry's Purple Heart awards and the citations for his two other medals, one of which was re-written and expanded by then-Secretary of the Navy John Lehman around 1986.
"As long as Kerry wouldn't be followed by a Swift Boater on the show my guess is that the campaign would like to try to get this thing dead and buried before the convention. The New York speech today [Tuesday] doesn't appear to have done much to help them," says the strategist.
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'...as long as he's not followed by a Swift Boat vet...'
I'm sure they would NEVER have a Dem on to refute a Republican if the tables were reversed. Noooo way.
Any political strategist could see this coming. A Hahvahd version of 'can't we all just get along?'. The press will love it. The soccer moms will think he's so brave! (Remember McGreevey's poll numbers went UP after he decalred himself a victim.)
The SBV's should concentrate on the '71 Senate testimony no matter WHAT Kerry says...or does. There's a risk of getting bogged down in the details of the actual incidents rather than concentrating on the best weapon...Kerry's own words. O'Neill did an excellent job discussing this with Rush, tying in the POW's and the average Vet.
They need to add Kerry's statement yesterday - it wasn't the Swifties I blamed for the atrocities, it was the OTHER Vets! - to the '71 tape. Then and now. Before and After. Same lie.
Kerry advisers are said by some to be alarmed at how quickly the Swift Boat story has spun out of their control.
HA! The truth will out.
Truth is a foreign word to them.
Jack Nicholson was right (at least once).
Many posts I read on that comment from Kerry .. went something like "Go To Hell"
60 Minutes will probably give him the whole 60 minutes, just like Bill Clinton and Richard Clarke. The Swift Boat Vets need not apply to be on, and won't even be interviewed. And piece will be incredibly one-sided.
Big suprise. Russert helps kerry weasel. Bet he asks some really tough questions, huh?
Certainly sums up the feelings of all the Vets I know. That was an incredibly stupid statement from Kerry.
It comes naturally for Kerry .. because he never thinks about anyone else
Unfortunately, don't underestimate what an appearance on 60 Minutes can do for a failing Dem candidate. It worked for the Clintons in '92.
Unfortunately, don't underestimate what an appearance on 60 Minutes can do for a failing Dem candidate. It worked for the Clintons in '92.
....Uuuummmm....I didn't say I was underestimating it.....
I think saying he's sorry will be good. At least he is forced to admit his mistake. But since what he did has affected 3 decades of foreign policy and the image and lives of Vietnam vets, I think the only acceptable action he can make to put the issue to rest is to QUIT his run for President.
I think Sunday's a little late for him to do this, as this story has huge legs. And after all, the RNC convention is the big story next week, not him. But Kerry's got such an ego, that's probably why he'll do it then; to step on the Republicans' time!
Has Kerry ever admitted a mistake? (His own, I mean -- not like blaming his speechwriters for things he said in speeches.) He wouldn't admit even to Botox. And as far as I know, he always maintained that the Fire Department just decided to move the hydrant from in front of their Beacon Hill house (which providentially opened up another parking space at the house, in an area where parking is very scarce) with no input from him.
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