Did Kerry pull a Dukakis?

Newsday ^ | 9/6/2004 | Craig Gordon

[gop_gene]

Kerry began to tank the very day he DID respond. Everyone in the campaign told him to keep his mouth shut. MSM was going to ignore it all the way to November.

And that's why I'll be incredulous if Kerry heeds Clinton's advice to stay mum from now on about Vietnam. This has become such a sore spot for him that I get the feeling if he did try to suppress saying something, it'd only be worse for him--he'd go nuts, totally (and hopefully during a public moment when cameras are rolling).

He's in a pickle--even if he keeps quiet about it, the Swiftees aren't done with him, not by a longshot. If he ignores them, the damage will go on. And if he addresses them, he prolongs it. Love it!

[Casloy]

display in recent days as he returned to the campaign trail with a one-two punch.

One two punch??? More like a limp wristed half-assed attempt at a slap.

[longtermmemmory]

Kerry has pulled a "dukakis" for his silent response about the Russion child murders.

(it reminds me of Dukakis' response to what he would do if his wife was raped.)

[BradyLS]

Wesley Clarked tried to leverage Kerry out of the campaign by pointing out he was a Army four star General while Kerry was but a Navy Lieutenant. I recall that Kerry was quick to answer that charge. "I'm a U.S. Senator" among the ripostes to that attack.

So how could he "stumble" from a reaction standpoint? The same team was in place.

[garylmoore]

Never mentioned in all this is the possibility that Kerry didn't refute the charges because they are all true.

Exactly, he didn't give an answer because he didn't have one.

[christie]

.
Let no political charge sit unanswered, lest it take root.

Kerry will never answer because he can't tell the truth. First, the truth would bury him. Second, he doesn't know how. Third, each answered question would bring on another question.

Let's see, Hillary/DNC with the FBI files sure knows how to pick a candidate who can be destroyed, thus clearing the field for Hillary 2008. Hey Hillary, you might just bring down the party along with Kerry, leaving you in the dust.

Check out the John F. Kerry Timeline. Email it to your friends.
.

[DugwayDuke]

"Never mentioned in all this is the possibility that Kerry didn't refute the charges because they are all true."

There is another explanation, ie, Kerry really believes that he is a hero, that he deserved all those medals, and that anti-Vietnam rhetoric was fully justified. IOW, Kerry believes it is his manifest destiny to be president. Such a belief can blind a man.

[theophilusscribe]

We know a winning strategy, and we're sticking with it!

[laredo44]

Your graphic reminds me of the saying about a man on top of a tall mountain: We all look small to him, and he looks small to us.

I get a feeling Kerry fits that description.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Some Democrats fret John Kerry now has made the same mistake...letting attacks on his Vietnam record and fitness to serve go unanswered too long

Nonsense. Kerry DID respond. He immediately demanded that both the Swiftboat ads and book be pulled. In fact, he demanded the President order it.

Kerry did respond...he simply couldn't REFUTE.

[jmaroneps37]

When will these ratmedia dopes going to realize that frenchie didn't respond because he COULDN'T respond!!!!!
In this day of the new media taking control, you can't answer charges with lies!

[jackbill]

Some charges stick - because they are true and irrefutable.

[Senator Goldwater]

I always thought Dukakis lost because he entered his convention floor to the strains of Neil Diamond.

[TC Rider]

LOL, Kerry pulled a Dukakis when he donned the bunny suit. He "Jumped the Shark" with his Vietnam-centric convention.

Late Breaking News: Among new staffers, Ted McGinley joined the Kerry Campaign at the Midnight Rally following the Republican Convention!

[Thom Pain]

"Let no political charge statement of fact sit unanswered, lest it take root."

[Blue Highway]

I always thought Dukakis lost because he entered his convention floor to the strains of Neil Diamond.

Ehem...

[festus]

Never mentioned in all this is the possibility that Kerry didn't refute the charges because they are all true.

Oh yes well there is that little bit aint there..... ;-)