Posted on 09/15/2004 7:47:20 AM PDT by OESY
...Mr. Kerry's Web site calls him "a man of conviction" who makes "bold decisions." His party convention sketched a picture of strong, principled leadership.
But Mr. Kerry's record as senator and candidate suggests something less flattering: a mainstream Democratic liberal who, knowing most Americans aren't liberal, takes great care to heed prevailing political winds.
...He voted to give Mr. Bush authority for war when that appeared to be the safest move, and voted against funding the war.... [H]e would have taken the cautious route of trying to contain Saddam Hussein rather than removing him.
Mr. Kerry has taken a similar approach domestically....
Mr. Bush... too, follows polls, just not the same way. By instinct and political strategy, he is a conservative who proved in 2000 that his philosophy, skillfully presented, could prevail nationally.
...He pressed tax cuts despite bipartisan warnings about revived deficits -- then pressed them again.
...Articulating a new doctrine of pre-emptive war, he struck Iraq -- notwithstanding the misgivings of traditional allies and some in his own party....
On domestic policy, ... the president... is grabbing the Third Rail and pushing partial privatization....
Mr. Kerry's approach to Social Security tracks his penchant for splitting the difference. While ruling out steps such as raising the retirement age or increasing taxes, he backs a "bipartisan process" toward reform. That appeals to those who find the middle of the road the safest place to be.
Mr. Bush, instead of hedging, follows his instincts.... Indeed, if he is right -- on the ability to craft a more sensible tax system, on a solution for Social Security, on transforming the Middle East to create a safer world -- the rewards would be immense.
All this gives voters a clear contrast....
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
It wasn't supposed to be this way!!! /sarc.
When Harwood folds his Kerry cards, you know the liberals at WSJ's Washington Bureau think the game is over.
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