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Kerry's left turn scares Democrats
Chicago Sun-Times ^ | September 16, 2004 | Robert Novak

Posted on 09/16/2004 6:48:50 AM PDT by jalisco555

To the astonishment and dismay of Democratic politicians, John Kerry over the last weekend appeared to have forgotten his opponent for president. He did not seem to realize that he was running against George W. Bush, not Howard Dean. That was an understandable conclusion to be drawn from the Democratic nominee's course over four days.

Last Friday, Sen. Kerry abruptly returned to the safely buried gun control issue by decrying President Bush for permitting the assault weapons ban to end. On Saturday, he addressed the Congressional Black Caucus with a liberal harangue. On Sunday, Kerry rested. On Monday, Kerry was back boosting gun control, scolding Bush for letting the assault weapons ban expire at midnight.

Only two explanations are possible, and neither is reassuring to worried Democrats. Kerry could be making a conscious, though counterproductive, decision to reassure his liberal base. Or, he could be trapped by the calendar of events -- talking gun control because a deadline had been reached and talking civil rights because the Black Caucus invited him. Democratic strategists are particularly concerned by the latter explanation, suggesting a mindless campaign.

(Excerpt) Read more at suntimes.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Government; News/Current Events; Philosophy; Politics/Elections; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: elections; kerry; kerrystrategy; liberal; loser; massachusettsliberal; novak
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To: UncleSamUSA

Dole campaign in 1996?


21 posted on 09/16/2004 7:07:36 AM PDT by WorkingClassFilth (Savor the present as the days of Kerry's whine and poses. It'll be a nice memory when you are old.)
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To: jalisco555
He did not seem to realize that he was running against George W. Bush, not Howard Dean.

He also didn't realize that he was running in all the states not just Massachusetts.

22 posted on 09/16/2004 7:08:01 AM PDT by Paleo Conservative (What's the frequency Kenneth?)
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To: sinkspur
You forgot:

Gore-Donna Brazile

(steely)

23 posted on 09/16/2004 7:09:29 AM PDT by Steely Tom
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To: Rokke
Actually, I thought Dole's campaign in 96' was worse. But when discussing disastors, I guess the scale is all relative.

I think Dole did all right considering there was no way he was going to win. Kemp turned out to be a dud but otherwise Dole at least kept it respectable and the GOP kept the Congressional majority.

24 posted on 09/16/2004 7:09:42 AM PDT by jalisco555 ("The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity." W. B. Yeats)
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To: N. Theknow; jalisco555

You can't judge a man till you've walked a mile in his flip flops.


25 posted on 09/16/2004 7:10:09 AM PDT by Paleo Conservative (What's the frequency Kenneth?)
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To: jalisco555
Kemp turned out to be a dud but otherwise Dole at least kept it respectable and the GOP kept the Congressional majority.

Even better he did considerably better than Bush 41 in 1992. We won back a few states, and Clinton's populuar vote was kept below 50% (the worst reelect performance since 1916).

26 posted on 09/16/2004 7:12:55 AM PDT by Paleo Conservative (What's the frequency Kenneth?)
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To: sinkspur
Look at the campaign managers:

Dukakis- Susan Estrich

BushI- Mary Matalin

Kerry- Mary Beth Cahill

Here's another point of comparison:

HP- Carly Fiorina

I'll let you pick out the common element.

Uhhh.... they all have the letter "a" in their first names? Do I win anything?

27 posted on 09/16/2004 7:14:53 AM PDT by Semi Civil Servant (Edward R. Murrow, call your office.)
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To: jalisco555

We all know how much of a coward Kerry is. I'm beginning to believe that he probably realizes he won't be able to take the heat as Prez and is messing up on purpose. Nahh... nevermind... he isn't that smart.


28 posted on 09/16/2004 7:19:53 AM PDT by marway (JF'nK, show us your records now!)
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To: jalisco555

We all know how much of a coward Kerry is. I'm beginning to believe that he probably realizes he won't be able to take the heat as Prez and is messing up on purpose. Nahh... nevermind... he isn't that smart.


29 posted on 09/16/2004 7:20:56 AM PDT by marway (JF'nK, show us your records now!)
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To: Lancey Howard
That's all he's got left: welfare-mothers, abortion enthusiasts, gun grabbers, Hollywood drunks, athiests, screeching feminists, condom throwers, college professors, anti-capitalist malcontents, and the rest of the weirdos, losers and parasites who make up the base of the Democrat party.

Good list of Kerry's base. I was experimenting with trying to do it in colors, but some of the colors may be obscure as to their meaning. It's gray for AARP, hot pink for academics, and yellow-green (cowardly enviros) for bureaucrats. Still needs work:

Groups that vote 90% for the dems: reds, greens, UN fans, gays, AARP, academics, bureaucrats, and African-Americans.

30 posted on 09/16/2004 7:26:25 AM PDT by PatrickHenry
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To: PatrickHenry

You could simplify the list by renaming "UN fans" what they truly are - - "appeasers."


31 posted on 09/16/2004 7:36:18 AM PDT by Lancey Howard
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To: jalisco555

bmp


32 posted on 09/16/2004 7:37:39 AM PDT by shield (The Greatest Scientific Discoveries of the Century Reveal God!!!! by Dr. H. Ross, Astrophysicist)
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To: Lancey Howard
You could simplify the list by renaming "UN fans" what they truly are - - "appeasers."

Yeah, but my way I get to use UN blue. I'm working on a new version to include some of your groups.

33 posted on 09/16/2004 7:39:09 AM PDT by PatrickHenry
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To: Paleo Conservative

"You can't judge a man till you've walked a mile in his flip flops."


Now that's funny. Do you mind if I use it as my tag line?



34 posted on 09/16/2004 7:39:25 AM PDT by Donald Rumsfeld Fan
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To: jalisco555

What recent turn to the left are they worried about? Endoorsed by the Communist Party based on past performance. Involved with the VC in Paris; Jane Fonda; met with Sandanista - Ortega; in group that plotted assassination of Senators. ETC


35 posted on 09/16/2004 7:41:41 AM PDT by Henchman (Vote Communist - elect Kerry!)
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To: Donald Rumsfeld Fan

Go ahead make my day!


36 posted on 09/16/2004 7:42:46 AM PDT by Paleo Conservative (What's the frequency Kenneth?)
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To: Lancey Howard
Groups that vote 90% for the dems: reds, greens, UN fans, gays, AARP, academics, bureaucrats, African-Americans, and various OtherFreaks (including the ACLU, trial lawyers, Hollywood loonies, druggies, gun grabbers, welfare mothers, ditzos, etc.).
37 posted on 09/16/2004 7:44:08 AM PDT by PatrickHenry
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To: gunnygail

Even worse, he'd be asking them what he should do. He wouldn't even be getting as far as asking permission to act.


38 posted on 09/16/2004 7:48:43 AM PDT by kenth (Even John Kerry's recreation depends on which way the wind is blowing...)
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To: PatrickHenry
Why, it's a Rainbow CoalitionTM!
39 posted on 09/16/2004 7:53:54 AM PDT by Physicist
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To: Henchman
What recent turn to the left are they worried about?

The issue isn't really a left turn (we all know Kerry is a hardcore leftist) but the total muddle of the Kerry campaign. Kerry recently attacked Bush for not somehow single-handedly extending the "assault-weapons" ban. I swear, next week he will tout his pro-gun credentials. His entire message is quicksand.

40 posted on 09/16/2004 7:56:26 AM PDT by jalisco555 ("The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity." W. B. Yeats)
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