Posted on 10/15/2004 4:29:22 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest
You'd normally think that The Today Show would have buried Kerry's lesbian debate jab in the same deep-sixed vault reserved for Swift Boat allegations, Kerry campaign's threats to Sinclair broadcasting and the mystery surrounding Kerry's military discharge.
But, surprise! Calling it the issue of "the L-word," the controvery led Today this morning. The opening credit showed Kerry, sotto voce, making his statement during the debate, and after a brief news summary that mentioned the matter, it was on to Katie's interview of Mary Matalin and Kerry rep and former Clinton press sec Dee Dee Myers.
As an aside, Katie's megalomania reached new sartorial heights this morning, as she sported a blouse/sweater with a huge, glitzy K splashed across it. What's next: bring on the bling-bling?
In any case, Couric first questioned Matalin, and the basic theme was "what was wrong with raising Mary Cheney's lesbianism given that Dick Cheney has mentioned it and it is not a secret?" Frankly I didn't think Matalin marshalled the best arguments, but did make the case that Mary Cheney has not been a public figure and that Kerry's statement was outrageous and over-the-line.
Turning to Myers, Katie made a surprisingly pointed remark: "some have said that Kerry's statement was not a magnanimous gesture but a calculated political move intended to undermine Pres. Bush's culturally conservative base."
Forced into a corner, Myers admitted: "frankly, I don't think this was Kerry's best moment. It was awkward, and has been a distraction from the campaign's ability to talk about the real issues."
Dee Dee then launched into a laundry list of Kerry campaign talking points on issues foreign and domestic, and claimed the Bush campaign is seeking to exploit the L-word issue to distract from the fact that W lost the debates.
But clearly Kerry is feeling the heat. A candidate knows he's in trouble when even his own spokesman rips him, even if done with velvety gloves.
Agreed. And he seems to have had a habit in recent weeks about empathizing with various guests about how hard it can be to be in the spotlight, to be unfairly attacked, etc.
Guess she had plans on her.
That's exactly what I told my husband. What Christian among us hasn't had a child live a lifestyle we wouldn't desire for them...That doesn't mean we want them plastered all over the news.
Nah, K as in Koolaid....
I agree that Edwards and Kerry initially raised the issue for the reason you mentioned - to turn off W's culturally conservative backers.
But the plan was obviously to camoflouge what they were doing and present it as a phony compliment to the Cheneys. Now that they have been called on their stunt and it has blown up in Kerry's face, they are clearly squirming. Kerry wouldn't have issued his non-apology apology unless he felt the issue was hurting him.
Surely you can't think that having liberal icon Katie Couric accuse Kerry of a calculated political move, and having Dee Dee Myers criticize Kerry, can possibly be helping him?
Today Show must figure that sex sells. And the Dems, realizing they're caught on this, have determined to pseudo-admit fault and then change the subject as quickly as possible.
I can honestly say that I would love my children unconditionally, regardless of what choices they make, no matter how much I may disagree with them. Would it cause family strife?
------- ... and this is exactly why Kerry's comments are so repulsive. There is not a parent in the country who cannot relate to what it might be like to find out that a son or daughter is gay. They would continue to love, but the disappointment and pain is palpable. To have it exploited in a national TV debate is something most American's find sickening. Likewise, I think most gay people know the pain that they've caused themselves and their families in coming out -- they may not be able to change it, but they still know and care about the pain. Kerry simply laid all of that out of the table.
Good on your game this AM, glgb. Irritates me how the yapping heads think that by just SAYING Kerry won all three makes it so. Even Leno made it his first jab last night with "three strikes, you're out". Frontloaded exit polls didnt help either, no matter how outrageously lopsided (80%? Come on!). But not like this was unexpected. But people I talk with (lib & conservative) seem to know otherise - or simply think the whole debate thing overrated media hype.
That giant 'K' might have stood for Kerry!
Leni
I don't trust Couric one bit.
If she had her druthers she would have wished to know how Myers would've responded.
It was Dee Dee's criticism of sKerry that is the shock here.
Great job you do daily. Kudos!
respond to cnn.com poll on Kerry mentioning Cheney.
For those wishing to view Katie's "K" blouse, she's back indoors now and the sweater is on display!
Thanks, DC. And believe me, I don't trust Katie either - that's exactly why I keep track of her via these threads. Still, she can be a telling barometer of Dem sentiment, and the fact that she was critical of Kerry suggests that a lot of Dems are anxious and upset about the issue.
I have observed that as well. Some of it has to do with the simple biological reality that while older men are a "hot commodity" throughout their whole lives and still manage to date women 10-20 years younger than themselves, that option generally isn't open to older women. God is forgiving; nature isn't. From some older women couples I've known, I'd say that it's not even primarily about sex; it's more about companionship & avoiding loneliness.
Well put.
Thank you for saying so, it was my feeling too. Kerry is going to use this and get as much milage out of it as possible.
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