Posted on 10/18/2004 4:25:43 PM PDT by InvisibleChurch
In a bit of political poetic justice, it appears that polls showing the Bush Cheney ticket surging ahead of Kerry Edwards started last Thursday, just hours after Kerry announced that Dick Cheney's daughter was "a lesbian" in the final presidential debate.
"Overnight polling showed a sharp gain by George W. Bush," columnist Robert Novak reported in his Monday column, noting the race had been dead even after Bush's first disastrous debate performance until that moment.
While Democratic Party officials publicly say Kerry did nothing wrong by identifying Mary Cheney's sexuality, outside the Kerry camp party regulars were horrified. According to Novak:
"Democrats at debate-watching parties gasped in surprise. Wired focus group members across the country displayed an instant negative reaction. Old Democratic political hands, in disbelief, tried to convey their unhappiness to Kerry. Even Kerry's Republican friend, Sen. John McCain, publicly criticized the Democratic nominee."
The unhappiness from prominent Democrats was conveyed to Kerry's campaign plane with a strong recommendation: Apologize for any inadvertent insult.
The push for an apology had one important backer, seasoned Clinton press flack Mike McCurry, who joined team Kerry just last month.
But McCurry was shot down by the take-no-prisoners campaign staff, who agreed more with campaign manager Mary Beth Cahill's pronouncement that Mary Cheney was "fair game."
As Kerry continues to stonewall on any Cheney apology, some Republicans would like to see team Bush do more to spotlight his sleazy low-blow with a round of last-minute TV ads.
Reports Novak's colleague, William Safire:
"They have in mind a TV spot using an old film clip of a Boston lawyer named Welch at a Congressional hearing, saying 'Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?'"
Edwards simply managed to sugarcoat his remarks more than Kerry did, and couch them in less offensive terms. The intent was entirely the same, believe me.I'm saying what the perception of even neutral columinsts was. Dick Cheney didn't seem to think they were that harsh....but he made himself clear: "I disagree with the President on this one, but I'm not giving you a soundbite to use against us.
-Eric
Safire pointed out that Cahill's "fair game" stance flatly contradicted Kerry's insistence that the remark was kindly meant.
However, most conservatives and moderates tend to think of the word "lesbian" as a vulgar term. It carries the conotation equivalent to "nigger" in terms of a slur. I realize most radical lesbians relish the label, but most of America is content to use the word "gay", even when referring to female homosexuals.
Had Kerry used "gay" or "homosexual" in referring to Mary Cheney, the moderate backlash wouldn't have been so strong. It was a mistake to bring her up personally in any event, but he compounded his error by his use of labels.
I agree with you in regards of the term he used, "lesbian". I consider that a gross word. He could have been respectful and say gay or homosexual, not LESBIAN like she was some freak animal.However, if he had had any respect he wouldn't have mention her in the first place! (G)
Thank you,
John
Dukakis' "Kitty" moment
Kerry's "Mary Cheney" moment
bye bye Kerry goodbye
They replayed Dick Cheney's face while Edwards was speaking. I could see him thinking "why doesn't this bag of puss shut up"
Then he made it clear that he was not going to discuss this further. He showed class by thanking Edwards but it was meant as a slap in the face and nothing more.
The incumbent GOP are gentlemen...compared to the DNC.
The stories I'm hearing are disquieting to me.
You have to figure that Minoities, MTV, rock star bands, Michael Moore, Hollywood, and the Mainstream Media, Soros', Tv Hosts...encompass a helleva lot of people.
If they get more of their drones off their asses and vote...it might be close.
That'w why I don't trust the "likely voters poll. They don't figure 1st time voters....not the numbers Moore and Co., are begging for.
If you said, and now I've said, it MUST be true. Somebody get word to W immediately!
HAHAHAHHAHHAHA
amen to that!!....now, who to call?? hahahahhaha
Yeah, the tactic of taking a shot at an individual not on the ticket or subject to scrutiny HAD to have been suggested to the Kerry campaign by some member of the regime of the "Former Occupant of the Oval Office, 1993-2001".
This way, no fingerprints, because the damage to Kerry was self-inflicted, and there was zero chance of a do-over, if there was no immediate apology, a social nicety to which Kerry does not often avail himself.
Other than that, Kerry "won" all three debates. But this nation is not governed by debates. Or nuance.
Forgive me but I distinctly remember Cheney "thanking" Edwards for mentioning his daughter WAY out of context. And Cheney's tone and words were condescending, IMO.
I'm surprised I'm not seeing that opinion anywhere else...because it was clear as MUD to me! ;^)
Bush surged because the people saw his heart and knew he was a good man.
Karl usually calls around midnight for advice and counsel. I'll let him know that ABC feels strongly about this. That should do it ;-)
Kerry's remarks demonstrated his own low character, Kerry's lack of integrity highlighted Bush's own qualities. It is human nature to take someone for granted. Kerry's remarks reminded people why they have liked Geroge Bush, you can depend on him to be decent.
"they might rise above it....but the Swifties might be holding back some arsenal..."
I pray that the Swiftees have film of Kerry burning and urinating on a flag that will debut next week. Oh how sweet it would be.
there you go!!...I had confidence you'd know!!
hahaahahahaahah
(HE should call you, and others here...more informative than all the talking heads on tv)
McClain could have done a lot more than he has.
Schwarzenneger could help too...
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