Either way, it's a win for the GOP. The Dims look idiotic, pathetic and disorganized. Everyone needs to ask the candidates tomorrow, "where's John and why isn't he here?" The stumbling and bumbling will be hilarious.
You're right, that will happen. I know this is a big thing for conservatives, but most democrats probably won't even know what happened or what the big deal is. All they'll know is that they had tickets to a campaign rally with a former Democratic presidential nominee and current Senator, and suddenly, he's not coming. Now, they might think that Kerry's comments were a little bizarre and off-color, but would probably dismiss it relatively quickly. A good number of them probably would have laughed at the joke, no matter if it was directed at the troops or the president.
The thing that they will care about though, is that the main event of the rally didn't show up and it's the fault of the candidate they've been supporting that he isn't there! I know that if Bob Dole was coming to a campaign rally that I had been waiting for, I'd be pretty pissed if they ended up canceling his appearance at the last minute because of some stupid controversy the Democrats were pushing about a screwed-up joke about Bill Clinton.
In fact, I don't think I'd just be mad, I'd be furious! Who cares what the Democrats are saying! Who cares what bizarre joke Bob Dole screwed up about Clinton! When I'm promised an appearance by Bob Dole I damn well better see either Bob Dole when I get there or a note from the coronor! What!?! No Bob Dole! Yearrgggghhhh!!! Well, you know what, screw you! I'm not voting this year.
The thing that people will remember is that the candidate they supported took away their chance to see and hear from a major political figure firsthand. And as it is quite likely that a good number of the democrats at the rally would probably agree with the joke/comments Kerry made about the military, they might decide that maybe this candidate wasn't somebody who truly shared their beliefs and was nothing more than another empty suit. So, no matter which way it goes, the Democrats lose!