Posted on 11/01/2006 3:12:01 AM PST by MadIvan
WASHINGTON -- The White House and Sen. John Kerry traded their harshest accusations since the 2004 presidential race on Tuesday, with President Bush accusing the Democrat of troop-bashing and Kerry calling the president's men hacks who are ''willing to lie.''
The war of words came after Kerry told a group of California students on Monday that those unable to navigate the country's education system ''get stuck in Iraq.''
The two parties are searching for any edge amid indications Democrats could take back the House in next week's midterm elections.
White House press secretary Tony Snow was asked about Kerry's comment at his regular briefing with reporters, and had clearly come prepared with a lengthy attack. He said the quote ''fits a pattern'' of negative remarks about U.S. soldiers from the decorated Vietnam veteran and suggested that whether Democratic candidates -- particularly those running on their military service backgrounds -- agree with their 2004 standard-bearer should be a campaign litmus test.
Bush calls it 'shameful'
Bush said Kerry's statement was ''insulting and it is shameful.''
''The members of the United States military are plenty smart and they are plenty brave and the senator from Massachusetts owes them an apology,'' Bush said.
Kerry, who is considering another run for the White House in 2008, angrily fired back: ''I apologize to no one for my criticism of the president and of his broken policy.''
Kerry said the comment in question was ''a botched joke about the president and the president's people, not about the troops ... and they know that's what I was talking about.''
Kerry's comment the day before was this: ''You know, education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don't, you get stuck in Iraq.''
That, Kerry said, was meant as a reference to Bush, not troops.
''It disgusts me that a bunch of these Republican hacks who've never worn the uniform of our country are willing to lie about those who did," he said.
One Democratic congressman was dismayed, according to ABC News. "I guess Kerry wasn't content blowing 2004, now he wants to blow 2006, too."
Lex talionis strikes again.
Kerry is the JOKE.
Even some of the Rats understand and are distancing themselves from Kerry.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus
Regards, Ivan
Why would Lurch, whose grades were not as good as GWB's at Yale, try to make a 'joke' equating Bush with being uneducated and stupid. Where does that leave Lurch????
In response to his comment "Anyone who thinks a veteran would insult the 140,000 heroes fighting in Iraq are crazy" (or something like that) McCain supposedly said on Hannity/Colmes that Kerry insulted the soldier when he came home from Vietnam. BAM!
Regards, Ivan
ROTFLMAO!
> Did you just hear Fox & FRiends?
I am smiling from ear to ear.
I hope our friend, you know, the "right wing nutjob stuffed shirt behind the podium", has some more to say about this today.
I'm watching that jerk Ellis Hennican spin the Kerry story so fast, I'm dizzy!
The internals must be horrendous.
Why would Lurch, whose grades were not as good as GWB's at Yale, try to make a 'joke' equating Bush with being uneducated and stupid.
The next move is to bring out a large number of highly educated service members and stick it in Kerry's (and the Democrats) face.
John F*ucking Kerry! You, alone, have proved that there are people who will wear an armed service uniform regardless of personal cowardness, lack of patriotism and dishonor. After 56 years, thanks for bringing that to my attention. You piece of chit!
That would be great, I think Virginia and Tennessee already have gay marriage on the ballot to help out Republicans there. Wouldn't it be marvelous if the Rats picked up zero gains in the Senate, or maybe just one?
I'm looking forward to seeing Kerry get the blame for anything less than running the table, which is what the Rats think they have in the bag.
Kerry meant to insult the President before he insulted the troops.
Of course, this would alienate the moonbats, but we are talking about Tennessee, a largely moonbat free zone.
Regards, Ivan
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