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."
MadIvan, all I can say if it were a truly a joke, Kerry sure laughs like Lurch, too -- I didn't even see a a hint of a smile and or chuckle on his face. It purely wasn't a joke.
The good news here is that Ketchup boy will NEVER be President. The bad news is that one more skid is greased for Hillary. Though, frankly, I'm, not sure who would be worse.
> The internals must be horrendous.
Fitzmas fizzled, but I am having a very Merry Kerrymas.
> I'm watching that jerk Ellis Hennican spin the Kerry story so fast, I'm dizzy!
Did you know that he is doing Bob Grant's slot on WOR in NYC?
I did not know that.
Kerry on IMUS right now...
Kerry is in the CYA mode and is not doing a very good job at it. Saying he is telling the truth.
I can't believe we nearly lost to this idiot.
Communists never apologize, regardless of whom they harm or murder.
And to think if he had inserted foot into mouth like this in 2003/04, would have saved me and the rest of the anti-kerry pajamahadeen lots of time and work!
Ah well, now if we could only get him out of the Senate. Traitors have no place in service of this country.
Regards, Ivan
Ain't that the truth, Ivan!
2001 Representative Ford supported the interests of the American Coalition for Ethanol 100 percent in 2001.
Snort!
Actually he DIDN'T. That's a misconception pushed by the MSM
Kerry enlisted in the Naval Reserves. I know, I have his 'basic' military records (I sent in an SF-180 on him and got the records two weeks later).
Once again, Jean Francois commits Hari-Kerry.
He "joined" in any case.
Great stuff; thanks for posting this! Kaboom, indeed!
And that, my dear MR. Kerry, is precisely why you are not President today.....
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.