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."
Regards, Ivan
Ping!
Even the mild mannered Michael Barone was steamed like I never saw him.
This impetus, plus Rove's masterful Get Out the Vote operations, could potentially mean Republican gains.
Regards, Ivan
I hear a FReep is in the works.
All Kerry had to do was explain this comment was a Joke about President Bush and APOLOGIZE for any unintended offense and this would be over by now. Kerry instead puffs himself up and blows phoney righteous indignation. The man is a pompous ass!
Regards, Ivan
Guy has a 35+ year career built on trashing the troops.
He needs to resign now to avoid further embarrassment to his friends and family.
"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
"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
Thank GOD he was not elected President! I have rarely seen someone so full of himself. He is like Douglas MacArthur without the ability.
Don't you just LOVE it? LOL!
Licorice: "What my savior and Resuscitator has said is
insulting and it is shameful even to my rodent community.
We will now vote Republican to protect ourselves".
"Kerry: 'I apologize to no one'"
And thats why America will be telling you to 'get lost' you arrogant bastard....
> Morning Mad. Man I am jazzed up
Poor Mr. Kerry, why the long face?
Did you blow another election?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hubris
"See also"
LOL!
Did you just hear Fox & FRiends?
An attorney in Maine was arrested on the side of a freeway He was dressed up like Bin Laden with fake weapons and munitions. He had a sign on his chest saying "I am for lower taxes."
Here is the kicker, this attorney is the guy who LEAKED GW's expunged ticket in the 2000 election.
Kerry claims it was a joke.
The only ones laughing (very nervously) are the Democrats and media wondering if the "swift-boat" frenchman has sunk the 2006 election for them.
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