Charles Krauthammer - Crying wolf

townhall.com ^ | 2/20/04 | Charles Krauthammer

[kattracks]

WASHINGTON -- As the Democrats enter the final stages of their primary race, the emerging story is how the Republicans are preparing to go negative in the general election with a campaign of singular viciousness against John Kerry.

Kerry's spokespeople have already sounded the alarm, warning darkly that ``the right-wing smear machine'' is gearing up, and declaring amusingly that ``it's time for George W. Bush to call off his right-wing slime machine.''

When exactly was it called on? No matter. A CNN anchor dutifully picks up the theme, noting ``how ugly this is turning so early on.''

Republicans turning ugly?

You are an average citizen following the election campaign so far. What have you gleaned from the wall-to-wall cable news coverage of the candidates' debates, rallies and victory/concession speeches?

First, that President Bush has ``deceived'' (Al Sharpton), ``misled'' (John Kerry, Howard Dean), indeed, outright ``lied'' (Kucinich) us into a pointless and ruinous war that, as Kerry's chief campaign surrogate, Edward Kennedy, thunders, was ``made up in Texas'' for pure political advantage. Hence, Bush's hands are dripping with the blood of 500 brave soldiers who died for a lying president seeking better poll numbers.

[JohnHuang2]

Hey, you move around so fast, I'm gettin' a lil' dizzy here...hehe ;-)

[Travis McGee]

Kraut is okay, but he can't hold a pen to Mark Steyn. Not close. Plus, Kraut is an outspoken gun grabber.

[dixiechick2000]

I babysit 3 munchkins...I'm always on the move.
I multi-task very well, too. It's my life. ;o)

[JohnHuang2]

That 'splains it! :-)

[dixiechick2000]

;o)

It has been very good to *see* you, my FRiend. I pray that you, and yours, are well.

[MEG33]

New Dem Dictionary

Smear,slime.....
1. tell the truth
2.accurately depict

[JohnHuang2]

bump!

[JohnHuang2]

Why, thank you :-) Same here.

[lainde]

bttt

[CyberAnt]

And .. Mara dutifully followed suit, making the statement that "it's just going to get worse, once the republicans get into the campaign". Thankfully, Fred Barnes challenged her and basically said what Mara was doing was blaming the repubs for doing something they hadn't even done yet, and he contended had no intention of doing. Then Fred continued to outline what the dems had been saying about the repubs .. and it showed very clearly that the dems were the ones making the race nasty. It was stunning! I've never seen Fred so animated. Mara knew she had been had too.

[Aeronaut]

Thanks for the ping John.

[JohnHuang2]

Welcome, my friend, and G'morning to ya.

[Aeronaut]

Hey John. I just read another great Krauthammer piece here. The man can write clearly and deeply. Thanks for all your research.

[Puzzleman]

This same piece appears today in The Washington Post under the title, "The Democrats' Smear Race." There is one major difference between the two articles, however. The Washington Post omitted the last two paragraphs which read,

"Which is why Kerry prefers to pre-empt any examination of his record by warning in advance of a coming Republican `smear campaign.'

"It would be a clever attempt at political insulation were it not so transparent. Instead, coming after weeks of unrelenting anti-Bush calumny, it is an impressive display of chutzpah. Kerry may or may not win the presidency, but he has already won the 2004 Captain Renault award."

[Right_in_Virginia]

BTTT

[MeekOneGOP]

The Krauthammer hits a homer ! ...

[MeekOneGOP]

My gosh ! Thanks for pointing that out. It bears repeating !:

This same piece appears today in The Washington Post under the title, "The Democrats' Smear Race." There is one major difference between the two articles, however. The Washington Post omitted the last two paragraphs which read,

"Which is why Kerry prefers to pre-empt any examination of his record by warning in advance of a coming Republican `smear campaign.'

"It would be a clever attempt at political insulation were it not so transparent. Instead, coming after weeks of unrelenting anti-Bush calumny, it is an impressive display of chutzpah. Kerry may or may not win the presidency, but he has already won the 2004 Captain Renault award."

[ken5050]

Don't know if it's been posted, or discussed..but a few days ago I caught a rerun on C-span of Krauthammer's sppech to the AEI on receiving the Iving Kristol award..he was introduced by VP Cheney, BTW..his topic was foreign policy, and it was superb....might be worth while positng the text, and pinging the troops..it's worth a discussion thread..he had some great lines..my fav was about the Dems "plans" to internationalize Iraq by bringing in the europeans..Krauthammer had if that happened, the French would be "catering" Bagdad tday..

[hobson]

Here it is:

Krauthammer "Democratic Realism"

[MeekOneGOP]