Posted on 08/19/2004 5:51:34 PM PDT by kcinnh
XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX THU AUG 19, 2004 17:45:25 ET XXXXX
EMPIRE STRIKES BACK AGAINST ANTI-KERRY VETS
More than 3 weeks after the DRUDGE REPORT began shooting up flares warning of an impending campaign battle surrounding former Vietnam veterans who would not support John Kerry for president -- the media empire strikes back!
In a series of world exclusives begging in late July, this space outlined and detailed the coming book UNFIT FOR COMMAND -- a book which now sits at the top of the charts -- and the top of Friday's NY TIMES.
TIMES editor Bill Keller has reserved the lead of Page One for "the story of how swift boat veterans with a grievance were found by Republicans looking to tarnish Kerry's image," newsroom sources tell DRUDGE.
"A modern day tale of the creation of a political attack machine," declares TIMES reporter Jim Ruttenburg.
The TIMES plans to piggyback on comments made by John Kerry on Thursday against allegations that he exaggerated his combat record in Vietnam.
Kerry accused President Bush of using a Republican front group "to do his dirty work."
"Some of the veterans have recanted their stories and made charges that military records prove untrue," the TIMES explains in its 3,500-world splash, which has been previewed by DRUDGE.
Impacting late Thursday.
The two salesclerks went into absolute hissy fits about why they don't have the book...
...their bottom line....It's the publishers fault!
They were truly irate....and I heard one gal say..."Please someone, put a sign on the window that we DON'T have the book!!!"
They told me they're getting yelled at on the phone by customers who want the book and believe B & B are withholding it from them!
Super! More legs for the Swift Vets tail.
Is that Alan Keyes in the picture after he wins Il?
Typical Liberal response, time the hit on a Friday so there can be no response until after the weekend (i.e. Bush drunk driving story, Arnold grope-gate). Got to love how the Kerry campaign coordinated with the Post and Times on his response. They're worse than Moveon.org.
I am always suspicious when the media and the dems attack a republican or anti-dem source and the republicans claim it's a good thing, it gets exposure for the issue, or whatever. The media will always protray the dem as the good guy, etc. The media have gone on their merry way while Soros spends millions, yet a "Texan" (MY GOD!) gives money so some veterans can exercise their freedom of speech, and it's an attack, it's gutter politics, etc. That the media were all over the National Guard story yet are covering Kerry's rice-filled butt on this one is not a shock.
When I first heard this latest twist, I thought "Well, that's it, the vets' story is deflated". And then I read below the headlines....
Taking all things into consideration--the media CYA operation; the fact that the vets will not back down; Kerry's lies and attempt to change the subject from his lies to "Bush hiding behind his attack dogs," I have to say, with all honesty, that this is a big, big minus for Kerry, and there just ain't no way to say otherwise.
People claim to dislike negative campaigning, but negative campaigning is in the eye of the beholder. By opening yet ANOTHER front in the Vietnam War War (30-something years and counting), Kerry is bringing Vietnam into the fore yet again.
Please, someone, point out to me all of these polls that show Vietnam is an issue in this election.
It is an issue only in Kerry's mind, because it's about image, control issues, and his sense of entitlement ot the job.
This simply is NOT a winning issue for Kerry, and he stepped right in it. He may get a couple days good press, because the media are fighting for him, and now they get to do what they love best--make the Democrats look like victims, hoping that feeds the sense of victimhood in poor, minority and senior voters.
I don't see people voting for a president out of sympathy, or over Vietnam.
If I'm wrong, please explain.
Initially I think the Bush folks were sorry this story was so hot, because it represented a variable to their carefully crafted campaign strategy. It looks like, however, Rove and Company have adjusted and will move forward on message while Kerry flails away.
That is good!! Great pic.
Yes.
You are correct. The force is with us. But...check the tagline.
Bush = Honesty, Straight forward, Leadership
Kerry = wishy washy, liar, ran the other way in Viet Nam
The public can tell who is who.
Go Alan K!!
WWWWOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
Mr Kerry needs more than the $1,000 haircut guy to help now!!
Save the double-crostic every second Sunday for me, though, willya?
HEY ! IT'S LURCH BEFORE THE BOTOX !
Or after Theressssssa gets him when he loses!!
Maybe BUSH and ROVE should tell Gillespie to hold back some of the cash....This is good enough advertising and its FREE!
Impressive!
Can you imagine how bad the land slide would be, if the media covered both sides the same? I believe there has to be a special punishment in the afterlife for the pond scum who pretend to be balance "journalist" but are only tools for power democrats.
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