Posted on 08/22/2004 4:40:50 AM PDT by Alas Babylon!
The Talk Shows
Sunday, August 21st, 2004
Guests to be interviewed today on major television talk shows:
FOX NEWS SUNDAY (Fox Network): Van O'Dell of Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.
MEET THE PRESS (NBC): Sen. George Allen, R-Va.; Sen. Jon Corzine, D-N.J.; Kerry campaign adviser Tad Devine; Bush campaign manager Ken Mehlman.
FACE THE NATION (CBS): Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan; Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich.; Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry's daughters, Vanessa and Alexandra.
THIS WEEK (ABC): Former Clinton chief of staff John Podesta; John O'Neill of Swift Boat Veterans for Truth; Kerry economic adviser Gene Sperling; Rep. Rob Portman, R-Ohio.
LATE EDITION (CNN) : David Kay, former chief U.N. weapons inspector; former Sen. Bob Dole, R-Kan.; Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla.; Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn.; Rep. Christopher Cox, R-Calif.; Rep. Jane Harman, D-Calif.; Democratic strategist Donna Brazile; Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas; Rend al-Rahim Francke, chief of Iraq's diplomatic mission in Washington.
"Lieberman was doing his best to defend Kerry on FNS."
Thanks. It's not on here yet. How do you think he did?
Soon Kerry will be sending the Jersey girls to protect him.
We know Chrissy Matthews loves Kristen Breitweiser.
He tried...but, was not IMHO, successful.
As far as I heard, Tim got thru the entire segment without asking why Kerry hadn't followed up on his promise to release all his records....a promise he made personally on Meet the Press!
Because he care more about his election than the good of the country, why else would he sign the campaign-finance law in the first place.
(why give Kennedy his Education bill; why give us the Medicare drug bill; why dramatically increase the size of the non-military government; why . . .)
Russert goes to the Texas links between boater supporters and Bush. Russert lists them all, with emphasis. Mehlman mentions Bacon Game. Tad Devine is smiling broadly at Russert's questioning, like he's saying "You go girl". Tad is obviously trying to unsettle Mehlman, but it's not working.
Russert keeps pushing the connection between Bush and the ad. It's really quite stunning that Russert is so incredulous Mehlman won't just roll over and admit there's a link! Mehlman is doing GREAT. Mehlman keeps saying, Bush has called Kerry's service 'Noble". If Russert isn't as relentless with Devine, I'll puke!
Russert goes after Devine for waiting 3 weeks to go on the attack. Devine spinning right off hte bat, going to the real issues, like jobs and healcare, as if Bush isn't. Devine provides echo chamber for what Russert asked in his questioning of Mehlman.
Russert does good quoting New York Daily News mentioning Kerry's "exaggerations, if not worse". He quotes Kerry on Cambodia. Good work Russert! on Senate floor and from Boston Herald, Russert quotes Kerry himself.
Russert holds Devine's feet to the fire. Devine goes after Bush for never being fired on. Russert holds Devine to the fire again showing moveon.org ad...but wait!!!! just that last ad. NO MENTION Of the year of ads by moveon.org
Russert asks why are the campaigns debating the Viet Nam war? Mehlman should have screamed out. BUSH ISNT! We ARENT THE Swiftboaters!!!! oh well,
This is pissing in the wind.
Mehlman comes across as rational, calm, no hate, no vitriolic attack on Kerry, mostly factual. Devine is getting riled. Mehlman remains so even when Russert uses 2 republicans quotes against Bush. I'm impressed with Mehlman.
Too bad Mehlman muffed just once, sayd RNC when he obviously meant DNC, but He spoke eloquently about how at the Democratic convention, there were 23 seconds spent on Kerry's 20 Missing Years in the Senate.
Russert does good job on questioning Tad about Kerry's war votes on Iraq. Devine does the Halliburton thing. (guess Scooter gets a vacation break today).
Devine won't say whether it's a goal or a promise to bring home troops in 6 months as Kerry promised on NPR
YAHOO! Mehlman points out the fallacy of Kerry promising the enemy they only have to wait 6 months and 1 day before we cut and run. btw.General Franks has said the same thing. that it's stupid to tell the enemy how long you will fight.
All in all, a good interview. Well done!
And I love at the end how Mehlman pointing out that even this morning, Tad continues to attack Bush's National Guard service.
Brit AND Ceci agree that Kerry's campaign is now his "DAMAGED campaign."
THE FACTS ABOUT SENATOR JOHN KERRY (D-MA)
KERRY: DUKAKIS
'S LT. GOV. WHO VOTESOn Key Votes, Kerry Voted 100% Of The Time With Senator Kennedy In 2001, 1999, 1998, 1993, 1992, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, and 1985. Over the course of his Senate career, Kerry has sided with Senator Kennedy 94% of the time for key votes.
As Michael Dukakis' Lt. Governor From 1983-1985, Kerry Supported Granting Prison Furloughs To Hundreds Of Massachusetts Inmates. Later as a U.S. Senator in 1988, he defended the program: "The furlough program in Massachusetts is tougher than the federal program." (John King,
"Bush Surrogate Gets Ambushed In Dukakis Territory," The Associated Press, July 6, 1988)KERRY CLAIMS HE
'S FOR FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY, BUT VOTES FOR HIGHER TAXES, AND AGAINST TAX CUTSKerry Has Voted Against A Balanced Budget Amendment At Least Five Times. Other fiscally irresponsible votes include at least three key votes against lowering overall spending.
Kerry Voted Against President Bush's Tax Cuts, At Least The Tenth Key Anti-Tax Relief Vote Of His Senate Career.
Kerry Voted For The Biggest Tax Increase In American History Under President Clinton.
Kerry Has A Lifetime Rating Of 26% From Citizens Against Government Waste And Is A Long-Time Supporter Of Federal Funding For Boston's "Big Dig." Former Senate Government Affairs Chairman John McCain called the project "the biggest, most costly public works project in U.S. history." The "Big Dig" was estimated to cost $2.6 billion when it was approved in 1985. The cost to date has totaled more than $13.6 billion. (
"Congressional Ratings," Citizens Against Government Waste Website, www.cagw.org, Accessed January 7, 2003; Natalie M. Henry, "Senate Commerce Investigates Overspending On Boston's Big Dig,'" Environment And Energy Daily, May 3, 2000)KERRY IS EXTREME ON ABORTION, SUPPORTING FEDERAL FUNDING AND PARTIAL-BIRTH ABORTIONS
Kerry Voted At Least Three Times Against Banning Partial-Birth Abortions.
Kerry Voted To Allow Federal Funding Of Abortions And To Provide Abortion Counseling In Federally-Funded Clinics.
KERRY IN DEPTH
KERRY: DUKAKIS
'S LT. GOV. WHO VOTESOn Key Votes, Kerry Voted 100% Of The Time With Senator Kennedy In 2001, 1999, 1998, 1993, 1992, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, and 1985. Over the course of his Senate career, Kerry has sided with Senator Kennedy 94% of the time for key votes. (Roll Call Key Votes, http://oncongress.cq.com, December 2001)
Kerry's Lifetime Vote Rating From Americans For Democratic Action Is Five Points Higher Than That Of Fellow Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy. While Kennedy only rates an 88 lifetime average, Kerry has a lifetime average of 93. (Americans For Democratic Action Website, www.adaction.org, Accessed December 9, 2002)
Kerry And Kennedy Had Exactly The Same Low Rating From The American Conservative Union In Both 2001 (4%) And 2000 (12%). Kerry
's lifetime rating from the ACU is 5%. (American Conservation Union Website, www.acuratings.org, Accessed December 9, 2002)Kerry Is Against The Death Penalty.
"I'm opposed to the death penalty in the criminal justice system because I think it's applied unfairly . . . ." (NBC's "Meet The Press," December 1, 2002)Kerry Is An Extreme Environmentalist Who Voted With The Activist Group, The League Of Conservation Voters, An Average Of 95% Of The Time In The Last Three Congresses. (League Of Conservation Voters Website, www.lcv.org, Accessed December 9, 2002)
Kerry Has Voted For At Least Seven Major Reductions In Defense And Military Spending Necessary For Our National Security. (S. 1438, Roll Call Vote #286: Motion agreed to 53-47: R 21-28; D 31-19, September 25, 2001; S. 1087, Roll Call Vote #397: Passed 62-35: R 48-4; D 14-31, September 5, 1995; S. 1298, Roll Call Vote #251: Adopted 50-48: R 6-36; D 44-12, September 9, 1993; S. 3114, Roll Call Vote #182: Motion Rejected 43-49: R 34-5; D 9-44, August 7, 1992; S. 2399, Roll Call Vote #56: Motion rejected 50-48: R 3-40; D 47-8, March 26, 1992; H.R. 2707, Roll Call Vote #182: Motion Rejected 28-69 R 3-39; D 25-30, September 10, 1991; S. 1352, Roll Call Vote #148: Motion agreed to 50-47: R 37-6; D 13-41, June 27, 1989)
As Michael Dukakis' Lt. Governor From 1983-1985, Kerry Supported Granting Prison Furloughs To Hundreds Of Massachusetts Inmates. Later as a U.S. Senator in 1988, he defended the program: "The furlough program in Massachusetts is tougher than the federal program." (John King,
"Bush Surrogate Gets Ambushed In Dukakis Territory," The Associated Press, July 6, 1988)KERRY CLAIMS HE
'S FOR FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY, BUT HAS A HISTORY OF VOTING FOR HIGHER TAXES AND AGAINST TAX CUTSKerry Called For "Fiscal Responsibility," Just Like When He Voted For The 1993 Tax Hike, The Largest In History. "All the Democrats have generally resisted the GOP proposal to make the tax cuts permanent. . . . Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry called for a return to the fiscal responsibility we gave this country in 1993 when we passed the Deficit Reduction Act.'" (Will Lester,
"Top Democrats Complain About Bush Economic Plans, But Some Steer Away From Tax Debate," The Associated Press, October 15, 2002)Kerry Has A Lifetime Rating Of 26% From Citizens Against Government Waste And Is A Long-Time Supporter Of Federal Funding For Boston's "Big Dig." Former Senate Government Affairs Chairman John McCain called the project "the biggest, most costly public works project in U.S. history." The "Big Dig" was estimated to cost $2.6 billion when it was approved in 1985. The cost to date has totaled more than $13.6 billion. (
"Congressional Ratings," Citizens Against Government Waste Website, www.cagw.org, Accessed January 7, 2003; Natalie M. Henry, "Senate Commerce Investigates Overspending On Boston's Big Dig'," Environment and Energy Daily, May 3, 2000)Kerry Voted Against President Bush's Tax Cuts, At Least The Tenth Major Anti-Tax Relief Vote Of His Senate Career. (H.R. 1836, Roll Call Vote #165: Adopted 62-38: R 50-0; D 12-38, May 23, 2001; H. Con. Res. 83, Roll Call Vote #69: Adopted 53-47: R 4-46; D 49-1, April 4, 2001; S. 1429, Roll Call Vote #247: Passed 57-43: R 52-2; D 4-41; I 1-0, July 30, 1999; H.R. 2646, Roll Call Vote #169: Adopted 59-36: R 51-2; D 8-34, June 24, 1998; H.R. 2646, Roll Call Vote #288: Rejected 56-41: R 54-1; D 2-40, October 30, 1997; H. Con. Res. 84, Roll Call Vote #92: Adopted 78-22: R 41-14; D 37-8, May 23, 1997; S. 1028, Roll Call Vote #72: Adopted 52-46: R 5-46; D 47-0, April 18, 1996; H.R. 2264, Roll Call Vote #190: Passed 50-49: R 0-43; D 49-6, June 25, 1993; H. Con. Res. 64, Roll Call Vote #83: Adopted 54-45: R 0-43; D 54-2, March 25, 1993; H.R. 3628, Roll Call Vote #298: Rejected 51-47 (needed 2/3 majority): R 45-0; D 6-47, November 15, 1989)
In September 2001, Kerry Said We Should Not Raise Taxes In An Economic Downturn.
"The first priority is the economy of our nation. And when you have a downturn in the economy, the last thing you do is raise taxes or cut spending. We shouldn't do either. We need to maintain a course that hopefully will stimulate the economy. . . . No, we should not raise taxes, but we have to put everything on the table to take a look at why we have this structural problem today. . . . you don't want to raise taxes." (NBC's "Meet The Press," September 2, 2001)In April 2002, Kerry Said He Wanted A Larger Tax Cut And Was "Not In Favor Of" A Repeal. CNN's Tucker Carlson: "Senator Kerry, . . . [many Democrats] [g]et a lot of political mileage out of criticizing [President Bush's tax cut], but nobody has the courage to say repeal it. Are you for repealing it?" Kerry: "It's not a question of courage. . . . And it's not an issue right now. We passed appropriately a tax cut as a stimulus, some $40 billion. Many of us thought it should have even maybe been a little bit larger this last year . . . . [T]he next tax cut doesn't take effect until 2004. If we can grow the economy enough between now and then, if we have sensible policies in place and make good choices, who knows what our choices will be. So it's simply not a ripe issue right now. And I'm not in favor of turning around today and repealing it." (CNN
In December 2002, Kerry Flip-Flopped. NBC's Tim Russert: "Senator . . . should we freeze or roll back the Bush tax cut?" Kerry: "Well, I wouldn't take away from people who've already been given their tax cut . . . . What I would not do is give any new Bush tax cuts. . . ." Russert: "So the tax cut that's scheduled to be implemented in the coming years . . . ." Kerry: "No new tax cut under the Bush plan. . . . It doesn't make economic sense." Russert: "Now, this is a change, because let me show you what you said in September of 2001 when I asked you the very same question." (NBC
Kerry Voted At Least Five Times To Raid The Social Security Trust Fund. (H.R. 2014, Roll Call Vote #211: Conference Report Agreed To 92-8: R 55-0; D 37-8, July 31, 1997; H.R. 2264, Roll Call Vote #247: Conference Report Agreed To 50-50, With Vice President Gore Voting Yea: R 0-44; D 50-6, August 6, 1993; H.Con.Res. 268, Roll Call Vote #167: Conference Report Agreed To 58-29: R 21-20; D 37-9, June 6, 1988; H.R. 3545, Roll Call Vote #419: Conference Report Agreed To 61-28: R 18-23; D 43-5, December 21, 1987; H.R. 3128, Roll Call Vote #379: Conference Report Agreed To 78-1: R 40-1; D 38-0, December 19, 1985)
KERRY IS EXTREME ON ABORTION, SUPPORTING FEDERAL FUNDING OF ABORTIONS AND PARTIAL-BIRTH ABORTIONS
Kerry Voted At Least Three Times Against Banning Partial-Birth Abortions. (H.R. 1833, Roll Call Vote #596: Adopted 54-44: R 45-8; D 9-36, December 7, 1995; H.R. 1833, Roll Call Vote #301: Veto Override Rejected 57-41: R 45-6; D 12-35, September 26, 1996; H.R. 1122, Roll Call Vote #277: Veto Override Rejected 64-36: R 51-4; D 13-32, September 18, 1998)
KERRY'S KEY VOTES 107th Congress, 2001 Senate Votes Against The Bush Tax Cut: Kerry voted against a $1.35 trillion tax cut package to reduce income-tax rates, alleviate the
For Reducing Size Of The Tax Cut: Kerry voted to reduce Bush's proposed tax cut ceiling by $448 billion over 10 years. (H. Con. Res. 83, Roll Call Vote #69: Adopted 53-47: R 4-46; D 49-1, April 4, 2001) |
Against Ashcroft Nomination: Kerry voted against confirming John Ashcroft to be Attorney General. (Roll Call Vote #8: Confirmed 58-42: R 50-0; D 8-42, February 1, 2001) |
106th Congress, 1999-2000 Senate Votes |
Against Genetic Privacy: Kerry voted against approving a GOP plan to restrict use of genetic information by health insurers. (Amendment To H.R. 4577, Roll Call Vote #165: Amendment Passed 58-40: R 55-0; D 3-40, June 29, 2000) |
For Expanding Hate Crime Protections: Kerry voted to include gender, sexual orientation and disability in federal hate crime protections. (Amendment To S. 2549, Roll Call Vote #136: Amendment Passed 57-42: R 13-41; D 44-1, June 20, 2000) |
Against Reducing Taxes: Kerry voted against reducing federal taxes by $792 billion over 10 years. (S. 1429, Roll Call Vote #247: Passed 57-43: R 53-2; D 4-41, July 30, 1999) |
105th Congress, 1997-98 Senate Votes |
Against Banning Partial-Birth Abortion: Kerry voted against a ban on "partial-birth" abortions. (H.R. 1122, Roll Call Vote #277: Rejected 64-36: R 51-4; D 13-32, September 18, 1998) |
Against Banning Cloning: Kerry voted against allowing vote to ban human cloning. (S. 1601, Roll Call Vote #10: Cloture Motion Rejected 42-54: R 42-12; D 0-42, February 11, 1998) |
Against Educational Savings Accounts: Kerry voted against allowing a vote to create educational savings accounts. (H.R. 2646, Roll Call Vote #288: Cloture Motion Rejected 56-41: R 54-1; D 2-40, October 30, 1997) |
Against Fiscally Responsible Budget: Kerry voted against approving a GOP budget to cut spending and taxes. (H. Con. Res. 84, Roll Call Vote #92: Adopted 78-22: R 41-14; D 37-8, May 23, 1997) |
Against Balanced-Budget Amendment: Kerry voted against approving a balanced-budget constitutional amendment. (S.J. Res. 1, Roll Call Vote #24: Rejected 66-34: R 55-0; D 11-34, March 4, 1997) |
104th Congress, 1995-96 Senate Votes |
Against Balancing The Budget: Kerry voted against a bipartisan plan to balance the budget in seven years. (S. Con. Res. 57, Roll Call Vote #150: Rejected 46-53: R 22-30; D 24-23, May 23, 1996) |
Against Tort Reform: Kerry voted against allowing a vote to approve a cap on punitive damages in product liability cases. (H.R. 956, Roll Call Vote #152: Rejected 47-52: R 45-9; D 2-43, May 4, 1995) |
103rd Congress, 1993-94 Senate Votes |
Against Spending Reductions: Kerry voted to kill an amendment to reduce budget spending by $94 billion. (H.R. 3759, Roll Call Vote #35: Motion To Table Adopted 65-31: R 23-19; D 42-12, February 9, 1994) |
For The Largest Tax Increase In American History: Kerry voted to pass Clinton's budget that raised taxes and cut spending. (H.R. 2264, Roll Call Vote #247: Adopted 51-50: R 0-44; D 50-6, With Vice President Gore Voting "Yea," August 6, 1993) |
102nd Congress, 1991-92 Senate Votes |
Against Stopping Missile Defense Spending Cuts: Kerry voted against a motion to kill an amendment that proposed deeper cuts in SDI spending. (S. 3114, Roll Call Vote #182: Motion To Table Rejected 43-49: R 34-5; D 9-44, August 7, 1992) |
Against School Choice: Kerry voted against approving a school-choice pilot program. (S. 2, Roll Call Vote #5: Rejected 36-57: R 33-6; D 3-51, January 23, 1992) |
Against Thomas Nomination: Kerry voted against confirming Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court. (Roll Call Vote #220: Confirmed 52-48: R 41-2; D 11-46, October 15, 1991) |
For Defense Spending Reductions: Kerry voted to transfer $3.1 billion to domestic programs from Defense department accounts. (H.R. 2707, Roll Call Vote #182: Motion Rejected 28-69 R 3-39; D 25-30, September 10, 1991) |
Against Persian Gulf War: Kerry voted against authorizing the use of force in the Persian Gulf. (S.J. Res. 2, Roll Call Vote #2: Passed 52-47: R 42-2; D 10-45, January 12, 1991) |
101st Congress, 1989-90 Senate Votes |
Against Flag Burning Amendment: Kerry voted against a constitutional amendment on flag desecration. (S.J. Res. 332, Roll Call Vote #128: Rejected 58-42: R 38-7; D 20-35, June 26, 1990) |
Against Parental Notification For Minors' Abortions: Kerry voted to kill an amendment requiring parental notice for minors' abortions. (H.R. 5257, Roll Call Vote #266: Motion To Table Rejected 48-48: R 8-34; D 40-14, October 12, 1990) |
Against Considering A Capitol Gains Tax Cut: Kerry voted against allowing a vote on a capital gains tax cut. (H.R. 3628, Roll Call Vote #295: Motion To Table Rejected 51-47 (Needed 2/3 Majority): R 45-0; D 6-47, November 14, 1989) |
100th Congress, 1987-88 Senate Votes |
Against Death Penalty For Drug-Related Murders: Kerry voted against approving the death penalty for drug-related murders. (S. 2455, Roll Call Vote #175: Passed 65-29: R 37-6; D 28-23, June 10, 1988) |
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GWB rep on MTP just said he doesn't think GWB will be going to the Olympics. He did say, however, that he wasn't in charge of scheduling.
Britt brings up the Washington Post story. The Viet war record will come back to damage his campaign.
CeeCee is saying the anti-war activities is what will hurt him.
Kristol: I think the Post story shows Kerry has not made records available. Kerry applealed to his band of brothers..and the Swift boat vets are also a band of brothers. Cambodia story--hurt Kerry
Chris Matthews, who I now loathe, has been sold and I can tell you just who his patron saint is.
At least by my estimate and I'm sticking to it.
Chrissy made his deal with Ronald Reagan Jr. and the proof can be found with his show.
First, Chrissy got the first full hour interview with the hypocritical son of one of our greatest presidents.
Remember that "softball" interview he gave to Kerry after some incident that caused a bunch of brouhaha in the press? Ron junior called up Chrissy and asked him to give Kerry a chance to speak. Chrissy sold his journalistic sould and agreed.
Then, one night ole Chrissy devoted almost an entire show to the speech Laura Bush gave over the problems with raising false hopes over the stem cell issue.
Chrissy did everything in his power to put down the First Lady, had plenty of guests that put her down as well, and the dolt even stated, and I paraphrase, "Laura Bush is going to receive a lot of flak over this."
Which Mrs. Bush did not but certainly not for lack of trying by the very honest may he burn in hell Chris Matthews.
Again, Ron jr called Chris and asked him to sponsor a show over Laura Bush's remarks and Chris did the deed.
Chris Matthews goes to bed every night wishing he were Tim Russert. Chris dreams that he should be Tim Russert.
He needed a 'sponsor' to propel him to great heights that the American public should admire his journalistic expertise as landing this famous no-nothing Ron jr who would be a total zero were it not for his wonderful father.
Chris is a shell of a man struggling to be something more than he is. Then his show with Thurlow and MAlkin and trust that Chris rolled up his sleeves and told MSNBC that he could handle those upstarts who would dare question Kerry's bravery.
With dreams of showing Tim Russert to be a wimp, Chris went out there and beat the hell out of a brave hero, Thurlow, and dear God the way he treated sweet Michelle, welll...
He looked like a bully and nothing more.
Interesting that no one has publicly asked Kerry to sign the SF-180
People who built and maintained roads in the early days of our country put a "pike" [long pole] across the road at certain points. Travellers had to pay the keeper to turn the pike, in order to continue on the road.
Kristol is quoting from the book....makes me wonder if behind the scenes McCain is in agreement with the SB Vets.
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