Posted on 09/01/2004 11:59:21 AM PDT by UnklGene
Kerry Shifts -
By The Prowler Published 9/1/2004 12:08:37 AM
THE LOCKHART MONSTER Tuesday afternoon, the Sen. John Kerry's presidential campaign announced that former Clinton press secretary Joe Lockhart was taking a formal role on the sputtering campaign as a senior adviser.
The Prowler had reported last week that Lockhart was one of a handful of former Clinton advisers looking to jump aboard the listing campaign as advisers. But Kerry himself late Monday night decided that Lockhart's communications skills and relationships with the national press were too critical to keep off to the side.
"Lockhart's elevation is the first sign that Kerry is trying to fix whatever isn't quite right with his campaign," says a Democratic political strategist in New York, who is no longer doing work for the Kerry campaign. "He doesn't solve all the problems, but it's not like there are a lot of people Kerry can bring on. Everyone who is anyone is working on this campaign. There is no bench for Kerry to draw on. I think he needs to toss a few bodies overboard."
Lockhart will no doubt be taking a more visible role in the campaign, perhaps replacing Tad Devine, who has been serving as one of the most visible faces for the campaign on TV, but who is thought by some Kerry advisers to be too grating and aggressive for television audiences. How a pitbull scowler like Lockhart might be an improvement isn't clear.
Lockhart has apparently already shaken up the Kerry communications shop, installing former Clinton adviser Joel Johnson as head of Kerry's rapid response team. Johnson cut his teeth as an operative for Sen. Tom Daschle and from the Clinton years is best remembered for being a point man against the National Rifle Association and gun-owner rights.
SWIFT RECOVERY On Tuesday morning, John Kerry met again with senior advisers to look over the speech he will make later today in Nashville to the American Legion, and to continue preparing for the coming presidential debates.
According to Kerry insiders, the candidate will attack his Swift Boat Veterans for Truth critics, by claiming it was he who stood up for veterans and the missing in action during his days in the Senate. "This is going to be the big pushback," says a Kerry adviser. "He will take this Swift Boat guys on, and then put the debate to rest. He isn't going to let this spin out of control for days on end. We won't let it."
That some inside the Kerry campaign believe they can still set the debate or at least the discussion from day to day on their terms shows how some Democratic insiders may still underestimate the power of the Swift Boat ads and message, as well as the palpable downshift in the campaign momentum.
"The Republicans have had three good weeks. Let's be realistic and honest about this. Just three good weeks," says the Kerry adviser in Washington. "We've had three good months. Once their convention is over, the American people will be able to size up the candidates and the issues. Our guy will win that comparison."
Kerry intends to renew his campaign, with a new message and tweaked stump speech almost immediately following the conclusion of President Bush's acceptance speech. Kerry will be in Ohio with veep candidate John Edwards and their spouses to begin two-day bus tours in the pivotal state.
Wooops.. must have brought the wrong speech. He didnt say a word.
Kerry windsurfs to Cambodia to look for proof he was there.
I think these people really believe this.
"Joined the Dark Side, Kerry has. Lies, deception, creating mistrust are his ways now."
It figures: Mel Levine had the worst attendance record of all congressmen right before he lost his Santa Monica-area seat to a challenger back in the early '90s. Levine only served one term, and rarely showed up to vote. He spent most of his time on vacation and attending fundraisers -- lots and lots of fundraisers. People stopped donating to him when he missed some abortion rights-related vote on the House floor, though he raked in loads of cash from the abortion lobby. He managed to leave office with a huge pile of donation money.
Mel Levine was also one of the worst check-bouncing offenders in the 'House Banking Scandal' of the early '90s. If anyone has that list handy, you'll find Mel Levine near the top.
CLINTON - there's your kiss of death for the Kerry Campaign. It expired on August 31, 2004.
He didn't really want to say what was in the speech, and wanted to say some things that weren't in the speech, but his speechwriters insisted. I guess they threatened to hold their breath until they turned blue in the face.
Soon, we'll be hearing Kerry say, "well, that all depends on what the definition of Cambodia is."
Not really a good idea. With Clinton you're either blowing him or he's screwing you, but there isn't too much in between.
Now there's the guy that knows what's going on!
I'm as removed from the Kerry campaign as that bum, so allow me?
Joe Lockhart was a press secretary, right?
A presidential press secretary fields questions from the press and about the federal government as it relates to present and ongoing issues.
Inasmuch as Lockhart is now the big kahuna in charge of damage control, [get real ... what other useful purpose could this guy serve?] we will be looking, once again, on nightly alphabet news [?] shows, at that patented Lockhart "deer caught in the glare of headlights" facial expression, claiming Kerry is right where he intended to be, at this point in time, in the race for early retirement and a permanent vacation in gay Paree'.
The Swifties have firmly established the ground rules.
The Swifties have even pre-empted any "apology" trial balloon with what would be an acceptable apology.
And Kerry can only sit and sweat over what the Swifties have yet to hit him with. At least 8-9 more ads, each one more damning than the first.
Swifties - over 30 years of steaming hot revenge being slowly shoved up Kerry's rear end on a weekly basis.
Kerry can hire all the Clintools he wants. They are only used to fighting political battles.
To the Swifties; this is no political battle.
Lipstick on the pig.
Swifties - over 30 years of steaming hot revenge being slowly shoved up Kerry's rear end on a weekly basis.
What goes around, comes around.
Has it occurred to the democrats that putting all the same Clinton spinners (e.g. Lockhard, Lanny Davis, etc.)out front for Kerry might not exactly enhance their candidate's credibility?
Ya know....the more I think about it, the more I can understand the frustration dumbocrats must be feeling in this election campaign.
I cannot believe this guy is the best they can come up with!
If I can come one step toward understanding it -- imagine how it must make them FEEL!!!
Windsurfing To Cambodia, LOL (RIP Spalding)
"Joined the Dark Side, Kerry has."
Joined? He is a charter member.
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