Mama T on Moms: Teresa Heinz Kerry pulls off the rare and amusing triple gaffe. [Hugh Hewitt]

The Weekly Standard ^ | October 21, 2004 | Hugh Hewitt

[quidnunc]

I understand moms don't read websites. Moms don't blog either (except for, say, MommyPundit or 200 other momblogs) or read newspapers or magazines. They probably don't even vote.

At least Teresa Heinz Kerry should hope they don't.

When the would-be first lady decided to take a shot at Laura Bush in yesterday's USA Today by stating that Mrs. Bush had never held a "real job," she committed the rarest of things — a triple gaffe. Like triple plays in baseball, these are rarely seen in these days of well-coached candidates and spouses. But Tuesday's was one for the ages.

First, it is bad form — very bad form — to speak in anything other than the most complimentary terms of your opponent's spouse. It's just tacky. But after the assault on Mary Cheney's privacy by John Kerry, Mary Beth Cahill, and Elizabeth Edwards, I guess more appearances of the merely tacky should not surprise.

Blunder two was to denigrate, by omission, the professions of teacher and librarian. Ms. H-K quickly figured out these were interest groups in good standing in the Democratic party and rushed out an apology: She had "forgotten" Laura's service as both. Not believable, of course, but acceptable damage control.

-snip-

[RonDog]

From www.weeklystandard.com:

Mama T on Moms
Teresa Heinz Kerry pulls off the rare and amusing triple gaffe.
by Hugh Hewitt
10/21/2004 12:00:00 AM

I UNDERSTAND moms don't read websites. Moms don't blog either (except for, say, MommyPundit or 200 other momblogs) or read newspapers or magazines. They probably don't even vote.

At least Teresa Heinz Kerry should hope they don't.

When the would-be first lady decided to take a shot at Laura Bush in yesterday's USA Today by stating that Mrs. Bush had never held a "real job," she committed the rarest of things--a triple gaffe. Like triple plays in baseball, these are rarely seen in these days of well-coached candidates and spouses. But Tuesday's was one for the ages.

First, it is bad form--very bad form--to speak in anything other than the most complimentary terms of your opponent's spouse. It's just tacky. But after the assault on Mary Cheney's privacy by John Kerry, Mary Beth Cahill, and Elizabeth Edwards, I guess more appearances of the merely tacky should not surprise.

Blunder two was to denigrate, by omission, the professions of teacher and librarian. Ms. H-K quickly figured out these were interest groups in good standing in the Democratic party and rushed out an apology: She had "forgotten" Laura's service as both. Not believable, of course, but acceptable damage control.

The worst part of the Ms. H-K triple feature was failing to mention Laura Bush's "real job" as a mom. The apology crafters were no doubt in a bind when it came time to deal with that oversight. It would be hard to claim that Ms. H-K had "forgotten" the twins, but she couldn't exactly double-down on the status of mom not being that of a real job. So they said nothing. Mistake again. She ought to have begged the forgiveness of the tens of millions of American moms wondering: "What am I, a potted plant?"

A century ago--in a different era, certainly, but with still applicable wisdom--Teddy Roosevelt wrote about the "real job" of mothering:

"No ordinary work done by a man is either as hard or as responsible as the work of a woman who is bringing up a family of small children; for upon her time and strength demands are made not only every hour of the day but often every hour of the night. She may have to get up night after night to take care of a sick child, and yet must by day continue to do all her household duties as well; and if the family means are scant she must usually enjoy even her rare holidays taking her whole brood of children with her. The birth pangs make all men the debtors of all women. Above all our sympathy and regard are due to the struggling wives among those whom Abraham Lincoln called the plain people, and whom he so loved and trusted; for the lives of these women are often led on the lonely heights of quiet, self-sacrificing heroism."

Teddy was himself a tremendous politician because he was full of good spirit and an appreciation for what Americans appreciated--especially their moms. Of the Kerrys perhaps the best thing that can be offered is the explanation that the super rich aren't like you or me, and cannot be expected to understand that most moms have very real, very difficult jobs. Is this the defining gaffe of the new millennium? For the time being, at least. But don't rule out the possibility of even more eyebrow-raisers as there are 12 days left. Would somebody please ask either or both of them what they think of apple pie?

Hugh Hewitt is the host of a nationally syndicated radio show, and author most recently of If It's Not Close, They Can't Cheat: Crushing the Democrats in Every Election and Why Your Life Depends Upon It.
His daily blog can be found at HughHewitt.com.

© Copyright 2004, News Corporation, Weekly Standard, All Rights Reserved.

[Irish Eyes]

John Kerry and his Wife are two of the most obnoxious people ever to be in politics.

I agree.. I just can not understand why so many others seem to think differently. Sad to say most that are going to vote have never even heard of kerrys wife.

The MSM have put it into peoples heads that Bush is bad, kerry is good. I would be overjoyed to see on Nov 3 that I am wrong about the lack of common sense among so many of the uninformed.

[OKIEDOC]

One look at Tayrayzah tells you that sKerry did not marry her for looks or love. However she is not as ugly in the face as Skerry. Skerry is what us good ole boys call BUTT UGLY.

[RonDog]

See also THIS thread:

Teresa Issues Apology, White House Says Apology Not Enough
	Posted by gopwinsin04 On News/Activism 10/20/2004 3:09:43 PM PDT · 313 replies · 9,322+ views ABC News ^ | 10/20/04 | Marc Ambinder

[cyn]

I took the "say it ain't so!" innocent victim approach. Let's see what if any feedback I get on it.

[Irish Queen]

Yup, the most charming thing about Ms. Heinz Kerry is her money.

[Kryptonite]

Sums up my feelings but replace Schieffer with Gibson.

[Kryptonite]

You are so right. Terrorayza wasn't just dissing Laura as a teacher, she dissed her as a stay at home mom.

[maine-iac7]

Here's a link to bio info on the Kerrys = Explains a lot!

http://home.att.net/~kimmel_a/Thersea_Heinz_kerry.htm
Kerrys grandfather! (Kerry is not family name - was changed to disguise background)
Excerpt: "Fritz Kohn is a European Jew with a questionable past who immigrates to America. He starts in Chicago but quickly moves to Boston where he is executed ( suicide ) in a hotel toilet. He has a son called Richard who marries a girl named Forbes ( old Jewish family ). They have John Kerry who marries Thorne , divorces and marries Theirstein."(mama T's maiden name)

Also has infamous photo of one of Kerry's daughters in a see thru evening gown. The MSM HOUNDS Jenna and Barbara Bush - but this gal gets a free pass?

[ladyinred]

It is not acceptable damage control, it is a lie. The entire democrat team does nothing but lie, all the while calling Bush a liar. I am terrified these evil people are going to destroy this nation.

[cyn]

Yeah, that sounds good -- humor is so needed right now!

I'm wanting to see someone photoshop her into some Olympic event (high dive?) in a triple gaffe.

[Grampa Dave]

Laura versus MaMa T Rex

Really, there should be no questions, here!

[beyond the sea]

I wish that teachers would vote against Kerry, but it ain't gonna happen

I think you are wrong on that. After seeing this item, there may be a great number of them who vote against the evil, pompous duo!

[beyond the sea]

Would somebody please ask either or both of them what they think of apple pie?

After that First Lady Cookie Bake-off, I know Teraaaaaaaaayza can't bake one!!!

[beyond the sea]

They keep this up and we won't need an October Surprise.

Those comments are the October surprise.

Someone needs to put together some KERRY-EDWARDS yard signs with the words, "Laura Bush Never Had a Real Job" underneath their names..... instead of the words "A Stronger America".

Someone who can do it, please do it!

[MeekOneGOP]

Thank you sir, for posting the FULL TEXT!

For enquiring minds that wanna know. Here is the MUST EXCERPT list.

I say: "Don't be a quid-er. Post the FULL TEXT when possible!" :^D

[jporcus]

Teachers will accept the put-down by Teresa that their jobs are not "real jobs" - so long as they get their money if Kerry gets in.

[MeekOneGOP]

But don't rule out the possibility of even more eyebrow-raisers
as there are 12 days left. Would somebody please ask either or
both of them what they think of apple pie?

I'm sure they would be all AGAINST it. It's TOO "American"
for them. After all, Mama T IS from Africa, not America !

If I only had a brain!

[MeekOneGOP]

LOL!

[RonDog]

See also THIS thread:

TERESA: TEACHING ISN'T A 'REAL JOB' - NRO Kerry Spot
NRO Kerry Spot ^ | 10-20-2004 | Jim Geraghty
Posted on 10/20/2004 9:32:45 AM PDT by sitetest

TERESA: TEACHING ISN'T A 'REAL JOB' [10/20 12:19 PM]

From USA Today interview with Teresa Heinz Kerry:

Q: You'd be different from Laura Bush?
A: Well, you know, I don't know Laura Bush. But she seems to be calm, and she has a sparkle in her eye, which is good.
But I don't know that she's ever had a real job — I mean, since she's been grown up.

What arrogance. Stunning, unmitigated arrogance!

From the White House:

Inspired by her second grade teacher, she earned a bachelor of science degree in education from Southern Methodist University in 1968. She then taught in public schools in Dallas and Houston. In 1973 she earned a master of library science degree from the University of Texas at Austin and worked as a public school librarian in Austin [until 1977].

Hey, teachers, librarians: Teresa Heinz Kerry says your work isn't a "real job"!

We can't all be ketchup heiresses, you know.

CLICK HERE for the rest of that thread

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