Botched: Assessing the damage done to Democrats (by Kerry)

Newsweek via MSNBC ^ | November 4, 2006 | Susannah Meadows

[meg88]

For the moment, at least, Kerry is simply radioactive among Democrats.

Publicly, some activists were still sticking by him. Mark Gorenberg, his former finance chair for California, told NEWSWEEK he would definitely be with Kerry if he ran in ‘08.

On the ground in New Hampshire, some activists who’d been open to him pre-blunder, were now shutting their doors and turning out the lights. “It’s not that this gaffe was so bad,” says Ann McLane Kuster, a prominent New Hampshire activist, “But it plays into all the traits he has that are out of touch, like using intelligence as a way to distinguish himself rather than compassion. The underlying joke wasn’t funny.”

Not surprisingly, the judgments were a little less diplomatic inside the Beltway. “There is not a Democrat in Washington who thinks John Kerry is a viable presidential candidate after last week,” says a longtime Democratic strategist (who isn’t working for one of Kerry’s potential rivals).

The strategist, who spoke freely and at length about Kerry on the condition of anonymity, says the gaffe reminds Democrats that he is politically inept.

'Among the donors and activists who like to win, this memory will last a long time. Remember, his entire candidacy is based on electability. And when that’s the basis of your candidacy, and you’ve already lost once, amateur hour doesn’t begin to describe John Kerry."

"And that’s without even getting into the personal animus towards the guy.”

[Archytekt]

"His meatballs lay in ruins."


too funny!

[Unmarked Package]

"So ... she gave Kerry an offer he couldn't refuse - go out, drop a wooden shoe in the works, and have a soft landing in a cushy ambassadorship, or take a walk in the park."

That's an interesting theory but I reject it for one critical reason. An arrogant, yet secretly insecure, snob and elitist like Jon Carry would accept death before agreeing to public ridicule and embarrassment. No, I'm quite sure that the ugly slur against our wonderful military came from deep within Jon Carry's dark and vacant soul.

[rightazrain]

I LOVE this quote inside the article from an anomynous Dem strategist:

“ 'This is not something that will linger in pool halls and bars and normal places in America,' he says . . . ."

Ha! Us klutzes in the pool halls and bar-belly-uppers are gonna forget what Jon Carry said about our troops!!!

ROFLMAO!!!

[NonValueAdded]

But Kerry's cowardice is pretty well documented (just not mentioned in the MSM). I'm not sure his personality lets him see the ridicule, otherwise he'd have gone catatonic long ago. That the slur fit with his deeply-held philosophy was merely icing on the gin-soaked raisins.

[TC Rider]

Those pictures with the article are a scream. Self-caricaturing raised to a fine art.

Too bad we can't link them here.

[pray4liberty]

“But it plays into all the traits he has that are out of touch, like using intelligence as a way to distinguish himself rather than compassion. The underlying joke wasn’t funny.”

Compassion and Kerry don't live in the same house.

[TruthWillWin]

A new survey of Democratic voters indicates that in a hypothetical match-up between Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and former presidential nominee John Kerry, most Democrats would choose suicide over either candidate.

LOL

[fuzzthatwuz]

"how else can you explain his political stupidity?

Pure "privileged class" arrogance.

[Bahbah]

Kerry ....explained convincingly that he had simply “botched” the line.

Only Newsweak could possibly say this. He convinced no one.

[xarmydog]

Ambassador to Nicaragua is right up his alley.

[Nav_Mom]

ping

[Aria]

Well said! I especially like "politcal mannequin".
Kerry is easy to dislike. I don't believe it was a botched joke. I think he meant what he said. He is a very screwed up person.
One thing, why is he mooching rides on other people's private jets? Doesn't he have his own?

[roaddog727]

"...amateur hour doesn’t begin to describe John Kerry."

And to think that this is the knucklehead the Dems chose to run for president in '04.

[pray4liberty]

Kerry will think the Swift Boat Vets were a walk in the park compared to the angry lynchmob from his own party that will be after him on Wednesday morning.

They should "swift-boot" him out of the Senate entirely. That is, if they have any self-respect left.

[no dems]

Wow! No one could have done it better that John Kerry. He took himself out for contention in '08 and boosted our side in the midterm elections.

THANK YOU John Heinz Kerry!!

[Eric in the Ozarks]

He meant what he said and said what he meant.

[Darkwolf377]

One thing, why is he mooching rides on other people's private jets? Doesn't he have his own?

Maybe Tereza cut his allowance. YOU try getting by on a couple of hundred grand a month without borrowing from the neighbors occassionally.

[pray4liberty]

Great analysis. You are a real hero to put up with the jerk all these years and tell it like it is. Sen. Joe Biden is equally insufferable and we can never be rid of him, either.

I'm sure all those soldiers Kerry has slandered, wherever they may be, are smiling too!

[Ceoman]

I am at lost for the names of the soldiers that made the sign (I think it was a female)...but whoever they/he/she were...they could probably get a great PR job when they return!

[TET1968]

Newsweek taught Kerry everything he knows:

"But Kerry, never known for his verbal agility, or his sense of humor, mangled what was supposed to be a biting laugh line aimed at the president’s handling of the Iraq mess."

Bald face lie meant to be the historical record. There was no joke. Kerry said exactly what he meant to say...what he's been saying for close to 40 decades.


"Kerry tried to get on top of the problem.
He explained convincingly that he had simply “botched” the line. "

Newsweek translates a weasel's compounded lies as a convincing explanation.