Posted on 01/23/2008 9:50:36 AM PST by SpinyNorman
Sen. John Kerry is calling on Democrats to help presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama avoid the fate he endured in the 2004 election -- "swiftboating" by political foes.
In an e-mail sent out Tuesday to Obama's supporters, Kerry wrote:
"I support Barack Obama because he doesn't seek to perfect the politics of Swiftboating -- he seeks to end it.
"This is personal for me, and for a whole lot of Americans who lived through the 2004 election.
As a veteran, it disgusts me that the Swift Boats we loved while we were in uniform on the Mekong Delta have been rendered, in Karl Rove's twisted politics, an ugly verb meaning to lie about someone's character just to win an election. But as someone who cares about winning this election and changing the country I love, I know it's not enough to complain about a past we can't change when our challenge is to win the future -- which is why we must stop the Swiftboating, stop the push-polling, stop the front groups, and stop the email chain smears.
"The truth matters, but how you fight the lies matters even more. We must be determined never again to lose any election to a lie.
"This year, the attacks are already starting. Some of you may have heard about the disgusting lies about Barack Obama that are being circulated by email. These attacks smear Barack's Christian faith and deep patriotism, and they distort his record of more than two decades of public service. They are nothing short of "Swiftboat" style anonymous attacks.
"These are the same tactics the right has used again and again, and as we've learned, these attacks, no matter how bogus, can spread and take root if they go unchecked.
"But not this time -- we're fighting back.
"And when I say 'we,' I mean that literally. I know Barack is committed to fighting every smear every time. He'll fight hard and stand up for the truth. But he can't do it alone.
"We need you to email the truth to your address books. Print it out and post it at work. Talk to your neighbors. Call your local radio station. Write a letter to the editor. If lies can be spread virally, let's prove to the cynics that the truth can be every bit as persuasive as it is powerful. ...
"Barack Obama is committed to bringing our country together to meet the challenges we face, but he knows that power gives up nothing without a struggle -- and to win the chance to change America, we must first defeat the hateful tactics that have been used to tear us apart for too long. ...
"The fight is just heating up -- we won't let them steal this election with lies and distortions."
© 2008 Newsmax. All rights reserved.
"Gomer Pyle, reporting for doody, Sir".
Looking for the link to Scrappleface...
Nope, J F-in’ Kerry is really bats**t crazy.
Dear Senator Kerry -
You can defeat the “Swiftboaters” with your signature. You can prove them wrong, embarass them and stop the “politics of personal destruction.” You can beat Karl Rove at his own game!
One little signature, Senator Kerry, and the pain stops.
Sign the Form 180.
Respectfully,
Freeper kidd
P.S. If you cannot sign the Form 180, then I suggest that you refrain from any reference to Vietnam, in any way, including using “Swiftboat” as a verb. It makes you look like a hypocritical fool with sour grapes.
No John, just for you. Let it go -- your fellow vets hated your guts (and for good reason), told the world about your lies and treason, and you lost the election. Deal with it.
I noticed that too. I was wondering who the hell he was talking about?
I haven’t heard anyone on the GOP side say anything bad about Obama yet.
What a fool.
I don't think I could stand being in the physical presence of either of the Clintons, or Kerry, or Edwards or Gore.
But I wouldn't mind chatting with the guy.
While I was reading Kerry’s words I thought of the exact same arguments you posted regarding the meaning of the word “swift-boating” (it means to tell the truth about a lying opportunist politician, it does not mean to lie about a politician), and the charge of “anonymous attacks”. The Swift Boat Veterans who attacked John Kerry did so on their web sites and in their books, with their names all out there for the world to see.
In fact, didn’t Kerry try to sue some of the BY NAME, later?
I feel the same way. Although I may not agree with Obama, I believe in his mind he wants what is best for the nation.
Cannot say the same about Hill or Bill.
And am amazed they garner the support they do with real alternatives.
As a vietnam veteran John ‘effin Kerry and his traitorious actions disgust me. The voters of Taxachusetts must be some of the biggest morons living in this country.
LOL!
This is now seared into my memory.
Kerry might come across as a deranged, self-obsessed sore loser, but just you watch. If history is any guide, he’ll make a documentary which will win him an Oscar and springboard it into a Nobel Peace Prize.He needs to find himself an issue.
Hmmmm. Global warming is already taken.
Hey, how 'bout Global Cooling! He can argue for a negative carbon tax!
And that way, the Nobel Committee can cover both sides of the fence. When they give the award to Kerry, they can honestly say they were against global warming before they were for it!
Rich Lowry used the same terminology. I was thinking the same thing, that I have been wondering how the questions about Kerry’s record became unfounded lies. I notice that the relative youth of some of the writers may explain their willingness to accept Kerry’s word about his war record, and many of the rest of the media who accept the use of the term, swiftboating, are willing to believe Kerry simply because it fits their agenda and gives them cover for their own positions on the Vietnam War.
When will they swiftboat hrc?
Obambi is actually swift boating the Clintons. Clintons squeal loudly when the truth is told about them.
Couldn't read past this disgusting POS from the worst person to ever run for POTUS...lies are all he speaks!
Oh you big baby, YOU LOST.
Get over it.
>to lie about someone’s character just to win an election<
Yes, John. And in your case we’ve determined who was doing the lying.
John Kerry betrayed America when he lied about witnessing war crimes. He’s in too deep to reveal the whole truth now.
He is a traitor.
Damn! No matter what, it’s all about Kerry! It is like Bill Clinton.
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