The Debate to have live on TV: Kerry vs. O'Neil one on one...

[nicktom]

What if Kerry challenged swift boat spokesmen John O'Neil to a live debate on a program such as MTP or even Faux. Kind of a update from the Dick Cavet in the early 70's.

I really think that these swift boat clowns have had an effect on the polls. If JFK can have an opportunity to confront these guys with the official Navy records in hand as well as sworn testimonials from his crew, which would be as valid as the ones in the swift boat ads/book he could possibly dull their effects.

I know it might be premature for this type of challenge by Kerry but eventually Kerry is going to have to shrug these guys off. They will not run out of money, talk radio, Faux news, and cable TV will keep them front and center. The ads are running nationally now on cable TV. Kerry, in my opinion would be better served to eliminate these guys asap so we can point the camera back to where the problem really is GWB.

I have no idea if the swift boat guys (Carl Rove) would accept such an offer, but could someone explain to me how Kerry would be harmed by offering the challenge? I suspect it would never happen. I also realize that it would be critical who the moderator would be I suspect they would never see it coming.

But again I ask, how could Kerry be harmed? Ignoring them has not helped.

[still_one]

1. NO, NO, NO!!!

Kerry should NOT debate a known lier like O'Neil

He should attack bush, and present what he will do

[DemoTex]

2. I think not.

Many of the Swift Boat liars, including O'Neill have been totally discredited (O'Neill, most recently on his lie about not being in Cambodia, or his lie to Nixon that he was). Let's not lend credence to their specious cause by pulling them into debate with their unwitting, and highly credible victim.

[nicktom]

7. I realize that O'neill has been shown for who he is to you and I..

the problem is with the average TV/Radio voter. These guys are not going away. Please tell me what other reason for Kerry's drop in the polls. It could not be the events in Iraq, or Afghanistan, the economy. It's not because of any brilliant thing GWB has done. Bush was ahead in the latests national polls prior to the conventions start.

I can't believe that ignoring these guys any longer will benefit Kerry. Most people in this country believe what they see in commercials between their favorite TV/Radio shows.

You know, if I didn't have boys 19 years old and 17 years old, great kids that in my mind are threatened by Bush's re-election I would probably be one of those TV/Radio voters.

[DemoTex]

10. The kids make a difference. I feel for you.

But don't grasp for straws on this issue. Look at joining Moms Opposed to Bush (MOB), or similar groups, if you are a mom. I am a member of VVAW (Vietnam Veterans Against the War) and have been since about 1972. I tend to look at things more analytically now than I did in the immediate post-Vietnam days. You and I cannot, individually, fight the Swift-boaters (well, we can if we are writers, which I am .. but that is another story).

Mac

[LTR]

3. O'Neill isn't good enough to shine Kerry's shoes

Why should Kerry dignify a parasite like that?

[nicktom]

12. Thank you for proving my point....

First of all they would never agree to it. But the point is it would give Kerry the opportunity to confront it head on and let them back down.

If by chance they would accept and then try to shift the debate to what Kerry did after the war it would provide JFK the opportunity to explain his reasons for doing what he did. I was my kids age at that time. In my opinion looking back Kerry was exactly right then. What is the down side?

He is not dignifying the parasite he is squashing it.

Please stop thinking these guys are not hurting Kerry to the average voter. I am not talking about a series of debates. I am thinking about one prominent show that will ignite the media to dig into these guys. Kerry has the medals, he has the official records. Why ignore this scum, just shut them down.

[AuntPatsy]

14. Its already been squashed, dont you read?

Even the media is staying away from them...he has no need to even talk to that inane pathetic excuse for a vet, he has brought nothing but old wounds reopened for hundreds of viet nam vets....

He is not worth it and everyone knows it, he was a ploy just like he was back in the nixon years to try and discredit Kerry, he is honestly nothing, his book is not selling thats for sure...

There was lots at the book store and in a pile, already it is thirty percent off, by next week, they will have to give em away...

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

4. Why debate a liar?

oh wait...that would cancel Bush's debates out too

[A_Possum]

5. I've thought of it myself

I think one of the unfortunate things that happened in the early weeks after the smearvets started yakking was that Kerry's swift vets, like Wassman, the one Kerry saved, were on pundit shows up against the smearvets, and they were just so flabbergasted at the depth and outrageousness of the lies that they didn't counter hard enough. Like any normal honest person, they couldn't believe they were sitting there with these guys they'd fought with telling lies about them right to their faces! And so they came off on TV as not as outraged or effective in countering as they could have.

In hindsight, I think Kerry himself would have been a lot better at doing the countering, but at the time that wasn't obvious.

However, I tend to agree with the other posters that the moment for that has passed, and it woudl appear now that he was stooping to their level to actually debate the venal O'Neill.

And welcome to DU!

[mondo joe]

6. The last thing we need to do is continue THAT discussion, IMO

[Dr Fate]

8. Instead, Kerry will debate and attack Bush, O'Neils boss.

Why go after the henchmen when you can take on the Boss??

[Old and In the Way]

9. Is O'Neil running for President?

How about this. Have Bush try to debate Kerry.

[nicktom]

15. I look forward to that day, problem is..

Bush will not be speaking for the swift boat scum, he will be hiding behind their front just like he is now. Bush will not bring up the swift boat message. If he is asked about it he will pull the same crap he is laying down now, pull all of the 527's, I'm against all of them.

I think it would be wise to stop pretending these guys don't exist. Kerry has to address these guys strait-on. They are attacking him personaly. They claim no attachment to Bush. I do not believe it for a second. This is a choreographed attack from Rove. If you doubt that in my opinion you have not been paying attention.

[Old and In the Way]

16. Oh, I have no doubt it is a choreographed attack.

But Rove would love to have Kerry run against O'Neil. Trouble is, O'Neil isn't running for President. Kerry will deal with the SBVT in his own way, but Bush will ultimately pay the price.

[nicktom]

17. Who is talking about Kerry running against O'Neill?

I am talking about Kerry confronting O'Neill head on in one TV show. In my opinion O'Neill is sabotaging this election. If it were me being accused of their lies you would have to hold me back from destroying them, personal. Get rid of this distraction and race to the finish line.

Will Bush ultimately pay the price? Maybe, but I would not bet my farm on it. I say John Kerry should stand up for himself and confront these political operatives head on. The convention is over, the ads will again dominate the airwaves. Thee is a video coming out soon by these clowns.

The question is, do you want to be on the defensive for the next two months?

[Old and In the Way]

18. Here's why it's dumb.

Kerry goes on to TV with O'Neil to refute the current charges. O'Neil then lays out a whole nother set of lies which Kerry is unprepared for. That's how they play the game.

[Walt Starr]

11. That's the stupidest fucked up idea I've ever heard on DU!

If Kerry did that, he would immediatley legitimize the Smear Boat Liars for Bush and give them credence.

Even withdrawing from the race would not be as idiotic as what you suggest!

[Name removed]

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[gulliver]

13. Never argue with a fool ... or a liar. O'Neill has no problem ...

... lying right in people's faces. (Reminds me of Bush.) You can't win an argument with a guy like that. He's a terrorist, a suicide debater.

Republicans have now allowed military medals to be questioned. A sitting president did not stand behind medals awarded by the United States of America. America's heritage is being raped, it's people endangered, and its treasures looted ... all while a bunch of chinless assholes (freeper types and other after-birth) drool like orcs chewing on a human hand. And a coward sits smiling in the president's office while a brave man is ridiculed.

[Name removed]

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[nicktom]

21. No we did not pick the wrong guy

I have no Idea what your agenda is, but by posting what the SBVT website says you are furthering the lies and distortions that caused me to post the original opinion.

No flame intended but let me light my BIC lighter under your SBVT website and hope for the best.

I