Kerry Predicts Character Attacks, Foreign Support

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=4520045§ion=news

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (Reuters) - Democratic White House candidate John Kerry predicted on Monday Republicans would try to "tear down" his character and said some foreign leaders had told him they hoped he would beat President Bush.

The four-term Massachusetts senator and decorated Vietnam War veteran told supporters at a fund-raiser in Fort Lauderdale that he expected a tough eight-month campaign in which Republicans would make an effort to malign he and his wife, outspoken heiress and philanthropist Teresa Heinz Kerry. snip

Kerry cited how Republicans turned on one of their own in 2000, when Arizona Sen. John McCain, another decorated Vietnam War veteran who survived six years as a prisoner of war, ran against Bush for the party's nomination.

"They even tried to challenge John McCain's tenure as a prisoner for six years ... they tried to besmirch his character, so I expect everything," he said.

more

[fairfaxvadem]

1. CNN just latched on to the foreign leaders bit..

Not sure it was smart of JFK to say this, although I'd be surprised if it wasn't true, but none will publicly admit it and some may be feel obliged to completely discredit that statement.

Anyhow, it seems as if the Kerry folks, by and large, are ready to shoot down a lot of the Bush crapola that comes down the pike, which is the #1 thing they have to do.

[diplomats]

4. Kerry didn't mention any of them by name

so I don't think that's a problem. BTW, I, too, am glad to see him telling it like it is and citing McCain as an example of what he expects to have to contend wih.

[Zero Gravitas]

11. a mistake

I'm sure its true that many foreign leaders (just like the people they represent) want nothing more than to see Former Governor Bush out of the White House, but its a mistake for Kerry to mention it. It just gives ammunition to the Repubs and they will use it to pump up intimations of disloyalty, lack of patriotism etc. & appeal to people's xenophobia.

[private_ryan]

15. agree

we take pride on being independent, the best and don't want others to dictate to us. It's the reality.

[ewagner]

2. Saw that

Schneider (AEI Fellow) characterized it as a "mis-step". Said that even though it may be true that Kerry can't say it. Repubs are jumping all over it.

on edit: Schneider and Blitzer are making the foreign leaders' statement THE story line....didn't hear a peep about the upcoming Bush smears on Kerry's character.

[diplomats]

5. I don't give a rat's ass what Schneider and Blitzer say

Kerry's right, and if the Repubs want to jump on for that, let him. Big deal.

[stopthegop]

8. didn't hear a peep about the upcoming Bush smears on Kerry's character.

what would you have them say ... since the 'smears' have not been spoken yet?

[TinaTyson]

9. Good. If they make a big stink about it many will get to hear it.

Instead of a speech that no one ever hears now it will be all over the news for a while. More exposure for Kerry.

All the viewers will get to hear that the world hates Bush and likes Kerry. Let them say over and over about how it is true but shouldn't be said anyway. Then not only will people hear him say it but get to hear the pundits say it is true.

Sounds like a great break. Go pundits! Jump all over this.

[legin]

16. What could be the mistake

is that Kerry hasn't provided any 'pithy' detail to go along with launching of this idea (not a 5 page policy document).

Then the talking heads would be discussing the idea and it's details and not the widom of the idea itself. A sort of 'crowding out' process.

a sort of companion thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x1206972

[nolabels]

3. "so I expect everything," he said.

Frankly I expect a lot more than that, but maybe that's just me :evilgrin:

[JPace]

6. Teresa Heinz Kerry

was asked if she would tap into her millions to
help her husband in the campaign....her answer
was not unless "they" (the repugs) attacked his
honor.

She better get her checkbook out and ready...

[diplomats]

7. I'm sure she has her pen ready to go

:)

[many a good man]

10. The only foreign leader supporting Bush*

is OBL.

Next week he expects the endorsement of Baby Doc.

[Dogmudgeon]

14. How dare you forget Poodle Boy!

Young Mr Blair is going to be ever so peeved!

--bkl

[keopeli]

12. Kerry's statement won't matter a bit...here's why...

People who are going to vote for Kerry that are liberals, democrats, greens, etc have already made up their minds. Is there a democrat out there who is undecided? Unlikely.

So, Kerry must get the vote of conservative Independents and Repubs. That's who his message is for. The fact is that Independents and Repubs who are socially moderate and very displeased with Bush* will have no problem with this statement. It will confirm something they already believe. On the other hand, the neo-cons and Bush* supporters will not be changed no matter what Kerry says.

This election is unlike any we've ever known. What used to be a gaff is now something else. We must walk forward with eyes open. I suggest you ask yourself this questions with regard to potential political 'blunders' and 'gaffs':

What if the same thing happened to the other candidate?

This is what voters will use as a guide, I predict, to the appropriateness of questions and answers. For instance, right now we have:

Kerry announced that foreign leaders have told him they want him to replace Bush*. (Meaning, they want ANYONE to replace Bush*)

Now, imaging the press announcing,

Bush* announced that foreign leaders have called to tell him that they really want him re-elected and are afraid of Kerry.

Is there a person in America who would believe that load of crap? Only if it's the poodle. So, I predict that thinking voters will respond positively to Kerry's statement.

The WORST part of this situation is that CNN declares something to be a 'misstep' which they have absolutely no right to do. This is where the press will have to start cleaning up their act. American's want the press OUT of politics, except as reporters. Press does not get to decide who the Dem candidate is, when the primary is over, who got elected on election night, who is fair and balanced. The majority of thinking voters recognize this issue. They will dismiss this CNN label and judge for themselves.

Finally, remember that I am talking about voters who can be persuaded to vote for Kerry (not non-thinking Repubs). The messages coming from Kerry and Bush* this year are going to be so starkly different that the press declaring a 'misstep', a gambit which worked in the past when the two candidates were saying the exact same thing but with different words will no longer play. Otherwise, everything that comes out of the candidate's mouth will be a misstep, because they are not following the 'script.'

Keo

[ewagner]

13. Thanks for the perspective Keo

I would mostly agree except for my fear of two things at this stage of the campaign.

The first is allowing the press to reinforce the Administration's claim that Kerry is some sort of elitist for having support of foreign governments. (defining Kerry)

The second is the press creating a bandwagon effect to stampede the middle-of-the-road voters into the bush* camp by painting Kerry as careless with his words.

I agree with the major point that partisans on either side will not be affected by this but I'm concerned about the middle spectrum on which this election may depend.