Botox lessons

[Carl Spackler]

I thought that the press would have a field day with the botox thing - the visuals were just too compelling and the opportunity to make a frontrunner squirm by repeating the question ad nausium. But it appears that Kerry has put this to rest through a strategy of denial and subsequent refusal to engage. No clarifications, no excuses, just the stone wall.

I've been thinking about this from a strategy standpoint - this is the strategy Bush has used on many issues. Just say your lines with conviction and refuse further discussion and it blows over, even if the response is BS. I don't think it will work on the really big consequential stuff (WMD, etc.), but for AWOL it certainly worked in the past election cycle.

Most of the people I've discussed this with basically think "yeah, he lied about the botox but who cares". There is a lesson in this in terms of handling these little "slow news day" scandals: deny and move on and refuse to engage.

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

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[Carl Spackler]

4. Not at all

Kerry's not my first place candidate (Edwards), but I think he has been navigating the press minefield perfectly. That's an absolutely critical skill, and one where we could learn some things from Rove et all (though they're not looking too sharp lately!)

[flpoljunkie]

2. Carl, is the best you can do?

Kerry has denied that he had any botox treatments. He still has plenty of wrinkles--by the way--but his shorter hair cut makes him look younger and the joy of winning, after being declared dead by the media, shows all over his face.

In short, there's nothing like winning, to make you feel and look better.

I must admit, though, Kerry looked tired last night--as well he should--the pace he has been keeping. Edwards also looked weary. Our candidates keep up a dizzying pace in their runs for the nomination.

[Raven]

3. Kerry didn't lie.

It's nobody's damn business. And if that is all the Repubs have, they are in real trouble.

[NNN0LHI]

5. Chimpy going back to the pig farm in Waco for good real soon Raven n/t

[Eloriel]

6. Here's another lesson for you:

That didn't work for Dean when the press decided it was time to turn on him and turn on him good.

That's PRECISELY how he handled the so-called "scream" speech, with the exception he didn't deny it.

IOW, you've got half the equation right. The other half, which isn't under Kerry's control is the media. There will come a time, probably after he's the nominee (IF he's the nominee) when what you're suggesting won't work -- UNLESS TPTB are ready to throw Bush over and Kerry is the "safe, Establishment" alternative as RichM suggests (and I think there's a lot to that).

[sallyseven]

7. I don't care about botox or about anything but getting

Kerry elected. I have children and grandchildren and I don't want to trust their future to someone without the brains to govern effectively. People are responsible for Their actions and if they create an atmosphere of doubt then it is their fault.

[Meldread]

8. I've been watching Kerry closely.

I'm pretty convinced that he had Botox. I don't think this is really important; more or less it's just amusing. Watch Kerry closely and you'll notice he NEVER moves his eyebrows. Eyebrows are important for conveying emotion -- that's why people say dogs have emotion because they have eyebrows. I think it was kind of stupid for Kerry to do it considering one of his weaknesses was the fact that he doesn't convey much emotion, and now he's just made it worse by paralyzing the muscles in his forehead.

Joe on Hardball last night when Kerry spoke said something like, "He just hit it big you'd think the guy would be happy." Even though he was smiling -- it was because he didn't move his eyebrows once that made him seem almost unresponsive. People are going to pick up on that and look at Kerry as a "stiff" and someone who doesn't "convey much emotion".

[lastknowngood]

9. trust me when the media/RNC want to they will

have Kerry's doctor explain ever detail.