Is the John Kerry "scandal" reverberating to Southern John Q Public?

[Maddy McCall]

I spent the whole weekend in north Louisiana with family members who are Republicans and Bush supporters. I spent a whole day with LOTS of folks at a Mardi Gras party.

Not ONCE did anyone bring up the Kerry issue. Not once. The only concern of theirs was that Bush's National Guard record was being questioned...they discussed this at length. Several men who have served in the military--two were WWII vets (one present at D-Day) said they liked Clark and hated to see him leave the race. I told them that Clark is now onboard with Kerry (so there was an opening to discuss the Kerry accusations). If more proof that Bush was not present in Alabama surfaces, he will lose votes in the conservative south, because there is a huge military tradition in the south.

Not once, though, did they bring up Kerry's scandal, even though there was ample opportunity to do so.

By the way, two guys from Dallas were at the party, and they were Edwards supporters.

But so far, in backcounrty USA, people aren't biting on the Kerry story, at least from my three-day weekend experience.

[BruinAlum]

1. STATEMENT FROM WOMAN ABOUT SENATOR KERRY

Statement From Woman About Sen. Kerry

12 minutes ago

By The Associated Press

A statement released Monday by Alexandra Polier, who has been the subject of rumors linking her to Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites):



"For the last several days I have seen Internet and tabloid rumors relating to me and Senator John Kerry. Because these stories were false, I assumed the media would ignore them. It seems that efforts to peddle these lies continue, so I feel compelled to address them. I have never had a relationship with Senator Kerry, and the rumors in the press are completely false. Whoever is spreading these rumors and allegations does not know me, but should know the pain they have caused me and my family. I am in Kenya with my fiance visiting his family, and we ask that the press respect our privacy and leave all of us alone."


A statement by Terry and Donna Polier, the parents of Alexandra Polier:


"We have spoken to our daughter and the allegations that have been made regarding her are completely false and unsubstantiated. We love and support her 100 percent and these unfounded rumors are hurtful to our entire family. We appreciate the way Senator Kerry has handled the situation, and intend on voting for him for president of the United States."


http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040216/ap_on_el_pr/kerry_polier_statements&cid=694&ncid=2043

CAN WE PUT THIS TO REST NOW??

[mot78]

2. That's because the story has been confined to the internet

Only sites like Drudge and DU are even touching this story. The mainstream media hasn't given it much coverage.

[lucidmadman]

3. For the reasons you cite and others...

...I think the VP on the Kerry ticket should be Max Cleland. It's a 45/45% country. The 10% everyone's fighting for is male and between 40 and 60 years old. MC puts GA in play and appeals to the 'independents' throughout the 'South' and 'Mid-West'.
The smears against JK are weak...they play weak, desperate, less than 'manly'...

[DaBigJagov]

7. I don't know......

... Cleland was a one-term Senator that was not re-elected. I don't know why you think that can be translated into strength. What does he have that Edwards doesn't?? Besides, sooner or later people will tire of hearing about VietNam, and that's all you'll hear about with a Kerry/Cleland ticket.

[KittyWampus]

9. Um, Edwards Is A One Term Senator

who couldn't get re-elected. WHat does he have that Clark doesn't?

Clark did better than Edwards in the majority of races... and Clark did it with a totally hostile press who preferred to ignore him.

[lucidmadman]

10. I hear you...

...but maybe you don't understand what 'Viet Nam' means to people my age (52, btw). If I'd fallen off a faultily made step ladder I couldn't wish for a better summation argument than that which JE could deliver.
There are people 'we' need to appeal to that are not like us. They're 40 to 60 years old. They have military style hair-cuts, they love Jesus, etc.
The VP behind JK is crucial to a democratic victory in '04.
That's just the way I see it...

[DaBigJagov]

4. Of course not.....

....I don't think that this was viewed as a "Republican" issue. Unfortunately, this news came from the Clark campaign, and was viewed as a Democrat on Democrat smear that is part of this hard-fought primary fight.

[mountainvue]

5. The theory

that it came from Clark has been debunked.

[DaBigJagov]

6. Really??

Debunked by whom?? That is the first of heard that.

[mmonk]

8. Nothing here in NC

except on a conservative radio talk show. Nothing from any people around me either repub or Independent.