Kerry responds to right-wing chickenhawk “nut-jobs”; Update: Source says comments were a joke gone wrong
posted at 12:59 pm on October 31, 2006 by Allahpundit
Send to a Friend |
Share on Facebook | printer-friendly
We have ourselves a meltdown.
Senator John Kerry issued the following statement in response to White House Press Secretary Tony Snow, assorted right wing nut-jobs, and right wing talk show hosts desperately distorting Kerry’s comments about President Bush to divert attention from their disastrous record:
“If anyone thinks a veteran would criticize the more than 140,000 heroes serving in Iraq and not the president who got us stuck there, they’re crazy. This is the classic G.O.P. playbook. I’m sick and tired of these despicable Republican attacks that always seem to come from those who never can be found to serve in war, but love to attack those who did.
I’m not going to be lectured by a stuffed suit White House mouthpiece standing behind a podium, or doughy Rush Limbaugh, who no doubt today will take a break from belittling Michael J. Fox’s Parkinson’s disease to start lying about me just as they have lied about Iraq. It disgusts me that these Republican hacks, who have never worn the uniform of our country lie and distort so blatantly and carelessly about those who have…
Bottom line, these Republicans want to debate straw men because they’re afraid to debate real men…”
There’s more. The nutroots will eat this up with a spoon, of course, but you almost have to pity the poor bastards at the DNC. This is the last thing they want to be talking about this week. Score one more for Lurch’s famous political acumen.
What’s got him so agitated this morning, anyway? Bennett knows.
One of those Republicans who never can be found to serve in war and have never worn the uniform — namely, John McCain — will, I hear, be addressing Kerry’s comments at 1 p.m. We’ll have video.
Update: Here’s a snippet of video of what Tony Snow had to say at the daily press briefing. I’ll post the full transcript once it’s available.
More from Snow:
Snow said the quote “fits a pattern” of negative remarks from Kerry about U.S. soldiers and suggested that whether Democratic candidates — particularly those running on their military service backgrounds — agree with their 2004 standard-bearer should be a campaign litmus test…
Snow said a lot of Americans have joined the military since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
“As for the notion that you can say this sort of thing about the troops and say you support them, it’s interesting,” the press secretary said.
Update: CNN’s run the Kerry clip a good four or five times within the past hour. Gotta give them some credit here, especially after the Juan Williams post this morning.
Update: Greg Tinti takes a video stroll down memory lane with Waffles.
Update: Waffles responds with a bravura performance guaranteed to delight nutroots members young and old. He didn’t mean that the troops are lazy and uneducated when he implied the troops are lazy and uneducated; he meant that Bush’s policy in Iraq is broken. Also, Iraq is Vietnam and Republicans are chickenhawks who can’t admit their mistakes and are constantly changing the subject. In contrast to “real men” like him, who … can’t admit their mistakes and are constantly changing the subject.
Oh, and Republicans have a “cut and run” strategy in Afghanistan. Says the guy who brought a resolution to the Senate floor calling for withdrawal from Iraq by the end of the year.
All in all, though, surprisingly shrewd. The nutroots will be wanking to this for days, and since he can’t run to the right of Hillary or Obama, this at least gives him a shot to outflank Gore on the left in ‘08. Whereupon he’ll be promptly torpedoed in the primaries.
Update: Vets for Freedom has called upon Kerry to apologize.
Update: Are soldiers really less educated than the rest of the population?
Update: Escalation — CNN reports that Bush will comment on Kerry’s remarks at 5 p.m.
Update: Bill Frist gets off the line of the day:
While America’s servicemen and women are fighting and dying against our adversaries in the global War on Terror, John Kerry has the gall to criticize their intelligence, their education, and their motivation for service. His comments represent the absolute worst in Democrat scare tactics and present a grave insult to our all-volunteer Armed Forces.
Senator Kerry clearly owes an apology to our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines serving in Iraq. But Mr. Kerry has refused to do so. Instead, he’s claiming that Republicans are “desperately distorting” his comments. Watch the video yourself … it is perfectly clear what Mr. Kerry said … what’s unclear is whether Mr. Kerry ever means what he says. Perhaps he was against his comments before he actually made them.
Update: You’ve got to be kidding.
A source close to Kerry tells NBC News that he was trying to make a “tough and honest joke” about Bush and that in the process he omitted two words which changed the intended meaning. Per the source, Kerry meant to say that he can’t “overstress the importance of a great education” and that “if you don’t study, if you aren’t smart, if you’re intellectually lazy… You end up getting us stuck in a war in Iraq.” Kerry mistakenly dropped the “getting us” from his initial remarks.
Update: Via Slublog, you’ve got to be kidding — part II.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: « 1 [2] 3 4 »
The statement doesn’t surprise me nor does his response. Kerry is hard left and those that share that space believe exactly what he said. The only reason they can see that anyone would join the military is that they are too stupid to do anything else. The ideas of service and patriotism is beyond their grasp.
conservativecaveman on October 31, 2006 at 2:24 PM
Any good graphic arts folks here? I’m thinking Mr. Kerry deserves a virtual Purple Heart for figuratively shooting himself in the foot. It’s the least we could do after all he’s done for us.
RedWinged Blackbird on October 31, 2006 at 2:28 PM
I should call the
out-laws, I mean in-laws in upstate NY and get their take. Of course, they will respond by saying that he was attacking Bush. The run-on sentence will continue with, the standard answer that Bush lied and there were no WMDs and kids are dying everyday…for what?? I remind them that there hasn’t been an attack on US soil since 9/11. That’s not the answer they want to hear, so the Bush attack continues. At some point shortly after the 2 minute mark, I interupt them and ask if they would like to talk about the Buffalo Bills, or the Yankees, or the Knicks or Ann Coulter…not their favorite son.JoeFunk on October 31, 2006 at 2:28 PM
Nice
One day he calls my husband uneducated, the next he calls him crazy.
Tink on October 31, 2006 at 2:29 PM
Look on the bright side: At least the Dems now have a scapegoat to present on a silver platter to the nutroots when they lose next week. They must be sighing in relief.
(applogies if anyone has already made this point, but I don’t have time to read all the comments)
Editor on October 31, 2006 at 2:30 PM
Senator, it’s still not too late to take whatever measure of contrition you’re capable of, but you don’t have till Christmas if you get my drift.
mymanpotsandpans on October 31, 2006 at 2:31 PM
We say Kerry was a dip for what he said
The other side says Kerry was right on for exposing the factory of death for poor minorities
Culture War anyone?
If we actually win this, we might break into civil war
Defector01 on October 31, 2006 at 2:32 PM
I think this just shows Kerry’s isolated and antiquated world view. This was a common refrain in the 60s and 70s with respect to Vietnam, because back then it was somewhat true because of the draft. Male high school students who did not make the grade, were subject to the draft instead of being allowed to go to college as officer candidates, etc. I know this because my high school english teacher was paralyzed on one side of his body due to a frag he took in Vietnam. He continually lectured us on the importance of rigorous study so we would not end up like him, a goof-off who had been drafted out of high school.
Of course the world is a very different place today. We don’t have a draft, and far more kids go on to college. And the military is on the whole, a group of educated people today.
Kerry is still living in the Vietnam years. HIs actions belie how he frames his beliefs.
JeffB. on October 31, 2006 at 2:33 PM
I am so mad I am just shaking. This is what I just posted over at jfk’s blog:
Senator Kerry, you are exposed. Your loathsome BDS behavior is not worthy of an American politician. This little episode will long be remembered and quoted as often as the Howard Dean Scream has been replayed. That scream was the end of Dean’s presidential aspirations, and you have just led your sycophantic apologists right over the cliff and into the dustbin of history.
RushBaby on October 31, 2006 at 2:34 PM
Here he goes …. “I apologize to no one….”
RightWinged on October 31, 2006 at 2:35 PM
says White House tried to distort his “True statement”.. (we’ll remember that John boy)
RightWinged on October 31, 2006 at 2:36 PM
oh, he just pulled out the “100 dead” number. You stupid fu**ing Democrats and your nice round, headline friendly numbers.
RightWinged on October 31, 2006 at 2:37 PM
Unreal. It is now the Presidents fault that he’s a jackass?
conservativecaveman on October 31, 2006 at 2:37 PM
Sadly the media is going to eat this up, take some nice soundbytes out of this and burry this
RightWinged on October 31, 2006 at 2:38 PM
Oh, there’s the line about people who haven’t worn the uniform not being allowed to opine…
RightWinged on October 31, 2006 at 2:39 PM
Go, spin machine, go!
Constantine on October 31, 2006 at 2:39 PM
(by the way, turn on your TV right now folks if you don’t know what I’m talking about)
RightWinged on October 31, 2006 at 2:39 PM
Is anyone buying this BS?
conservativecaveman on October 31, 2006 at 2:40 PM
this is already pissing me off because the media is going to treat him like some hero fighting off attacks, I can see it now. Someone from our side needsto get a press conference to battle back, because otherwise it will end with Kerry appearing to come out on top. Sadly McCain will be to “nice” even if he says something because that’s just his style.
RightWinged on October 31, 2006 at 2:41 PM
I can’t even listen to this lying asshole.
ReubenJCogburn on October 31, 2006 at 2:41 PM
Does he think we can’t get his original statement and hear for ourselves what he said? These people act as though there is no internet.
conservativecaveman on October 31, 2006 at 2:42 PM
LOL…. now he’s saying we need a “real debate” about Iraq policy..
Uhhh… just what is your plan??? or the dems???
How can you have a policy debate when you won’t, or can’t, tell us what you would do differently???
Except to do the Viet Nam thing, and give up…
Romeo13 on October 31, 2006 at 2:43 PM
did he just try to say that the “studying” he was referring to was that the Bush administration didn’t study the facts before going in to war in Iraq… now he’s really solidified the fact that his excuse is complete bullshit.
she just said the “nuclear program” in Africa (?) was a lie… uh, actually, Saddam did seek yellowcake from Niger. Oh wait, you can lie because the media will let you get away with it.
RightWinged on October 31, 2006 at 2:43 PM
He would have been better off not to have called the news conference. The outrage he is expressing is forced. He is sounding like the idiot we know he is. It is all the fault of Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and of course, Rush Limbaugh. He is not going to stand for it anymore!!!! Well, Sen. Heinz, what are you going to do about it?
bopbottle on October 31, 2006 at 2:44 PM
Dear Messieur Senator Jean Kerry,
Thank you for your long awaited self-righteous comment. And thank you also for this self-inflicted wound. I’m not offended whether you were referring to any veteran or President Bush regarding their intelligence. I know the source of the comment.
You have now morphed from Lurch to the Headless Horseman and just in time for Halloween as one who “rides forth to the scene of battle in nightly quest of his head.(Wikipedia)”.
Now that your political aspirations have been sunk your own comments, might I suggest that you take over as spokesman for the DNC. Howard will probably be looking for a job shortly and they’re gonna need another loose cannon to take his place.
Of course, being exUSN, I can honestly say that you are a loose cannon on deck in a tossing sea. Request permission to leave the ship.
Keep Kerry in Massachusetts with my sympathies and condolences. Maybe France wants him?
USN6872 on October 31, 2006 at 2:44 PM
What an effing bitch. He’s getting a pass here. He’s going to leave without explaining how his commetns can be interpretted as referring to the President. As was explained earlier, there is no spinning this.
RightWinged on October 31, 2006 at 2:44 PM
Please keep writing, I’m in CrimLaw and can’t listen
Defector01 on October 31, 2006 at 2:45 PM
Isn’t this the same “vet” who threw down other soldiers’s medals while calling those soldiers rapists (and worse) after returning from Vietnam?
Well obviously we should all know how much respect he has for the uniform. I can’t believe any of us questioned him.
Esthier on October 31, 2006 at 2:47 PM
If these people -all our politician- were smart kerry’s response should have been: Since the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy does not have a sense of humor and did not understand the complexity of my statement, I would like to rephrase it for them.
Pretty hard to respond to that.
/Just Saying
These people are total morons, all of them. Plus the Republicans should not demand an apology just call him out for what he is a moron. McCain needed to look straight into a camera and ask the people: “Is this who you want to vote for and run your country?”
InstantNemesis on October 31, 2006 at 2:48 PM
WRONG.
Constantine on October 31, 2006 at 2:48 PM
Well there was a lot more Defector01, but he’s done now. I’m pissed though, because I don’t see this going as far as it should have. There is NO WAY gather that he was talking about President Bush. NO WAY! Yet the media is going to call this “case closed” unless someone from our side who can get that kind of media attention hits back.
RightWinged on October 31, 2006 at 2:48 PM
He just held a press conference and blamed everyone but himself…unreal…said he owes no one an apology…what a moron…
areseaoh on October 31, 2006 at 2:49 PM
sKerry just walked up to the young boy, flipped him over and put his macaca in his mouth.
Well, hell, he might as WELL have said that! What B.S.! I just heard the press conference audio, and Kerry was not only defiant, but he REFUSED to apologize!!!!
Kerry & Dean; the GOP gifts that keep on giving. Whhheeeeee!!
MsUnderestimated on October 31, 2006 at 2:49 PM
So Right Winged, He got up, said he was talking about Bush, called Republicans a bunch of liars and jerks for misrepresenting what he said and left. That’s it?!
If so then John Kerry just provided Mannah from G-d for the Republicans
Defector01 on October 31, 2006 at 2:52 PM
GLAVIN!!!
pishposh4567 on October 31, 2006 at 2:54 PM
“…a Katrina foreign policy…”
Bush never hesitated to “federalize” Operation Iraqi Freedom — unlike a governor I could mention did in relation to Katrina.
Bush never hesitated to supply adequate transportation to the troops — unlike a mayor I could mention regarding civilian emergency transport.
Squawking about Halliburton to the contrary, Bush never siphoned off funds earmarked for the defense of our country for pet projects for political cronies — unlike some politicians in a veritable one-party state.
So if Bush is running “a Katrina foreign policy” — and this is a perjorative label — isn’t it reasonable to conclude that “Magic Hat” Kerry wants even more overall federal resources committed to the war, but fewer transportation resources while calling in Halliburton’s vultures for more war profiteering? Am I missing something here?
Tongueboy on October 31, 2006 at 2:56 PM
Another interesting point… In addition to all his other ridiculous comments in this press briefing, he basically said that the only people interpreting his comments this way are part of the far right/swift vet types… The problem is, the San Gabriel Valley Tribune was one of the very first to report the comments and said it like this:
People in the room gasped John! It was YOUR WORDS, not a GOP hit job. And again, eff you and your pathetic defense… You spent 13 years making the WMD case.
RightWinged on October 31, 2006 at 2:56 PM
Yeah. If you’ve read the press release from JohnKerry.com, then you basically know all of what he said. He just shouted it very angrily. Repeating it in various ways over and over. The very first words out of his mouth? “I apologize to no one…”
RightWinged on October 31, 2006 at 2:58 PM
G-D is a merciful and giving G-D to republicans
It was our darkest hour and yet Mannah and Pheasant fell from the sky to feed the Republican masses
Hallelujah
Thanks Kerry
Defector01 on October 31, 2006 at 2:59 PM
Its right out of a playbook alright, the Democratic playbook -If you do something stupid, blame the GOP.
taznar on October 31, 2006 at 3:01 PM
So, will Kerry put himself in for another Purple Heart over this?
JackM on October 31, 2006 at 3:03 PM
Do I hear “vast right wing conspiracy”?
bloggless on October 31, 2006 at 3:04 PM
Let’s get this guy on Dr. Phil. Or Dr. Laura. Or even Dr. Drew.
Radish on October 31, 2006 at 3:05 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364×2527192
Pass the Pepto Bismol PLEASE
Defector01 on October 31, 2006 at 3:06 PM
If you listen closely, you can hear the jungle drums playing in the background during Kerry’s speech.
Constantine on October 31, 2006 at 3:08 PM
For those interested, you might find this link to the video “Stolen Honor” useful.
techno_barbarian on October 31, 2006 at 3:10 PM
Lying Liars and the Lying Liars who Lie With Them!
Liar! Lies! Liar! Lying Liar!
YOU PLAYED ON THEIR FEARS!!!!
Yeeaaarrrrgh!
/Dem rantbot in reverse
Pablo on October 31, 2006 at 3:14 PM
No. There’s a name for men who dress nice, dine at the best restaurants, jet around, and let their wives bring home the gold-packaged bacon. “Presidential material” isn’t it, either.
naliaka on October 31, 2006 at 3:14 PM
Why is this lurch lookin SOB still breathing?? so many good men and women lose thier lives in defense of this country and we cant get rid of trash like Kerry…
Viper1 on October 31, 2006 at 3:14 PM
Al Gore, please weigh in with something….anything will do.
Valiant on October 31, 2006 at 3:15 PM
No, that’s a metronome. Unless I’ve miscounted, it’s keeping time for a rowing cadence.
CLASSIST!!
Pablo on October 31, 2006 at 3:17 PM
Dr. Kevorkian
RushBaby on October 31, 2006 at 3:20 PM
It’s Bush and Cheney that owe the military an apology….. They are the ones abusing the military…..
Must be why the military overwhelmingly supports the Republicans.
conservativecaveman on October 31, 2006 at 3:20 PM
Amen, brother!
ReubenJCogburn on October 31, 2006 at 3:22 PM
Are you seriously trying to quote Truthout as a legitimate source of news, or are you just joking?
Look, Wilson himself proved that Saddam wanted to get yellowcake from Niger. The only thing up for debate is whether or not Niger was agreeable to the idea.
Esthier on October 31, 2006 at 3:25 PM
Kerry is so losing it! His public response took forever to make because he paused between almost every word! LOL!
Rush will have both the transcripts, and audio soundbites in a few hours. I’ll be posting the links to those everywhere I can think of. :oP
DannoJyd on October 31, 2006 at 3:27 PM
Truthout.org isn’t the source; the article is from Vanity Fair. Please cite your reference for the above statement.
Constantine on October 31, 2006 at 3:31 PM
No - that sound you hear is from the “half-vast” liberal moonbats…
psrch on October 31, 2006 at 3:31 PM
John F’ing Kerry… owned! His aspirations for the WH are now toast!
Now, the GOP should go out and get every. single. democrat on record to stand with him, or renounce him.
rightside on October 31, 2006 at 3:33 PM
Ha, thanks for catching that Esthier, didn’t realize that Constantine had replied. Seriously Constantine, don’t attempt to use the site that insisted Rove was being indicted in Plamegate (tomorrow.. tomorrow… tomorrow… well, he will be soon… probably next week…), are you kidding me?
As Esthier just told you, Wilson himself proved it… but let me smack you with some FactCheck.org for the cherry on top.
RightWinged on October 31, 2006 at 3:33 PM
I hate to quote myself, but I pointed out (along with quite a few others) that Kerry’d take the “I was talking about Bush being stupid” tack.
I’m going to shout this, so that even Connie and Honey can hear it:
*THE WORDS CAME OUT OF HIS PIE HOLE! HE SAID “END UP IN IRAQ” AS CLEAR AS DAY*
…we can’t read his mind to find out what he *MEANT*…we can only judge by what he *SAID*….
…besides…the prospect of reading his mind is, frankly, icky….
Puritan1648 on October 31, 2006 at 3:34 PM
Actually, its Kerry who is playing the misdirect game. First he insults soldiers, then he defends his words by attacking Rush.
BohicaTwentyTwo on October 31, 2006 at 3:38 PM
Oh and by the way Constantine… Trying to save your ass after linking to TruthOut.org you say it’s Vanity Fair… You conveniently left out the fact that Unger is a pal of Michael Moore and featured in F911. Come on.
RightWinged on October 31, 2006 at 3:39 PM
Perfect summation of your side!
Entelechy on October 31, 2006 at 3:41 PM
LOL!!!!!
The Ugly American on October 31, 2006 at 3:42 PM
ahem, another Purple Chicken-Heart.
fogw on October 31, 2006 at 3:42 PM
Constantine, I dug this out just for you. Just remember who tells you the facts, and where you learn the lies as you will then know who truely respects you as a person…
April 16, 2006
Bush Was Right About Iraq’s Quest For Uranium
DannoJyd on October 31, 2006 at 3:47 PM
BTW….I think Kerry could use a few more flags behind him there.
The Ugly American on October 31, 2006 at 3:48 PM
“Real men” do not exist in the Democrat party. Therefore, how would Kerry recognize them?
lynnv on October 31, 2006 at 3:49 PM
If you’re eating a shit sandwich, Kerry, honey, YOU SPREAD THE BREAD. Even with extra ketchup, its still bullshit.
Y
seejanemom on October 31, 2006 at 3:51 PM
Kerry: It was a botched joke about Bush.
Yeah, those dems. They are always so nuanced. I suppose if we looked at the transcript of his speech prior to and after the “joke”, we would discover that this really was a joke right?
I’m sure CNN will be airing the footage that exonerates Kerry and shows this was just a misunderstanding. Or a GOP smear attack.
.
.
.
.
Unless they won’t air this footage, because this footage doesn’t exist…
EFG on October 31, 2006 at 3:52 PM
I don’t about the rest of you, but I wish we could give Johnny boy the ‘08 Democratic Presidential nomination right now, this minute.
CyberCipher on October 31, 2006 at 3:53 PM
Hey Constantine, you might want to take a look at some actual news, as opposed to that truthout crap. Read this excellent article from the Wall Street Journal.
The part about the Niger yellowcake is near the bottom, but please read the whole thing. It might do you some good.
techno_barbarian on October 31, 2006 at 3:53 PM
Kerry like his wife - SMOKES TOO MUCH DOPE. I will bet anyone anything that he cannot pass a drug test. I don’t get much better than this! I can see Rove now, relaxing back on his easy chair with a big cigar in his mouth! One could make a case that Kerry is an undercover Republican operative! This is the only logical explaination I can think of.
iam7545 on October 31, 2006 at 3:55 PM
Holy Donkey do Batman, the Joker is on the loose again…. John Kerry does kinda look like the old Joker…. maybe he is…
I noticed that GregH has not said anything. What about it GregH?
GmanPsycho on October 31, 2006 at 3:59 PM
He was for “getting us” before he was against it.
Entelechy on October 31, 2006 at 4:00 PM
Iam7545
They were all Skull n Bones weren’t they.
Smells like a rovian plot, looks like a rovian plot, it must be a rovian plot.
InstantNemesis on October 31, 2006 at 4:01 PM
The ones consistantly lying to the American People are the democrats. The thing is, they’re so damned bad at it. But they get a pass because the MSM is batting for the dems.
I can’t wait until the tide turns against the democrats and the MSM turns on them, sensing the huge increase in ratings and rips them to pieces.
If they lose this election, that just might actually happen.
techno_barbarian on October 31, 2006 at 4:05 PM
Here that?
That’s the sound of Phil Angelides campaign imploding.
The Ugly American on October 31, 2006 at 4:06 PM
Comment pages: « 1 [2] 3 4 »