The runner stumbles - After his strong start, Kerry is making a lot of gaffes

New York Daily News ^ | 3/10/04 | Zev Chafets

[kattracks]

John Kerry needs a week off. Maybe two. His voice is shot. His temper is short. And, after running an almost flawless primary campaign, he has started making beginner's mistakes.

His first gaffe came on Super Tuesday. Flush with victory, Kerry confided to a reporter for the American Urban Radio Network that he'd like to be known as the second black President (Bill Clinton being the first). Say what? The senator from Skull and Bones is a brother? Count on the GOP to have some fun with this at the expense of J-Ker.

Then on Monday, Kerry did it again. He bragged to a Fort Lauderdale audience that he is the favorite son of the international community. "I've met foreign leaders who can't go out and say this publicly but, boy, they look at you and say,

'You've got to win this, you've got to beat this guy, we need a new policy.'"

Kerry's probably telling the truth. Anybody who has ever run for student council knows that people tend to say they're for you even if they aren't. And, of course, a lot of foreign leaders are rooting for Kerry. The question is: Why?

On Monday night, Richard Holbrooke, a Democratic foreign-policy spokesman, was challenged on CNN's Paula Zahn show to name Kerry's foreign supporters. He came up with one example: Turkey.

"When Bill Clinton left office, 65% of the Turkish people considered America their best friend," Holbrooke said. "Here is the strategic front-line state on Iraq's northern border. Today, the figure according to the latest polls is 15% or lower. There is an example of a place where our support has eroded when it is absolutely necessary."

The erosion came, of course, as a result of Bush's Iraq policy. For years, Clinton dithered about Saddam Hussein's regime but did nothing to end it. Such passivity suited the Turks, who didn't much like Saddam but did like the status quo.

Then President Bush overthrew Saddam, demonstrating that Turkey's support was not "absolutely necessary" or, in fact, necessary at all.

The war exposed Turkey's phony "strategic" importance. It also angered local Islamic fascists who hate the American Satan, opened the painful topic of Turkey's oppressed Kurdish minority and deprived Turkey of the money it was making for helping Saddam evade economic sanctions. No wonder the Turks don't like Bush. No wonder they prefer Kerry.

There are other foreign leaders who also are hoping for a Democratic victory. President Jacques Chirac of France, obviously. Perhaps Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder of Germany (although he recently crawled to the White House for a presidential photo op). Certainly the dictators of the Islamic world are rooting for Kerry. So is Haiti's ousted president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide. And, embarrassingly enough, the government of North Korea has made its preference clear.

On the other hand, Bush has his foreign friends. Tony Blair of Great Britain. The leaders of Australia, Spain, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Israel, India, Poland and Georgia. Canada's new prime minister, Paul Martin, has been courting the President. Mexico's President Vicente Fox is back on the ranch.

In fact, Kerry's Fort Lauderdale boast underlines a very uncomfortable political fact. Many of his secret admirers regard themselves as rivals or adversaries of the U.S., a point the Bush campaign has been trying to make for months.

The GOP also argues that Kerry wouldn't pursue and defend American interests without permission from the UN, the Arab League, Turkish public opinion and the editorial board of Le Monde. True or not, these perceptions are politically disastrous for the Democrats.

A rested Kerry would have known not to brag about his popularity with unnamed foreign leaders, just as he would have avoided nominating himself Soul Brother No. 2. He needs to take some time off and get a grip.

November is still eight months away.

Originally published on March 10, 2004

[kattracks]

A rested Kerry would have known not to brag about his popularity with unnamed foreign leaders, just as he would have avoided nominating himself Soul Brother No. 2. He needs to take some time off and get a grip.

I think this has nothing to do with Kerry being tired. I believe this is the "real" Kerry, whose arrogance is overwhelming his caution.

Similar to what happened with Dean.

[Aeronaut]

I still believe this is gonna be fun.

[hershey]

Yup. At this point, with Teraysa's $ and the liberal press holding his waterwings, Kerry thinks he can walk on water.

[Use It Or Lose It]

Similar to what happened with Dean.

Shall we hold our collective breath until the media plays looped soundbites (ala Dean) of Kerry talking about the foreign (im)potentates who want him in the White House? His shadowy references are despicable, and he should be peppered with questions about the statements until he coughs up some names.

[MEG33]

Zev is giving Kerry way too much credit.I don't think he knows saying these things were gaffes.One of them is shameless pandering and the other one does expose his arrogance ...or could it be it exposes a propensity to lie?

[patj]

Similar to what happened with Dean.

Or Clark. He's got this nutty commentary ala Clark. Clark had heard rumors and spoke of them, also.

[Sabertooth]

"When Bill Clinton left office, 65% of the Turkish people considered America their best friend," Holbrooke said. "Here is the strategic front-line state on Iraq's northern border. Today, the figure according to the latest polls is 15% or lower. There is an example of a place where our support has eroded when it is absolutely necessary."

Clinton's numbers might be skewed just a little by the fact that Turkey suffered a devastating earthquake in 1999 that killed 25-40,000 people, and we were there lending the most help, as always.

Not a knock against Clinton at all, in this case, but there are some extenuating circumstances here.

[kattracks]

I don't believe Kerry views them as gaffes. Dean didn't either.

I think the arrogance of both Kerry and Dean allowed them to feel they can utter any stupid remark and it will be accepted.

Kerry also hasn't been taken to task (naturally) by the lamestream media for any of his past utterances, which is bolstering his arrogance, and, in the long run, just may do him in.

As it did Dean.

[Sapper26]

I heard a clip of Kerry comparing gay rights with civil rights. According to Kerry: Matthew Shepard was killed because he was gay and King was drug to death down in Texas because he was gay.

However, the guy who was drug to death in Texas was named Bird. Bird was black not gay. King (I believe) was one of the men who killed him.

[MEG33]

May it be so!Even Chris Matthews questions Kerry's going after Bush on security matters.The best defense is a good offense but Kerry's attacks are just plain offensive... and unbelievable.

[omniscient]

Tired my a$$ - these comments from the walking jaw are glaring indicators of a deeply flawed character. This vain, preening narcissist thinks the world is in love with him too, and his awakening in November will be oh so rude.

[MEG33]

"The walking jaw"LOL!

[longtermmemmory]

The problem is those who will vote for kerry no matter what. Keryy could state he was Hitler himself in a previous life and the core would vote. (it would lock up the homosexual vote given hitlers legendary use of homosexuals to get his rise to power.)

There are democrats who have no shame is displaying their hatred of Bush and his exposing the fraud of 50 years of democrat party "leadership". Even with Reagan the Democrats were a viable party, but since 1994 the democrats have been fading as the public sees more and more of the results of their policy.

The democrat party is irrelevant abroad, (hence seeking donations from abroad) what will happen when they start to fade domestically? It does not happen overnight but they will start to fade. How many other states will gain republican majorities?

The democrats of the hard core don't care about reality, country or right and wrong. they only want to stay politically alive, at all costs.

[Lion in Winter]

At that same Church kerry also said he was "ANNOINTED BY GOD TO BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT."

Here is the location for the reference:

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/president/kerry/articles/2004/03/08/kerry_compares_black_gay_struggles.

[Lion in Winter]

BTTT

[NYCVirago]

A rested Kerry would have known not to brag about his popularity with unnamed foreign leaders, just as he would have avoided nominating himself Soul Brother No. 2. He needs to take some time off and get a grip.

Keep on talking, Kerry!

[NYCVirago]

At that same Church kerry also said he was "ANNOINTED BY GOD TO BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT."

But, but, Kerry said he believes in the separation of church and state!

[MEG33]

The east coast /west coast sophisticates will hate the "annoited by God" line.

[MEG33]

annointed

[dancusa]

Kerry is a supercilious snot.A legend in his own mind.

[Just mythoughts]

The man appears to be mentally and physically ill.

[Just mythoughts]

"At that same Church kerry also said he was "ANNOINTED BY GOD TO BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT."

"But, but, Kerry said he believes in the separation of church and state!"


Just like the French in the French Revolution, when Sundays were removed from the calendar and all churches were shut down. JFKerry is a "god" and he anointed himself.

[NYCVirago]

Just like the French in the French Revolution, when Sundays were removed from the calendar and all churches were shut down. JFKerry is a "god" and he anointed himself.

That Kerry quote is just astonishing. Can you imagine what the media outcry would be if Bush had said that? Heck, Pat Robertson said God told him that Bush would win in a landslide, and the media was all over it.

[goldstategop]

This is the real Kerry, the real liberal when no one else is watching. Its what you see and what you get when the "moderate" mask is off. Its called feeling your oats and boy is Kerry feeling his oats!

[freebilly]

While invoking God at various turns yesterday -- at one point saying he had been "anointed the next president of the United States" after Bishop Phillip Coleman laid hands on him -- Kerry also cited the Bible and the US Constitution in defending the rights of gays and lesbians during a boisterous town hall forum after the church services.

Is Kerry mentally ill or just a plain moron? You decide....

[goldstategop]

John F. Kerry is acting as a liberal at home. Why the surprise? Its not how he would behave in flyover country, which incidentally adds to his reputation as a sleazy politician.

[R. Scott]

Great news - now if the Major News Media would pick up on it …

[Just mythoughts]

"That Kerry quote is just astonishing. Can you imagine what the media outcry would be if Bush had said that? Heck, Pat Robertson said God told him that Bush would win in a landslide, and the media was all over it."

The media worships the same "god" JFKerry does. The religion of the "left" is that they are "gods".

The thing that these of the "left" are determined to accomplish is removal of the foundation of this nation, Rights given by the Creator no man/government can take away.

[goldstategop]

The religion of the Left is politics. Politics is their "god."

[MEG33]

Listening to Neil Cavuto who said regarding endorsements of foreign leaders for Kerry."Kerry ,you are democratic candidate for President of OUR country.Act like it!!"

[freebilly]

He's claiming to be anointed President (as though he's King David) in front of people in Mississippi? Talk about your political tin ear.

Other than Floridians, what group of Southerners would elect him to anything more than dog catcher?

[Just mythoughts]

True.

[Cuttnhorse]

Neil Cavuto is a true treasure.

[Right_in_Virginia]

BTTT

[tkathy]

more reason why GWB should stick it to Kerry, long and loud. Also, Teresa should be pushed a bit, she seems to be extremely thin skinned. (perhaps she is not to happy about the bimbo alerts out on hubby).

[BlessedBeGod]

You want another Septermber 11th? Vote for John Kerry. The reason Osama attacked the US on her home soil was because he wasn't afraid of Bill Clinton.

[goldstategop]

Osama doesn't fear John F. Kerry either.

[anoldafvet]

You may be partially right, but I don't think these people are anywhere near a majority. Think back to when the WOT began, Bush's approval ratings were above 70%, I don't think there were that many Bush "Haters" in that number, so we have a chance to get 70% of the vote once Kerry implodes. While 70% probably isn't realistic, I really believe that the vast majority will vote for Bush because of security issues and the tax cuts (Kerry is saying he will RAISE taxes, and only an idiot will really support that). I also believe his main downfall will be his actions after he returned from Vietnam. The man is a traitor, far worse than Jane Fonda, and really hates this country. He is also an opportunist and a gigilolo (Only RICH women need apply).

While the media is giving him a pass, it will only embolden him to say more outrageous things, and he will trip over his own words before too long.

[goldstategop]

There's a good chance Kerry will self-destruct long before November.

[WarEagle]

It gets better and better:

Early during the forum's question-and-answer period, an African-American woman stood up and asked Kerry to take her side in insisting that the cause of gay rights should not be mixed with the civil rights movement.

The senator replied by briefly noting his support of preserving marriage for a man and a woman, but then began making a full-throated defense of civil rights for gays and lesbians -- recalling how minorities were once denied entrance to universities, and insisting that just as the Equal Protection Clause protected them, so, too, should it protect the rights of homosexuals.

At one point he compared the "crucifixion of Matthew Shepard," the Wyoming 21-year-old who was beaten, tied to a fence, and left to die in the fall of 1998, with the dragging death of an African-American Texan, James Byrd Jr., whose murder earlier in 1998 sparked new efforts for hate crimes legislation.

Kerry, in his remarks, however, misstated Byrd's last name, and referred to Byrd's sexuality when he meant to refer to his race.

"Let me tell you something, when Matthew Shepard gets crucified on a fence in Wyoming because, because, only because he was gay," Kerry said, "and Mr. King gets dragged behind a truck down Texas by chains and his body is mutilated only because he's gay, I think that's a matter of rights in the United States of America." Despite the slipups, his remarks drew strong applause from the predominantly African-American audience of 700.

Crucifixion (sp?) of Matthew Shepard? Excuse me?

This one is so insulting that it's hard to describe. Who does the Ketchup Man think he is? To make remarks like this in a Christian church? He just insulted every Christian on earth, to (by inference) compare a man cruising bars to pick up guys to our Savior.

What happened to Shepard was horrible, and the rednecks who did it deserve their fate. But Shepard was not crucified.

I'm coming to the conclusion that this man is more dangerous than Bill Clinton. Clinton knew he was a liar - that was the key to his success, being an extraordinarily good liar (in the words of Bob Kerrey). But Ketchup Man doesn't seem to know he's lying, which IMHO makes him more pathological than Bubba. He seems to think if the words come from his mouth they are truthful, that he has license to say anything. Even Bubba knew some boundaries.

This guy scares the life out of me.

[backhoe]

Senator Kerry is so hopelessly tainted with anti-Americanism that I simply do see how he can remain viable:

-John Kerry- some selected, informative links...--

[BlessedBeGod]

Osama doesn't fear John F. Kerry either.

That's what I meant. :-)

[BlessedBeGod]

Senator Kerry is so hopelessly tainted with anti-Americanism that I simply do see how he can remain viable:

But so are a lot of people. Especially liberals.

[OldFriend]

Amazing that the Daily News allowed this on their pages.

[GailA]

Are you sure this was in the left wing nyd?

[OldFriend]

Sounds like the same nutcases that channeled to Clark are now channeling to Kerry.

Let's hope that before long they'll both be consigned to the trash heap of history as pretend contenders to the presidency.

As for the so called foreign leaders preferring Kerry. Does anyone really believe that the european weaklings really want America to be incapable of defending them if the need ever arose?

[kattracks]

The author, Zev Chafets, is usually even handed.

[johnb838]

The scribes are indeed shills for the liberals and democrats. But that's not the only agenda they have/ Mostly they want red meat to report. So when the time comes they will gleefully roast Kerry in his own juices if that's what's indicated to get ratings. They also want a race that lasts until November, so expect a lot of rigged up polls. Remember how close all the polls before the 2002 elections were?

[MrsEmmaPeel]

Just like the French in the French Revolution, when Sundays were removed from the calendar and all churches were shut down. JFKerry is a "god" and he anointed himself.

Actually, the French Revolution changed the week length from 7 days to 10. A weekend went from having every 7th day off, to having every 10th day off. The actual calendar itself didn't last long. A good article to read can be found at: French Revolutionary Calendar

[kt56]

Kerry needs to hammered on these 2 points again and again and again...