Posted on 06/07/2004 4:46:38 PM PDT by txradioguy
Sen. John Kerry's former presidential campaign manager said Monday that he'd been "dreading" the prospect of Ronald Reagan's death because it was likely to give President Bush a major political boost.
"I've been dreading this every election year for three cycles," said Jim Jordan, who resigned from the Kerry campaign last year, in comments to the New York Times. "Bush has totally attached himself to Ronald Reagan. He's going to turn Reagan into his own verifier."
Kerry campaign aides said they hoped the political impact of Reagan's death would fade by the summer, but top Republicans believe that many Americans will view Bush as the Republican icon's rightful political heir.
"The parallels are there. I don't know how you miss them," Republican National Committee chief Ed Gillespie told the Times, an apparent reference to the fact that the hallmarks of both the Bush and Reagan presidencies have been strengthening national defense and cutting taxes.
Another problem for the Kerry campaign: Kerry himself was a staunch Reagan critic who worked hard at undermining the 40th president's anti-communist initiatives.
As an early backer of the nuclear freeze movement, Kerry made common cause with European leftists who denounced Reagan as a reckless cowboy for countering Soviet SS-20 missile emplacements in Eastern Europe with U.S. Pershing IIs.
More dramatically, Kerry made a highly publicized trip to Nicaragua in 1985 to offer support for Soviet-backed Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega. A photo documenting the episode shows Kerry shaking the hand of Ortega, who flew off to Moscow the next week to cement military ties with the Politboro.
Kerry even criticized Reagan for being too aggressive in the war on terrorism, blasting him for bombing Libyan dictator Col. Gadhafi's presidential compound in 1986 after Gadhafi had been linked to an attack on a Berlin disco frequented by U.S. troops.
In a 1986 letter unearthed by radio host Sean Hannity for his recent book, "Deliver Us from Evil," Kerry wrote:
"It is obvious that our response was not proportional to the disco bombing and even violated the Administration's own guidelines to hit clearly defined terrorist targets, thereby minimizing the risk to innocent civilians."
Kerry added that it was a "mistake" for Reagan to have targeted the "head of state of another country - no matter how repugnant we find the leader."
"We are not going to solve the problem of terrorism with this kind of retaliation," he concluded.
>>"Bush has totally attached himself to Ronald Reagan<<
Well DUH! He's a Republican, isn't he?
Note who it is that is "politicizing" Pres. Reagan's death.
Well, then, Kerry should attach himself to his political mentor -- Ho Chi Minh.
You are right on. The democrats just could not wait.
"Note who it is that is "politicizing" Pres. Reagan's death."
It's a typical play right from the RAT playbook.
Do something yourself then accuse the other person of doing it to dstract people from your own guilt. (see also: "Politics of Personal Destruction")
Or Daniel Ortega, eh? LOL!
What a dunce!
Proud to be American.
I'm a rad Republican,proud to be American
Ronnie Reagan he's our man , if he can't do it no one can.
America rules
-Murphy's law
"Kerry added that it was a "mistake" for Reagan to have targeted the "head of state of another country - no matter how repugnant we find the leader."
"We are not going to solve the problem of terrorism with this kind of retaliation," he concluded."
Substitute "Bush" for "Reagan" and Kerry clearly shows a nearly 20 year legacy of appeasing terrorist dictators.
"Bush has totally attached himself to Ronald Reagan. He's going to turn Reagan into his own verifier."
One could easily attach oneself to someone much worse. The choice of a good exemplar is to be approved and applauded.
You know, Kerry probably can't decide who his political mentor is, just like he can't decide what his position is on the important issues of our time.
My Latin teacher simply could not wait to make a crack against Reagan. In the movie "I Claudius," Claudius day dreams. My teacher then says that it is the same way Reagan fell asleep during meetings. Even some of the left leaning, ok bleeding hearts, had to tell him it wasn't right to make a crack just after he died.
Naw, Ketchup Boy is letting his underlings do the subtle Reagan bashing, while he "stays ahead of the fray."
Kerry is getting desperate. In his latest commericial he's practically screaming about health care and how this country is "going in the wrong direction."
Good point. Hadn't thought about it that way.
In honor of Ronaldus magnus I was trying to give him the benefit of the doubt.
I should have known better.
"Bush has totally attached himself to Ronald Reagan. He's going to turn Reagan into his own verifier."
He says this, because it's what a rat would do.
Just look at J F'n K.
The RATS expect us to act that way because they themselves act that way and think most people think like they do. Right?
democRATS wrong about America and It's People for 24 years!
People on the left, like your Latin teacher, adhere to a political viewpoint that has been bankrupt of vitality and validity for over 30 years. Nothing has replaced New Deal liberalism (aka, socialism), when it died as a viable political philosophy in this country in the late 1960s. So, instead of confronting those they disagree with by appealing to reason and the lessons of history, they resort to scorn. Scorn is the last refuge of the politically and intellectually bankrupt.
Figuratively, kicking Ronald Reagan to the curb.
Apparently, your Latin teacher is too dense to understand the lesson of I Claudius, which is:
Never underestimate your opponent.
Reagan knew this. Bush knows this. The left, including your teacher, do not know this. And we will use it to our advantage in November.
He just used it as an excuse to hide for another week. He's still running ads and he'll keep the money already raised from sale of tickets to the fundraisers by promising another appearance in the future.
What a low thing to admit about oneself.
Is it that a person like this is that out of place with humanity that makes me so disgusted with humanity that I sometimes wish I was something other than human, or is it just him?
The RATS could sacrifice Jimmy Carter; for the cause.
"or is it just him?"
Minus Zell Miller, it's the entire RAT party...IMHO
Sometimes when I'm feeling charitable, I feel sorry for democrats because they have no decent heroes in their party which they can set as examples...
Thank goodness that feeling of charity passes quickly!
"And most likely has secured Bush's re election."
I HOPE YOU ARE RIGHT. From reading the other threads, I assume that you feel that GW will be the heir apparent to the Reagan legacy. I hope so. This will surely help The Prez.
BUMP!
I heard on Fox News that Kerry is planning on making an appearance at the library sometime tomorrow. Another photo op for the creep? Why can't he wait and go with the rest of his Dem rats in Washington? He could pay his respects without making it a public event...like attending the church service and/or making arrangements for them to go in a group to the rotunda before or after the public viewing.
"Why can't he wait and go with the rest of his Dem rats in Washington?"
Becasue he has to make the appearence of being "non-partisian" and "above the fray".
Remember...with the RATS it's style and appearences over substance and morals any day of the week.
THe issue here in NOT that the guy thought this..it's probably human nature, and politics ain't beanbag; rather it is that he is STUPID enough to admit publicly on the record to the media that he thought it..
Like Sampley told Kerry at the Viet Nam Wall "Kerry you dont belong here"
They could dig Wellstone up and bury him again???
Pray for W and Our Awesome Marines
I feel that 20 years from now George W Bush will be more appreciated as a result of the stand he has made against terrorism much like we are in debt to Ronald Reagan for making a stand against the Soviet Union. I have always felt that George W-though not as polished-is a diamond in the rough. I know when he speaks he is sincere just like President Reagan. I love both men for what they have done for me and this country of ours.
Or Kim Jong II
>>"Bush has totally attached himself to Ronald Reagan"<<
Well, then, Kerry should attach himself to his political mentor -- Ho Chi Minh.
YES!
PERFECT!
"Bush has totally attached himself to Ronald Reagan. He's going to turn Reagan into his own verifier."
I have a feeling the Democrats will start accusing the Bush campaign of blatantly exploiting the death of Ronald Reagan. Not conspicuously, but they'll get it out there.
Kind of like how they accuse the Bush campaign of attacking John Kerry's patriotism. Even though no one has ever actually done that. They'll just keep repeatng the charge over and over and hope it sticks.
Yeah, wondered just how long the libs could forgo that yummy taste of toejam in their mouths.
Attacking a head of state won't work...? And I assume that B.J.'s and handing money / political favors out to all that want it will work..?
Oh wait. That didn't work...we ended up with ships and buildings bombed in exchange.
This guy is a big, fat, used and stinky bowl of douche water.
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