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.
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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