RNC: Response

Dems Extreme Makeover ^ | July 29, 2004

[RWR8189]

"It's disappointing that John Kerry's frank talk stopped with a discussion of his complexities and failed to include an explanation of his inconsistencies and contradictions on the central front in the War on Terror. John Kerry missed an opportunity to help the American people understand his vote for the war in Iraq based on the same intelligence that the President viewed, his description of himself as an anti-war candidate and his subsequent vote against troops on the front lines. He's right, America can do better."
- Campaign Chairman Marc Racicot

Even before John Kerry has spoken, he is working to distort his own record and the President's. He is engaged in an extreme makeover of his out of the mainstream record.

My fellow Americans, this is the most important election of our lifetime. The stakes are high. We are a nation at war -- a global war on terror against an enemy unlike any we have ever known before. And here at home, wages are falling, health care costs are rising, and our great middle class is shrinking. People are working weekends; they're working two jobs, three jobs, and they're still not getting ahead.

BusinessWeek: Economy Creating More High-Paying Jobs Than Low-Paying Jobs. "According to BusinessWeek's analysis, 40% of American workers belong to occupation/industry groups where the median pay is $559 a week or more. Yet employment growth in those higher-paying groups accounted for well over half of total job growth during the past year. Average monthly employment in the higher-paying groups was 744,000 higher in the 12 months ended in June, 2004, than in the previous 12-month period. By contrast, only 408,000 jobs were added in groups whose median pay was $553 a week or less, even though they account for 52% of total jobs." ("Another Look At Those Job Numbers," BusinessWeek, 7/26/04)

Average GDP Over Most Recent Three Quarters
1996: 3.1% 2004: 5.6%

The Prescription Drug Bill Signed By President Bush Offers A Prescription Drug Benefit Under Medicare For The First Time In History.

Kerry Voted 98 Times For Tax Increases Totaling More Than $2.3 Trillion.

Kerry Voted At Least 126 Times Against Tax Cuts Totaling More Than $5.3 Trillion.

Kerry Has Voted 73 Times To Reduce The Size Of A Tax Cut.

Kerry Voted 67 Times For Smaller Tax Cuts (Democrat Alternatives).

Kerry Voted 11 Times Against Repealing Tax Hikes.

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We can do better and we will. We're the optimists. For us, this is a country of the future. We're the can do people. And let's not forget what we did in the 1990s. We balanced the budget. We paid down the debt. We created 23 million new jobs. We lifted millions out of poverty and we lifted the standard of living for the middle class. We just need to believe in ourselves -- and we can do it again.

In The 1990s, Kerry Voted For The Largest Tax Increase In U.S. History.

Jan-June Average Unemployment
1996: 5.5% 2004: 5.6%

30 year fixed rate conventional mortgages
1996: 8.32% 2004: 6.29%

June Consumer Sentiment
1996: 92.4 2004: 95.2

Kerry Says America Is "In The Worst Job Recovery Since The Great Depression." (Sen. John Kerry, "Statement by John Kerry on New Jobs Numbers," Press Release, 5/7/04)

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As president, I will ask hard questions and demand hard evidence. I will immediately reform the intelligence system - so policy is guided by facts, and facts are never distorted by politics. And as president, I will bring back this nation's time-honored tradition: the United States of America never goes to war because we want to, we only go to war because we have to.

Kerry Was On Senate Select Intelligence Committee For Eight Years (1993-2000).

• While On Committee, Kerry Missed 38 Of 49 Intelligence Committee Hearings. During John Kerry's eight years of service on the Senate's Select Committee on Intelligence, there were 49 open, public hearings. Of these 49, John Kerry attended just 11 (22.4%). Among the most notable of those he missed is the June 8, 2000, hearing on the report of the National Commission on Terrorism, which warned about the terrorist threat we now face and recommended numerous steps to address that threat (few of which were adopted prior to 9/11/01).

• While On Committee, Kerry Proposed Over $7.5 Billion In Across The Board Cuts To Intelligence Budget, All Of Which Were Rejected By Democrats And Republicans Alike. (S. 1826, Introduced 2/3/1994; S. Amdt. 1452, Introduced 2/9/94; S. 1290, Introduced 9/29/95)

• A Look At Kerry's Legislative Record During That Same Time Period Finds No Legislation That Kerry Proposed (Wrote And Sponsored) To Increase Funding For Human Intelligence Or Reform Intelligence Community To Focus Resources On Human Intelligence Gathering.

• Kerry Touted Being "Way Ahead" Of President Clinton, His Senate Colleagues And Much Of Country In His Support For Regime Change, By Ground Troops If Necessary. ABC's GEORGE WILL: "Senator Kerry, given the fact that we say, on the one hand, he's like Hitler - the most evil man since Hitler, the secretary of state said this week - yet he's not worth fighting for on the ground, fighting against on the ground, is it perhaps time for the United States to quit obsessing about him, say this is a problem we can't solve, and think about other things?" SEN. JOHN KERRY: "Well, first of all, George, I don't believe it's not worth fighting for on the ground. And I think that's your last position, and there are many things you can do. And I'm quite confident you can make his life sufficiently miserable and deprive him of the ability to survive without necessarily having to reach that level. But I'm prepared to go to the level. And the reason is very simple [I] believe he is the kind of threat that has been described. I believe that in the post- Cold War period this issue of proliferation, particularly in the hands of Saddam Hussein, is critical. It has implications for a Qaddafi, for a Sudan, for other countries in the world in the future." WILL: "Senator Kerry, you're way ahead of the commander in chief in this regard." KERRY: "I am way ahead of the commander in chief, and I'm probably way ahead of my colleagues and certainly of much of the country. But I believe this. I believe that he has used these weapons before. He has invaded another country. He views himself as a modern-day Nebuchadnezzar. He wants to continue to play the uniting critical role in that part of the world. And I think we have to stand up to that." (ABC's "This Week," 2/22/98)

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  I defended this country as a young man and I will defend it as president. Let there be no mistake: I will never hesitate to use force when it is required. Any attack will be met with a swift and certain response. I will never give any nation or international institution a veto over our national security. And I will build a stronger American military.

  1990-2003: Voted At Least 12 Times Against Higher Pay For America's Hardworking Volunteer Military.

  Kerry Voted For Use Of Force Resolution Against Iraq. Kerry and Edwards voted for the Congressional resolution authorizing the use of force against Iraq.

  Senators Kerry And Edwards Are Two Of Only Four US Senators Who Voted For The Use Of Force Resolution Against Iraq And Against The $87 Billion Funding Bill For Our Troops In Iraq And Afghanistan.

• Supplemental Funding Bill Kerry And Edwards Voted Against Provided "Extra Money For Body Armor For Soldiers ..." ("Highlights Of Iraq, Afghanistan Measures," The Associated Press, 10/17/03; S. Rept. 108-160, Conference Report On S. 1689, 10/2/03)

• Supplemental Funding Bill Kerry And Edwards Voted Against Provided Increased Combat Pay For Troops. ("Highlights Of Iraq, Afghanistan Measures," The Associated Press, 10/17/03; S. Rept. 108-160, Conference Report On S. 1689, 10/2/03; "FY 2004 Supplemental Request For Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), And Operation Noble Eagle (ONE)," U.S. Department Of Defense, 9/03)

• Supplemental Funding Bill Kerry And Edwards Voted Against Provided Health Benefits For Reservists And Guardsmen Called To Active Duty, As Well As Support For Their Families. ("Highlights Of Iraq, Afghanistan Measures," The Associated Press, 10/17/03; S. Rept. 108-160, Conference Report On S. 1689, 10/2/03; "FY 2004 Supplemental Request For Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), And Operation Noble Eagle (ONE)," U.S. Department Of Defense, 9/03)

  Kerry Had Characterized A Vote Against The Funding As "Irresponsible." (CBS, "Face the Nation," 9/14/03)

  Kerry Later Offered A Tortured Explanation Of His Vote Against The $87 Billion To Support Troops In Iraq. "I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it." (Richard W. Stevenson and Adam Nagourney, "Bush's Campaign Emphasizes Role Of Leader In War," The New York Times, 3/17/04)

  Kerry Said He Was "Proud" That He And Edwards Voted Against $87 Billion In Funding For U.S. Soldiers. (John Kerry, Remarks at "Women's Voices: A Luncheon with John Kerry," Boston, MA, 7/12/04)

  Kerry Then Said His Vote Against Body Armor And Supplies For Troops Was "Complicated." (MSNBC's "Imus in the Morning," 7/15/04)

  Kerry Even Said His Vote For The War And Against Funding For Our Troops Was "Not A Flip-Flop." (CBS' "Evening News," 7/21/04)

  Kerry Adviser On Vote Against The $87 Billion Appropriation: "Off The Record, He Did It Because Of Howard Dean. On The Record, He Has An Elaborate Explanation." (Philip Gourevitch, "Damage Control," The New Yorker, 7/26/04)

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  In these dangerous days there is a right way and a wrong way to be strong. Strength is more than tough words. After decades of experience in national security, I know the reach of our power and I know the power of our ideals.

  Kerry's Storied Career Of Opposing A Strong National Defense:

  1972: In Congressional Race, Pledged To "Bring A Different Kind Of Message" By Voting Against Defense Funds. ("Candidates For Congress Capture Campus In Andover," Lawrence [MA] Eagle-Tribune, 4/21/72)

  1982-1984: Used Lieutenant Governor Position To Lobby Against Reagan Defense Build-Up And Supported Nuclear Freeze Movement. (Senate Candidate Questionnaire, Massachusetts "Freeze Voter '84," 5/25/84)

  1984: Running For Senate, Pledged To "Fight To Cut The Overall Defense Budget." Opposed "annual increases in the military budget above the rate of inflation," and proposed cutting "$200 billion from the defense budget over four years ..." (John Kerry, Letter To U.S. Senate Campaign Supporters, 6/84; "Senate Candidates' Positions," The Boston Globe, 7/8/84; Chris Black, "Kerry Asks Cuts In Defense Outlay," The Boston Globe, 5/30/84)

  1993: Sen. Kerry Proposed Numerous Defense Cuts. Included cuts in number of navy submarines, Army light infantry units and air force tactical fighter wings, plus the immediate retirement of no less than 60,000 members of the armed forces. (S.1163, Introduced 6/24/93)

  1994: Sen. Kerry Proposed $45 Billion Cut In Defense And Science Programs Vital To National Security. (S. 1826, Introduced 2/3/94; Sen. John Kerry, Congressional Record, 2/3/94, p. S807)

  1996: Sen. Kerry Questioned Defense Budget Size: "What Is It That We Are Really Preparing For In A Post-Cold-War World?" (Sen. John Kerry, Congressional Record, 5/15/96, p. S5061)

  2001: Sen. Kerry Opposed Push To "Spend More Money On The Military, Which Bush Is Going To Do ..." (CNN's "Late Edition With Wolf Blitzer," 2/25/01)

  1985-2001: Voted At Least 38 Times To Cut, Transfer Or Otherwise Decrease Overall Defense Budget.

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  And the front lines of this battle are not just far away - they're right here on our shores, at our airports, and potentially in any town or city. Today, our national security begins with homeland security. The 9-11 Commission has given us a path to follow, endorsed by Democrats, Republicans, and the 9-11 families. As president, I will not evade or equivocate; I will immediately implement the recommendations of that commission. We shouldn't be letting ninety-five percent of container ships come into our ports without ever being physically inspected. We shouldn't be leaving our nuclear and chemical plants without enough protection. And we shouldn't be opening firehouses in Baghdad and closing them down in the United States of America.

  Overall Homeland Security Funding Tripled: Since 2001, President Bush has nearly tripled the amount of funds devoted to homeland security. In his 2005 budget, President Bush has called for a $3.6 billion (9.7%) increase over funding levels for DHS from 2004. ()

  President Bush Will Take Action "Within Days." "President Bush is preparing executive orders and a speech detailing his initial plans for revamping the nation's intelligence services, administration officials said Wednesday. He is likely to begin his announcements within days, the officials said." (Mike Allen And Dan Eggen, "Bush May Move Soon On 9/11 Report," The Washington Post, 7/29/04)

  First Responders Funding Up 680%: President Clinton's last budget (FY 2001) provided $456 million for state & local funding. President Bush's FY 2005 budget request allocates $3.561 billion to states & locals. That is a $3.1 billion increase (680%) in funding levels for President Clinton's last budget. President Bush has allocated more than $13 billion since 2001 to state and local law enforcement for use in counter-terrorism preparedness efforts.

  Assistance To Firefighters. President Bush's FY 2005 budget request allocates $500 million for Assistance to Firefighter Grants - a 400 percent increase since taking office. Assistance to Firefighter Grants go directly to local firehouses to increase the effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safety programs, new fire apparatus, emergency medical service programs and fire prevention programs. President Bush has already awarded over $1.1 billion in firefighter grants in the last three years. The President's budgets have provided 900 percent more funds for firefighter grants than the previous administration's budgets. ("USFA: Assistance To Firefighters Grants Program Fiscal Year 2003 Recipients," U.S. Fire Association, , Accessed 5/28/04)

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  For four years, we've heard a lot of talk about values. But values spoken without actions taken are just slogans. Values are not just words. They're what we live by. They're about the causes we champion and the people we fight for. And it is time for those who talk about family values to start valuing families.

  Nonpartisan National Journal Scored Kerry's Votes Most Liberal In Senate For 2003. Kerry scored a Senate-high 97% liberal rating for 2003, beating out Sens. Barbara Boxer (91), Hillary Clinton (89), Ted Kennedy (88), and Tom Daschle (80). (National Journal Website, "How They Measured Up," http://nationaljournal.com, 2/27/04)

  Kerry Voted Against The Laci Peterson Law, Known As The "Unborn Victims Of Violence Act." This new law acknowledges a common-sense proposition: When a crime of violence against a pregnant woman kills or injures her unborn child, there are two victims, and two offenses that should be punished.

  Kerry Voted To Allow Federal Money To Be Used To Distribute The Morning-After Abortion Pill In America's Schools.

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  We value jobs that pay you more not less than you earned before. We value jobs where, when you put in a week's work, you can actually pay your bills, provide for your children, and lift up the quality of your life. We value an America where the middle class is not being squeezed, but doing better.

  Kerry Is No Friend Of Middle Class:

  Kerry Voted Against Amendment To FY 2004 Budget Resolution That Would Extend $1,000 Child Tax Credit Until 2013.

  Kerry Sponsored And Voted For Motion To Kill Marriage Penalty Relief For Couples Earning Less Than $50,000 Per Year. "Kerry, D-Mass., motion to table (kill) the Gramm, R-Texas, amendment -- The Gramm amendment would allow couples with combined incomes under $50,000 a year to claim an additional $3,300 income tax deduction, thus eliminating the so-called marriage penalty for those in that income bracket." Sen. Gramm's marriage penalty relief would have saved taxpayers $46 billion over 10 years. The amendment also would allowed self-employed individuals to deduct health insurance costs on their income taxes. (S. 1415, CQ Vote #154: Rejected 48-50: R 5-49; D 43-1, 6/10/98, Kerry Voted Yea)

  Kerry Voted Three Times Against Repealing The 1993 Clinton Tax Increase On Social Security Benefits.

  Kerry Voted Against The 2001 And 2003 Tax Cuts.

  Kerry Voted Against Eliminating Clinton-Instituted 4.3-Cent Tax On Transportation Fuels.

  In 1995, Kerry Voted For A Resolution That Said Middle Class Tax Cuts Were Not Wise. The sense of the Senate amendment, killed on a motion by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), said, "reducing the deficit should be one of the nation's highest priorities, and that a middle-class tax cut would undermine and be inconsistent with the goal of achieving a balanced budget." (H.J. Res. 1, CQ Vote #67: Motion Agreed To 66-32: R 49-3; D 17-29, 2/14/95, Kerry Voted Nay)

• Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI), Sponsor Of Resolution, Said Senators Need "Will" To Resist Middle Class Tax Cut. (Sen. Russ Feingold, Congressional Record, 2/14/95, p. S2617)

[My2Cents]

How about, "Kerry...You can run, but you cannot hide."

[Krodg]

How can we put this on every door?

[Captain Beyond]

bump

[KC_for_Freedom]

Yeah, thats good for another bump

[YaYa123]

Can't believe I made it through the whole dang speech.

"reporting for duty"

"trees - the cathedrals of nature" from his mother. gag me

model airplane, bicycle, baseball mitt - from my dad.

he's sticking out that tongue like a snake, goofy hand gestures, can't get his pauses in sync with the appplause. more out of sync hand gestures.

Teddy Kennedy looking mighty bored.

Point with a finger, point with a fist, "I ask you to judge me by my record"

(Will do)

keep that thumb up when making a fist...looks like a European counting euros

"We're the ken do people."(can't he pronounce C A N? Does he open a ken of soup?)

Hand gestures getting out of control... I"m worried he's going to slap himself!

"This son of a millworker is ready to lead."

(Loved this line!)

"and what can I say about Teresa?"

"Saying there are weapons of mass destructions doesn't make it so." (how do you spell ka ka )

"I defended this country as a young man and I will defend it as president! I will build a stronger military We will double our special forces. We will end the back door draft of the national guard and reservists. "

"To all who serve today, I say, Help Is On The Way." (Did anyone tell John Kerry he's so fullashit his eyes are brown!....They should!)

"As president I will immediately implement all the 9-ll recommendations." (silly silly people, applauding anything.)

"See that flag? That's old glory. I fought under that flag." I did so! Yes I did!!! The crowd is trying to chant USA USA, but Kerry having none of that.

It's time for those who talk about values, to start valuing families.

Poor old Dave Devene in Ohio, lost his job. Help is on the way!

Mary Ann Knowles in New Hampshire got breast cancer. Help is on the way!

Debra lost her pension. Help is on the way!!

like Hope and Help lines weren't coordinated? This means Bob Shrum wrote both speeches!!! But Wait, Kerry said he wrote his own speech!!! and Edwards did too...gasp!! you don't think they lied to us, do you?

Sweating, hells bells, he's sprung a leak!! and the cameras panning to some mighty bored looking people. Where are the celebrities? I haven't seen shots of any celebrities in a long time. are they sleeping? Quiet...the crowd got real quiet on healthcare.

rely on ingenuity and innovation, not Saudi royal family oil. (hmmm. my car takes gas..and he doesn't want us to drill in Anwar? )

w "faith has given me values."(No Wait) "I learned values from that gunboat. We were all in the same boat! " "literal thunder shaking the arena" says Dan Rather, " Bob Scheiffer says this is the best speech Kerry has ever made, You can't trust these people and you can trust me, Scheiffer says. Scheiffer points out Kerry's jab at Bush's religion.

Mark Halperin of ABC says Best speech of Kerry, by a mile! He never sweats, Very good job, he says.

Balloons not falling....heads will roll!

[nicmarlo]

BTTT

[hope]

This RNC video is one not to miss!

[b9]

Fabulous...thank you!

Like my husband keeps saying,
since when does TRUTH = negativity?

Anyone notice the glaring absence of Michael Moore tonight?

[Carolinamom]

I hope George Bush comes out tomorrow w/both guns blazing. To hell with negative remarks.......Kerry threw down the gauntlet. Bush has a RIGHT and duty to defend himself and us. It's the American way.

[THX 1138]

This is Doofus' highwater mark. I don't think we've seen a tenth of what Rove has ready for this guy...

[mylife]

I think GW knows a thing or two about truth and decency.

I dont expect guns blazing, but there will be a warning shot or two.

[My2Cents]

Kerry's a whiner, as well as a dork. He said in the spring, "Bring it on!", and when the Bush campaign brought it on, he started crying like a spoiled schoolgirl.

Now that the spotlight is on Kerry, people will tire of him. Oh, he's got a good 42% of the vote already wrapped up, the those are the looney left. He has the potential to lose everyone else.

[Angelwood]

Bump for later.

[Darlin']

Yes. They were prepared. They also had several heavyweights in the Truth Squad ion Boston to debunk the lies this week, among them Guilani .

[Carolinamom]

At least we are likely to hear some ORIGINAL slogans.

[mylife]

Now that the spotlight is on Kerry, people will tire of him.

Yup! Thats how I see it.

Kerry will have people wishing he would go away by NOV.

He struggled on opening night to flesh himself out

[Edit35]

Even the media bias couldn't make Kerry look good on this speech.

Besides his monotone, and lack of one single memorable idea, did you notice how Kerry kept rocking back and forth, back and forth on his feel like a little boy who has to take a pee and is holding his dinky.

He stepped on almost every applause line, and seemed like he had overamped on caffeine. He spoke in such rapid-fire, especially the last half, that his ideas seemed to blend together.

Like Monica Crowley mentioned on WABC, he didn't mention Israel even once, even though it is one of the center pieces of world affairs. He is scared, no doubt, and doesn't have one shred of confidence.

Furthermore, Kerry failed to mention Bill Clinton's name even ONE TIME (mentioned on TV)... and he didn't have one single joke. No humor at all.

Even though I see things through Republican eyes, I am fully convinced that this speech will be forgotten within one day, maybe two, because there was not one memorable line.

Kerry stole at least three lines from the Bush Cheney speeches of 2000. Hope (help) is on the way. Freedom will win over fear. And .. I forget the third.

Anyway, the main thing I will remember is Kerry, rocking back and forth, from left to right, like he has to take a wicket pee and is holding it in. HA HA.

[aruanan]

On my way back home from helping one of our church's refugee families move, I listened to Kerry's speech on, where else, WLSAM. A lot of what he said could sound really good--good to someone who was unaware of the recent history of Democrat politics and campaigning or of Kerry's own political history. Kerry draped lots of patriotic bunting and religious tinsel, together with a few squirts of militaristic testosterone, over his party's creaking, weather-worn, worm-eaten platform of statism.

Kerry's honking declamation, sentences sinking like depth charges that failed to explode, reminded me of the way a certain character in Young Frankenstein talked--before he got an infusion of brains--when he bellowed, "Puttin' on the Ritz!"

Whatever he said has to be taken in the context of, "I voted for it, before I voted against it" and other such revelations of his lying, vacillating character as claiming how much he loves to hunt deer crawling through the woods on his stomach with his 12 gauge shotgun or claiming that his grounder at the ballgame was because the catcher was nervous and he wanted to toss an easy one to him or claiming that no pictures were to have been taken at Cape Canaveral when it was the Kerry campaign that requested expedited developing of those very pictures. There are probably a thousand other examples of Kerry's duplicity. Far more than enough to put everything he said in this speech tonight into complete and final doubt.

[Brad’s Gramma]

BTTT and bookmarked!

[mylife]

Kerry is an empty shell.

And he laid himself wide open with the overt lies