Nice article here about how the GOP campaign has seized on certain words and phrases by Kerry, out of context, to distort his message (or to reinforce their own) in an unfair fashion.
Among these are the “sensitive” War on Terror (in context, the sensitivity was not to the terrorists, but to other nations and our own values), the “global test” (in context, a reference to a universal test of being able to justify governmental actions to the American citizenry), and the latest, the “nuisance” of terrorism (in context, the desire to essentially “win” the war on terror, such that it is not the sum total of our foreign policy).
Now while these don’t necessarily show that Kerry is some girly-man wimp sucking up to the French, they are in some cases unfortunately turns of phrase (if only one person were killed by terror next year, it would hardly be a “nuisance” to that person’s surviving family and friends). It’s ironic that Kerry, who clearly thinks of himself as a careful, intelligent, and articulate speaker, keeps saying things that can be so easily twisted by the GOP into these sorts of attacks. (Throw in the “I voted for it before I voted against it” gaffe and it almost makes Kerry sound self-destructive.)
But while you can shake your head and waggle your finger at the guy who flashes around a bunch of money in a bad neighborhood, you can’t let the robber off the hook as the guilty party, and the GOP talking heads and pols who are willing to run with these distortions deserve to be condemned for doing so. They’re not the only ones playing politics in that way, but that doesn’t excuse them, either.
(via DOF)
Quoting Andrew Sullivan:
“Yep. In fact, I’d say a clear and decisive Kerry win is now the likeliest outcome of this election. Bush’s only hope is to tear Kerry apart. He can’t defend his record. Every day, the news undermines it. He is losing this campaign in the final stretch. So he needs to attack. And when a Rove candidate needs to attack to survive, it’s going to get ugly. Real, real ugly.”
I think Andrew may be indulging in some wishful thinking. And, unfortunately, I expect things from the losing side, or from both sides (if it is close) to get dirtier and dirtier. Rove isn’t the only Operative of Evil out there.
Frankly, I remain hopeful for a win that is unequivocal (no repeat of Florida 2000) but not so overwhelming that the winner can take it all for granted.
Well, Bush lost the popular vote and still acted like he had a mandate.
Rove is the Dirt Master and much closer to his principal than any of the pigdogs on Kerry’s side. Rove made Bush.