Is there a more politically tone-deaf, out-of-touch politician on the national level than John Kerry?
posted by Pro Ecclesia 4:39 PM
7 comments
A convert to the Catholic Church who became Catholic because of a belief in and devotion to the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. * A graduate of Baylor University and the University of Virginia School of Law. * Former Mayor of the Town of Columbia, Virginia. * Married with four children: two boys and two girls. * Primary interests include the Catholic Church, family, Early American History, and law/politics * Primary purpose of this blog is fostering enlightened discussion about the roles played by the institutions of religion, family, and state in our daily lives. * Under the protection of St. Thomas More, martyr, and patron of lawyers, judges, civil servants, politicians, statesmen, and large families (not to mention troubled marriages).
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7 Comments:
Kerry's statement will serve to remind many Americans of the utter contempt that many liberals, especially wealthy "limosine" liberals have for those who serve in the military. To many liberals who came of age during Vietnam the year will always be 68 and any Republican president will always be a Nixon-surrogate. Karl Rove should send a thank you to Kerry after the elections for helping to fire up the Republican base.
From ABC News:
"A Democratic congressman told ABC News, Tuesday, 'I guess Kerry wasn't content blowing 2004, now he wants to blow 2006, too.'"
Kerry was actually FOR the military before he spoke AGAINST it. It's like the campaign of 2004 never ended, and John's STILL trying to lose the election. My rant, as an indignant veteran, here.
Kerry is a doofus, but I believe his intent was to insult President Bush and not the troops. The thing is, you also believe it, Jay; you're clearly an intelligent guy, and you know Kerry wouldn't call our soldiers stupid, even if he believed it. That you're so willing to toe the party line is sort of sad.
"A Democratic congressman told ABC News, Tuesday, 'I guess Kerry wasn't content blowing 2004, now he wants to blow 2006, too.'"
Okay, now that's a funny joke.
Local Man,
First, thanks for the compliment.
Second, I don't know what Kerry was trying to say with his comments, but I do know that what he actually said closely resembles the sort of disdainful things he's said about military personnel in the past.
However, giving him the benefit of the doubt, his alleged "joke" makes absolutely no sense in the context in which he apparently tried to use it. He was talking to young people about getting a good education. George W. Bush definitely had the benefit of a good education, graduating from both Harvard and Yale.
In fact, Bush did better at Yale than Kerry did. So, I don't see how the alleged "Bush is dumb" joke can possibly be what he meant in the context of "getting a good education".
Instead, I think Kerry was trying to play on the liberal meme that people go into the military because they are in the lower socio-economic echelons of society. I don't think for one minute that he actually believes that (nor do I think for one minute that he actually believes Bush is stupid), but I do think he would say it to try to score political points (i.e. rich white boy sending poor black and hispanic kids to fight his war).
However, giving him the benefit of the doubt, his alleged "joke" makes absolutely no sense in the context in which he apparently tried to use it. He was talking to young people about getting a good education. George W. Bush definitely had the benefit of a good education, graduating from both Harvard and Yale.
In fact, Bush did better at Yale than Kerry did. So, I don't see how the alleged "Bush is dumb" joke can possibly be what he meant in the context of "getting a good education".
But Jay, you're forgetting that "Bush is stupid" jokes are usually nonsensical and idiotic. As an example, I once had a professor say something like "now, imagine if George Bush were to open a telephone book—not that I think he's smart enough to use a telephone mind you—yadda yadda yadda..." Kerry's insulting Bush's education wouldn't be nearly as dumb as that comment.
Jay, I agree the joke's merits were dubious at best, but that doesn't translate into a deliberate insult directed at American troops. You're stretching.
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