By Dan Payne | April 18, 2004 Boston Globe.
BUSH suddenly looks beatable. After press conference, usually upbeat Bush-booster and leading conservative William Kristol told LA Times, "I was depressed" over no exit strategy for Iraq. News stories from swing states keep showing unemployed people and families with relatives in Iraq rethinking support for Bush.
Loss of nation's faith. National polls show president's bond with public badly torn. Newsweek poll found six in 10 unhappy with direction of country. Public doesn't blame him for 9/11. But Iraq is whole 'nuther smoke. Majority say Iraq could become "another Vietnam." Gallup poll says nearly two-thirds believe things going badly in Iraq.
66 days to chaos? NBC's Tim Russert asked US administrator in Iraq, L. Paul Bremer, whom he intends to turn country over to on June 30, only 66 days from now. Bremer's reply: "That's a good question." Good question? Horrible answer.
Homicide and suicide. Those in Beltway clamoring for John Kerry to jump on Bush should remember: In politics, never commit homicide on an opponent who is committing suicide. Don't politicize favorable situation by piling on.
Bush in retreat. Bush blew one-fourth of his $170 million TV budget in first six weeks and got bupkis. Now cutting back ad spending in swing states. Republican Party forecasts southern strategy attacking Kerry on abortion, gun control, gay marriage, death penalty, flag burning. Haven't we seen this movie before? Kerry will advertise his military record and (yawn) "kitchen table" issues.
Flip flop on Israel. Bush backs Israeli Prime Minister Sharon's plan for occupied territories and Palestinian refugees. Why? Pandering to increasingly pro-Israel Christian conservatives. Jewish Democrat Kerry quickly says Amen. Arab Americans denounce move, giving Bush positioning he must like.
Help the president. At press conference, Bush couldn't name biggest mistake since 9/11. "I'm sure something will pop into my head here. . . with all the pressure of trying to come up with answer, but it hadn't yet." American Progress Report had several national security mistakes pop into its head. Help Bush; go to www American progress.org.
Clouds over Northwest. Kerry trails by 2 points in Oregon poll, leads by only 5 in Washington State. Armchair Strategist knows Northwest. Oregon loaded with ornery, tax-hating rugged individualists not to be confused with Vermonters. Washington mellower Microsoft-and-Starbucks country. Kerry manager Mary Beth Cahill won Washington for Mike Dukakis in 1998.
Charity begins at Heinz. In 2003, Kerry taxable income $395,000; gave $44,000 to charity. Far cry from return released when he ran against Governor Weld. In 1995 Kerry made $126,000 and gave $0 to charity. That year he bought Italian motorcycle and power boat. Maybe he gave free rides to the poor?
They never learn. To borrow from late singer Jim Croce, "You don't tug on superman's cape/ You don't spit into the wind/ You don't pull the mask off the ol' lone ranger/ And you don't mess around with John Kerry's war record." Bush campaign, Rush Limbaugh, Fox News, and, yes, even Globe reporter have grasped Third Rail of John Kerry politics. All questioned his military service, heroism, and antiwar activities. Always amazed when opponents do this. Always backfires.
Latest in long line of fighters. Kerry cornerman Robert Shrum has penchant for pugilism, Atlantic magazine documents. For Dick Gephardt's 1988 presidential, he used "It's Your Fight Too." For Bob Kerrey's 1992 run, Shrum cried "Fight Back, America." Gave Al Gore "Stay and Fight" in 2000. Shrum client Kathleen Townsend Kennedy lost governor's race "Fighting for Maryland's Families." Kerry loves to say "I'm a fighter." Website sells "Kerry Freedom Fighter" T-shirts. More fighting than "Kill Bill."
Bush & Cheney in stereo. Asked why he insisted on testifying before 9/11 commission at same time as Vice President Dick Cheney, Bush said "Because the 9/11 commission wants to ask us questions." But, Mr. President, why together? "Because it's a good chance for both of us to answer questions that the 9/11 commission is looking forward to asking us." Why am I thinking Corrado Soprano and Tony Soprano?
BUSH suddenly looks beatable. After press conference, usually upbeat Bush-booster and leading conservative William Kristol told LA Times, "I was depressed" over no exit strategy for Iraq. News stories from swing states keep showing unemployed people and families with relatives in Iraq rethinking support for Bush.
Loss of nation's faith. National polls show president's bond with public badly torn. Newsweek poll found six in 10 unhappy with direction of country. Public doesn't blame him for 9/11. But Iraq is whole 'nuther smoke. Majority say Iraq could become "another Vietnam." Gallup poll says nearly two-thirds believe things going badly in Iraq.
66 days to chaos? NBC's Tim Russert asked US administrator in Iraq, L. Paul Bremer, whom he intends to turn country over to on June 30, only 66 days from now. Bremer's reply: "That's a good question." Good question? Horrible answer.
Homicide and suicide. Those in Beltway clamoring for John Kerry to jump on Bush should remember: In politics, never commit homicide on an opponent who is committing suicide. Don't politicize favorable situation by piling on.
Bush in retreat. Bush blew one-fourth of his $170 million TV budget in first six weeks and got bupkis. Now cutting back ad spending in swing states. Republican Party forecasts southern strategy attacking Kerry on abortion, gun control, gay marriage, death penalty, flag burning. Haven't we seen this movie before? Kerry will advertise his military record and (yawn) "kitchen table" issues.
Flip flop on Israel. Bush backs Israeli Prime Minister Sharon's plan for occupied territories and Palestinian refugees. Why? Pandering to increasingly pro-Israel Christian conservatives. Jewish Democrat Kerry quickly says Amen. Arab Americans denounce move, giving Bush positioning he must like.
Help the president. At press conference, Bush couldn't name biggest mistake since 9/11. "I'm sure something will pop into my head here. . . with all the pressure of trying to come up with answer, but it hadn't yet." American Progress Report had several national security mistakes pop into its head. Help Bush; go to www American progress.org.
Clouds over Northwest. Kerry trails by 2 points in Oregon poll, leads by only 5 in Washington State. Armchair Strategist knows Northwest. Oregon loaded with ornery, tax-hating rugged individualists not to be confused with Vermonters. Washington mellower Microsoft-and-Starbucks country. Kerry manager Mary Beth Cahill won Washington for Mike Dukakis in 1998.
Charity begins at Heinz. In 2003, Kerry taxable income $395,000; gave $44,000 to charity. Far cry from return released when he ran against Governor Weld. In 1995 Kerry made $126,000 and gave $0 to charity. That year he bought Italian motorcycle and power boat. Maybe he gave free rides to the poor?
They never learn. To borrow from late singer Jim Croce, "You don't tug on superman's cape/ You don't spit into the wind/ You don't pull the mask off the ol' lone ranger/ And you don't mess around with John Kerry's war record." Bush campaign, Rush Limbaugh, Fox News, and, yes, even Globe reporter have grasped Third Rail of John Kerry politics. All questioned his military service, heroism, and antiwar activities. Always amazed when opponents do this. Always backfires.
Latest in long line of fighters. Kerry cornerman Robert Shrum has penchant for pugilism, Atlantic magazine documents. For Dick Gephardt's 1988 presidential, he used "It's Your Fight Too." For Bob Kerrey's 1992 run, Shrum cried "Fight Back, America." Gave Al Gore "Stay and Fight" in 2000. Shrum client Kathleen Townsend Kennedy lost governor's race "Fighting for Maryland's Families." Kerry loves to say "I'm a fighter." Website sells "Kerry Freedom Fighter" T-shirts. More fighting than "Kill Bill."
Bush & Cheney in stereo. Asked why he insisted on testifying before 9/11 commission at same time as Vice President Dick Cheney, Bush said "Because the 9/11 commission wants to ask us questions." But, Mr. President, why together? "Because it's a good chance for both of us to answer questions that the 9/11 commission is looking forward to asking us." Why am I thinking Corrado Soprano and Tony Soprano?
