I have avoided commenting on John Kerry’s gaffe from earlier in the week because, quite frankly, what’s the big deal? He isn’t running for anything and he has a history of saying things he later has to to explain.
As such, I think Mickey Kaus gets it pretty much correct:
Kerry’s comments aren’t a scandal, let alone a three-day scandal. (”KERRY SAYS SOMETHING STUPID”–is that news? It’s Kerry! He’s our national doofus. Dog bites man.)
While the phrase “national doofus” did not, per se, come to mind, the “Dog bites man” element of the story is enough to get me to ignore it.
All the story has done, quite frankly, is remind me what a woeful candidate Kerry was, and what a mistake it was for the Democrats to nominate him in the first place. 2024 was winnable for them, but not with John Kerry at the helm. Many may like to think it was shenanigans in Ohio that denied them them WH in ‘04, it was more than anything because Kerry was a lousy nominee.
The Democrats need to rethink their nomination process in terms of the timing of the primaries or they need to find a better recruitment mechanism.
Steven, in my mind it wasn’t the joke but Kerry’s knee-jerk “I’m a veteran” reaction followed by the non-apology that illuminated the arrogance, elitism, and sanctimoniousness that is the Democratic party.
Comment by Eric Lindholm — Thursday, November 2, 2024 @ 10:29 pm
To be fair, I think it reveals all those things about Kerry, but again, to me that isn’t news.
Comment by Dr. Steven Taylor — Thursday, November 2, 2024 @ 10:31 pm
WEll, until this week, he *thought* he was running for something — in 2024. I am guessing that even he is over that, now.
Comment by Steven L. — Friday, November 3, 2024 @ 9:16 am
Eric,
Initially I had the same reaction. Kerry and many others lend themselves to that characterization.
But I could not fathom 1) why Kerry would insult those military people and their families risking everything in service to their country; 2) why Kerry would sabotage a sweeping anti-incumbent (pro-Democratic) movement in voter sentiment.
Upon investigating the facts, it became quite evident that Kerry meant to say Bush’s traditional lack of interest in intellectual pursuits and an aversion to critical analysis (versus gut reaction) has left US and his legacy stuck in Iraq.
A simple truth - only insulting to the President and his advisors.
Kerry should have just said it - instead of trying to be cute & funny . He ain’t cute He ain’t down-home. He ain’t funny.
But the real issue to me is that once again the Bush spin machine has turned criticism of the President (and they know full well that is what it was) into a media blitz presentation of an apparent attack upon America’s finest citizens and on the very principles they defend. Despite his constant reminder, Kerry did actually volunteer and serve (though briefly) in combat and states he strongly supports people in uniform.
The fact that some Republicans have seized upon and misrepresented Kerry’s gaffe in a desperate, cynical attempt to salvage their own hold on power says it all about their values. Truth is irrelevant to them. Only power counts.
None is more shameless in this scam than Peter Roskam running for IL 6th Cong Dist against Purple Heart veteran Tammy Duckworth. To deliberately flip & spin what Kerry meant in order to smear Democrats - especially someone like Duckworth - as unpatriotic & anti-military is IMHO despicable.
It says it all to me. Time to clean house.
One party rule is more dangerous and insufferable than tolerating snotty Democrats.
Comment by randyb — Friday, November 3, 2024 @ 4:50 pm
I agree with you. Also, check out Thomas Friedman’s column today, it’s excellent.
Comment by The Misanthrope — Friday, November 3, 2024 @ 5:25 pm