Friday, March 19, 2004
Kerry on Vacation
So John Kerry has taken a vacation that "could not have come too soon", according to a friend.
Interesting timing, though, isn't it? During the anniversary of the beginning of the Iraq War. Being on vacation means he doesn't have to make any statements about it. Think about that. What would he say? That he's against the war - even though he voted for it - but somehow supports the troops even though he voted against funding them? He would appear weak on Defense, at least in comparison to Bush. He dare not come straight out against the war unconditionally - again, he voted for it and look what happened to the anti-war Dean. And he cannot outright cheer the troops since that would be vindicating Bush. Better to shut up and hide in Idaho.
The other interesting timing issue is the military action taking place in Pakistan that has the potential to capture - or kill - Al Queda's number two man. Does Kerry really want to be around when the War on Terror is having success? What could he reasonably do? Cheer it on? No, that makes Bush look good. But he can't criticize it either since he's taken the position that the War in Iraq has been a distraction from the more important War on Terror.
No, I think Kerry is happy to be on vacation this week. He gets to take a pass on having to confront two losing issues for him.
The other Kerry topic that seems to have legs is the issue of which foreign leaders are endorsing him.
In addition to the Prime Minister elect of Spain, a far left Socialist, openly endorsing Kerry, we have the following endorsement:
Mr. Kerry's staff back in Washington was working in overdrive, meanwhile, marshaling surrogates to defend him and punch back at Mr. Bush. They were also compelled, however, to reject an endorsement from one foreign leader: Mahathir Mohamad, former Malaysian prime minister — "an avowed anti-Semite whose views are totally deplorable," Rand Beers, a foreign policy adviser, said in a statement.
But Mr. Beers added that Mr. Kerry would shun as inappropriate the endorsement of any foreign leader at all.
So after bragging about the "other leaders" who are rooting for him to win he is not only embarrassed by the public endorsements he does get, but ends up publicly saying he doesn't want any endorsements. Sweet.
Here's some nice quotes from people who could become the President and first lady of our country
His next trip down, a reporter and a camera crew were allowed to follow along on skis — just in time to see Mr. Kerry taken out by one of the Secret Service men, who had inadvertently moved into his path, sending him into the snow.
When asked about the mishap a moment later, he said sharply, "I don't fall down," then used an expletive to describe the agent who "knocked me over."
Swearing at the Secret Service guys their to protect you. Nice. I guess if it wasn't so arrogant sounding it might make him seem somehow like a regular guy. We also have this:
Ms. Heinz Kerry, for her part, stuck to a pair of skis and was taking her time down the slope, accompanied by two old friends, one a former Olympian, the other a ski school instructor.
"I'm going tentatively, but prettily," she said, wearing tight black pants and a flaming red jacket.
Can you see the first lady of the U.S. as a person wearing "tight" pants and referring to her manner as "prettily"? Ack.
Stay on vacation, John Kerry. Please.
