Kerry MUST demand retraction and apology NOW

[radiclib]

I'm beginning to wonder if Kerry has the stomach for this campaign, and if he allows Cheney's disgraceful comment to stand without expressing the outrage we all feel, perhaps he doesn't deserve to win.

[Liberal Veteran]

1. Already did and got a retraction....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x808801

[troublemaker]

2. He should respond strongly, but not ask for an apology

That always sounds whiny. Why should he care about a Bush or Cheney apology? Fuck 'em.

[radiclib]

7. The American people are owed an apology

and the Kerry campaign needs to keep Cheney's remark in the news until they get one.

[mbali]

12. What good would an apology do for the American people?

"We're sorry that we insulted you and tried to terrorize you. We promise not to do it again. So, now that we've apologized, you can go ahead and vote for us."

No go. They don't owe the American people anything but slide their sorry butts out of the way to make room for Kerry and Edwards.

[Renew Deal]

3. Edwards hammered them already.

[mbali]

4. No need to ask for an apology or a retraction . .

It's silly at this point for Kerry to beg Bush/Cheney to do something they're definitely not going to do. Makes him look whiny.

Why give them a chance to clean up their mess. Edwards and Kerry are throwing it in their face, as they should.

And it's working. Cheney is already retracting his statement - the way Republicans do - by sending his spokesperson out to say, "What he REALLY meant was . . ."

[MichiganVote]

5. Outrage is better and it works. Good job Edwards.

[misterphelps]

6. Let it circulate first

I was stunned when I heard... Even a repug I was listening with said "What?".

This has a couple day's of news in it... Kerry will definitely hit on it.

After a month's worth of nothing, I'm thrilled with today's statements.

[NightOwwl]

8. Edwards had a perfect response.

"Dick Cheney's scare tactics crossed the line today, showing once again that he and George Bush will do anything and say anything to save their jobs. <snip> Protecting America from vicious terrorists is not a Democratic or Republican issue, it's an American issue and Dick Cheney and George Bush should know that. John Kerry and I will keep America safe, and we will not divide the American people to do it."

And was it effective?

"What the vice president was saying was whoever is elected will face the possibility of a terrible attack," the spokeswoman, Anne Womack, told reporters on Cheney’s plane. "The question is whether or not we have the right policies in place to protect the country." Asked whether Cheney stood by his statement, Womack (Cheney spokesperson) replied, "The vice president stands by my explanation of the statement."

I'd say it was very effective.

[gratuitous]

15. That's it: Cheney and Bush will say anything

They've clearly botched their first term, and now they're so desperate to avoid their own record, they'll say and do anything to distract the American people.

[cthrumatrix]

17. Edwards and Kerry should use this to squeeze ...like "balls in a vice"

[Uzybone]

9. asking for an apology is a bad move

makes him sound like a wimp. He should attack Cheney not beg for an apology.

[speedoo]

10. Let's see what Kerry says about it in his Cinicinatti speech tomorrow.

eom

[yardwork]

11. Your comment is phrased in a very negative manner

Instead of using phrases like ""wonder if Kerry has the stomach...." and "perhaps he doesn't deserve to win...." maybe you could be more constructive in your criticism?

[bagnana]

14. I'm sick of asking for apologies.

Who cares if they apologize. Call them on their outrageous comments and move on.

[radiclib]

18. Sorry if I seem disgusted by the Kerry campaign

but that's because I am. Lately it feels like Dukakis deja-vu. Kerry's spokespeople, as well as most of us here, keep implying that the candidate hasn't yet begun to fight, that big things are coming, and that he's a "strong closer". Well, I don't think "rope-a-dope" is working, and it's getting late. Don't count on the debates. They will be won by Bush for "exceeding expectations", according to the jabbering nitwits, and like it or not, a lot of people let the Tweety's of the world decide for them. And don't think for a second there won't be an "October surprise". So far this week, all I can remember Kerry saying is "W stands for wrong." That's not gonna get it done.
Again, sorry for the pessimism. I ran out of Zoloft a few days ago, and recent developments haven't helped. Could be time to start :beer:ing.

[michigandem2]

13. I saw Edwards respond and then heard them try to say

"oh but what he meant to say was...." gimme a break..they have been playing on peoples fears for the longest...its time to kick their asses out...

[in_cog_ni_to]

16. I've been gone. What did Cheney say?

What happened???

[radiclib]

19. Usually when someone says something they should be ashamed of

an apology is called for. At least that's the way I was brought up.
On edit: Then again, maybe these shitheads shouldn't be held accountable for anything.

[mbali]

22. An apology would only let them off the hook

Of course, they'd never apologize, but that's not the point anyway. The issue is not whether they apologize, but the fact that they would say somethingl like this in the first place. Demanding an apology is a waste of time.

[radiclib]

29. OK you're right. Waste of time.

Unlike "W is for Wrong".
BTW, if they apologize, Kerry wins. If they don't, Kerry really wins.

[Thrill]

20. He's a typical Democrat

No backbone. He won't go after Cheney hard on this. I'm so sick of this weaklink Democrat shit. Play Hardball. Remind the american people that 9-11 happened while Chimpy was in office. SAY IT. Stop being a damn coward

[mbali]

21. And you sound like a typical back-bencher - bitch bitch bitch w/nothing

constructive to offer.

No need to "remind" the American people of anything today - only muddies the message. The message is that Cheney threatened the American people. THAT's what Edwards hammered on very effectively. No need to draw a picture that will only convalute the issue - at least not on the first hit.

It's easy to sit at your computer calling our standard-bearers cowards. But it's not the least bit helpful nor is it accurate. You just sound like a petty back-bencher.

[Thrill]

23. No its something that

should be said. Why have we went almost a yr. And haven't heard Kerry remind people that 9-11 happened under Bush. Especially since he's running on National securtiy.

[mbali]

25. I didn't say it shouldn't be said - but it doesn't need to be said in the

immediate response to Cheney's remarks. Cheney's remarks are so outrageous that they need to be isolated and focused on as THE story for this cycle. Drawing all sorts of other connections into the response confuses the issue and takes the focus off of Cheney to the accusations that Kerry and Edwards are making, whether they're true, whether they're fair, blah, blah, blah.

Rapid response is very complicated and delicate, even when hard-hitting. One of the most important aspects of it is to zero in on the accusation without bringing a whole lot of other issues into it.

Fortunately, the Kerry people know this and responded to this perfectly. Now there's plenty of room to follow up and build upon this by raising questions about 9/11 in coming days. But you DON'T do it in the same news cycle as the first response.

[Demoiselle]

24. Excuse me?

Edwards has already hit him hard. He has already retracted the statement. Your comment could have come straight out of the Repuke Convention playbook. With friends like this.....

[Thrill]

26. Maybe they should

follow the Repuke Covention playbook. It worked

[mbali]

28. Nothing would make me happier than to have my party turn into THEM

Thereby defeating any point of being a Democrat.

[ruggerson]

27. Sorry, but real presidential candidates don't ask for apologies

[hippiegranny]

30. doesn't deserve to win?

deserve? at this point it is NOT just about what Kerry deserves, it is about our very lives and future. Perhaps he doesn't DESERVE to win? Whose side are you on? This isn't goddam tetherball we're playing.

[indie_voter]

31. I think he should ask "HOW DARE THEY?" nt

[bigtree]

32. Kerry's stomach?

[Darby]

33. No way, bc they won't, and then where will he be?

[Darby]

34. Kerry should call Cheney "wild eyed" and "shrill"

[aquart]

35. This isn't about what Kerry deserves.

It's about what America deserves.

[candy331]

36. Apology not accepted/needed since apologies go for sincere

misspeaks/error, a deliberate act requires no apology but a quick swift kick by the wronged party.