NYT: When an Explosive Charge Is Not Handled With Care

[kskiska]

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 - Vice President Dick Cheney's assertion that the nation was more likely to "get hit again" by terrorists if John Kerry was elected was one of the toughest attacks launched in a presidential election in 40 years.

But Mr. Cheney's latest assault on Mr. Kerry, which startled Democrats and Republicans alike, raised a central question even in this notably ferocious presidential campaign: Is it possible for a candidate to go too far, and alienate the very voters he is trying to court?

In one sign that the answer to that question may be yes, Mr. Cheney's aides were quick to say that he had not meant to be quite so direct in his remarks in Des Moines on Tuesday when he said: "The danger is that we'll get hit again and we'll be hit in a way that will be devastating." A review of the videotape of his appearance in Des Moines suggests that his remark was spontaneous and unscripted. There was some, though not much, cringing in Republican circles at the image of Mr. Cheney on television, characteristically unsmiling, describing a Kerry presidency in such apocalyptic terms.

(SNIP)

And, of course, the attacks of Sept. 11 did occur when Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney were inoffice, and thus Mr. Cheney's remarks would seem to have presented an opening to Democrats who might want to remind voters of the criticism from two commissions of the White House's actions before the attacks.

more…
http://nytimes.com/2004/09/09/politics/campaign/09memo.html

[Sugarbleus]

1. Good article...

Democrats who might want to remind voters of the criticism from two commissions of the White House's actions before the attacks.

For me, this couldn't be pointed out ENOUGH!! Sheesh..

I am so sick of these pukes in leadership. What is the world going to think of us if these crooks win????????? :hangover:

[Carolab]

2. Just look at what they think of us now

and multiply it a hundredfold. And when we have no allies left (except Israel), then what?

[Sugarbleus]

3. Exactly...

Seriously, I really feel ill. Gawwwwwwwd

[KansDem]

7. ...and Saudi Arabia.

Many of us tend to forget that its the Saudis who are running this country.

They are the absentee landlords and George is simply the concierge

[PeaceProgProsp]

4. Worth repeating Conan O'Brien's joke:

Dick Cheney says we'll be attacked if Kerry gets elected, and he'll call it off if we elect him.

[AndyTiedye]

5. Makes Perfect Sense

If Kerry is elected, despite the best efforsts of Diebold, FauxNews,
ABC, CNN, and NBC, they will need a pretext to cling to power --
something to justify going to code red and shutting down democratic
institutions.

[PeaceProgProsp]

6. And say that did happen:

Anyone with sense would have to ask if people who like Cheney did it. But the media would NEVER ask that. The media would act like it was Kerry's fault when the only thing Kerry did wrong was fight fascism, love his country, and win an election against the fascists.

[Rose Siding]

8. dupe

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=812479