Carville: Grounds for Divorce?

[autorank]

"Kerry ought to stop this. He's running his campaign predicated on four months of service 35 years ago in the middle of the Cold War," Matalin told "Fox News Sunday."

[Democat]

1. Isn't that the campaign the Republicans ran against Clinton for 8 years?

Now suddenly nothing before three years ago matters, unless it's something the Republicans want to slam a Democrat over?

The hypocrisy is never ending from these people.

[Stephanie]

2. And bush is running on his failure to prevent 9/11 and his failed Iraq war

Dump her, James! I promise to make you very happy!

[Doosh]

3. the Vietnam stuff is becoming kind of stale

he's got a great war record, and it can be the central focus of the campign for a while but it's time to change gears.

[Wheelie_Alex]

4. That much is true.

There are vets on this board, myself included, that put in much more time in combat zones, have the same medals and are not seeing ourselves qualified to be President because of it.

It was 35 years ago. One on one or squad level combat are not going to all of a sudden give a man clarity in world affairs.
My vote for Kerry has NOTHING to do with his service and my non-support of Bush has NOTHING to do with his time in the Guard.

Kerry's campaign IS focusing too much on his service. It may have defined him, gave him character (battle does that), but qualified him for President? Not in my book.

[shraby]

6. Graduating Valedictorian

from college, having a law degree and being a prosecutor for a few years, serving in the Senate plus serving on committees while in the Senate goes a long way toward qualifying him in my book, his Vietnam service with valor notwithstanding.

[Wheelie_Alex]

10. I agree!

Many brave men served in Vietnam, died and shed blood. Kerry was one of them, but nothing more. To base my vote for Kerry soley on his service in Vietnam would minimize the sacrifice of all the others who served there.

My vote for Kerry hinges on many other things. I do not even take into account his service as a qualification. If that was the case, I would have chosen Dole over Clinton.

[mediaman007]

9. Without emphasizing his service, he would have been

eaten up by Bush*/Cheney as unqualified to be Commander-in-Chief. Kerry's just leveled the playing field.

I think that Kerry has spent a lot more time talking about jobs and taxes.

[spanone]

5. Vietnam was a little warmer than a 'cold' war.

[G_j]

7. it is not that crazy a statement IMO

With all his years in the senate: Iran/Contra, an outstanding environmental record etc. I personally look at the emphasis on those four months as politics. But of course thats what an election is all about, politics.

[xray s]

8. Kerry's Vietnam record is the foundation the campaign will build on

It's the character issue. Once we get into September you will see them roll some new products out. For now, they seem to have inncoculated themselves from Rove's attacks for the past four months pretty well. Or at least, that is what the polls seem to indicate.

[lanparty]

11. No, THEY'RE basing the campaign based on 4 years of service

They're the one's launching all the attacks on Kerry's service record. Kerry wouldn't have to talk about it if they weren't so freaked out by Kerry's courage and dignity.

Of course, they have to cover up for Bush's abandoning his undeserved seetheart draft-dodging pilot's gig.

And all the while, Kerry wants to talk about job, economic growth and fighting terrorism in an intelligent fashion.

[EST]

12. Whew! (wipes brow)

My, oh my, ain't we all techy tonight. Seems to me, Kerry had a fairly considerable career in the military, with a tour in Tonkin gulf and THEN volunteering for something a little more dangerous. I think this was all presented as insulation against the expected arrows of the normal lying exaggerations that pass for political campaigns in this country. He is a man who thinks, IMO even a little better than big dawg and it's pretty obvious we need a thoughtful, intelligent, classy leader this time. Especially one who has demonstrated just how tough he is. Again, IMHO this is the best qualified candidate for the highest office, from any party in the last 40 years. And no, he was not my first choice.

[Stephanie]

13. Amen, Rev

What is it in Matalin's statement that would convince DU'ers to agree with her? Maybe because we are so many steps ahead of the mainstream, so we are ready to move on to the next stage of the campaign. While the Kerry campaign is methodically leading non-base voters down the path.

Step One: counter to War President is War Veteran.

Once bush is deprived of that argument, he doesn't have much left. Then Kerry's people move in for the kill.

[EST]

14. Thanks, I like your blog (bookmarked it)

What I find most distressing and depressing, when I forget that although deadly, life really is a game, is the fact that these people treat this most misleading of campaigns as though it is nothing more than a silly game, to be played with exuberance and gaiety, with no consequences. It doesn't seem to matter that the things they are saying are woefully inaccurate and dreadfully hurtful. Certainly makes me wish for some sort of hereafter so they can get theirs. So often I wish the object of their attacks would turn and say simply, "you are a liar and I can prove it," and then do so. Then watch the liar slink away, defeated. Sigh--- I suppose it just doesn't work thataway. Such a neophyte...

[progressivebydesign]

18. I'm with you RevRussel.

Kerry, if given the chance, will be one of the greatest presidents, ever. If Kerry is not the most qualified, then who is? Scary to think that he has to defend himself, even from liberals, against attacks over his service. Matalin is another shrill, GOP harpy.

[A_Possum]

15. It seems quite relevant to me

The more you learn about what Kerry did in combat, the more clear it is that he's pretty durn cool under pressure--real pressure, major fast action and responsibility for lives, his own and others.

Plenty of well-known heroes only have one major "act" to their name, but people recognize that when the chips were down, they acted, and acted well. Character doesn't change that much over time. Instinct wins out. How much do any of us transform ourselves to something truly different than what we were just out of college? Bush is still a party boy at heart and Kerry is still a cool, intelligent, gutsy guy.

That's why it's SOOOO important to the pugs to completely trash Kerry's combat record, because they know that it's not only about his service, it's about CHARACTER. And they have to make people believe he NEVER did any of that, and worse yet, he made it all up. That's the only pathetic counter they have.

[Eric J in MN]

16. Kerry served in the Navy from 1966-1970.

3 1/2 years.

[autorank]

17. Mundane domestic issue

This is an interesting discussion. When I saw this quote, I was wondering what the domestic implications are when Ms. Carville makes statements like this. Does James yell at her when she gets home? Does she stop 'cooking' for him when he beats up on O'Neil? Screw the Osbornes! I want a reality show in their house.

[regnaD kciN]

19. That's four more months...

...than Crusader Bunnypants can claim.