The "Flip-Flop" Script: Great article! (Now how does Kerry respond?)

[Sparkly]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/09/23/MNGQK8TI8O1.DTL

In case you missed it, this article is worth reading: "Flip-flopping charge unsupported by facts; Kerry always pushed global cooperation, war as last resort." It makes some good points, and ends with a series of salient quotes from Kerry.

Three points I think are worth highlighting: First, Chimpy's own statement that the IWR wasn't a vote for war, but rather for keeping the peace:

"If you want to keep the peace, you've got to have the authorization to use force,'' Bush said in September 2002. "It's a chance for Congress to say, 'we support the administration's ability to keep the peace.' That's what this is all about.''

Second, the "I voted for it before I voted against it" mock-misunderstanding:

The White House is aware that the statement does not reflect a contradiction but an inelegant way of defending a pair of Senate votes. Kerry voted for a measure that paid for the $87 billion by reducing tax cuts for those who earn more than $300,000. He voted against a measure that paid for the $87 billion by adding to the deficit.

I emphasize the WH's awareness, because I wish Kerry would address it this way. ("Stop pretending and misleading -- you know the facts. And if you don't, it's worse then I thought.")

And third, the "is the world safer" matter, first saying yes and then saying "We have traded a dictator for a chaos that has left America less secure." Both are true, of course; it's kind of like taking out the trash, at a cost of billions of dollars and a lot of lives. Yes, it's better the trash is out but at what cost? If it had to go, was there a better way, and one that didn't cause the house to fall down? Or something...

This article lays out the facts. How can Kerry explain them and respond to the "flip-flop, indecisive" charge, in debate or ads or speeches, in a way that the average Murcan Moran can understand and repeat?

[wurzel]

1. The only chance Kerry will have to use his own words without media spin

is in the debates. I think the TV media have way overdone Kerry's so called "flip flopping" and the voters will see that on Thursday. Kerry is totally competent to explain what he said and why, given even half a fair chance. The major difference between Bush and Kerry in these debates is that Kerry must be looking forward to them. Bush must be afraid of them.

[mzmolly]

2. Send these articles to the campaign

:)

That Bush quote is amazing.
"If you want to keep the peace, you've got to have the authorization to use force,'' Bush said in September 2002. "It's a chance for Congress to say, 'we support the administration's ability to keep the peace.' That's what this is all about.'

The Kerry Camp would LOVE to have this before the debates.

[KC21304]

3. If I were Kerry I would start with a little joke

stating we have found out that Bush/Cheney seem to enjoy their counting exercises ( now 10 different positions on Iraq ) but seem to leave a lot to be desired in the area of reading comprehension and grade school Civics. Othewise they would understand procedural votes, amendments, etc.

[Lord_StarFyre]

4. Wow, I wish there was a good way

Here to keep this thread bumped to the top.

Seriously, I agree TOTALLY with your premise here, and have been hoping President Kerry would step up and hammer these Republigoons.