Tremble will you. The attacks have started. The Repubs are turning in their sleep. And DRUDGE, don't look for shit on Kerry. Look for shit ex-General Rassman (R) who has come out in support of Kerry. And go look for shit on all the vets.
Left jab: GOP throws liberal label at front-running Kerry
By Andrew Miga
Saturday, January 24, 2004
MANCHESTER, N.H. - With President Bush set to swoop into New Hampshire next week, the GOP yesterday rolled out a potential 2004 attack line - branding high-flying Democratic front-runner Sen. John F. Kerry as a far-left liberal.
Whether it's economic policy, national security or social issues, John Kerry is out of sync with most voters,'' Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie told an audience of conservatives in suburban Washington, D.C.
Taking aim at Kerry, Gillespie cited Senate vote rankings by the liberal activist group Americans for Democratic Action showing Kerry with a 93 percent rating vs. an 88 percent score for Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), one of the nation's leading liberal voices. Kennedy, who boosted Kerry's Iowa win, will campaign for his fellow Bay Stater this weekend in New Hampshire.
Who would have guessed it?'' Gillespie said. ``Ted Kennedy is the conservative senator from Massachusetts.'' Gillespie branded Democrats ``liberal, elites and angry.''
Gillespie's tough talk came as the White House finalized plans for a visit here two days after the primary where when Bush will discuss economic issues - ratcheting up the political heat on the Democratic pack and laying the groundwork for the President's his re-election.
Bush lost the state's 2000 GOP primary to Sen. John McCain, but edged out former Vice President Al Gore in the fall race.
Even as the GOP was firing off a tracer shot at his leading campaign, former Vietnam War gunboat commander Kerry was rallying several hundred veterans at a midday event featuring fellow combat veterans.
(Gillespie) is going to attack us for being a Massachusetts liberal - and we're just gonna let this stand,'' scoffed Kerry spokesman Michael Meehan, nodding towards the crowded stage.
There, flanking Kerry, were Sen. Ernest Hollings (D-S.C.), who won a Bronze Star in World War II, and ex-Sen. Max Cleland, who lost three limbs fighting in Vietnam.
Embracing Kerry was former special forces fighter Jim Rassmann, who credits Kerry with saving his life by plucking him from a river on a dangerous rescue mission. He's been there, done that and gotten a few holes in his T-shirt,'' Cleland said of Kerry.
Kerry hopes his war hero military background and Senate Foreign Relations Committee experience will convince voters he has stronger national security credential than George Bush.
Kerry blasted Bush for turning his back on the needs of veterans, saying, ``We need to renew our promise to keep faith with America's veterans - and it needs to start now.''
Hollings led an energetic rally for what was dubbed the band of brothers'' who served the served in the military, saying, (Kerry) didn't give his life for another fella. But he was willing to - time and time again.
Kerry's "Veterans Brigade'' hopes to mobilize New Hampshire's considerable pool of 139,000 veterans. The Bay State senator made veterans a key part of his surprise Iowa caucus win.
With new polls showing Kerry widening his lead to between 12 and 15 points against stumbling Howard Dean, the Bay State senator picked up another key endorsement. Former Vice President Walter F. Mondale announced he was putting his support behind Kerry - a sign of the Bay State senator's momentum.
John Kerry has shown he has the experience, judgement and character to serve as president, and he has the skills to do the job on dDay oOne,'' Mondale, who suffered a crushing upset loss in 1984 in New Hampshire, said in a statement.
Kerry moved out to a 34-22 percent lead over Dean in the latest CNN/USA Today/Gallup three-day tracking poll. Retired Gen. Wesley K. Clark was in third- place with 17 percent, while Sen. John Edwards, the surprise second-place finisher in Iowa, was fourth with 12 percent.
Kerry strategists, cautiously optimistic that Kerry can hold onto his Granite State lead, are already are plotting their game plan for the next round of primaries, particularly South Carolina, a must-win state for Edwards, who finished a surprising second in Iowa.
Kerry raised nearly $1 million this week, sources said.
Hollings, one of South Carolina's most popular and enduring politicians, predicted Kerry would prevail in the Palmetto State.
We took South Carolina for (former President John F.) Kennedy, don't worry about it,'' Hollings said.
Hollings also tweaked Clark, who recently derided Kerry as a junior officer.
We're gonna teach that fellow in South Carolina that there are more lieutenants than generals,'' said Hollings. |
