02/28/2007
The Sleuth--Staring Adversity In The Face
Not that Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) was out for revenge or anything. But he sure did seem to enjoy at least a wee measure of satisfaction in making mega GOP donor Sam Fox squirm during Tuesday's Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing to consider Fox's nomination to be ambassador to Belgium.
Fox, a Bush "Ranger" whose generosity has likely helped him on his way to the Land of Beer and Chocolate, contributed $50,000 to help fund the infamous 2004 Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, a "527" group that ran ads aimed at smearing Kerry's Vietnam record. So it was no surprise that Kerry, of all the senators on the committee, had a particularly keen interest in questioning the nominee about his participation in American civics.
Kerry walked in at the tail end of the hearing, which was being chaired by 2008 contender Sen. Barack Obama(D-Ill.). Kerry explained that he didn't intend "to play some kind of 'gotcha' game," but he wanted to know as he looked into the eyes of a man who helped sink his presidential quest: How did the nominee feel about the level of "personal destruction" in politics these days?
Fox replied that he was "very concerned" that politics have become too "mean and destructive," especially with the participation of independent 527 groups.
Why then, given Fox's dim views of 527s, did he give such a large chunk of money to help Swift Boat Kerry? Kerry asked.
Fox explained that he and his wife both donate generously to GOP political causes. "When we're asked, we generally give," he said. He further said he felt it was important to give to a 527 working on behalf of Republicans since a 527 "on the other side" was stooping to such low levels as comparing George W. Bush to Adolph Hitler.
"So two wrongs make a right?" Kerry asked.
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There he goes again....straddling the issue. Kerry won't admit Democrats ruthlessly use 527s to gain political advantage during a campaign, yet as always he cries foul when the same strategy is employed by Republicans. His holier than thou attitude demonstrates his bubble-boy existence. The senator can't face the political reality that his "I actually voted for the war, before I voted against the war" caused his downfall in 2004. |
