0
   

Dick Morris: How Kerry Lost It

 
 
Reply Fri 29 Oct, 2004 12:07 pm
By DICK MORRIS



October 29, 2004 --

HERE'S a two-part test to determine who will win on Tuesday:

a) Ask yourself: What is the issue we are talking about these days? Are we focused on terrorism and Iraq, or on health care and jobs? The answer is obvious: terrorism and Iraq.

b) Now look at the polls. Not the page that shows who they're voting for. That changes every hour. Look at the page that asks, "Which candidate do you think would do the best job of handling the war in Iraq?"

The answer is always President Bush, usually by 10 points. And right below that, on "Which candidate do you think would do the best job of handling the War on Terror?" Bush leads again, usually by 20 points.

If the issue is terrorism and Iraq, and Bush wins those issues by double digits, then the winner will be . . . voila, Bush!

John Kerry was on the verge of moving out to a victory after the third debate. Taking advantage of its pre-ordained focus on domestic issues, he had finally, finally swung the debate back to the issues on which he has - and has always had - a lead: domestic policy. Next he got a short-term bounce from Bill Clinton's presence on the campaign trail and seemed on his way to closing the Bush lead.

Then came the "disappearing explosives" story. Kerry's handlers, tacticians to the last, disregarded the needs of basic strategy and hopped on the issue with all four feet, running a TV ad lambasting Bush for losing the weapons after the invasion.

Strategically, this flawed decision assured that the final week of the campaign would focus on the areas of Bush's strength and Kerry's weakness: Iraq and terrorism. Tactically, it tied the electorate's confidence in John Kerry to the mystery of what actually happened in an ammo dump in the desert 18 months ago.

Then it began to explode in Kerry's face. Soon we heard that there were only three tons of explosives . . . and they weren't there when we occupied the dump . . . and they were removed by the Russians before we got there . . . and, perhaps, there are satellite photos to prove it.

All of a sudden, Kerry seems just not ready for prime time.

The backfire is amplified by the involvement of CBS and The New York Times. The plans of "60 Minutes" and Dan Rather to break the story on the Sunday before the election reflect overt partisan bias �- an overt conspiracy of these leading outlets to stack the deck in favor of Kerry.

This controversy unraveling in front of us all, replete with conspiracy theories and denouement of media bias, is enough to occupy our attention and rivet our focus as Election Day approaches. It will drive all other stories off the front pages and will make the war in Iraq the key element in the election.

At this writing, the possibility that the alleged al Qaeda tape virtually endorsing Kerry will hit the airwaves makes one even more confident of a Bush victory. A threat to let blood run in the streets of America if Bush wins won't intimidate voters, but rather remind them of the importance of sending a warrior to fight the terrorists �- and seal Bush's victory.
  • Topic Stats
  • Top Replies
  • Link to this Topic
Type: Discussion • Score: 0 • Views: 961 • Replies: 13
No top replies

 
Dookiestix
 
  2  
Reply Fri 29 Oct, 2004 01:40 pm
The first name of the author pretty much says it all.
0 Replies
 
Frank Apisa
 
  2  
Reply Fri 29 Oct, 2004 01:42 pm
And if his father had been Edith Head's husband...it would be perfect.
0 Replies
 
Frank Apisa
 
  1  
Reply Fri 29 Oct, 2004 01:44 pm
Quote:
Then it began to explode in Kerry's face. Soon we heard that there were only three tons of explosives . . . and they weren't there when we occupied the dump . . . and they were removed by the Russians before we got there . . . and, perhaps, there are satellite photos to prove it


That would be something to see...since we now have pictures of the stuff with American soldiers in the frame.

Tsk, tsk!
0 Replies
 
Ticomaya
 
  1  
Reply Fri 29 Oct, 2004 01:46 pm
Hold on, Dookie. Wasn't Morris on your side of the fence at one time? I'm sure you would have fawned over his every word if he was still advising Clinton. Now that he's critical of your candidate, all you can do is call him names?

I mean, it's not unexpected that you would say something like you that given your prior postings, but come on ... show a little depth, why don't you?
0 Replies
 
ebrown p
 
  1  
Reply Fri 29 Oct, 2004 02:04 pm
This thread is going to be a lot more fun on Wednesday.
0 Replies
 
CoastalRat
 
  1  
Reply Fri 29 Oct, 2004 02:05 pm
I second that EB
0 Replies
 
Frank Apisa
 
  1  
Reply Fri 29 Oct, 2004 02:10 pm
I third it!
0 Replies
 
Dookiestix
 
  1  
Reply Fri 29 Oct, 2004 02:12 pm
Ticomaya:

Oh, please. I could say the same about David Brock, Arianna Huffington, Ed Shultz, and so many others who went to the other side.

But we will all find out how full of crap Dick Morris is when Kerry wins.
0 Replies
 
Baldimo
 
  1  
Reply Fri 29 Oct, 2004 02:23 pm
How are all of you going to react on Wednesday when Bush is declared the winner? I forgot if Bush wins then you are all going to claim so sort of cheating went on and complain for the next four years like you have for the last 4 years. It will be worth the noise to see you all cry!
0 Replies
 
Frank Apisa
 
  1  
Reply Fri 29 Oct, 2004 02:26 pm
Baldimo wrote:
How are all of you going to react on Wednesday when Bush is declared the winner? I forgot if Bush wins then you are all going to claim so sort of cheating went on and complain for the next four years like you have for the last 4 years. It will be worth the noise to see you all cry!


Listening to a conservative talk about that...considering what they did for the eight years of the Clinton administration...is so goddam funny, I'd almost pay to hear more of it! :wink:

And...it is schtupid...but nobody ever accused the conservatives of having brains.
0 Replies
 
Ticomaya
 
  1  
Reply Fri 29 Oct, 2004 02:30 pm
Dookiestix wrote:
Ticomaya:

Oh, please. I could say the same about David Brock, Arianna Huffington, Ed Shultz, and so many others who went to the other side.

....


I don't understand you. What would you say about them?
0 Replies
 
squinney
 
  1  
Reply Fri 29 Oct, 2004 02:33 pm
Jon Stewart on Daily Show last night went something like this:

Jon - So who is going to win.

Mr. Zogby - Kerry.

Jon - Kerry. Oh, really? Or, are you kidding? (Clearly expected him to say Bush)

Mr. Zogby - No, I'm serious. Kerry will win.
0 Replies
 
Ticomaya
 
  1  
Reply Fri 29 Oct, 2004 02:40 pm
squinney wrote:
Jon Stewart on Daily Show last night went something like this:

Jon - So who is going to win.

Mr. Zogby - Kerry.

Jon - Kerry. Oh, really? Or, are you kidding? (Clearly expected him to say Bush)

Mr. Zogby - No, I'm serious. Kerry will win.


Sort of the Daily Show's version of Carson's "Carnac the Magnificent"?
0 Replies
 
 

Related Topics

Obama '08? - Discussion by sozobe
Let's get rid of the Electoral College - Discussion by Robert Gentel
McCain's VP: - Discussion by Cycloptichorn
Food Stamp Turkeys - Discussion by H2O MAN
The 2008 Democrat Convention - Discussion by Lash
McCain is blowing his election chances. - Discussion by McGentrix
Snowdon is a dummy - Discussion by cicerone imposter
TEA PARTY TO AMERICA: NOW WHAT?! - Discussion by farmerman
 
  1. Forums
  2. » Dick Morris: How Kerry Lost It
Copyright © 2024 MadLab, LLC :: Terms of Service :: Privacy Policy :: Page generated in 0.06 seconds on 12/05/2024 at 01:54:18