The Kerry Flap

Did John Kerry mean to say that anyone who joins the US military is an idiot?  I think simply to ask the question is to answer it.  Kerry is a staggeringly inept politician but even he can't think there are votes to be had in impugning the intellectual ability of the entire armed forces of the United States seven days before an election.  Some of the outrage is clearly manufactured by the outrage-manufacturing industry that has now taken over so much of American political debate, but that's no surprise.

None of this absolves Kerry of the responsibility to apologise, however.  He made an unintentionally ambiguous comment which has been construed by some - not unreasonably - to be offensive.  The morally correct thing to do in those circumstances is to say sorry. The politically imperative thing to do is to say sorry immediately and get the story off the news cycle.  Kerry's failure to do that shows how stubborn and hopeless he is.  I doubt it swings many votes next Tuesday but it's surely the final, very welcome, nail in the coffin of Kerry's presidential ambitions? 

Comments

[marcia halvorsen]

For once, I agree. Having been so critical of Mr. Baker, essentially calling him the Ann Coulter of British journalism, I think it only fair to state this agreement. But why provide a gratis link to Michelle Malkin? One is indeed known by the company one keeps. And I can only report wth amusement that when I clicked on the link, my internet connection crashed.

[MM]

Gerald, You mention the "outrage-maunfacturing industry" in the US. Is there a parallel industry in the Muslim world eagerly awaiting - nay scouring for - the next outrage? Plus a ready band of thugs to march in every major world city to express the "anger of the street" at whatever their leaders find discourteous to Islam! It's great for the flag-producing industry (unless flag-burning is banned ..viz UK)

[Jim Walton]

I too welcome the final nail in Kerry's presidential coffin. It's time the Dems moved on--no pun intended.

I remember a similar gaff several years ago by Sec. Don Rumsfeld. He said that draftees had contributed nothing to the military. He was answering a question about reinstituting the draft.

As a draftee in the Vietnam War, I knew what he meant and none the less was as offended as I have ever been by any comment made by a public official.

Two days later he apologized but it took a while for me to forgive his botched comment. I'm not sure I have yet.

When dealing in the public sphere , it's all fair.

[Bob]

Regardless of what, Kerry had absolutley "NO" right to say what he did, concerning our guys, who are serving in the military.

There are many fine men & woman serving our country. We should be proud of them & give them our full support. These fine men & woman have laid their lives on the line to defend both our country & to help our allies, world wide. Should any of our friends, ever come under attack.

Kerry, was a joke when he ran for President. It is because of that moron, and his over bearing wife, that caused Bush to win the second term.

Most American's will never understand "why" the democratic party allowed him to be their choice. Few even liked, or trusted him. His wife is an over bearing, obnoxious, individual, with the personality of a Scorpion.

"Thank God" he's finished, and to think he did it himself. LOL!!! Who in the world wanted him back in the Presidential race, anyhow?

It's just ashame, that he was the cause for Bush to be re-elected, a second term.

So, if you consider the facts, some felt it was safer to leave Bush alone, than to have dealt with this buffoon, who seemed to have a shadey side to him.

He always gave the impression that he talked from two sides of his mouth, like a used car salesmen.

You can add the old addich here: " Don't jump from the pan, into the fire". Which some did by re-electing Bush.

In closing I say: " Good riddance Kerry"!! "Now, let a real man run for President".