March 12, 2004
Politicians say the darndest things.
When I was a kid and got into a fight, the excuse “He started it” never really won me any points on getting out of trouble. Apparently, it’s one of those many hypocritical lessons we learn as a child that is very useful as an adult, especially if you happen to be a politician in today’s political climate.
Television Advertising is an effective tool in the war to win an election, too often the motto seems to be "win at all costs." Kerry and Bush are already throwing mud on each other after both asking to agree to run a clean race and lucky for us, the American public, we have eight more months of this to look forward to.
Kerry's recent ad was a response to Bush's negative ad that directly attacked Kerry with questionable figures and what Kerry calls "Misleading America."
Bush's ad was (most likely) in response to the recently overheard remarks by Kerry where he thought his microphone was turned off and he was recorded as saying (about Bush and his administration) "These guys are the most crooked, you know, lying group of people I've ever seen." Kerry's people have said that Kerry knew the microphone was on because it's better to look pissed off and passionate than to look like you got caught with your pants down on a private comment.
Bush's commercial is arguing that Kerry is going to raise the National deficit by $900 billion dollars, a questionable figure that the Bush people came up with by their own calculations. A bit misleading since Kerry has yet to lay down his plan on the details of his programs and a bit ironic since Bush's administration has capped new highs on the American deficit.
Both of the candidates could improve their image in what should be American Values to be proud of; Fair Competition, Sportsmanship, and dignity under fire. Instead, we seem to be focusing on topics that just pander to the audience of voters. The candidates should be telling us what's important in a president, not relying on the polls to tell them.
Posted by Beau Wade at March 12, 2004 03:29 PM“Remarks by Kerry where he thought his microphone was turned off and he was recorded as saying (about Bush and his administration) “These guys are the most crooked, you know, lying group of people I’ve ever seen.”“
Actually, he knew that his mic was on, and I’m glad he said it. Today, after all, we have this story. I mean please. Even thought John Kerry was making a statement about the Republican attack machine, it is becoming increasingly clear that it may apply to the Administration as well.
Posted by: Gaelen Burns at March 12, 2004 07:10 PMI’m sorry, I just don’t buy it. Kerry’s people are saying he knew the mic was on but clearly he was talking in a quiet tone as to speak privately back to the man he was talking to and I think he would have rather avoided bringing the controversy on himself if he could since he argued that the race should be a clean race.
Bush’s people have jumped all over the issue but one can only guess what Bush has said as well when the microphones were turned off.
Posted by: Beau Wade at March 13, 2004 10:49 AManyone remember when Bush and Cheney commented on the New York Times Reporter…the “major league asshole” as Bush put it?
his mic was still on too….
politicians say stupid things……and then try to recover when they get caught…..
move on kids….
Posted by: rob at March 13, 2004 02:11 PMI consider these accusations from former President Bush completely irrational. It is just the reason that our politics and beliefs are being thrown down the drain. This is why people don’t take politics serious. Not including the whole incident with Bill Clinton. This seems irrational for Bush’s effort to win. I consider John Kerry’s response to be opinion oriented and proof that Kerry will come back fighting. It’s complete proof of Kerry’s human reaction. However, when it all comes down to it it’s not the trash thrown by each party is how they come back. This trash it’s not to be believed but, to be further studied in order to find out the truth of whether or not either of these candidates are worthy of the high position of “presidency”. I consider the whole idea of “presidency” to be strong but, when candidates such as these enter the race going in yelling in screaming it brings the whole meaning down.
Posted by: Keri at March 13, 2004 03:32 PMTime Magazine reports that a September 2003 study of the Democratic candidates’ health-care proposals put an $895 billion price tag on Kerry’s 10-year plan, which would bring insurance to 26.7 million people who don’t have it now. $895 billion is close enough to $900 billion for me. I think the Bush campaign claim that there is no way to pay for that generous plan other than by raising taxes is correct.
Posted by: Dan Spencer at March 14, 2004 09:09 PMplease note that every other industrialized country in the world has a UNIVERSAL health care program, in which ‘noone is left behind’, and all of those citizens pay less per person than those Americans who are insured now pay. Furthermore, the quality of the healthcare and the average lifespan is better than ours.
Posted by: nil8r at April 8, 2004 10:19 AM
