McCain Says Kerry Not Weak on Defense

[Quixote1818]

You all probably saw this but if not here it is:

McCain Says Kerry Not Weak on Defense

AP
Kerry salutes his former military comrades.

WASHINGTON (March 18) - Arizona Sen. John McCain, arguably the Democrats' favorite Republican, managed to step all over the GOP's carefully honed message of the week Thursday by rejecting the notion that John Kerry is weak on defense.

President Bush and his campaign apparatus have gone to great effort to suggest the Democratic presidential contender would be an unfit commander in chief, picking apart his Senate voting record on weapons and defense spending.

"The senator from Massachusetts has given us ample doubts about his judgment and the attitude he brings to bear on vital issues of national security," Vice President Dick Cheney declared Wednesday. A day earlier, the Bush campaign released an ad arguing Kerry had turned his back on U.S. soldiers by voting against an $87 billion aid package for Iraq and Afghanistan last year. On Thursday, the campaign put out yet another ad accusing Kerry of waffling on military issues.

Enter McCain.

Asked on two morning TV shows Thursday whether he thought Kerry was weak on defense, the Arizona senator was quick to bat down the suggestion. Furthermore, he chided both parties for waging such a "bitter and partisan" campaign.

http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/elections/article.adp?id=20040318113909990005

[grytpype]

1. Where are the Democrats on this?

There should be an ever-changing chorus of Dems on the air every night supporting Kerry and defending him from these smears. And they should not be media-damaged goods like Dean. Clark should be everfrickingwhere on TV talking about Kerry's record and plans.

[elperromagico]

2. Agreed. It's as though they pushed Kerry to the front lines

and then all withdrew.

[grytpype]

3. And they should use language Kerry can't use.

Like

Crooked, liar, stupid, insane

.

[Adelante]

4. Clark was on CNN this morning

Yesterday he held a press conference call with fifty journalists for Kerry and attended a series of meetings and fundraisers for Kerry. He's keynoted at a half dozen Democratic dinners in a half dozen states for Kerry. He's raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Kerry. He is out there every day for Kerry and doing everything Kerry wants him to do. He's pulled his own supporters into working for Kerry and never stops encouraging them to keep fighting for Kerry. Clark has no life but Kerry right now and since mid-February and until November.

This is from today's San Diego Union-Tribune. It appeared in many, many newspapers across the country in different variations today.

"Although the president has directly criticized Kerry, most of the attacks have come from surrogates such as Cheney, Cabinet members and Republican congressional leaders.

"Democrats, meanwhile, have waged counterattacks after rallying to the defense of Kerry.

"Retired Gen. Wesley Clark, until recently one of Kerry's rivals for the nomination, told reporters yesterday that Cheney's attack was "unwarranted and unjustified."

"As a decorated Vietnam veteran and as a senator, Kerry has demonstrated "an ability to see the big picture, understand the issues, deal with them in a thoughtful way and make strong decisions," Clark said.

"Clark, the former supreme NATO commander, also raised questions about the timing of the Bush administration's decision a year ago to unseat Hussein, saying the Iraqi dictator had been effectively contained for the time being. The result, Clark suggested, was to give the al-Qaeda terrorist network "a breathing spell, a recovery spell in which they strengthened and diversified themselves."

[Leilani]

8. That's a nice write-up

I know how hard Wes is working for Kerry.

I wish he could get a little more press coverage; his voice is really important on security, & might help to blunt some of the Repub attacks.

[Jane Austin]

5. McCain Says Kerry Not Weak on Defense

God bless him!

[Endangered Specie]

6. McCain, I may not agree with him on the issues, but...

His Integrity is something to be admired

[flaminbats]

7. Lincoln Chaffee is my favorite Republican...

but it's always great to see someone writing for AP, who knows my political views better than me! :eyes: