Kerry accuses Clinton of 'abusing' the truth

[ProSense]

Kerry accuses Clinton of 'abusing' the truth

Senator John F. Kerry of Massachusetts is the latest prominent Democrat to hit former President Bill Clinton for his criticisms of Barack Obama.

"I think you had an abuse of the truth, is what happened," Kerry said in an interview today with National Journal On Air. "I mean, being an ex-president does not give you license to abuse the truth, and I think that over the last days it's been over the top. Things have been said about Barack Obama's positions that are just plain untrue."

Kerry, the 2004 Democratic nominee who endorsed Obama earlier this month, was pressed by Linda Douglass of National Journal to elaborate on his remarks about Clinton. "I think there has been an overreach with respect to what Barack Obama has said and when he said it, and I think it's been unfortunate, but I don't think we ought to spend out time there," Kerry replied.

He then went on to praise Obama's plans for reviving the economy and to trumpet Obama's legislative experience.

link

John Kerry: Bill Clinton "Abuser of the Truth".

[MADem]

1. Kerry took money from Tony Rezko, too! His endorsement is unlikely to help Obama.

He's desperate to get some press--this is all about HIM. Not the fellow he's endorsing.

[Major Hogwash]

6. I thought you liked Kerry?

With friends like you, who needs enemies?

[MADem]

22. When he fucked his former running mate to make an endorsement he did not HAVE to make, he lost me.

I'm sick of his shit. He didn't have to do that to Edwards. He could have WAITED.

He did it to INSERT himself into the process, for the limelight. After all, he isn't a guy without high negatives on the national scene, either.

I voted for that guy since his unsuccessful run in Lowell--that's how far back I go with him.

If someone challenges him in a primary, I'd probably give them a good look. He just didn't HAVE to do what he did.

[Major Hogwash]

25. Wow! I'm glad you're not an egomanic or anything like that!

What exactly is it that Kerry did to Edwards to draw out such a response?

[MADem]

29. He endorsed an opponent to JE at the PRECISE moment when Edwards was poised to get some press.

He stuck the knife in and twisted it.

And he didn't HAVE to do that. He could have waited.

[Major Hogwash]

46. You mean after JE ran for Pres for 5 years, he was poised for some press, huh?

That's probably the biggest pile of bullshit I have ever heard from someone that supported Kerry back in 2004.

Don't take this personally, but honestly, Edwards has been running for the White House since 2003 and you're saying that you think that Kerry's endorsement of Obama cost Edwards his big chance in the limelight?

That's the stupidest fuckin' thing I have ever heard in my life.
That's like claiming that Rosie was agreeable on The View, until the last week.
That's like claiming that the first cruise of the Titanic was going along fine, until the end.
That's like claiming that the Chargers are the best team in the NFL, except for that one team that beat them in their last game.

Edwards has been running for the White House so long that he's like furniture, but Kerry's endorsement of Obama is so offensive to you, that you are willing to trash John Kerry for it, even after supporting him these many years?

That's incredible.

It's too bad Kerry didn't get your permission first.

[MADem]

48. Way to be deliberately OBTUSE.

Right before the Myrtle Beach debate, where JE was poised to make some waves. That's when JK suddenly gets the spirit?

SC is a must-win for Edwards, and finally the press was ramping up and giving him an iota of attention. So then, his former running mate just has to hop on his train and swipe some of that press by endorsing his opponent.

It was a rather disloyal slap. That's how it played. After all, Kerry PICKED the guy to be his VP. Four years ago, Edwards was the BEST fellow in America to pick up Kerry's standard if harm befell him. And now he shits on him, in the most public way possible, just before a key primary for him. When he didn't HAVE to.

No one held a gun to Kerry's head and said "Endorse, or DIE!!!" You don't see Gore hustling forward to endorse, now, do you?

It was incredibly UNKIND of Kerry. The endorsement appeared to have a deliberate, small, vengeful and meanspirited quality to it, as well.

If anyone's pushing bullshit here, it's you, not me. You're aptly named. And you don't read for context at all.

Kerry doesn't need my 'permission.' He can do what he wants. And I can have an opinion about what he does, as well, and I don't particularly care if YOU don't like it. That's the beauty of America--I don't have to care what others think, especially those who have preconceived and shopworn notions.

BTW, your examples kinda suck. They don't acknowledge the essential fact that Kerry crapped on the guy that he personally selected to be his running mate.

[Cha]

34. What he's really pissed

about is that Kerry didn't get all masochist and endorse the inevitable one.

[Major Hogwash]

47. Well, I'm stunned about his remark, is all.

After reading his comments extolling Kerry these last many years, I'm taken aback that anyone could just throw them overboard like that.

I would give my right hand to have a Senator like Kerry represent me in Congress.
You know who I got? Craig and Crapo!
Talk about a pair of losers!
My state is the laughing stock of the nation because of Craig's bathroom antics.
And I don't much appreciate it.
It's hard coming out of a bathroom stall these days and wonder if the guy in the next stall is my Senator!

Kerry was the most decent presidentila candidate we had in years, in decades.
He was sophisticated, smart, tough, experienced, and one of the men in Congress that actually makes a difference in this country.

So, he didn't endorse Edwards.
Big deal.
It was his choice to make in the first place.
It was his right to endorse whom he wanted to.
There was no backstabbing going on, no harsh words, no condescending garbage.
So MADem's comments struck me as odd.

[MADem]

50. We're accustomed to quality in MA, at least in our Congressional delegation.

Just because you live in a shitty state, that's not my fault. You don't need to give up your right hand. Just relocate.

We pay for the quality of life we enjoy here. There's no such thing as a free lunch, and you do get what you pay for. It's all about priorities. Some people like low taxes and no services and shitty schools. We don't.

Gore was a pretty decent candidate. So was President Clinton. To say we've not had any decent ones "in decades" is to ignore history and/or to be melodramatic.

No BACKSTABBING going on, eh? So that endorsement was a love note to his former running mate? Sure. Right. Who needs "harsh words" when your old pal humiliates you in public?

[cali]

68. What an idiotic remark

Putting someone down because of where they live? That's so petty and childish it demonstrates exactly where you're at. Whine, whine and more whine.

[MADem]

69. I wasn't putting the poster down. Pull the string, read the whole thing.

The poster suggested that I should get down on my knees and thank GOD because I live in a state with a good congressional delegation. My response was we have high standards where I live. If having a decent delegation is a high priority for him, he could relocate and get what he seeks. That's all I said.

Look Cali, that's what DEMOCRACY looks like. One of the reasons we HAVE a good delegation from my state is BECAUSE voters have high standards and don't take shit. We also PAY for the things we want. It's a question of communal priorities.

I was disappointed in JK's "unneccessary" endorsement and I said so. The poster seems to think I'm "out of line" for stating my opinion, and made the association that because he is a "war hero" it's hands-off time. Bullshit. Politicians must be accountable for their actions, and IMO, JK stabbed JE in the back, when he did not HAVE to.

[Major Hogwash]

73. That's okay, I chose to live here after spending 20 years in the Corps.

It was good training preparing me how to filter through all the bullshit!

LoL

Howard Dean's strategy of trying to change people's attitudes in ALL 50 states is the type of Democrat I was raised as. We didn't use "24 state" strategies like Hillary plans on using this year if she is the nominee.


It's the stupid politicians who have made this state so fucked up to begin with.
I've lived in the South and the West before, though.
I lived in South Carolina for over 5 years, and in Kentucky for nearly 2 years, and in Georgia for almost 3 years.
Yet I also lived in Southern California for over 6 years, so I have a pretty good idea of what it is like to live in redneck areas of states that aren't called I-dee-ho.

LoL

The redneck politicians that control Southern California are just as whacked as the redneck politicians that control South Carolina or Idaho. I never liked Duncan Hunter and I was glad to see him drummed out of the GOP presidential debates. He won't go away quietly, though. He's still in Congress shooting his cannon-sized mouth off, just like ol' B-1 Bob Dornan did when I lived in California.

[MADem]

49. No, that's not what I am 'really pissed' there, rocket scientist.

My point is that JK should have kept his fucking mouth SHUT. Like Al Gore seems to be able to do.

Crapping on his running mate was bad form.

[Tellurian]

57. Now we're seeing the "real" John Kerry..

This is a major sticking point. It gauls me what John Kerry did to John Edwards, throwing his running mate under the bus like he never did anything for him. And FWIW, John Kerry better watch his mouth before he gets a visit from the Secret Service and is put in his place by some real clout. You don't threaten an ex-president and stir up anger and hatred against him for the sake of your own pathetic ego. When all you're doing this for is giving your ego a second chance at reliving your failed run for the presidency due to sheer cowardice and fear of a fight for the people that voted for you. (just remember something. You vowed to fight for us. Instead, you gave us 4 more years of Bush)

And you're right. Kerry could have waited a while longer until Edwards campaign either surged forward or a decision was made to drop out. Kerry "swift boated" his own running mate's campaign. (nice guy?) While Kerry stood in the shadows, watched and waited like a thief in the night, and pounced on Edwards chances to break out in SC.

[MADem]

72. It's the easy disloyalty that bothers me. He was almost cavalier about it.

It's especially disappointing because, when the Kerry campaign was going on, JE was NOTHING BUT a cheerleader. He kept his mouth shut and followed orders. He stayed positive, and he and his family campaigned relentlessly. There was no public dissention.

It's a pretty crappy "reward," IMO. He didn't even have to go with JE--he just could have shut the hell up for awhile.

[mdmc]

61. Why should he endorse Edwards?

I like Edwards best, but he sure hasn't done anything but stay in the race. In 2003 Howard Dean was exciting. This year it is Ron Paul and Obama.
I don't think that Dennis Kucinich will end up endorsing Edwards (or anyone).
Kerry is a good liberal. I like the new Edwards, but he is not a life long liberal. He is more of a DLC lawyer turned populist. I like his populism, but Dems don't seem too interested.

[MADem]

71. I honestly don't think he HAS to endorse Edwards. Or ANYONE...

But we are going to have clarity eventually and be closer to a choice.

Kerry does not HAVE to endorse ANYONE. No one is holding a gun to his head and saying "If you don't pick a favorite, it's lights out for you!!!" No one is threatening him with waterboarding if he fails to make a choice.

His endorsement had the effect of humiliating the guy that he, KERRY, selected to be THE ONE PERSON IN AMERICA who was best suited to replace him if he occupied the White House.

It was a hearty and deliberate fuck-you, right before the debate and primary in JE's 'birth state.'

[DJ13]

2. Clinton's Depressing Assault on Obama

By E. J. Dionne

WASHINGTON -- It was a remarkable moment: A young, free-thinking presidential hopeful named Bill Clinton sat down with reporters and editors at The Washington Post in October 1991 and started saying things most Democrats wouldn't allow to pass their lips.

Ronald Reagan, Clinton said, deserved credit for winning the Cold War. He praised Reagan's "rhetoric in defense of freedom" and his role in "advancing the idea that communism could be rolled back."

"The idea that we were going to stand firm and reaffirm our containment strategy, and the fact that we forced them to spend even more when they were already producing a Cadillac defense system and a dinosaur economy, I think it hastened their undoing," Clinton declared.

Clinton was careful to add that the Reagan military program included "a lot of wasted money and unnecessary expenditure," but the signal had been sent: Clinton was willing to move beyond "the brain-dead politics in both parties," as he so often put it.

His apostasy was widely noticed. The Memphis Commercial Appeal praised Clinton two days later for daring to "set himself apart from the pack of contenders for the Democratic nomination by saying something nice about Ronald Reagan." Clinton's "readiness to defy his party's prevailing Reaganphobia and admit it," the paper wrote, "is one reason he's a candidate to watch."

[AtomicKitten]

3. " ... being an ex-president does not give you license to abuse the truth ..."

:thumbsup:

[Major Hogwash]

10. Where was Bubba in 2004? Hell, where was he in 2000? Haven't seen him for 8 years

And yet he crawls out of his trailer home to talk trash about a black man!

Wow, big surprise coming from the ex-Arkansas governor.

[AtomicKitten]

12. he was keeping his powder dry to use on fellow Democrats

[Major Hogwash]

27. Bubba didn't even criticize George Bush senior this harshly!!

It's all about the Clintons in the Clinton household.
Always has been, always will be.

[niceypoo]

60. Like you have been doing?

Looking back a couple days at your threads, you are a tad hypocritical, doncha think??

[jackson_dem]

24. Clinton helped heal racial division in Arkansas. Others talk about unity but divide in their actions

[Major Hogwash]

28. Bubba said "he did a hit job on me" - but, Bubba isn't running for office, or is he?

Because you know that it was Bubba that brought up race to begin with, when he said Obama was not Martin Luther King - Obama never claimed he was!!!

It's the "Sister Solja" tactic, screw the black Democrats by bringing up race, in order to appeal to the white Democrats!!

And if they are stupid enough to fall for it, this country will be stuck in Iraq for 6 more years!!

What economy?

At $2 BILLION a week in Iraq, there goes Social Security, there goes national health care, there goes Medicare, there goes all the fuckin' promises that Hillary has made about spending more money pn black colleges just today!

[jackson_dem]

65. Obama brought MLK up when he copied Deval Patrick's defense to the "where's the substance?" question

[Cha]

35. Not just any trailer park..

Not very damn far.

[indimuse]

42. "Abusing the TRUTH!" WTF!!!!

"Abusing the TRUTH!" WTF!!!!
I'm having a hard time assimilating that phrase..I think..tell me if I'm wrong..wouldn't it be worse to LIE!? Abuse a LIE... like let's say...Knowingly allow a Lie to circulate about your opponent.. just enough to gain some votes...then admit ..what you knew all along..was a LIE! Abusing a LIE seems a whole lot more News Worthy... don't ya think...same crap from ed shultz today..Hey ED Shultz if you read this ..F*ck off! ((( starting to remind me of RW talking points memos))

[sam sarrha]

4. what are his plans for the economy.??

[Bitwit1234]

5. Heck Fire...Kerry abuses EVERYONE'S SENSES.

[ProSense]

7. Kick! n/t

[kelligesq]

53. After 2004 I knew why they called Kerry a coward-he sold us out-skull n bonesman instead of fighting

after so many dem volunteers worked their hearts and feet and wallets out for him

[smoogatz]

8. The usual thin gruel

from which Kerry will no doubt be forced to backtrack by outraged Clinton supporters.

[LatinManNH]

9. Kerry to Clinton:

Stop telling so much truth! It's abusive!

[yardwork]

11. I wish that Kerry had been this forceful when Republicans abused the truth about him.

What's the matter with Kerry that he will attack a Democrat rather than defend himself against Republican attacks?

[Metric System]

13. Exactly! Why wasn't Kerry talking this forcefully against Bush in 2004?!?

[PlanetBev]

17. Because, Metric

He was too busy windsurfing and playing nice instead of fighting for people like you and me.

I wish he'd just go away...

[politicasista]

31. It's the corporate media stupid

Not you.


It's better to let the Democrats who didn't have his back when it mattered then off the hook and giving them passes.


I for one appreciate the senator standing up for Obama. Too bad the rest didn't do it in 2004.

[yardwork]

37. If you are comparing Bill Clinton's criticisms of Obama to the Swift Boat liars,

I think that is a real stretch. Frankly, I don't think any Democrat in this race so far has said or done anything that approaches "dirty politics." Certainly, Hillary Clinton and her campaign have done nothing approaching what was done to Kerry in 2004, or what was done to John McCain in 2000 or don't forget what was done to Max Cleland, who left most of his body in Vietnam but was smeared by the right-wing filth machine.

Bill Clinton campaigns for his wife and other politicians tell him to shut his yap. So what? Politicians are usually criticizing one another. It doesn't mean anything outside the beltway, and doesn't influence my vote one way or the other.

[David Zephyr]

14. "Abuser of the the Truth"! Wow! Everyone is on to the Clinton's "game"

What a tarnished couple they are.

John Kerry calls Bill an "abuser of the truth".

No dancing around that one. Strong words.

[robbedvoter]

15. Kerry still owes me the truth on the 2004 election: Dude! Where is my vote?

Funny how is brave enough to attack fellow Democrats but quite timid to deal with those who stole his election.

[ProSense]

18. Here:

Days after the 2004 election, at the Clinton library inaugural, Bill pulled Rove aside and said

"Hey, you did a marvelous job, it was just marvelous what you did."

[yardwork]

30. That is horrible, but it doesn't absolve Kerry of fighting the rigged vote in Ohio.

If it's true that Bill Clinton sucked up to Karl Rove after the 2004 election, then I'm disgusted. But maybe it's not entirely true, and anyway, politicians *say* all kinds of things.

I'm more interested in what Kerry did not do after the 2004 election.

[politicasista]

33. What about an inept DNC chairman that is now running HRC's campaign

What about the lack of party support on this issue? What about the DNC Chairman who job was to protect the vote, secure the voting machines and the vote. Where is your anger at them? There have been plenty of facts and threads posted by ProSense that tells you what Kerry did about Ohio.


Oh, I get it. Kerry was supposed to do EVERYTHING all by himself.

[yardwork]

36. When everything is going wrong, and nobody is helping, that's when a leader is needed.

Kerry was the leader of the Democratic Party on the day after election night 2004. If he didn't mobilize a fight against the election shenanigans, nobody else would.

I'm not saying it's all Kerry's fault. I respect him greatly for his long service to our country, in many different roles. He's a brave and good man. However, I think he made a big mistake with his campaign and his response to the 2004 election results. That makes his attack on Bill Clinton seem like petty politics to me.

[politicasista]

44. No, he was the candidate. You are still letting the DNC Chariman and others off the hook

But it's more easy and productive to blame Kerry.

[Richardson08]

16. Does John still have his medals from Vietnam?

[ProSense]

19. Did Bill go to Vietnam? n/t

[kelligesq]

54. Did you ? or Iraq? They're taking 45 year olds- did Obama go to Iraq? so

dont talk stupidly

[LittleClarkie]

21. Let us not each of us become Republicans in our zeal to defend our candidate

None of us needs to resort to Republican talking points.

[GalleryGod]

39. Yes. He Threw his "Ribbons" & the medals of others "who couldn't be with us today.

You folks whom have never been shot at by an enemy of your country never fail to amuse me...
:evilgrin:

[wisteria]

55. Why is it that you Hillary supporters do not see that he is not attacking her.

He is saying that Mr. Clinton has crossed a line and is lying and smearing Obama on a personal level. He is calling out Pres. Clinton for swift boat style tactics. Don't you think that is wrong of Bill to do this to a fellow Democrat and in doing so divide our party?
Kerry would defend Hillary from swift boat style attacks also.

[LittleClarkie]

20. God bless John, but he does have trouble coming out with the word "lie" doesn't he.

He's a gentleman.

[snappyturtle]

23. Yes. k&r n/t

[Major Hogwash]

26. Why doesn't Edwards criticize Bubba for lying about Obama's record?

Because Edwards doesn't want to fight for the truth!!

[kelligesq]

56. Obama put his own foot in his mouth, why should Edwards take it out for him

[ProSense]

32. Kerry blasts Bill Clinton for 'abusing truth'

Kerry blasts Bill Clinton for 'abusing truth'

[dailykoff]

38. Still fighting the good fight.

And this time, our side is winning.

:patriot:

[mtnsnake]

40. Who cares what Kerry says. By this time next month he'll be for her after he was against her.

[ProSense]

41. You do, obviously! n/t

[wisteria]

52. he might offer as much support as she offered him in 2004.

After all, he isn't criticizing Hillary for pete sake, he is suggestion that Bill crossed the line.

[MADem]

70. That was quick!!

In the sense of meaning "clever!" Good retort!!

:rofl:

[woo me with science]

43. Could've been worse.

He could have satanically ritually abused the truth. :rofl:

[joeybee12]

45. Hey John, Bill actually WON his two elections for Prez...

...come back when you have a clue as to how to win.

[wisteria]

51. So, what does that have to do with anything ? And that certainly does not make Clinton a better man.

If you want to get technical.Senator Kerry had more people voting for him in 2004 than Bill Clinton ever did in his elections. Oh and he actually volunteered for military service and fought for his country. He because a decorated war hero and saved a fellow veteran's life. What did Clinton do? Womanize?

[kelligesq]

58. Grin - 83% of Americans think it does make Bill a better man

and even the MSM says if he could run, he would be elected again.

:toast: gotcha

[ProSense]

59. Bush beat Clinton as the most admired man in America. So?

A liar is still a liar.

[kelligesq]

62. but nobody wanted pappy as president again while even MSM admits Bill could be elected 3rd term

[ProSense]

63. Bill and Hillary have to beat Obama.

So far they're lying and losing!

[kelligesq]

66. calling people liars constantly adds to the uncivility on these threads- you do more harm than

good for your candidate.

[ProSense]

67. Kerry accuses Clinton of 'abusing' the truth

Fact!

[kelligesq]

64. meanwhile you didnt answer why you or Obama aren't in Iraq

as long as you want to bring up war records.

[wisteria]

74. Yeah, well polls have been wrong before.

And winning does not define a person worth. Many people believe Kerry won in 2004 and even if he didn't he still lost the general election with more of the popular vote than Clinton.
Gotcha!