The RNC’s in a Tizzy over John Kerry’s “This Week” Interview (TRANSCRIPT)

[kerrygoddess]

The RNC’s in a Tizzy over John Kerry’s “This Week” Interview
January 22, 2006

The RNC is in a tizzy over John Kerry’s interview on “This Week” today. RNC Communications Director Brian Jones responded to Kerry’s appearance on ABC’s This Week saying:

“Sen. Kerry displayed his signature pessimism and defeatism today that the American people rejected during his failed presidential bid. While Democrat leaders like Sen. Kerry continue to show they still do not grasp the dynamic and dangers of a post 9/11 world, President Bush remains focused on doing everything in his power to keep Americans safe and secure.”

What gets the RNC ticked off is that John Kerry refuses to buy into the fear and smear tactics of right wing. Kerry made it perfectly clear today when he laid Bush and Rove out on the carpet for their complete and utter failure to capture Osama bin Laden.

STEPHANOPOULOS: Now, Osama bin Laden has not been found, has not been captured.

But Vice President Cheney is right, isn’t he, and how much credit should President Bush get?

KERRY: No, he’s not.

He’s right that we haven’t been attacked. He is not right, and I’m glad he reminded Americans, about having said we will do everything in our power and use all the forces at our disposal.

The simple fact is that we had Osama bin Laden cornered, trapped, ready to be captured or killed in the mountains of Tora Bora.

And this administration — it is a fact — has misled Americans about the knowledge they had of whether or not he was there, number one, and, number two, did not do everything that they could have in order to capture him. I know this. Others know this.

There were SEALS there, there were special forces on the ground, there were the 1st Marines, the 101st. There were people available — the 10th Mountain Division. They could have been brought in to surround that mountainside to guarantee that he didn’t get out.

STEPHANOPOULOS: That was 2001, but it’s now 2005 and there have not been any more attacks on the homeland. Address that point.

KERRY: But, George — I will address that point — now let’s come to the heart of this.

The vice president just said that they would do anything necessary and he reminded Americans of that. And they’re trying to claim somehow that they’re stronger and better on the war on terror.

The fact is, when they had a chance to kill or capture Osama bin Laden they didn’t do it, and they didn’t do it because they ran a risk-adverse strategy, period, and that’s what happened.

Now, with respect to the rest of this effort, they diverted their attention from Afghanistan, which is now going backwards in some regards. You’re seeing more capable weapons coming in, IEDs. You’re seeing greater intensity to the kind of violence on the ground.

The south Waziristan, north Waziristan bogging down with the Pakistani troops has shown a lack of genuine leadership and cooperative effort on the part of the United States and others to be able to survive there. The Al Qaida — front page story New York Times today — is stronger in that region than it was.

So, yes, we have not been attacked here. Many people surmise that one of the reasons we haven’t been attacked here is because they are being so successful at doing what they need to do to attack us in Iraq and elsewhere.

And so that’s the focus currently of the war on terror.

MORE & LINKS - http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=1718

FULL TRANSCRIPT OF TODAY"S INTERVIEW - http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?page_id=1717


NOTE - I used my one a day at Kos if any one wants to post this over there please do!

[MH1]

1. Great post kg.

You know, what I don't get, is there were several posters on my live-blog thread that said they thought he "started slowly". But this part you posted is the beginning, and it doesn't seem like a slow start to me at all. Maybe they were just looking for anything they could pick on? Or is it just that moderately complex sentences don't confuse me yet do confuse others?

I used up my one diary today, too. Well worth it, I might add. :-)

Who else wants to volunteer?

[ginnyinWI]

2. I think he did start out with a lot of complex ideas

that he talked about very rapidly--so to someone not paying close attention it may have seemed confusing. Later he was speaking in simpler sentences. That was my take. Kind of complex for general audiences on a Sunday morning. But overall I think it was still effective.

I think those RNC types should just give it up! They're never going to convince anybody but their base!

[jillan]

3. Poor little repugs..

They just assummed that after Nov 2004 they wouldn't have to deal
with John Kerry any more.


Hey repugs - Get used to it!

[JI7]

4. is there any way i can watch and/or hear this ?

reading it, he totally kicks ass. but i always prefer to actually see and hear him if i can for my own selfish reasons...

[WildEyedLiberal]

5. I know I missed it too

I hope there's a video version sometime.

[Blaukraut]

6. I missed the entire show

Hopefully someone will have a video link soon. It's hard to judge how the interview went just by reading a transcript.

[whometense]

7. The audio (podcast)

is up on itunes. I'm listening to it right now.

[emulatorloo]

9. Confident, relaxed, pissed off, humorous - in control EOM

[emulatorloo]

8. RNC sounds hysterical and deranged over this

Completely over the top rheotoric.

Kerry did good.