7/9/2004
For some months now, I’ve not emulated my fellow conservatives and Bush supporters in calling for John Kerry to resign. As someone who grew up in the shadow of DC and whose father spent nearly three decades working there, I’ve always understood that campaigning is a real and inescapable part of being an elected official. Campaigning is not just part of their life, it’s their duty. After all, part of the process of campaigning is going before your constituents and defending your record.
But, after hearing of Kerry’s comments to Larry King from yesterday, and reading of Kerry’s attendence record this year, the conclusion is inescapable, he needs to resign. Truly, if Kerry is absolutely committed to running for President, this should be his next step.
Here is an excerpt from the King interview which, to me, is the straw that breaks the camel’s back:
Good evening. Welcome to a special edition of LARRY KING LIVE here in New York with Senator John Kerry, who’s frequently appeared on this show, and Teresa Heinz Kerry, her first appearance on this show. We thank you both very much for coming.
Let’s get to, first thing’s first, news of the day. Tom Ridge warned today about al Qaeda plans of a large-scale attack on the United States, didn’t increase the — do you see any politics in this? What’s your reaction?
KERRY: Well, I haven’t been briefed yet, Larry. They have offered to brief me; I just haven’t had time. But all Americans are united in our efforts to defeat terrorism.
I believe that John Edwards and I can wage a far more effective war on terror than George Bush has. I think we can do a better job of making America safe. But in these days ahead, we all join together no matter what.
Now lets look at a telling quote:
Kerry Considers Voting Small Part of Job
“‘In the age of telecommunications, Sen. Kerry is in daily contact with his chief of staff,’ [Kerry Advisor Michael] Meehan said. ‘Voting is just one small part of being a U.S. senator.’” (Jonathan Wells and Maggie Mulvihill, “Kerry Not On Roll With Voting,” [url=http://www.bostonherald.com]Boston Herald[/url], 3/1/04)
Furthermore, Kerry has [url=http://www.gop.com/RNCResearch/read.aspx?ID=3975]missed 65% (317 votes) of Senate votes[/url] as of March 2004 and he’ll likely miss nearly every vote this year while on the campaign trail. In the real world, Kerry would already have been fired from his job for missing so much work.
Someone please explain to me how it is that Meehan can claim that Kerry is in daily contact with his chief of staff and yet not know about Ridge’s warning? The warning, after all, does pertain directly to the upcoming election.
If he’s too busy for such news, then he should do what Bob Dole did in 1996 when he was the GOP presidential nominee and resign. Has he even followed yet in the footsteps yet of his challengers, Edwards, Gephardt, and Graham in announcing that he won’t seek another term? At least then he could give the appearance of an employee who is just slacking off as he approaches his last days at work rather than someone who is taking salary from one job to pursue an outside interest.
Is Kerry REALLY confident of a victory in November? He doesn’t show that confidence by hedging his bets this way.
Senator Kerry, put your money where your mouth is!
David Flanagan
[url=http://www.viewpointjournal.com]Viewpointjournal.com[/url]
4 Comments
by the same token, i think george bush should resign if he’s fully committed to running for president. i find it insulting that every president has campaigned for themselves on the public dime. if bush is so convinced money belongs in the people’s pockets and public money is wasted if it’s not for defense, he should put HIS money where his mouth is and resign today!
Comment by michael — 7/9/2004 @ 3:11 pm
Remember that I said in my post that campaigning is expected? For an incumbent, it’s the process of going back out to the people to defend his or her record so that people can decide whether or not they deserve reelection.
The difference here is that Kerry is using the salary paid to him for his congressional seat to run for a NEW job, that of President.
Furthermore, Presidents often travel because that is a major part of the job. For members of congress, it’s usually about creating laws, debating issues, casting votes, etc., which mostly takes place in Washington.
Thanks for your comment.
David
Comment by David Flanagan — 7/9/2004 @ 9:46 pm
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Comment by online gambling — 12/12/2004 @ 1:51 pm
Is it just me, or has Larry King had like 5 heart attacks and 5 divorces. I guess that’d be a broken heart for each.
Comment by The Advanced Soul — 10/21/2006 @ 8:25 am