Okay, there have been far too many Kerry diaries ... and mea culpa for the outrage of one more just before the election but I remain astounded that the media gave a moment's notice to the RWSM's attack on Kerry's poor comedic effort, even as the Commandant-in-Chief led the choir.
And, sadly, the damage is done already through Senator Kerry's (mistaken) apology for the (non) insult to America's fighting forces in Iraq. But, even just before the election and even with what I think was a mistake to "apologize", perhaps this thought as to what Senator Kerry should do would be useful ... If questioned Monday re "insulting" the troops, I would suggest that Senator Kerry truly go strong on the offensive ...
The Kerry statement that I would like to see:
"Look, I have been too polite it seems in this entire discussion.
"I am a US Senator and not a Comedy Central employee -- this incident has reminded me that I'm not going to make a career as a comedian.
"But, let me be extremely clear: If anyone can't watch that video and clearly understand my intent, they might be as much of an idiot as George W. Bush.
"Yes, that is what I said. Let me be very clear -- running this nation is someone who most of us don't consider smart enough to be doing anything requiring real intelligence let alone running the nation.
"I want every American to consider this question:
"Would you trust George W. Bush to be smart enough to:
* Be the principal of your children's school or their teacher?
* To tutor your child in preparation for college entrance exams?
* To counsel your child through a crisis?
* To help you navigate through filing US taxes?
* To run successfully the business you rely on for a paycheck so that you can put food on the table?
* To be a criminal investigator for a rapist at loose in your community?
* To ... I don't know, do anything in your daily life that truly matters to you?
"Can you truly answer yes? I can't. If one of my daughters -- God forbid -- were kidnapped, I wouldn't want to see George W. Bush at the door at the head of the FBI kidnapping team. And, this is the man that we have sitting in the crucial position for every issue of fundamental importance for America and Americans -- not just for today but also tomorrow.
"At this point in time, I no longer understand how even 20% of Americans believe George W Bush is doing a good job as President, let alone the 35% who tell pollsters that they do.
"I have friends on the other side of the aisle. Yes, I have Republicans who I both like and whom I greatly respect. I understand that people of good will can disagree with each other, even fundamentally disagree on major issues. But, George W. Bush is not a man of good will -- all you need to do is listen to how he is trying to demonize any American who disagrees with him as somehow allied with bin Laden. That means that he is, at this time, trying to demonize 65% of Americans.
"And, putting aside the absence of good will, I am truly fearful -- as I tried to suggest from my joke -- that, as well, there is a basic absence of intelligence in the most critical office in the land."
That is what I would like to hear from John F. Kerry and see on CNN, NBC, and, of course, YouTube ...