Power Line: What's the Next Step Down From a Tin Ear?

September 06, 2004

What's the Next Step Down From a Tin Ear?

Reader Bob Kirk pointed out this article in tomorrow's Telegraph, on John Kerry's effort to re-start his campaign. The Telegraph's reporter, Alec Russell, is not impressed:

Amid mounting concern in party circles over the state of his campaign, the Democratic candidate played the "man of the people" card, appearing on a porch in sleepy, rural Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, and challenging President George W Bush's record on health, education and finance.
The setting - amid the clipped lawns and painted fences of middle America - should have been perfect for his rebranded message. Mr Kerry must have made thousands of such stops in his long political career, yet even his supporters conceded that for all their hopes of a new dawn, he still lacked the passion that is the hallmark of Mr Bush's campaigning.

When he stepped on to the porch and greeted the family of the owner, a local trade unionist, he crossed his hands in front of him, looking distinctly awkward in his blazer and dark shirt.

Mr Bush's campaign staff will have loved his opening comments, praising the limited menu of a local cafe. Mr Kerry said it was perfect "for confused people like me who can't make up our minds about what we're going to eat" - words which would fit perfectly into a pro-Bush attack ad.

Mr. Kerry's political tin ear has been widely noted. Nevertheless, I find this astonishing. Does Kerry really not understand his own worst vulnerability? I'm speechless.

Posted by John at 11:46 PM |

Trackback Pings

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.powerlineblog.com/mt/mt-diespammers.cgi/7738

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference What's the Next Step Down From a Tin Ear?:

» Full Metal Kerry from Ed Driscoll.com
An AP story today has this astonishing paragraph:In West Virginia, Cecil Roberts, president of the United Mine Workers of America, gave Bush a rifle as a gift. Bush, a self-described gun-owner and hunter, quipped: “I thank you for the gift,... [Read More]

Tracked on September 6, 2004 11:53 PM

» HE'S GOTTA A GUUNNN! from JOE'S BLOG
Kevin at Wizbang has Kerry's comment when presented with the shotgun. Kerry truly is a bumbler as this post at Powerline points out.... [Read More]

Tracked on September 7, 2004 07:06 AM

Tracked on September 7, 2004 12:41 PM

» Open Mouth, Insert Foot from Evilwhiteguy's Blog
I can't believe Kerry was dumb enough to utter this... [Read More]

Tracked on September 7, 2004 03:53 PM

Tracked on September 8, 2004 04:09 AM