Earlier I expressed hope that Democratic leaders would stand up to oppose the type of dishonest campaign that the Clintons are running. After all, I’ve often criticized Republicans for accepting the same type of dishonesty from the Bush administration, and we cannot accept this regardless of which party it comes from. One senior Democrat has repeatedly stood up to defend candidates from “swiftboating.” The Guardian reports:
John Kerry, the Democratic candidate in the 2004 presidential election, today made an extraordinary intervention on behalf of Barack Obama, accusing his opponents of stooping to “Swiftboat” smear tactics to destroy the black senator’s presidential ambitions.
Kerry, whose presidential bid was wrecked by innuendo and lies about his Vietnam service as a Swiftboat officer on the Mekong river, did not name the Clintons, but they appeared to be the main target of his outburst.
“The fight is just heating up. We won’t let them steal this election with lies and distortions,” he said.
His comments came amid signs of a backlash in the Democratic party, especially among African-Americans, at the way that Hillary and Bill Clinton have gone about taking Obama apart during the past fortnight…
Kerry, a senator from Massachusetts, endorsed Obama last month, despite his long friendship with Bill Clinton. It was an important endorsement, giving heart to other members of Congress who had been dithering about supporting Obama for fear of antagonising the Clinton machine.
But it is a big jump for Kerry to go from endorsement to criticism of the former president and his spouse, even if indirectly. He described as “disgusting lies” allegations on the internet about Obama’s religion and record of public service.
“I support Barack Obama because he doesn’t seek to perfect the politics of Swiftboating – he seeks to end it,” he said. “This is personal for me, and for a whole lot of Americans who lived through the 2004 election.”
One other Democrat is also mentioned:
Tom Daschle, the former Senate majority leader and Obama supporter, denounced Bill Clinton’s conduct as “not keeping with the image of a former president”.
“I think it destroys the party. Ultimately it’s going to divide us, and it’s going to have a lasting effect down the road,” Daschle said.
Maybe Kerry can “even the odds” so to speak by continuing to speak out. As Obama said recently it’s like he’s running against both Clintons. Obama and Kerry vs. Clinton and Clinton. I’ll take that 2 on 2 fight.
Kerry and Obama Team is a very good ticket for the Presidential election.
The two are compatible and are both FIRE signs in their astrological formation. Good partners and can work very well together for the Democratic Party.