(10-17-04) Kerry: "Bush planning a 'January Surprise'"

[ck4829]

Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry accused President Bush on Sunday of planning a surprise second-term effort to privatize Social Security and forecast a "disaster for America's middle class."

Republicans denied the charge as scare tactics with little more than two weeks remaining in a tight election. "It is just flat inaccurate," said GOP chairman Ed Gillespie.

...

Gillespie said the account of Bush's remarks was a "second-hand report and it is just flat inaccurate." Appearing on CNN's "Late Edition," he also said it was based on "hearsay." Gillespie said he often attends events such as the one cited, but added he couldn't be certain whether he had been at the one featured in the story.
Bush's campaign spokesman was more blunt,

"John Kerry's misleading senior scare tactics are just another example of a candidate who will say anything to get elected," said spokesman Steve Schmidt, "no matter how false his accusations or how contradictory they are with his record of repeatedly voting for higher taxes on Social Security."

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=173606

[Trillo]

1. LIES and propaganda is their way. Honesty is for little folks. nt

[aden_nak]

2. See? You can trust George W. Bush. . . to do the worst thing possible.

[displacedtexan]

3. GGGGRRRRRRR!!!!!!! A real Blast From The Past!

Smart people knew this Social Security crap was coming!

[FreedomAngel82]

20. Looks like Kerry was right

Yup. The January surprise. When they protest too much that means something (especially if all the networks are repeating them).

[skylarmae]

4. just reading this post and its link brought back that same sinking, deep,

aching (stem to stern)that overwhelmed me 11/2....someone should post a disclaimer to warn the readers.

[blm]

5. Yep. Kerry had no message and the media relies on the GOP for facts

because you can't trust the Democrats with our money or the nation's security....right mediawhores?

[fooj]

6. Crooks and liars...

Liars, liars, liars...I'm so sick of not getting the "real story"! Ever! 60 day propaganda blast based on "hearsay"? Slimebags...

[FreedomAngel82]

24. I was listening to Springer earlier

and he was going on about the media with the Iraq stuff and he was saying how he's tired of not seeing photos of soliders coming back either hurt or in the body bags and how they're hiding everything and not telling the real stories and stuff. I'm with him on that and just everything in general and all the paid news pundnts. Imagine if this was flipped around. *sigh* Aren't they supposed to work FOR US? What can we do?

[spooked911]

7. Yeah, but Kerry looked FRENCH!

so nyah nyah nyah!
:P :P

[FreedomAngel82]

25. The thing with the whole French thing

is aren't Bush and Kerry cousin's, so wouldn't Bush be somewhat French too? :shrug:

[spooked911]

41. Were they cousins? I know Dean was distantly related to Bush.

I didn't know Kerry was related to Bush.

But it wasn't whether Kerry had French blood-- it was just he LOOKED French. You know, sort of effete and weird-- unlike Bush (sarcasm).

[LittleClarkie]

45. Does that mean that Dean and Kerry are somehow cousins too?

Hmm. I'd never heard that Dean and Bush were related. Surprised it's never held against him the way it is with Kerry on occasion.

[spooked911]

49. Oh my god! Bush, Kerry and Dean are all related!!!!

"G.W. Bush and John Kerry are calculated to be 9th cousins twice removed and on top of that, Bush and Kerry have several cousins in common — Walt Disney, Michael Douglas, Clint Eastwood, the Wright Brothers, Meriwether Lewis, Hugh Hefner, Clara Barton, Georgia O’Keeffe, Princess Diana — and even former Vermont Governor Howard Dean."

http://www.answerbag.com/q_view.php/5481

Creepy!

[Blue Belle]

52. 9th Cousins or 2nd cousins...

Nobody wanted America to vote for Bush. Prior to the election, Bushes second cousins in Washington State developed a web site to encourage people to vote for Kerry. Their site was www.bushrelativesforkerry.com. It has since been taken down, but here's a reference I found for it:
http://www.perspectives.com/forums/forum4/13724.html

[AnneD]

55. Bush ....

and Colin Powell are cousins....go figure. I read it on some geneology webpage.

[liberal N proud]

8. Sending to all my repuke friends

It is in your face time.

[Walt Starr]

9. We might have to work like dogs for our entire lives, then drop dead

but at least two men can't get married!

[yeababy]

10. All polititions make promises to get into office then lie to stay ther

my people know all about that.

[peekaloo]

11. but dammit Kerry was gonna raise taxes!

"There's the progress we have found (when the rain)
A way to talk around the problem (when the children reign)
Building towered foresight (keep your conscience in the dark)
isn't anything at all (melt the statues in the park)"

r.e.m.

[Soth]

54. Holy crap, one of my favorite REM songs!

And I think its lyrics ARE quite appropriate to this administration...

"Buy the sky, and sell the sky
And tell the sky, and tell the sky
Don't fall on me."

[Beetwasher]

12. Yup, Kerry Sure As Hell DID Have The Inside Dope on the Dope Inside

n/t

[Mr_Spock]

13. They ain't just liars, their damn liars. Hell is here on Earth.

Ass holes.

[BrklynLiberal]

14. Thank you for this. I am sending it out to everyone I know who voted

for the moran.

[TheModernTerrorist]

15. the need to catalogue this stuff

Is the DNC keeping track of the lies? I hope so, because they need to take a hardline stance against these lies, tell the public that they've been lied to for the past 8 years, and get things back oon track. I'm sick of hearing this shit ipso-facto (sp?). They need to be firm in telling the people that they're sheep, and I think Dean is going down the right road, but I just hope that when push comes to shove that we fight back.

[ElectroPrincess]

19. How in the hell can we fight back when we have NO media support ...

That is one of the large ones. The worship of corporate, not individual American's interests will always come first. We are screwed ... at least in the short term, until more REAL moderate Republicans (who can still think critically) wake up and realize that they are being used. If not, we'll only have two classes in the USA -The Poor and The Rich.

[TheModernTerrorist]

26. I agree.

And don't we ALREADY kinda have only two classes? The Ultra-Rich and the Rest of us? It's nothing but one big f**king plutocracy, and I don't like it. I quit watching the news long ago, but there isn't much we CAN do at the moment. We live in a country that relies on propaganda to support the government, effectively brainwashing the population, and unless we call chip away at the propaganda "machine" then I'm afraid there IS nothing we can do. However, the 4th Estate (media) is so in bed with the government that I'm afraid we're doomed. Nothing short of a revolution will save us now... At least that's MY opinion.

"Welcome to the Machine"

[FreedomAngel82]

29. It seems like

the crap is falling against the fan on the republicans. Sooner or later there will be SO much crap the media CAN'T ignore it. I hope. They'll try or yes and their little brainwashed followers will deny it all but there's so much happening. Even some of them are getting scared of the whole DeLay thing.

[TankLV]

60. Not "lies" per se - "misstatements" or "misunderstood".

Remember, "we" can't ever use the word "lie" when referring to any repukes.

For DemocRATS it's OK, tho.

I am so sick of this shit.

What the our Democratic Party needs to do and should be doing is so goddamned obvious.

But yet they PLAY THEIR GAMES. It's all a fucking GAME to them - "triangulation", "strategy", "winning".

Forget about FIGHTING FOR THE TRUTH or WHAT'S RIGHT at the risk of LOSING.

So they play the game - and WE end up LOSING anyway!

[GOPBasher]

16. Yeah, but at least those gays have to go back in the closet!

:puke:

[GOPBasher]

17. Notice that the media isn't even mentioning this?

Yeah, that media quite liberal, huh? Once again, :puke:.

[FreedomAngel82]

30. Yep

If the media was liberal we wouldn't even be in Iraq now. :eyes: The republicans have made the word "liberal" so bad it's like when a little kid is afraid of the boogeyman.

[VOX]

18. Social Security is a small price to pay to have God in the White House.

I haven't yet heard such a statement, but it wouldn't surprise me at all if I did.
:mad: :mad: :mad:

[acmejack]

21. Just demonstrates the difference between the two parties!

We view honesty as a virtue, republicans see it as a liability...

[Johonny]

22. he he

The report was inaccurate in the fact that Kerry used Bush and plan in the same sentence. Clearly Bush never really plans anything. It's month three into the privatization talk and Bush has YET to say clearly what his plan is. It has something to do with private accounts, there's some percentage you might need to make, there might be a cut in benefits, it maybe voluntary, there maybe a cap increase, invisible aliens could be speaking through him... but when someone tries to pigeon toe him to what exactly IS the plan, he can't seem to get around to telling them.

[FreedomAngel82]

31. Very true

It's so funny how the republicans kept saying how they didn't know what John Kerry's plan was when he had a book out with Edwards, a website and he told his plans pretty clearly on all the debates. But yet when asked about Bush's plans it was all: 9/11, Saddam Hussein is evil and gay marriage and abortion. :eyes: Don't forget that Bush has been trying to sell his little plan since he first ran for Congress in the 70's and he STILL can't sell it. Quite sad isn't it?

[WillowTree]

23. Where, Oh Where...

does anyone get a "January surprise" out of this? What Bush is saying now is exactly what he said at the convention. Exactly! Why would anyone be surprised?

This is the biggest problem with chanting the mantra that this guy's so damnably stupid and trying to marginalize the Bush gang by tuning them out or, worse yet, assuming that everyone else is ignoring him.

Instead of making thready warnings about what people might wake up and find happening in January, Kerry should have been quoting from Bush's convention speech verbatim day-in and day-out (much like the way they repeated the "flip-flop" maxim until even Republicans wanted to puke) pointing out what he said he was going to do and outlining the specific ramifications. Who knows how much of a difference it might have made with all those snowbird voters in Florida?

"January surprise" my ample ass! When will we ever learn that we underestimate these people at our own peril?

[Cocoa]

27. FactCheck.org was all over this

In addition to attacking Kerry for his correct comments about Bush's plan, they also included this totally gratuitious republican spin point, "Kerry has no plan!", which has nothing to do with "fact checking" but is simply DEFENDING BUSH. Which is FactCheck.org's actual mission.

http://www.factcheck.org/article283.html

The ad also says nothing about what Kerry would do to address the troubled state of Social Security finances. Unless taxes are increased, the system's trustees say currently scheduled benefits would have to be cut 32%.

[FreedomAngel82]

32. No wonder

Cheney pimped that site at his debate with Edwards.

[blm]

51. Factcheck had to lie about Kerry to protect Bush. Typical of most media.

They are there to protect Bush and their corporate masters from the real will of the people so they lie to the citizens regularly.

[burythehatchet]

28. kerry won, gore won

[AuntiBush]

43. Like you, keeping it simple and forget the rest of the BS

Kerry in fact won, even by CNN standards.
Gore won, as well. He fought all the way to the Supreme court and back. How can anyone say he wussied out is beyond me.

As far as Senator Kerry. Because it didn't work for Gore, he quietly tried hard behind the scenes and still is, to follow the money, and the dirt, the scoundrals.

I say, "It ain't over till some fat Repuk starts singing..." :)

It's hard to have faith. But each day I see MORE & MORE Republican folks w/powerfully respected positions becoming extremely angry at Bush, croonies and themselves for voting for this freak.

It is my belief that if one waits patiently, they hang themselves, and so much better then any of us can. And if not, this country is going to be taking it to the streets. When I hear little old ladies ready to if SSI goes, look-out! And, "don't mess w/AARP!" Seriously. And they are.

[Deja Q]

58. Neither fought the wrongs and injustices. So why should

any of us care? They're all politicians for major parties, the corporate dollar means more to them than us.

[Catfight]

33. I totally remember all of this, even in the debate Kerry brought it up

and Bush flat out laughed it off and denied it. ALL politicians are liars and Bush is their leader.

[cestpaspossible]

34. Your post inspired my LttE

Truth and lies become clear in hindsight

In the hurly-burly of a political campaign, charges and counter charges fly
fast and furious. The voter, beleaguered by deceptive ads and drowning
in shallow analysis, is hard-pressed to seperate the lies from the truth.

So it might be instructive to cast an eye back and with the benefit of hindsight
make a judgement about just who really was telling the truth.

What was the story back on October 18? John Kerry warned the nation that George
Bush was planning a "January surprise" on Social Security. According to the Washington
Post, "Sen. John Kerry accused President Bush of a secret, second-term plan to privatize
Social Security starting next January".

Quoting the same article: "Steve Schmidt, a spokesman for Bush, said Kerry lifted a 'made up'
quote" and accused him of making "a false, baseless attack."


Now, with the benefit of hindsight, who was telling the truth, and
who was lying?

[thecorster]

35. God damn. It's posts like these

that make me YEARN for a kerry or gore presidency. these guys are honest and intellegent. what the fuck happened to this country?

:grr:

[spinbaby]

36. Nominated for the home page

The lies need to be kept front and center.

[zbdent]

37. Steve Schmidt quote had the quote marks placed wrong -

"'John Kerry's misleading senior scare' tactics are just another example of a candidate who will say anything to get elected." - with "candidate" meaning Bush.

[spinbaby]

38. A little kick

:kick:

We need to keep pointing out the lies.

[DeaconBlues]

39. The next time that Gillespie is on "Meet the Press"

can we expect Tim Russert to trip him up with his own words about social security from before the election.

Of course not. Those sort of tactics are reserved for Democratic guests on the "news" programs.

[DearAbby]

40. But it is supposed to be a liberal biased Media...They should be all over

this like white on rice...where are they this liberal media? Oh Timmy boy should be drooling for the oportunity to press this...ha Whores!

[TomClash]

42. Great stuff

[LittleClarkie]

44. Yep, I posted the same article from our local newspaper

Sad, isn't it.

"Oh no, we wouldn't do that. That's just scare tactics."

Uh huh. Sure boo boo.

[Nothing Without Hope]

46. But of course, all that's forgotten except by us tinfoilhatters.

History is negotiable these days of bought journalism.

As for the rest of us, it's one more predictable step in the transfer of money, power and children to the monsters that have stolen the country.

[DUBYASCREWEDUS]

47. Ask questions

Meet the Press has a site where you can submit questions for Tim Russert to ask his guests. I emailed the article to him and asked him to show it to one of his Republican "expert" guests and ask him to explain. Maybe we can all submit some questions we would like Tim to ask his Republican guests. Might be kind of fun.

[Paul Dlugokencky]

61. URL to submit questions to Meet the Press

Great idea, "DUBYASCREWEDUS"! Thanks.

The URL is http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6872152/

Bookmark it, let's all start sending in the questions we wish were asked.

[Pirate Smile]

48. I can see a commercial with Kerry saying this and then BushCo

denying it like crazy during the campaign with the statements in January showing BushCo was lying.

Next show their claims now that they aren't trying to get rid of SSI or cut benefits, etc. Then say "who are you going to believe?"

[TWiley]

50. As I have said.

If a republicans lips are moving, then they are lying. I have stopped expecting those assholes to behave like civilized folks. After all, they are the only true "Christian" and are legitimate moral supremacists.

[ClintonTyree]

53. Priceless quote..............

"John Kerry's misleading senior scare tactics are just another example of a candidate who will say anything to get elected," said spokesman Steve Schmidt, "no matter how false his accusations or how contradictory they are with his record of repeatedly voting for higher taxes on Social Security."

Yep, voting for higher taxes on Social Security looks like a wonderful idea compared to bush's ill-thought suckstravaganza. And who was misleading whom? I'd say the proof of which candidate was lying is crystal clear.

Again, the Reslugs lie, the corporate media whores do nothing to point their lying out to a gullible public, and the middle class downward gets it right up the poop chute again. Thanks GOP! Thanks media whores!

If the government screws around with Social Security, there will be blood in the streets. Cutting benefits, raising the retirement age or basing benefits on a "sliding scale" will be enough to stir regular, every day Americans to violence against their government. Guaranteed.

Solution? Simply raise the Social Security wage cap. These rich bastards can afford it. It's not like they're creating jobs or anything (in OUR country anyway) with that money. MAKE them take care of the lesser of our countrymen, it's only fair. The little people of this country MADE their millions for them with their sweat and bones. Problem solved, very easily, no messy re-tooling of the entire system.

[DanGough]

56. Bush social security scheme -

Like I have said before, the whole scheme is nothing more than an attempt to put us in a fedual state. I doubt that most Americans would have voted differently though. They are to worried about the "threat" of Gay marriage. God I need a drink!

[Deja Q]

57. Yawn.

Kerry, where were you during the election, making a public issue over paperless voting machines devised by a banking corporation and not by trusted people within our government?

Oh yeah, you're outing already outed Mary Cheney and not bothering to be 1/10th as strong as you could have been in the debates, even I could have rebuked Bush's inanity with relative ease!

All you did was capitulate and concede the next day.

Too late.

And I doubt many of us would get another chance TO vote for you, even if any of us was stupid enough. Sorry.

[NVMojo]

59. I remember this. We knew it was a lie on Bush's part, didn't we???

[Califooyah Operative]

62. crazy nt