Kerry’s ultimate weapon

I referred to the president as George W. Boilerplate, but all criticisms are relative. While Bush’s repetitious formulas evince a mediocre mind, he is still someone who has some points of contact with reality, as well as a good-sized dose of common sense and common decency—not in all areas, it is true, but a fair-minded person cannot deny that he has those qualities. The same can barely be said of his opponent. When it comes to Kerry, we’re dealing with a degree of narcissistic solipsism never before seen in a national politician in this country, including Clinton.

To see what I’m talking about, read the Washington Post on Kerry’s response to the attacks on him at the GOP convention:

In his sharpest and most personal remarks of the presidential campaign, Kerry responded to the rhetorical assault on him at the convention by accusing the Republicans of attacking “my fitness to serve as commander in chief. Well, here’s my answer: I’m not going to have my commitment to defend this country questioned by those who refused to serve when they could have and by those who have misled the nation into Iraq.”

First, note how Kerry acts as though this is going to be a new reply by him to new attacks: “Well, here’s my answer.” Yet despite the build-up, it’s exactly the same thing he’s said over and over in the past. For example, he said the same about Cheney a few months ago when Cheney criticized his voting record in the Senate.

However, it’s the substance of what Kerry is doing here that is truly remarkable. He is saying that his policy positions on national defense cannot be criticized, unless the critic has also served in war. He is trying to abolish all political discussion when it comes to his record on national defense. Imagine what a Kerry presidency would be like. No one who was not a combat veteran could criticize him on anything he was doing or failing to do on defense matters. Every time someone tried to do so, he would arrogantly retort: “I will not have my commitment to defend this country questioned by those who have not served in war.” Thus Kerry’s service in Vietnam is not only his main qualification for the presidency, it’s also his number one rhetorical weapon against his political enemies. He should be president—because he served in Vietnam. And others have no right to criticize him—because he served in Vietnam.

Has such a laughable prima donna, a man for whom everything revolves around his massive narcissism, his status and self-importance, ever been a major candidate for national office in this country? Kerry is a pompous fool, a Ted Baxter without the endearing humanity, utterly unsuited for the presidency or for any serious leadership position.

Posted by Lawrence Auster at September 03, 2004 12:24 AM | Send
    


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