Kerry Outing: Fair?

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2004
Kerry Outing: Fair?
47
Fri, 10-15-2004 - 6:56am
In the debate Wednesday night, Sen. Kerry in a purposeful and intentional way discussed the Vice President's daughter by name, alluding to her sexuality. In an interview after the debate, Mary Cahill, Kerry's campaign director said the vice president's daughter was "fair game". Sen. Kerry has truly broken one of the last ethical rules of campaigning - he has used an opponent's child to further his own political agenda. I hope the tactic will backfire. Anyone who has a child knows the protectiveness a parent feels for their children. In politics, the candidates are aware that by offering themselves for public office, they subject themselves to scrutiny. But what decent person among us would ever run for public office if they thought that in doing so the personal lives of their children became "fair game"?

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Avatar for schifferle
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Fri, 10-15-2004 - 9:15am
It was purely a political move, plain & simple. Kerry could have chosen to mention, for example, Barney Frank. Edwards brought Mary Cheney up in the VP debates. Cheney thanked him for his kind words & dropped it. It was an attempt to drive away Bush's very conservative Christian supporters. What was the most appauling was Elizabeth Edwards saying the Cheneys must be ashamed of their daughter for them to have reacted the way they did. As you mentioned, Mary Beth Cahill, Kerry's campaign manager, said Mary Cheney was fair game? Why, I ask? The candidates' children should be off limits. If the roles were reversed the Democrats would have a major hissy fit!! They'll say & do anything to win.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2004
Fri, 10-15-2004 - 9:23am
I was surprised at Elizabeth Edwards' comments also. On the whole, I have been favorably impressed by her - now, I will rethink my opinion. To suggest that the Cheneys' objection to their child being "fair game" in a political campaign means that they are ashamed of their child only compounds the insult to the Cheney family.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-07-2004
Fri, 10-15-2004 - 9:32am
I've read Kerry's statement on this and I accept his explaination at face value. We're expected to the same thing when it comes to believing Bush or Cheney.

But, if you favor double-standards then this is a fine example.

This is nothing more than a desperate attempt at a campaign who's just been beaten in 3 debates, lost an 11-15 point lead in the polls, back to back to back. When's that happened before?

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-07-2004
Fri, 10-15-2004 - 9:34am
Ya know, I searched back on the threads here:

Where's the outrage at what Keyes said about Mary Cheney? He called her names.

But nope, only because of JOHN KERRY saying something that ISN'T EVEN DEMEANING, does it grind the gears of Bush/Cheney supporters who witnessed their President losing 3 debates out of 3.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-12-2001
Fri, 10-15-2004 - 9:37am
You must not have searched back far enough. Quite a few people expressed outrage and disgust at Alan Keyes' comments.

Bev

girl in chair
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-18-2004
Fri, 10-15-2004 - 10:55am
<

Where's the outrage at what Keyes said about Mary Cheney? He called her names. >>


Here: http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-elpoliticsto/?msg=3858.1


glad I could help

Miffy - Co-CL For The Politics Today Board

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2003
Fri, 10-15-2004 - 11:13am
Mary Cheney wasn't "outed" (she's been a lesbian activist for years) and she's far from a "child" (I think she's almost 40 for cryin' out loud.) This whole thing just shows how uncomfortable Republicans are with talking about sexuality.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-07-2004
Fri, 10-15-2004 - 11:14am
Yeah, an OUTING is what happened to Ambassador Wilson's wife.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-24-2003
Fri, 10-15-2004 - 11:16am
First of all, outing implies he was the first person to let the cat out of the bag regarding Cheney's daughter. And that is not so.

Secondly, I think this post is grasping at straws. Kerry said nothing derogatory or bad about Cheney's grown daughter.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-17-2004
Fri, 10-15-2004 - 11:19am
Keyes was immediately called on the carpet by REPUBLICANS for his comments. Where are the Democrats who are policiing their own?

Renee ~~~

Renee ~~~

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