NEWS: GOP Backs Away from Zell Miller

After gauging the harsh reaction from Democrats and Republicans alike to Sen. Zell Miller’s keynote address at the Republican National Convention, the Bush campaign — led by the first lady — backed away Thursday from Miller’s savage attack on Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry, insisting that the estranged Democrat was speaking only for himself.

Late Thursday, Miller and his wife were removed from the list of dignitaries who would be sitting in the first family’s box during the president’s acceptance speech later in the evening.

[...]

The change was made only a few hours after Laura Bush, asked about Miller’s speech, said in an interview with NBC News that “I don’t know that we share that point of view.” Aides to President Bush and his campaign said Miller was not speaking for all Republicans.

troglodyte said:
What a guy!

FermatsEnigma said:
What you all heard was an old fashion southern style political stump speech, a speech from a man that has no use for focus groups or consultants. He shot straight and tore Kerry a new one. I have been following the response. I haven't heard a single person try to defend Kerry's record in the senate. It has all been focused on Cheney did it too or they didn't serve in Vietnam. Bush has never wabered inspite of the winning the war on terror comment. Kerry doesn't have a plan to "win" the war on terror other than to try to bring the french and germans into the fold. The interesting thing is they haven't in the slightest bit expressed an interest in joining in regardless of who's president. Kerry runs on his Veitnam service to run from his senate record. What Sen Miller said distills my objections to Kerry into a speech

It is good to be back in Georgia and to be with you. I have been coming to these dinners since the 1950s, and have missed very few.

I'm proud to be Georgia's junior senator and I'm honored to serve with Max Cleland, who is as loved and respected as anyone in that body. One of our very highest priorities must be to make sure this man is re-elected in 2002 so he can continue to serve this state and nation.

I continue to be impressed with all that Governor Barnes and Lieutenant Governor Taylor and the Speaker and the General Assembly are getting done over at the Gold Dome. Georgia is fortunate to have this kind of leadership.

My job tonight is an easy one: to present to you one of this nation's authentic heroes, one of this party's best-known and greatest leaders – and a good friend.

He was once a lieutenant governor – but he didn't stay in that office 16 years, like someone else I know. It just took two years before the people of Massachusetts moved him into the United States Senate in 1984.

In his 16 years in the Senate, John Kerry has fought against government waste and worked hard to bring some accountability to Washington.

Early in his Senate career in 1986, John signed on to the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Deficit Reduction Bill, and he fought for balanced budgets before it was considered politically correct for Democrats to do so.

John has worked to strengthen our military, reform public education, boost the economy and protect the environment. Business Week magazine named him one of the top pro-technology legislators and made him a member of its "Digital Dozen."

John was re-elected in 1990 and again in 1996 – when he defeated popular Republican Governor William Weld in the most closely watched Senate race in the country.

John is a graduate of Yale University and was a gunboat officer in the Navy. He received a Silver Star, Bronze Star and three awards of the Purple Heart for combat duty in Vietnam. He later co-founded the Vietnam Veterans of America.

He is married to Teresa Heinz and they have two daughters.

As many of you know, I have great affection – some might say an obsession – for my two Labrador retrievers, Gus and Woodrow. It turns out John is a fellow dog lover, too, and he better be. His German Shepherd, Kim, is about to have puppies. And I just want him to know … Gus and Woodrow had nothing to do with that.

Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome Senator John Kerry.

rottenart said:
who in their right mind would defend zell miller? even the bush's are keeping him at arm's length!

louys said:
Not to get all conspiropsycho but,


okay, let's get all conspiropsycho.

Has the possibility of this whole thing being planned occurred to anyone else?

It does make Bush look more moderate by comparison, does it not?

FermatsEnigma said:
What you all heard was an old fashion southern style political stump speech, a speech from a man that has no use for focus groups or consultants. He shot straight and tore Kerry a new one. I have been following the response. I haven't heard a single person try to defend Kerry's record in the senate. It has all been focused on Cheney did it too or they didn't serve in Vietnam. Bush has never wabered inspite of the winning the war on terror comment. Kerry doesn't have a plan to "win" the war on terror other than to try to bring the french and germans into the fold. The interesting thing is they haven't in the slightest bit expressed an interest in joining in regardless of who's president. Kerry runs on his Veitnam service to run from his senate record. What Sen Miller said distills my objections to Kerry into a speech

FermatsEnigma said:
Bush has never wabered inspite of the winning the war on terror comment. Kerry doesn't have a plan to "win" the war on terror other than to try to bring the french and germans into the fold.

jnthn said:

Bush hasn't had a plan to win the war on terrorism EVER. Tell me the plan. He doesn't even know where the terrorists are or why they're out there in the first place. You think mobilizing the Army, dropping some bombs, getting handed Saddam is going to win the war on terror?

It goes against their business plan to win this fake war on terrorism. Why do that when you cut your dividends from oil and defense holdings. if you had the kind of investments he and his posse have you'd be a fool not to keep this goldrush of easy capital going. it's just business.

Raoul_Duke said:
I guess you won't apologize for this or the other thread you lied in?
Just in case...

[Edited on Sep 02, 2004 by Raoul_Duke]

Toku666 said:
Is anybody else terrified that we're suddenly going to find some WMDs in very late October or very (very) early November?