Guys -- the Swiftboaters are Back.

The Right is going after Obama, questioning his patriotism (gee, does that sound familiar?), and the AP is carrying their water.

This diary sums up the two AP articles well:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/2/24/85325/6662/705/463041

There are references to Kerry in both articles; however, the one today actually quotes someone involved with the SBVT:



They're going to paint Barack Obama as John Kerry Part Deux, I guess. But here is my question: this is kind of John Kerry's territory. He went after T Boone Pickett for a reason. And it was to discredit these yahoos so that they couldn't go after our Democratic nominee. Now the primaries aren't over, but it appears the Right is calculating that Obama may win it, so they're unleashing the smears early. This is what we have talked about for months. Now that it has happened, well: what's John Kerry going to do? This is, after all, his beat.

On a related note, the Pentagon, John Warner, and the right wing attack machine are going after the Captain who relayed to Obama the equipment problems in Afghanistan. They're bascially saying the guy is lying. Or that he is a "phony soldier". Again, this is an issue dear to John Kerry's heart. The Right is attacking one of our troops. Now I am not saying he should be on TV; I am just wondering what he thinks of this and what can be done about it:

Brandon Friedman of VotesVets has more here:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/2/23/194129/881/971/462791

...as no surprise to anyone. I've been expecting, if it appears Obama is the nominee, that eventually Kerry's endorsement would lead to this kind of attack. After all, supposedly the right spent the last 2-3 years gearing up to smear Clinton as nominee. They will attack anyone who is a threat...and now Obama is clearly becoming a threat to their winning the White House.

As they learn of Kerry's role, they will need to discredit both him and Obama...and since McCain seems to be the Republican nominee (almost)...it sets up a battle about foreign policy, veterans issues, Iraq (VietNam) and leadership as Commander in Chief.

I think John Kerry is the expert here about what to do...and you are right, it is an important question to be asking. Here's what I think:

If the RW drags Kerry into this (a la Kerry Part Deux) then he comes out fighting...a full frontal assault on the Republicans' handling of the Iraq War, our foreign policy going forward, the kind of Commander in Chief required to turn the country around, why Obama can be that person, etc. This IS his beat. He has the credentials and I think he makes the case better than anyone. When he does this, hopefully people like Biden, Dodd, Kennedy...and even the Clintons (after primary season) will back him up strongly. Obama, too. This would be the moment to be sure Obama's many supporters understand the difference between a McCain Commander in Chief vs. an Obama one.

This is risky for JK, though, as he runs for the Senate. I would LOVE to see this fight and an Obama/Kerry partnership (ticket?) as a result. I know, I know...I'm a dreamer! :7

techniques and even the same PEOPLE are launching the smears against Obama. Their mention of Kerry in both articles is to gloat how successful they were the last time.

Funny, you mention the VP thing. There have been two diaries on Kos suggesting Kerry as VP. My response will always be the same: he is running for re-election to the U.S. Senate, and in Mass., you can't run for two offices at the same time. So ... it is a nonstarter for him to be VP. I like him in the Senate admittedly, but it also would be kind of cool if he was in an Democratic Administration, like Sec of State or A.G. But Senator helping our president guide legislation through the Congress is also way cool.

But I love J17's (I hope I remembered right!) idea of Obama giving Biden a position and JK getting the SFRC chair!

And, like others here, I'm looking forward to JK coming out against these creeps full-on.:dem: :patriot:

...creeps. I hope he decks them. :7

JK's got to coordinate with the Obama campaign as far as message. We don't want it to look like JK is the big brother coming to little brother's defense because he's too young to handle it himself. He must be careful not to overshadow Obama, and stay in the role of surrogate/advocate.

...agree with you.

He spoke of how Obama has learned by seeing what happened in 2004 and he spoke of how many people who were on his team in 2004 are now with Obama - and they saw it first hand. Very gracefully handled.

He also did a very ggod job of remembering that he was a surrogate - he expained some of Obama's positions as Obama's. When he was asked about whet to do on Afghanistan - he said what his recommendation was, but added that he was just there and that what he said was his position and that he had not had a chance to speak to Obama on it yet.

...in that town hall, too. He gave Obama much credit on all issues he discussed.

And we KNOW the RW doesn't fight fair. People are well aware of this, trust me.

...because then we win. ;)