From the CNN: Kerry apologizes for 'misinterpreted' words.
Sen. John Kerry has apologized for a "poorly stated joke," which the Massachusetts senator said was aimed at the president but was widely perceived as a slam on U.S. troops."I sincerely regret that my words were misinterpreted to wrongly imply anything negative about those in uniform, and I personally apologize to any service member, family member or American who was offended," Kerry said in a statement Wednesday. ...
In the wake of the controversy, two Democratic Senate candidates in tight races -- John Tester in Montana and Harold Ford Jr. in Tennessee -- issued statements distancing themselves from Kerry's remarks and joining Bush's call for an apology. ...
Some Democrats in tight races who planned on appearing with Kerry changed those plans.
A Democratic official said Bob Casey, who is trying to unseat Republican Sen. Rick Santorum in Pennsylvania, canceled a scheduled appearance Wednesday night with Kerry in Philadelphia. ...
In Iowa, Bruce Braley, a Democratic House candidate, also announced Kerry would not be appearing with him as planned.
Kerry's office said House campaign appearances had canceled -- by mutual decision -- so as not to "allow the Republican hate machine to use Democratic candidates as their proxies in their distorted spin war in which once again they're willing to exploit brave American troops."
But Democrats in hot campaigns were clearly wary of their former standard-bearer. When a campaign aide to Sherrod Brown, who is trying to unseat Republican Sen. Mike DeWine in Ohio, was asked if Kerry was scheduled to be in the Buckeye State before election day, the response was, "Oh, God no."
Not all Democrats piled on. Dean dismissed the controversy, telling reporters in Vermont, "Kerry made a blooper. Bloopers happen," according to The Associated Press.
Michelle Malkin and LGF have been following this topic closely. Many of these posts are loaded with links:
Little Green Footballs:
Kerry's "Prepared Remarks"
Kerry in '72: Volunteer Army Would Perpetuate "War Crimes"
Kerry Excuse Number 4
Kerry's Full Statement
Inevitable Lame Pseudo-Apology Sighted
A Message to John Kerry from Iraq
Michelle Malkin:
He meant what he said
I refused to apologize to anyone ... before I apologize to the troops
John Kerry is a uniter
They don't support our troops
Also: Massachusetts’ botched joke by Jules Crittenden.
This cartoon is partly based on a suggestion by Tom Kratman.
UPDATE: Allah Pundit has more at Hot Air, including that he believes Kerry's comment was a botched joke aimed at Bush not the troops:
Video: Kerry’s speech at the Angelides event, uncut(?)
Blogwars: Me vs. Ace on Kerrygate
I tend to doubt that Kerry would take such a low blow at the troops during a speech intended to help Democrats. But whether Kerry's comment was a botched joke or a Freudian slip, the fact that so many Democrats distanced themselves from him indicates they knew Kerry's anti-war history would make the gaffe explanation a hard sell, even if it's the truth. That's what the cartoon is about.
Posted by Forkum at November 2, 2006 04:34 PM
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