Kerry blames Bin Laden for election loss.

[CBright7831 0]

Exclusive: Kerry Says UBL Tape Cost Him Election

 

NEW YORK — John Kerry (search) believes he lost to President Bush because of the video from Usama bin Laden (search) that surfaced just days before the Nov. 2 presidential election.

 

The Massachusetts senator told FOX News' senior correspondent Geraldo Rivera that he believes he lost because the tape may have scared the American electorate.

 

Rivera spoke to Kerry on Thursday as the senator and a slew of other notable names — including wife Teresa Heinz Kerry, actors Robin Williams and Morgan Freeman and comedian Chris Tucker — were in a holding room prior to the processional leading up to the formal opening of the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, Ark.

 

"Tough luck, senator," Rivera said to Kerry, referring to the Democrat's election loss.

 

Trying to recount Kerry's words verbatim, Rivera said Kerry responded by saying:

 

"It was that Usama tape — it scared them [the American people]."

 

Rivera said Kerry said the tape came out too late for his camp to rebut and the Democratic campaign couldn't counteract it in time for the Tuesday election.

 

Sen. Kerry clearly believes not only is it the security issue that cost him the election, but very specifically the Usama tapes coming out in the 11th hour," Rivera reported Friday.

 

Kerry also acknowledged that the security issue in general hurt him in the race, Rivera said.

 

The broadcast of the tape from the Al Qaeda leader jolted the campaign's closing days, accentuating the terrorism theme with a reminder of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

 

In the tape, aired by the Arab television network Al-Jazeera, bin Laden spoke directly to the American people. He admitted for the first time that he carried out the Sept. 11 attacks and said the attacks would have been less severe if Bush had been more alert.

 

He promised to lay out "the best way to avoid another Manhattan" and told Americans, "Your security is not in the hands of Kerry or Bush or Al Qaeda. Your security is in your own hands."

 

The tape caused Kerry to revive his contention that Bush missed an opportunity to capture or kill bin Laden during the Afghan war. The Democratic challenger asserted throughout the campaign that U.S. forces could have run down bin Laden in the Tora Bora (search) mountains in late 2001 if they had gone after him on the ground, and he blamed Bush for the decision to let Afghan forces lead that chase.

 

But during the campaign, Republicans insinuated that terrorists would prefer to see Kerry in office, saying the Massachusetts senator would be too soft in the War on Terror.

 

Some political observers believe that many Americans voted for Bush not only because of his strong stance in the War on Terror but because they held tight to the adage of, "you don't change horses in midstream."

 

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, in responding to the FOX News report, said she does believe the bin Laden tape favored the president a little but would not say it outright tipped the election.

 

"It was a reminder he [bin Laden] still at large," she told FOX News. "I think what we could see in the polls a real lead for Kerry and that made a couple points difference … I think it had an effect."

 

On another note, Kerry is thanking supporters in an e-mail for moving voters, holding Bush accountable and for helping counter "the attacks from big news organizations" such as FOX News.

 

"I want to thank you personally for what you did in the election — you rewrote the book on grassroots politics, taking control of campaigns away from big donors. No campaign will ever be the same," Kerry wrote. "You moved voters, helped hold George Bush accountable, and countered the attacks from big news organizations such as Fox, Sinclair Broadcasting, and conservative talk radio."

 

Kerry went on saying the Bush administration is planning "a right wing assault on values and ideals we hold most deeply" and that diverse opinions are being "eliminated" from the State Department and CIA with the personnel reshuffling, and the Bush Cabinet is being remade to "rubber stamp policies that will undermine Social Security, balloon the deficit, avoid real reforms in health care and education, weaken homeland security, and walk away from critical allies around the world."

 

Kerry also vowed to "continue to challenge this administration" on a variety of issues, ranging from election standards and health care for children.

 

FOX News' Carl Cameron, Jim Mills, Liza Porteus and Geraldo Rivera contributed to this report.

[Guest MikeSC]

On another note, Kerry is thanking supporters in an e-mail for moving voters, holding Bush accountable and for helping counter "the attacks from big news organizations" such as FOX News.

 

"I want to thank you personally for what you did in the election — you rewrote the book on grassroots politics, taking control of campaigns away from big donors. No campaign will ever be the same," Kerry wrote. "You moved voters, helped hold George Bush accountable, and countered the attacks from big news organizations such as Fox, Sinclair Broadcasting, and conservative talk radio."

 

Kerry went on saying the Bush administration is planning "a right wing assault on values and ideals we hold most deeply" and that diverse opinions are being "eliminated" from the State Department and CIA with the personnel reshuffling, and the Bush Cabinet is being remade to "rubber stamp policies that will undermine Social Security, balloon the deficit, avoid real reforms in health care and education, weaken homeland security, and walk away from critical allies around the world."

 

Kerry also vowed to "continue to challenge this administration" on a variety of issues, ranging from election standards and health care for children.

Way to be all about unity, Senator.

-=Mike

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

Way to chip away at some of that goodwill I had towards you there Senator.

[Guest MikeSC]

Way to chip away at some of that goodwill I had towards you there Senator.

Remember, though, Bush is the one solely responsible for the divisions.

-=Mike

[The Czech Republic 0]

Never mind my respect for Kerry going out with dignity

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

I really hope this doesn't lead to 4 years of Kerry taking pot shots at the Administration constantly. Gore really wore that gimmick out.

[AndrewTS 0]

"I'm a uniter, not a divider." -- Kerry at a church prior to the election.

 

If Moore hears this he'll love it, it will inspire more OMGBUSHFAMILYCONNECTIONSTOBINLADIN--oh wait, he's already making an F-9/11 sequel.

 

On another note, Kerry is thanking supporters in an e-mail for moving voters, holding Bush accountable and for helping counter "the attacks from big news organizations" such as FOX News.

 

And Fox News, and Fox News--did we mention Fox News?

 

Sinclair Broadcasting, and conservative talk radio."

 

Yeah, those had a huge impact on the election, yessireebob.

[Edwin MacPhisto 0]

Stupid comments, but "unity" shouldn't meaning giving the administration a free pass. Challenge away, but leave the meaningless videotape out of it.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

Stupid comments, but "unity" shouldn't meaning giving the administration a free pass.  Challenge away, but leave the meaningless videotape out of it.

I agree but liberals seem to be acting like the President has to do all the work and they don't have to do anything to achieve unity.

 

I wouldn't care as much but come on he's complaining before Bush has even done anything. Maybe actually let things play out a bit before critizing.

[Guest MikeSC]

On another note, Kerry is thanking supporters in an e-mail for moving voters, holding Bush accountable and for helping counter "the attacks from big news organizations" such as FOX News.

 

And Fox News, and Fox News--did we mention Fox News?

Heck, Fox News used fake memos to attack the President, right?

 

Didn't they?

 

And they refused to apologize for 2 weeks before launching an investigation that is unlikely to actually lead to anything, right?

 

Man, those FNC people are bad.

-=Mike

[Guest MikeSC]

Stupid comments, but "unity" shouldn't meaning giving the administration a free pass.  Challenge away, but leave the meaningless videotape out of it.

I agree but liberals seem to be acting like the President has to do all the work and they don't have to do anything to achieve unity.

My point throughout the entire campaign. How can Bush unify when less than half of the country has NO desire to unite?

 

He let them write "No Child Left Behind" --- and they STILL bitched about their handiwork.

-=Mike

[Guest INXS]

Kerry raises a good point. The Bush campaign was all about staying the course blah blah blah, scaring the people into thinking they might be living next door to a terrorist etc, wouldnt surprise me if it came out that Bush made sure that tape was played to the media at exactly the right time - there is no underestimating his level of corruption.

[Guest MikeSC]

Kerry raises a good point. The Bush campaign was all about staying the course blah blah blah, scaring the people into thinking they might be living next door to a terrorist etc, wouldnt surprise me if it came out that Bush made sure that tape was played to the media at exactly the right time - there is no underestimating his level of corruption.

"Gee, why is Bush so divisive"?

-=Mike

...You really are a fucking moron, INXS...

[AndrewTS 0]

Stupid comments, but "unity" shouldn't meaning giving the administration a free pass.

Not at all, but insinuations like a "right-wing assault on values" is a little different than criticizing policies and suggesting alternatives.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

Kerry raises a good point. The Bush campaign was all about staying the course blah blah blah, scaring the people into thinking they might be living next door to a terrorist etc, wouldnt surprise me if it came out that Bush made sure that tape was played to the media at exactly the right time - there is no underestimating his level of corruption.

There is no underestimating your level of stupidty.

[Slayer 0]

Chris Tucker? I'd always wondered where he disappeared to

[Guest MikeSC]

Chris Tucker? I'd always wondered where he disappeared to

I know when I'm looking for a buzz --- I hang out with embarrassing candidates who were bitch-slapped in an election.

-=Mike

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

Chris Tucker?  I'd always wondered where he disappeared to

I know when I'm looking for a buzz --- I hang out with embarrassing candidates who were bitch-slapped in an election.

-=Mike

Leave Howard Dean's campaign out of this.

[Styles 0]

So will Kerry grow a beard, get fat and start screaming at public appearances?

 

[Vyce 0]

Kerry raises a good point. The Bush campaign was all about staying the course blah blah blah, scaring the people into thinking they might be living next door to a terrorist etc, wouldnt surprise me if it came out that Bush made sure that tape was played to the media at exactly the right time - there is no underestimating his level of corruption.

Man, just keep digging that hole of yours a little deeper.

[Guest Cerebus]

I couldn't imagine his horse face becoming a FAT horse face...

[Guest Loss]

Kerry has the right to challenge Bush in areas where he thinks he's falling short, and I encourage him to do that, but there are problems with this.

 

(1) He's placing blame everywhere but his party and himself for losing the election. I don't think the tape impacted the election at all. And I don't think history should be rewritten to say it did. As Pelosi said, if anything, the tape *helped* Kerry, because it reminded the world that Osama was still at large. And yes, Kerry had time to react. He could have shaped that however he wanted in the final days. He chose not to. Kerry had a million openings in this campaign. He seized none of them to their maximum potential.

 

(2) He's saying this way too soon after the election. Kerry pushed hard the message of unity. Yesterday, we saw two Republicans and two Democrats on stage celebrating the opening of a new library, and even Bill Clinton spoke against the division. Kerry is only encouraging it.

 

(3) We've seen a different Bush since the election. He's been calmer, more humble and the arrogant swagger is all but gone from his walk. He will be working with almost an entirely different cabinet and he has a huge opportunity to really promote peace in the Middle East. Let's let him give it a shot. Carter failed at this. Reagan failed at this. Our current President's father failed at this. Clinton failed at this. Bush may very well see it get done. THAT'S where our energies and attention should be focused right now, not blaming anyone for things that can't be undone.

 

***

 

Everyday liberals want peace in the middle east, want the goals set out to be accomplished in Iraq and under no circumstances condone Condoleeza Rice being called "Aunt Jemima" on a radio show. Hell, I dare say that anyone who doesn't share those values is morally dangerous. Challenging Bush to meet our needs and expectations is a great thing, but wanting Bush to fail miserably just so one side can be proven right is both petty and childish. It's also un-American. We all want peace. That's a similarity. We just have different ideas about how to achieve it.

 

Who knows -- perhaps I'm giving those who share my ideology too much credit. They seem to be sharing it in name only, at least in terms of the majority.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

So will Kerry grow a beard, get fat and start screaming at public appearances?

[Slayer 0]

MY EYES

[Big Ol' Smitty 0]

He let them write "No Child Left Behind" --- and they STILL bitched about their handiwork.

 

NCLB funding falls short of the amount appropriated by Congress by several billion dollars. The act is not gonna do much good if it doesn't have any $ backing it up. Without proper funding, NCLB is just a series of mandates.

 

In short, they had adequate reason to "[bitch]."

[Guest MikeSC]

He let them write "No Child Left Behind" --- and they STILL bitched about their handiwork.

 

NCLB funding falls short of the amount appropriated by Congress by several billion dollars. The act is not gonna do much good if it doesn't have any $ backing it up. Without proper funding, NCLB is just a series of mandates.

 

In short, they had adequate reason to "[bitch]."

Except, for ONE small problem --- Bush has somewhere in the neighborhood of ZERO control over the money.

-=Mike

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

He let them write "No Child Left Behind" --- and they STILL bitched about their handiwork.

 

NCLB funding falls short of the amount appropriated by Congress by several billion dollars. The act is not gonna do much good if it doesn't have any $ backing it up. Without proper funding, NCLB is just a series of mandates.

 

In short, they had adequate reason to "[bitch]."

Even if the money was there the Teachers Unions would suck it all right up and barely any of it would get into the classroom.

 

Not a whole lot can be done about education until the Unions are either removed or cut down power wise.

[Rob E Dangerously 0]

#1 - at least Geraldo didn't have to draw a picture in the sand of his meeting with Kerry

 

#2 - The people who control the money are the Republicans in the House and Senate.

[Big Ol' Smitty 0]

He let them write "No Child Left Behind" --- and they STILL bitched about their handiwork.

 

NCLB funding falls short of the amount appropriated by Congress by several billion dollars. The act is not gonna do much good if it doesn't have any $ backing it up. Without proper funding, NCLB is just a series of mandates.

 

In short, they had adequate reason to "[bitch]."

Except, for ONE small problem --- Bush has somewhere in the neighborhood of ZERO control over the money.

-=Mike

All I'm trying to say is that NCLB is not going to work without adequate funding. I know Bush doesn't directly control the funding. I'm saying that the architects of NCLB had adequate reason to complain about it because it wasn't funded fully. What incentives do schools have to meet the mandates if there are not rewards for doing so?

 

Personally, as a future teacher, I think it sucks, anyway. Funding it would be equivalent to pumping gas into a broken down engine.

[Big Ol' Smitty 0]

Even if the money was there the Teachers Unions would suck it all right up and barely any of it would get into the classroom.

 

I don't really get what you mean here. The money wouldn't go to unions, it would go to schools.