Infra dig-ging. It might, theoretically, be a wise move to attempt to peruade the American public that George W. Bush's unpopularity abroad is detrimental to U.S. interests. If so, then there must be a way to get this point across while maintaining an image of intelligence and maturity. Instead, in response to Colin Powell's call for John Kerry put up or shut up on the issue of Kerry's alleged great support among foreign leaders, Mr. Kerry has opted for the "I have a lot of supporters in email" Usenettian dweeb approach. The original assertion was foolish - utterly unnecessary to making the point I assume Mr. Kerry wanted to make. The response to what should have been foreseen as the obvious rejoinder has been sillier still.

Now I recognize that this is not a seamless analogy - the Usenet dweeb's unnamed email supporters are imaginary, while there are no doubt many world leaders who would feel relief at the election of Mr. Kerry. (Whether such leaders' approbation is likely to cut any ice with the public is of course open to question.) But the principle is the same. It is childish to boast of the existence of supporters one cannot name.

[Kerry] also wouldn't say at what level he had spoken with officials. "I'm not going to play that game," said Kerry, who said private conversations should stay that way.

Quite right that private conversations should remain private. Alluding to private conversations removes them from the realm of the private. You're already playing that game, Mr. Kerry.

My God, we have almost eight more months of this. Please please please - 14 year olds are not allowed to vote yet. There is no need to pitch Presidential campaigns to them.

Posted by Moira Breen at March 14, 2004 03:22 PM