Jeff Beatty Kicks Off Run Against Kerry

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/09/beatty_takes_ai.html

Republican challenger Jeff Beatty took aim today at US Senator John F. Kerry, chiding him as an "elitist" who is "worried about becoming the secretary of state instead of worrying about the secretaries in our state."

The attack came less than 24 hours after Kerry shook off a primary challenge from Gloucester Lawyer Edward O'Reilly. Beatty, a counter-terrorism consultant and former CIA agent, reached out to the 31 percent of Democratic primary voters who cast ballots for O'Reilly.

"There's a significant number of people, even among the Democratic base, that hard-working base that John Kerry has abandoned in favor of illegal aliens, who are ready to make a change," Beatty said at a lightly attended news conference in front of Financial District office tower that includes offices of the troubled mortgage giant Fannie Mae.

Borrowing a line of attack used by Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama, Beatty said voters had had "enough" of the 24-year incumbent.

"We've had enough of a senator who puts special interests ahead of the public interest," Beatty said. "We've had enough of a senator who will go on a five-week paid vacation when citizens in Massachusetts are filling their oil tanks paying nearly twice what they paid last year."

Kerry's re-election campaign dismissed Beatty's attempts to present himself as an ally of blue-collar voters.

"John Kerry has a proven track record of fighting for the interests of everyone in Massachusetts -- secretaries, fishermen, firemen, school teachers -- you name it," spokeswoman Brigid O'Rourke said in an e-mail. "And he’s going to continue fighting for issues that are important to our state for the next six years."

Kerry's Gaffes

In case you've forgotten - here are some famous ones we reminded the Press about today...

Kerry's History of Gaffes:

In 2006, Kerry said that if you don't do well in school you'll wind up "Stuck in Iraq": "According to the Pasadena Star-News: "Kerry then told the students that if they were able to navigate the education system, they could get comfortable jobs - "If you don't, you get stuck in Iraq," he said to a mixture of laughter and gasps.'' (Boston Globe, 10/31/06)

• Kerry initially refused to apologize for his statement: "My statement yesterday, and the White House knows this full well, was a botched joke about the President and the President's people not about the troops," Kerry said at a press conference in Seattle. "The White Houses attempt to distort my true statement is a remarkable testament to their abject failure making America safe. Kerry continued: "I'm sick and tired of a whole bunch of Republican attacks, most of which come from people who never wore the uniform and never had the courage to stand up and go to war themselves." (Boston Globe, 10/31/06)

In Philadelphia, Kerry Asked For Cheesesteak With Swiss; “Was Caught Nibbling Daintily At His Sandwich.” “If Sen. John F. Kerry’s presidential aspirations melt like a dollop of Cheez Whiz in the sun, the trouble may well be traced to an incident in South Philadelphia on Monday. There, the Massachusetts Democrat went to Pat’s Steaks and ordered a cheesesteak -- with Swiss cheese. If that weren’t bad enough, the candidate asked photographers not to take his picture while he ate the sandwich; shutters clicked anyway, and Kerry was caught nibbling daintily at his sandwich -- another serious faux pas.”(The Washington Post, 8/13/03)

Kerry also called Green-Bay's Lambeau field "Lambert Field": "Forget soccer moms and NASCAR dads. The most important demographic in these parts transcends gender and geography -- it's Green Bay Packers fans. Both candidates are targeting them with the ferocity of a Brett Favre bullet, but only John F. Kerry has fumbled the name of the hallowed grounds on which the Packers play, the frozen tundra of Curly Lambeau Field. At a campaign event last month, the Democratic presidential nominee called it Lambert Field -- a slip of the tongue carried on television, in papers throughout the state and on ESPN's Web site." (Washington Post, 9/14/04)

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Boston Herald

Today, the Herald reveals State Rep Eugene O'Flaherty greeted outside of his house with questions from Bill O'Reilly's team. Eugene does not like Jessica's Law. State Senator Scott Brown said he would shave his head if the Democrats passed this legislation.

"The state GOP this week slammed Sen. John F. Kerry for seeking $138 million for 124 Bay State pork projects which were highlighted in the “Pig Book,” an annual publication by the Washington, D.C.-based Citizens Against Government Waste.

'Pork projects are one of the many reasons that people are sick of career politicians like John Kerry,” sniped state GOP spokesman Barney Keller. 'He has consistently shown a disregard for taxpayer dollars.' "

Matt Kinnaman on John Kerry

Matt Kinnaman has good column out today on John Kerry and Energy Indepedence

Keep up the good work Matt!

Kerry Confused?

Is '08 The Year?

Today, we issued some important information about U.S. Senator John Kerry and put up a new webpage.

The American Spectator and Boston Herald picked it up. John Kerry's response is pretty funny, but notice how it was a complete deflection? In 2008, you need to remember 8.

The Kerry Challenge

Today, John Kerry's office had this to say in the Boston Globe:

In a statement, Kerry spokesman David Wade said that "Senator Kerry is running for reelection so he can continue fighting to change Washington. John Kerry brings to public service a lifetime of fighting the tough fights for change and standing up with courage and conviction, and he'll keep doing that in the United States Senate."

Can you call John Kerry's office at (202) 224-2742 or (617) 565-8519 and ask him how he represents change after 22 years in office as a U.S. Senator?

You are welcome to post the answers from the call in the comments section below.