I know elections are supposed to be about the future, but voters traditionally want to know what the candidates have done in order to understand if they’re trustworthy and reliable in setting a national agenda for the future.
If there’s one candidate who benefits when voters ignore personal histories, it’s George W. Bush. The man, throughout his entire life, has demonstrated an uncanny ability to “fall up” — failing when faced with a challenge, but managing to benefit from that failure.
And yet, for reasons that escape me, the Bush campaign seems intent on focusing attention on Kerry’s past, going all the way back to an interview Kerry did with a college newspaper in 1970 — when Kerry was just 26 years old.
The Washington Post’s E.J. Dionne is intrigued by how the relative pasts of Kerry and Bush would shape the coming election.
If Kerry’s twenties and early thirties are destined to be an issue in this campaign, is it fair for the media to give the same years in Bush’s life a pass just because he’s the incumbent?
Bush better hope not. The New Republic’s Ryan Lizza had a terrific (and devastating for Bush) item on Friday afternoon in which Lizza matched up Bush’s record against the Bush campaign’s take on Kerry. It’s not a pretty picture, but it’s definitely worth reading.
Kerry in 1970: In His First Campaign For Congress, Kerry Wanted To Defund CIA. In 1970, Kerry told The Harvard Crimson he wanted “to almost eliminate CIA activity.” (Samuel Z. Goldhaber, “John Kerry: A Navy Dove Runs For Congress,” The Harvard Crimson, 2/18/70)
Bush in 1972: After Smashing Into Trash Cans, Bush Wanted To Fight Future Head of CIA. “In a now famous incident, [Bush] took his then-16-year-old brother, Marvin, out drinking and ran over a neighbor’s garbage cans on the way home; and when confronted by his father, he challenged him to go ‘mano a mano’outside.” (Lois Romano and Mike Allen, “Guard Records on President are Released,” The Washington Post, 2/11/04)
Kerry in 1984: As Lieutenant Governor Kerry Used His Position To Oppose Reagan Defense Increases. “As Lieutenant Governor, John Kerry has spoken out against the Reagan defense increases, and, in his capacity as head of the state’s Office of Federal/State relations, has criticized the Reagan administration for spending federal resources on dangerous and wasteful weapons systems…” (“Senate Candidate Questionnaire,” Massachusetts Freeze Voter ’84, 5/25/84)
Bush in 1986: As Struggling Oilman, Bush Drank a Lot. “On July 28, 1986, George W. Bush woke up with a hangover. It had been a loud, liquid night at the venerable Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs as he and friends from Texas celebrated their collective 40th birthdays. Now, as he embarked on his ritual morning run through a spectacular Rockies landscape, Bush felt lousy…. A charismatic partier since his school days, Bush liked to drink what he called the four Bs–beer, bourbon and B&B.” (Lois Romano, “1986: A Life-Changing Year; Epiphany Fueled Candidate’s Climb,” The Washington Post, 7/25/99)
Kerry in 1991: In 1991 Sen. Kerry Was One Of Only 16 To Vote Against A Defense Budget Including: B-1 Bomber, B-2 Stealth Bomber, F-14, F-15, F-16, Patriot Missiles, Aegis Air Defense Cruiser, Trident Missile System For U.S. Submarines, M-1 Abrams Tanks, Bradley Fighting Vehicle, Tomahawk Cruise Missile. (S. 3189, CQ Vote #273: Passed 79-16: R 37-5; D 42-11, 10/15/90, Kerry Voted Nay)
Bush in 1991: In 1991, Bush Was One Of A Thousand People to Form Human Chain Around Stadium. “While President Bush was urging support in Congress for his Middle East policy, son George W. Bush and his twin daughters joined a human chain to show support for a new facility for his Texas Rangers.” (“President’s Son, Others Encircle Stadium To Support Tax,” U.P.I., 1/13/91)
If the Bush campaign really wants to make this race about the candidates’ past, I say bring…it…on.