No lipstick for this pig

I went to a couple of Democratic MeetUps this week. There was some general grumbling about what appears to be a lack of initiative on the part of the Kerry campaign to actively define the candidate. Kerry campaign coordinators entreated us to "be patient." I understand the urge to encourage Kerry to start shouting a la Al Gore. However, it's hard to imagine Kerry being able to shout loud enough to be heard amidst the din of Bush screw ups. Plus, I think adding extensive fuel to the fire would be perceived as piling on.

That doesn't mean the Kerry shouldn't say what he thinks. Don't worry, he is. The simple message he puts forward in this interview with Salon is that George Bush has lost credibility. In order to regain credibility for the nation, we need a new president. Rather than call for the resignation of the entire administration, or for immediate impeachment, as Ralph Nader does, Kerry says the fastest way to deal with it is to run against him.

The likelyhood that events will overtake Bush may support Kerry's strategy. The release of the 9.11 report in August, continued exposure of contracting violations committed by Cheney and Rumsfeld as they outsourced the war in Iraq will play badly in Peoria. Meanwhile, people like Anthony Zinni are pounding Bush's clumsy approach to the war. It will be difficult for the President to win points on his record in Iraq, even if the newly appointed interim government miraculously thrives or even treads water. And then there is Chalabi, chief sneak and embezzler, who fed the Neocons a steady diet of whatever-you-want-to-hear in order to precipitate the US invasion of Iraq for the benefit of...Iran? Whoa. Let's not forget the investigation into GOP hacking of congressional Democrat's email and the investigation by Cheney Energy Task Force into how the nation's energy policy was somehow written by and for the Energy Industry. Finally, Bush has hired a lawyer to advise him as the investigation into who in his administration committed treason by leaking the name of undercover CIA operative, Valerie Plame, moves closer and closer to the truth. Then there's the deficits, the assault on the environment, education, worker safety...

Even the amazing Republican spin machine can't put lipstick on this pig. I think Kerry is playing it right.

Meanwhile,

In the "Too Close to Home" department check out this spot-on cartoon:

Chalabi sleeps with Iran.