John Kerry’s insulting and inappropriate mention of Vice President Cheney’s daughter Mary in his debate response on gay marriage is the most repulsive example of gutter politics I have ever had the misfortune to witness. It was a stark revelation of his true lack of character, and it will cost him more dearly than he realizes.
The fact that John Edwards had the temerity to first introduce the topic in the vice presidential debate was indisputable evidence of a campaign both tasteless and ethically challenged. Mary Beth Cahill’s nonchalant arrogance in stating her “fair game” justification compounds Kerry’s offense exponentially. The accusatory nastiness of Elizabeth Edwards in trying to project “shame” onto the Cheney family merely ties up the whole sordid package in a very seamy ribbon. It confirms what many people already knew, “in their guts,” as Kerry likes to say.
These people, John Kerry, John Edwards, Elizabeth Edwards, have no shame. They have no shame because they have no sense of decency. The two qualities are inextricably linked--where there is no shame, there is no decency. Not only do these people have no comprehension of decency, they have no regard for fair play, no honor for individuals or their families, no respect for privacy, and no understanding of values, ethics, principles, or even common courtesy. They care only for their own interests. They can never be wrong on any issue, because all things exist to serve their ends. They have lots of cash, but zero class. They are below-the-bottom feeders in a noxious barrel of political bile called Campaign Kerry-Edwards 2004.
The Democrats will pay a huge price at the polls for their self-serving abuse of Ms. Cheney and for their premeditated public exploitation of a private, personal matter. Most Americans understand and respect personal boundaries, especially when family members are involved. When the attacked person is a child, every parent in the nation feels a primal surge of protectiveness. The outraged empathy for the Cheneys will continue to burn in the hearts of parent voters, and Kerry votes will evaporate in its heat.
Shakespeare tells us that “truth will out.” None of us can hide the essence of who we are indefinitely. At some point, true colors shine through. The darkly jaundiced shades of Kerry were on full display when he went after the Vice President’s daughter for the selfish purpose of advancing his own agenda. And the fact that Kerry remains convinced he was completely justified in doing so puts the exclamation point at the end of this debate.
Mrs. Cheney said it best. “This is not a good man.” I have no doubt that many more voters agree with her now than before Wednesday night.
