I’ve been pleasantly surprised that I’ve only received one email taking me to task over the use of the phrase ‘bitch slap’ to describe the meta-message behind the sort of attack politics Republicans are practicing today against John Kerry. I’m not indifferent to the coarse connotations of the phrase. But I believe that in such trying times as these precision of meaning trumps political correctness or delicacy of phrasing.
And I raise this again to draw your attention to what I believe is another example of it in Bob Dole’s appearance today on Wolf Blitzer’s show on CNN.
As the AP put it this afternoon …
Dole told CNN’s ”Late Edition” that he warned Kerry months ago about going ”too far” and that the Democrat may have himself to blame for the current situation, in which polls show him losing support among veterans.
So he went “too far” and now he has only himself to blame for the pounding he’s taking.
I trust the parallels of language and <$Ad$>attitude here aren’t too opaque. But my point is not to launch off on some critical studies discussion of the gendered nature of political rhetoric. It is to highlight again that the aim here is not primarily to shift blame for the current dust-up to Kerry (it’s too implausible) but to use mock pity to portray him as powerless, impotent and, because of that impotence, as an object of contempt.
Now, before leaving this subject, let me touch on one other point.
In the last few days I’ve gotten various emails from critics (gleefully) and supporters (frettingly) of Kerry either wondering or simply asserting that Kerry brought this on himself by highlighting his service in combat in Vietnam. The point is echoed by reporters who sheepishly hang the attention they’ve given to the Swift Boat group on Kerry’s having ‘made his service an issue.’
For Kerry supporters or Democrats who think this may be true, I can only ask you, please, please do not be such chumps. And for his critics, please allow your punches to the groin the purity of their cynicism, without sullying them with any claims that Kerry forced your hand.
This was always in the cards. Always. Thus the need to get out early making the case in Kerry’s favor. Since it was coming anyway, far better to hit it with the wind at your back than sitting still. The Kerry campaign’s only mistake — and it was no small one — was not getting out ahead of it sooner.
