LOUD SILENCE:

Kerry playing to GOP view of his leadership (John Kass, September 2, 2004, Chicago Tribune)

Naturally, Democrats were upset about comments made on get-tough Wednesday. But they shouldn't be upset about what the Republicans said. It should have been expected.

It's what Kerry didn't say about Kerry on Wednesday in a speech to the American Legion Convention in Nashville that should bother them.

Rather than address a series of withering commercials from the Swift Boat veterans, Kerry decided not to engage. Rather than confront the Republican mantra using his own words to show that he's a flip-flopper on Iraq, he kept silent.

Rather than engage what threatens him, Kerry offered programs, plans and government benefits to his fellow veterans. He talked about improved health care, hospitals and cheaper medicine if he is elected president in November. It was a speech about political payoff, and he offered them a piece of the pie. But he couldn't offer a piece of himself.

Pundits keep assuming there is a defense he could make. His silence reveals there isn't.

Posted by Orrin Judd at September 2, 2004 8:37 AM