On loathing Kerry

Via Instapundit comes this Mickey Kaus post (with many like-minded links) on why Kerry generates a viscerally negative response from people and pundits. Here’s Kaus:

But I think Kerry's problem isn't simple, run-of-the-mill calculating opportunism. It's more comically transparent calculating opportunism, of which his Jewish "epiphany" is a good illustration. In other words, his opportunistic zig-zagging is so instantaneous and shameless -- changing week-to-week in the case of Iraq -- that it becomes counterproductive, losing Kerry the benefit the opportunism is supposed to gain. [Emphasis in original]

But I like this characterization from a Boston magazine article (no link available):

…thin-skinned panderer who poses as a courageous, post-partisan freethinker on issues such as education and campaign finance reform, but bails out when the going gets tough.

After watching Kerry these past months, I entirely agree with the thin-skinned part. Take note when he is cornered in a debate: reflexively Kerry will bring up Vietnam as a means to shut off attack. Many times I’ve heard the following: “I don’t need a lesson in (patriotism, killing, courage, national security) from the likes of (Howard Dean, George Bush, William Weld).” This outburst usually has the same halting response as Ronald Reagan’s “I paid for this microphone” blast.

When Karl Rove finally releases the hounds on Kerry (assuming he’s the nominee), Senator Splunge will start blurting out “Vietnam” like somebody with Tourette’s Syndrome. After ten months of that, even Teresa will ask him to shut up.