Last night, during the presidential debates, there was a moment where Kerry was answering Bob Schieffer’s question about the strong women in the each of their lives. Bush answered first, eloquently, I might add, and then Kerry proceeded. He first gave Bush a kudos for being such a great family man/father. He then spoke about how the three of them (Bob Schieffer, George W. Bush, and Kerry) marrying up. He said:
Well, I guess the president and you and I are three examples of lucky people who married up. And some would say maybe me more so than others. But I can take it.
I’m realizing today that most took this to mean money. Some even bashed him saying it was a tasteless joke. I took it to mean looks as people ruthlessly make fun of John Kerry for being “ugly” or “homely”.
What did you think he meant by this? Soung and I had a debate of our own regarding his comment. And judging by the some of the News reports, people are agreeing with Soung.
I thought money. I don’t really find Kerry to be homely though either. After listening to the Winter Solidiers senate statement on NPR yesterday, I almost find him hot.
He was trying to compliment everybody’s wives. I mean, what point would he have in just saying “we all married into money!” when it’s only true for him and doesn’t answer the question?
He made the money joke when he realized, “Oh, shit. People are gonna read something into that. I better go ahead and jump on it in a mildly self-deprecating fashion now.”
I didn’t get to the “oh, it’s money” part though until he said the “some might say more so for me” bit—initially I thought he ment “we married women that are to great and wonderful for us”….
See, I too don’t find him to be ugly. Not at all. But if you’ve watched some of the late night shows recently, or just listened to critical and mean Republican folks, you’ll notice that quick and easy attacks have been made about his being unattractive. People compare him to horses, etc. So I took it to mean looks. He seems modest enough to admit to being “uglier” than Bush and Bob.
And yes, I do and did know how much money ms. Teresa has.
I didn’t watch the debates, but reading your quote I would say he was complimenting the women in their lives…strong, dependable and able to take a bunch of shit from the public.
totally money. but i agree with toby, he might not have meant it at first, but then he caught himself and figured he best ride that train out.
Theres no queation that meant money, but there was nothing tasteless about it. Just an admission of obvious truth, something Bush could learn something from. I did consider for a moment to option that it meant romance… something like life got better after marriage. But nah that wasn’t it.
well, obviously there IS a question. After all, there are a few of us who thought the flip-side – that he meant looks HIS looks, not theirs. But I think i am now beginning to see the light.
Obviously. Sounds like TJ had it right.
Definitely money – but it shouldn’t matter that much since Bush has FAMILY behind him. At least the first time around his name got him through with more weight than his wife’s money.
You’re all wrong!
He married ketch-UP!
I about died when he said that. lol!
(Or am I giving him too much credit for an oh-so-subtle wit?)
I like condiments.