(CNN) - Four years after finding himself the target of a scathing campaign-year book from a conservative author during his own campaign, former Democratic presidential contender John Kerry is launching a Web site to discredit the writer’s latest work, which takes aim at 2008 presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama.
The move comes amid news “Obama Nation,” the latest book by author Jerome Corsi, has secured a berth atop New York Times best-seller list. Corsi previously co-wrote “Unfit for Command,” a book highly critical of Kerry’s military record during the Vietnam War.
Kerry’s new Web site, “Truth Fights Back” – which will be funded by the Massachusetts senator’s political action committee - resembles the “Fight the Smears” site Obama’s campaign launched earlier this year, and uses similar methods: a list of responses to existing rumors about the presumptive Democratic nominee, a form to report new attacks, and a request for supporters to add their names to an e-mail listserv that will direct activists on rapid response to future attacks on Obama and other Democratic candidates.
“We want people to know that truth, and that doesn't just mean the truth about the candidate being smeared, but also the truth about the smear machine,” says a message on the site. “We don't just want to ‘debunk’ rumors and smears; we want to show people what these smears are all about so they can recognize smears in the future. We want to educate people on why these are used and by whom.”
Kerry has expressed regret over his own response to attacks from Corsi and other critics during his own White House bid, telling reporters that he did not think he had responded swiftly or strongly enough.
"You can't just play defense against smears, pointing out how they aren't true,” said Kerry in a message to supporters Wednesday. “You've got to play offense, too, exposing the whole cynical game for what it is: an attempt to keep us from talking about the real issues and ultimately changing our country for the better.”
From CNN Politics
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Good for you Kerry.....no more Repugnant swiftboating!!
Good move Senator Kerry.
Why is Kerry always the steps behind what is current?? Doesn't he realize Obama has already done this (twice)?!!
The Old Man is again talking to the Clouds – as we speak (in Michigan).
Actually I am glad that he speaks more. The more he speaks the more people he will scare off
OBAMA ‘08
That is a great idea and there obviously needs to be more of these sites put up with the kind of misinformation and out right lies that are being put out there by McCain's camp, and some of the people at Fox News the supposedly fair and balanced station (ha)!
john mccain just mispronounced his 'friend's' name,again.you need new advisors mccain.
Rush Limbaugh spews Hate,Lies and Smears for three hours everyday.
Senator Kerry, you have my support to bury McCain.
He couldn't fight back when he was running for president.How in the heck is he going to fight back for Obama?
Isn't it a shame that so many people on the Democratic side have to go to such lengths to fight the smears and lies that are being spread about Sen. Obama? If these people who are spreading these untruths and exaggerations are part of the Republican right that prides itself on its Christian values, then shouldn't lying be off the table?
Nice!
Good luck,
Isis.
Alright.......Its about time the democrats got tough and fought back against those coniving visous holier than thou republican right wingers.
All they want to do is talk you down , I guess their trying to keep the focus off of themselves and all their weakness's.
I think its sad how this campaign is starting to turn. I thought at the beginning of this election campaigning that democrat or republican ANYONE had to be better than Bush. But after the smear ads and online postings I have to say John McCain has severely disappointed me. Claiming to be the more experienced and mature person running for office why would you ok such a campaign? The only reasonable explanation is fear. I think its sad that the rumor is spread that Obama is Muslim is a bad thing, even though he is not...since when are all Muslims bad or un-American? A few hundred years ago the same Christians that are denouncing him for being an 'Un-American Muslim" would have been persecuted themselves. It is sad this cycle of hate is perpetuated. It is time that politics stick to the issues and leave families, religions and race out of it. If this is all you can attack the other candidate on, clearly you are petty and not fit for office yourself. Stick to the issues. We deserve better.
Obama '08
I am thrilled that Sen. Kerry is stepping up to the plate to campaign for Sen. Obama. He really needs the help. Fox News is completely out to destroy Sen. Obama especially Sean Hannity. Now there is some book that has been written about Sen. Obama which is nothing but lies. I have real concerns about the Clinton's and what their agenda is. (I am sure that it's about Hillary's run for the Presidency in 2012). And, where does John McCain get off taking the role of the President. President Bush is a moran, however, this is his responsibility not the Presidential candidates. I hope the announcement of Sen. Obama's VP is soon. He really needs the help.
This author is not really an author and should not be characterized as such. he does not research information and interview people whom are experts on the topic he is writing about. He finds small tid bites and expands on them making comments and opinions based on an illogical line of real and imagined events. He is a political commentary or pundit. I would really appreciate some accuracy in reporting on the issues and some fact checking if that's not to much to ask. After all CNN does have a research department.
Good for you Kerry! Corsi is a LIAR and needs to be exposed for the lies he told about you and the lies he is now telling about Obama. It makes me sick that people like him will make money off of deceipt and that a publisher will put a book out that they know is full of crap.
How many wounds, from the enemy, did John Kerry receive in Vietnam?
Truth can turn around and bite you back.
Are they going to highlight the portions of the book that are true as well? That would make the site more credible.
What a joke...........still won't get ya VP Mr. Swift Boat......................crawl back in your cave
Way to go JK. We can't count on Bill and Hill so we will have to do this with the help of all Obama supporters. No to Billary for VP or anything else.
Obama08
Makes ya wonder what he wants.
WHO WOULD WANT TO HEAR FROM A MAN WHO TESTIFIED AGAINST HIS OWN TROOPS AFTER RETURNING FROM VIETNAM? kERRY IS A TURNCOAT AND TRAITOR TO THIS COUNTRY, AND STILL MAD THAT HE WAS NOT ELECTED PRESIDENT???
KERRY CARRIES NO WEIGHT WITH ME.
Obama Nation?!! Really. This title would have none of its inherent irony if "abomination" were not one of those must-know words on so many lists of words to know for the SAT, etc. Instead, as its written, and given our performance on the SAT, Obamanation, is more likely to ring as an endorsement of Obama; much like 'the Red Sox Nation" or "Raider Nation" appeals to their supporters respectively.
Go figure.
To Frank Ferina: What does getting wounded in Vietnam have to do with running a country? 50 Cent was shot nine times, does that make him Sec. of State?