Earlier this week, John Kerry was caught on camera saying Republicans were "crooked" and "liars". Almost immediately Republicans fired back with indignation, demanding that Kerry apologize for the slight. Kerry didn't and instead tap-danced around his comments, saying that they were directed at the Republican "attack dogs" nipping at his heels. Right. Sure. Who's the liar again?

Actually, what bothers me most about this isn't what Kerry said, but that he didn't stand by it. I mean hell, all the liberals are saying this and some of them are making quite a lot of money saying this (Roger Moore anyone?). It's what liberal Democrats believe about Bush & Co. and whether Kerry himself believes it, he certainly knows that uttering that phrase will earn him brownie points among the former Dean legions and Naderites in his party's ranks.

If Kerry wants to win my vote (the chance of which is admittedly microscopically small) he should honestly and truthfully. Don't say something, and then tap-dance around its meaning. Speak once -- and then don't apologize. A person like that I can have grudging respect for, even if I don't agree with what's said.