# Why does the Right harp on the fact that Kerry/Edwards are rich? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [July 8, 2004, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-right-harp-on-the-fact-that-kerry-edwards-are-rich/254180 "2004-07-08T22:19:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Blalron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2004, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-right-harp-on-the-fact-that-kerry-edwards-are-rich/254180/1 "2004-07-08T22:19:21Z")
Why does the party that professes their love for letting rich people keep all their money make such a big deal out of the wealth of their opponents? Isn’t it a tad bit hypocritical for those who support a millionaire who went to Yale to scoff at their millionaire opponent for being a rich elitist who went to Yale? ---
**Author:** ![Apos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2004, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-right-harp-on-the-fact-that-kerry-edwards-are-rich/254180/2 "2004-07-08T22:24:14Z")
There is only one answer, after which we can close the thread, goodnight gracie, the end. Desperation. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2004, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-right-harp-on-the-fact-that-kerry-edwards-are-rich/254180/3 "2004-07-08T22:44:30Z")
Here’s a pit thread on the same subject > **[What's the deal with the GOP attacking Kerry for being rich?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=258901)** > > http://www.gop.com/kerryopoly/default.asp Yes, Kerry has a lot of money. They do know that W. Bush has a couple bucks to rub together too, don’t they? What am I missing here? Isn’t this a massive case of the pot calling the kettle black? ---
**Author:** ![Zagadka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zagadka/32/7272_2.png) [@Zagadka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zagadka)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2004, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-right-harp-on-the-fact-that-kerry-edwards-are-rich/254180/4 "2004-07-08T22:51:39Z")
Because Republicans think that in order to speak for something, you have to be part of it - ie, in order to have policy supporting the poor, you have to be poor, or the inverse, in order to make commercial legislation, you need to be a businessperson. That, and they got nothing. (Oh, also, they think that liberals care as much as they do) ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2004, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-right-harp-on-the-fact-that-kerry-edwards-are-rich/254180/5 "2004-07-08T23:08:31Z")
> [@](#): > > Why does the party that professes their love for letting rich people keep all their money make such a big deal out of the wealth of their opponents? I’m sure one reason is to point out what is perceived by some conservatives as liberal ‘hypocrisy’; that while the candidates claim to be men of the people, they actually are members of an economic elite mostly interested in lining their own pockets, or beholden to special interests. Doesn’t stand up to logic very well, IMO, but anyway, it’s just one of many tried and true smear tactics. Sling lots and lots of mud; most doesn’t stick with most people, some does with some people. It’s certainly worth debating whether, in a presumable democratic republic, the country is well served by a political system in which only the very wealthy can consider running for office at the highest levels, but that’s for another thread, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2004, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-right-harp-on-the-fact-that-kerry-edwards-are-rich/254180/6 "2004-07-08T23:14:39Z")
> [@Zagadka](#): > > Because Republicans think that in order to speak for something, you have to be part of it - ie, in order to have policy supporting the poor, you have to be poor, or the inverse, in order to make commercial legislation, you need to be a businessperson. Can you quote a leader in the Republican party who has said that? IOW, cite? ---
**Author:** ![Zagadka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zagadka/32/7272_2.png) [@Zagadka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zagadka)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2004, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-right-harp-on-the-fact-that-kerry-edwards-are-rich/254180/7 "2004-07-08T23:17:40Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > It’s certainly worth debating whether, in a presumable democratic republic, the country is well served by a political system in which only the very wealthy can consider running for office at the highest levels, but that’s for another thread, I guess. Kucinich made a decent run, especially considering his extreme views. I don’t think it is _impossible_ for a true “man of the people” to run. Just not likely. ---
**Author:** ![Zagadka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zagadka/32/7272_2.png) [@Zagadka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zagadka)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2004, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-right-harp-on-the-fact-that-kerry-edwards-are-rich/254180/8 "2004-07-08T23:21:00Z")
> [@John Mace](#): > > Can you quote a leader in the Republican party who has said that? > > IOW, cite? I can offer you cites from this board. We had a thread on a similar topic not too long ago. I can’t be bothered to find it. Unfortunately, I don’t dig through prominant Republicans’ trash looking for quotes I can use against them - though I wouldn’t be terribly surprised if one turned up. ---
**Author:** ![cmason32](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@cmason32](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmason32)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2004, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-right-harp-on-the-fact-that-kerry-edwards-are-rich/254180/9 "2004-07-08T23:36:31Z")
[http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0805073396/ref=ase\_bookstorenow15-20/103-8205102-1188637?v=glance&s=books](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0805073396/ref=ase_bookstorenow15-20/103-8205102-1188637?v=glance&s=books) > [@](#): > > The largely blue collar citizens of Kansas can be counted upon to be a “red” state in any election, voting solidly Republican and possessing a deep animosity toward the left. This, according to author Thomas Frank, is a pretty self-defeating phenomenon, given that the policies of the Republican Party benefit the wealthy and powerful at the great expense of the average worker. According to Frank, the conservative establishment has tricked Kansans, playing up the emotional touchstones of conservatism and perpetuating a sense of a vast liberal empire out to crush traditional values while barely ever discussing the Republicans’ actual economic policies and what they mean to the working class. Thus the pro-life Kansas factory worker who listens to Rush Limbaugh will repeatedly vote for the party that is less likely to protect his safety, less likely to protect his job, and less likely to benefit him economically. ---
**Author:** ![EsotericEnigma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e274bd/32.png) [@EsotericEnigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EsotericEnigma)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2004, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-right-harp-on-the-fact-that-kerry-edwards-are-rich/254180/10 "2004-07-09T01:33:51Z")
> [@Blalron](#): > > Why does the party that professes their love for letting rich people keep all their money make such a big deal out of the wealth of their opponents? Isn’t it a tad bit hypocritical for those who support a millionaire who went to Yale to scoff at their millionaire opponent for being a rich elitist who went to Yale? Who’s harping? The media has mentioned that the democratic candidates are rich. They also have mentioned the support that Bush has gotten from oil companies, and the not so legitimate practices of businesses associated with Cheney. They didn’t “harp” on that, either, though. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2004, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-right-harp-on-the-fact-that-kerry-edwards-are-rich/254180/11 "2004-07-09T03:05:52Z")
This is one of the most infuriating things to me. I see it all the time. I saw the same thing when The Citadel was required to admit women. Many of the right wingers who fought to keep it single sex because that was a good thing suddenly turned around and tried to get all-womens schools to have to admit men. Hey are you for it or against it? I’ve seen it right here on this board, too. The same people who call retailers evil for making workers come in at all hours 24/7 critisize Christian businesses (Hobby Lobby for one) who are closed on Sundays. ---
**Author:** ![threemae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f9b8f/32.png) [@threemae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threemae)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2004, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-right-harp-on-the-fact-that-kerry-edwards-are-rich/254180/12 "2004-07-09T03:17:21Z")
> [@cmason32](#): > > [http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0805073396/ref=ase\_bookstorenow15-20/103-8205102-1188637?v=glance&s=books](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0805073396/ref=ase_bookstorenow15-20/103-8205102-1188637?v=glance&s=books) Yeah, but that’s just silly because we all know that socialism won’t benefit anyone economically. Maybe they’re smarter than you think? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2004, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-right-harp-on-the-fact-that-kerry-edwards-are-rich/254180/13 "2004-07-09T04:17:58Z")
The real answer is that in this case, they’re trying to portray Kerry as a filthy rich liberal snob who doesn’t care about the average guy, and Edwards as a greedy money-grubbing lawyer. > [@John Mace](#): > > Can you quote a leader in the Republican party who has said that? Cite for where he said Republican leaders have said this? 😛 Can you honestly tell me you’ve never seen this kind of criticism of a Democrat? ---
**Author:** ![Nonsuch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonsuch/32/2922_2.png) [@Nonsuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonsuch)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2004, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-right-harp-on-the-fact-that-kerry-edwards-are-rich/254180/14 "2004-07-09T04:30:41Z")
> [@Blalron](#): > > Why does the party that professes their love for letting rich people keep all their money make such a big deal out of the wealth of their opponents? Isn’t it a tad bit hypocritical for those who support a millionaire who went to Yale to scoff at their millionaire opponent for being a rich elitist who went to Yale? Robert Hughes said it best: because “any stick you can beat liberals with is a good stick, and never mind what else gets flattened in the process.” If the ticket were Cheney/Bush instead of the other way around, I imagine you’d hear nary a peep about Kerry and Edwards’ wealth and status. Bush, despite being the scion of one of the nation’s most privileged families, has successfully maintained his regular-guy persona; I can’t believe how many people back in 2000 told me they liked Bush because “he’s a guy I could see myself having a beer with.” (And the guy **doesn’t even f#@$ing drink!** ) The most disturbing thing about Bush’s persistent popularity to me isn’t even the policy issues, the fact that no one cares that Medicare and SS are being dismantled or that environmental protections have been rendered meaningless. What worries me is that so many people in this country **like** having a president who is obviously inarticulate, incurious, and rigid in his thinking, because they take some vapid comfort in the fact that the President is just an average joe who got lucky and not, you know … _better_ than them. ---
**Author:** ![Zagadka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zagadka/32/7272_2.png) [@Zagadka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zagadka)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2004, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-right-harp-on-the-fact-that-kerry-edwards-are-rich/254180/15 "2004-07-09T05:16:32Z")
> [@Nonsuch](#): > > Bush, despite being the scion of one of the nation’s most privileged families, has successfully maintained his regular-guy persona Probably because he’s been a miserable failure at running all the companies he got handed. He does do a reasonably good job at one thing though: Being his dad’s son. > [@](#): > > I can’t believe how many people back in 2000 told me they liked Bush because “he’s a guy I could see myself having a beer with.” Given Bush’s past, he probably DID have a beer or 10 with him. /cheap shot ---
**Author:** ![pervert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bbe5ce/32.png) [@pervert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pervert)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2004, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-right-harp-on-the-fact-that-kerry-edwards-are-rich/254180/16 "2004-07-09T05:33:52Z")
> [@Zagadka](#): > > Because Republicans think that in order to speak for something, you have to be part of it - ie, in order to have policy supporting the poor, you have to be poor, or the inverse, in order to make commercial legislation, you need to be a businessperson. Uh, are you sure about this? Isn’t it the liberals who are always harping that this administration does not represent the deomgraphics of the nation, state, city, or whatever? I really don’t understand the confusion on this issue. The argument is not that rich people are bad. The argument is that liberals think rich people are bad and yet many of them are rich. The argument is simplistic. Its a soundbite at best. But it seems odd that it is misunderstood so universally. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2004, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-right-harp-on-the-fact-that-kerry-edwards-are-rich/254180/17 "2004-07-09T05:38:30Z")
To go a little further, it’s the legislative record (tax cuts, etc.) that gets the wealthy part of the Republican base on board. The stuff we’re talking about here is, as **cmason32** says, the stuff that keeps the Midwest and South on board: the claims that Democrats are rich, anti-American coastal types out of touch with the _values_ of ordinary people, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Blalron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2004, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-right-harp-on-the-fact-that-kerry-edwards-are-rich/254180/18 "2004-07-09T05:39:58Z")
> [@threemae](#): > > Yeah, but that’s just silly because we all know that socialism won’t benefit anyone economically. Maybe they’re smarter than you think? Cite? ---
**Author:** ![Blalron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2004, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-right-harp-on-the-fact-that-kerry-edwards-are-rich/254180/19 "2004-07-09T05:49:38Z")
> [@pervert](#): > > I really don’t understand the confusion on this issue. The argument is not that rich people are bad. The argument is that liberals think rich people are bad and yet many of them are rich. “Rich people should pay their fair share of taxes” is not synonymous with “rich people are bad.” ---
**Author:** ![leander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bcef8e/32.png) [@leander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leander)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2004, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-right-harp-on-the-fact-that-kerry-edwards-are-rich/254180/20 "2004-07-09T05:52:05Z")
> [@pervert](#): > > Uh, are you sure about this? Isn’t it the liberals who are always harping that this administration does not represent the deomgraphics of the nation, state, city, or whatever? > > I really don’t understand the confusion on this issue. The argument is not that rich people are bad. The argument is that liberals think rich people are bad and yet many of them are rich. > > The argument is simplistic. Its a soundbite at best. But it seems odd that it is misunderstood so universally. Isn’t it funny how simplistic it is? > [@](#): > > **RNC Mocks Kerry Lifestyle in Web Game** > Wednesday, June 02, 2004 > > WASHINGTON — Go back three spaces, Mr. Monopoly. There’s a new millionaire on the board — John Kerry. > > In “Kerryopoly,” the Republican National Committee roasts the Democratic presidential candidate with an online satire of his well-heeled lifestyle. > > Players begin with just $40,000 in Kerryopoly money, the average national household income. \*\*“After a few trips around the board, most players will be millions of dollars in debt, proving that John Kerry’s lifestyle is out of reach and out of sync with most Americans,” \*\*RNC communications director Jim Dyke said in a statement. > > Three leading Republicans in the federal government — President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee — are multimillionaires. **Asked Tuesday if their lifestyles also were out of reach of most Americans, RNC spokeswoman Christine Iverson responded “no” but declined to elaborate.** (bolding mine) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-right-harp-on-the-fact-that-kerry-edwards-are-rich/254180.md?page=2)