AP Interview: Kennedy backs Kerry in 2008 -- even if Hillary runs

[Judi Lynn]

AP Interview: Kennedy backs Kerry in 2008 -- even if Hillary runs
By Glen Johnson, AP Political Writer | October 12, 2005

BOSTON --Sen. Edward Kennedy said Wednesday that Sen. John Kerry has his backing for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008 -- even if Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton also runs.

"If he runs, I would support him," Kennedy told the Associated Press during an interview in his Boston office.

While Kennedy has frequently entertained Clinton, the New York senator, and her husband, former president Bill Clinton, he said his loyalty is to Kerry, his fellow Massachusetts Democrat and junior colleague.

Early polling shows Clinton and Kerry among the favorites for their party's nomination in 2008, but neither has said for sure whether they'll run.

Kennedy called Kerry, the 2004 nominee, an "able, gifted and talented political leader."
(snip/...)

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/10/12/ap_interview_kennedy_backs_kerry_in_2008____even_if_hillary_runs/

[texpatriot2004]

1. I'm with you Kennedy and Kerry. nm

[rockymountaindem]

2. Me too.

[babylonsister]

15. Me three! nt

[karynnj]

40. Me 4

[Sydnie]

50. me 5 n/t

[AuntiBush]

66. me 6

:popcorn:

[dalloway]

85. me 7

[warrens]

101. Me 8

[trogdor]

104. Me 9

Kerry over HRC? That's a no-brainer.

[mikelewis]

111. Me 10

He already won once...

[Der Blaue Engel]

4. That would be an interesting fight here

Those who don't like Kerry sure don't like Hillary. What will they do?

:popcorn:

[texpatriot2004]

7. No idea. I like Hillary but I don't think she's the right choice. nm

[marbuc]

18. Of the two I would hold my nose and go for Kerry

and hope he learned from his mistakes.

[AndreaCG]

112. Not me

He still is holding the money I sent for the recount hostage. Hey John, that was for 2004, not 2008. I want a refund!

[serryjw]

61. Sorry, but will not vote for either

n/t

[Born Free]

97. I agree, Kerry had his chance...and forget Hilliary

Democrats need to come up with someone different, a fighter - we had someone last time but the right wing media convinced the majority of the democrats that he had no chance of winning so everyone held their noses and watch Kerry lose it becasue he refused to fight.

[serryjw]

122. Kerry Igot the nomination for one reason

his military experience and then when he was attached on it; he rolled over...sorry, that's it for me

[saracat]

113. That is NOT constructive.

And would accomplish nothing, except help hand the reigns of government right back to the GOP.

[serryjw]

121. Saracat

I heard and accepted that for the last time. Either they give me a candidate and policies that I want, or I write in DK's name

[President Kerry]

124. in making a point (silly or valid, doesn't matter) you'd

be hurting all of us. That is utterly irresponsible and selfish. We are Democrats. We will win back this country. But we have to pull in one fucking direction!!

[serryjw]

131. Saracat

I really know your heart is in the right place but a vote for Kerry or Hiliary is a vote for Corporate America which I no longer can do. I am an FDR Democrat and this F*CKING country is dismantling the new deal with the Democrats help.
You said "we will win back the country"....sorry, I have no idea what you think we will win? Clinton sold me down the river with Nafta. This was a major step towards globalization.

[saracat]

132. #124 is not my post but I too am an FDR Dem.

My grandfather was one of FDR's best friends, and I am a dyed in the wool liberal Dem.And so is John Kerry. That is why I still support him.His voting record speaks for itself. I didn't like the IWar vote , but I understand it while not approving it.It is only one vote in a career of hundreds of votes.We have no more liberal candidate than Kerry.And none more supportive of women.

[readmoreoften]

137. Actually, I like Kerry.

I think he is liberal. I think he's posturing as more conservative for political reasons. But I think he's a hard sell candidate because he is intelligent and fairly reserved. Americans would rather have a beer guzzling actor who postures as a 'working man' while fighting for the rich, than a rich man with a sense of fairness who'll fight for the working class.

[electropop]

82. I'd prefer somebody who can stand up to the Fascists.

Kerry has demonstrated that he is not up to the task. This time around, it will be even more important, as the Fascists will have had 4 more years and another election to perfect the theft apparatus.

[OKthatsIT]

141. I agree...the Dems have proved their worthlessness

Why should I care about their election...when have they cared about MY VOTE???

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Der Blaue Engel]

6. Of course he did. Because it's true. n/t

[Mass]

32. Teddy is one of the most reliable senators we have

and he has been in politics a lot longer than you and knows what a political leader is.

Who are you to criticize him?

[AuntiBush]

67. Yup. Ted is One of our Last True Statesmen.

[bigluckyfeet]

105. You have to be Insane

To vote for Kerry again,I had enough the first time.Hillary is ok,but I don't want her either.

[President Kerry]

125. I would gladly vote for him again.. He gave it all he had..

Not his fault this country is brainwashed. I'm tired of Kerry and Ted Kennedy being shat on, with no good explanation. Everyone's mad he lost. I'm mad too. But it ain't like going to the grocery shop. He had the balls to run against the most corrupt administration in history that just doesn't play by the rules.

[Name removed]

47. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[TayTay]

80. Yup he did. Because it's true

Kerry and Kennedy have worked well together as a team for Massachusetts and for this nation. Kerry has served in the Senate with Kennedy for over 20 years, so I think he has had a good chance to know Kerry, his abilities and his talents and he obviously thinks those are good qualities for America.

Teddy Kennedy is an honorable man and has served this country for many, many years and has had a lot of brickbats thrown at him for his troubles. I don't take kindly to your laughing at this great Democrat who has plainly both walked the walk and talked the talk. He has earned the right to endorse anyone he wants and to have that endorsement be taken seriously by fellow Democrats.

Or we could just continue to trash any and every Democrat who bothers to stand up and express an opinion. That is a surefire way to defeat in '06 and '08. It is divisive, childish and beneath contempt.

[President Kerry]

126. a-f-ing-men!

thanks for expressing my thoughts exactly so eloquently..

[Name removed]

86. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[politicasista]

88. self-delete

[Emillereid]

5. There is no way I can support Kerry or work for him again --

he's a loser. So is Hillary. We need to draft Gore! A Gore/Clark ticket would be unbeatable in my estimation. Remember -- Gore is a proven winner!

[okieinpain]

8. oh gore is an idiot also, remember he picked lieberman.

[SnowGoose]

12. Really? An idiot?

I didn't like Lieberman either, but somehow Al doesn't come across as an idiot to me.

Actually, after watching Bush for 5 years, I'm not sure *anyone* will ever look so truly idiotic, so maybe I'm not the one to judge.

[okieinpain]

37. yes, he fell into that clinton is a boogey man. don't be seen with

him, run from clinton. sorry don't mean to hurt your feelings, but come on that's how we got into this mess with bush.

[jwirr]

45. I love Gore but I remember that he did not finish the fight

when we needed him to. I think if we are looking for a god to run for prez then we are going to have some real trouble. All of our candidates are human beings with strengths and weaknesses. I do not want Hillary because I do not think she can win. I will support Kerry or Gore or Wes Clark if they get the nomination.

I am in deep trouble financially with my whole family - I want to win in 06 and 08 so I already know how I am voting. If there are some of you that are still well off enough that you can stand back I hope you will think about the rest of us. We need help.

[DLnyc]

59. Have the same problem with Kerry.

Sure would be nice to see the two of them, now that rethugs are on the ropes and most of the country sees what lying corrupt bastards they (pugs) are, sure would be nice if Al and John would stand up and shout that

2000, 2002, 2004 WERE STOLEN AND IF WE DON'T THROW ALL THE E-VOTE MACHINES IN THE HARBOR NOW, FUTURE ELECTIONS WILL ALL BE STOLEN!!!!!!!!!


(Not that I feel strongly about this or anything . . .)

[AuntiBush]

68. "You Can Say That Again!"

Gore is my personal hero, and true Prez 2000. When he was robbed, so too were all of us.

[Emillereid]

21. Since 2000, Gore has found his voice and his passion -- and has lost

his DLC handlers -- so I seriously doubt he would pick Lieberman now. He has every right to assume his rightful place as president. He also is not soiled by any pro-war vote or dissembling a la Kerry and Hillary.

[leftchick]

36. precisely... He has lost his DLC Handlers

that was his only baggage as far as I am concerned.

[okieinpain]

38. ok he's a 2000 idiot, I like the guy but he made some dumb decisions

which I hope that kerry was going to avoid. but oh well.

[bowens43]

44. Gore couldn't beat bush.

Enough said......

[Der Blaue Engel]

46. Gore did beat Bush

Apparently not enough said, because people still don't seem to get it.

This, by the way, is not what I believe, but what is TRUE.

[President Kerry]

127. ????

[Geo55]

140. Hmmmm......

Idiots usually don't come up with words such as these,

http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1006-28.htm

[Der Blaue Engel]

10. Kerry won the last election

But it's true that hasn't been proven...yet.

[Spider Jerusalem]

35. Um.

How is Gore any less a "loser" than Kerry? The answer to that is that he isn't, especially if one accepts the evidence of electoral irregularities affecting the outcome of the 2004 election. Did you have a straight face when you typed that, or do you just not think about what you're saying?

[Emillereid]

92. Gore had a 500000 vote plurality; Kerry had a 3 million vote deficit!

Besides Gore has been able to find the right side of the moral divide that is the Iraqi war and in his recent speeches has been able to articulate a true vision for the democratic party.

[StClone]

98. Kerry had millions more votes than Gore.

I like Gore, but I thought I should point that out to you.

[Emillereid]

107. Relative -- yes, more voters showed up for the 2004 election,

but Bushit got 3 million more. I thought and still think that Kerry was a terrible candidate -- he probably is a decent man, and privately more than likely shares many of my concerns. But I hope he doesn't run again, and that if he does the democratic voters will think twice before allowing him to be our standard bearer again. If he is our candidate -- too bad -- I won't work for him again. I won't be part of that suicide.

Since the 2000 election Gore has found his footing and his voice -- and I think would be our strongest candidate. Read some of his recent speeches -- they are clear, resolute, articulate, intelligent, etc. He definitely has the strongest resume.

[readmoreoften]

139. so many votes have been defrauded, who knows how many either had.

Beyond Florida and Ohio, I had SIX friends in Texas report that when they voted straight ticket democrat on the touchscreens, the 'presidential' vote bumped to Bush. When they complained, they were told 'they must have nudged the machine. Yes, Bush would have taken Texas, but by a much smaller margin than he wanted America to believe.

We have to wrap our heads around voter fraud. Yes, the DLC is a problem. Yes, our candidates are not optimal. Yes, we need to get it together. But all those factors DO NOT MEAN that there is not MASSIVE VOTE FRAUD going on.

We have to address ALL of these problems. We need a strong candidate and a party that will demand fair and REAL elections.

[DLnyc]

58. Gore/Spitzer?

[SupplyConcerns]

9. Too bad you sold your soul, ...

...when you voted for the Iraq war. If anybody could have credibly been anti-war and have rallied the troops, it would have been you. Other than you're pro-war vote and all that it implies about your neo-con sympathies, I'm all for you, though.

[lumpy]

73. Kennedy didn't vote for Iraq war, SupplyC.

Check your facts before you sell your soul.

[SupplyConcerns]

75. I was referring to Kerry's vote

...to clear things up. Also, I was speaking figuratively when I said Kerry "sold his soul" by voting pro-Iraq war.

[robbedvoter]

11. Crying in my teacup - for a better candidate than any of these

Who cares about the war supporters and election theft coverers?

[rucky]

100. Agreed. Recycling is great & I'm all for it, but not in 2008.

most of our leaders have sullied themselves in some way since Iraq. There's plenty of great candidates coming up through congressional ranks, tho.

[MasonJar]

13. I would vote for a one-celled plant at the bottom of the ocean be-

fore I would vote against whichever Democrat is chosen. The alternative is too hideous. As for Kerry and Gore, I think that both these men would be in the upper echelon of the great presidents. And despite your degrading of Kerry I am sure he won the race against Bush. I worked hard for Kerry in Ohio, including election day. There was unbelievable shenanigans going on in Cincy. As to Hilary; I'd love to see her as President, but I do NOT think she can win. I hope I am wrong.

[Emillereid]

30. If Kerry were the nominee, I would probably throw him my vote -- but

what he would lose is my hundreds of hours of work -- and my money! I am not going to fall for another version of "ABB" I'd rather work for a candidate that actually expresses my beliefs and has shown courage and consistency -- like Cobb of the Greens. Might as well lose standing for something real.

As to whether Gore won in Ohio -- probably. But he lost the popular vote big time. As Arianna Huffington warned him, he had to bring out his base (remember poor people?) and win by a landslide. He didn't listen -- he went after the same so called middle of the road voter as dictated by his DLC handlers.

I think the DLC is a republican saboteur group -- they infiltrated and have all but accomplished their goal of wiping out the real democratic party! Maybe a grassroots effort to raise the party from its ashes is in order. How about the New Green Democratic Party!

[DLnyc]

60. DLC is not a Repub sabateur group, they are a Dem sabateur group!

They represent the corrupt part of the party, bought off by various corporate and big-money interests. Even though they are a lot smarter and more civilized then the TOTALLY corrupt group which has taken over the R party now, they represent a network of politician/special interest interlocking favors. Dems need to clean our own house just as much as we need to get rid of the Rethug vampires that are currently occupying the WH.

Could it be that some comfortable Dems politicians are more afraid of a real reform candidate then they are of more Rethug victories?

[Emillereid]

91. Same difference -- yes the DLC Dems present a more civil, polite face --

but underneath lurk the same corporate fascists.

I agree that the powerful Dems save their real piss and vinegar for 'reform' real democrats!

I agree that we need to throw them all out on their ass! Do you remember the old Marat/Sade song?

[adubadee]

14. Problem solved.

Gore/Kerry in '08

[ronnykmarshall]

25. Never happen.

Kerry would not take the VP slot after being the Prez nominee in 2004.

[WI_DEM]

16. We need someone other than Clinton or Kerry

I would support both in a general election, naturally, but we have had eight years of a Clinton presidency and we had Kerry as our nominee in '04--we need to move forward with a new leader in '08, not rethreads. The only exception I would make to that is Gore.

[AuntiBush]

69. Edwards?

[MarsThe Cat]

136. NO to Edwards!

NO! NO! NO! to ALL DLC fuckwits.

[robbedvoter]

102. Clark!

Anti-war and liberal for a change.
And why is this thread/subject "the greatest"? The sophomoric grupie thing still at work? Give it up already.

[BootinUp]

17. Didn't read the article but I wonder

is it normal for someone of Kennedy's stature to announce support this early? Put me in the group that is in favor of a more grass roots effort. :eyes:

[MADem]

39. Hey, all politics is local

If a member of your delegation, with great bona fides, is running, you support the member from your own delegation. And Kennedy and Kerry are close...

[RedEarth]

19. No interest in Kerry or Clinton....

Prefer a new face....Wes Clark...however, Gore would be fine as well.

[fujiyama]

20. This shouldn't come as any surprise

Kerry is Kennedy's buddy going way back...

As much as I like Kerry and think he would have made a great president, he had his chance. A Hillary run sounds disasterous though and I suppose I'd rather take Kerry over Hillary.

I don't mind Gore, but even there I have some sense of apprehension in running someone for the second time.

I'd prefer someone new personally. Maybe a sitting governor or a certain former general comes to mind.

[Joe Chi Minh]

118. If I were an American,

I wouldn't see my choice of Democratic presidential candidate as "giving him his chance".

It would be "my chance" and "the people's chance", not his. You're not awarding your vote in a beauty contest, you're trying to save your country, currently, in a particularly run-down and perilous state, by choosing the best man for the job. How many times he's tried before, and/or been robbed, as in Kerry's case, would be a total irrelevance.

[ginnyinWI]

119. I agree--thanks for that!

It's not about the candidate getting a prize. (In a way, it's more of a personal sacrifice for the one who becomes president, because it's so hard).
This is about what's best for our country, and I think Kerry is still our best hope.

[Tight_rope]

22. Too bad...I want a man with some balls this time!

[Mass]

49. What do you have against women?

[Tight_rope]

53. Or a woman with balls like attitude...

[Mass]

54. A man or a woman that is not a macho will do for me.

[lumpy]

74. Balls have nothing to do with it,

whatever that is supposed to mean. Some people seem to think Bush has 'balls'.

[Joe Chi Minh]

142. Aargh, you'll have some of your own when your a man...!

Just pulling your leg. A few words of encouragement proferred by a bloke in our regiment, when someone shouted, "B*ll*cks!" All delivered in a broad West-country accent - which definitely added to the humour.

[Joe Chi Minh]

143. Not that I'd wear that nonsense about Kerry

lacking courage, in a fit!

[Texas_Kat]

23. You're kidding, really?

what a surprise :sarcasm:

THE DEFINITION OF INSANITY :banghead:
 ...is repeating the same behavior and expecting different results.

[blm]

26. Or we expose the electronic voting machines and expect different results.

.

[AuntiBush]

70. Bingo!

We're "never" going to win if we don't have honest electoral voting machines in place. Die-bold/ESS/etc. need to be booted, forever!

Without legit voting in place, we can just forget about it.

[meganmonkey]

106. Thank you! I agree fully

Seems a lot of folks around here have forgotten that if the voters' intentions were actually acknowledged and all the votes counted as cast, Kerry would be president right now.

I am not a huge Kerry defender, but let's be honest with the 'how' and the 'why' here!

:shrug:

[Dervill Crow]

115. Gore would be in his second term if votes were actually counted. n/t

[meganmonkey]

116. Indeed

and the world would be a much better place :(

[Mass]

33. The repetition of insanity is not thinking that people can learn

This is a typically republican characteristic. The sad thing is that some dems do the same thing.

[ronnykmarshall]

24. What a shocker!!

:sarcasm:

I'm not suprised by this. Ted has been friend w/ JK for years. They are both Senators from the same state.

I like Kerry. But what I want to know is this .... what will be different in 2008 if he runs and gets the nomination? His he going to fight back at the attacks unlike he did in 2004?

[robbedvoter]

27. Or refuse to concede after he wins?

And how arrogant is the assumption that itt's either kerry or Clinton? It's that dealmaking in the party that helped BFEE to screw us in the 2004 elections. Enough already!

[ronnykmarshall]

31. I see it this way.

In 1990 or 1991 who would have thought Gov Bill Clinton would be the nominee and win?

All this talk of Kerry, Gore or Hillary is just talk.

[AX10]

28. Wes Clark 08'! I want an anti-war candidate.

No more pro-Iraq war candidates.

[jobycom]

29. I'll be orgasmically happy to vote for either one.

[Mass]

34. My only reproch to Teddy on this one: it is not time for 08 but 06

Dont enter the game of the reporter. Except for that, you are right, senator. Kerry is a great political leader. The only problem is that this country has no clue what a political leader is. They lost the idea when your brothers were killed (they could not recognize Teddy Kennedy as a great leader).

[amandabeech]

43. 2006 could be a banner year for the Dems, if our leaders play it right.

Dems need to come up with some real ideas--on energy, Iraq and health care.

We also need good candidates. And candidates who thought that they had nominations locked up, like Sherrod Brown, will have to be rewarded in some other way.

I have a decently connected Repubbie friend (we are simpatico in other areas of life) who said that 2006 will be a repeat of 1994.

I think that it may be a repeat of 1974, when the voters cleaned house after Watergate!

[brentspeak]

41. I have a great deal of respect for John Kerry

and I know he'd be a good president. But he did allow his campaign to be run by complete incompetents (or, at least, the people at the top making the decisions were incompetent).

What assurance could he give his supporters that he would campaign properly a second time?

[bowens43]

42. Does our party have a death wish?

Kerry couldn't beat bush. He sure can't beat someone like McCain or Pataki.

[Der Blaue Engel]

48. Kerry. Did. Beat. Bush.

Omigod...where has everybody been for the past 11 months that this is still being repeated? Even if you want to completely discount outright election fraud, you can't dispute the outrageous disenfranchisement in Cleveland alone.

There is NO WAY Bush won this or any other presidential election.

The Republicans would like us all to believe this too, but I'm not buying it.

[BlueIris]

94. You can scream this a thousand times, some posters clearly don't read.

Which is very sad.

I've tried getting through to people who won't go to the 2004 Election Results and Discussion Forum, but it's slow going. I'm starting to question the loyalty of those folks, actually. To the ideals and agendas of Progressives, and to reality.

[Der Blaue Engel]

109. You and me both

I notice the name has been changed to Election Reform. Maybe that's a good thing; those of us who know 2004 was stolen will still be there, and others who may feel 2004 is a lost cause may come anyway to help fight for reform regardless of their feelings for 2004 or any of its candidates. I hope so. We need allies, not defeatism and fragmentation. Some people think that's akin to saying "you must toe the line and not voice disagreement"...if they're listening, they'll see that's not the case (for most), so I can only assume they prefer contrarianism for some other purpose. What that purpose might be I leave up to conjecture.

[against all enemies]

51. If he is the best the Democrats can do, why bother? The party

without a soul. It's Kerry's pipe dream, sorry you lost once already.

And for those who think he won, look in the White House. It's Bush. It shouldn't have been even close but Kerry was such a bad candidate they let Bush into the race and he took it. It was a slam dunk missed.

[wisteria]

129. Obviously, you don't know much about Presidential elections

if you think the last one was a slam dunk. Actually, it was amazing that Kerry was able to come so close. Check your history and the mood of the country during times of war. Bush capitalized on his war. He rode the wave of patriotism and unity and when that started coming apart, he started to frighten the public into their continued support all the while assuring them that he could keep them safer than Kerry. Some of us, including yourself, were wise enough to see through all the bullsh*t, but many did not and could not bring themselves to believe our President was capable of such treachery. Kerry was close to bringing people around,the election was always predicted to be close-just look back to 2000 Gore/Bush, this was also a close race and we had no war to interfer with people's judgments then and Kerry was ahead in the polls.Then, the tape came out.That awful Bin Laden tape where he mocked America and threatened us and said it made no difference who was elected- he'd take on whomever. Well,what do you think went through peoples minds? Maybe something like, I know what Bush is doing and he talks tough and seems to follow up on what he says and then, we have Kerry, the democrat. The old stereo type goes that Dem's are weak on defense issues and Kerry is talking about getting global permission to do things involving the protection our country. Of course, that was not what he said. The media and the Bush campaign spun that into that ridiculous accusation. The media worked for the benefit of Bush. Kerry was always on the defensive always having to prove himself. Bush was never challenged. Bush was actually the candidate without much of a message,but you would not know that by listening to the new media.
Anyway, the stage was set for Kerry to fail, they used the toughest of tactics and dirties of tricks to knock him down and still to the very near end Kerry was ahead. You can believe what you want about what did and did not happen on election day and night, but you can never say that Kerry did not put up a good fight and you should never assume that this was an easy election to win.

[EST]

52. Kerry would probably make a fine president, but his total

misreading of the opposition and poor staff choices as well as his refusal to lead the pack on the issue of vote fraud has, for me, removed him from any serious consideration. These issues are even more important than douche's misadventures in Iraq, since these are the tools the r/w used to dismantle the country.

[NVMojo]

55. Go KERRY!!! And thank you, KENNEDY!!!

[LatinoSocialist]

56. I'd rather give Hillary a try

Kerry had his chance. Partly out of his own faults, partly out of unfair tactics on the other side, and partly out of electronic fraud, he lost.

People are hungry for the Clinton years. Give them the option of electing Bill Clinton again (or the myth of Bill Clinton, through his wife), and that could unite a lot of people behind a "restore America" banner.

I'm not a big fan of Hillary, but I'd rather give her a try than do a repeat of Kerry. A lot of Americans would be indifferent to a second Kerry run.

[lateo]

57. Sorry...no Kerry for me.

Able and gifted in giving up on presidential elections...

nevermore...

[William Bloode]

62. I don't support quitters.

Kerry may have been prez now if he was not such a pussy! I will not nor could not support such a complicit puss.

[lumpy]

76. Been listening to Rush?

x

[William Bloode]

84. No i would never listen too Limpballs.

The truth is Kerry rolled over like a scared puppy and let them fuck him over. Now if he had chosen to fight tooth and nail(win or lose) every step of the way i would have stuck by him.

[Eurobabe]

Won't go for either of them

Wes Clark is my choice, or someone new.

[Tiggeroshii]

63. I wanna see a Kennedy running mate

I know people think he can't do it, but a running mate's a running mate. Just as a VP a Kennedy would manage wonders! I wish...

[dolstein]

64. Personally, I'm relieved that Kennedy is supporting Kerry

Better than that having Kennedy endorse someone that I could actually vote for in the primary.

[wisteria]

65. OMG, this is great. Thank you Ted Kennedy!

What nice words. "an able,gifted and talented political leader." Kerry is so much more than Bush will ever be. How much better off we would be now if he were President.

[Overseas]

71. Still too wounded from the Kerry campaign to back him again

Yes, he won the election but by too small a margin to defeat the vote manipulation unequivocally...A 51 to 48 swapperoo is easier to engineer than 68 to 32... The Republicans stole the last election through their dribs & drabs method-- hacking here, intimidation there, "lost" ballots here, too few machines there... And anyone chasing just one of those methods could be told "those few votes wouldn't make a difference to the outcome... you've got to drop this issue and move on..." Running against the worst Resident and not slamming him daily with his mistakes was really stupid and I was so disheartened. I had told my friends Kerry was a fighter against Iran Contra and BCCI crimes, so he would surely slam the Cheney gang of war profiteers... And then he didn't... Or he'd give them a quick slap and then apologize... And then couldn't even wait 48 hours for vote counting, out of respect for the voters who stood in line for hours and hours...

[ohtransplant]

72. I'm with Teddy.

It's early and a lot can change but...Kerry's the pick of the litter.

Also, there are still battles going on to clean up elections. Check out the ballot issues in Ohio.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=172&topic_id=8379&mesg_id=8379

Also check out www.reformohionow.org

Kerry is still involved in lawsuits in Ohio and I' bet his people have their fingers in this effort. It's the way he does things - effective but not in-your-face.

JK has just been everywhere since the election. He has even raised money for Hillary!

[VegasWolf]

77. One word, "Dean!" nt

[Moloch]

79. I like Dean, but come on....

The man is a loser. Despite having the best-funded campaign and the most publicity, Dean foundered in 4th place in the primaries. Karl Rove was literally salivating to take him on. I would like to WIN elections rather than rally around some ideologue that might say what I want to hear but has less than zero percent chance of winning anything.

[jillan]

78. Kerry DESERVES to be president! And this is great that Ted

backed him. It will shut up all of the talking heads that are so sure that Hillary is our person.

[JanusAscending]

81. GOT MY VOTE!!

These are my GUYS !! This was meant to be.

[LeahD]

83. So, it's McCain vs. Kerry

and you'd vote for???

Kerry!

[dretceterini]

87. I wish there were someone

at the national level that has the guts of our mayor, Rocky Anderson (Salt Lake City, Utah) to actually get up and say what a liar and piece of crap Bush is, in the reddest and most religiously fundamentalist state (60+ percent LDS) in the US

[BlueIris]

95. I still see McCain from the right as well.

And feel JK could take him. I'm actually feeling okay about Kerry taking office under those circumstances, too. McCain possesses the ability to lose graciously. If the Republicans lost under those circumstances, I think they'd be...quiet for a while.

[robbedvoter]

117. McCain? Wasn't he Kerry's VP? oh, no, he turned him down!

How humiliating!

[politicasista]

89. Another positive Kennedy--Kerry thread turning into a flamewar

Go Figure. Thanks Senator Kennedy.

[rfkrfk]

90. has Kerry announced who he endorses?

We need leadership,not silence.

[BlueIris]

93. I didn't think it was possible, but: I want to make out with Ted Kennedy.

There, I said it. Apologies to my beloved JK if this post hurts anyone's feelings.

[ticapnews]

96. Note to Ted:

Let's win the midterms, THEN see who is running in 2007...

[robbedvoter]

103. P.S to Ted:

[noonwitch]

99. Kerry blew it in 2004, we don't need a repeat of that

Even though the attacks on Hillary will be even more vicious than those on Bill, Al or John, she at least will not let them slide and will address them immediately. Kerry should not have waited to slam back at the swiftboat liars.

[Chiyo-chichi]

108. Are you happy to see old Ted Kennedy?

This reminds me of that moment in Alexandra Pelosi's documentary. The Kerry primary campaign was lagging until Teddy K. made an appearance. "Are you happy to see old Ted Kennedy?" he asked. The crowd roared. A great moment.

[jus_the_facts]

110. VOTING FRAUD AND VOTER PURGES...LACK OF VOTING MACHINES..VARIFIED BALLOTS

.....they can ALL FORGET ABOUT ANOTHER DEMOCRAT FOR PRESIDENT...unless these things are changed doesn't matter who runs. :eyes: :nopity:

[paineinthearse]

114. This Kennedy campaign volunteer

...will be registering his thoughts with his senior Senator, and probably giving fewer hours.

[doc03]

120. If you want to win some Red states and the Presidency

Kennedy is about the last person you would want to be seen with.

[President Kerry]

128. So how about Zell Miller then? he'll get us some red states..

Heck, let's just tell McCain to run as a democrat. I think we need to worry about the blue states too.. and finally just common sense. That's why I like Ed Schultz so much.

[Arkana]

123. This means nothing sorta.

Clinton and Kerry are the front-runners because they have the name recognition--our nominee will be a Beltway outsider in '08.

I'm hoping for a certain General...:hide:

[wisteria]

130. Oh, and you have a crystal ball that tells you so. n/t

[Arkana]

134. As a matter of fact I do.

and for a small fee I can tell you what you'll eat for breakfast tomorrow.

[girl gone mad]

133. I really, really hope someone better emerges.

Kerry was a terrible candidate, and Hillary has too much baggage (I'm talking about the DLC/insider stuff, not the scandals, though there's that, too).

[second edition]

135. I though kerry was a good candidate- he 's taken his lumps and

he could come back stronger and even better a second time around. He doesn't have a Bill Clinton/Bush personality, but frankly, I don't think this should disqualify anyone from being President. Kerry actually is witty and interesting to listen to if you give him a chance. He also knows the issues of importance inside and out. I think we could do a lot worse than Kerry. I do agree on Hillary though. Admire her, but I'm not thrilled about a run.

[makeanoise]

138. Well I think we should get Feingold to run

Russ Feingold was the only Senator to vote against Iraq and the Patriot Act....he worked with John McCain on campagin finance reform as well....really, no one can touch this man....you guys should think about it....