In Iowa, Kerry gains believers, including some Republicans

[Feanorcurufinwe]

Kerry was tripping over people on the floor of a packed Veterans of Foreign Wars post, and even Republicans were raising their hands and announcing conversions on the spot.
"I'll be very honest with you," said Shirley Cohen of Hollis, New Hampshire. "I was a Republican. I changed to become independent two months ago. I was very strongly leading toward another candidate. But you've very thoroughly convinced me tonight."

Other candidates may be talking about religion, but at almost every stop here in Iowa now, Kerry is making believers of large numbers of Democrats and others who say they are unimpressed by Howard Dean, unsure of John Edwards's experience and uninspired by Dick Gephardt.
After hearing Kerry on Monday night in Muscatine, Iowa, Ray and Sharon Kapteina, who caucused for George W. Bush in 2000, said they were re-registering as independents to caucus for Kerry. "He makes me feel like he's a leader," said Kapteina, 56, a contract analyst.

<snip>

one of the Kerry campaign's strengths in Iowa is its field organization, which is turning out hundreds of people to see him, even in tiny towns like Fort Madison. Many are undecided, but others reveal they once supported Dean. "I think people have doubts," Kerry said in an interview Tuesday. "They're still looking, and some are switching."

Joan Groh is one of them. "The more I hear, the more I like," said Groh, a retired teacher, after hearing Kerry take questions in Fort Madison on Monday.

A few steps away, Dorothy O'Malley, a retired insurance agent, said she had made up her mind at last. "I've been waffling between him and Edwards," she said, but Kerry's warmth won her over.

"In person, it comes across," she said. "And my son was in Vietnam, too. I think I feel a real kinship, without a doubt."
http://www.iht.com/articles/124980.html

Just think of it, a dyed-in-the-wool Massachusetts liberal who can win the votes of dinsenchanted Republicans by inspiring them. That's leadership.

[pscot]

1. Go John

The comeback kid.

[oasis]

2. Kerry would be the candidate with the most appeal in the general election.

Once he receives the proper news coverage, voters of all stripes will discover that he's the total package.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

3. He's starting to get that coverage. Even the Boston Globe

has been running pretty positive stories lately.

[oasis]

4. Bush has enraged many who would cross-over and vote Democrat. We

must give them a candidate that they would fell comfortable in supporting.

[DemBones DemBones]

7. Yes, and people may insist on

a candidate with millitary experience. If so, it's bad news for my guy (a heart murmur kept him from serving in the military) but Kerry's record should calm those with security worries.

[blm]

10. Know this about Dennis, though.

He WANTED to serve.

[adadem]

11. Absolutely correct

All ready to go...no training needed.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

5. A great article

made my day. Not sure what the Kerry "barking" part was about, although I'm sure it was nothing since it never made the news.

[zulchzulu]

6. I've met many GOP people disgusted by Bush who have great respect for JK

Many are vets, others are just wanting someone like John to kick Bush's yellowtailed, lying butt...

I even convinced my father, a Republican since 1968, to take a very strong look at Kerry and he is very impressed. What drove him over the edge with Bush was the Healthcare bill just passed.

Lots of crossover voters with Kerry!

[mouse7]

8. I hear Kerry's claims of strong Iowa organization are only claims

I heard several reports that Kerry's team on the ground in Iowa is weak compared to others and that he will have a hard time getting his supporters out at the caucus.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

9. I hear it's easy to spread unfounded rumors on the Internet.

Is that true?

[mitchum]

12. I hear the wind blowing outside

You'll just have to take my word on it