Kerry's Primary Education(w/oDean back to habit of giving wordy answers

[papau]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A46668-2004Feb16.html
Kerry's Primary Education
By E. J. Dionne Jr.

Tuesday, February 17, 2004; Page A19
MILWAUKEE -- Are Democrats about to shut down the best show they've staged during the Bush presidency -- and after just two months?
Face it, Democrats: You have never gotten your message across the way you have in this presidential primary campaign. The press pays attention to presidents and presidential candidates, not to congressional leaders. Howard Dean toughened you up -- you all owe him a debt. Then the voters of Iowa decided the party needed a candidate, not a trainer, so they lifted up John Kerry and John Edwards.<snip>

Kerry wants it all to end right now on this very happy note. But of all people, Kerry needs the competition because he really needs the workout. With the nomination almost in hand, Kerry is lapsing into his old habit of giving wordy answers that don't seem quite responsive, especially in trying to explain his position on Iraq.

In Sunday's debate, Kerry gave a meandering answer when asked if his vote for the Iraq war resolution meant he shared responsibility for what happened afterward. Edwards captured the evening with a quip: "That was the longest answer I ever heard to a yes-or-no question."
Kerry needs more of such mild, intramural criticism. Soon, the criticism will come from the other team, and it won't be friendly at all.

[lancdem]

1. E.J. Dionne is one of my favorite columnists

He always makes excellent points, and this column is no different.