Kerry refuses to criticize Bush on Schiavo decision

[dajabr]

TALLAHASSEE - Steering clear of one of the nation's most emotional social issues as he struggles to focus his presidential campaign, Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry declined Thursday to criticize Gov. Jeb Bush for his controversial push to keep a brain-damaged woman alive.

Kerry's hesitation puts him at odds with many Florida Democrats, who accused Bush and the Republican-led Legislature last month of using the right-to-die case of Terri Schiavo to energize evangelical voters heading into the 2004 elections and boost the reelection of the governor's brother, President Bush.

And it puts Kerry safely between two of his White House rivals: former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, who bashed Florida Republicans for the move, and Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman, who said he supported it.

''I'm not going to trash anybody on it,'' Kerry told The Herald. ``These are some very thorny, legitimate issues.''

More: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/7313995.htm

[The Backlash Cometh]

1. Kerry doesn't understand an issue that is relevant to seniors.

Seniors in Florida are terrified that they will wither away like Schiavo. It's their worst nightmare. So Kerry doesn't endear himself to a potential large Democratic base by siding with Jeb.

[KaraokeKarlton]

2. I saw an interview with the woman's parents

They claim that the doctors told them early on that with intense therapy she could improve. They also claim her husband blocked her getting that therapy and that they suspect her accident was not an accident but an attempt on her life by her husband. If what they say is true, then I don't think they should turn off the life support until the parents get a fair opportunity to fight for that therapy and investigate the accident.

[The Backlash Cometh]

6. The evidence that came up in court showed otherwise.

First, if she was bulimic, it would have been her own, poor choice -- and it would have been long-termed. Low potassium levels do cause heart attacks. It almost happened to a friend of mine.

Second, the courts recognized that the husband did attempt to rehabiliate her. On one occasion he flew her to a hospital in another state, but the x-rays of her brain showed that there's nothing there to work with. Anyone who claims that he did not try to rehabilitate her has faulty information.

And finally, the parent's story keeps evolving which tells me that they're throwing anything against the wall in hopes that it will stick. The husband, though he hasn't been as vocal as the parents and the Christian groups which have used the press, has had a consistent story which has been supported by expert witnesses.

[Gman]

3. No position is a politically good position

he can just say it's a state isue.

Not that that's the right position. It's just a very emotional issue there's no sense in getting involved in. Kerry and any other candidate will make enemies no matter what position he takes.

[JI7]

5. he doesn't see things that way

kerry doesn't see things as states issues most of the times on many issues so that wont work especially when you take abortion rights into account. he probably has questions about the whole thing himself. i would like to get more clear answers from him on it though.

[JI7]

4. i don't agree with this

i disagree with him on this. but the article doesn't really make things clear. it just says he wont trash anyone and then says "these are some very thorny, legitimate issues". so i would like to know what his personal position is. or what questions he may have about the whole thing.

[agingdem]

7. I understand!

It's not about right-to-die, in fact, it's not about the individual involved...it's about those who can't imagine a world without their loved ones.