John Kerry supporters Only--- Write an endorsement for your candidate

[curse10]

I'm co-opting Skinner's thread format :-)

IMPORTANT: Please read this before you post

The Iowa Caucuses are on Monday, January 19. That day, Democratic Underground would like to run eight articles on our homepage in support of each of the eight candidates. (Two are not competing in Iowa, but we think it is only fair that they are included.) Please submit your article to [e-mail] before 4:00PM ET on Sunday.

There is an announcement about this here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=122356

This discussion thread is for supporters of John Kerry ONLY. The purpose of this thread is so that they can write an endorsement for their candidate, free of disruption from supporters of other candidates. Any posts by opponents of John Kerry which try to disrupt this thread, will be deleted by the moderators.

[curse10]

1. And I'll start

I support John Kerry because I am a liberal.

After the 2000 election I was more than a little disillusioned by the political scene in America. And, honestly, I was disappointed in Gore. Where was the fight? Why didn't we send hundreds of people down to Florida to protest?

So I went looking for another possible candidate for the 2004 races. I found John Kerry.

John is a world-class Democrat. I started doing research on him and discovered that he is someone that, if I were a Senator, would admire and aspire to be like. His voting record is nearly flawless, in my humble opinion. He's been a champion for women's rights, gay rights, affirmative action, the environment, small business, veterans, and, to sound cliche, the little guy.

I've met John on two occasions now and have been to numerous events. Each time I am more impressed. He is eloquent and forceful. (And he has a great handshake!) After his birthday event he stayed and talked to everyone that wanted. I shook his hand, told him how much I admired him, how I knew he would pull it off (I was probably gushing), and I was heading to New Hampshire to do ground work, and he said, "I can only hope that my other supporters have half the enthusiasm you have. I'm glad you are out there working for me." It was probably something he says all the time, but it didn't feel like it. It felt personal. And that's why I love John Kerry.

[adadem]

18. In John Kerry

I see a man with honor, integrity and experience. I trust John Kerry because he is intelligent and has the breadth of experience in domestic and international affairs to correct the mess that our country is in.

More than anything I want to be proud of my country again...my heart is broken that I do not feel proud to be an American because of what bush and his ignorant cronies have done.

John Kerry has a vision for America to restore our country to a land of honor...a land that people around the would dream of and hold in high regard. A country that sets the standard for what democracy should be. Our country should represent everything that is good not hated but respected...John Kerry has the experience to do that.

I trust John Kerry.

[globalcitizen]

2. Kerry is a true liberal

He has a stellar record in defending women's rights and the environment and in his past Senate races has won the endorsement of NOW and the Sierra Club as well as other groups. I first noticed JK when he was running the Iran/Contra hearings - he was articulate, serious, focused and devoted to his cause. I lived in Massachusetts when he was challenged by Gov. Weld for his Senate seat. Weld was a very popular moderate Republican and the election was a real fight - but Kerry was fearless and soundly defeated Weld! I know he can beat Bush and I think that he has so much experience both in Washington politics and international affairs that he could move into the White House and on the very first day as president he could start turning this ship of state onto a new course.

[curse10]

3. Hi globalcitizen! Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[JI7]

4. i support john kerry

for his strong support of the environment, human rights, civil rights. his position on taxes, business, . his volunteer proposals. he has a proven record of fighting for the right causes which show his current proposals are not just things to get votes, but real solutions.he has not only done good things, but many times been the leader in it. such as vietnam which to many did not end when the last american troops left the country.it was still an issue for many family and friends and veterans themselves but kerry was the leader in normalizing relations and working out issues such as whether any americans were still alive in vietnam and helped bring home the remaims of those who had died there. with his record and the kind of person he is i am very proud of him, and a proud supporter of his.

[blm]

5. I support John Kerry because he is the one person who has exposed more

government corruption than ANY other lawmaker in modern history.

Kerry also assembled the best team to take down Bush in the general election.

Gary Hart, Rand Beers, Joe Wilson, Gen, William Perry and Max Cleland have serious information to make the case against BushInc. on their pet issue, national security. They have all the info needed on PRE 9-11 failures, POST 9-11 failures, and the coverups thereafter.

Kerry wrote the book on terror in 1997, The New War. He can make the case that Bush and his team should have READ that book.

[JI7]

6. i read

in the la times article about how democrats didn't want him to investigate the bank thing because it would hurt another democrat, but kerry went ahead with it anyways. it's good to have people like kerry in the senate. i'm not from mass, but i consider him as representing me.

[blm]

7. That's why the establishment label on Kerry by Dean was a BIG LIE.

Kerry was ostracized by the Dem establishment for years because he went after ALL the DC powerstructures, GOP and Dem.

[JI7]

8. i admire him very much

many things he has done he knew would not be popular, or liked by certain people, but he always did what he thought was the right thing and in most cases he has been right. john kerry has become one of my favorite political heroes. when people attack politicians he is one i can bring up as being for the people. i wish there was a way to get more people to learn about him and the things he has done.

[JI7]

9. another thing

i have noticed those who know the senator all like him very much. i can't find anyone who knows him but does not like him. i was reading about mccain and his relationship. how mccain felt betrayed by kerry for protesting the war and avoided him in the senate, but once he got to know kerry during a conversation they had about vietnam, he warmed up to him and now considers him a good friend. it only took 1 conversation to turn his feels around on kerry. i don't know anyone who knows the senator that has bad things to say about him. i notice all the bad things on him come from people who never even met him.

[blm]

21. And NEVER forget BCCI, IranContra and CIA drugrunning...

ALL investigated and exposed by Kerry.

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

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

[adadem]

17. I second PeteNYC

Well written, perfect endorsement

[kerryistheanswer]

11. My Kerry Endorsement

I sent this around to friends a month back.

2004 is approaching and I think it’s going to be a great year. If
for nothing else, we’ll have the chance to vote and boot out our
illegitimate inept commander-in-chief after the worst four-year term
in U.S. history. If you don’t believe me, do a google search on
“miserable failure� and see what shows up. We’ll have the chance to
change the direction of this country’s domestic and foreign policy,
to bring peace and justice to other parts of the world, and to be a
respected nation once again.

Regardless of whether you’re a Democrat, Republican, or Independent,
you should be concerned about the mess Dubya has caused. We’ve got a
growing budget deficit (over $500 billion), an unjustified
no-end-in-sight war, few nations we can call when in need of
comfort, over 40 million Americans without healthcare, rising
poverty levels (over 30 million), worsening environmental
conditions, growing trade deficits with developing countries, and
growing racial intolerance. To make matters worse, Britney Spears
still makes music and Michael Jackson still sleeps with little boys.

But not all is doom and gloom. There are several candidates running
for president who have solutions to these problems. Even those not
running – Oprah Winfrey, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, and Michael
Moore – have good ideas. Of those running, John Kerry is the most
qualified to be president. He is also the candidate with the best
chance of sending Dubya back to Mars. Here are a few reasons why:

Character – John Kerry fought in Vietnam, but more importantly, he
came back and led the fight to end it. He saw the death and
destruction war leads to first hand and stood up against the Nixon
to put an end to it. A book on his Vietnam experience will be
released in January but here’s an excerpt -
http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/clips/news_2003_1119a.html.

Since then, he’s been one of the most progressive senators in
Congress. Perhaps not as progressive as Ted Kennedy, but Kerry has
done a considerable amount to improve foreign relations and living
standards for millions around the world. He’s also the only
candidate running that hasn’t accepted PAC (Political Action
Committee) funding in any of his campaigns. That means he hasn’t
depended on special interest groups for support.

Record – During Kerry’s 18 years as U.S. Senator, he’s been a
staunch supporter and activist on issues we feel strongly about –
the environment, civil rights, workers rights, free (and fair)
trade, gun control, women’s rights, and education. He gets the
highest marks among candidates from the League of Conservation Voters for his environmental record and gets a 0% from the NRA (National Rifle Association). For more on his record, click here
http://www.vote-smart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=S0421103

Solutions – Kerry has realistic, common sense solutions to issues
that affect us all. His alternative energy plan would remove our
dependency on fossil fuel oil in 10 years. That means all those big
fat cats in the oil and gas industries will be out of work and our
dependency on Middle East oil will virtually disappear. He’ll
provide affordable health care to all, with the government footing
the bill on costly operations that would otherwise be unaffordable.
He’ll go to the UN and to leaders around the world and mend
relationships that have been tarnished by the current
administration. Go to http://www.johnkerry.com/issues/ to learn
about more of his solutions.

Vision – Like Bill Clinton, John Kerry understands the complexities
of this world, He doesn’t see it as Black or White, my way or the
highway. He lives in the gray, like most of us. His statesman like
approach to diplomacy will help unite this country and the world and
take us to a better place. Kerry’s ideas and words carry substance,
based on experience and a global mindset.

[sandnsea]

12. I have faith in John Kerry

Added a little bit to a post yesterday:

Sounds corny, but that's the truth of it. My support came very slowly. When I read his speech when he voted for Iraq, I was stunned by the amazing amount of consideration, insight and emotion he brought to it. Many of the other Senators had a few paragraphs on the subject and were quite broad. Kerry obviously was torn and troubled. I immediately dismissed any notion that he was promoting the Bush agenda or supportive of war as a first resort.

I read a few other policy speeches, watched here and there. Watched some other candidates. Then I read the infamous windsurfer article. When I got to the part about his views on spirituality, that just knocked my socks off.

"I think the more we learn about the universe, the more we learn about black holes and the expansion of the universe and the more we learn what we don't know about: our beginnings and-not just of us, but the universe itself, the more I find that people believe in this supreme being. I'm a Catholic and I practice but at the same time I have an open-mindedness to many other expressions of spirituality that come through different religions. I'm very respectful and am interested-I find it intriguing."

"And so I've also always been fascinated by the Transcendentalists and the Pantheists and others who found these great connections just in nature, in trees, the ponds, the ripples of the wind on the pond, the great feast of nature itself. I think it's all an expression that grows out of this profound respect people have for those forces that human beings struggle to define and to explain. It's all a matter of spirituality."

This isn't a written speech, it's the heart and soul of an amazing human being, the kind that doesn't come around all the time.

Then I started really getting into his plans for the future. I am consistently blown away. They are always so full of the minutest details. He misses nothing. And they're always practical. The best part about the health care plan is that it's just simple. Buy into the exact same plan Congress has, with subsidies for various income groups. Not a new government program LIKE the one Congress has, or some other new government program that can be exploited as socialist medicine. Nope, federal health insurance. How can a Senator or Representative go home and tell their constituents "you can't have my health insurance plan." Simple, workable, passable.

And how do I know he'll do it? Because I continuously run across legislation he's sponsored and fought for in the past, truly tough stuff. He has done so much for the people in this country, from little things like getting Small Business loans after 9/11 to pretty big things like the Nurse Reinvestment Act for nursing students. Voted against DOMA, introduced some of the first glbt rights legislations way back in the 80's, domestic violence programs are his, early childhood education, YouthBuild for teens, AIDS funding, spearheaded the Acid Rain initiative when he was Lt. Gov., and rewrote the Oceans and Fisheries legislation. Worked relentlessly with John McCain to open Vietnam to finally gain POW/MIA answers, normalized relations with that country so we don't have another N. Korea in 50 years.

He's the real deal. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind. He is who he is and he honestly never waivers. He may try to explain himself in different ways to try to help people understand what he's saying, but he never waivers and he never panders. You can have faith he'll do what he says he'll do. Just no doubt about it.

Yeah, I really do believe in him that much.

[mitchum]

13. ALL OF THE ABOVE

[mb7588a]

14. The next GREAT President.

John Kerry... What can I say? He's my man - war hero, Uber-successful politician, extremely intelligent. He's been an honest principled politician not afraid to vote his conscience if he has to. He's probed a lot of misdeeds in the military, and banking industry. His criticism of the Bush administration is second to none in my opinion.

His only fault in the beginning was his inability to connect with voters. First he had to step over the fact that he currently holds an office which was seemingly forcing him to measure his words. Once he got over that hurdle, his stump speeches and personal meetings got much better. People seem more able to connect with him, as has been shared in this thread already.

He's socially liberal, pro environment, pro alternative energies, good education plan, good tax plan... everything I like.

I admire the man personally. He's tall and will make George Bush look like the chimp'n'chief that he is. He's articulate and will make George Bush look like the doofus'n'chief that he is. He's intelligent and will make George Bush look like a blemish in the historical Presidential timeline that he is.

John Kerry has all the stuff to be the next GREAT President, return the glory and world respect to the United States, and save us from the fear that consumes the current administration.

Show 'em hell, John.

[curse10]

15. kick

:-)

[curse10]

16. kick

:kick:

[flpoljunkie]

19. Why John Kerry now?

John Kerry's rhetoric matches his record. Kerry has spent a lifetime fighting for the public interest against corrupt special interests. He made his mark in the Senate heading the BCCI investigation. Kerry does not shrink from controversy.

Kerry ,alone among Senate candidates, had the courage to vote against the DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) in 1996 (before Edwards elected) a year in which he was up for re-election) and the bankruptcy bill, an egregious giveaway to the banks and credit card companies, passed by the Senate in July, 2001. Yet, he has shown an ability to forge consensus on difficult issues in the Senate, i.e. POW/MIA and the recognition of Vietnam.

John Kerry's public journey began when he came back from the Vietnam War when he helped found the Vietnam Veterans Against the War. His testimony before the Senate rings powerfully, even today, "How do you ask a man to be the last to die for a mistake?"

John Kerry would truly be ready to take on the Presidency from day one. His positions on the issues are well considered. His character is without question.

With John Kerry at the helm, I would feel optimistic once again about the future of our country and the world--and that we might be able to not only "keep our democracy" but restore its promise.

[WiseMen]

20. John Kerry: A President for Our Time

America is at war. It is at war around the world and it at war within the homeland. There is a spirit of fear in the land and unless the Democratic party can make its case on the basis of a compelling vision for the future and the strength of new leadership, a nervous electorate will not vote for change.

Among a field of highly qualified candidates, only Senator John Kerry can be viewed as fully prepared to assume the office of the Presidency.

John Kerry has shown he can deliver well-reasoned and solid answers to the questions of our time. But, even more important, Kerry brings to the battle for the White House a personal history, and a record in matters of national security; social policy and governmental reform that allow him to speak with a clear voice without hypocrisy as he rallies the nation to a better way.


Personal Character

Graduating from Yale University, a modestly wealthy, multilingual world citizen, John Kerry had many options before him. Yet he answered his nation’s call and enlisted to fight and lead men in a dubious war in Vietnam, because he believed it was wrong to let someone less fortunate fight and die in his place. For bravery, service and sacrifice in a war he came to oppose, his nation gave him the Silver Star, Bronze Star and 3 Purple Hearts.

John Kerry followed his tour of military duty with a life of service, working to end the War in which he fought and leading a thank-less multi-decade effort to expose corruption in U.S. foreign policy, championing the environment, and pinch-hitting in the Senate for almost every cause that affected the lives of the poor and disenfranchised.

Kerry now ask his party to let him take the fight to George W. Bush, a man who ducked service to country when he was “young and irresponsible.”

Iraq War and National Security

John Kerry voted for the Iraq war resolution because he believed it was the only way to force resolution of the Iraq tragedy by restarting the U.N. inspection process. He believed the President of the United States (and since regretted it) when he said that war would be “a last resort”. At the time of the vote, he gave a substantial, thoughtful speech on the Senate floor, Kerry said he would strongly opposed any unilateral movement to war and that he did not believe that Saddam’s threat was yet imminent. He kept is word and led opposition during the U.N. debates against Bush’s “rush to war,” inept foreign policy.

John Kerry’s military service, his two decades of participation in international diplomacy as a leader in the Senate and as a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, allows him challenge George Bush’s conduct of war and foreign policy in a post 9/11 world and prepares him to quickly re-direct U.S. policy upon being sworn into office.

Domestic Policy

John Kerry gets the best scores from independent groups for his environmental record and for issues affecting the working poor. For thirty years Kerry has fought for labor rights, women’s rights and campaign finance reform. Kerry’s record is solid on education and social security. Despite significant political cost, Kerry has opposed capital punishment, the NRA and all the fat-cat special interest lobby groups camped out in Washington.

Few senators have maintained a record so widely regarded as above reproach – free of special-interest lobby deal or pork-barrel legislation. John Kerry’s legendary indifference to special interest initiatives has been widely slammed as arrogance, aloofness and even neglect of his “constituents.”

Government Reform

John Kerry has fought to expose covert government actions from South-East Asian and Central America, for public disclosure of campaign financing and for the freedom of Information in the nation’s capital.

Kerry has himself been a principal target of secret investigations carried out by the Nixon Administration in the 70's when Kerry led the anti-war effort.

Kerry’s record of pubic service as a prosecutor, in State Government and as a senator has been fully open to public scrutiny. In the senate Kerry helped shape and push the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform, supported the ban on soft money and fought with Paul Wellstone for clean-government legislation

Much more that campaign rhetoric, it is the totality of John Kerry’s life of service and is record of making a stand on controversial issues that shows him to be ready to be a President for our time. The crises we face signal we must seek the best candidate for President not the best campaign. I believe that a fair review of the facts will tell that that person is Senator John Kerry.