The Shadow President

[kerrygoddess]

While others in his shoes have retreated from the public eye, John Kerry still has a job to do in the Senate. He could shrink back from the fray and work quietly for a time until the heat dies down from what has been perhaps the most divisive election in history, but John Kerry has decided to leap into the fire and take a stand.

In a story in tomorrow’s N.Y. Times, Sheryl Gay Stolberg suggests that Kerry is setting “himself up as a kind of shadow president, a leader to the nearly 58 million Americans who voted for him.” I have heard this echoed around the internet for the past few weeks by the loyal Kerry supporters who believe that Kerry will rise above the fray and take hold of the Democratic Party in this fight against the Bush administration.

More - http://www.lightupthedarkness.org/blog/default.asp?view=plink&id=255

[chicagojoe]

1. Somebody better do it, and quick!

[kerrygoddess]

2. Kerry's got the ball

Kerry's got the ball in his court!

[Oversea Visitor]

3. Boxer already did that on Jan6th

And she kick ass on Jan20th. Dont think she will stop. Now all those nice Democrats got just to decide wheather they with her or against her.

[kerrygoddess]

4. Kerry has more political capital

Kerry has more political capital (sorry hate to use that term). He's got the email list and the 58 million votes and a lot of loayl supporters around the country. That coupled with the fact that his top fundraisers have not dropped him like Gore's did, give him a huge advantage IF he decides to run again.

But for now, Kerry has more leverage in the Senate as well. Don't get me wrong Barbara Boxer is my Senator and I admire her deeply. She's a strong woman not afraid to speak her mind and we'll continue to see great things from her. In the past couple of weeks Ted Kennedy has also remined us all of his greatness, but Kennedy will support JK, and Barbara Boxer while voicerous in the questioning of Condi, didn't touch on half of what JK did in his questioning of her. His visit to the Middle East set him in the position of having far more first hand knowledge than Boxer that day.

Remember a loud voice does not always get the job done.

[GRLMGC]

5. We need both kinds

Boxer is louder and brings attention to issues effectively and Kerry is able to be an investigator. If they work together, good things could really happen. Now if we could only get the other Dems to go along with them.

[kerrygoddess]

6. Exactly!

I see Kerry, Boxer and Kennedy teaming up to get the job done. I think we have more than a few Senators and Reps who are fired up and raring to go. But Kerry has been quitely acting like a President while the Resident shows himself to be the fool we know him to be.

[Oversea Visitor]

7. Well

take out her Jan6th and Jan 20th action and try imagining how it will be like. If no one stand up I dont think the spineless will.

Boxer will be an important part of the equation. She now has the license to go where no one dare to go. She is the digger, the light of truth, the fighter and gods knows you guys sure need that.

I hope she keep safe. She is more dangerous to Bush than 10 Kerry.

[politicasista]

9. Could you just see how it plays out first?

Thanks kerrygodess.

[kerrygoddess]

11. LOL!

My pleasure! Still got his back!

[Demi_Babe]

16. as do I

:thumbsup:

[kerrygoddess]

10. Not!

Every republican president since Nixon has feared Kerry. Boxer has a long way to go to fill his shoes. Remember Iran/Contra and BCCI.

Like I said she's part of the grand scheme of things but Kerry is the leader and all the naysayers will see.

Kerry's far from spineless and evidently you did not read the whole piece you are commenting on. If we are going to get anywhere with making changes, WE HAVE TO UNIFY! That means the snide comments cease and working together becomes the priority.

[Oversea Visitor]

13. Jeeee

I am not argueing on who got more political capital or who be president. In this instant Boxer need to lead the fight. Kerry got a stake here as he get to be President if shit happen.

Kerry cant fight this battle upfront. He cant even touch the election fraud issue. He cant even cast a no vote on Condi without Boxer casting first.The battle environment and condition does not allow a full Kerry involvement at this stage.

Boxer need to lead the charge at this moment. She is critical now and much will depend on her and her future action. Not bashing or down playing Kerry. It is just plain reality.

As for spineless comment, its my opinion. However not all Democrats are spineless. But seriously some need to grow one.

As for UNIFY for changes, I can see Boxer action as working for a change. So who is going to support her.

As for snide comments.... hmm where and how.

[kerrygoddess]

15. If shit happens ...

If shit happens ...Kerry does not get to be president. It does not work that way. Wish it did.

The point here again is that Kerry already has a much larger organization in place than Boxer. Thus he has more clout. Boxer is awesome and I support her 100%, but Kerry has the power to do much more and he won't sit back on the sidelines.

[Oversea Visitor]

18. Grrrr this is not about

Kerry versus Boxer. I say it loud and clear to you. BOXER IS FIGHTING FOR KERRY.

And yes Kerry get to be president if shit happen. If election fraud is proven down the line like 5 or 6 months from today he get the post.

[kerrygoddess]

19. Misunderstood

Misunderstood what your reasoning would be that Kerry would get to be president.

I also get this is not about Kerry vs Boxer, I never said it was. I know that Boxer is fighting for Kerry and for us. I also know that Kerry can fight for himself and he is doing that. He hit Condi with far more (and harder) questions than Boxer did. Read the transcripts.

The point is he is fighting back, he need not shrink behind anyone else, he's shown he won't do that. Kerry could not stand up on the 6th for a reason, but he has been out there looking like and acting like a Shadow President for a few weeks now. The trip to the Middle East was part of that.

[Dr Ron]

26. Only if elected

If fraud is proven, it is possible (although doubtful with the current Congress) that Bush and Cheney could be impeached, and then Dennis Haskert becomes President. Removal of Bush would not make Kerry President, although proof of election fraud would greatly increase Kerry's chances of getting the nomination and getting elected in 2008.

[kerrygoddess]

27. Hmmm ... the current Congress is an obstacle

Hmmm ... the current Congress is an obstacle ... we can hope but then there is reality.

[Oversea Visitor]

28. If election fraud is proven

Then it show that Kerry got more votes. No way will the people accept that their votes is not valid. If the republicans in congress try to stop this they will destroy themselves.

[kerrygoddess]

31. It's still a big if...

[Dr Ron]

36. No mechanism to change outcome

Unfortunately there is no mechanism to change the outcome of the election. If fraud is proven, those responsible could be impeached, but the normal lines of succession would remain in place.

[msgadget]

8. It's an interesting article

and I wonder if he'll confront the president directly or just do his thing.

He has also hired a Democratic strategist, John Giesser, to create a political action committee that will raise money to promote Democratic causes and candidates. ... On Monday, he plans to introduce a bill to expand government health-care benefits to cover all children, as he proposed to do if elected.

I like the idea of using the money for a PAC but who decides which dems get money for campaigning?

[kerrygoddess]

12. I would assume

I would assume that Kerry and whoever runs his PAC will make those decisions. I would also assume that our input will be welcomed.

[BrklynLiberal]

14. Does this bill have an ice-cube's chance in hell of even gettng out of

committee?

[kerrygoddess]

17. Don't know unless we try!

[chi_girl_88]

20. And if it doesn't?

Won't that make it obvious to everyone that the Republicans running the show don't give a shit about children, or health care?

Either way, it helps our side. Aren't we supposed to be the party that does "give a shit"?

And, yes, the fact that Kerry was the messenger on this doesn't hurt him, either. Not that I think he's doing it for that reason. I happen to believe that John Kerry has a conscience, and is sponsoring this bill because it's the right thing to do.

[kerrygoddess]

22. I agree on all counts!

I also believe that Kerry's petition for this Childcare was a brilliant move and is something that more politicians should utilize. After all isn't this supposed to be about "We The People". Kerry can walk into the Senate and announce this bill sponsored by us, The People of the United States!

[msgadget]

21. Good question.

But, he can look back on the years following the election and point to his effort. We need a good strong PAC, however, preferably one that represents the populace more than a party.

[kerrygoddess]

23. I think that Kerry asking for our support

I think that Kerry asking for our support on sponsoring bills like this is about just that, a PAC that represents the populace.

[msgadget]

25. I agree, he is seeking to reassure his supporters

by offering up the bill but that action is completely different from what a PAC can accomplish. A PAC, imo, works just outside the arena to advance an agenda. I'd like that agenda to be representative of OUR interests far and above those of the Democratic Party.

[kerrygoddess]

29. Children's Healthcare

Children's Healthcare is an interest to all parents of both parties. It also helps businesses with parents missing less work.

It's a good start for advancing an agenda.

[msgadget]

34. Again, I agree,

but if it never makes it out of committe, without a PAC, it's just a token effort.

[kerrygoddess]

38. Glad you agree, so let's give it a chance, huh?

Instead of finding fault and saying it won't happen, etc... why not give Kerry a chance to get it on the floor. That's the first step. Next step, you, I, no one has a clue yet, what Kerry's new PAC is going to do, so why not give that a chance too?

Kerry's pretty smart, I think he already figured out he needed a PAC to push this through and that's what the original email was about.

You don't spend 20 years in the Senate and not know how things work.

[msgadget]

42. I never took a negative tone

but was glad for the PAC. As you say, the PAC is his idea but I can't figure out why you assume I'm being negative by raising questions. I didn't say one anti-Kerry thing yet you're defending him as if my questions or leanings could do him harm. They can't.

[Still_Loves_John]

37. At the very least

It will make Republicans look bad for voting against it. Sounds stupid, but politicians haaate it when that happens, plus it makes great commercial sound bytes: "...voted against healthcare coverage for our children..."

[Lexingtonian]

24. my impression too

This kind of thing was what JK suggested in late November. I think "shadow President" is quite a jump, things will begin far more simply and carefully and modestly. And, given his record, end up as a lot more formidable than people expect.

I don't think JK needs to somehow run Democratic opposition on domestic policy in the Senate. (Though he will need to be seen as part of it.) Let that be the business of the Barbara Boxers and Ted Kennedys and Russ Feingolds. (Personally, I doubt that Social Security will be as large of an issue as people think-- the Bush emphasis is going to shift away from that lost battle to snaring more tax cuts for the rich, which is the essential post-election element of any Republican election victory.)

JK has a pretty clear job- being the principal foreign and military affairs critic of the Bush Administration, which amounts to running swing voters out of their Republican bias in them. He doesn't even have to do much of the talking involved, just the crucial talking appearance here and there that tips swing voters and public perception to the Democratic viewpoint. And his PAC/'527' is evidently going to be a great levering device for it.

[kerrygoddess]

30. A lot of people

A lot of people underestimate Kerry, what his strengths are and what he is capable of.

[robbedvoter]

32. W - AWOL. Kerry - shadow AWOL on jan 6

[kerrygoddess]

33. Kerry did not need to be there on 1/6...

Frankly his fact finding mission to the Middle East was very important to fighting Bush on his own ground.

What needed to be done on 1/6 was done and it served a better purpose to not have Kerry there looking like a sore loser. Why can't you get that and works towards the things that need to be done?

That's exactly what Kerry is doing.

[robbedvoter]

39. Oh, yeah? What's his day job again? The one he kept "just in case"?

Was it...weapons inspector? Secretary of State? Ambassador? :shrug:

[kerrygoddess]

41. Dear RobbedVoter

Your vote was stolen by Bush, not Kerry!

Got anger? Direct it in the right direction... Bush!

[cindyw]

35. I see it too. I think it is important to our national security that the

world know not all of us are represented by W. I appreciate how he has acted since the election. I hope it continues and intensifies. I hate the way the party wants losing candidates (debatable I know due to fraud) to sulk away and cease to exist. I imagine Kerry is taking his cue from T Kennedy, a survivor of decades of politics and decades of loss.

[Withywindle]

40. Thank you for bringing up this point....

I for one was very moved and proud of Kerry's trip to the Middle East and how he was received by leaders there and in Europe. It was obvious there was mutual respect shown there. It's vitally important that the rest of the word see, like you said, that not all of are represented by the Shrub and not all of us have his contemptuous, ignorant attitude toward everyone who isn't 'Murkan and 'Publcan and white and Christian.

It's personal to me because I have a foreign-born dual-national parent and an international family, and yes, I do care what they think about us. A lot. Diplomacy and respect is important for our security, it's important for future policies, and it's going to be vitally important for any attempts at damage repair after these scumbags are finally gone. Kerry has the skills and the knowledge and the class to help make the best of a bad situation, and I support him in that with everything I've got.

[msgadget]

43. GREAT point about Kennedy.