Sen. Kerry still considering 2008 White House bid

[Human Torch]

19 Nov 2006 17:13:50 GMT

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 (Reuters) - Massachusetts Democratic Sen. John Kerry said on Sunday he is still considering a second run for the White House in 2008, despite public criticism of what he has called a "botched joke" about the Iraq war.

In an interview on "Fox News Sunday," Kerry was asked he had given up on a presidential run after the flap over his comment to students that they could "get stuck in Iraq" if they did not study hard enough.

"Not in the least. I am looking at it in the same way. The people that I have talked to across the country, my team's confident and strong. I don't know what I'll do.

"I've apologized and we have to move on to the real issues that face this country." Kerry had apologized to U.S. troops for his remarks, and said his comments were aimed at President George W. Bush's handling of the war in Iraq.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N19208551.htm

[ruggerson]

1. He has every right to run again

and we have every right to pick someone else.

[maddiejoan]

2. we also have the right to support him

Kerry '08

[Cornus]

8. Or not

Almost anyone but Kerry '08.

[Eurobabe]

3. Kerry was an ABB candidate....

the field is different this time.

[sandrakae]

4. How the hell can you possibly know that?

[MH1]

5. Speak for yourself.

Kerry became my first choice after I watched a few of the primary debates. Before that I was "ABB" but liking Dean.

Since the 2004 general election I have learned much more about Kerry, and support him even more strongly than I did before.

[LittleClarkie]

6. They were all ABB candidates in a way

All we wanted was someone we thought would beat Bush.

But in answer to what you say, the field is different, but so is Kerry. Let's see what he has to say. People are willing to give Gore a second chance, and I think a similar transformation has happened to Kerry as well.

And further, I started out ABB in the last election, but I sure didn't stay there. I'll support him regardless though. If he doesn't run, don't think the Kerry folks are going away. Most of us agree that running in 2008 isn't the reason we support him, or post his doings. We'll still report what's going on him regardless.

[karynnj]

11. No he wasn't

Kerry won the primaries very very easilly and convincingly. In all the time I ever read about politics - since 1960 - the AB(candidate) terminology was ALWAYS used in the primaries - I remember ABC - twice, for Carter and Clinton most strikingly - where once each of these 2 men nbecame the front runner, supporters of the other candidates hoped that a candidate could combine the support of those who didn't want the front runner.

I think it was people like Carville who used it for Kerry in the general election. That was absurd - in ANY election there are people voting party or against the other party, but would have strongly pereferred one or more other candidates in the primaries. By that definition, I was definately ABB ... in 1992. But I backed Clinton. This talk during the election likely really hurt Kerry. I heard no liberals trash Clinton and say they were only ABB in 1992.

[blm]

12. Not to those of us who CARE about anti-corruption, open government issues.

The coverup wing of the Democratic party was working against Kerry in 2004 just as they have for over 20 years now.

[yurbud]

7. Kerry has a great resume, but his performance in 2004 was problematic at best

You could say that some of his image problem then was press spin and that's true, but the one time he had a chance to eviscerate Bush unfiltered, in the debates, he pulled his punches and went for a win on points instead of a knockout.

Without raising his voice or being strident, he could have reduced Bush to an incoherent temper tantrum, made him piss himself, then curl up on the floor in the fetal position.

[Inuca]

9. I think that your last paragraph is a good description...

... of what actually happened, especially in the first debate.

[yurbud]

10. like the difference between Generals McClellan and Grant in the Civil War...

McClellan was satisfied to beat the enemy, but allowed an honorable retreat once the battle was clearly one. Grant knew the enemy you let get away would fight another day.

[karynnj]

19. I agree

I watched it in a room of local Democrats. Not a word was spoken till about 20 minutes in when a stunned neighbor in a dazed way said, "They won't be able to spin this." There was only agreement.

[Inuca]

28. I remember it too

I was alone, and after the tenth "it's hard work" or so I felt like pinching myself to make sure it is not a wishful dream.

[Demobrat]

13. He's deluded.

What's he going to run on? Electability?

[Mass]

14. Why do that bother you, if he is that bad?

[Demobrat]

25. It doesn't bother me at all.

He has a right to run just like everybody else.

[blm]

15. Starting with 60-65 million votes is now a BAD thing?

With exit polls showing most Americans consider corruption in DC a MAJOR issue, and you think the one candidate with the BEST record of investigating and exposing serious government corruption is delusional?

It's DELUSIONAL to ignore that exit polls showed MOST American voters agreed on corruption in DC as a major issue.

[Inuca]

16. Yes, Mr/Ms Brat

Electability would definitely be one of the arguments.

[David Dunham]

17. Kerry after 2004 has a very negative, flip-flop image with most Americans

He is wasting his time to run in 2008.

[ProSense]

18. Nonsense!

His impact during the campaign, both in personal appearances and fund raising, was tremendous!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2961377&mesg_id=2961377

[karynnj]

21. No, he prefers to run on issues

See his Faneuil Hall speeches - he (and Feingold) had the best real plan for Iraq (Biden's is what a colonial power would do), he has a plan for overall foreign policy that includes how to deal with terrorism. (Note - his 2004 ideas that were ridiculed are generally accepted.)

He also has an updated version of his alternative energy/environmental plan - that is widely copied now. He had the best health care plan in 2004 - he has updated that as well.

I know where Kerry stands on important issues - where do Obama, Hillary or Edwards. I know where Gore stands on the environment - but on most other issues, he has been silent.

[WritersBlock]

20. I can't bring myself to support him. It's that "I have your back" stuff.

I drove to work Election day 2004 with "No Retreat; No Surrender" blasting away on repeat at full volume on the CD player.

I haven't been able to listen to that song since, because it sure felt like Kerry did both without a fight the following day.

I cannot get beyond that.

I saw the 2004 election as a fight for the country, and I trusted in him to stand up for all of us. Or at the very least, to wait until all the votes were counted before conceding.

For whatever reason(s), he didn't.

I just don't think I can go through that again.

[oasis]

22. I refuse to discard Kerry as a possibilty. His over publicized botched joke

is just another swiftboat effort by GOP operatives in the corporate media.

[Bullet1987]

23. No Chance in Hell...

...Kerry can run all he wants, he won't be getting the nomination this year.

[nebula]

24. Dream candidate (for the GOP)

As a speaker Kerry is about as exciting as listening to a
professor lecture on the principles of accounting. Every time I look at his long, dreary face or hear him speaking, I feel like lying down and taking a long nap. YAWN. If you want to guarantee a loss in 08, nominate John Kerry.

[globalvillage]

26. Good.

Sen Kerry will not allow the republican slime machine to make his choices for him. If he thinks it's in the best interest of the country for him to run, he'll run. That's as it should be.

[IndianaGreen]

27. Kerry should run again--no matter what the MSM says about him

The MSM talking heads roll their eyes everytime one mentions Gore or Kerry, when they should be rolling their eyes at the mere mention of McCain.