President Kerry 2008!

[wisteria]

We would be getting out of Iraq, with more positive results and less lives lost. A very strong point for Senator Kerry.

He would offer the knowledge, experience and leadership of his years of service. As President his sense of duty and service would benefit us all.

His willingness to tackle and take on tough issues, defending his positions and ours,knowing that it is the right thing to do, the moral thing to do, even though not the most popular sometimes? Willing to do what is right in the face of much opposition, is the true definition of a leader. He would have our backs, not those of Corporate America. Senator kerry has always looked out for the interests of the people.
Why we would all benefit if he decides to run. I have no doubts that he has a better chance than in 2004 of winning, if he decides to take the plunge. So, the old nonsense about SBV, the IWR,the 04 loss and voting improprieties are irrelevant to this post. Conventional wisdom does not apply when it comes the the senator.

As our President he could undo the bad opinions many in Europe and elsewhere in the world have begun to think of as America's arrogance and ignorance.I think he excels on this point.


The fact that he would be a "real" and much needed leader in the White House. He has a vision and a clear direction for America. His goals are to take us forward, to change the course of America to make America great and strong again for us all.

Putting America into the hands of President Kerry would mean we have someone who can handle the job and is willing to work 24/7 to get the job done right.

He offers common sense ideas for oil Independence, conservation, Global Warming, health care, small business', America's security, help for the middle class, job growth and trade to mention just a few issues Senator Kerry has addressed and continues to address.

And, Senator Kerry possesses a true passion and love for this country. It is not all about him, but it is all about America.


I won't presume to tell Senator Kerry what he should do, I would support him no matter what he decided.

But, I will say, Kerry 08, if he decides to go for it again.

[napi21]

1. Sorry, but Kerry has the likeability of a stone. He won't win! n/t

[wisteria]

12. I don't agree with you on this comment. I have met the Senator

and he is a very approachable,warm and caring person, funny too. He exudes a certain kind of charm and serenity about him and you feel safe and confident in his abilities when you meet him.
I think people are wanting a genuine, mature no nonsense leader in 2008. Someone with the skills and resume to get done what needs to get done in our country.
I don't buy into the popularity, lets have a beer with the guy candidate any longer. We have had six years of President Bush, who was presented to us as the good old boy that you want to have a beer with down South.
Nope, I think Americans are wising up, they want more than just a simple "like us personality" this next election. They want someone who can really be a leader and take charge.

[Infinite Hope]

80. I met him too and he was the opposite.

Perhaps it depends on where he is. In the Midwest where I saw him, the common response is that he's not just uncomfortable, but is outright stand-off-ish around people.

[beachmom]

109. I've also met him and found him very easy to talk to.

I'm a little shy by nature, and he makes you feel right at ease. I've also watched him on C-SPAN greeting voters, people who may not even like him that much, and he was very good and respectful with them. I think they came away impressed. The only people who think he's "stand offish" are the lazy reporters in the MSM and the Right Wing.

[rodeodance]

153. I enjoy talking to someone who does not talk in 4-6 word sentences

[Tellurian]

217. Kerry would be an asset to the Gore Administration

Do you think he would accept a political appointment
because he has yet to decide if he is going to run?

And now that his former running mate, John Edwards,
has declared himself a presidential contender? And
where there is a (unknown) vacancy for the VP slot?

[INdemo]

20. Its pretty obvious that those bashng Kerry lost their way going to Freeperville

[J Miles]

61. Right

Everyone who doesn't like your favorite candidate must be a Republican, right?

That's funny.

I don't like him, and I'm to the left of most Democrats I know.

[smoogatz]

77. Welcome to DU, J Miles.

Well said.

[J Miles]

120. Thanks

Many thanks for the welcome.

[madmunchie]

242. Dream On!

[INdemo]

125. No.....

Not at all but.....freepers have their way of stirring up controversy and some DUers fall right into the trap...Its just that the media has echoed the Republican BS so often many believe this crap.....
This is why the Republican propaganda machine works so well.........

[J Miles]

127. That's not what you said

You stated in no uncertain terms that anyone who doesn't like Kerry is probably a Republican.

[INdemo]

168. well I certainly didn't mean it that way...

Lets just leave it at that. But as I have said many times Republicans fear Kerry because they are well aware that they will not steal another election from him...

[enough already]

193. Yeah, he fought so hard the last time they stole it from him

I'm sure he'll be really serious about it next time.

[caledesi]

220. My pint exactly. Course I wanted Dean from the git-go. nt

[Kelly Rupert]

104. Or, instead, want to win in 2008.

That's a possibility too. I am of the opinion that Mr. Kerry had his chance, and if he was unable to beat the weakest sitting president of all time, then he will be equally unable to deliver in 2008.

[Firespirit]

106. OK, that's going too far

"The weakest sitting president of all time."

Bush 1 was weaker in 1992.

Carter was weaker in 1980.

LBJ was weaker in 1968.

I can go farther back, but I'll leave it in the postwar era.

Bush is a weak president now, no one argues that. But in 2004 he wasn't. He wasn't strong; he was in a kind of no-man's land where he wasn't wildly popular a la Reagan but wasn't wildly unpopular like his father. What it came down to was that the party was outmanned on the ground, and the Ohio Democratic Party was in bad shape, neither of which was Kerry's fault. Nor was there anything he could do about it. It was the responsibility of the respective party chairs to handle that, and they didn't have it.

It is truly astounding how this site will, quite rightly, credit Dean with revitalizing the party on the ground, while blaming Kerry for ground game failures.

[TankLV]

213. What a typical response from a kerry-bot...

sorry to burst your bubble, but just because I don't cream at the mere mention of him, doesn't mean I'm a freeper or a repuke...

but go ahead, continue bashing the rest of us over the head - that will SURELY change our minds to supporting him as you do!

[StoryTeller]

21. He's absolutely likeable, and more...

I didn't know who the heck John Kerry was in 2004. I was still registered Republican, but thoroughly disgusted by that fact, and wanting to change. I started out supporting Kerry just because he was NOT Bush. But the more I actually found out about the guy, the more impressed I became.

I really, REALLY like Kerry. I think he is a kind, gracious, witty, intelligent person. But more importantly, he is someone I can utterly respect and trust.

And considering that we need a "grownup" in the White House, someone who is going to be able to clean up the mess that will be left in the wake of 8 years of madness, I don't think likeability is all that important compared to experience and proven ability to lead and moral integrity.

This election had BETTER be so much more than a popularity contest. It's up to us to get the word out on that and make people see that democracy can't be solely or even mainly about personality. Kerry is definitely likeable, but that's not what makes him (or anyone else) fit to be president. For our country's health and the safety of the rest of the world, we need SO much more.

And I agree with Wisteria--John Kerry is, in my opinion, the best person by far for the job.

[MH1]

47. You are SO wrong about that.

As others have said, I didn't know about Kerry before '04. I was originally interested in Dean, but the more I saw of Kerry, the more I liked. I became a wholehearted supporter by Nov. '04, but after that I have learned so much more - and it just gets better, the more you know.

The only "likeability" problem that Kerry has is from people buying into the full-out media assault on him, with even Dems (ahem, HILLARY) joining in the Rovian playbook.

This is a problem ANY Democratic candidate will have. With the possible exception of the candidate who has been bought off by the big media conglomerates. (Hmmm....who do we know...) I will have trouble voting for that bought candidate in the general, and certainly won't vote for them in the primary. (But, I will vote for the Dem in the general, even if difficult - a media-bought Dem will be better than any of the likely republicans).

Whoever the candidate is in 2008, they will need full backup from others in the party to fight the media onslaught (excepting the bought candidate I mentioned above). I don't feel like Kerry got that in '04, not even close. Sure, us at the roots busted our asses - while some of the players kept playing their games.

But, for likeability, Kerry as tons of it. It is just that we have to do something about that prism some voters are seeing him through. And I intend to work my ass of to do that.

[zulchzulu]

63. Yeah, I prefer cassettes to CDs...

Same analogy, imho.

[caledesi]

219. He is not the "fighter" I thought he would be. Re: swiftboating him nt

[Webster Green]

2. I like him as a Senator..

He'll never be prez though.

[wisteria]

14. I am certain he will be president- if he chooses to run. n/t

[Clarkie1]

37. You actually think he has a chance of winning the nomination?

That kind of thinking is just beyond my comprehension. The voters know who Kerry is, and he does not inspire on the level of Edwards, Obama, or Gore.

There is no way Kerry could stop the Hillary train. It will have to be someone else. Who knows, if Clark runs maybe the voters will wise up an nominate a sure winner.

[smoogatz]

59. Kerry has no chance of winning the nom.

The big guns will be Gore, Clinton, Obama and Edwards.

[FrenchieCat]

235. Hey....that's the same thing that the media is saying! Wait......

Did you tell them this, or did they tell you? :shrug:

[Joe Chi Minh]

90. Clark has as much chance as McCain. Kerry PROVED he had

the population behind him, 200%. Only fraud was able to deny the nation the landslide victory he won with their backing.

[Clarkie1]

121. There was no landslide victory. To say such a thing is simply false.

I'll grant you Kerry may have won Ohio, but there was no landslide.

[TankLV]

214. Kerry did not make any win big enough to prevent theft...

He had a marginal win at best...

That's why it was so easy to steal...

He just doesn't inspire me anymore.

A good solid senator - keep him there...

[Firespirit]

103. Gore

I like Gore, first of all, so don't take this as a bash of him. I don't think he is running, but according to that Rasmussen poll, Gore's negatives (his disapprovals) are statistically the same as Kerry's. Why is Gore inspiring and a powerhouse, but Kerry is delusional and DOA?

[Clarkie1]

122. That's a fair point.

I think Gore would inspire the base more, but might have the same kinds of difficulties he had before in a general election.

[Clarkie1]

123. delete. nt

[INdemo]

18. well he won in 2004 .....

Repukes dont want him to run because they fear him...

[Webster Green]

27. Yes he did win in 2004....

I think any dem could beat whatever abomination the pukes come up with, but I don't think Kerry will be the candidate next time around.

I'll be supporting him if I'm wrong though!

[Ken Burch]

33. That's my view.

If the Senate is Teddy's place it's also John Kerry's place. And HRC's place as well. And Al Gore has found his place in the environmental struggle.

[pansypoo53219]

3. hear hear!

he never should have voted FOR the IWR in the first fucking place. he 'lost' against the worst campaigner and worst president EVER. it should have been a fucking landslide against bush. PERIOD, war or NO war. a war completely fucked up.

lurch shuld just sit tight and let someody willing to fight run.

[Firespirit]

86. 2004 was not 2006.

Where do I start?

IWR purism... meh. No one outside websites like DU and DailyKos cares anymore how someone voted on a resolution in 2002. No one outside such websites wants to saddle anyone except George Bush and Republican enablers with this war. And no one outside such websites has it as a freaking litmus test that trumps EVERYTHING that a person has done since then.

Bush was not the worst campaigner ever. (Neither was Kerry, just to pre-empt that. I love Gore, but Gore ran a truly abysmal campaign.) Bush actually ran a very slick, very sleazy campaign. Americans were fearful, and his campaign played right into it, along with the stupid "Homeland Security Color Code." Someone did a chart mapping the terror alert status against Bush's poll numbers, and every time they pulled an "orange alert" on us, his numbers went up. One thing that 2004 taught us was that negativity and fearmongering worked then. That wasn't John Kerry's fault.

Bush went into Election Day with a 51% approval rating.

The elephant in the room -- the MEDIA, including the left-wing press, NEVER gave Kerry a break. After the convention, the spin was that he had an "anti-bounce." He clearly won all three debates, and the media called two of them draws. During the Swift Boat thing, his campaign put out the truth about their attacks, and the media CONTINUED to run their bullcrap under the auspices of "these claims must be investigated!!!11"

Katrina had not happened. Instead, what HAD happened was a series of four hurricanes in Florida that gave the Bush brothers the opportunity to photo-op with victims while simultaneously screwing them over. The media, needless to say, didn't report on that part of it.

The war hadn't started to really go downhill until 2005. Things weren't peachy keen, but Americans still had hope that they would turn around. What was Kerry supposed to do, be the prophet of gloom and doom? You think that would've improved his chances?

Oh... Lurch? I've only heard that term from Republicans. If you don't like him, that's your choice, but it'd be nice if you could dispense with the freepy slurs on a Democratic web site.

[dailykoff]

216. That is a very good point.

The tide has turned and there's no reason to think voters are interested in anything except ending this stupid war as intelligently as possible, which means they'll welcome a Kerry run in '08 just as they did in '04.

And Kerry declaring his candidacy will make '07 a very good year indeed!

[beachmom]

110. "Lurch"? So it's the IWR, and then it's name calling.

That's all you've got, eh? Well, 3 of the 4 major candidates voted yes to the IWR. Plus what's most important now is getting out of Iraq. Only Kerry will get us out of Iraq. The others will cave to DC elitist pressure and let it get dragged out on and on. More soldiers will die if Kerry is not president. That's how I see it.

[Catchawave]

230. Sad isn't it. I hate to see any Dem bashed

with mindless name calling and googling bombing phrases. I just hate to see these kind of tactics on DU, while the other half scream Ford's a war criminal before his body is cold :(

We are better than this :hug:

[seabeyond]

4. i am hopin'. n/t

[nevergiveup]

5. I love the guy

but he doesn't have a prayer. Time to move on.

[edwardsfeingold08]

6. He'd make a great president.

[Imagevision]

7. Kerry did a good job exposing Iran/Contra/Reagan, but, I dunno?...

[ohtransplant]

8. I'm constantly amazed...

at how many people buy the idea that Kerry is a stiff unapproachable elitist. There is plenty of documentary evidence to the contrary.

The Senator Kerry I've come to know and monitor since 2004, is genuinely warm and connects easily with people of all stripes. He's worth a closer look folks - and he'd make a great president.

Peace.

[karynnj]

11. The kind, warm guy was the Kerry I saw in Boston

There's a reason that he has a pretty large group of friends who are devoted to him and have been in many cases for decades. He's a very special person.

I went to the Faneuil Hall speech on Real Security. While waiting outside the building for some other JK group people, I saw a group of people tell a Kerry aide that they were Ethiopian immigrants living in Boston and they wanted to speak to the Senator for a minute. The aide immediately told him that the Senator would come out the door they were standing near and that they could speak to him. I couldn't hear the conversation, but it was clear that he listened to them and that he gave them a serious answer. From a distance, what impressed me was the the Senator's very respectful manner while speaking to them. It was clear that he saw that he represneted them - even though they likely didn't have a vote.

[Blue_In_AK]

9. Wisteria, I agree with you...

John Kerry is more qualified to be our president than just about anybody. He will always be my first choice.

[wisteria]

15. Thank you for the support. n/t

[quinnox]

10. He had his chance

Kerry should conclude he is best served by staying in the Senate. The man is too prone to devastating verbal blunders.

[BluegrassDem]

13. He had his chance and lost...no need to see a re-run

He's a wonderful senator, but he's not a very good politician. He's not very likeable. I don't even think he has high poll numbers in Mass. But anyways, the Senate is the best place for him. I wish he would've won in 2004, but that ship has sailed. Time for someone different.

[wisteria]

17. This run would not be a rerun, nope, not at all. Things have changed.

As for polls, they are meaningless right now. And, his numbers have moved back up after the media smear campaign against him. Don't worry about Mass. I was these recently and they Love John Kerry.

[karynnj]

45. He won 81% of the vote last time he ran

He also beat the strongest Republican in recent Massachusetts history - Weld by a healthy margin in 1996.

[ladym55]

16. I'm with you

Kerry is a smart and classy guy. I worked hard on his campaign in 2004. He got trashed and continues to get trashed by the MSM. Sadly then Dems jump in and continue to do the job for the MSM. He's no Lurch--and he's not stiff, anymore than Al Gore is stiff. Howard Dean is not a maniac, although he has been portrayed as such. We have some excellent prospects for 2008--really good people.

I hate when we help the Repugs by adopting and repeating their attacks.

[Joe Chi Minh]

92. The question I keep asking myself when I read their posts is, who are those "we" who

help the Repugs by adopting and repeating their attacks?"

Kerry is the best qualified imo, but I don't feel such a visceral hatred, indeed any antipathy for Edwards, Dean, as these "would be" Kerry-bashers do towards Kerry. And usually with that bizarre bending over backwards to say something to his credit first, e.g. "Great senator, but...". Too like the neocons' m.o. for comfort.

[cadmium]

228. you sum up the peer pressure narrative well

Really, now that time has gone by and we kicked ass in 2006 can you imagine how easily so many people are/were convinced of these stereotypes? It is a combination of gullibility and peer pressure. We are all susceptible. I have fallen for all three of these images. A lot of people in the USA still think George Bush tells the truth--I wouldn't vote for him, but I believed that in 2000 that he was reasonably honest.

[Ninja Jordan]

19. I hope he sits out 2008; he actually polls worse than Bush (nm)

[JanusAscending]

30. Care to provide some documentation for your "polls"???

because I think you are entirely mistaken. No one polls lower than bush except maybe cheney!!!

[Ninja Jordan]

31. Actually, I'm entirely correct.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/11/28/politics/main2211669.shtml

[JanusAscending]

35. That's just one poll, I'll give you that but,

where was he in the polls this time last election?? I'm talking about 2002-03??? No one even gave him a prayer!! You know this poll is skewed if Bush is pulling 43% and LIEberman is at 52%!!! I take Quinnipiacs' polls with a grain of salt! I live here in Ct. and am very familiar with them.

[karynnj]

48. Quinnipiac showed the Forrester/Corzine race neck and neck

the weekend before Corzine won the NJ governorship by about 12 points. They are consistently wrong on NJ - whether the candidate was Kerry (04), Corzine, or Menendez (06). Not to mention this was taken after the joke before Kerry was able to counter the reaction because he put party before himslf. The most recent poll already shows him back up.

[Firespirit]

88. That poll has horrendous methodology

It is NOT a straight approve/disapprove poll because it lets people assign a number from 0 to 100 as their "liking" for someone. If you had a straight approve/disapprove poll, Kerry would come out higher.

Democrats, being Democrats, were unwilling to give perfect scores to many of their own, although they DID give them 50% or greater, which on a straight yes/no poll would mean approval. But the stupid methods of this poll dragged their totals down. Dems were also unwilling to give really bad ratings to Republicans other than the truly repulsive.

Republicans, being Republicans, know how to "freep" such polls. They give high ratings to their own and low ratings to Democrats, which distorts the totals.

[Demi_Babe]

22. Kerry would make an excellent President and I would vote for him

[rockymountaindem]

23. He'd get my vote n/t

[StoryTeller]

24. I would love the honor of getting to vote for Kerry again!

As I posted upthread, I started out as an ABB vote, but as I learned more about John Kerry and the way he has led and the way he's lived his live, I came to have nothing but the highest regard and respect for him.

This is the kind of president I absolutely long to see for the United States. We deserve somebody with this kind of moral integrity, and stellar experience.

Look at this guy's life and career--he is absolutely committed to the truth. By his own admittance, and by his actions and attitudes, he approaches public office as an opportunity to serve people and help them. He's not corrupted. He's not cynical. He's not arrogant or prideful.

That's the kind of leader I want. I think it's the kind of leader we need. I grow weary of the constant harping on his polling numbers, his personality, his (remarkably few) verbal mistakes, the anger because of his loss.

You are right--it's time to move on. Move on from rehashing ridiculous RW talking points. Move on from childish fixation on personality (though for the record, I've found Kerry to be everything gracious and charismatic and empathetic in how he treats people). Move on from the disappointment from 2004 or whenever. None of those objections have any substance at all. They don't have a thing to do with what really matters--our great need to choose a president who can LEAD us out of the mess that we're in. This next election needs to be ALL about substance. We can't afford more frippery in choosing a president. Enough already.

We need a leader with humility, integrity, good ideas, proven experience, commitment to truth, and the global respect needed to rebuild a lot of bridges with the rest of the world. Do you see anyone else who fits that bill? I don't. I would be so very proud to have the honor of voting for John Kerry again. I hope he runs. It'll be hell for him, and he doesn't need to put up with that crap. But we need him.

[zalinda]

25. He's got one thing none of the other candidates have

he's got an 'I told you so' factor. He was brilliant in the debates, and was spot on. Now, sooooo many people realize that he was right, they'd change their vote in a heartbeat if they could. They know him and he's got a much bigger trust factor than the next repub that they are going to run. I think moderate repubs would vote for him.

And, from what I've read, he is one guy who learns from his mistakes. I'd proudly vote for him again.

zalinda

[Moloch]

26. pass........

nt

[garthranzz]

I'm for re-electing President Kerry in '08

and of course he'll serve two full terms, unlike the usurper who ought to and will be impeached.

Does he have flaws? Of course. We all do. But he's a leader, a thinker, a patriot. (How long has it been since all three applied to an occupant of the White House? The first JFK, maybe?)

[BlueIris]

29. :-)

Hee.

[zulchzulu]

178. Yep. It's true

[dailykoff]

197. I love your bumper sticker!

[dionysus]

28. ALL HAIL St KERRY! sheesh

"I won't presume to tell Senator Kerry what he should do, I would support him no matter what he decided."

you do realize that's blind hero-worship, don't you?

gak
on edit, i still have the bumpersticker on my car, i think he's a great guy, but not my choice again, period

[StoryTeller]

32. You bet!!!

I'm with Wisteria on this. Kerry has EARNED my support regardless of whether or not he runs, just because of the person he is. He has proven over many, many years that he can be trusted, that he truly cares about people and about this country, that he understands the issues that need to be dealt with, and that he can generate excellent, workable ideas for how to make things better.

And he and Teresa are such decent, good, honest people. When I find leaders like that, it creates a strong sense of loyalty in me to support them and wish them well. That's all Wisteria was saying with her comment. It has nothing to do with "hero-worship" blind or otherwise. It has everything to do with admiring a terrific leader and an all-around decent person and being committed to supporting and encouraging those qualities wherever you find them.

If you think he's such a great guy, I can't understand why he wouldn't be your choice this next time around. You don't have to explain, unless you want to. But he has the potential to be one of the greatest presidents we've ever had, and it's hard for me to understand why people can't see that or why they wouldn't want that for our country.

[dailykoff]

34. RUN, JOHN, RUN!

WE GOT YOUR BACK!!

:yourock:

[Clarkie1]

36. I just don't see any chance of him winning the nomination.

Obama, Gore, Edwards, Clark, or Hillary it will be.

[karynnj]

50. Do you have even one scientific poll where Clark

beats Kerry - not an internet poll?

[bdamomma]

211. Did Gore and Clark express the idea of running for the Presidency?

[rockymountaindem]

38. I'm pleasantly surprised at what a nice thread this turned out to be

Lots of positive comments, few bashers. It's a good 'un.

[babylonsister]

39. Great post, wisteria. He'd get my vote, too! nt

[rosesaylavee]

40. I admire Kerry.

If he gets the nomination, I will be 100% behind him as I was in 2004. However, at this point, I am undecided on who I will support in the primaries and am waiting to see who all weighs in.

But do I think Kerry would make a fine president? Yes, I do.

[UDenver20]

41. wake up. he wasn't electable the first time...

...and he won't be a second.

Good lord. Why don't people learn their lessons?

[ProSense]

42. Wonderful post! n/t

[CountessMZaleska]

43. his career is over and everyone

knows it, except for 8 or 10 fanatics still posting here on DU.

Our nominee will be either Hillary, Edwards or Clark. Obama is the most qualified, but in racist USA, blacks have no chance.

[karynnj]

44. That is your opinion

Kerry's career is not over - as Kennedy said yesterday he is undersetimated. Kerry has contributed to this country for 4 decades and will likely continue to do so as President, Senator or private citizen for a long time to come.

Senator Kerry would have had a honorable place in history if he had done nothing other than speak to the Senate in 1971.

By the way your counting skills are deficient even for pre-school nowadays.

[CountessMZaleska]

46. Kennedy?

the same senator who's refusing to support Kerry for pres in 08? hahahah

Good one. Kerry can't even tell a joke, how do you think he can run a campaign?

He can't, he would've beaten the crap out of Bush, who had his approval ratings in the dumps back in 04. To lose to such a pathetic criminal is the final proof of Kerry's incompetence.

[MH1]

52. Kennedy is supporting Kerry, definitely.

He clarified that on Fox News Sunday yesterday.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,237021,00.html

WALLACE: ... I also wanted to talk about some presidential politics, and we're beginning to run out of time.

You caused quite a stir this week when you said that you won't wait indefinitely to see whether your Massachusetts colleague, John Kerry, decides to run for president, that you may decide to support someone else.

Is it just a matter of timing, or might you endorse someone else like Senator Hillary Clinton, Senator Barack Obama?

KENNEDY: Well, I've talked with John. John is going to make his mind up in these very next few weeks, and I have every intention of supporting him.

This process is moving very, very rapidly, as we've seen in the last, really, 48 hours or so, where Evan Bayh has gotten out. Looks like John Edwards is getting in. Barack Obama looks more like he's going to be a candidate. Hillary Clinton has accelerated her, sort of, timeframe.

So it is moving much more rapidly than it ever has before. And I think a candidate, if they're going to be able to stay the course on this, has to get in much more quickly. I think if they're not going to get in quickly, then it's going to be a difficult situation.

But John Kerry — I think of what a difference John Kerry would be if he were president of the United States of America. We'd be a vastly different country. And I think John Kerry — people underestimate him. They underestimated the last time. I think he's a strong candidate. And if...

WALLACE: Let me ask...

KENNEDY: ... if he makes a judgment and decision to get in, I intend to support him.

Kennedy's original statement was either a mis-speak on his part, or a shot across the bow to let Kerry know that he can't postpone the decision too long. It sucks that the presidential campaign has to start this early, but Kennedy apparently has a strong opinion that Kerry needs to get on board soon if he's going to. The strange thing is, Kerry has repeatedly said he would make a decision sometime after the new year, and that seems to accord with what Kennedy wants. There may have been some miscommunication between them about that, though.

That's a lot different than saying Kennedy "is refusing to support Kerry for pres in 08".

[wisteria]

56. Your news is old and incorrect. LOL.Kennedy enthusisaticlly supports Kerry.

KENNEDY: Well, I've talked with John. John is going to make his mind up in these very next few weeks, and I have every intention of supporting him.

This process is moving very, very rapidly, as we've seen in the last, really, 48 hours or so, where Evan Bayh has gotten out. Looks like John Edwards is getting in. Barack Obama looks more like he's going to be a candidate. Hillary Clinton has accelerated her, sort of, timeframe.

So it is moving much more rapidly than it ever has before. And I think a candidate, if they're going to be able to stay the course on this, has to get in much more quickly. I think if they're not going to get in quickly, then it's going to be a difficult situation.

But John Kerry — I think of what a difference John Kerry would be if he were president of the United States of America. We'd be a vastly different country. And I think John Kerry — people underestimate him. They underestimated the last time. I think he's a strong candidate. And if...

WALLACE: Let me ask...

KENNEDY: ... if he makes a judgment and decision to get in, I intend to support him.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,237021,00.html

[karynnj]

66. Your informationm is bad on many accounts

as both MH and Wisteria quote, Kennedy is behind Kerry and was in fact simply telling him that he needs to get in quickly - he NEVER said he supprted anyone other than Kerry.

Bush's approval numbers were in the 47 - 51 percent range in 2004. This is a range where no other modern incumbent was. Reagan and Clinton were significanly higher and won. Bush 1 and Carter were significantly lower and lost. (Bush1 was nearly 10 points lower and Clinton was NOT clearly going to win till the end.)

The pundits who kept speaking of 50% being the significant number showed absolutely no knowledge of statistics. This was in a range where there was no data. Consider that some of the roughly 50% who did not approve of Bush was on the conservative side and were likely to vote for him over Kerry.

[MH1]

49. 8 or 10? heh heh.

Hmmm. I counted 43 in the bloggers meeting with him last Monday. Almost all who post at DU, most of whom also post at other places.

For everyone who showed there are some number of avid, online supporters who couldn't make it or didn't know about the event (sorry guys, we'll do better next year). Then there are the scads of not-online folks that I meet day in day out who just randomly mention how much they like Kerry.

Sure, the kool aid has worked on some, and that's an obstacle Kerry needs to overcome. But he is the most qualified, and for me, by far the best representative of my values. If he runs, I could not possibly support anyone else at this point. If he doesn't run, I may turn my energies to supporting Kerry's legislative initiatives, rather than support a candidate who doesn't really represent my values. (But yes, I will vote for the Dem, and even canvass as long as they aren't too egregious, when the time comes).

[CountessMZaleska]

185. good luck with

trying to elect this dead weight with 43 bloggers.

Kerry needs to overcome more than just people drinking coolaid. He needs to overcome himself, which is impossible.

[MH1]

204. ??

clearly you don't like him, but your statement makes no sense.

See ya around. :hi:

[wisteria]

55. Seems to me this is wishful thinking on your part Countess.

I think you crystal ball needs servicing.

[blm]

67. Please name the first 2yrs Senate actions that qualify your choice and compare

those actions with the first 2yrs of Kerry's Senate tenure, and then explain for us all how your pick's actions make him most qualified.

BTW - it is not a matter of being a fan of Kerry's as it is caring about corruption and a government that is open to its CITIZENS. You either care about that or you don't. But, if you do, Kerry has always been the leader on those issues.

[LittleClarkie]

81. You've polled everyone?

When did you find time to do anything else?

You speak for you. And everyone can speak for themselves.

Because I'm somebody, hence part of everybody, and I don't think his career is over.

His Senate career is pretty safe, for example. The possibility of him being in someone's cabinet is still alive. And there were those, I'm sure, who thought his presidential campaign was dead just before Iowa, and also thought "everyone" knew it.

Things can happen.

[CountessMZaleska]

186. get over it

the possibility of this horrible candidate even winning one primary is 1 or 2%. We need someone with guts and not afraid of Bush and his cohorts.

[cadmium]

105. If you are a liberal or progressive you should hope not. Think

back over the years when he and Harkin defied the Reagan administration by going to Nicaragua or when he labored on uncovering the narco-terrorism bankrolling BCCI bank network --- there are other examples but as a lifelong democrat and long-time liberal I am damn glad he is on our side.

[BlueStater]

162. Clark isn't doing much better than Kerry in the polls

What makes you think he'll be the candidate?

[bedazzled]

51. he let the swiftboats trash his service and didn't fight back

he let them smear him, and was too "polite" to mention
it.

i hope the dems find someone else to run, because i
don't want to vote for kerry again

fool me once, shame on you...

[CountessMZaleska]

54. not only that

he let Bush steal Ohio without putting up any kind of fight, this to me amounts to cowardliness. We need a fighter in 08 , not a scared mouse.

[wisteria]

58. Oh, this SBV stuff is old and has been proven to be lies. It won't matter in 08.

If B. Clinton could overcome rape, infidelity and shady deals, than Kerry should fly by any resurgence of the SBV.

[Joe Chi Minh]

94. They must think the American public are idiots, if they think they'd

set any store on that swiftboat nonsense. Talk about a storm in a tea cup - neocon brewed, too - and they think the public are as dense as the neocons!

[Sparkly]

53. I agree that he'd make a great president, but...

How would a 2008 campaign differ from 2004? In other words, what would he bring that's new, different, or otherwise beyond his 2004 run? In my view, unless there's something 'new and different,' I don't see how he'd do better than he did in 2004. And I think we need to try for a real sweep.

[smoogatz]

57. If he runs, Kerry will finish near the bottom of the primary pack.

He's got a lot of work to do to resuscitate his image, and so far, if his surrogates here are any indication, he's stuck on sending out press releases, making "forceful" speeches, and blaming the media for not reporting the "good" news.

[wisteria]

60. You forget all he traveling he did during the election, and the crowds

that came to see him. He was reported as receiving rock star status in NH just this past October. Kerry does well with the people. Once the primaries get started and he is able to reach the people he will do just fine. Kerry's appeal is his presence, his stature, his knowledge on all issues and his passion and duty to serve this country with honor and dignity. It is about this country for him, not about himself.

Don't worry, Senator Kerry will do just fine.

[smoogatz]

64. Was that before or after his latest gaffe?

He was doing great--really. Raising a lot of money and finally taking on the mantle of respected party elder after running one of the most inept campaigns in modern political history. But then there was the "botched joke," a big, fat reminder that Kerry off-the-cuff has a way of blurting out impolitic truths.

[karynnj]

69. Kerry actually made very very few gaffes

during the time he was monitored for many hours a day. It wasn't the comment, it was that the RW leapt on it in a futile attempt to find something to use. It was clear they intended to hit Kerry - because his messgae on Iraq was getting traction.

It was Kerry who made Iraq an issue - not the triangulators who were willing to not speak against a bad policy because it could hurt politically - they not Kerry put the political calendar over the good of the troops. Even when the RW - aided by Democrats looking for personal gaion - hit Kerry, it repeated the refrain "stuck in Iraq". It was embarrassing and at least temporarilly hurt Kerry, but the near election polls showed an unexpected Democratic surge. (Go back and look at transcripts of the last 2 Sundays talk shows.)

Then consider that certain Democrats purposely continued the story for personal political gain - at a point when they didn't know if it would help or hurt.

[smoogatz]

71. That really isn't the point.

Everybody that's out there on the campaign trail had better get used to having their every public utterance videotaped and posted on YouTube. Kerry said what he said, the media picked it up, and for about a week there the Republicans got to change the subject and divert the voters' attention away from their incompetence, perversion and criminality. It wasn't Kerry's fault that it became a huge story, but a huge story it was, nonetheless. And that's what people will remember Kerry for--tassel-loafer-in-mouth disease.

[karynnj]

82. They got to change the message

but it was to being "stuck in Iraq". The fact of the matter is that I saw a summary of the daily polls - they moved in the Democratic direction. The Republicans did NOT gain from this. The final results exceeded all dreams and hopes - even those expressed about 10 days before the election.

There is NO way for any speaker speaking as often as Senator Kerry did to make no mistakes. In addition, it is not just no mistakes - but nothing that could be spun as a mistake.

Senator Kerry is the leading voice on getting out of Iraq. The ISG clearly listened to his point of view -although they stopped short of advocating a deadline for leaving. The Senate passed - by voice vote- Kerry's language calliung for a regional summit. There would have been no Democratic amendment in 2006 if not for Senator Kerry - because party leaders didn't want the subject brought up. They put the political calendar over the live and death of soldiers.

Would the 2 parties have been as differentiated on Iraq without Senator Kerry's voice? Look, at NJ. Kean Jr per some local articles got some of the anti-war vote. Part of that might heve been from the fact that he told Stephanopolis that he agreed with Bill Clinton on Iraq and Menendez didn't. When Stephanopoolis asked Menendez about that comment - he described his own position - which was about all he could do as Clinton had not taken a clear position - so there was very little he could say.

By the time the primaries come around - it is likely every candidate will have said something wrong - if the tolerance is put low enough. The fact is that Kerry's dropping a pronoun did not disclose a character flaw and it certainly doesn't cancel 35 years of extraordinary support to veterans.

I think Hillary's comment to the NY Daily News that allowed for torture was worse - as she meant it. Or the fact that she voted against Feinstein's amendment banning cluster bombs. She also joked intenionally in the past that Ghandhi was a gas station attendent from St Louis. These do show something about her - Kerry's joke simply shows that if tired enough, he can misread a joke written for him. So, he doesn't get to be comedian of the year - he is still the same brilliant, thoughtful moral person he has always been.

[smoogatz]

98. Actually, Murtha is the leading voice advocating "redeployment,"

at least among national political figures. He was first out of the box, and should get credit for taking the bulk of the political heat while leading his colleagues (and a good chunk of public opinion) toward supporting withdrawal. Kerry, as usual, was late to the table. But hey--better late than never.

[beachmom]

114. Kerry's Iraq Plan is far more complete especially HIS idea

for the regional conference -- the Arab League, Syria, Iran, the EU, NATO, the U.N., etc. That was conceived of in '03, and was in the bipartisan Baker commission report this year. Murtha's idea was a great one for redeployment -- but his was to get out ASAP, with no plan on how that would work. Kerry decided on a date certain -- in the Kerry/Feingold amendment that date was 7/1/07. I consider Murtha to be a leader in the House on Iraq and Kerry in the Senate. It doesn't have to be either/or. And Kerry could not come out with that plan in '04, since we didn't even have an elected Iraqi government yet to hand power over to.

[karynnj]

251. Murtha was after:

Feingold in August 2005 - calling for a flexible target date of Dec 2006.

and

Kerry in October 2005 - calling for changing the mission - ending US soldiers doing Search and destroy and placing US soldiers away from the front lines. He called for withdrawals starting in time to get 20,000 by that Christmas and saying that all the troops should be out in 12-15 months.

That was BEFORE Murtha - and was a more complex plan that also included suggested diplomatic efforts - that Murtha didn't speak of.

[Firespirit]

93. The problem was not Kerry

That would have been a non-story if the DEMOCRATIC PARTY LEADERS had not chickened out on supporting him.

Howard Dean supported him. Bob Casey, Sherrod Brown, and Joe Sestak supported him. (Note how they all won.) Hell, even Jim Webb said it was a joke, and he was in what ended up being the tightest race in the nation. In the meantime, the Hillarys of the world were puffing out their lips and sneering, "it was INAPPROPRIATE," the mealy-mouthed DLC consultant brigade were making the media rounds trashing a member of their (alleged) party, and the media hacks were able to run with the meme "even Democrats condemn it."

The Republican Party is in a tailspin in part because they started to eat their own. As much as it irritated and frustrated us all when they would defend anything Bush said, no matter how inane and offensive, it gave the appearance of strength. When Democrats backstab their own, it gives the appearance of weakness.

[smoogatz]

97. All very reasonable, except that I think Kerry meant exactly what he said.

He was speaking off-the-cuff and painted himself into a corner, IMO. And, in a sense, what Kerry said was true--this war, like most wars, is being fought mostly by the poor and the poorly educated. The "botched joke" line appeared days later, and felt lame from the get-go--after throwing up a furious cloud of dust with his attack response, Kerry meekly apologized. Who mealy-mouthed who?

[Firespirit]

102. I've seen a copy of the "speech" as it was prepared

It wasn't off the cuff. JK has a tendency to go slightly off script with each speech, but the line as it was intended to be delivered was indeed in the prepared remarks.

[smoogatz]

108. So the Kerry supporters say.

I have my doubts. But if what you say is true, perhaps JK should reexamine his tendency to "go off script." He appears to suck at it.

[beachmom]

115. The guy speaks eloquently 1,000 times and the ONE TIME he

makes a mistake it's broadcast all over the TV. I just don't get it.

In regards to you "doubts", Kerry doesn't lie. He just doesn't. The line was "You get us stuck in Iraq". Everywhere I've read, liberals and Dems know that's what he meant to say. Even a ton of conservatives know that's what he meant to say. It is only at far, far right sites that people continue to further that lie . . .

[Firespirit]

117. You have your doubts, huh

You have your doubts that the script called for that joke (i.e., you're calling me a liar), or you have your doubts that he goes off script?

[LittleClarkie]

119. Presenting the transcript of other speeches he's given shouldn't be too hard

if our friend here needs proof that we're not pulling such pronouncements out our butts.

[smoogatz]

128. The first thing.

Not calling you a liar--but is it possible that the speech you saw was manufactured after the fact? The "actual" "joke," as I remember hearing it, bore little relation to what came out of Kerry's mouth.

[Firespirit]

157. No, it's not possible.

Maybe I didn't make myself clear. I saw a physical paper copy of the speech before it was even given.

[smoogatz]

158. Interesting.

Are you a paid Kerry staffer, by any chance?

[Firespirit]

160. Jumping to conclusions much?

I have a contact in the office.

[smoogatz]

163. So that's a no? You deny that you're a paid Kerry staffer?

I just want to be clear about this.

[Firespirit]

164. I deny it.

I know some who are. I am not.

[smoogatz]

165. Then what was it, exactly, that Kerry was supposed to say--

and how did he drift so disastrously off course? Why did he respond at first by attacking his detractors, than apologize meekly and slink into the background a few days later?

[Firespirit]

166. Quote

"I can't overstress the importance of a great education. Do you know where you end up if you don't study, if you aren't smart, if you're intellectually lazy? You end up getting us stuck in a war in Iraq."

It's a wisecrack he had made before, which had been recycled for this speech. Obviously he trimmed that down while actually speaking. JK isn't the type of person who tends to read directly from a prompter. Believe it or not, from all I hear, he prefers to talk WITH people rather than talk TO them, if you follow me.

His initial response was from the heart. He was angry. He saw it as another form of swiftboating, by questioning his military service and dedication.

The second response, I don't have so much information about, but from what I'm told, he did it because by that point it was the only way to get it out of the news. Other Democrats had piled on him because they were afraid of the media and the Republicans, and that's what kept it going. He wanted to take it out of the news, at least out of the top headlines.

[smoogatz]

170. It's eerie, the way you seem to know Kerry's innermost thoughts.

If you're not a paid staffer, then what's your relationship to him, exactly? Be honest, now.

[Firespirit]

172. I don't really know why I'm doing this

because now you're just being a dick, and you know it. The issue is not about me. But I'll bite.

I am a grassroots JK supporter and activist. I have personal friendships with some staffers past and present, as well as with the current JK blog team. I have volunteered for their organization in the past year.

It's really nothing that sinister.

[smoogatz]

174. Well, I got an answer.

I just get really, really curious when people start posting with what seems to me an extraordinary degree of passion about their favorite candidate--as though the candidate him/herself was somehow more important than his/her positions on the issues. It implies a personal connection to the candidate, or perhaps to his/her surrogates and close advisors. Often as not, once you cut through the argumentative underbrush, said poster turns out to be an "activist" or "intern" or "volunteer," and is not just a run-of-the-mill DUer who's interested in politics and posting Kerry (Or Clark or whoever) rah-rah threads from his cubicle at work. Which means, IMO, that what you and your compatriots are doing here is astroturfing, without granting DU at large the courtesy of disclosing your personal connection to the Kerry campaign. And that seems a tad unethical to me.

[Firespirit]

182. Oh please, give me a break

Click on my profile. I joined DU in 2002. I was a Gore supporter until he said he wasn't running, then looked at the other candidates. I was unaffiliated with any campaign or its staff until the latter half of 2005. Over the course of the last two years, I happened to meet and become friends with people who worked for the Kerry organization, including the man himself in '05. A week ago about 40 people from DU and the blogosphere at large, people who simply posted supportively on the official Kerry blog, were invited to Boston to a supporters' and friends' party. I was at this event, the second consecutive year that it took place.

"Astroturfing" is a top-down fake grassroots endeavor directed and orchestrated by a non-grassroots entity. What happens on DU is that a group of people choose to post in support, but they coordinate themselves. We don't get marching orders or even suggestions from the campaign staff. It's 100 percent independent and self-motivated. I don't think that Kerry supporters owe "DU at large" a disclaimer that they have occasional correspondence, or personal friendship with Kerry staffers, because it isn't relevant. It's personal communication. I certainly don't feel obligated to put a disclaimer "I have volunteered to sort mail for Kerry some afternoons" on every supportive post I make. How utterly ridiculous.

The support would be there whether the connection existed or not, and in fact, the support came first, chronologically. Why is it so hard to wrap your head around that?

[LittleClarkie]

199. Should we disclose the birthday cards do you think?

How about the beer?

Pffft.

[LittleClarkie]

198. We just like him, is all

and some of us in the Kerry group have gotten to meet, and have a beer, with him. We were his birthday surprise last year, complete with a couple of cards that had traveled all over the country.

Some here consider him a friend.

So I guess the answer to your question is:

Relationship = Friend.

On edit: The interest and the passion came before the birthday cards and the meetings, otherwise we wouldn't have bothered to send the cards all over the country.

Astro-turf is more like one click and off goes your email to all 100 Senators. Astro-turf is a form letter.

[wisteria]

156. You may "believe", but I know, based on copies of the press releases that

he didn't mean anything against the troops.

[zulchzulu]

65. Yeah, just like the last time...

:sarcasm:

[smoogatz]

70. That was then. This is now.

First, in '04 Kerry was an unknown, running against a field of unknowns (i.e., Dean, Edwards, et al). He got a big assist from the media's takedown of Dean--who was roundly disliked by the DLC insiders and the DC press corpse way before the manufactured "scream" event. That left Edwards, who was personally charming but had no national security cred of any sort. The voters made the obvious call. This time it won't be so easy: Kerry will be running against a field of tough, media-savvy political veterans like Hillary and Gore (I'm assuming Gore will run), rising stars like Obama, and the ever-pesky Edwards and Clark. Kerry also has to overcome the fact that, in a few very public instances, he's been his own worst enemy. He's turned out to be an inadvertent master at articulating the impolitic truth about himself. I don't see how he's going to overcome that, given the tough field he'll be running against. If I've pretty much got the major players right--Clinton, Gore, Obama, Kerry, Edwards and Clark--my guess is that Kerry finishes last or second-to-last, out of that field. Bet you a ring-ding.

[ripple]

62. He appeals to people who really follow politics

but that's a hell of a lot different than appealing to the average voter. I have a lot of respect for Senator Kerry and should he run and receive our party's nod, I would support him wholeheartedly. Sadly, I don't think he'd win.

Still, if he wants to run, he should.

[Laurab]

68. I think he'd make a great President, but unless something changes

it's not going to happen. I actually think he'd be the best of all the people now being mentioned as potential candidates. I think he's smarter, has the experience, and could maybe just begin to lead our country in the right direction. To me he even seems "Presidential".

Unfortunately, he's not even being taken seriously by the media as a contender, and their role can't be underestimated.

It would take a bit of a miracle for him to get into a front-runner position again, but if he did, I, for one, would be very happy.

[StoryTeller]

75. Don't give up.

A lot of us really believe the reason the media doesn't want to take him seriously is because they KNOW he'd do a great job. But if you notice--they may snark about him, but who do they call on when they want a serious discussion about...well, recently it's been about Iraq. The series of interviews he did about two weeks ago were fabulous. The interviewers let him actually TALK, and I learned more about the situation in Iraq and the Middle East in general in just those short interviews than I have from any news broadcast up to that point. He has the ability to make the media sit up and take notice, in a very positive way. There will always be those who want to be nasty and dismissive, but I think there will be more than plenty of opportunities for Kerry to show all the great stuff he's really made of.

As far as something changing...I think it already has. One of the best changes is the advent of YouTube and Google Video and other ways of getting actual video footage out to a broader range of people. You didn't have that in 2004, so the media's suppression of Kerry information was felt more strongly. People who have a chance to watch videos of his speeches, or meet him in person almost always come away with a more positive impression of him than what the media portrays. I'd encourage anyone who is curious about Kerry to visit his website, where they have a collection of his speeches and interviews. It's http://www.johnkerry.com. There's also a blog there, and if you have questions to pose in an honest and polite manner, you can leave comments there and I bet that you can get some very helpful answers from the bloggers and staff that manage the site.

And from things he's said, I get the feeling that he's already internalized a lot of the lessons he learned from the last presidential bid, and he's not the sort to ignore those lessons. One of the things I think is so compelling about him as a leader is that he stays humble and is willing to learn and grow. That is a mark of a truly great leader, and is something that I would really like to see in our next president.

[autorank]

72. Worked hard for him and i'm wearing his tee shirt right now, as I write this.

The retro short sleeve;)

He is President Kerry as soon as Conyers gets going. CHAIRMAN CONYERS...ah, lovely...

excellent pnost.

[cali]

73. I like Kerry a lot

but he's a lousy candidate, despite my belief that he'd be a good President. Reality based people realize that Kerry's chance of getting the nom is only slightly higer than Kucinich's.

[Thrill]

74. He's a loser. Why would I support him again

He'll just get beaten again with the swift board and flip flopper crap. I would rather vote for Gore

[wisteria]

78. There are no losers, only those who didn't make it the first time.

Some of our best presidents and leaders have lost races and come back stronger than ever. I wouldn't write him off. It seems you did not even read what was originally posted before commenting.

The slate is clean. 2004 is over and done with. Circumstances were different and what they were, 2008 is something all together different.

[lojasmo]

76. No. No senators.. EOM

[wisteria]

79. Don't buy into conventional wisdom. There is nothing wrong with Senator's running.

It is more than time to shatter that little media ditty. Mostly all of those running are Senators. It is not being a senator that is the problem it is the media that is allowed to get away with presenting the idea that senators are unelectable and not reporting fairly on their records. We need to hold the media accountable.

[lojasmo]

138. Aside from my beef with all the assjacks who voted for IWR

We need to keep the majority in the senate.

[Gotitdone]

244. Senators

I think alot of the reason why senators have a hard time winning is a lack leadership mentality. You are one out of 100, so they develop a mindset of how to position their votes in such a way as to offend the least amount of people. They can vote for amendments and say they supported something that they really didn't. "I voted for it before i voted against it"
When your a govenor you don't have that luxury.

[Firespirit]

91. Why?

We've had a former governor and a former U.S. Representative running the country for six years, and look at the results. I say we shouldn't consider anyone BUT a Senator!

</snark>

See how absurd that is?

[lojasmo]

137. Any democratic senator who would threaten a democratic majority

By pursuing their own personal agenda in seeking the presidency doesn't deserve it.

[Firespirit]

159. Agreed completely

That disqualifies one HRC from the field for failing to defend a member of her own party against the Republican smear machine. The lack of party defense was FAR more harmful than the joke itself, because pretty much no one but the right-wing blog types actually thought it was what the White House claimed it was.

Amazing how quickly we forget history. The Republicans were already staging a comeback in the final weeks of October. It was the election tightening as they usually do. The DNC poll following the incident showed an INCREASE in the generic Democratic percentage.

[lojasmo]

195. That disqualifies ANY democratic senator from receiving MY support

At least in the primaries. ANY senator who pursues personal gain over maintaining a majority in the senate threatens our nation in pursuit of Selfish, agrandizement.

[LittleClarkie]

83. Huzzah!

I'll be there. Riding this bus til the wheels fall off.

[Blue_In_AK]

84. I don't get all this "Kerry isn't likeable" stuff...

I love John Kerry and would support him again in a heartbeat -- maybe even more than last time.

[cadmium]

107. Now that I have finally gotten a chance to have a real beer with Kerry

It was better even than the proverbial beer with Bush that everyone wanted,

Likeable enough for me.

[Realist2008]

85. haha

hahaha. he's boring and would get trounced again.

hi, i'm your typical anti-war, anti-everything republican who would lose any general election for president.

[wisteria]

87. You know what. You are wrong. I have met the man and boring he isn't.

I have also heard him speak just recently in NH in October, and he brought the house down. So many standing ovations, I lost count. As for anti- everything Republican. No, he believes in bipartisanship, he is just after the truth thats all.

[Firespirit]

89. Um...

First, he didn't get trounced.

Second, do you have a problem with running as an anti-war and anti-Republican candidate? If so why?

[dailykoff]

95. Is anybody organizing a recruiting effort?

I think he needs to hear from us now, loudly and clearly:

Run, John, Run!

Run as if our lives depended on it because they do!

[wisteria]

101. I don't know? Maybe we should contact his office! n/t

[dailykoff]

118. Great idea! Here's some contact information:

1. Senate Office Phone: [phone]

Handy e-mail webform: http://kerry.senate.gov/v3/contact/email.html

Office Information:

Washington D.C.
304 Russell Bldg.
Third Floor
Washington D.C. 20510
[phone] - Phone
[phone] - Fax

from: http://kerry.senate.gov/v3/contact/office.html

There are also local Boston, Springfield, and Fall River, MA phone and fax numbers at this Senate office link.

2. Campaign office: 202-464-2136

Friends of John Kerry, Inc.
511 C St. NE
Washington, DC 20002
[e-mail]

from: http://kerry.senate.gov/v3/contact/office.html
.................
Let's let him know there's a lot of support for a Kerry Presidency!

[LeahD]

96. Count me in too.

I've seen him speak in person....he's wise, audiences respond to him, and he is definitely likable!
Give the man another chance. He's been on our side, in the trenches, day in and day out for YEARS!

[against all enemies]

99. NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO

Please stop the madness, no more Kerry 2008.

[wisteria]

100. YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES,

Please don't read or post if you don't like the message.

Oh, and for good measure- Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, yes, Yes, Yes,...................!

[Realist2008]

111. another loss

run kerry or clinton and count on another loss

[wisteria]

113. I don't see that at all with Kerry- not this time. 08 is a different time and the people want a

different type of candidate than we have been electing. The time of the "Good Old Boy' Presidencys are over. I think people are going to want real leadership and honesty. That is Kerry.

[Quantess]

130. You are correct.

People are sick of H. Clinton and Kerry. Both have a high annoyance factor. Neither have much of a likeability factor.
Welcome to DU, by they way!:hi:

[mary195149]

112. The only negative things they have on Kerry,

are the things that have been made up about him. If they can do that to a politician who is probably the squarest shooter, what kind of dirt are they going to dig up with these other politicians who actually have real skeletons in the closet. Kerry has always done what he believed to be the best for the country. He would make a great president.

[beachmom]

116. Great post, Wisteria. I agree!! n/t

[Quantess]

124. NO! Let's get somebody else!

I voted for Kerry and I was disappointed he didn't win (or whatever), because I truly thought he would be a great president, but, I'm honestly sick of his ass. I've lost patience for Kerry as a presidential hopeful.

[ProSense]

126. Let? Sorry, no free rides! n/t

[Labors of Hercules]

129. Can we please direct our attention toward candidates who are elect-able, Please?!

:spank:

[ProSense]

131. Primaries: You're free to direct your attention to whomever you deem electable!

Kerry 2008!

[Labors of Hercules]

171. and how exactly do you deem someone electable?

Is it some sort of ceremony? sort of like a coronation with magic wands...

[Larry Ogg]

132. Does anyone remember the 2000 election coup d'état ware the signature of only one Senator was needed

to allow the recount in Florida. And can anyone tell me why Senator Kerry did not honor his oath and do the right thing by using his signature to preserve and protect the constitution by demanding the recount go forward. Doe’s anyone else wonder how different things might have been if the fascist neo-cons were stopped dead in there tracks in 2000 because our elected leaders believed in the constitution.

[Tellurian]

133. Good Point, Larry Ogg..

and welcome to DU.. :hi:

Isn't the definition of insanity, doing the same thing over and over again, receiving the same negative result?

Kerry has never recovered from his last faux pas consequently ruining any chance for a rerun in 08'.
Even he recognizes this himself.

This BS is so much a waste of time.

[wisteria]

135. Oh, please, you make much out of nothing. A joke gone bad. Please.

I don't buy into this wishful thinking. Not when B. Clinton had to deal with charges of infidelity, rape, fathering a child not by his wife, corruption charges and questionable real estate dealings.
A missing word from a comment is not going to topple Sen. Kerry. It was all media hype since discredited.
So, this is not BS, you would just like it to be. Oh, BTW, his numbers have improved.
:patriot:

[wisteria]

134. It was VP Gore's explicit request that nothing be done. He had the

final say. Objections were overruled by Gore. Besides, if you want to point fingers, why didn't anyone else questioning the goings on in 2000 raise objections, Senator Clinton, Senator Feingold, Senator Boxer, Senator Schumer, Senator Reid,etc.......

Oh, I like Einstein too. A unique and earthy genius.

[Larry Ogg]

136. Once every four years the American people become the deciders by there vote, not the elected few,

when that doesn’t happen any more neither does our democracy, and that is exactly what has been going since 2000 and debatably before, because politicians don’t listen too the people. This is no joke its our future and the future of Democracy.

[wisteria]

139. Senator Kerry does listen to the people, perhaps one of the few who does.

He also reads and takes into account what is written and discussed on the blogs. In some ways, the 2000 and 2004 election were eye openers for some elected officials, including Senator Kerry. But, Senator Kerry has alway fought for what is right and just. He has throughout his career talked truth to power. Sometimes this has not made him popular in Washington, but he was brought up to serve and has alway felt a sense of responsibility and duty to this country and to others less fortunate than himself. IMO, Senator Kerry is a genuine man of the people, much like Jefferson was. To try and silence his voice or not to allow him to make his case to the people again would be a tragedy for this country.
No one,and I mean no one that is supposedly running in 08, would work 24/7 to get the work done and lead this country forward with as much passion and dedication as Senator Kerry.

[Larry Ogg]

141. If Kerry were to win in 2008 I Hope his word and promise will not lesson your faith in him

and gain the respect of us all,as a real President should, for all our sake. Good Luck and may the best man win…

[wisteria]

145. That is all we ask. n/t

[MsMagnificent]

202. Good point

To this day I still have NO idea why our Dem senators didn't stand up

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[MH1]

203. Huh? what are you talking about?

"the signature of only one Senator was needed to allow the recount in Florida."

Please provide a link to a credible source that says that would have been the result of a single Senator (opposed by all others) signing on to the challenge in 2000.

If that were the case, why didn't Gore do it himself? What about Boxer? Feingold? Any other senator that is normally considered liberal?

As I understand it, even if a Senator had joined the challenge, it only would have slowed down the inevitable, and not by very much.

[Vinca]

140. One word: No.

Senator Kerry had his magical moment and they don't happen twice. He probably won the last election, but we'll never know for sure because he folded faster than a fat girl in a chocolate factory (don't rag on me - I'm a fat girl). In addition, he left millions in the bank unspent when he could have done more advertising in the final days. Lastly, he was a bubble boy, or so it seems, and didn't fight back against the swifties until after the lies were permanently planted in the minds of the sheeple. I like Senator Kerry, but . . . no.

[Tellurian]

142. agreed...Kerry can't think fast enough on his feet

when under fire and end up better than he started out.

we get the 'deer in the headlights' look..then wait, a day later, he
make a half thought out response, then wait again..he regroups, attempts another
response...then we suffer the consequences of having to listen to same nonsensical,
neverending excuses from the 'dropped pronoun' crowd.

[wisteria]

144. Seems like you dislike us supporters more than you do the man.

Perhaps, if you were to take a step back and consider why we are so dedicated to Senator kerry, you would have a different perspective on him and us.

Frankly,I didn't see his responses of the SBV and the missing "us" as wrong. Seems with some people he is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.

[Tellurian]

151. STOP sipping the KOOL AID, wisteria, you're way off the mark..

reread your original post. You are so blinded by rallying for Kerry, you made the statement,

"I won't presume to tell Senator Kerry what he should do, I would support him no matter what he decided."

An unrealistic statement made by a provocateur, who can never be taken seriously.

He's human, not a Deity!!!

[AtomicKitten]

161. careful Tellurian

The fanclub has stiffened its resolve in shoving his candidacy down our throats and have no problem whatsoever being as contradictory or bullying or just plain ugly if you resist.

Submit.

[wisteria]

176. I know you have another agenda, so I won't count on your support n/t

[Tellurian]

184. haha... we have bigger fish to fry...

These devotees are suffering from Nader loss syndrome, transfering their pent up zeal to another iconic focal point.
I can't imagine Kerry encouraging this sort of fanfare. Refusing to acknowledge his own failings, at not being the master of his own ship, relying on wrangler's scripted propaganda as the cure for an insecurity, deep within himself.

[wisteria]

175. I know the man has his faults, he is human, however, he comes closer

to my ideal of what this country needs than anyone else I see running at this time. As for supporting him even if he doesn't run, well I think I have heard the man speak enough about the things that concern him and have read enough about him to say that if he doesn't serve this country as president he will still serve it in some other influential manner. And I will support him in the endeavor. This is a man the history books will write about. His service and duty to this county make him a true hero and leader. I find it hard to describe many of the others who are or may be running in 08 in the same way. It is my country that I love and want the best for. for two long now, this country has been saddled with self serving and mediocre presidents. I want a Washington, a Lincoln, or a Jefferson. I am tired of having to settle for less.

[wisteria]

143. Oh, they are the "inside rants" of the DLC crowd and some who really.

don't know all the facts.
The old ramblings about him not fighting back against the SBV are nonsense. He did take them on as early as April o4. When they came back in August, they were quickly dealt with by the Kerry camp. What was missing was the support of our very own party. They left him out there with limited resources to tackle this smear himself. Remember the Monika Lewinsky scandal? Well that was another example of how the press attacked. Clinton was our President and yet he didn't even have the power to stop the smears by the press. I think anyone who truly blames no one but Kerry for the SBV smears is being very unfair and unrealistic.
As for the money issue, much of that money was not able to be used during that phase of the campaign due to the campaign bylaws.
You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but I think in passing on Senator kerry, you would be passing on a great statesman and a man of the people. Our country is in dire need of a real inspiring, passionate and dedicated leader. Senator kerry possesses all those characteristics.

[LittleClarkie]

148. One word: Yes.

Stranger things have happened.

[talk hard]

173. 2 words - hell no

[MH1]

146. Agreed, Kerry '08!

All the way!

[SaveElmer]

147. Kerry would be a fine President...but he's a bad campaigner...

Unfortunately...

[wisteria]

149. No, he would be great- Shrum is gone. n/t

[mloutre]

150. If I want a friend, I'll get a dog. If I want a drinking buddy, I'll go bowling.

But when it comes to choosing a president, the warm & fuzzy factor is way, *way* down on my list.

I want the guy (or gal) who has the launch codes to be somebody I can respect, admire, and more importantly, *trust*.

That sure narrows the list of available options down considerably.

[MH1]

152. Exactly. n/t

[Tellurian]

154. thanks for a little bit of levity, mloutre..

you put a finer point on the pencil of excuses.

[wisteria]

155. Good points. LOL. n/t

[Parche]

167. KERRY/CLARK 2008

He has always been my choice, I met him here in Portland Or in 2004, and he was awesome!!!

[wisteria]

169. Sounds good to me! n/t

[Clarkie1]

177. Never happen. They don't agree on Iraq, and I doubt Clark would be interested in VP slot.

Especially under someone he does not agree with on key matters of policy.

[wisteria]

180. We shall see. Clinton and Gore didn't agree on everything either. n/t

[seabeyond]

187. this is the ticket i want to see. i am all for it

[against all enemies]

179. Kerry is a horrible candidate, another Democrat please.

[zulchzulu]

181. You present a very convincing case...very impressive...

Perhaps you have an old leftover Repig talking point you could at least supply us with...

[against all enemies]

188. You don't get it, many Democrats think Kerry is a terrible Presidential

candidate. That does not make us Republicans. Look if you want every Democrat that doesn't want Kerry in 2008 to leave the party just say so, you can have your convention in a phone booth.

[zulchzulu]

190. Heh!

Back whoever you want... See you in the streets in 2008. Who do you back now?

[against all enemies]

191. The streets in 08, sounds great. In the streets with SDS, New Haven

1968, that will make it 40 years of marching for Democratic causes. And you call me a repig?

[zulchzulu]

194. Chill out...

Your uncalled for anger at Kerry is enough. I also never called you a Repig. Take a deep breath.

[AtomicKitten]

196. He showed no

anger at Kerry but rather stated a strongly felt opinion. Thinking Kerry made a terrible candidate is not bashing nor is it a manifestation of anger. He is entitled to that opinion as it stands without being aggressively challenged, bullied, or ridiculed (the M.O. of many here).

He did flash some teeth at you, however, for confronting him aggressively. This is the same dance we see over and over and over again at DU.

[BlueIris]

183. Just like the bumpersticker on my car says.

:-)

[wisteria]

200. Mine too. n/t

[bdamomma]

189. no offense to Kerry, I think I am waiting for a new fresh face.

[wisteria]

192. fine, but please consider, experience, ability, knowledge, confidence and passion

while you are looking for that "new" face. Washington, Jefferson,jackson and lincoln were not "new" faces, but experienced statesman. Please consider the state of our country and the conflicts going on in Iraq and elsewhere while you look for that "new' face. Please consider if that "new" face will be able to tackle the complex problems that face our country and the world.
That is all I am saying. I can not dispute that Senator Kerry is not a new face, but he is a principled, seasoned statesman with a love of this country and a passion and commitment to take her forward.

[MsMagnificent]

201. He had his chance

but he let everyone down
and what ever happened to those millions he collected for that attorney fund? He immediately called off any investigation when he gave up and never returned a cent.

WHY should we give Kerry another chance? So he can do it again?
I think not.

Very clearly, Kerry's not worth the risk.

[wisteria]

205. Sen. Kerry is worth taking another look at. for 08.kerry was right and spoke the truth.

People realize it now. He has also learned from the mistakes of the last campaign, although,the campaign was a good one. He came closer than any other candidate in our history to unseating a war time president. Actually, the wellbeing of the US is to important to not allow those who are the most qualified to not take another shot at it, simple because they happen to have lost one race. Think about all the races he has won. Think about the fact the repubs win the presidency more than we do and they rerun candidates that have lost in the past.

[TeamJordan23]

206. Please End the 2008 Kerry Talk

If I was one of Kerry's friends, I would be sitting down with him and tell him there is NO WAY he has a chance to become President again. He might be great in life and I applaud him for his service throughout his life, but he is a HORRIBLE Presidential Candidate. Let's be truly honest. In 2004, a lot of people were not voting for John Kerry, rather we were voting for "Anyone But Bush." Kerry is a bad campaigner and he cannot connect with people.

And given how he has very low favorability numbers, it is best for him to just stay out and become a great Senator.

[wisteria]

208. He came close to winning in 04, he had the guts to take on an incumbent war president

because he knew he was leading this country in the wrong direction.

I never saw him as not connecting. As a matter of fact, those who know him know how genuine and friendly he is. I just met him recently, and I had no problem connecting. As a matter of fact, neither did the sold out crowd in New Hampshire in October, where he gave one of the best speeches I have every heard. It brought the crowd to its feet more than a dozen times. And, it was complete with cheers and suggestions that he run again.

His numbers are actually better than they were when he ran the first time, and after all the negative PR he has received as opposed to everyone else who has been treated fairly, I think it proves that he STILL HAS SUPPORT.

OH, AND I AND MANY OF THOSE I KNOW VOTED FOR SENATOR KERRY-the man. We could see his honesty, we knew he was telling us the truth and we could see that he could be a great leader. Why even today, people I run into say they would be willing to vote for him again.
So, if I were a friend of his, I would tell him, he owes it to this country to run again. We need a real leader, not a caricature of one.

[wisteria]

210. Nope, I will continue to speak out about how much this country needs John Kerry to lead it. n/t

[partisan]

225. "...become a great Senator."

Sorry. He already is a great Senator.

[MsMagnificent]

207. If he had fought

like he promised then sure, I'd say he deserves to run again.
And I'd definitely vote for him again.

But after what he pulled in 2004, he is not worth the risk. The stakes are too great, we cannot afford him.

He blew it, all by himself.

[wisteria]

209. He is a fighter. He fought, but the fight was for everyone not just for him to take on,

our party did let him down in many ways. From promotion to pundits. Remember, even Pres. Clinton couldn't beat back the press during the Lewinsky scandal AND HE WAS OUR PRESIDENT COMPLETE WITH A WAR ROOM AND PR MACHINE.
Honestly, Senator Kerry is a fighter, he has not stopped fighting for us and has had our back consistently since 04. Who fought against Alito? Kerry. Who, fought for a new direction in Iraq calling for Diplomacy, and timetables? Kerry. Who has fought for fair elections? Kerry. ANWAR, Veterans issues, energy alternatives? All Kerry.

There were mistakes made in 04, but he had learned from them and Senator Kerry is not the kind of man who repeats the same mistakes. I am honestly telling you, Kerry would be the best president this country has had in a very long time, if he were given another chance.

[TankLV]

212. No thanks. I want somebody new.

Somebody BETTER...

sorry...

[wisteria]

215. You are entitled to your opinion, Kerry is more qualified to lead this country

He may not be new, but he has been proven correct and has told us the truth. No one has had our backs more, and no one has reached out and listened to us as much as he has. He has the resume and experience to actually lead this country.
So, he may not be new, but he is the best.
Perhaps, you will consider keeping an open mind and listen to what he has to say. I think it would be a shame to ignore one of the best statesmen we have. I am convince he would be great for this country.

[TankLV]

233. Sorry - I have heard and seen him - too many times already.

You are also entitled to your opinion.

I have an open mind - and so far he just hasn't cut it for me.

Zilch.

He's a good senator - I intend to try my darndest to see to it that he remains there...

[PresidentObama]

218. I'm in Missouri, my heart is with John in MA!

:) Whether he runs or not, John Kerry is one of the most incredible leaders our party and this nation have ever seen. He took me in with every word in 2003, and I've been obsessed with him ever since. God bless you John Kerry! And if you run in 2008, go get em' John!

[LWolf]

221. No, thank you.

I thought he was a poor choice in '04, I think he's a worse choice for '08, and I'm not going to "get in line," especially THAT line, again in this lifetime.

[PresidentObama]

222. Thanks for your opinion.

I'm sure there are plenty who will get in that line again, and we'll see how this pans out. But I think Kerry would be a very strong candidate for the nomination, and no one should count him out just yet. And if you thought he was a poor choice in 2004, thats laughable. He was the strongest candidate we had in 2004.

[LWolf]

238. Again, I don't begrudge you your opinion. I just don't agree. n/t

[wisteria]

223. Senator Kerry was a positive, changing force in 04, we need more like him,

not less. He is a man of his honor and convictions before he is a common politician. I would gladly support and vote for him again. We need real leadership in the WH, not just political maneuvering and poll watching.

[LWolf]

237. I don't begrudge you your opinion. I just don't concur. n/t

[Gotitdone]

239. Why did Kerry Loose?

I'm not Bush
I served in Vietnam.
That was his whole campaign in a nutshell.
I know wisteria thinks he is the second coming but let ask you this:
What was his plan on how to reform Health Care?
What was his plan for dealing with the very real issue of social security/medicare solvency?
We got nothing but flowery rhetoric and no details.
We were able to win this year on the basis of republicans screwing everything up, but I suspect '08 voters are going to want a plan and Kerry has shown us he is nothing but a typical fence sitting politician.
Does anyone doubt the reason why he voted for iwr was the '04 election??
If so why did he vote against the first gulf war when it was a clear case of Iraqi aggression?? And does anyone doubt the reason he voted against funding was because of Dean in the primaries?
We don't need another stick the finger in the air politician!!

[PresidentObama]

224. "We need real leadership in the WH, not just political maneuvering and poll watching."

THAT quote is exactly why when other candidates appeal to my senses, I still come back to Kerry. He's more then a poll number or media hype. And thats why I appreciate and love Senator Kerry, and feel a extreme sense of loyalty to him. He has the experience and leadership this country is begging for.

wisteria, virtual hug for that quote?!? :)

[CTyankee]

226. I think he's lost to us, unfortunately. I do not believe that he will run for either

president, or for the Senate again. It would, however, open up a chance for Barney Frank to run for the Senate, which would be a good thing.

[wisteria]

231. Kerry is a fighter. He will not just fade away, when there is important business to tend to. n/t

[CTyankee]

236. I really hope you are right, but we'll see...

n/t

[madmunchie]

243. Oh my God!!!!! Kerry is a fighter?????? He couldn't have conceded any faster

in 2004 AND he shirked away with his tail between his legs when we ALL KNEW that Ohio was stolen. He is a fighter????????? in who's world?

"when there is important business to tend to" Isn't fighting for the votes to be accurately counted "important business"?

All of the "Democrats" (really left and moderates as well) that I knew didn't really want Kerry as the Democratic Candidate to begin with, but they held their noses and voted for him anyway. Not again, not in this lifetime.

[wisteria]

232. Thanks!n/t

[BlueIris]

227. Kick.

'Cause I felt like it, that's why. I still have every confidence in Kerry getting inaugurated in January of '09. Gonna be a fun month for me, I'm sure.

[cadmium]

229. I like Kerry more now than I did in 2004. I am convinced that he is

the best of the field in all respects -- except possibly for the cumulative effect of bad publicity. I will continue to support him 100%

[BlueIris]

234. :-)

And belated welcome to DU.

[talk hard]

240. Kerry doesn't have the right stuff.

he showed that pretty clear last election -- we need somebody that knows how and can get elected

[wisteria]

241. Right stuff for what? He certainly has the right stuff to be President.

No, he isn't from the South, he doesn't talk with a drawl, he doesn't come off as a good old boy, and he may not have the right stuff to be a candidate from the South, but he does have the right stuff to become a President in the image of Jefferson, Lincoln or Washington.
He came closer than any other candidate in American history to unseating a sitting war time president. He garnered more votes than Clinton or Gore did when they ran and even after two years, he has one of the largest and most devoted base of supportes willing to work harder than before to get him elected.

[dailykoff]

245. Winning is a team effort.

Has Kerry once complained that the DNC didn't back him up on the Ohio election fraud? Has he once made a snide remark about any past or future primary opponent? Apart from one or two made-in-the-media slips, has he ever said anything to discredit himself, his party, or his country?

If Kerry didn't have the right stuff, he would have gone ballistic and/or taken himself out of politics decades ago. What he needs is a team that backs him 100% instead of joining in the attacks.

[talk hard]

246. isn't there a single one of you

that holds Kerry accountable for anything? He's a grown man you know. Outside your bubble, he's toast.

[dailykoff]

247. It happens to be a big bubble.

So how about joining us? :)

p.s. if you're talking about the election, the fact is that he was lied to by Kenneth Blackwell about the number of outstanding provisional ballots, and based on what he was told, made a logical decision. Why is that so hard to fathom?

[talk hard]

248. no thanx

I've seen him in action. We can do a hell of a lot better. But you are so wrapped up in excuses you don't get it. Enjoy the bubble!

[wisteria]

250. OMG, I have seen him in action, I think he is great, just what we need in this country - a real Pres

Oh, and by the way, no bubble. I can think of no one more qualified to lead this country. You don't seen to give a reason for your dislike- why is that?

[wisteria]

249. No bubble. Kerry is the best person for the job. You want real change- Kerry is the guy! n/t