Would you support a Bob Kerrey run for Senate in Nebraska?

[Stinky The Clown]

It seems the former senator is considering a run for Hagel's seat.

Can you get behind him?

[PatSeg]

1. I really like Bob Kerrey

He should get back in politics. He is needed!

[ShortnFiery]

2. No way! Ask the students at NY's "New School" about that heartless warmonger ...

one each, "Bombs Away - Invade Iraq NOW!," Bob Kerrey? :thumbsdown:

[beachmom]

3. Yes. Kerrey with an "e" is not a perfect Dem, but this is a red state.

He also was a trooper in the '04 election; he was a decent surrogate. His rhetoric on Iraq is too hawkish for me, but if you delve into the details, he did say on Bill Moyers that he wanted troops off the streets of Iraq, and only to do counterterrorism. That's what's in the Dem plan.

[WatchWhatISay]

4. Are you asking Nebraskans in particular?

He's a bit conservative for my taste, but if I were a Nebraskan (Im not), it would depend on what my options were

[ShortnFiery]

13. I grew up in Nebraska and went to UNL for a year. Kerrey's Neo-Liberalism is poison for AMERICA.

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/22/bob-kerrey-wrong-iraq/



In calling for regime change, Kerrey displayed an inability to comprehend the predictable chaos that would ensue. The intelligence community warned the Bush administration in January 2003 that regime change “would result in a deeply divided Iraqi society prone to violent internal conflict.”

In December 2003, an undeterred Kerrey claimed that he had been vindicated and Iraq war critics would ultimately be proven wrong. “Twenty years from now, we’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone who says it wasn’t worth the effort,” he wrote.

Today, Bob Kerrey (D-NE), unrepentant over his failed Iraq war predictions, returns to the Wall Street Journal op-ed page to blast “American liberals.” In making his argument that democracy can indeed be imposed by military force (apparently by overlooking the Iraq war), Kerrey writes:

"American liberals need to face these truths … unilateral withdrawal from Iraq would hand Osama bin Laden a substantial psychological victory."

IMO, Bob Kerrey is a DINO - regardless of what state he hails from ... I hope and pray that the good people of Nebraska know better than to elect this ego-maniac warmonger. :shrug:

[Progressive Friend]

36. I grew up here too and got my BA from UNL

Anyway, I would vote for him because the GOP candidate (probably Jon Bruning) would undoubtedly be far worse than even Bob Kerrey. I hate neo-liberalism too.

[Totally Committed]

5. Nope.

Warmonger. :thumbsdown:

And, I'm all war-mongered out.

TC

[tularetom]

6. He's a Democrat and he's kind of pro war

but he'd vote with the dems on most issues unlike that worthless piece a shit Joe Loserman. So yeah, I'd say I would cautiously support him.

[acmavm]

7. No.

[BootinUp]

8. For Nebraska? Yes n/t

[TwilightGardener]

9. Yes--not enthusiastically, but yes. He's our best chance out here.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

10. We need to be realisitic. Only Kerrery types can win in NE nt

[ChipperbackDemocrat]

11. RUN BOB, RUN!

This native Nebraskan is all for Bob Kerrey. Leadership for Nebraska...for a change.

[cali]

12. I'm not a Nebraskan but yes

From what I know, he's the only dem who has a real chance. Don't like his Iraq position, but he's made some courageous votes. He voted against DOMA. He has an excellent environmental record. He voted against Clinton's Welfare Reform. He has a strong pro-choice record. He's thoughtful and actually reflective. For those that view politics solely through the prism of Iraq, and as a one dimensional proposition, I'm sure the answer is "No, he's a war monger".

[Pirate Smile]

14. Hell yes. It is better then having a Republican and even though his

foreign policy credentials are frequently too neoconish for my taste, his voting record on all the social and domestic issues is much, much more liberal then Ben Nelson. I mean, what would we prefer, a Republican? They do have to manage to get elected.

I'd love to have two Democratic Senators from Nebraska.

If we want to get close to the 60 vote mark, we need to pick up a bunch of seats. Right now both Nebraska and Virginia could almost have Dems running as "quasi" incumbents because of how well known and liked they are in those states. I see Franken is closing in on Coleman and if Jeanne Sheehan runs in New Hampshire Sununu is toast.

How I imagine Chuck Schumer right now:

[ShortnFiery]

17. If Kerrey, a neo-liberal helps the realization of World War III there will be NO "social programs."

Why? Because good ole' Bob (Kerrey), Lieberman (Joe) and the other neo-liberal democrats will help the republicans morph our government into a FACSIST POLICE STATE. :grr: :nuke:

[dugggy]

15. In a NY minute

[jmp]

16. no

...

[Inspired]

18. I would if I lived in Nebraska. n/t

[ShortnFiery]

20. Let me do my best Lewis Black impersonation:

WTF is wrong with you people?!?



Kerrey is an authoritarian WARMONGER, but because he has a D behind his name, you'll support him for a Senate run? :crazy:

[TwilightGardener]

21. So, we get Kerrey, or Mike Johanns. A warmonger Dem, or a warmonger Repub. Hmmm.

[ShortnFiery]

23. Did you hear the vicious debate at "The New School" during the run up to the invasion?

This guy, democrat or republican, is an Authoritarian A**hole.

You want to have someone work with Joe Lieberman toward the full realization of Fascism, then elect this horrible warmongering shill of a man, one each, Bob Kerrey. :thumbsdown:

[TwilightGardener]

30. I know, I'm not that crazy about him, but I want to turn that seat blue.

See how willing I am to sacrifice my principles? Sickening!

[ProudDad]

39. Why not find a better (real) Democrat??? (n/t)

[paulk]

26. what's your alternative?

Seriously. Are there some Republican candidates in NE that we should consider? Because that's the alternative.

What exactly are you advocating here?

[ShortnFiery]

27. A man or woman who is NOT a war-mongering authoritarian.

Forgive me, but just because a person chooses to put a "D" after their name, doesn't make them DoublePlusGood. :shrug:

[paulk]

28. no, but it does help increase our caucus in the Senate

which helps our more liberal members in the long run.

if you know of someone progressive who can win in Nebraska, I'd sure like to hear it...

[Totally Committed]

31. ShortnFiery, you kill me!

:rofl:

That made me laugh out loud!

TC

[Progressive Friend]

35. I would too, and I live in Nebraska. I also voted for Ben Nelson, who is even worse...

[SteppingRazor]

19. For Nebraska? Abso-freaking-lutely. n/t

[Stop Cornyn]

22. He's well to the right of me, but he might be as progressive as you can hope for in Nebraska.

Now, I know that there are other primary candidates, and I'll let the voters of Democratic Primary Nebraska sort out which candidate best balances progressive values on some issues with the political reality on the ground, but I'll support whoever the Nebraska Democratic Primary voters select.

[LSparkle]

24. Hey, anybody who dated Debra Winger can't be all THAT bad ...

Back in the early 80s there were rumors she was going to be First Lady of Nebraska ...

[ShortnFiery]

25. Too bizarro for me! Such standards are awe inspiring.

:eyes:

[cali]

29. If he's such a slavering war monger

how do you explain his vote against the Gulf war? If he's such a monster, how do you explain his voting against Welfare Reform, and against DOMA? If he's so awful, how do you explain his excellent environmental and pro-choice record?

I think he's dead wrong on Iraq, but I don't think he's the cariacture you do.

[ShortnFiery]

43. He's all that and more - read up on his debate with the New School students during

the run up to the Iraqi Invasion. He supports PNAC's doctrine. IMO, Kerrey's poison for not only Nebraska, but for our entire country. He's "Joe Lieberman" with good looks, military background and I'd bet money - a shit-load of investments in corporations designed for death and destruction.

[cali]

47. The purity brigade at it again.

I've read about Kerrey/The New School. It's such bullshit that he's poison. You addressed none of my points about his record, his voting against the Gulf war.

Every day, I thank the gods of rational thinking and temperence that people like you, spewing this nonsense, are totally irrelevant.

[OHdem10]

32. Only if he has had an "epiphany" regarding Privatization of SS

When he was in Senate before and even after he left
Sernate---Privatize SS PRivatize SS Privatize SS

You can tell he is a Centrist. My observations of him
while a Senator were for the most part positive.

I am suspicious of anyone who wants to privatize SS.

[Omaha Steve]

33. Better than any of the Republican candidates in this state

Yes I would work for, donate time and money, and hope for a win.

[fujiyama]

34. Shit can he win the seat?

That's all that matters. Take a look at the state's other Dem senator and his record. He's not very good either, but he gives the Dems the majority...and I think Kerey would be better than Nelson on most issues...

It's fuckin Nebraska for God's sake. Ironically, Hagel was probably a better VOICE on criticizing the war, but his record on everything else was terrible. For all his talk, Hagel voted almost 100% with Bush.

Kerey is a social moderate-liberal and actually voted against the Defense of Marriage Act in a very red state. That's impressive. And my guess is, he'd be a hell of a lot better than Hagel or any other republican on any issue. You can just imagine the other repukes running for Hagel's seat...

So Kerey will be sort of a slightly less obnoxious Lieberman...but Kerey showed that unlike Lieberman, he's also willing to question and grill people. I think he did a decent job taking on Condi at the 9/11 commission for example...

[ProudDad]

40. Why do you'all short change the voters of Nebraska?

A good progressive, populist message given by a sincere person not in the pay of Wall St. would probably resonate with those folks...

They can be fooled just as easily by a sincere, honest progressive as they can by a convincing, lying repuke asshole...

Worth a try...

[Progressive Friend]

41. Our candidate for governor in 2006 only won 24% of the vote...

That being said, a Green Party candidate for some other statewide office (like auditor), won over 5% of the vote, so they don't have to collect signatures again to get on the ballot for 2008. That was one small victory we had in 2006.

[fujiyama]

42. I'm not familiar with NE state politics

If you know of a good, progressive populist candidate, then certainly he should run against Kerey in the primaries.

Kerey does have a proven record of actually winning the state and serving as senator. I believe he was relatively popular as well.

And I'm not shortchanging Nebraska, but judging by their margins in the past few presidential elections...a Kucinich like candidate is unlikely to win in the state. But to the state's credit, they have an interesting independent streak, more so than the surrounding states...

[madfloridian]

37. Remember when he invoked 9/11 to support the war in Iraq?

Bob Kerrey invokes 9/11 to justify invading Iraq. Harold Ford calls it today's Spotlight idea.

I never cease to be amazed at Democrats who use 9/11 to justify Iraq.

[ProudDad]

38. Not if there's a pro-choice alternative (n/t)

[last_texas_dem]

44. It would depend on whether or not

there was a more liberal Democratic candidate who was popular enough to win in Nebraska. Off the top of my head, I do not know of any, but I am not that well versed in Nebraska politics. From what I know, Kerrey would vote with the Democrats more than Ben Nelson does, and his seat would bring us one closer to the important sixty-seat milestone. Plus, there would just be comething cool about "red" Nebraska's two Senate seats both being occupied by Democrats.

[democrat2thecore]

45. I liked the Bob Kerrey of the 90's better - but YES! -nt

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

46. If you want another Lieberman or Harold Ford

We can do better. Nominate a Jim Webb who can win on substance and not name recognition