Where are you at with John Kerry right now?

[WilliamPitt]

I'd like to try an experiment. Possibly I am a fool for attempting this, but hey, nothing ventured.

I'd like as many of you who are interested to post in this thread your feelings today about John Kerry the candidate. Are you pleased to be voting for him? Resigned to it? Bitterly opposed to the very idea? Somewhere in the middle?

I'd like to know that, and I'd like to know why.

But here is the tricky part: I'd like you to avoid responsing to the posts of other DUers. Whether to praise or denounce, I'd like you to hold fire. No matter how vehemently you may disagree with a post, please don't reply. I want to see where this goes without it becoming a bar fight.

I'll go first:

I am, at this point, satisfied with John Kerry as a candidate. I am forcing myself to understand, to the best of my abilities, that he is running a national campaign and will therefore periodically take positions I don't agree with. I believe his walk-softly campaign has been very effective to date, but I am also feeling like that has to end soon. It has served its purpose.

I am terrified of what will happens if/when he wins. I fear he is walking into a Lyndon-Johnsonification process because of the Iraq mess. I have faith that a new President, whether it be John Kerry or Ratso Rizzo, will immediately rehabilitate our ability to get the world to help us in Iraq. But the process will be anything but easy.

I am looking forward to beating the crap out of a President Kerry for the next four to eight years, to do my best to make sure he does right. That'll be frustrating, to be sure, but the alternative (i.e. a replication of the last four years) is too gloomy to contemplate.

[DU9598]

1. My turn

I am okay with John Kerry and I will definitely vote for him. He does not strike me as a future great President, but he is so far above what we have now. I do have a great liking for Theresa as first lady. I think she will add so much culture to our society and that is a great need. I think that Kerry will be an effective President and he will work slowly to make the world respect us again. And while he does all of that, I fear that the American people will never really like him. But as long as they respect him and keep him in office, I am okay with that.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

2. My feelings

as a former Mass. resident and having worked within the Massachusetts Congressional delegation, I think John Kerry the Senator has been absolutely wonderful. You couldn't ask for much better and he's done wonders for Massachusetts.

John Kerry the Presidential candidate, however, has not gotten me very excited. However, I do fully realize that you never get in the way of a perfectly good train wreck and Bush has been kicking his own ass lately, so I understand his laying low. I'm absolutely going to vote for him, but I'd just love for more fire from him.

[blm]

3. I am THRILLED to vote for John Kerry and trust that the one man who has

investigated and exposed more government corruption than any lawmaker in modern history is EXACTLY the right person to clean up the corrupt remains of the Bush regime.

The man who has helped to end three wars is exactly the person of intellect and temperament to craft the best plan to bring a greater peace to the world.

[vi5]

4. I am very satisfied with him as our candidate....

I feared that immediately after whoever it was got the nomination, that they would come out swinging too far in advance, give the right too much early ammunition, and pay the price for it by alienating the necessary voters in the middle.

Kerry has not done this. He has been strong when it required, he has stepped back when it required.

I'm understanding of the fact that he needs to take some positions that I disagree with.

[Misunderestimator]

5. I am pleased to be voting for John Kerry.

I didn't give a hoot about him until Howard Dean left the race, but at this point, it is clear that he is the candidate that will bring the most support against Bush. Therefore, I am pleased. I will also lean hard on him in whatever way I can while he is President to do right by all of us.

[UrbScotty]

6. All right

I wish he'd loosen up a little.

[ewagner]

8. Along those same lines

I will vote for Kerry and support him locally, but I too wish he would loosen up.

I've heard some of the "out-takes" where he is talking to individuals and see a warm, caring person there in distinct contrast to his public speaking style. If Kerry could just pretend he's talking to each citizen/voter individually, he would come off much better.

[onehandle]

7. Pleased to vote for him.

Any candidate would have to make concessions to get elected. I believe that Kerry's programs will set much of government on a progressive path. One must only look at his voting record to believe that.

I too am worried about how much he will get the shit kicked out of him by the right and the circumstances Bush leaves for him.

I am hopeful. Things can't get worse.

[Trajan]

9. The BIG Picture is ...

Core GOP versus Core Democratic Party Values ....

Ratso would get my vote if he ran on the Democratic Ticket ...

I am too old to bandy about trifles and minutae ... The Democratic Party represents ME and MINE ...

Born of a Broken Man, but NOT a Broken man ...

I know where I came from: I know my kids have it better than I did: primarily because I received the benefits of the FDR/LBJ New Deal/Great Society philosophy ...

Public Schooling ...

Public Health (not now: then) ...

Welfare and Food Stamps when things got bad (and they DID get bad, and they WILL get bad again) ...

These are just a few of the objectives MET by the Democrats over the loud objections of the GOP ....

THESE are the things that Progressivism and Liberalism provided for my own family when I grew up: ... THESE are the things that the Democratic Party CHAMPIONED against the will of the greedy Right WIng who feel the ONLY real objective of government is getting out of the way of THEIR self enrichment through the exploitation by ANY means of their own fellow citizens ... no matter the cost to society as a whole .... A 'Free Marketplace' is a darwinian battlefield for them to pick off the weak and pocket the scalps ... It shouldnt be that way ....

I will vote Democratic Party until my dying day ...

Kerry gets my vote ...

[ElaineinIN]

10. I'm okay with it

As the picture indicates, I'm a Clarkie and worked hard on the campaign when it was going, and it took me a while to warm up to Kerry, not so much because I was against Kerry but because my support for Clark was so strong. It's been kind of like grieving, and I think I've come out of the mourning stages into a time when I can be more pro-active in supporting our nominee. I think I've now gotten to the point where I can attend meetups, local Dem functions, etc. and start getting re-involved again.

The one thing that bothers me about Kerry is that sometimes I feel like he is willing to take stances that are popular for that reason alone, and he sometimes comes across to me as disingenous (Patriot Act, Gulf war I vote, Gulf war II vote...). But as many have mentioned above, no candidate is perfect (I even had issue disagreements with Clark!) and the only thing that ideological purity gets you this year is a check in the "L" column.

Just my two cents. I'm relatively new here, so please be gentle all!

[WilliamPitt]

12. I'm going to break my own thread rule to say

welcome to DU!

:toast:

[ElaineinIN]

Thanks!

[JohnLocke]

111. Welcome to DU! If you have any questions, please PM me!

:yourock: :yourock:

[Andromeda]

63. I fought it but it was bigger than me --

bigger than any of us. Dean, I thought, would be the salvation of the Democratic party. Only he could lead the United States to the place of respect and admiration it once held. Kerry, I thought, was too aloof, too boring and lacked the ability to connect to the American people.

Then Iowa happened. I was beside myself. There had to be dirty dealings going on, back room manipulations and downright illegal maneuvering for Dean to lose this important primary. I went though a period of grieving for what might have been, certain that some terrible mistake had been made.

The whole experience boiled down to one fact: Kerry won the Iowa primary fair and square as he did in most of all the other states.

Then, I began to see things in a different light. Kerry's intelligence and statesman-like demeanor won me over. I became convinced that Kerry was indeed the best choice for the Democratic candidate.

It takes someone with a lot of character to put their life on the line for another person and even though Kerry's military accomplishments have been discussed copiously here and everywhere, I will never forget that John Kerry VOLUNTEERED to go to Vietnam and served two tours there. He could have tried to join the National Guard like Bush did, run to Canada or make up some other thing to get out of it but he did not want another person to possibly die in his place.

He was also man enough to verbalize his anger at the end of that war that claimed so many lives by putting his reputation on the line to protest it. There are still many people who will not forgive him for that but he followed his conscience and did what he thought was right.

John Kerry is a giant among men -- literally and figuratively -- and I will be proud to cast my vote for him on November 2, 2004.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

14. welcome to DU!!!

We're very glad to have you on board!!! :grouphug: :yourock:

[onehandle]

15. Kerry/Clark 2004. nt

[in_cog_ni_to]

45. A new Clarkie!!!! Welcome aboard!

You have GREAT taste in candidates, BTW. :7

[soleft]

11. I didn't pay much attention to Kerry during the primaries

I had been following and pulling for Dean for two years, and was also intrigued by Clark. I frankly thought he was out of the running.

Except - during the debates - I felt a gravity about him, a quiet strength and a grasp of the issues - during the one debate where he said he wouldn't have taken Pedro out of the game, I thought he even presented an everyman kind of quality - and wondered why he seemed so far back in the race.

After Iowa and NH, I had a chance to see his speeches before congress that were taped in the 70's - I saw the MTP interview, and I've read his positions on Iraq, national security, and domestic issues important to me like gay marriage.

Despite the fact that his support for civil unions and position against gay marriage seem to be influenced by his Catholicism, I do feel that his overall all political outlook is secular and humanistic, he is not driven by religious or political ideology.

But he's more than just not Bush.

I really don't get the lack of charisma criticism, but then I didn't understand why people didn't think Gore was likable -

I think Kerry, like Clinton, has wanted this for a long time - I think after the VP selection and the convention (which I'm glad he decided to accept the nom at) - his campaign will catch fire.

I think he's a strong candidate - I think he'll be an effective pres.

[aldian159]

13. I am thrilled to vote Kerry

And am looking forward to doing so.

The two most important positions to me (Abortion and the environment) Kerry and I agree on 100%. Everything else is just good tasting gravy.

[VelmaD]

16. You already know how I feel about Kerry

and you already put it more eloquently than I could. :)

I was always back and forth between him and Dennis K when I was deciding who to vote for in the primary. Apparently, unlike a lot of posters around here I've always been aware of Kerry's liberal voting record on a lot of issues that are important to me. Like you, I keep telling myeslf he's running a national campaign and he's gonna say some things I don't like. I also tell myself that no two people agree 100 percent on everything and it's ok for him to take positions that are different from mine on some things because overall he's SO MUCH CLOSER TO ME than the alternative.

We are gonna have so much fun "beating the crap" outta President Kerry and dragging our party back to where it should be. :) We just gotta remember to have his back too when he really needs it against the worst of the fundie right-wing wackos. As much as we want to pound on him to do the right thing, we gotta support him against the rethugs. We didn't do that with Clinton and look what it got us.

Anyway, I'm not telling you anything we haven't heard from me before so I'm gonna shuttup now. :)

[MuseRider]

17. I think at this point

I am almost where you are Will. Not quite satisfied but hopeful. I do think he has been effective but it is time for him to come out swinging or almost time. I hope we will not have to hold his feet to the fire, his past record (NOT his recent one) would indicate that we will not. He is going to have a rough time of it and anyone who wants the job of cleaning up after Bush* has my utmost respect. He has a very difficult job ahead of him. I will vote for him, not entirely with joy but with hope.

[farmbo]

18. Sox vs Yanks

The Sox-- the Good guy- underdogs (JFK)-- are now showing a slight edge in the early going against the well- heeled prima donna Yanks who bristle with talent.

The Sox will be picking up a first line starter before the trading deadline (Vice President Edwards? Clark? McCain?) while the Yankee Juggernaut will probably be standing pat, relying on their incomparable pool of proven, experienced talent (Read: $$$).

It will all come down to the head to head match ups in July, August and September. And once again it will go to a seventh game nail-biter.

This time, with a maturity gained by heartbreaking loss, and a vastly improved roster of support players, the Sox will prevail.

[Old and In the Way]

19. I couldn't be happier with our candidate.

That said, his true strength will only be realized if we can take back Congress. I'm afraid that simply electing a Democratic President only, given the structural mess that Republican governance has created, will stifle progress and provide the Right with a high profile Democrat to blame for the problems they have legislated.

[ibegurpard]

20. Resigned

Hopeful and yet dubious that all of you who are so enthusiastic about him haven't had the wool pulled over your eyes. I'll give him a chance...hell, I was willing to give Bush the benefit of the doubt...but my gut doesn't tell me good things. I hope to hell I'm wrong.

[Voltaire]

22. Resigned also

I think Kerry is a fine man and will most likely be a fine president with a few well-placed kicks in the ass when necessary. I cannot shake the feeling, however, that this man is the best we can do. Our system of picking candiates is deeply flawed and I don't believe conducive to effect the fundamental changes we require to survive as a nation. As a proud Dean Democrat I say

GO KERRY!

[robbedvoter]

21. Less skeptical now than a month ago. It will be easier due to some

good decisions I know he made.

[Monte Carlo]

23. I do think that Kerry will be able to handle the Iraq situation...

... if and when he does become President. I think those in power in the Middle East and in the Muslim and Arab worlds knows what Bush is, and how a Kerry administration would be different.

I have a strong feeling, and maybe I'm wrong, but I think that some of the greatest diplomats in the world are Democrats. Bill Clinton really sticks in my mind as someone who talk and make deals with those involved. What has he got better to do if Kerry is President?

Kerry, if he has half a brain, and I think he does, knows that the U.S. is on the path to catastrohpe in Iraq. Kerry has taken some loose stances in the past few years, but I think he knows that being mainstream and moderate, or at least the appearance of it, is needed to get elected President. Kennedy was mushy on civil rights before he was elected, but afterwards he became the movement's best friend.

[AP]

24. For obvious reasons, most of my hope and optimism and enthusiasm for Kerry

comes from my hope that he will pick Edwards as his running mate. Unlike many Americans who see 2001-2005 through the prism of militarism, I see the shift of economic, political and cultural power up the ladder to fewer and fewer increasingly wealthy people, and I'm deeply concerned that Americas' going to topple over and become a banana republic if something doesn't change.

Rather than care only or most about Iraq, I see Iraq as a subplot in a bigger ploy, and that bigger story is really being played out in the tax code and the assault on the ability of people who work for a living, preventing them from getting paid a fair percentage of the wealth they create for the people at the top, and from accumulating any kinds of savings (and the political and cultural power which follow from accumulated economic power).

Clearly, because I care most about these things, Kerry's campaign isn't really speaking to me. I trust that he knows and cares about these issues, but that it's a stategic decision of his to beat Bush on a more narrowly defined playing field.

And that's why the excitement I derive from this campaign is wrapped up in wondering what John Edwards's role will be in the Kerry administration. It's Edwards who's talking about the issues I think really matter.

To rephrases this, it is Edwards where I see the line connecting the things I liked most about FDR, JFK, LBJ and WJC continues. It's not so much Kerry through whom I see this line passing. But I'm sure he'll be a great president.

[Name removed]

25. Deleted message

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

[clicketyrick]

32. I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE!

Check out this article from the Boston Globe:

Liberal activists lukewarm on Kerry

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/president/kerry/articles/2004/06/04/liberal_activists_lukewarm_on_kerry?mode=PF

[zoeyfong]

70. Can't say i disagree with that.

[mzmolly]

26. Cautiously optimistic and resigned at the same time.

I am hoping to see him better define the issues/his positions as time goes on. I am hoping that he will "fire up the voters" as he is said to be a good closer.

The good:

John Kerry has a solid record supporting progressive issues
He is a patriot who served in the military
He appears to be a thoughtful cautious man
I think he will make an excellent President :)

The not so good:

John Kerry is quite thoughtful and has trouble boiling down his positions into bite sized pieces. Americans need less nuance and more clarity. He needs some strong talking points and needs to repeat them over and over again. *I'd summon Dean to help with this task* ;)

John Kerry is so stoic that he appears aloof at times. He should show his human side as much as possible.

MY HUSBAND AND I THOUGHT HE SHOULD HAVE A NATIONAL BBQ to counter the "I'd rather BBQ with Bush polls.

Dean's coming up on cspan - gotta run. :hi:

[TLDHOME99]

36. cautiously optimistic also, but he is not my first choice

I supported Wes Clark for Pres and worked on his campaign; I love the man.

I can remember thinking last fall that Kerry should, with his background, be doing better than he is. I could not understand why his campaign was failing. Then he surprised us all and took over the nomination, basically. Slam dunk.

I like Kerry but don't love him. I would vote for a head of cabbage right now over George Bush.

"John Kerry is so stoic that he appears aloof at times. He should show his human side as much as possible."

You know, I had the chance to see Kerry in person and hear him speak at the Florida Democratic Convention. At the time his campaign was in the crapper. When he arrived he had the air of a happy-go-lucky schoolboy, like he thought the whole thing was just a blast. During his speech he made several quips including "I'm here to say that a man without a prostate can be President of the United States." His was the funniest and most entertaining speech. AND, his wife was with him, and he made lots of references to her. He is SOOOOO tall, and thin, he almost reminded me of Lincoln. A funny Abe Lincoln.

I have not seen that humorous side of him since then. He really is capable of much more lightheartedness than he is showing right now. He is also capable of speaking concisely. Once again, I can't figure him out. But I'll vote for him. I hope Clark is his VP.

[TexasSissy]

27. Halfway 'tween Resigned and Pleased

I feel halfway between pleased and resigned.

I think he's better than the other choices we had, but not as good as some other Democrats who did not become candidates. (I supported Clark, but realized he wasn't experienced enough as a politician to actually beat the Bush Machine.)

I am putting my hopes and faith into Kerry and his staff being experienced political people who can pull the rabbit out of the hat.

I am frustrated and disappointed in the walk softly stance....but I can't argue with the apparent success of it so far. "Do no damage" is apparently working so far. It might make sense to wait to open the mouth until later, and then come on with a vengeance. We'll see.

I may not like his positions on some issues, but I DO like his positions on others. He appears to be a chilled out, laid back guy....but that is apparently a deceptive picture. I think he must be inside a pit bull that never gives up, which is how he has managed to stay alive in Congress for 20 years. But I fear that he's just an ordinary politician, like so many other politicians. But that's better than Bush.

[flpoljunkie]

28. I am right there with JK & looking forward to watching him close campaign.

He has run a great campaign, and I have no complaints. I trust him implicitly after watching him defeat all comers in the primaries.

John Kerry is a serious and complicated man who will make a fine President of the United States. I have not felt such hope for this country since I was a teenager and stayed up all night to watch the Democratic Convention of 1960 when John F. Kennedy was nominated.

I think it is high time we elected another John from Massachusetts as President--John Adams, John Quincy Adams, John F. Kennedy and, in 2004, John F. Kerry.

It is truly time to bring honor and integrity back to the White House!

[Sparkly]

29. Very pleased, and consider it urgent

to vote for Kerry. He was my second-choice, although a distant second, behind General Clark.

The first priority is ousting the Bush regime. I considered it very important to have a nominee with heavy foreign policy and/or military and/or other national security credentials, because the Chimp's campaign exploits Fear to the max and positions him as a Brave Heroic War President. And polls show people are still buying it! I didn't believe we had more than two candidates who could withstand that.

Compared with Bush, I saw relatively little difference between the positions of the Democratic candidates (Lieberman excepted). I hoped for somebody as left-leaning as possible, but even before Clark's candidacy I was afraid Kerry's "Massachussetts Liberal" persona would make him a less viable candidate in the general election, especially combined with his "patrician" style and manner, and the danger of running candidates with long Senate records opponents can pick apart and mischaracterize. I am so nervous about winning this election that as a native New England Liberal, I was scared to death of nominating a New England Liberal.

General Clark had the whole package: military experience, no long voting record, a Southerner, and the uncanny ability to take positions and use rhetoric way to the left of anybody else except maybe Kucinich yet still appeal to "moderates" and disgruntled Republicans -- probably because of his biography. (I've been told I'm blind to Clark's weaknesses as a candidate, which I'll accept.) And I think he'd make a great president, the best among them, but in truth I think we had several candidates who would have been great *in office*, if we could get them there. Among those, it's mostly about electability.

Much of what I feared about Kerry as a candidate is coming true: he's being maligned as a radical Massachussetts liberal. His voting record is getting picked apart. VVAW is getting thrown in his face with the same mischaracterizations he dealt with thirty years ago. And his style and manner are being ridiculed. But what I didn't expect, at all, was so much criticism from the left, unwilling to forgive or let go of his IWR vote, unwilling to accept anything short of 100% agreement on their own personal positions, especially immediate, complete withdrawal from Iraq, consequences be damned. That I didn't expect. I was naive to think the past three years had created the same sense of Emergency for everyone else as they have for me.

Kerry is more liberal than Gore, more liberal than Clinton, and more liberal than any candidate we've had who's actually WON in decades. He can't afford to do anything but appeal to center right now. There's a point where too liberal becomes unelectable, as we've seen, and it's imperative that he win.

Once in office, of course he'll be facing a Huge Mess. Chances are he'll be facing a Republican Congress, certainly one with enough Republicans to make things difficult. He will have to compromise, persuade, cajole, bribe, threaten, plead, and make bargains. That's politics! People will complain, of course, on both sides. But I trust he'll do the best he can given the situation he is in; I trust he'll fight for what he believes; I trust he'll read his memos, briefs, newspapers, books, etc. (and understand them); I trust he'll appoint a smart, effective, ethical cabinet; I trust he'll succeed in diplomacy; I trust his judicial appointees will be fair; I trust he'll get us back on track on things like education, the environment, and corporate responsibility.

I trust he will do the best he can with the Iraq mess and minimize the damage, which is all we can hope for at this point. His speeches show he's realistic about the problems and the challenges of involving allies. And nobody needs to tell him what combat is like or why we need to get out as soon as we can. He knows.

So I'll be pleased to vote for him, and nervously hoping he'll win, because it's never been more important.

[Armstead]

30. Resigned to it.

IMO we could do better...or perhaps Kerry could do better.

He is too tepid, and his fire is mostly aimed at personal attacks on Bush. That's obviopusly imnportant, but it's necessary to go beyond the ABB mantra and advance truly progressive goals.

I really, honestly do not think that lukewarm centrism is what is needed at this point. The Bush campaign is painting Kery as a liberal, and still Kerry is afraid to acknowledge his own political roots.

Kerry also is avoiding the big issues. Aside from some obligatory talk, he is basically allying himself with the "free trade" crowd and a "kinder and gentler oligarchy." We need to address the direction of the economy beyond the fluctuations of employment levels and GDP.

I don't believe that Kerry needs to continue to flee the liberal label to be electable. He ought to be defining the line just as the Bushies are. A lot of "swing voters" are in the moderate liberal zone, anmd would respond to a candidate who is really telling the truth about big issues.

[NoPasaran]

31. I'm on the train

It took me a while to warm up to Kerry. But eventually I was able to put a bumper sticker on the back of my car and not rip it off a few hours later when I heard something that upset me.

I wish he could express a little more passion. During the conference call to the houseparties a couple of weeks ago, he mentioned that Bush's deficits had created a birth tax. I thought that "birth tax" was a great term and reflected that an orator like Edwards or Dean would have repeated it over and over until we were all saying it the next day. Instead Kerry said it once and then moved on.

I know that very few if any resources will be expended on Texas. I'm lucky to be working with a bunch of very dedicated folks here in Austin, some of whom are original Kerry supporters, but also Clarkies and Dean people like me. In the absence of prominent statewide or competitive congressional races, Kerry is the focus for our efforts to register people to vote and excite them about politics this year. Even though barring a miracle or two Kerry will not carry our state the campaign is an important one in breathing new life into the state party and beginning the fight to take back Texas.

[sangha]

33. Thrilled

.

[cyclezealot]

34. Gore Vidal today said , Al at NYU, got some of the "Gore blood"back.

This on Democracy Now...Vidal said Gore blood is traditionally populist...Al showed us that the last month or so..Congratulations AL.About time....
The point...To me Kerry is differnent strokes to different folks.His positons are bland and not reformist.Will not solve any of our Social problems, except possibly make the country more solvent.
Big policy differences...Trade, The War, and Health Care. Not reform those areas, then life in the US will continue to be lousy. Regardless of whether Bush is gone or not.
As to Kerry..He needs an infusion of "Gore Blood.."Al why did you not do this four years ago..Al has taken valant stands against the war, for Single Payer. trade . Not sure?
As of now, I would rather vote for Al..He fires up the band.
Kerry..Vote for him..Expect minor results from his Administration.And fear the Iraq war will become a Democrats war...Kerry said he did not trust Chalabi..Yet, suckered in by Chalabi's BS...Too inconsistant and often wrong.

[MontecitoDem]

35. Content with my vote going to Kerry and

working like a dog to get him and down-ticket dems elected.

He wasn't my choice, and now that he is playing to the center (which I totally approve of since it is the way to win this particular election) it's hard to find common ground. I'm looking at this election as more about being a democrat, with all the values that brings, than about the candidate himself. And I firmly believe we are going to win it!:headbang:

I am also extremely concerned about the mess he will be inheriting from Bush, and whether this will result in only one term for dems in office before it gets flipped back to the repubs. let me say again, VERY concerned!

[Padraig18]

37. Satisfied, headed toward enthused. n/t

[Blue_Roses]

38. I'm pleasantly surprised

with how satisfied I am with him at this time. I didn't know much about him and the wide list of nominees made it hard to get to know him, so of course I mitigated to the ones who I could identify with like Edwards and Clark since I live in the south. However, now that he has wrapped up the nomination and we are forced to focus on one nominee I see so much that I had missed before. He is a strong leader and has a sharp intelligence--something we definitely need now.

I could care less if he is wired with tons of charisma or not, 'cause we are not electing him to be our neighbor for back-door BBQ's. I want a leader--someone who I can trust to do the RIGHT thing for the people.

Maybe a short primary year was good, 'cause it's giving us a chance to get to know John Kerry and that's definitely not a bad thing!

[CTLawGuy]

39. I am grudgingly voting for him

To me he represents the DLC wing of the party, the wing that failed to stand up to the Bush administration for 3 years. I am furious that:

he voted for IWR,
he voted for The Patriot Act (I know welstone voted for it too... it doesn't change anything.),
he uses his vietnam service in a way that the 1971 John Kerry would be ashamed of,
he wants to keep some of Bush's awful tax cuts, at the expense of a balanced budget,
he wants to use precious tax money that could be used to balance the budget, or shore up programs, for a 5% corporate tax cut,
he would not rule out supporting a MA state ban on gay marriage.

If he is a bad president, in four years I will be supporting Dean for president.

[Pastiche423]

40. Deeply disappointed

sad and angry that the large majority of voters in the Democratic primary were not allowed the opportunity to vote for their choice of candidates. Kerry was appointed by the DLC and the media for his status quo stance before Iowa. He would not rock their boats - the little people denied representation once again.

In November 2000,I began to look ahead to the 2004 election. I looked forward to being excited about supporting and working for the Democratic candidate. I looked forward w/hope. It kept me from total dispair.

Now I have no hope. I see not only very little change, but the realization that the party I was a member of for thirty two years, is closer to death - the merging of the two parties - a one party state.

From the time Kerry was deigned the presumptive nominee, he has given me more reasons not to vote for him, than to vote for him...

* His defense of his IWR vote
* His desire to continue the Iraq slaughter
* His support for Sharon
* His ignorant statements about Hugo Chavez (O-kay, maybe not ignorant as he supports the elites there and here)
* He is open to nominating anti-choice judges
* His listless, boring, nuanced, straddling the fence, don't rock the boat, do nothing campaign
* His avoidance of the liberal label
* His neglect of the left base
* His consideration of not excepting the nomination at the convention because of MONEY
* His missing key votes in the Senate

Since 1972 when I became eligible to vote, I have not missed voting in a presidentional election. I was not always excited about the choice, but I did vote. This year will be different. I was not given a choice in my primary. My vote did not count. This year I will write-in my choice.

[PopSixSquish]

41. Happy to Vote for Him

I supported Edwards in the primaries, but Kerry was my second choice. I just love Theresa.

[DinahMoeHum]

42. The times call for a REAL bloodied combat veteran like Kerrry. . .

No more phony-baloney, plastic turkey, Top-Gun wannabee crap.

Yeah, the road ahead is rough. And that's when you need someone who's really traveled that kind of road before in their life who, hopefully, will inspire all of us to see it all through together.


:kick:

[montanacowboy]

43. I am not at all happy with John Kerry....

I was a Dean delegate and still believe that we lost our best shot at really changing the system. Kerry's absolute backing for Sharon and his murderous policies; he won't pull the troops from Iraq; he wants to ADD more troops; his reticence to really go after * on many different fronts; I am tired of his standing back and not getting his hands dirty in the fray - OK, enough already - time to put up or shut up Mr. Kerry - don't blow off your liberal base guy...

Saying he would appoint anti-abortion judges and Repukes in his cabinet - This guys just totally turns me off. If he continues *'s policies in Iraq and becomes President - he will step in the tar and it will stick all over him - then we as Democrats are freakin stuck with the tar with no way to remove it.

[leyton]

44. Satisfied for this year.

I am impressed with Kerry's abilities as a candidate, and I have faith that he will run a smart campaign to take advantage of the lead he now enjoys.

That said, I'm not especially looking forward to his presidency. Should we get a Democratic Senate and maybe even the House, then I think the next four years will be pretty darn good. Should the Republicans retain control in Congress, I think Kerry will be a moderate president who will reverse the damage that Bush has done, but I don't know how much he'll do to call the Republicans on the crap they pull.

In either case, I don't think Kerry will do great things: given the way he talks, he appears calculated. I just don't get the impression that he has the guts to use the White House as a bully pulpit and get strong environmental legislation passed, to get anti-poverty legislation, to create a smart tax code, etc. I think there are other guys that could do that - particularly John Edwards, maybe Wes Clark.

Kerry will do for now, but I'm not holding my breath for anything outstanding.

[in_cog_ni_to]

46. ABB.

Kerry is our nominee. Kerry gets my vote.... IF he doesn't choose a repub for VP. I still find him boring and dry. I still don't like the fact that he voted for the war and the Patriot Act. I LOVE his wife....could she run instead?

I want the idiot-in-chief out in Nov. and if I have to vote for Kerry to get him out...so be it.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

47. I just attended a Kerry rally at the University of Minnesota

The tickets were free, and the location was on my bus route, so why not?

Clearly, he has at least double the IQ points of Bushboy, and I don't think he'll do anything rash.

However, as a Kucinich supporter, I am dissatisfied on two counts. Although Kerry talks of his "vision" for America, he doesn't make me see or feel it the way Kucinich does, and he talks mostly in generalities. He's not a boring speaker, as the slander has it, but he didn't have the crowd excited the way Kucinich did on the three occasions I heard him.

Second, and this may have been a function of the fact that it was billed specifically as a Veterans for Kerry rally, the emphasis was heavily on the military and "keeping America safe."

I wish we were mature enough as a country to understand that there is no such thing as perfect safety and that there are reasons that the U.S. suffers terrorist attacks and places like Canada and Norway don't.

I can also fault him on a minor point: every campaign speech must contain an exhortation to elect a Democratic House and Senate. Now the acoustics inside the U of M Sports Center were not the greatest (too much reverberation), but if he said anything about taking back Congress, I didn't hear it.

[ulysses]

48. resigned, for the most part.

Four days into a summer intensive with the Atlanta Public Schools, I would dearly like to sit John Kerry down with my group, have him experience what we're doing for this insane five-week intensive and have him go through the next two years of both teaching full time and attending classes for nine credit hours per semester toward certification. Then I'd like to have his thoughts on increasing teacher accountability.

Then, he is at least talking about pay raises. It's also become crystal clear this week the degree to which Bush and NCLB are fucking with public education. Did you know that the APS categorically cancelled all recess in 2001 out of concern over low test scores? No recess. For elementary school kids. Where have the test scores headed since?

[Demobrat]

49. Disgusted.

Disgusted with his being OK with anti-choice judges, and disgusted with his stance on the war. I'll be staying home in November for the first time in 30 years.

[jonnyblitz]

50. I am voting against Bush thus for Kerry. n/t

[Redneck Socialist]

51. Resigned

but I'd take a moldy cheese sandwich over bush at this point. Kerry benefits from the fact that bush is so incredibly awful. However, being the anti-bush isn't enough. The Democratic Party needs to be rebuilt, re-energized and re-invigorated. I don't think Kerry will provide the leadership needed to achieve that goal and as a result we are going to suffer through four to eight more years of we're kinda, sorta like the republicans only a bit nicer.

I would like to see the Democratic Party become a real opposition party that presents a bold alternative to the pubs. Oh well, if wishes were horses and all that.

Go Kerry!

[Adelante]

52. Totally with John Kerry nt

[CalProf]

53. I am where I've been since April 2003

Giving Kerry all my free time and almost all of my extra money.

I think his campaign is smart and effective. I think saying he might consider appointing anti-abortion judges isn't the same thing as actually doing it, and that positioning himself as open minded and non-doctrinaire is a savvy bit of positioning against this most ideologically rigid of fraudulent presidents.

I've liked him since Iran-Contra. I like him even more now.

But if he governs like a Republican I'll be right behind Will kicking his ass back to the left side.

[union_maid]

54. Extremely happy

Clark was my first real choice. I had an initial flirtation with Dean, but really felt that the momentum wouldn't last. I feel smart about that. I felt that Clark couldn't miss. I don't feel so smart about that, so the smart thing is a wash. I still like them both. I actually like Dean better now than when he was running.

I always admired Kerry. I just thought his candidacy was not happening and I didn't think his campaigning style would work in a national election. That's another thing not to feel smart about.

I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to vote for him, though. He is the most liberal candidate that has had a shot to win in my lifetime. I've voted for all the Democratic candidates for president. I had reservations about the two winners I've had a chance to vote for. Carter was pro-nuclear power and that was just a huge issue at the time and even huger where I live. There was a nuclear power facility being built here, in an area which is literally impossible to evacuate. So that was a big reservation, but it wasn't going to be better with a Republican and other things would be worse.

Clinton - I just hated Clinton at that point. I really only warmed up to him because the Republicans hated him so much - and because he's so incredibly brilliant. It's kind of awe-inspiring. I had always said that I drew the line at voting for a candidate who supported the death penalty. So, in '92 we had one who'd supposedly scored his greatest debating point off a previous opponent on that issue and our guy was also willing to fry the mentally retarded. I held my nose and voted and the country was better off with Clinton than they would have been with anyone else that they would have accepted.

All the other Democratic candidates that have run in my voting career have been good men and sure losers in presidential politics, either because of circumstances or because they were just not presidential candidate material. John Kerry has proved that he's a contender and he's been on the good side of issues most of his life. I'm excited beyond words to have the opportunity to vote for such a man.

[Psst_Im_Not_Here]

55. He was my fourth choice but,

I'm behind him 100%. I think it's much too early in the campaign to judge platform and performance.

I just have to convince a "Nader Raider" friend that we CAN'T afford to have her vote for Nader!

[robbedvoter]

56. better since he yanked Dandruff's chain - the VP announcement fiasco

I love it whem Woof-woof is shown for the clueless whorse that she is...

[graywarrior]

57. I kept finding myself being drawn to him

during the debates prior to the primaries. Little things like him one on one with folks after he gave a speech, watching him trying to figure out how to get his microphone off his shirt, his intent listening when people approached him with a question, etc.

Also, being from Boston, I have been aware of him since the 70's, having marched with him in the first Earth Day parade and had seen him on tv millions of times (when he still had his Boston accent.)

I don't know why I like him, I just do. He seems trustworthy and sincere, courageous and capable.

I didn't vote for Clinton (Perot protest vote) in his first term. In fact, I hated the guy. But over the years, I grew to love him. I think that will happen with Kerry for a lot of people.

[Scoopie]

74. Judy should be fired

EOM

[sandnsea]

58. Exuberant

For the first time in my life, I actually think we might get back on the track JFK and Bobby laid out. On Nov 3, I will be able to sleep the sleep of a baby, finally, after waiting 35 years.

[JayS]

59. Leaning towards saying stuffed shirt.

I knew little about Kerry before he became the de facto nominee. After some research I found that I like most of his policies and found that he was highly rated by various groups that monitor his voting record. Where he loses me is on the issue of crime. In my opinion he is soft on it, Charmin soft, and it makes me wonder how strong he would be on national defense.

On his phony support of gun owners and the Second Amendment, a few staged photos of Kerry with a shotgun is not going to convince gun owners that Kerry is their buddy. The 100% support he gets from the Brady Bunch is not exactly a help either, nor is his use of their information on his webpage. Going on tirades against the NRA does not help him win over their members nor does referring to an "assault weapon" as a "machine gun like those used in Afghanistan" show much military knowledge. Not knowing that the Assault Weapons Ban only outlawed some cosmetic features, that have since been removed and the guns are in the stores again, show much of a grasp of this red herring gun law. His work to kill the Lawful Commerce in Arms bill shows that he is perfectly willing to let ideology trump the truth. Kind of makes me wonder what else he is not being truthful on.

And this photo of the Fab Four does not help matters much:

http://feinstein.senate.gov/photogallery/special-events/photo-gallery-special-events-040302-df-kennedy-schumer-kerry-awb-vote.htm

[JayS]

113. Yup, stuffed shirt. n/t

n/t

[Nicholas_J]

60. Supported Kerry

Since before the day in December when he decided to run. So I am pretty good with him.

[DaveSZ]

61. Kerry has my vote for the following reasons:

-I don't want a fascist W. Supreme Court that will declare BUsh theocratic dictator for life

-The environment


Those seem like small issues, but we are talking about electing the most powerful man in the world here. Even small policy differences can have big outcomes.

A SC justice could last for another 40 years or more, and don't think for a second that Scalia and his henchmen would not roll back over half a century of constitutional law and civil rights legislation if they had a chance.

They would also dismantle the separation of church and state to declare a Fundamentalist theocratic republic.

[Name removed]

62. Deleted message

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

[blm]

65. Maybe the FACTS will help you feel better. When that photo of Kerry was

taken it was while he was emphasizing that being strong on gun control did NOT mean that guns woiuld be taken from legitimate sportsmen.

Shouldn't the context matter? Were you even aware of the story that accompanied the photo?

Anyone who concludes that Kerry is more of a hawk than Bush is clearly suffering perception problems. I suggest you read his position on Iraq more carefully.

Kerry has helped end three wars. He is best equipped to bring Iraq to the safest, most successful exit strategy as well.

[WilliamPitt]

77. Foul

No replying to other posts.

[blm]

96. Something's foul, alright.

Check your sniffer.

[Scoopie]

76. You're obviously

not Southern or mid-Western.
In the South, if it weren't for hunters, the deer, the squirrels and the birds would and are breeding to excessive rates and would starve, be run over by cars or succumb to some horrible disease - any of which is a fate worse than a sudden death.
I was a board member on my local Humane Society - these are true facts.
We can blame it on the fact that humans took away the natural predators, but that doesn't solve the problem that's here now.
I'm sorry hunters sicken you, but you'd do well to consider that the animals' fates are much worse without them.

[WilliamPitt]

78. Foul

No replying to other posts.

[Scoopie]

81. Why?

This is a forum, not a dictatorship.

(Former journalist - can't let this afront to free speech lie!)

[WilliamPitt]

85. OK, ya got me

:)

[JHBowden]

64. A former Deanie, I give Kerry a B+

Demographically I'm classified under what Carville calls a "secular warrior." I'm moderate on economics and war, but very liberal on social issues. I was very comfortable with Dean, knowing that whatever talk he decided to talk during the primaries, he would ALWAYS be with us on issues like abortion, gay rights, no creationism in schools, and so forth. With Kerry, I have nagging doubts that he'd sell us out on those issues for personal advantage.

I'm very impressed with the way Kerry has been campaigning; I never expected us to be doing this good this soon into the general election. Kerry's stage appearance is also solid, and he has been well prepped before going to media events.

[GreenPartyVoter]

66. I'm frustrated with him

He is not my first, second, or even third choice.

However, despite my differences with him on many policy points I still feel he is better than Bush. And his wife scores points with me too.

And I, too, look forward to holding Kerry's feet to the fire and sending him letters of suggestions (and encouragement) during his term(s).

[DaveSZ]

67. MrsMonica,

Forgive me, but I found your post to be quite hypocritical.

You wish to impinge upon law-abiding citizen's rights to own firearms, yet scream bloody murder when anyone talks about making abortion illegal?

[AgadorSparticus]

83. nevermind. i don't care anymore. lol

[DrFunkenstein]

68. Major Health Care And Energy Reform - I'm Psyched

I think this campaign would be vastly different if Kerry were allowed to run on what he is most passionate about. But people want the economy and Iraq to be addressed, so he goes with it. I really feel that, given the choice, he'd run as the environmental President.

I do not doubt for one moment that is how he will go down in history, marking the true beginning of the 21st century - when universal health care and renewable energy begin the road towards being taken for granted.



PS - I also can't wait to see his Cabinet, his Supreme Court appointees, and the most amazing First Lady since Eleanor Roosevelt.

[Name removed]

69. Deleted message

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

[TexasSissy]

71. I'm upgrading my prior vote to "pleased."

I previously responded that I was between resigned and pleased. But after giving it more thought, I am changing that to "pleased."

It's too long to go into as to why. Suffice it to say that I want to wholeheartedly support this effort. Imagine the huge weight on his shoulders and how he'll be blamed if he fails. He deserves the wholehearted support of his own party in the election process, at the least.

[Scoopie]

72. Patiently waiting

his VP pick.
Kerry was my first choice pre-Wes Clark. But I wasn't excited. Edwards was my second, but he couldn't even deliver the basics of what I wanted and I bored easily with his repetitive stump speech.
I am an Independent and damn proud of it. I vote the person, not the party. However, I think Bush is the absolute worse thing that has ever happened in this country since the Great Depression.
I think of the Dems as the Mommy Party and the GOP as the Daddy Party. What I'd like to see, being one myself, is the Single Parent Party - one who can take on both domestic and national security/foreign policies together.
This is what it's going to take for me to vote Kerry. I truly believe we live in a world economy, whether we like it (the corporations) or not (the laid-off workers). And, a solid FP platform will not only repair the Bush damage, but help us as we try to compete in the world and still maintain the American dream.
Kerry needs to shy away from the vanilla of the base (sorry Dems - but if you want to broaden said base, you need to listen) and go for the cutlet: Clark, Cleland, Biden or Graham - and you have a ticket for all of us who can bring home the bacon and fry it up in a pan.

[PVnRT]

73. I will vote for him

I agree with him for the most part, he just doesn't excite me, and I don't see him having a lot of appeal to a lot of people, which is why I really hope Edwards is on his ticket as veep.

[Kenneth ken]

75. I am resigned to Kerry

being the Democratic nominee, and so the person I will vote for in November. I am supporting Dennis Kucinich all the way through the end of the convention.

I'm really not following Kerry's campaign.

I do not see Kerry as a magician who by winning the election will suddenly make all things right in this nation. If that is to happen, it will require Dems regaining control of both houses of Congress. And then making a real committment to actually fixing all that is wrong with our empire. Hercules had easier tasks than that, I fear.

I believe a Kerry presidency with a Republican-controlled Congress will be highly ineffective, at least in terms of accomplishments progressives would celebrate.

At bottom, I think democracy and representative governmnet has been lost in this country; the empire has over-reached and is now falling. I don't think it will be possible to 'catch' ourselves and prevent the fall; so we will fall, and not until then will most accept the reality of the fall. At that point we can start trying to decide what to do next.

[nickgutierrez]

79. He's not Bush

I would vote for the next door neighbor's dog before I vote for Bush again.

That having been said, we could have done far worse than John Kerry.

John Kerry won't gut environmental regulations. He won't go to the UN with sabres a-rattlin', with a with-us-or-against-us message that would make even the most fierce partisans blush. And we can be certain that he won't paint his political opponents as the equivalent of Saddam Hussein, Osama bin Laden, or Adolf Hitler.

John Kerry also isn't perfect. He wants to stay in Iraq, which is a policy I can understand if not agree with. While both Kerry and Shrub say they want to bring in the international community, Bush will be lucky if he doesn't get a considerable amount of spittle smack in the middle of that dopey face of his. Kerry has credibility, if only because he's not Bush, and that should be enough to get the UN in, and the US out of the driver's seat of a vehicle currently on course to hell itself.

That's reason enough.

[Dr Fate]

80. Always liked him. n/t

n/t

[AgadorSparticus]

82. Kerry grew on me. I'd like him more if he'd show more fire.

I am pretty happy with his campaign strategy so far. I think that it is wise of him to stay out of the fray. Waiting for the teeth to come out after the convention.

As for Kerry, I am hopeful. I think the bushII reign has forever changed the landscape of politics. I don't think anyone could have imagined that the current administration could take the country to where it is today. And because of it, I think the Democratic Party is forever changed. Whether it be directly or by default. It has changed.

I think Kerry will be very effective because he has an arsenal of people behind him: Big Dog, Clark, THE WORLD. A year ago, it was unthinkable that bush would be in the current situation he is in now. It would be unthinkable that bush would be trailing a dem. nominee who hasn't even picked his vp yet. Who knew the lies and crimes would REALLY bite him in the ass so soon? I think miracles happen every day.

I may be naive for being as hopeful and as optimistic as I am. But it is a miracle to me that the Democratic Party found its voice and spine in less than a year's time. In this volatile environment, I think anything can happen. I'm even hopeful for an impeachment now.

My only complaints about Kerry's campaign:

More Kerry the person. I'd like to see more of his sense of humor, passion, and convictions.

[RafterMan]

84. Cautiously optimistic

Kerry seems to have a good understanding of what the issues are, from Iraq to energy. The problem is that he communicates understanding, but no urgency. The only reason I *really* want to vote for him is because of Bush, but I'm certainly willing to give him a shot.

Also, I desperately hope he doesn't choose a hawk for his VP. That might push me too far.

[nightperson]

86. I'm surprised by your last 3 paragraphs.

We agree more than I thought. With every day I am careening towards neo-isolationism and expect to take all kinds of **^&%# from all sides about not being enough of an empath or whatever.

I've always said, do whatever it takes to win and get rid of the Bush posse. I thought Kerry was the strongest candidate during Primary season so I posted about that, did what I could, but I'm avoiding comment on the Prez campaign cuz' I don't know the ins and outs of the various swing states, etc.. Plus things are just plain outta hand these days, I can forgive Kerry for keeping some distance from the 24/7 political chaos at home and abroad. Who wants to get hit by flying debris?

That said, like you I'm fairly age-removed from the draft, and I think many of our fellow hardcore Kerry supporters here and elsewhere could benefit by taking a step back and asking how they would feel about foreign policy if they were an 18-year old male. "Kerry's War", "Democrat Wars", etc., are not phrases I look forward to hearing. Thanks for reminding people that Vietnam was hardly a high point for the Democratic establishment.

[Zynx]

87. I've learned to like him a lot, actually.

[Speed8098]

88. Not my first choice, but.....

I do like JFK.

I would've rather had John Edwards, but I WILL vote for Kerry and I am pushing everyone I know to get out and vote for him.

I too think he is walking into an LBJ type Presidency. This mess in Iraq is NOT going magically disappear just because we have a Democratic President. I do think however, that JFK will be able to garner the goodwill of our displaced allies and internationalize the effort to get us out.

The propaganda out there portrays him to be a flip-flop type of Senator, but I like the fact that he looks at ALL sides of an issue. I also like the fact that he is not afraid to admit when he made a mistake on a vote.

On a lighter note, I wish he would stop licking his lips so much during his speeches, it's distracting....LOL :)

Kerry/Edwards is the ticket that will win it for him.

I like Gep, but I don't think he would be a wise choice for VP.
Edwards is my first choice for VP, but I won't be upset if it's Clark.

[Justice]

89. I support him strongly - verbally, financially etc

I am not George Soros, but can't help but echo his comments - the single biggest thing I can do is to get Bush out of office.

[GalleryGod]

90. I Was with Him on April 21,1971: STILL STICKIN' with JK

He's run a marvelously subtled and nuanced campaign...far from boring, his appearances are Elegant in Style, and comforting to the "Swing Voter".

Detractors should've learned by now...turning up the HEAT too soon...means that your campaign may evaporate.

:smoke: JK's going to the Oval office. Bank on it!

Your Man in the Faculty Lounge,:hangover: ,
G.G.

[MoonRiver]

91. He was my first choice before the Iraq War and Wes Clark's entrance

into the race. I am solidly behind him as our Democratic candidate now. I wish he had voted against IWR, but I've gotten through that, as his record is excellent otherwise. I believe he will make a superb president. Regardless of what happens in the House and Senate Kerry will restore our international status. That alone is so critical to resolving this Iraq crisis. He will be effective on the domestic front if we can at least take back the Senate and gain seats in the House. If not then accomplishing much on the home front will be an uphill battle for him. I hope and believe Americans are aware of this, and will trend toward voting straight Dem tickets. Otherwise Kerry won't have much of a shot at fixing *'s hideous blunders and abuses.

[LosinIt]

92. Kerry has no mojo, but is not GWB

I feel that he was one of the weakest of the potential nominees. But, at this point, I think he is running a smart campaign by laying low and letting Bu$h self-destruct.

[Paragon]

93. Hey, you vouched for him.

But considering the alternative, Kerry's a fucking god. He has my enthusiastic support.

[lojasmo]

94. Disgusted but resigned

He's done TONS of good work over the years.

His vote on the IWR, and on the USA patriot act, and his failure to denounce (and vote against) the Bush tax cut fiasco were a HUGE disappointment to me. Those actions seem like a total failure of principals.

He's about as exciting as leftover pancakes. He strikes me (media-wise) as an arrogant, pompus, windbag.

That being said, ABB.

[CrispyQ]

95. Happy to vote for him & just sent him more $$$$! eom

[themann1086]

97. I feel...

mixed. on one hand, he is a lot better than bush; but let's be honest, that's a REALLY low bar to measure a candidate by. Granted, he has my vote, but... there are just so many issues where he's just so damned conservative. The people from the Political Compass label Kerry as being slightly right of center and being slightly authoritarian (there goes the media's "Kerry's too liberal argument"...). Bush is listed as very very right and halfway authoritarian. In other words, both candidates are right autoriatarians. This screws over the other 3 quadrants, especially the leftist libertarians. Yet again, we get the short end of the stick. We always do.

[incapsulated]

98. My bags are packed and I'm boarding the train

He's the man, now. He wasn't my first choice, I've had problems with his campaign, but such is life. We have to win, that's the bottom line. He may well make a great President, but that would be gravy at this point. Now is not the time for great reforms, let's get back to something resembling a "normal" administration first, before we wind up with WWIII or the Great Depression 2 or something.

[Name removed]

99. Deleted message

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

[VC of reason]

100. on the fence

I am not satisfied with Kerry as our choice.

I know this won't be a popular sentiment on this thread but, when I take off my 'I want to beat GW so bad I'll only see what I want to see' glasses I see Kerry as pretty much and opportunist who can't seem to commit to any one issue without appearing to change his mind later on.

I am really disappointed that the democratic party is so consumed with ousting GW that we are ignoring who Kerry really is. Now if you could meld Clark, Kerry and McCain into one man, that would be perfect.

I fear that the economy is going to continue to boom, and that by November, jobs and Iraq will no longer be an issue and our boy will get trounced.

but, hey that's just me...the voice of reason not pipe dreams.

[curse10]

101. Extremely Happy

Much of the naysaying that's happening just feels like sour grapes. I think Kerry has run a very good campaign. He's letting Bush cook his own goose. He's laying low, saying what needs to be said when it needs to be done, not spending huge amounts of money too early, and playing it cool.

He starts a little controversy now and then (the whole not going to accept nomination at the convention thing) and he gets media coverage again for a week or so. I thought it was brilliant.

[iconoclastic cat]

102. Since I'm already making people mad today,

I might as well reply to your query, Mr. Pitt.

At the moment, I am committed to voting for John Kerry. I am not at all happy with the menu right now, and I really wish that we could pass a "None of the Above" law that mandates 4 things:
1. Each and every person who pays taxes is mandated to vote. Possible penalties: withholding of a tax return; a long, painful audit.
2. Political campaigns limited solely to debates on public television or public addresses.
3. That a choice of "none of the above" is attached to all voting categories. If "none of the above" wins, the entire roster of candidates is barred from running for one full term, and a new round of debates begins with new candidates.
4. Public officials must live in public housing, send their children to public schools, and hold public forums on at least a monthly basis.

I could think of more, but I have a feeling that most people have already stopped reading.

Anyway, Mr. Pitt, Senator Kerry and President Bush--like all the other millionaires in power at this moment--have no idea what life is like for the majority of the people of the United States. And nobody can convince me that either one of them really cares about me or what I think. My wife often says, "I won't be happy until a homeless black lesbian is president." I would settle for ethics, transparency, and an activist spirit.

And please, separation of church and state. Come on already.

If things keep up they way they are now, take a look at Brazil. That will be us. Count on it.

[shivaji]

103. We picked the worst possible candidate in Kerry

My first choice was Dean who is refreshing and honest and
full of charisma. I admire what he accomplished as a
governor, especially universal healthcare.

My 2nd choice was Edwards for his sunny personality, very
good voting record. He would have creamed Bush in debates.

My 3rd choice was Gephardt for his unwavering support of
democratic ideals for 3 decades.

In kerry we have a unlikeable, uncharismatic, and most
boring speaker of all time. He flip-flop voting record
is his worst problem. I am not sure I will drag my lilly
white ass to the voting booth on a cold November day, but
may be Bush will inspire me to go and vote for Kerry.

[VC of reason]

107. time to be honest with ourselves here

Shivaji, I couldn't agree with you more. Although I personally think Dean was too far out in space to connect with the mainstream and don't agree with you on that part, I just wish people would be more honest with themselves and stop 'pretending' that Kerry is something he isn't.

All politicians are good and bad, but Kerry unlike Edwards, lacks charisma and any shred of connective tissue with an average American both Democrate or Republican. He is so phony it's ridiculous and the way everyone in Hollywood and the media is getting behind and editing the truth about him is baffleing.

Edwards would have been a much better choice and one I think the Republicans are secretly glad didn't happen.

Has everyone forgotten that Kerry hasn't been nominated and selected just yet? Remember how Dukakis had the nomination 'sewn up' and was replaced.

There is still hope.

[no name no slogan]

114. Dukakis replaced? (and yes, I know, FOUL)

First, welcome to DU!

Second, I think you're confused: Dukakis had a big enough margin before the 1988 convention to win on the first ballot, which he did. He ran as the party's Presidential candidate in November, and lost to Dubya's dad.

I believe you may be thinking of another race in another year. Dukakis was never replaced on the ticket.

:)

[VC of reason]

120. Gary Hart and John Kerry

You are right, my bad.

I mixed up both times Gary Hart ran in 1984 and 1988 and remember how he was one of the most popular candidates and in some circles was thought to be the best one to defeat Reagan in '84 and later Bush in '88. But as we all remember, everyone knew Mondale would get crushed by Reagan and although a lot of folks wanted Hart, a consensus could not be reached on him and Mondale got the nod.

And then who could forget Hart at the height of his popularity in the 1988 race, 'challenging' the media to follow him and 'prove' he was having an affair and of course out of his apartment one morning walks the wonderful Donna Rice...proving it.

All I remember is we all thought in 1984 with Mondale and in 1988 with Dukakis that they weren't the 'best' the democratic party could offer. Jackson and Hart's popularity divided the party too much and in the end, Dukakis gets he nod and the loses.

I feel the same way about this race. The whole thing is about Iraq and I think the war is going to be a non-issue come Novemeber and the economy will take front and center stage and Bush will get credit for it and probably win.

Lesson: Never get in a tank and wear a helmet that is 4 sizes too big unless you are Alfed E. Neuman. :0

[JHBowden]

117. Welcome to DU!

Keep in mind with Kerry, he could raise over 45 million dollars before the convention, something all other candidates (besides Dean) couldn't do for self-imposed reasons.

Also, all politicians play the "phony" game -- Bush's "ranch" in Crawford is even a campaign prop bought in 1999. To take another example, Senator Durbin from Illinois does an excellent job of voting left while talking very moderate, which from strictly an issues perspective, isn't a bad thing for many liberals.

[spooky3]

104. JFK is an 8, but GWB is only a 1 on a 10-point scale.

I don't have to have a 10 to know how to vote in November.

[latebloomer]

105. Unenthused, to put it mildly

Kerry has come a long way down from the fiery veteran who asked how you could ask someone to be the last to die for a mistake. My feeling is that he "goes along to get along" and that he is and will continue to be a tool of the real powers that be. I don't see him making substantive changes or really steering the country in a new direction. He is totally uninspiring.

I look forward to casting my vote for Kucinich in the Tuesday primary. A man like him, alas, is not corrupt enough to ever achieve the nomination.

[kodi]

106. what do i think of a guy worth $500,000,000 who just asked me for money?

not much....but, i have no one else to vote for.

i know he has a damn fine, honorable liberal voting record, is a brave, honorable, and humble man, and will do what he can, but one swallow does not a summer make and one politician more or less in the white house isn't that important unless it is steel reinforced with an increase in activism from the moderates and left in the country.

so will kerry help this? i don't know, lately he sure hasn't seemed to do as much as gore, clinton, dean, or even edwards to get people excited about being a democrat (unless one actally believes that campaign donations are the measurement for an active base come election-time).

one can point to his sweeping to the nomination as counter evidence to this, but i don't think that kerry produces in democrats a sense of pride that is going to be necessary for the democrats to overwhelm the gop money and smear machines....but i hope, sincerely i do, that i am wrong.

if i have to hear one more time kerry preach about what the gop is doing wrong instead of exhorting on what the democrats are going to do right, i think i might shoot my tv set.

one does not instill personal pride for political party affiliation by telling what is wrong about the opposition; one has to delineate what is right about ours.

i want kerry to tell america and the world why democrats can help america and the world.

i am more impressed with what other democrats are trying to do for the long term; dean with his grass roots orgs, and al gore with his attempts to buy radio and tv networks that present alternative perspectives to the corporate shills.

my money and time is going into local activism. let kerry spend some of his own millions if he wants to be president.

like tip o'neill, my "politics are local."

mr pitt, you want a useful description of kerry?

try "roughage" it's good for you yet flavorless at the same time.

and in that battle for the hearts and minds of that muddling middle, do dull-eyed, empty headed americans want roughage over george "pork rind" bush?

but who knows, after all its used to clear shit out of a blocked up system and we sure have that now in washington.

i can see it now from moveon.org

"kerry, the metimucule candidate, he'll clean out the system"

[JohnLocke]

108. I am satisfied with Kerry.

I'd like for him too be a bit more aggressive, but I concur with his issue stances all around.

[TreasonousBastard]

109. I will vote for and support Kerry...

but I feel about Kerry as I feel about every Presidential candidate-- I'm not sure.

The Presidency is an awesome job, and no one can fully prepare for it. If one has the ability, one grows into the job.

Does Kerry have the ability to grow into this job? I don't know. I do know he will do his best, whatever that may be. And his best will be vastly better than the present mediocrity, who doesn't even seem to be trying to use his few meager abilities.

Will he make this a better country? That would be nice, but I would be quite satisfied if he merely not destroyed it.

Ther is only so much we can expect in a nation this complex with so many at the trough.

[0rganism]

110. I'm doing my best to like him

His record is great. His policies are certainly preferable to what we have now. And yet... He makes me uneasy. Rather than embracing his past of liberal activism, he seems eager to hide it from view.

I don't question his campaign strategy, though. His tactics thus far have been very effective. And I don't have to be thrilled with everything he does to vote for him in November.

My heart is with Kucinich, my brain was for Clark or Dean, but since the Democratic party insists on it, I will have no qualms giving my vote to Sen. Kerry.

[dkf]

112. I'm waiting for him to be a leader that I can follow

Until that day I will criticize him as needed to shove him into the direction I feel he needs to go.

I echo your sentiments on Kerry morphing into Lyndon Johnson which is why I was talking about the draft earlier. I got criticized roundly for doing this and was accused of being bitter since I supported another candidate in the primary, which didn't make a lot of sense to me, but oh well.

I will not give Kerry a free ride, I will not carry his weight, instead I will prod him and prod him and prod him anyway I can which includes voicing my piece on this board and on any other board I can get access to.

We the people need to guide the man because otherwise he will ignore us. And if he gets into office being so middle, he just may say that this was his mandate and he made no promises to be more progressive and if you secretly thought maybe he was, well tough beans!

[Paradise]

115. Pleased to be voting for him.

Although a Clark supporter, believe the best man, to win the General Election, won the Democratic Primary. Have a lifetime of experience assessing people's characters, and say that John Kerry is a good man, and will make a great President.

[LWolf]

116. Resigned.

Not happy, but I'm voting for him. Cautious. I don't trust him. I like much of his record, do not like his more recent stances, or much of his campaign rhetoric.

I guess it depends on what he actually does with all of the words, and I don't feel confident that I know where he is actually going.

[Mr.Green93]

118. Stoked!

[Hippo_Tron]

119. I'm at the point where I want George Bush out of the white house NOW!

Oh yeah, and John Kerry will be a pretty damn good replacement.

[Gloria]

121. I am waiting until he takes off the gloves...with volume.....

and also for his VP selection before I decide what to do in terms of time /money for the campaign. What will engage me is if Clark is named VP.
If he isn't, I will question the degree to which Kerry wants really engage Bush in a direct and forceful manner...

[RobinA]

122. John Kerry

Kerry was always my first choice as a Dem candidate once it became clear who the candidates were going to be. He may even be my first choice of all Dems who were viable to run for Pres. I have no problem with his adopting positions I don't necessarily agree with, because any candidate who agrees with me 100% is not going to get elected.

I do not particularly like the campaign he has run so far. It's Gore all over again. Gore was another guy whom I liked a lot. But they are both too damn mealy-mouthed. They talk mush. I'm not talking about them going out and saying "My opponent is a goddamn idiot." I'm talking about the way they articulate their positions. They won't take a solid stance on anything. Why can't any of our guys ever take a stand? These are intelligent men, but they sound like a parody of politics-speak. When they speak, a cloud of murk surrounds them that makes me crazy.

As far as what will happen if he is elected..... It is iffy. At times I'm tempted to think we'd be better in the long run if Bush gets reelected. I've said for a long time that the only cure for Bush is a resounding, complete, disaster of a magnitude that will cause the electorate to put a stake through this cabal's heart once and for all. At this point I go back and forth between thinking that our only salvation is such a disaster and the belief that we cannot walk that fine line, because we risk irreversible catastrophe. Don't know.

[Cheswick2.0]

123. He could easily blow it with me

There is a possibility that I would write in someone else. It depends (amoung other factors) on who he chooses for VP.

[Snivi Yllom]

124. Kerry makes me want to cry.

:(