Dispatches from the heartland: a rural Illinoisan's take on JK

[WildEyedLiberal]

So I went home this weekend, partly because I needed to do laundry and partly because I wanted to see my family. I am from a small (pop. 4500) town in the middle of rural corn belt Illinois where the biggest nearby city is my college town, which is an hour away. Political viewpoints are obtained from family members, TV ads, and to a smaller extent newspapers and cable news. So you could hardly accuse anyone from my hometown of being a political hardball insider - which makes their perspective particularly valuable in terms of how politics and candidates are perceived in the "real world" of the average American voting public.

My mom has always been a stalwart Democrat, but my dad remains a stubborn independent. I don't think he's actually voted for a presidential Republican candidate since the 1970s, but he's not exactly a bleeding heart liberal, either. He was for Edwards in the 2004 primary because he liked his populist message, and liked Kerry, but was hardly wild about him in 2004. He loathes Bush and the current crop of fake Christian fascist Republicans with every fiber of his being.

When I came home Dad mentioned that he had seen John Kerry's interview with Chris Wallace on Fox News. To put it mildly: he was impressed. He said Kerry "made Wallace look like an ass" and spoke plainly and forcefully.

He then said something along the lines of: "If Kerry talks like that in Iowa and just tells the average Joe what in the hell is going on, Hillary and the rest of them might as well go home. That's all the average guy wants - someone who won't pull any wishy-washy bullshit and just gets up there and tells the truth."

He said as long as Kerry pulls no punches, he's the one to beat for 2008, and he has yet to see anyone who comes close. He thinks a Kerry/Obama ticket would be unstoppable (I'm inclined to agree). He also said that the latest attacks on Kerry are coming because "people don't want him to be the candidate because he speaks too much truth."

My dad is a 60 year old union man who grew up on a farm and he has a lot more in common with the average American than "top Democratic officials" or Markos Moulitkas or Charlie Cook or whatever other talking heads are tsk-tsking at Kerry this week.

Just thought that you guys would appreciate a dose of reality after this week's blog world/beltway insider tantrum. Out here in real America, Kerry has a lot of respect and support.

[ProSense]

1. Really interesting! Thanks!

I know people are tired of lies, but I truly believe they're also tired of politicians who don't take a stand!

[globalvillage]

2. Hey WEL

Did your dad watch this morning's interview? Ask him what he thought, I'm curious.
I really thought this was one of the Senator's most effective and hard-hitting interviews. I think his message has a universal appeal. I'm half tempted to call my mom and ask her for her thoughts.

[WildEyedLiberal]

5. No, he was out running errands this morning

I missed it too :(

[globalvillage]

6. The video's up

On johnkerry.com
It's exceptional. You should watch it.

[ProSense]

3. Did you see

Taylor Marsh's post on Obama:

http://www.taylormarsh.com/archives_view.php?id=24698

[globalvillage]

4. She's a very bright woman.

I agree. Obama's not ready for the top spot, but 8 years as VP would do it. I'm still a bit partial to Clark, though.

[Island Blue]

8. What freaks me out about Obama

is that he is only 2 1/2 years older than me and 4 days younger than my older brother. Yikes. I agree, I don't think he's quite ready for prime time, but I have no doubt that he will one day be president.

[Mass]

7. He is just the latest flavor of the month.

DU tends to follow the media buzz, that is all. It is funny to see comments that John Hardwood (sp?) heard from insiders (which, what was their agenda???) that Hill would not run and Obama would run. People like Hardwood (sp?) have been so good with their predictions in the past that I am not sure how people can still believe them.

I could not agree more with Taylor Marsh on Obama.

[MBS]

9. this is wonderful!

Thanks so much-- this made my day. Give your dad a hug from me! Yes, and SO nice to get a break from the "blog world/beltway insider tantrum". I'll take reality any day!

[MH1]

10. Excellent to read

Thanks for posting!

Most people I talk to still like and respect Kerry - it's nothing like the crap that's spewed on the blogs.

I tentatively agree on the Kerry/Obama ticket, too.

[TayTay]

11. I am not surprised that real people are willing to take another look

There is a classic American narrative. It has to do with the hero who fails on the first attempt. The hero then wanders in the wilderness for a while. Usually the story reveals this to be a test of character and talks about the hero's doubts, trials and trevails while wandering the wilderness and about character and resolve. The true hero works through the doubts, works through the problems and emerges a more whole character, one that has been thoroughly tested. That hero gets another chance.

That story is as American as Mom and Apple Pie. Contrary to blog opinion, Americans give second chances all the time; it just depends on the character of the person who seeks the second chance. It depends on what they come back with and how they show that they have learned something, grown a bit and are ready for that chance. It happens all the time.

"The lane is long, it has been said, that never turns again
And fate, though fickle, often gives another chance to men."
-- Grantland Rice, Casey's Revenge
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/poetry/po_case2.shtml

[WildEyedLiberal]

12. Funny, I wrote a post about that very narrative a couple weeks ago

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=273&topic_id=105808&mesg_id=105863

It's one of the oldest and most compelling literary narratives of all time - and it's a huge mistake for the nattering heads to underestimate its power.

[JI7]

13. i saw Kerry talk to guys like your dad

these guys were kind of cynical of politicians and challenged Kerry on the things he said and promised. i thought he got along well with them. it wasn't just q&a sessions but really turned into a discussion or conversation with him and the others.


i think it would be great if Kerry set up some town hall type meeting in your area and many other rural areas. i know he has done it before and hopefully he will do mroe of them after the elections.

[Inuca]

20. From your keyboard....

... to his ears :-), I live roughly in the same area as WEL.

[sandnsea]

14. I agree with you

That's what people want the most, especially that 'elusive' white male. That's what they thought they were getting with Bush. Of course, you have to know what the truth is before you can tell it, and nobody knows more truth than John Kerry.

However, I have to disagree on Obama - both my husband and my 20 year old son are 100% on board with Obama. They're not convinced JK can win. :(

[WildEyedLiberal]

16. Which is why Obama would make a good ticket mate

There's no way he's ready for the top spot. That's just media hype at its finest. But I think he'd be a big asset as a running mate. Kerry and Obama share one irreplacable virtue - they are, outside of the wingnut crowd, not perceived as rabid partisans, but as genuine public servants who want to unite the country and serve the people.

[sandnsea]

17. Yes he would

I just think he's more than the flavor of the month. He really has something special, way more than Clinton even. If he can stick to Democratic principles and pull this country happily leftward, then that would be awesome.

[ProSense]

18. I like that

"pull this country happily leftward"

I was discussing this very concept yesterday!

[WildEyedLiberal]

19. Agreed

I read bits and pieces of his book when I was in Target the other day. Unlike nearly other Democrat vying for media buzz, he did not take the opportunity to take any cheap shots at Kerry or smugly imply that he would have been oh-so-better - his references to Kerry were polite and very respectful, and he mentioned how the "lovely and gracious" Teresa Heinz Kerry helped put him to ease before his big speech at the convention. He came across as warm, sincere, and very, very genuine - which is a big departure from the usual self-aggrandizement of so many up-and-coming political flavors of the month. I was impressed with what I read and it made me lean that much more towards Obama as VP.

[Inuca]

21. "He really has something special"

He does, doesn't he? Difficult to say exactly what.... Clinton is like champagne, tasty, great to drink, goes to your head fast. Obama (and JK) are more like good red wines, with deep & complex flavors. Lots of brains for all mentioned here, but the similarities end there I think.

[politicasista]

15. Thanks for sharing that

I like Obama. Just don't like all the media hype. I enjoyed his 2004 speech and think he has a beaufiful family too.

It would be really unfortunate to see people setting him up for disappointment cause he has a chance to be the first black president one day.

Does anyone care about 2006 anymore? :shrug:




I like the thought of a Kerry/Obama ticket.

[whometense]

22. I like the idea

of a Kerry/Obama ticket, too.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if the idea has crossed Kerry's mind as well. His gracious answer to the question he was asked about Obamam on This Week yesterday indicates that he might not be at all averse to the idea.

[blm]

Good story - - Corpmedia made sure to hide that side of Kerry in 2003-4.

I don't think they'll be able to do it again - although Kerry will remain civil, his emphasis on being HONEST with the public will be the KEY that few can match - and certainly no Republican can.

[whometense]

23. WEL,

I really love this. Every time there's a new online tempest I wonder to myself, what are people thinking who are not obsessively online (like me)? It's wonderful to get to hear what one of those people is thinking. After all, we have to guard against insulating ourselves in a bubble a la fearless chimpster. I'd rather hear bad news if it's the truth than happytalk if it's a lie.

I imagine all of us Kerry folks feel the same way. And if I had information that led me to believe that it would be a waste of time and energy for him to run again, much as I want to see that happen, I would consider myself a crappy supporter if I held that information to myself.