Exciting times, and good coverage from NYT on Kids First

[ginnyinWI]

What we have here, I think, is the emergence of a new kind of political animal in John Kerry---the shadow president concept is beginning to be fleshed out--he really does mean to be a counterpart to the illegitimate president. Notice how he gave his speech at the same time as Bush's--point, counterpoint. His tone is strident, as it was at the MLK speech. Taking no prisoners. All the Dems are waking up from their slumbers, it seems, and John Kerry is the de facto leader of them all (ok Kennedy, too!) But this is something we've never really seen before, is it? A real shadow leader for the other half of us--and maybe he won't be so much a shadow but a very visible royal pain to Bushco. I hope so! The Dems have nothing to lose, and everything to gain.


http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/27/politics/27cnd-heal.html :

<In Mr. Kerry's first major speech since his loss to Mr. Bush in November, he attacked the president for offering health care proposals that amount to "the same window dressing, avoidance of reality that we've seen for the four years."

<snip>

After keeping a low profile for some time after the election, Mr. Kerry has taken an aggressive tack since returning to the Senate last week. He asked some of the toughest questions posed to Condoleezza Rice during her confirmation hearings for secretary of state and was one of only 12 Democrats to vote against her nomination.

The senator's rejuvenated public profile, and his remarks today, were in step with the admonitions of his colleague from Massachusetts, Senator Edward F. Kennedy, who exhorted Democrats earlier this month not to react to the election outcome by becoming clones of Republicans, and to vigorously press their own agenda even if it had no chance of adoption. >

[GRLMGC]

1. Good

What pisses me off is stupid threads in GD saying that he's running for 08 and that's the only reason he's doing this. He's doing his job and taking advantage of his position now that people know who he is. Damn it!

[JohnKleeb]

2. Goddamn them to hell

If one of their heroes were doing it, they would be and rightfully so praising them but if Kerry does it, oh he's just an oppertunist. Fuckers, just fuckers, nice how they treat our democrats, he as I've seen cares more about his fellow Americans than do or ever wlll. Assholes, simply assholes who give a man a hard time for trying ot help the nation's kids. This is such a step in the rright directoin.

[GRLMGC]

3. Oh and those assholes who are all like

"uhh, this isn't enough, everyon needs health insurance". Well no shit asshole but progress is slow. GRRRRR

[JohnKleeb]

4. would they have rather have a chance for all kids to have health insurance

or would they rather risk keeping those kids and adults without it. I want universal health care too but maybe this will prove to some that it works. Goddamn purists.

[sandnsea]

5. County clinics

Is it just me, or are these two statements completely contradictory? Why is Bush proposing a two-tier health care system while at the same time proposing choice in schools through vouchers? This clinic in every county seems to be pure government health care to me.

"I happen to believe that the best health care system is one where the consumers, the patients make the decisions."

"Bush said he was going to ask Congress to expand a network of clinics that provide primary care to "the poor and the indigent" to make sure that there was a one in every low-income county in the country."

[Pirate Smile]

6. Separate and unequal health care for the country.

A health care caste system.

[ginnyinWI]

7. time for John Edwards to step up on this

It is a perfect example of his "two Americas" theme! Our candidates are going to be proven right over and over and over again, unfortunately.

[sandnsea]

8. I agree, except

During the campaign Elizabeth said this was a good idea. I understand that something is better than nothing, but politically I couldn't believe my ears. When people think of government health care, this is what they think of. County hospitals, VA hospitals, military care, etc. It just goes to show people can be sold darn near anything.