John Soltz ...... let's talk about this very impressive young man.

[Stinky The Clown]

He was just on Hairballz. As much as he seems to be on teevee, he wears well. He always appears smart, informed, articulate, and passionate.

It struck me ...... he is, in many ways, a latter day John Kerry. To be sure, the two men are different and have different stories. But there's Soltz ..... a veteran who has become anti war and who has come into the political sphere like a storm.

And he's almost always paired with some schlub right wing vet or apologist. I see them as the Corps of Would Be John O'Neills (of swift boater fame). Solz has a take no prisoner style that never fails to decimate them. Kerry, in his youth, was more laid back (see his 'debate' with O'Neill on the Dick Cavitt show). Solz is in your face and wound pretty tight. Both are passionate and convincing.

He's the face of VoteVets-dot-org and plays the game very, very skillfully. As but one current example, they did the ad with General Dave saying he didn't know if the War in Iraq is making us safer. If you haven't seen it, it is the best anti-Petraeus ad out there. Respectful yet gut punching. Serious and to the point. Factual.

John Soltz ......

It would not surprise me one whit to see him run for elective office. The Senate is hardly too high a goal for him.

[babylonsister]

1. Here's the VoteVet's ad:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x53522

[Stinky The Clown]

3. Thanks for the link. That 30 second ad says a WHOLE lot.

[babylonsister]

6. Yes, it's a good one. nt

[MoonRiver]

2. I caught just a bit of that segment, but I was very impressed with Soltz!

I agree that this kid is going places. :thumbsup:

[Olney Blue]

4. Solz is a winner. I likey.

[globalvillage]

5. Love Soltz

He's incredibly brave and honest. Funny, and cute as hell.

My video of Soltz at Take Back America

http://www.kerryvision.net/2007/08/john_soltz_demands_the_truth_a.html

[pingzing58]

7. Maybe MSNBC could give a show he'd give a run to F***er Carlson and win.

[alstephenson]

8. John Kerry inspired him to become active in the anti-war movement.

There were some other threads on DU last week regarding Soltz. I can't remember the whole story, but Kerry called him at home after meeting him at an event and urged him to channel his anger through activism, which he did. Thanks, Senator Kerry!!!

[Stinky The Clown]

11. Thanks for that back story. I didn't know that.

[Sparkly]

9. His recent appearance with Ron Christy on Tweety was classic.

Just classic. Christy had a pitiful, hysterical meltdown.

Also the one with the usual rightwinger, who interrupted him repeatedly until Soltz just ignored him and kept talking as if he weren't there. It was great.

[Horse with no Name]

12. That is one RW asshat that makes my hair stand up

I cannot stand Christie.

[BootinUp]

10. I agree with you 100%. n/t

[blm]

13. Kerry's era was influenced by leaders who spoke eloquently and ELEGANTLY

while today's audiences are looking for coarser expressions of outrage.

That is what the media has done to this country to keep the divide up and the discourse down.

I think Solz is doing a very good job of striving to keep a cool head under the weight of all the many years of lies this nation has been forcefed by the WH and its complicit media.

I expect him to be a force for many years to come and expect he will be dogged the entire time by those looking to discredit him. Just as they did to Kerry for THREE DECADES. It's not easy being a truthteller in this world.

[Cameron27]

14. Impressive is exactly how I'd describe him too,

I can't think of a better spokesperson for the anti-Iraq/war movement. AND he never gives an inch, I love that.