Kerry facing first Democratic primary challenge since taking office 23 years ago

[DogPoundPup]

Sen. John Kerry is facing his first primary opponent since he first took office 23 years ago, and his challenger has one issue in mind: The Massachusetts senator's 2003 vote authorizing President George W. Bush to launch military action against Iraq.

Ed O'Reilly said he was so incensed by Kerry's vote that he gave up his law practice to devote himself full-time to ousting the Democratic 2004 presidential nominee from office.

"I looked at that and said 'What kind of person would vote for a war knowing it's wrong?'" said O'Reilly, who supported Kerry's 2004 presidential bid. "John Kerry knew the vote was wrong but to increase his chances to become president he voted for it anyway. It was a calculated vote based on his own political ambition."

Kerry has defended his vote, saying it was intended to give Bush a strong hand in seeking international sanctions — an option he says the White House did not pursue effectively.

Although few give O'Reilly anything more than long shot odds at defeating Kerry, the 55-year-old lawyer and former firefighter from the fishing village of Gloucester, Massachusetts, has already scored one victory.

Earlier this month, O'Reilly received the backing of about 23 percent of delegates at the annual state Democratic convention — despite an effort by Kerry supporters to deny him the 15 percent needed to get a spot on the ballot.

"John Kerry and his campaign worked so hard from the top down in order to squelch my candidacy and I still came out with nearly one out of four of the party insiders," he said. "That says a lot about how people feel about John Kerry."
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/06/29/america/NA-POL-US-Kerry-Challenger.php

[saltpoint]

1. Here's hoping that the incumbent prevails in this primary contest.

[Mass]

2. Hopefully, reason will prevail. kerry is a good senator and there are greater priorities than

to change our Senators.

[proud2BlibKansan]

24. Greater priorities than 4100 US military deaths?

One million dead Iraqis?

Please explain what priorities are more important than human lives.

[Mass]

29. Well, this is not exactly O'Reilly priority, as shown by interviews he gave where he says the same

thing Kerry says on this issue. Sure, he says what PDA wants to hear, but, in interviews in MA, he does not say exactly the same thing.

Nothing is more important than your issue, but there is no real differences between Kerry, who is leading the fight to get troops out of Iraq with Feingold, and O'Reilly, except, may be, who did more to advance that.

[Arkana]

3. Apparently O'Reilly paid no attention to what Bush did to Kerry in 2004

or Kerry's actions in the three years after that.

John's a changed man--that presidential run was the catalyst.

The people here still love him, and I'll eat my hat if he's somehow voted out.

[dmosh42]

4. Kerry never explained why he and Kennedy supported a bill...

to kill off the Dorgan amendment that would have allowed prescription drug imports. He IS a tool of the pharmaceutical industry.

[Mass]

5. What are you talking about?

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=1&vote=00157

If this is this amendment, note that Dorgan supported it.

[ray of light]

10. Kerry called for allowing us to import pharma's from Canada! I have no idea

wtf the guy above you is talking about. He doesn't seem to have any links as proof.

[politicasista]

23. **crickets**

They been chirping loudly of late.

[Lyric]

46. PLAGUE OF LOCUSTS!!!! n/t

[dmosh42]

45. S1082 was the FDA bill, and Dorgan amended it with S990...

which the pharmaceuticals did not want because it allowed imported prescription drugs. So Cochran(R-Miss) amended that bill with S1010, which killed the bill effectively because it required an inspection of all imported drugs, and the FDA already said they didn't have enough manpower to do that.
Kennedy and Kerry did their duty and voted with the Repubs on that bill that was never reported in the media. The House never voted on it. Kennedy explained that he had a version in his committee that would be voted on, but never was brought up. Kind of elusive, but served their political purposes.

[beachmom]

6. The Ed O'Reilly who thinks the SBVT have a point will not prevail.

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2007/11/21/swift_boat_issue_becomes_crucial_to_kerry_anew/?page=2

Swift Boat issue becomes crucial to Kerry anew
Email|Print| Text size – + By Sasha Issenberg
Globe Staff / November 21, 2007

WASHINGTON - Senator John F. Kerry, in aggressively pursuing a forum in which to disprove allegations about his Vietnam military service, is drawing new attention to an issue that he was slow to address during his 2004 presidential campaign but that he now contends is vital to his political future.
more stories like this

Questions about his military service reemerged on Nov. 6 when T. Boone Pickens, a Texas financier who helped to fund the original Swift Boat Veterans for Truth campaign against Kerry during the 2004 presidential election, offered $1 million to anyone who could prove that any of the group's assertions were wrong.

Kerry accepted the challenge last week. Since then, what was shaping up as a gentlemen's duel has devolved into a testy back-and-forth that Pickens described on Monday as "like playing poker," with a series of new demands and countercharges. Kerry yesterday accused Pickens of "parsing and backtracking" on his initial offer and said he is "prepared to prove the lie and marshal all the evidence."

For Kerry, the public showdown with Pickens represents not only a belated engagement with old antagonists, but also an early strike against a Democratic primary opponent who signaled Monday that he welcomes the scrutiny of Kerry's military record initiated by the Swift Boat ad campaign in 2004.

"It goes to his credibility," said Ed O'Reilly, a Gloucester lawyer mounting a challenge to Kerry in the Democratic primary. "It needs to be cleared up."

O'Reilly has since backed away from this comment, but is the guy totally tone deaf? It is just about near universal among Democrats to despise the Swifts. And it makes one wonder why this guy decided to challenge Kerry.

[BigDaddy44]

7. Its called democracy

I want incumbents having challengers. All of them. From whatever party. Whats wrong with the people having a choice?

[beachmom]

8. Agreed. Unfortunately, a lot of crackpots end up doing it, and

IMO, we can do without primary candidates like Ed O'Reilly (see my comment above). I think more effective is a one issue primary challenger, who forces the encumbent to move in a certain direction.

[ray of light]

11. For one thing having a choice is good if it's an HONEST campaign. EOR is a swiftboater

of the first degree!

In fact, I've watched him and his 'supporters' swiftboat bloggers on dailykos and yet, I never saw EOR post his resume and post who his campaign donations come from.

Heck...if he could post a list of the GOOD things he's done for MA, then it might be worth having a competitor; however, Kerry has been good for the people of MA.

He's done many things at the Federal and International level. But at the 'local level', he's brought jobs to MA. He's gotten laws passed to help the fisherment in MA (clearly of high importance given MA's geography.) He's helped the small business owner. He's gotten bills passed to subsidize heating/cooling costs for the poor. He's gotten funding for children and schools.

Those are only off the top of my head.

A real campaign shouldn't be about a challenger who just spreads hate-speach (based on false claims). It should be about the BEST that both candidates can bring. So far, Kerry's best is the BEST for the people of MA. Whereas, EOR's best is really more of the Republican style personal attack politics.

[LTR]

9. Why do I get the feeling this guy's being propped up by wingnuts?

There's gotta be a few swiftnuts behind all this.

[ray of light]

12. He went on one of the most extreme right wing shows in MA. (Can't remmber the name of it.)

[bean fidhleir]

14. Working-class people tend to be concerned about class, not labels

Joe Bageant has quite a lot to say about the differences in fracture lines based on class

[Mass]

21. So they are too stupid to understand Howie Carr does not have their best interest at heart?

Just wondering if this was your position, because for me, Carr is the lowest of the lowest, and I would feel offended if you told me so.

[politicasista]

34. **crickets** n/t

[Lyric]

47. PLAGUE OF LOCUSTS!!!! n/t

[bean fidhleir]

44. O'Reilly put himself through school working as a firefighter and comes from a ff family

Firefighter ethos -which cops should share but too often don't- is that the only legitimate task is to put out the fire; they have no call to critique someone's politics or life choices. Their lives can depend on someone whose politics are different, so politics are not important compared to the personal qualities of bravery, reliability, and comradeship.

Smart people focus on what's important. In O'Reilly's case, I would guess he probably thought it was important to reach the people who listen to Carr, since he's a working stiff like them, has never had the advantages Kerry takes for granted, and needs every vote he can get.

(I'd mention that Kerry went on Severin's, but I'm sure in your mind that's totally different.)

[bean fidhleir]

13. It'd be good to look at his record & positions - he's quite progressive.

Note, for example, that PDA is endorsing him.


Here are the positions he's declared so far:

- begin withdrawal from Iraq immediately

- medicare for all

- tax-paid edu from pre-school through tertiary

- energy conservation plus non-profit renewable energy generation

- clean up the environment


That's far, far out in front of Kerry.

This guy is working class, like Kucinich. I'm sure the positions he takes come from his class membership, just as Kerry's do.

I plan to vote for him.

[LTR]

16. I dont' think O'Reilly's ideology means much to them

Perhaps the strategy would be to get some obscure guy to win the primary, then pull out a well-funded Republican rival to try and get the seat.

Getting Kerry's seat would be one hell of a coup for them, though there's likely not a snowball's chance in hell of it happening. And I'm sure Kerry will slide through the primary.

[bean fidhleir]

19. to "them"? Who's "them"? (nt)

[LTR]

41. The GOP

Grand Ol' Pinheads.

Next time, I'll draw you pictures.

[bean fidhleir]

43. No need for pictures - just use good English and I'll be fine

[MarjorieG]

18. We often get beginners to sign onto and be used by issues groups. I say this as PDA w. voting.

[ray of light]

33. When you vote for him, think about what you're losing in the Senate then.

You're losing seniority and high committee positions.

You're losing someone who has been an effective agent for environmental protection. Remember those fishermen out there in MA who sort of rely upon strong leadership to protect the fishing industry in MA. I believe he has a 100% rating with the environmental groups.

You're losing someone who fought for the poor. Things like helping people pay for lunches for children, heating and cooling, job training, etc.

You're losing someone who has fought for women's rights. I believe he has a 100% rating with NARAL.

You're losing someone who has fought for Vet's care and for better treatment of vets suffering from ptsd and other war wounds.

You're losing someone who has fought for a MODERATE supreme court which included filibustering the evil-Alito!

Your losing someone who called Condi out on her lies and refused to allow Bush's crownyism to go without a vote against.

You're losing someone who fought to break up the media consolidation in 2003.

You're losing someone who fought to get Lamont elected even when the other dems were playing it safe.

You're losing someone who has fought swiftboat liars for: Obama, Hillary, Murtha, Murphy, Sssnek, Reid, Pelosi, Duckworth, ...

You're losing someone who fought corruption throughout our government for decades!

Sounds like you have more to GAIN by voting for Kerry. And you have a hell of a lot to lose by voting for EOR.

[beachmom]

37. O'Reilly is untrustworthy on Iraq. He is AGAINST a timetable for withdrawal:

http://www.bluemassgroup.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=11965

Emily Rooney: You are proposing an immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq. A lot of people, including presumptive Presidential nominee John McCain, thinks that will be a terrible mistake.

EOR: You know, when I say immediate, right from the beginning of this campaign, I think that we should be committed to beginning to withdraw our troops. As a Senator, I can't tell the troops or the professionals that are doing the job in Iraq when, a timeline doesn't make sense to me ... I'm not saying we can withdraw our troops within a month, the process is going to take at least a year to 18 months mimimum but I want to do so in the safest manner possible. But it's not up to me to do that.

I am sorry, but this guy is blowing smoke. What he is best at is bashing Kerry; but try to get him to coherently describe his policy positions, and he can't do it and is often contradictory.

Kerry is FOR a timetable for withdrawal and came up with a policy for that in April 2006. Then he came out with the Kerry/Feingold amendment in June 2006, which garnered only 13 votes in the Senate. At the time he was taken to task by "some Democrats" in the New York Times for insisting on this amendment. Now it is accepted policy within the mainstream of the Democratic party.

[ben_meyers]

17. So any challenge to a Democrat is backed by

wingnuts? Sheehan is challenging Pelosi for her seat, does your suspicion apply?

Kerry's vote on the war and the fact that his "blind trust" investments have profited nicely from the defense industry need to be challenged and explained.

No one deserves a free ride Senate seat for life.

[Mass]

20. So Pepsi Cola is defense (not that Kerry invested in that, but the report

called defense industry whoever was working for the DoD).

I have no issue with somebody challenging Kerry or anybody else, but can it be somebody who is credible? This guy has no record whatsoever with the positions he supports. At least, Sheehan has years of activism fighting for her main issue. Do not compare her to this guy.

[MarjorieG]

15. Party insiders result from Clinton anger at Kerry's Obama support.

O'Reilly had little in the way of an agenda, until PDA gave him a list of beliefs to sign onto, as a way of promoting their single-payer healthcare issue. Many issue groups use token opponents to advance their causes, as PDA in this instance.

Really below the belt hits by the politicos in denying Obama delegates, also. The Clinton campaign seems to have fostered alot of backlash, much of it from those upset at losing their own access to power. I see it in her fundraisers from NY, also. The Clintons had a strong network, which only amplifies the magnitude of Obama's win.

Kerry is one of the most intellectually and emotionally prepared to ever been that close to the presidency, really any distance. Really ready from day one. No Drama Obama comes very close.

[Clintonista2]

25. Proof?

Thanks in advance.

[beachmom]

38. As far as Mass. goes, yes it is true that some Hillary supporters

were mad, and took it out on Kerry by voting for Ed O'Reilly at the Dem state convention. However, it was on the same day that she conceded. I am sure that in time, the anger will dissipate. Plus, I doubt many of them would actually vote for O'Reilly in the primary; it's just they wanted to "send a message" to Kerry that they were mad by allowing him on the ballot. Kerry's campaign manager in Mass. headed the Mass. campaign for Hillary in the primaries. If he says this is true, then I believe him. It is in the article in the OP.

[Rowdyboy]

22. If he pulls within 30 points of Kerry in any poll let me know.....

and I'll send John some bucks because I really like Teresa...

[Blarch]

26. Wow...Kerry's vote coming back to haunt him..

John Kerry: "If you don't believe...Saddam Hussein is a threat with nuclear weapons, then you shouldn't vote for me."

[Mass]

30. You have a quote, of course, for that.

[politicasista]

31. **crickets** n/t

[Lyric]

48. PLAGUE OF LOCUSTS!!!! n/t

[bean fidhleir]

42. cite

Kerry, a decorated Vietnam veteran, helped found Vietnam Veterans Against the War. He said he respects war protesters: "I've been there. I know how tough it is." He also defended voting last year for a resolution authorizing the president to use force against Iraq. "If you don't believe ... Saddam Hussein is a threat with nuclear weapons, then you shouldn't vote for me," he said.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2003-02-11-dems-war-uast_x.htm

[Sydnie]

27. I attended this convention

I heard O'Reilly speak. Most of his speech was about Kennedy and not about issues. Kennedy had just been diagnosed and much of the speeches did touch on our love of the Senior Senator, however, this would have been the time for O'Reilly to appeal to those who might have been swayed. I saw NO switching at this late date. Those of us that attended with support for Kerry in mind, stayed in that camp. There were some members that did support O'Reilly, but after listening to him speak, I can say clearly that I just didn't see any reason to do so. So many of his complaints were complaints outside the realm of a Senator's duties that I was stymied as to why he as running.

I left with the impression that he WAS backed by and encouraged by some group with an ax to grind, not just with Kerry in particular, but with the party in general. Half of our community elected delegates didn't even bother to attend as I am sure they felt that Kerry had no real threat there and there was precious little other business to attend to in this meeting. O'Reilly on the other hand, must have personally driven in his 23% to assure that not one of them missed the convention at all.

The 23% will come around and the anger with Kerry, what ever it is based on, will fall away.

O'Reilly is NOT the speaker that Kerry is and couldn't be in a 1000 life times. He sees a small picture and is encouraged by those with an ax to grind, imho.

[SoCalDem]

28. In a "change" year, many incumbents are vulnerable

Every so often a "throw the bums out" sentiment creeps into the electorate..

[ray of light]

35. Suggestion...put your money on throwing THIS BUM out then. (Look below)

Tim Walburg...Club for Growth Republican who votes with Bush 100% of the time, and says Detroit is no different than Iraq.

http://www.walbergwatch.com/blog.html.

[politicasista]

40. Thank you n/t

[bean fidhleir]

49. Especially when the "bum" in question voted to let a psychopath butcher innocent people

for money, and then preemptively conceded the presidential election to that same psychopath - his frat brother.

That kind of thing tends to leave a bad taste in people's mouths.

[Juche]

32. Great

The dems need to feel pressure from the left. Shirley Golub gained 11% of the vote and raised tons of money on ActBlue. If Pelosi keeps pussing out and giving in, then by 2012 a primary challenger may have a decent shot at removing her in her district (Pelosi's district is so blue that there is no way anyone but a democrat can win there so I'm not worried about SF going red).

If the dems have no fear of the grassroots left, there is no reason for them to respect or represent us.

There should be more grassroots leftists running to oust the democrats in congress.

[JI7]

36. this has nothing to do with the left, O'Reilly sided with the swift boat vets against Kerry

and he is being propped up by Howie Carr types.

and the reason he got the support at the convention that he did was because angry Hillary supporters over Kerry endorsing Obama.

[beachmom]

39. Ed O'Reilly is not "from the left". He is a tool and a crackpot.

He will not move Kerry leftward on any issue, because John Kerry is already a good progressive liberal in the Senate in league with Russ Feingold.

[bean fidhleir]

50. And of course yours is the definitive opinion, so everyone else should SDASU, yes? (nt)