Kerry blew it today playing guitar on MSNBC

[hexola]

Compare to Clinton's sax playing...Clinton just went out and stuck it out even though he knew he sucked. Kerry was being far too shy and nebbish about his guitar playing...and he obviously can play half decently...but he just couldn't do it...what did he play?..a few unrecognizable notes from "Phantom of the Opera" WTF? He should have wacked a quick blues turnaround...that would have spoke volumes...

A missed oppourtunity to connect.

[shance]

1. Am not a Kerry supporter per se , but hey, at least he got out and did it

I play the guitar and sing and its tough getting out there in front of an audience no matter how good (or not good) you are.***

[Maple]

2. I can't believe

stuff like this is even a part of a presidential campaign.

[hexola]

4. Clinton playing sax

is one of the most memorable images from his presidency...

[Maple]

9. He'd have done better

to look more presidential.

Sax playing is irrelevant in a world leader.

[MoonGod]

19. Irrelevant in a world leader...

... but very relevant to a political campaign.

They're basically 2 separate jobs.

[Maple]

23. They shouldn't be

The end result is the end result.

[Robin Hood]

30. Well whatever,

Shouldn't be but it is. Deal.

[Uzybone]

58. its ridiculous

who cares if they can play sax or guitar. It just shows how shallow the media percieves the public to be, and rightly so.

[Clete]

3. What's your game?

Yesterday you were criticizing Dean for his shirts and today it's Kerry about his guitar. Is this candidate bashing necessary?

[hexola]

8. Are you saying this stuff doesnt matter?

Obviously they made a point to have him play guitar.It didn't just happen...same with Clinton...it's the kind of stuff that helps people relate to you beyond the policy stuff...and just as important IMO.

[Clete]

10. It doesn't matter one iota and you know it.

You are trying to get people mad and arguing with each other aren't you?

[Eloriel]

13. Would certainly fit the name, wouldn't it

Put a little hexola on things.

Eloriel

[hexola]

14. Take it up with the Kerry campaign!

This stuff doesn't just "happen" - Its obviously a contrived part of thier stategy to present Kerry in a certain way. I didn't invent it...and don't get me started on the "parasailing" (or whatever you call it) he was doing...

I think it does matter...and I think you know it!

[Forkboy]

15. Sorry Clete,but have to disagree

whether we think it's important or not...it is.Just today VH1 put Clinton playing the sax as the number one moment in music television moments,ahead of the Beatles playing Ed Sullivan.It was a defining moment of Clinton's campaign.

Is it important that he could play the sax? Fuck no.
Did it play well and connect to millions of people? Fuck yeah.

We may not like the importance thats attached to things like this,but it is a fact of modern campaign life.

[oasis]

5. The idea is exposure. Doing regular stuff like regular folk is endearing.

[Maple]

7. Some people think Bush is endearing

Look at the polls.

I'd prefer a leader whose first...and even only...talent was running the country.

[Forkboy]

17. Whats preferable

and what wins elections aren't always compatible.

[oasis]

21. Kissing babies, eating corn dogs, crowning winners of baking contests

at county fairs in Iowa is sometimes necessary to get your foot in the door. It hasn't anything to do with governance but you have to appear to be a regular fella.

[Maple]

24. That's very

sad.

Last thing I'd want running my country is a 'regular fella'

[oasis]

25. You and I may be a little more sophisticated than some. Simpler

folk vote too, and there is many more of them.

[spooky3]

56. I think a lot of voters decide on the basis of...

simply whether they "like" the candidate. Is he/she someone you'd want to have as a friend or neighbor? I wish this weren't true, but I really believe that it is.

[oasis]

68. Kerry must avoid being Gorelike.

Many know Gore to be warm and witty. The 2000 press seemed to like the style of McCain and Chimpy.

It's up to Kerry to show voters that, at times, he too can be a lot more casual.

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

6. That's because Kerry can only connect with the Cape Cod crowd...

Phantom of the Opera! Come on! How the hell does Kerry think that he's going to "capture the imagination of average voters" playing that on guitar?

Kerry is trying REAL hard to not look like the elite, old money, NE millionare crowd from which he has been bred...and he SUCKS at trying to look like an average Joe.

JB

[Maple]

12. Why would you want

your leader to be..or even appear to be...an 'average Joe??'

[hexola]

20. Why would you want

your leader to be...or even appear to be...a elitist snob?

[Maple]

22. Only in America

would this have anything to do with a person's ability to run a country.

And that should worry you.

It means that people like Bush can come along with a fake ranch and fake 'folksiness' and manipulate people....because they want someone they can have a beer with! Or 'relate' to!

You can see where it gets you!

Presidential campaigns should be about a person's intelligence, and ability to run a large complex country in a changing world.

Not a popularity contest.

The world is full of people you can have a beer with.

Bars are full of them. Would you want them to run your country??

Finding leaders is much more difficult.

And should have much higher standards.

[hexola]

28. Part of leadership...

is connecting and gaining the respect of the people you intend to lead...Guitar - no, it has nothing to do with running the country obviously...but they were going for a certain effect with the guitar...and it missed its mark.

Haven't you ever heard the "Let them eat cake" line...being in touch with those who you purpose to lead is important.

Remember when Poppy Bush marveled at the supermarket checkout scanners - stuff your average American had taken for granted for a decade...it made him seem out of touch with the concerns and lives of average Americans.

[Darth_Kitten]

48. Kerry over Bush anyday......

Let's see, both to the "manor born" yet look at Kerry's record compared to Bush.
The Bushes are the real snobs, tacky ones as well. :)

[devarsi]

40. Thats EASY to answer

I want an "Average Joe" because most people are average, thats' kinda what average means, in this sense. If I can connect with him/her, chances are better that he/she will be able to connect with me.

I want a leader who's been there, or at least has been exposed to "there," and knows what the avereage man/woman on the street has to deal with every day--not like GHW Bush's inability to tell the price of a gallon of milk. Remember that? If the POTUS can't tell ya how much a gallon of milk runs, he probably doesn't know how much a gallon of gas costs, or how hard it is to stretch a $10 an hour paycheck. Neither of the Bush's are average guys. Nothing about their life has been average.

Don't you think that the best CEO is the person who worked their way up from the bottom? Didn't we do away with kings in America because the power to rule should be earned, not inherited?

We don't need to set our politicians up on pedestals, we just need to be able to trust them, and it's easier for me to trust someone with whom I share common experiences.

So tell us, what in the world is wrong with being an average joe?

[alarimer]

49. problem

The problem is trying to be an "average joe" when you are not. It shows. Plus this was obviously a contrived situation (but then so was the Clinton sax playing- only it worked for him). Kerry is trying to be something he is not. I don't want an average person to be President at least in intelligence. I want somebody smarter than average.

[MODemocrat]

70. A few strums on a guitar does not make Kerrey an average Joe

People picked on Al Gore because he was too rigid and business-like.
Since when can't a candidate step out of character briefly?

[w4rma]

11. Sen. Kerry has already "peaked", IMHO. He blew it a while ago.

And now, his campaign manager's shrill, Republican-like smears on Gov. Dean are lowering my opinion of Sen. Kerry.

…
"He has sold himself as the straight-shooting candidate, the truth-teller, the one who will say what's hard and unpopular," said Jim Jordan, campaign manager for presidential candidate Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.). "In truth, he's a very crafty politician, very calculating."
…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A2314-2003Aug29.html

[WilliamPitt]

34. We are sooooooooooooooooo early into this thing.

I *love* hearing people talk about 'peaked' candidates in August. Shows you care. :)

[w4rma]

38. Kerry campaign rhetoric

…
The Kerry NH Team took home the trophy last night, coming from behind to beat the Dean campaign 14-13 in the championship round of the presidential campaign softball tourney. The flashy Dean team got off to an early lead, up 13-2 after the top of the third inning. But the Dean team peaked too early! Kerry NH was tough, focused and steady, and inning by inning slowly took the lead back. Now, on to January 27th!

By JudyReardon on August 23, 2003 at 10:22 AM
http://www.blog.johnkerry.com/blog/archives/000068.html#000068

[lynndew2]

79. You are so right on this Will

I do think it is sad to see the current crop trying to imitate Bill. Not a one of them can or will be able to pull it off. The average Joe would either do something like playing an instrument with pride, (even if they werent good)...Clinton(he was having fun and did it with that in mind). Kerry was obviously told to do this by advisors and he himself wasnt comfy with it. OOPS.. just wanted to agree with you will that "Peaking" this early is like saying the Chiefs will suck cause they lost 3 preseason games.

[blm]

54. Well, if there are a number of statements that come out

to prove that Dean hasn't exactly been consistent or truthful in his remarks, while portraying himself as someone who you will always know where he stands, would that be Jordan's fault or Dean's?

[JVS]

16. It's not important

[Ein]

18. Co-opt

saw kerry the para-surfer, the guitarist, the pilot, etc... on MSNBC tonite. What does that really mean?

[w4rma]

26. That after the Vietnam War and winning a safe Senate seat he decided that

he wanted a wealthy playboy lifestyle.

Para-sufing and piloting are two things that most folks don't have the time, nor the money, to do. :shrug:

I love Sen. Kerry's positions on most things, but he's done alot of things in this campaign that show me that he's out of touch with the Democratic base and most of America. I think he's learning, but I don't think he's going to learn fast enough for 2004.

[DemBones DemBones]

37. It's ironic for someone supporting one millionaire to be

critical of another millionaire because he did things most folks don't have the time or money for.

Most folks also don't have the time or money to spend months skiing in Aspen, as Dean did as a young man.

Let's face it, neither one of them knows what life is like for most Americans.

[w4rma]

39. Dean open(ed) a joint practice, in a poverty-dominated Bronx neighborhood

…
Dean was still a practicing physician, and was, in fact, in the middle of examining a patient, when he received word in August of 1991 that Vermont governor Richard Snelling had died suddenly, catapulting Dean, the part-time lieutenant governor, into the full-time post.
…
Additionally, he did a fair amount of bumming around in his early 20s — working, for instance, on a Florida ranch where he was the only English-speaker — although he didn’t roam as far as his brother Charlie, who was killed on a river in Laos in 1975, possibly while on a mission for the CIA. (Dean wears his brother’s belt buckle.) Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where, having decided that the investment life was not for him, Dean got his medical degree, and where he and his wife, Judith Steinberg, met and courted before moving to Vermont to open a joint practice, is in a poverty-dominated Bronx neighborhood, about as far from the ivory tower as you can get.
…
http://www.laweekly.com/ink/03/41/features-wolf.php

[JNelson6563]

52. I disagree

I think Dean knows well from his medical practice what reality is like for some and I suspect Kerry likely had a few bonding moments with the rabble over the years, especially during his days in the military. Do I believe they know the true panic of not having enough? Possibly not but I think they know enough to want to make a difference and have some ideas on how to do it. Far better than anything we could expect from the BFEE-who doesn't know OR care.

I think you're going a little over the top here DemBones. I'm sorry to see it as your posts are usually so worthy of high regard IMO.

Julie

[SharonAnn]

27. "Phantom" is very difficult music to play. Lots of key changes

and tempo changes. Tough stuff! I gave up on it since I'm only slightly skilled.

[hexola]

29. but you can probably turn around a 12 bar blues - right...?

Who would even recognize Phantom? Even played to perfection...

But everybody...everybody knows the sound of a 12 bar turnaroud...its the sound of the blues...a very Amercian sound...

[shance]

33. No wonder people who arent perfect Pros dont take a risk and perform

If I had critics knashing their teeth waiting to find some or any criticism, there would be no point to perform.

Criticize Kerry on his stances or lack thereof, but cut him slack on taking a risk and doing something hes not PERFECT on.

Its easy to get up and do something that we are skilled at, a whole other issue to take a risk of being imperfect. I applaud those even more who are willing to take a chance and show another side of themselves. We close off doors to possibility and even fun and sponteneity when we attack others for trying and moreover for doing something they like to do. Im sick of America emphasizing perfection in EVERY avenue. Boring and fear based.

Kerry deserves points on this one in my opinion.

[hexola]

41. ever hear Clinton play sax?

He's clearly was not that good...in fact he really sucks. But he got up there at stuck it out and tried his best. Has nothing to do with perfection...

You said:
I applaud those even more who are willing to take a chance and show another side of themselves...

It was what Kerry unintentionally showed us...a coy, nebbish person who could only muster a few notes of an unrecognizeable show tune...even if he played perfect - who would know? It should have seemed obvious to him as an American and a musician that some simple blues lick would have reached the hearts and minds of far more Amercians...

[JNelson6563]

51. well the end of the world is near!!

Thank God, praise Allah and hail Zeuss that you have alerted us to this fatal flaw of a man who would be our leader!!

To think I considered voting for Kerry if he won the nomination and he chose to play a tune from Phantom! Oh the humanity!!!!!!

That does it! If Kerry wins the nom, well after this horrifying glimpse into the real man, I have no choice but to vote for Bush!

sarcasm-off

Who gives a shit?

Julie

[Uzybone]

59. He should have played bluegrass

or some hickory soul. WTF? Is this how serious people judge candidates, by the type of music they play on thier guitars? This it totally meaningless crap and only morons would read more into this than Kerry played a tune on his guitar. Mmmm I wonder what percentage of people actually saw Kerry "blow it" on his guitar? Im sure it'll mark the end for Kerry just like it marked the end for Dean when he "blew it" on Meet the Whore.

[spooky3]

75. Meet the Whore--LOL!

[Erika]

31. I think Something is Being Missed Here!

Bush has no artistic talents and the mainstream has no problems with that. It seems that they don't care if they have a mediocre president with no artistic abilities. Under Bush, arts and intellectuality have become a frivolity and waste. We need to wake up to this and counteract it.

[shance]

32. Amen Erika!***

What an inciteful point! Arts to much of that faction lacks any significance or importance. Now cruise missiles and cluster bombs on the other hand......

[Erika]

35. I'm Serious!

Cultural and artistic people need to hit this president over the head for his lack of anything cultural. They need to let Americans know that he's nothing but a rich prep school boy who has no appreciation for anything cultural. If it ain't oil and producing money,,,he's not interested. You need to take action NOW. Pretty soon he will call anyone who enjoys the arts as non-productive loafers and elitists.

[hexola]

42. Or Worse....

He'll call them Terrorists!

[RetroLounge]

45. But not right away. First it will start with "innocent" bashing.

Hmmmm...

[sandnsea]

36. And Kerry just started playing a few years ago

He likes to challenge himself. And he plays Phantom of the Opera when he knows he could get by with something alot simpler. It's who he is. Life isn't about always being perfect; it's about trying new things, reaching for something more. He gets it.

[farmbo]

43. "Phantom of the Opera?" WTF was he thinking?

Even if he pulled it off masterfully, it still rings as an 'elitist' (read: French) song.

Not exactly "This Land is My Land"

[robbedvoter]

55. Well, Woody Guthrie would have been a better choice.

Any folk song,blues, rock might have given a clue to the player's insights more than "he's challenging himself"
Did Clinton suck? Well, he wasn't a virtuoso, that's for sure. But the choice of that piece and THE WAY HE PLAYED projected so much passion, zest for life that it certainly brought Clinton to my attention.
I found the guy I love after I heard him playing guitar. It's a very revealing thing - whether you want it to be or not. Do not try it unless you have something to show.

[shance]

63. LOL Farmbo!**** You made me laugh on that one....

Thats a good point..

Kerry rides a Harley....maybe some Zepplin or even Hendricks. Although I cant see John Kerry doing something that rockin.

Maybe more like the Beatles White Album...... Blackbird or Dear Prudence....

Okay so Kerry people if you're reading, pass this on and consider it a gift****

Tell John to GO WHITE next time. Better suits him.....

[Name removed]

44. Deleted message

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

[NNN0LHI]

46. How was his hair? Did he look stiff? Were his clothes alright with you?

Jebeezus. I can't belive some of the shit I read here anymore. Really.

Don

[Darth_Kitten]

47. Ah, cut the guy some slack!!

Unlike Bush, apparently Kerry is a real action guy :evilgrin: and keeps active doing a lot of sports. :)

Playing guitar? That is too cool. :thumbsup:

[Octafish]

50. Kerry's strong suit is going after the BFEE.

John Kerry is known in the US Senate for investigating corruption. He's been almost alone in going after the Iran-Contra drug dealers and BCCI bank. These scandals were global in scope and bipartisan in nature. Here Kerry asks questions about BCCI, a Pakistani-Saudi bank used by drug dealers, terrorists, and the world's intelligence agenices. The bank secretly owned an American bank, facts George Bush Sr and Robert Gates, his CIA Director, did all they could to protect.

[blm]

53. He's played before quite well, but, torturing people with show tunes

is kind of a running gag.

A Cspan segment showed him in a music shop playing classical guitar.

[XanaDUer]

57. His guitar playing did not turn me off him

at all. Sort of made me like him more, actually.

[Redleg]

60. This issue is trivial in my opinion.

If we are going to impugn candidates for things like "guitar playing" then we should frigging give up the fight.

I do agree that it would have been nice to hear some blues instead of Phantom of the Opera. Perhaps a bit of Lightnin' Hopkins or early Muddy Waters.

[molly]

61. Hexola - who do YOU support?

this is kind of like the "Kerry Cheesesteak" FIASCO.

[leftofthedial]

62. yeah, dood don't shred man dood should just give it up man

Van Halen rools dood

[Bandit]

64. Kenny G said Clinton was actually quite good

I think I value his opinion a little more than yours. What credentials do you have to criticize Clinton's sax playing. I know what Kenny G's credentials are.

[Andy_Stephenson]

65. Kerry blew it long ago....

and no Gituar solo will repair the damage as far as I am concerned.

[MissouriTeacher]

66. He should have played the Iron Maiden song...

"Phantom of the Opera". :D

They couldn't accuse him of being stiff then, and his approval ratings among heavy metal guitarists would soar.

[Sean Reynolds]

78. While majority if Americans wouldn't care.

Because they don't know who Iron Maiden is!

Of course, I'm a fan of their music. :)

[Dover]

67. ....while my guitar gently weeps...

I didn't see this display of musical bravado, but your description hit my funnybone....kind of a pathetic picture you drew for us. Phantom of the Opera?!!!!! lol!

[MODemocrat]

69. I can only see the human side of John Kerrey

and it makes Kerrey seem more down to earth. There's nothing wrong with being a musician, even if he isn't polished. Howard Dean also plays guitar by the way.

[ibegurpard]

71. Big deal

I can think of a lot of reasons why I don't like Kerry but this doesn't even begin to register with me.

[Dr Fate]

72. I thought he "blew it" with "the hair" thing...

...or was that the "Skull & Bones" thing...???

Why are we Democrats always attacking other Democrats over silly "issues?"

[gulliver]

73. He should have played Cat Scratch Fever

Much easier than Andrew Lloyd Weber, and it would have been funny. Kerry really, really needs to get down. I was grateful when Kerry stuck it to DeLay in the dark months when 9/11 was fresh and ur-orc DeLay was attacking good Dems as unpatriotic. Kerry was at the tip of the tooth then.

There is still room for Kerry to show heroism like that again. He started acting up last week, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

[killbotfactory]

74. He needs to play "born to be wild" and then drive off in a harley.

And do an "Easy Rider" tour of America with the hells angels.

[Octafish]

76. John Lennon taught Kerry a thing or two about guitar...

... or at least inspired him.



"John and me both want some Truth and Peace."

[Jim Sagle]

77. I'm not a supporter of Kerry but this thread ain't nuthin' but shit.

[Rebel_with_a_cause]

80. Kerry missed his opportunity when he voted to attack Iraq

[Isome]

81. Maybe it's time...

That instead of bowing down to the lowest common denominator by desperately attempting to appeal to voters on the basis of irrelevant issues, e.g., playing an instrument, hairstyle, we should raise the bar, and therefore be the ones to frame the debate for once!

There's a lot to be said for evolving as a culture, as opposed to stagnating because we fear not appealing to mouthbreathers and knuckle-draggers. Those people are sheeple, they follow. They'll follow us if we stand strong and lead. That goes for those of us cogs in the wheel and our elected officials and spokespeople.

We can finally tell the GOP and those whores, masquerading as media:

Hey bozo, his guitar playing, hair cut, snappy suit, don't matter one iota! He stands for x, y, & z. His record is this, that & the other. Those are issues of import to the presidency and you should confine your concerns to those issues. If you don't, it only proves you either don't have the best interests of the country at heart, or your intellectual capacity is as deep as a thimble. You can put a pile of shit in a pretty box with a bow, but it's still a pile of shit in a box!

Democrats need to do something alright. They need to learn how to articulate righteous indignation (not whine) when assaulted with juvenile commentary, questions, and allegations that aren't relevant, and refocus the dialogue on the issues that are.