In fairness, it's time to comb over everything John Kerry ever voted for

[Paragon]

Nah - pretty sure what I'd find. That goes for all the other candidates, too...

...EXCEPT Al Sharpton! Hey - finally, someone who won't be held responsible for the rest of a representative democracy full of committees and pork barrel projects!

Just doing my bit to end the "moranic" infighting here on GD. You're welcome.

[Paragon]

1. Damn - I made too much sense.

I'll be sure to dumb it down and attack a specific candidate next time. Thanks for the lesson.

[GainesT1958]

2. Kerry..."comb" over? Darn...

That was good!(rim shot):D

B-)

[Paragon]

5. Nah.

Dick Cheney wishes he had John Kerry's hair.

[blm]

3. I'm all for it. Kerry holds up better under closest scrutiny than anyone.

And those who actually STUDIED his career could only come away with respect and awe for the man who exposed more government corruption than ALL the candidates put together and more than any lawmaker in modern history.

[Paragon]

4. *cough* IWR *cough*

Just teasing. :D

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

21. *cough* war would have happened anyway *cough*

The only thing different would have been the element of surpirse to manipulate us into war with Iraq.

The IWR vote is really not what I am basing my opinion on since it is moot. I would like ONE single IWR vote naysayer to convince me that vote would have kept us out of this war.

[Paragon]

23. True

Well, so much for scrutinizing and studying Kerry's record. :silly:

Besides, I posted that in jest - blm practically dared me to. ;)

[AWD]

27. To be honest.....

...you don't vote for things because they're inevitable.

You vote for what's best for the country, and no matter what people say or try to spin on behalf of their candidate, the IWR was NOT was was best for this country.

When I get into Congress, I sincerely hope that my followers don't expect me to vote for (and thereby support) something that will cause death and destruction just because "it was bound to happen anyway."

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

30. You don't know that Kerry's vote wasn't best for the country

He had two bad choices. A vote against the war declining funding which would have led the hawks to some unknown plan B to start a war. A vote FOR.

He was undermined by his fellow Democrats so Biden-Lugar was dead in the water. He knew he was dealing with hawks and knew war was inevitable.

Much better that the inevitable happen in a predictable manner than for some dirty bomb to go off in the US or for hysteria to be caused elsewhere in the world in order to drag us into war.

Every day on DU people witness the insanity of this admin. As a presidential candidate, he isn't at liberty to describe it in the manner we are, but he certainly knows the history of these people and what they will do when told NO. Witness Latin america and weapons to Iran after congress declined to fund that war.

[AWD]

47. Wow.....

You cannot for FOR a war resolution and later claim you were against the war. It gave a blank check to Bush, and despite Kerry's assertion that he didn't believe Bush would go to such lengths, he still signed over the blank check. PLus, WE all knew Bush would go to warthe first chance he got...how dumb does Kerry think we are to tell us he DIDN'T think Bush would?

If he believes the war was a mistake, then he should not have voted to allow it. His vote should have been put on the record as a big NO!

As for a dirty bomb possibly going off...it might still happen. Do you think that the IWR made us SAFER from a terrorist attack on this country or made us more likely to have one?

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

52. Cite a previous war that was not a blank check

in one manner or another.

Do you think a vote against the war made us safer if it were to happen anyway?

[Scott Lee]

7. After proIWR and pro Patriot Act votes,

There's not much more, in my mind, you can find as evidence why Kerry is not the man for this job. Thanks, but I'll stick with someone who won't enable a fascist, militarist US policy of world hegemony.

[Monte Carlo]

22. Welcome to Washington politics.

Even the best of candidates isn't free from it. I'd say that any other of the Democratic candidates would have done the exact same thing if they were in his shoes.

[Paragon]

24. Um...

[Monte Carlo]

25. Well he's a nutball.

So I goofed.

[Paragon]

26. LOL

C'mon, tell me what you really think. ;)

[killbotfactory]

6. Only in the interest of fairness...

I'm sure there is nothing he said that I could take out of context and raise a big stink over...

Or anything in his record that I could disagree with and make him look impure...

[TLM]

13. Lets see....

“If You Don’t Believe In The U.N. ... Or You Don’t Believe Saddam Hussein Is A Threat With Nuclear Weapons, Then You Shouldn’t Vote For Me.” (Ronald Brownstein, “On Iraq, Kerry Appears Either Torn Or Shrewd,” Los Angeles Times, 1/31/03)

[sandnsea]

8. Please do!!!

That's the point of the primaries. Get out the record, tear it apart, one end to the other. See what each candidates strengths and weaknesses are. Weigh them. Make sure the biggest weakness won't outweight however many strengths. That's what we're supposed to be doing.

[Paragon]

11. My point was...

...nasty stuff can (and will) be found in the most noble legislation, regardless of the candidate.

[sandnsea]

14. Of course

But it's still important to know what part the candidate played in that nasty stuff and how often they were part of that nasty stuff. We are supposed to be looking at it to make a reasoned decision as well as make sure we're not opening ourselves up to defeat later on.

[redqueen]

9. good idea n/t

[BlueEyedSon]

10. ADA House and Senate Voting Records by Year

http://www.adaction.org/voting.html

[MuseRider]

12. As much as I admire the

calls for unity I have to disagree. We need to be totally honed and ready for this massive, lockstep regime we are facing. Until we have a nominee we need to get all of this out, hash it over, work it out and know what our response is going to be. I hate it, it makes me uncomfortable but it is very neccessary IMO, at least for now. They are going to be ready from the first moment we have a nominee and I for one want to be ready with my come backs. I probably could have found a better thread to post this on, but yours came up first. Kerry has a terrific record all in all.

[Paragon]

15. I don't doubt Kerry has an outstanding record

And if you read past the headline, this isn't just about Kerry. I just find it disturbing that certain people are picking apart the frontrunner's record so voraciously, and not extoling his "terrific record", too.

[MuseRider]

17. Gotcha

I was hoping you saw that this was not meant directly in response to you, bad choice for me to respond here. Yes, I agree. They are all great in their own ways, even Lieberman. I think you have something here, possibly we should try to say a good thing if we have a bad thing to say. Maybe that would take a bit of the sting away. Possibly my response is because I come from freeper land and I know what is coming for me with my bumperstickers so I want to be ready, I welcome all the bad with the good.

[Paragon]

18. "I feel your pain"

I'm in Cincinnati - freep central, a safe haven where Ashcroft and Bush travel to give speeches about terrorism and "mushroom clouds".

So you see why I get a little cranky when Democrats feast on each other. ;)

[MuseRider]

20. Gotcha again.

I have my set of democratic friends but outside of them it is freeperland. I have to say that I have made some of them actually consider Dennis Kucinich but then CNN comes on and asks about his campaign and visualization and they look at me with suspicion after that! We gotta be ready for all of this as difficult as it is at the moment. I suppose if I were better at thinking on my feet I would not need it so much.

[LuminousX]

16. The way I wish DU worked

I wished it wasn't a partisan environment. I would have preferred to have a thread on each of the candidates' weak points and instead of using these weak points to bash the candidate we would work to come up with strategies to minimize/neutralize/ or spin them to an advantage.

That is how I wish it worked.

[sandnsea]

19. I thought of that yesterday

God knows that kind of thread should't start from me!!!

[slinkerwink]

28. John Kerry's always had a sense of entitlement even though he has a great

record on environment, and other good votes. The one vote on IWR forever damned him in my eyes about his foreign policy judgement. You just can't whine "But...Bush misled me!"

At least Kucinich had the cojones to stand up for what he believed in.

[WilliamPitt]

29. BE MY GUEST, SUNSHINE

John Kerry on Abortion

No criminalization of a woman's right to choose. (Jun 7)
Voted NO on maintaining ban on Military Base Abortions. (Jun 2000)
Voted NO on banning partial birth abortions. (Oct 1999)
Voted NO on disallowing overseas military abortions. (May 1999)

John Kerry on Budget & Economy

Bush policy kept economy afloat in recession-keep some of it. (Sep 25)
No excuse for special tax cuts for the rich. (Jun 17)
Voted NO on prioritizing national debt reduction below tax cuts. (Apr 2000)
Voted NO on 1998 GOP budget. (May 1997)
Voted NO on Balanced-budget constitutional amendment. (Mar 1997)

John Kerry on Civil Rights

Include a sunset provision in the Patriot Act. (Jun 17)
Voted YES on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes. (Jun 2002)
Voted YES on loosening restrictions on cell phone wiretapping. (Oct 2001)
Voted YES on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation. (Jun 2000)
Voted YES on setting aside 10% of highway funds for minorities & women. (Mar 1998)
Voted NO on ending special funding for minority & women-owned business. (Oct 1997)
Voted NO on prohibiting same-sex marriage. (Sep 1996)
Voted YES on prohibiting job discrimination by sexual orientation. (Sep 1996)
Voted NO on Amendment to prohibit flag burning. (Dec 1995)
Voted NO on banning affirmative action hiring with federal funds. (Jul 1995)
Shift from group preferences to economic empowerment of all. (Aug 2000)

John Kerry on Corporations

Democratize the process of corporate boards. (Sep 25)
Voted NO on restricting rules on personal bankruptcy. (Jul 2001)

John Kerry on Crime

Voted YES on $1.15 billion per year to continue the COPS program. (May 1999)
Voted NO on limiting death penalty appeals. (Apr 1996)
Voted NO on limiting product liability punitive damage awards. (Mar 1996)
Voted YES on restricting class-action lawsuits. (Dec 1995)
Voted YES on repealing federal speed limits. (Jun 1995)
Voted NO on mandatory prison terms for crimes involving firearms. (May 1994)
Voted NO on rejecting racial statistics in death penalty appeals. (May 1994)
More funding and stricter sentencing for hate crimes. (Apr 2001)
Require DNA testing for all federal executions. (Mar 2001)

John Kerry on Drugs (snicker)

Voted NO on increasing penalties for drug offenses. (Nov 1999)
Voted NO on spending international development funds on drug control. (Jul 1996)

John Kerry on Education

Voted YES on funding smaller classes instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
Voted YES on funding student testing instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
Voted YES on spending $448B of tax cut on education & debt reduction. (Apr 2001)
Voted NO on Educational Savings Accounts. (Mar 2000)
Voted NO on allowing more flexibility in federal school rules. (Mar 1999)
Voted NO on education savings accounts. (Jun 1998)
Voted NO on school vouchers in DC. (Sep 1997)
Voted NO on $75M for abstinence education. (Jul 1996)
Voted NO on requiring schools to allow voluntary prayer. (Jul 1994)
Voted YES on national education standards. (Feb 1994)
Offer every parent Charter Schools and public school choice. (Aug 2000)
Three R’s: $35B for Reinvestment,Reinvention,Responsibility. (Jan 2001)

John Kerry on Energy & Oil

ANWR won't provide any oil for 20 years. (Sep 25)
Invent our way out of oil dependency-don't drill our way out. (Sep 25)
Invest in advancing secure forms of energy instead of oil. (Jun 17)
Led effort to try to raise fuel efficiency standards. (May 3)
Create new energy sources to end Mideast dependency. (May 2002)
Voted YES on targeting 100,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2010. (Jun 10)
Voted YES on removing consideration of drilling ANWR from budget bill. (Mar 19)
Voted NO on drilling ANWR on national security grounds. (Apr 2002)
Voted NO on replacing CAFE standards within 15 months. (Mar 2002)
Voted NO on preserving budget for ANWR oil drilling. (Apr 2000)
Voted YES on keeping CAFE fuel efficiency standards. (Sep 1999)
Voted NO on defunding renewable and solar energy. (Jun 1999)
Voted NO on approving a nuclear waste repository. (Apr 1997)
Voted NO on do not require ethanol in gasoline. (Aug 1994)
Supports tradable emissions permits for greenhouse gases. (Aug 2000)

John Kerry on Environment

Safeguard the environment and grow the economy. (Jun 17)
Voted NO on confirming Gale Norton as Secretary of Interior. (Jan 2001)
Voted NO on more funding for forest roads and fish habitat. (Sep 1999)
Voted NO on transportation demo projects. (Mar 1998)
Voted YES on reducing funds for road-building in National Forests. (Sep 1997)
Voted YES on terminating desert protection in California. (Oct 1994)
Voted YES on requiring EPA risk assessments. (May 1994)
Reduce liability for hazardous waste cleanup. (May 2001)

John Kerry on Families & Children

Fund Head Start to leave no child behind. (Sep 4)
Voted YES on restricting violent videos to minors. (May 1999)
Give parents tools to balance work and family. (Aug 2000)

John Kerry on Foreign Policy

Voted YES on enlarging NATO to include Eastern Europe. (May 2002)
Voted YES on killing a bill for trade sanctions if China sells weapons. (Sep 2000)
Voted NO on cap foreign aid at only $12.7 billion. (Oct 1999)
Voted YES on limiting the President's power to impose economic sanctions. (Jul 1998)
Voted NO on limiting NATO expansion to only Poland, Hungary & Czech. (Apr 1998)
Voted YES on $17.9 billion to IMF. (Mar 1998)
Voted NO on Strengthening of the trade embargo against Cuba. (Mar 1996)
Voted YES on ending Vietnam embargo. (Jan 1994)
Progressive Internationalism: globalize with US pre-eminence. (Aug 2000)
Multi-year commitment to Africa for food & medicine. (Apr 2001)

John Kerry on Free Trade

Dean's trade policy is protectionist. (Sep 25)
FTAA needs more labor and environmental standards. (Sep 4)
Fix NAFTA-canceling it would be disastrous. (Sep 4)
Capitalism and democracy go hand in hand. (May 3)
Voted YES on extending free trade to Andean nations. (May 2002)
Voted YES on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam. (Oct 2001)
Voted YES on removing common goods from national security export rules. (Sep 2001)
Voted YES on permanent normal trade relations with China. (Sep 2000)
Voted YES on expanding trade to the third world. (May 2000)
Voted YES on renewing 'fast track' presidential trade authority. (Nov 1997)
Voted YES on fast track trading authority. (Nov 1997)
Voted YES on imposing trade sanctions on Japan for closed market. (May 1995)
Build a rule-based global trading system. (Aug 2000)

John Kerry on Government Reform

Flag and patriotism belong to all Americans. (Jun 17)
Voted YES on banning "soft money" contributions and restricting issue ads. (Mar 2002)
Voted NO on allow signatures for voter registration instead of photo IDs. (Feb 2002)
Voted YES on McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform. (Apr 2001)
Voted YES on limiting funding for the National Endowment for the Arts. (Aug 1999)
Voted YES on cloture of 1998 McCain-Feingold overhaul of campaign finance. (Feb 1998)
Voted YES on favoring 1997 McCain-Feingold overhaul of campaign finance. (Oct 1997)
Voted YES on Approving the presidential line-item veto. (Mar 1996)
Voted NO on banning more types of Congressional gifts. (Jul 1995)
Voluntary public financing for all general elections. (Aug 2000)

John Kerry on Gun Control

Voted YES on background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
Voted NO on more penalties for gun & drug violations. (May 1999)
Voted NO on loosening license & background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
Voted NO on maintaining current law: guns sold without trigger locks. (Jul 1998)
Prevent unauthorized firearm use with "smart gun" technology. (Aug 2000)

John Kerry on Health Care

Cover more citizens with health plan like Congress gets. (May 3)
Lack of accessible health care is a disgrace. (May 2002)
Voted YES on allowing importation of Rx drugs from Canada. (Jul 2002)
Voted YES on allowing patients to sue HMOs & collect punitive damages. (Jun 2001)
Voted NO on funding GOP version of Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Apr 2001)
Voted YES on including prescription drugs under Medicare. (Jun 2000)
Voted NO on limiting self-employment health deduction. (Jul 1999)
Voted YES on increasing funds for Medicare prescriptions. (Mar 1999)
Voted YES on increasing tobacco restrictions. (Jun 1998)
Voted NO on banning human cloning. (Feb 1998)
Voted YES on Medicare means-testing. (Jun 1997)
Voted YES on medical savings acounts. (Apr 1996)
Establish "report cards" on HMO quality of care. (Aug 2000)

John Kerry on Homeland Security

No new generation of nuclear weapons. (Sep 4)
Automatic citizenship to immigrants who serves in army. (Sep 4)
Voted YES on adopting the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. (Oct 1999)
Voted YES on allowing another round of military base closures. (May 1999)
Voted NO on cutting nuclear weapons below START levels. (May 1999)
Voted YES on deploying National Missile Defense ASAP. (Mar 1999)
Voted YES on military pay raise of 4.8%. (Feb 1999)
Voted NO on deploying missile defense as soon as possible. (Sep 1998)
Voted NO on prohibiting same-sex basic training. (Jun 1998)
Voted NO on favoring 36 vetoed military projects. (Oct 1997)
Voted YES on banning chemical weapons. (Apr 1997)
Voted NO on considering deploying NMD, and amending ABM Treaty. (Jun 1996)
Voted NO on 1996 Defense Appropriations. (Sep 1995)

John Kerry on Immigration

Amnesty to anyone here over 5 or 6 years. (Sep 4)
Voted NO on allowing more foreign workers into the U.S. for farm work. (Jul 1998)
Voted NO on visas for skilled workers. (May 1998)
Voted NO on limit welfare for immigrants. (Jun 1997)

John Kerry on Infrastructure

Voted YES on Internet sales tax moratorium. (Oct 1998)
Voted YES on telecomm deregulation. (Feb 1996)
Chief information officer to digitize federal government. (Aug 2000)
Promote internet via Congressional Internet Caucus. (Jan 2001)

John Kerry on Jobs

Trade grows jobs. (Sep 25)
Jump start jobs at home via energy independence. (Sep 4)
Voted NO on repealing Clinton's ergonomic rules on repetitive stress. (Mar 2001)
Voted NO on killing an increase in the minimum wage. (Nov 1999)
Voted NO on allowing workers to choose between overtime & comp-time. (May 1997)
Voted NO on replacing farm price supports. (Feb 1996)

John Kerry on Principles & Values

Favorite song: Bruce Springsteen, "No Surrender.". (Sep 9)
Need a president who won't write laws only for contributors. (Sep 9)
Contest between common sense values and extreme ideologues. (Jun 7)
I'm talking about things that matter to people. (May 3)
It is time for this country to ask again, why not? (May 3)
Religious affiliation: Catholic. (Nov 2000)
Supports Hyde Park Declaration of "Third Way" centrism. (Aug 2000)
Member of Democratic Leadership Council. (Nov 2000)
New Democrat: "Third Way" instead of left-right debate. (Nov 2000)
Member of the Senate New Democrat Coalition. (Jan 2001)

John Kerry on Social Security

Guarantee Social Security soundness, even if unpopular. (Sep 25)
Don't threaten Social Security on Wall Street trading block. (May 2002)
Voted NO on Social Security Lockbox & limiting national debt. (Apr 1999)
Voted NO on allowing Roth IRAs for retirees. (May 1998)
Voted NO on allowing personal retirement accounts. (Apr 1998)
Voted NO on deducting Social Security payments on income taxes. (May 1996)
Create Retirement Savings Accounts. (Aug 2000)

John Kerry on Tax Reform

10% bracket in Bush tax cuts was Democrats' idea. (Sep 25)
Bush tax cuts reach 32 million in middle class. (Sep 25)
We're tired of being trickled on--Middle class tax cuts now. (Jun 7)
Voted NO on $350 billion in tax breaks over 11 years. (May 23)
Voted NO on cutting taxes by $1.35 trillion over 11 years. (May 2001)
Voted YES on reducing marriage penalty instead of cutting top tax rates. (May 2001)
Voted YES on increasing tax deductions for college tuition. (May 2001)
Voted NO on eliminating the 'marriage penalty'. (Jul 2000)
Voted NO on across-the-board spending cut. (Oct 1999)
Voted NO on $792B tax cuts. (Jul 1999)
Voted NO on requiring super-majority for raising taxes. (Apr 1998)
Voted NO on FY99 tax cuts. (Apr 1998)

John Kerry on War & Peace

Maybe on $87B for Iraq-repeal Bush tax cut to pay it, if yes. (Sep 25)
De-Americanize Iraq: the exit strategy is victory. (Sep 9)
Vote for war was needed to push Saddam on inspectors. (Sep 9)
$87B for Iraq only when internationalization is addressed. (Sep 9)
Don't miss 3rd opportunity in Iraq to bring in UN. (Sep 4)
Don't send more US troops to Iraq-share power & share burden. (Sep 4)
Against a misapplied blanket pre-emptive doctrine. (Jun 17)
Intelligence information should not be manipulated. (Jun 17)
Disarm Saddam, but war should be a last resort. (May 3)
Preferred diplomacy, but supported invading Iraq. (May 3)
Vietnam didn't threaten US; US war crimes did. (Apr 1971)
Vietnam war was criminal hypocrisy and tore apart US. (Apr 1971)
Voted YES on authorizing use of military force against Iraq. (Oct 2002)
Voted NO on allowing all necessary forces and other means in Kosovo. (May 1999)
Voted YES on authorizing air strikes in Kosovo. (Mar 1999)
Voted NO on ending the Bosnian arms embargo. (Jul 1995)
Condemns anti-Muslim bigotry in name of anti-terrorism. (Oct 2001)

John Kerry on Welfare & Poverty

Voted YES on welfare block grants. (Aug 1996)
Voted YES on eliminating block grants for food stamps. (Jul 1996)
Voted NO on allowing state welfare waivers. (Jul 1996)
Voted YES on welfare overhaul. (Sep 1995)
Finish welfare reform by moving able recipients into jobs. (Aug 2000)

http://www.issues2002.org/John_Kerry.htm

[killbotfactory]

31. Dean's trade policy is protectionist. (Sep 25)

It's pretty much the same as Kerry's.

[WilliamPitt]

33. OK, and the other 99.9% of the list?

[killbotfactory]

40. Okay...

I'll use the tactics I see here daily. Just imagine these as all seperate posts, posted by different people every day, five times a day.

Bush policy kept economy afloat in recession-keep some of it. (Sep 25)

OMG! He agrees with Bush on tax cuts! Is he a moderate republican in disguise?

Voted YES on loosening restrictions on cell phone wiretapping. (Oct 2001)

OMG! He wants to repeal our civil liberties! Big Brother here we come!

This means we should resist an “identity politics” that confers rights and entitlements on groups and instead affirm our common rights and responsibilities as citizens.

OMG! He doesn't believe in affirmative action!

Voted YES on repealing federal speed limits. (Jun 1995)

OMG! He doesn't care about highway safety! He wants speed demons to kill more of our children!

Require DNA testing for all federal executions. (Mar 2001)

OMG! I thought he didn't support the death penalty?! Hypocrit!

Voted NO on do not require ethanol in gasoline. (Aug 1994)

OMG! Doesn't he care about the harmful effects of MTBE or the impact ethanol will have on our oil dependancy? Is he in the pocket of big oil?!?!?!

Fund Head Start to leave no child behind. (Sep 4)

OMG! Why does he support such a stupid bill? No amount of funding will ever fix the problems in LNCB!!!

Voted YES on restricting violent videos to minors. (May 1999)

OMG! He doesn't believe in the first amendment! Not even violent movies are resticted from minors by law? WTF is he smoking?

Voted YES on killing a bill for trade sanctions if China sells weapons. (Sep 2000)

OMG! Doesn't he care about our national security?!?! Is he that much of a free-trading whore?

Voted YES on limiting funding for the National Endowment for the Arts. (Aug 1999)

OMG! Doesn't he care about the arts?1?!/

Voted NO on banning more types of Congressional gifts. (Jul 1995)

OMG! Doesn't he care about lobbyists?ST?!?!? Is he bought and paid for by special interests?!

Voted NO on more penalties for gun & drug violations. (May 1999)

OMG!?! Is he an NRA whore? Why doesn't he want stiffer penalties on gun violations?!?! Doesn't he care about the children?!?

Voted YES on allowing another round of military base closures. (May 1999)

OMG! he's weak on national security. Rove will destroy him in this post-9/11 world!

Voted YES on telecomm deregulation. (Feb 1996)

OMG! Deregulation! Deregulation! That's a red-flag word!

Supports Hyde Park Declaration of "Third Way" centrism. (Aug 2000)

OMG! He's a centrist DLC whore! Why does everyone call him liberal?! his supporters abandon him once they find out!

Voted NO on eliminating the 'marriage penalty'. (Jul 2000)
Voted YES on reducing marriage penalty instead of cutting top tax rates. (May 2001)

OMG! Flip-flopper!

Finish welfare reform by moving able recipients into jobs. (Aug 2000)

OMG! He supports welfare reform! Is he from the gingrich wing of the democratic party!?@>!@?

[WilliamPitt]

43. Touche

That took some time. Nicely done. :)

[sandnsea]

48. Dean's campaign

You just outlined it. That's been the Dean campaign all year. Taking everything out of context and then... OMG, D.C. Democrats are cockroaches!!!!

What got him his first big jump? OMG, "Why are the leaders of the Democratic Party supporting a unilateral war?" Major jump. He was forced to apologize and say it wasn't true after Edwards confronted him on it, but that never made the news.

So maybe you can see why non-Dean people are asking Dean people to stop the scorched earth tactics and discuss reality.

[killbotfactory]

50. Surprisingly, I disagree

That's not been the Dean campaign.

And the leaders of the democratic part WERE supporting a unilateral war. He apologized to Edwards because he said Edwards claimed to be opposed to war in Sacramento, when, in fact, he reiterated his support for it.

[AWD]

51. In Kerry's defense.....

Require DNA testing for all federal executions. (Mar 2001)

OMG! I thought he didn't support the death penalty?! Hypocrit!

In Kerry's defense, I would say this.....if he's not able to get rid of the death penatly, at least he is supporting an effort to curb misuse and faulty results before the death certificate is delivered.

[killbotfactory]

53. Oh, I agree...

But I'm mimicing the tactics of some of the chronic bashers here.

In which case, I would respond to you thus-wise:

"OMG! I thought he didn't support the death penalty?! Hypocrit!"

Repeat as necessary.

[slinkerwink]

32. that's a very impressive record but that doesn't excuse the faltering of

his campaign. If Kerry can't beat Dean, then there's no way he can beat Bush.

[imhotep]

34. you forgot to list

the number of votes Kerry has missed.
More than any Senator in US history.

[WilliamPitt]

35. More than JFK?

He missed a lot, too.

[slinkerwink]

36. can you list them?

-)

[Paragon]

37. Funny thing is...

They score exactly the same on the Dead Poets Society-"Pritchard Scale" thingy at the bottom under "Left-leaning Liberal". Also, I want a list of pork barrel inclusions and negative effects of said Kerry votes on my desk, single-spaced, by Monday. :D

Again, in the interest of equal time...

http://www.issues2002.org/Howard_Dean.htm

Howard Dean on Abortion

Abortion is none of the government's business. (Nov 2002)
Partial birth abortion ok to protect the mother. (Nov 2002)
Favors abortion rights. (Nov 2002)

Howard Dean on Budget & Economy

Politicians promising everything causes budget deficit. (Sep 25)
Balance budget, even if unpopular. (Sep 25)
Republicans haven't balanced a federal budget in 34 years. (May 17)
Stand up to Bush for a balanced budget. (May 3)
Social justice with fiscal responsibility. (Nov 2002)
Fiscally to the right of "borrow-and-spend" Bush. (Nov 2002)
Regional transportation network to foster trade & economy. (Jul 2000)
Bankruptcy reform: limit Chapter 7; protect states' role. (Feb 2001)
Uphold commitments to states before other spending. (Sep 2001)

Howard Dean on Civil Rights

Passed civil unions, despite it being unpopular. (Sep 25)
Affirmative action counters built-in hiring biases. (Sep 9)
Profiling doesn't work. (Sep 4)
Patriot Act shows reckless disregard of civil liberties. (Jun 17)
Supported civil unions for same-sex couples. (Nov 2002)
Support principles embodied in the Equal Rights Amendment. (Feb 2001)

Howard Dean on Corporations

Corporate America is insensitive to plight of middle class. (Sep 25)

Howard Dean on Crime

Death penalty for extreme and heinous crimes. (Nov 25)
Apply death penalty fairly & strengthen protections. (Nov 25)
Supports death penalty for terrorism. (Jun 23)
Replace overzealous capital crime trials with fair trials. (Jun 17)
Re-evaluate and reform federal and state death penalty. (Jun 17)
Invest in social programs to avoid investing in prisons. (Nov 2002)
Supports flexible federal block grants for crime programs. (Sep 2001)

Howard Dean on Drugs

Treat drug abuse as a medical problem, not a judicial one. (Nov 17)
Smoked marijuana in the past, as did other Dems. (Nov 9)
Evaluate marijuana & legalize for valid medical purposes. (Aug 4)
Hammer the dealers; treat the casual users. (Jan 14)
More federal funding for all aspects of Drug War. (Aug 2000)

Howard Dean on Education

Bush's "No Child Left Behind" is an unfunded mandate. (May 17)
Don't let Congress dictate definitions of school prayer. (Nov 2002)
GOP education bill imposes an unfunded mandate on states. (Nov 2002)
Supported Act 60's controversial statewide education fund. (Nov 2002)
No-Child-Left-Behind is Every-School-Board-Left-Behind. (Nov 2002)
School Choice
Under no circumstances abandon the public schools. (Nov 2002)
Apply VT's limited standards for failing schools, not GOP's. (Nov 2002)
Improve and invest in public schools. (Aug 2001)

Howard Dean on Energy & Oil

Help developing countries reduce greenhouse gases. (Jan 14)
Our energy policy is one of our biggest security threats. (Nov 2002)
Voluntary partnerships reduce greenhouse gases economically. (Aug 2000)
Kyoto Treaty must include reductions by all countries. (Aug 2000)
Create Regional Emissions Registry for GHG trading. (Aug 2001)

Howard Dean on Environment

Free trade must include environmental standards. (Apr 15)
No need to poison ourselves in order to have growth. (Nov 2002)
Eliminate mercury releases by 2003. (Sep 2000)
More state autonomy on brownfields & Superfund cleanups. (Aug 2001)
Support State Revolving Loan Fund for flexible Clean Water. (Aug 2001)

Howard Dean on Families & Children

Think long-term to benefit our children. (Nov 2002)
Encourage fathers' participation in child-raising. (Sep 2001)
Federal funds & state involvement in fatherhood initiatives. (Aug 2001)

Howard Dean on Foreign Policy

Intertwine into alliances, to create international stability. (Jun 25)
Integrate China as our international community partner. (Jun 25)
Embrace nation-building over isolationism. (Nov 2002)

Howard Dean on Free Trade

I support NAFTA & WTO-but they need revision. (Sep 25)
Support NAFTA & WTO with level labor standards. (Sep 25)
Free trade based on labor and environmental standards. (Sep 4)
Trade tariffs to enforce labor & enviro standards. (Mar 26)
Free trade is in our long-term national security interest. (Mar 26)
WTO should care about human rights. (Feb 26)
Free trade must equal fair trade. (Nov 2002)
China
Use trade as basis for constructive engagement. (Mar 26)
Use trade to enforce morality on China. (Mar 26)
Develop an open North American energy market. (Jul 2000)
Foster globalization with New England & Eastern Canada. (Aug 2001)
More business cooperation between New England & East Canada. (Jun 1998)

Howard Dean on Government Reform

Reforms must respect state's rights to select electors. (Aug 2001)

Howard Dean on Gun Control

Endorsed by NRA eight times as VT governor. (Oct 31)
Supports assault weapons ban and Brady bill. (Apr 10)
Get guns off the national radar screen: no new federal laws. (Nov 2002)
No more federal gun laws; leave them to states. (Nov 2002)

Howard Dean on Health Care

Build senior Rx program on Vermont program. (Sep 25)
Bush's Rx program is a political trap: looks good, bad plan. (Sep 25)
Wrong to compare any Dem to Gingrich: I support Medicare. (Sep 25)
Join every other industrialized country on health care. (Sep 4)
Bush prescription: take 2 tax cuts and see me in the morning. (May 17)
As doctor, knows health system; and knows how to pass plan. (May 17)
Subsidize health care for small businesses, not corporations. (May 3)
96.4% of Vermonters are covered; deliver that to America. (May 3)
Guarantee health ins. like other industrialized countries. (Nov 2002)
Three-tiered coverage: state, federal, and private. (Nov 2002)
Patient Bill of Rights is hot air: get people insured. (Nov 2002)
Full access first, then tackle reform afterwards. (Nov 2002)
Universal access for all Vermonters; insure the last 6%. (Jan 2001)
Keep “community rating”: insure older people at same rates. (Jan 2001)
No federal pre-emption of employee health plan regulation. (Oct 2001)
Protect state tobacco settlement funds from federal seizure. (Apr 1999)

Howard Dean on Homeland Security

Redirect military spending rather than reduce defense budget. (Aug 11)
Shift $1B per year from missile defense to threat reduction. (Jul 2)
Focus Pentagon budget on military personnel's needs. (Jul 2)
Focus war budget on protecting vital infrastructure. (Jun 17)
Anti-war, but has national security experience as governor. (May 3)

Howard Dean on Immigration

If immigrants work & pay taxes, give them citizenship. (Nov 25)
Poor treatment of Muslim immigrants is ethnic profiling. (Oct 19)
Concerned about immigrants dying in desert crossings. (Oct 8)
The Americas are more important than War on Terror. (Sep 4)
No automated entry-exit control system; allow free flow. (Jul 2000)
Share costs of legal immigration between states & federal. (Feb 2001)
Federal government should deal with criminal repatriation. (Feb 2001)

Howard Dean on Infrastructure

Invest in rural broadband to replace lost farm jobs. (May 17)
Cooperate with Canada on regional info tech workforce. (Aug 2001)
Level playing field for Main Street vs. Internet sales tax. (Aug 2001)
Create International Northern and Biotechnology Corridor. (Jun 1998)

Howard Dean on Jobs

Trade helps some but has hammered the Midwest. (Sep 25)
Reduce minority unemployment by investing in small business. (Sep 9)
We're exporting jobs if we trade with no labor standards. (Sep 4)
Invest in small businesses & renewable energy. (Sep 4)
Supports living wage via subsidies for kids & housing. (May 17)
Trade should strengthen labor unions in foreign nations. (Mar 27)

Howard Dean on Principles & Values

This campaign is about patriotism-flag belongs to everyone. (Sep 25)
Appeals $76 late fee on property tax; known as a tightwad. (Sep 20)
Favorite song: Wycliffe Jean, "Jaspora.". (Sep 9)
Restore US dignity in eyes of people around the world. (Sep 9)
Democrats are as angry at Dems as at GOP. (May 17)
Rule by hope instead of rule by fear. (May 17)
I want to change the Democratic Party, and change America. (May 3)
Give people a reason to vote, & we'll take our country back. (May 3)
Distrusts political extremism & ideologues. (Nov 2002)
Turned to medicine and politics after family tragedy. (Nov 2002)
Let's say what we think and get away from being poll-driven. (Nov 2002)
Religious affiliation: Protestant. (Nov 2000)
Member of Democratic Governors Association. (Aug 2001)
Member of New England Governors Conference. (Aug 2001)
Member, National Governors Association/Economic Development. (Jan 2001)

Howard Dean on Social Security

Reverse Bush tax cuts to shore up trust fund-don't privatize. (Nov 16)
Considered raising retirement age to 70-now keep it at 67. (Sep 25)
Maintain long-term solvency of Social Security and Medicare. (Aug 2001)

Howard Dean on Tax Reform

Middle class received no benefit from Bush tax cut. (Sep 25)
Tell the truth on taxes: can't afford tax cuts. (Sep 25)
People would rather health care than a tax cut. (Sep 4)
Bush's tax cuts made $10,000 debt for every child. (May 17)
Repeal Bush's tax cuts and invest in social programs. (Nov 2002)
Bush tax cuts were hooey; don't trust GOP with our money. (Nov 2002)
No national sales tax or VAT. (Feb 2000)
Let states independently determine estate taxes. (May 2001)

Howard Dean on War & Peace

Israeli security fence cannot be permanent. (Oct 19)
Yes on $87B for Iraq-repeal Bush tax cut to pay it. (Sep 25)
If we abandon Iraq, it'll become a terrorist haven. (Sep 9)
Keep relationship with Israel but be a credible negotiator. (Sep 9)
My position on Israel is exactly the same as Bill Clinton's. (Sep 9)
Iraq: Admit we humiliated our allies and get UN help. (Sep 4)
Iraq: Bush lied about al Qaeda, about nukes, and about WMDs. (Sep 4)
Bring US troops home. (Sep 4)
Tear up the Bush doctrine of pre-emptive war. (Jun 17)
Happy that Saddam is gone; keep a strong military; but... (May 3)
Afghanistan requires more than military victory. (Nov 2002)
Deal with terrorism as a joint federal-state responsibility. (Feb 2001)
Include states in anti-terrorism planning. (Sep 2001)

Howard Dean on Welfare & Poverty

Churches may provide social services if no discrimination. (Jun 26)
Promote the next generation of welfare reform. (Aug 2001)
Maintain federal Social Services Block Grant funding. (Sep 2001)
Maintain flexibility & funding levels for TANF block grants. (Sep 2001)

[WilliamPitt]

38. Mine's bigger than yours is

:evilgrin:

[Paragon]

39. Damn...

...where is that Buffalo Bill/Silence of the Lambs "tucked" picture when you need it? :D

P.S. If anyone finds it, please don't post it. It's the dinner hour.

[sandnsea]

46. Statements, not actions

That's the problem with this particular overview, it doesn't go over what Dean actually DID in Vermont and compare that to what he says he would do now. Or even compare what his preferences were in Vermont as opposed to what he compromised for. And sometimes his preferences were to the right of what he was forced to compromise. This overview isn't very useful, I've looked at it before. Clark's is alot the same, he can say anything he wants because he never had to vote.

[AWD]

49. Yeah, but....

...do you have anything about his voting record?

Just kidding.

John Kerry, depsite my anger about two of his votes, is one of the greatest Senators to grace this country. I firmly believe he will continue to grace this country with his leadership.

I just feel that it should be continued in the Senate, where it is needed.

I'm moved to tears by his record. Unfortunately, his Presidential campaign would BRING me to tears, seeing how poorly it's been run.

I anxiously await the day that I can pass legislation onto Senate Majority Leader John Kerry, who will then pass it to President Howard Dean. I ask DUers....would that be such a horrible thing?

[Padraig18]

41. It's about time.

You know, Kerry supporters, JK doesn't ride a white horse to the rescue every time. He's a flawed politician, like every candidate running fr the nomination. It's not that most of us hate Sen. Kerry, it's the 'holier-than-your-candidate' patina that you put on everything he does that makes most of us gag...

[slinkerwink]

42. that's true

[WilliamPitt]

44. Example?

[Padraig18]

45. IWR

[blm]

54. Well, Kerry did some rescuing when he exposed BCCI and IranContra

You may roll your eyes over that, but, practically everything we now know about the Reagan and Bush years and how it links to 9-11 and today is because of Kerry, whether that suits you or not.

You can bitch about a resolution till the cows come home but it won't change the fact that John Kerry helped END 3 wars - Vietnam, Iran-Iraq (when he shut down the arms dealing) and the illegal wars in Central America that gee, wouldn't ya know, YOU'RE guy refused to denounce when asked about it. (he had "mixed feelings")