US News & World Report: "Thumbs Up for '08 For the Kerry Clan"

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/whispers/articles/050509/9whisplead.htm

With Republicans scrounging around for an able successor to President Bush in the 2008 election, Washington's focus is fast turning to an escalating battle on the Democratic side between front-runner Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and 2004 nominee Sen. John Kerry . Whispers learns that Kerry is not just testing the waters: He's running . "His family wants him to run again," says one pal. Proof he's in: Kerry has added names to his E-mail list of 3 million, kept johnkerry.com alive and kicking, raised boatloads of cash for friendly Democrats, and moved to seize control of hot-button issues like kids' healthcare, the environment, and support for military families. The Kerry clan is also pushing the Clinton electability issue. "Donors and organized labor love Bill Clinton, " says one Kerry friend. "But they're telling everyone they're terrified that she'd get stomped."
Friends of Hillary, meanwhile, are touting her front-runner status and joining in the chorus of Democrats who think Kerry should crawl under a rock and go away. "He had his chance," mutters a Clinton ally. "It's over."
The bottom line: Pollster John Zogby says Clinton's out front in part because of her recent shift to the middle on partisan issues. That has prompted some haters to take a second look. "She can take the 'somewhat unfavorables,'" Zogby says, "and turn them into 'somewhat favorables.'"

[Ganja Ninja]

1. Clinton/Clarke or Clarke/Clinton in 08.

I like that ticket simply because I think we need some real brain power in the White House after 8 years of the current dunce. I'm not too big on Kerry since he took that skiing vacation right after the election.

[Justyce]

3. I wouldn't mind seeing

Clarke, Kerry, Clinton, or Edwards -- any of the above. I would really like to see Gore/H.Clinton...

[Tamarin]

5. The Dream Team eom

[ThorsHammer]

12. I wouldn't mind Clark/Kerry

[Dhalgren]

2. I think that who the Democratic Party puts forward

will have more to do with who the Republicans put forward than any polling between democratic candidates. The Democratic Party plays defense, but not a lot of offense. And whoever is put forward will have to contend with strong 3rd party candidates - probably on both sides, Democrats and republicans. Just my take, way out here 3 and half years away...

[DemBeans]

4. well...

I don't think it's any surprise that Kerry will run again. I think most of us expect that.

I just wonder, though, if Hillary's "recent shift to the middle on partisan issues" will serve her well in the primaries. It would help in the general, but she has to get there first. If she keeps going to the middle on the war and religious issues, I'd find it very difficult to support her primary efforts.

[Jo March]

6. Annnnnddddd we're OFF!

This thread is going to get ugly. I can just feel it.

[eallen]

7. Until Kerry sinks the not-so-swifties, he'll make a lousy nominee.

He let that issue dog him through the 2004 election. If he wants to run in 2008, he needs to resolve it, long before the primaries. He needs to sign his SF-180. And I would love to see him sue some of the not-so-swifties for libel. It's a bull he needs to take by the horns, and then steer the damn thing.

[Jo March]

8. I agree. Now is the time for him to take care of those idiots

I would love to see him sue them as well. Their lies would simply fall apart under oath. Makes me smile just thinking about it.

[aldian159]

17. Libel's gonna be a mess

In a lawsuit, especially a libel lawsuit, Kerry (or anyone else) could be deposed, and then any question is on the table. "Senator, have you ever done cocaine? Senator, do you cheat on your wife?" etc. When he doesn't answer, that's the story. Now, I'm not saying he should let the Swifties walk all over him, but a lawsuit is a bad move.

[FreedomAngel82]

26. I hope he goes after them

He needs to do something about those asses. I hope he's the nominee because I think he'd make a great president. I'd love to have Kerry/Clark or Kerry/Edwards again. Plus what else could they throw out at him? They did everything they could this past election. :shrug:

[eallen]

28. As things stand now, they'll throw the same. He needs to cut it off...

Before even announcing his candidacy. If it's still hanging over his head during the primaries, I think it would be stupid to renominate him.

[second edition]

9. This is just gossip! I do hope Kerry runs again though!

He has my vote. I think the SBV will be very infective this time around. Also, shame on anyone from the Clinton side if they are actually going around bashing Kerry. You could say Hillary and Bill already had their chance too. If I keep hearing things like this from the Clinton supporters, I won't even be able to support her in the general election if she does happen to be the candidate.

[newyawker99]

29. Hi second edition!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Stand and Fight]

10. This article is informative, but I think it has a sinister aim.

I think it aims to divide us.

John Kerry has my full support.

[JI7]

11. exactly what i thought

trying to make it into a Hillary vs Kerry type of thing.

but they didn't report at all when Hillary had Kerry as the special guest speaker at one of her major fundraising campaign events earlier this year. Kerry is also going to hold his own fundraising event for Hillary in Boston.

[second edition]

14. I thought about that also and I agree with you,

but it still bothers me that someone had to say something negative within the party. Of course, the MSM is looking for dirt, but I doubt they came up with this Clinton spin all on their own. When people go negative to the MSM we play right into their hands. Our party does not need people taking sides and going public right now. "United we Stand,Divided we Fall" so to speak.

[Mass]

16. And also to keep up busy on things that do not matter right now.

Why we focus on these things, we forget the filibusters, Bolton, Social Security, ...

[FreedomAngel82]

27. Aww

I think that's so sweet. :) They're pumping each other up. I don't think there's any rival there personally. If Hillary runs and get's the nominee I'm sure Kerry will support her and vice verse like she did last time. What do you think of her as a vp?

[firefox]

13. No drug warriors for me

We have a broken health care system, unbelievable debt and deficits, a war of aggression, a CIA pursuing the New World Order with terrorism, and the largest prison population anywhere and it is still growing. I am never going to let the litmus test of drug warrior status die, even if people do not understand the significance of such test.

Some "leaders" these guys are in the Senate. Look where they lead us.

[TabulaRasa]

15. Umm, no!!!!

Kerry needs to go crawl under a rock. He sucks. Period. His sheer incompetence may have brought about the end of the world. He doesn't get another chance.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

20. Wheet! Unnecessary Roughness, 15 Yard Penalty.

I do hope Kerry will continue giving his leftover money to the DNC and other Democrats, as he's done in part so far, but aside from that issue, if Kerry wants to run, that's up to him. I think the Democrats benefit from having a broad field of choices.

DTH

[suigeneris]

21. Ah, rigid sentiments that, when compared to the username

are living proof that irony is not dead yet on DU.

Just funnin' ya. <grin>

[Dr Fate]

18. Kerry should embrace the talk that he is running.

It would allow him to talk about any topic he wanted to- and it would cut off any idiodic media speculation-

"YES- I AM running in 3 years-and I'm sure I'll have a lot of mess to clean up- now back to TODAYS important topic we are supposed to be discussing..."

"YES- I AM saying that because I'm running for President-so what? These are important issues, and it's never to soon to talk about them, presidential run or not..."

[Mass]

19. And of course, this is an important issue

that warrants another thread about 08?
I have to congratulate you to help the RW machine, by posting the rags of a very conservative newspaper.

[cindyw]

22. So people are bitching that Kerry is doing alot of good things to get

people to back him again? Hello. This is a good thing Kerry is doing. Now it's Hillary's turn. Come on Hill. What have you done for me lately? Where are your great ideas and your great actions? If you want my support get goin' Hill. Show me what your all about. And while we're at it, add a couple more Pres hopefulls with great ideas and actions.

I for one will not complain if 10 people start a contest to see can do more for the sake of the Democratic party and the country. I am not one to look a gift horse in the mouth. If Kerry spend all 4 years promoting Democratic values and fighting for what we believe in like children's health care, then he will be who I support.

Since when would a little competition be bad. Come on Hill, where are your deeds? Clark, I at least know has been out there fighting for us. Step up Hill, I'd love a female Prez. Show me what you got.

As for the Kerry naysayers, lay off and stop bitching about Kerry doing good things. What does it hurt to let him knock himself out trying to make us happy.

[Dr Fate]

25. I agree 100%- And Kerry should frame it that way when asked:

"Why yes, Wolf, I AM running for the DEM nomination in 2008. What is wrong with that? That is 3 years away-Now, if you dont mind, lets get back to the current issues..."

[LittleClarkie]

23. Yadda yadda

Pretty flimsy proof really. So he's added names to the email list. The email community has been working on action alerts, of course it's growing. But are they covering what he's DOING with his list?

Their other proof is that he's kept johnkerry.com going? It's been around since his last Senate race. That's proof?

Let's see. He's working for the issues he said he'd work for and fighting the Bush agenda. Is their contention is that he wouldn't be doing that if he wasn't running? Would they rather he just sat there and didn't work to help military families (something he's always cared about), save the environment (something he's always cared about) and children's health care (something he talked about during the campaign.)

They're stitching together things we already know and showing them as proof. So folks who don't want him to run will get pissed and work against him as he tries to work against the Bush agenda. Is that the idea.

Really. Who cares about 2008 right now. Maybe he's got his options open. Whatever. If he's getting results, I don't see why that should bother anyone. We can deal with 2008 when it gets here.

Puff piece, I think.

[snowbear]

24. Zogby needs a vacation....

He sounds delirious or something.. Either that, or he's been polling Republicans again.

:silly: