How I felt about John Kerry.

[leyton]

This is the endorsement of Senator Kerry that I wrote for my school's newspaper last October. I meant every word of it, and I'm posting it here in response to the firing squads that go on and on.

I know it is fashionable to bash Kerry because his campaign was less than stellar - but he and his advisors are humans and humans occasionally make mistakes. Perhaps Kerry was not a great candidate, but this is the President he could have been:

***

The trademark of John Kerry’s campaign for the Presidency has been a strong emphasis on his voluntary service in Vietnam. Although his military record indicates bravery and a sense of duty to the nation, it is Kerry’s intelligent approach to government, his commitment to integrity, and his choice of a Vice-President that make him the clear choice for the next President of the United States.

Kerry’s strength is the way he would approach the two biggest problems that confront the nation: turmoil in the Middle East and the economy. It has become obvious that alone the U.S. will have a very difficult time winning the peace in Iraq, but Kerry has no plans of walking away. Instead, he will call on other nations to help bear the burden. This is nothing revolutionary – this country has always led other nations in spreading democracy throughout the world, and Kerry will return us to this standard of leadership. At home, Kerry will enforce laws that encourage corporations to keep jobs in the United States and cut taxes for the middle class. These policies demand sacrifice on the part of corporations and the extremely wealthy, but the benefits for ordinary Americans outweight the costs. Kerry’s ideas are not new, they are not ground-breaking – they are simply guided by the common sense that kept the country safe and prosperous for so long.

If Kerry’s approach to government is tried and true, his commitment to integrity is unusual for a politician. A part of Kerry’s record that is often overlooked is his role in uncovering the Iran-Contra scandal. In 1985, it was discovered that members of the Reagan administration were illegally smuggling weapons to a Panamanian dictator; Kerry was the one who spoke out against the government’s unlawful actions. Today, similar questions have arisen surrounding the Iraq war and whether the government was completely honest about weapons of mass destruction. Kerry has shown that he will be straightforward and upfront with the American people and that he will not mislead the country for any reason.

Also deserving mention is Kerry’s Vice-Presidential nominee. The Democratic ticket is a story in contrasts: Kerry has been in government for twenty-two years and has been in the thick of national policy-making for most of them. Senator Edwards, on the other hand, spent most of his life as a private citizen and gained a reputation as a skilled legal defender of the underdog. Kerry does not need a Vice-President to advise him on policy – he needs one who can offer insight into how policies crafted in the Oval Office will affect the average American citizen. John Edwards will be that man.

However, Edwards will be a capable President if needed. During his time in the Senate, Edwards has served on various committees that dealt with education, small businesses, and intelligence collection, giving him experience on a broad range of domestic and security issues. Finally, as a trial lawyer he was able to quickly master large amounts of information on complicated topics; he certainly has the intellect necessary to run the country. There is no question that, should Edwards assume the Presidency, he will be prepared to lead the nation through good times and bad.

Our nation is at a critical junction right now, but the problems that face us are not insurmountable. Democrats have nominated a team that has the qualities necessary to govern effectively and honorably and to lead the country as it faces its challenges at home and abroad. John Kerry and John Edwards are the right men to lead us into a brighter future.

[jobycom]

1. Good work. Kerry didn't run a bad campaign, he just had too many

enemies to fight. The Republicans, Nader (turned out to be small, but Kerry couldn't know that until the end), and most importantly, a mainstream media who was willing to do anything to keep Bush in power. I'm amazed he came so close. Without Republican voter suppression, it would have been closer, and maybe even a victory.

[FreedomAngel82]

3. Yep

Don't forget the voting machine's and all the surpress of the voters in democratic areas. I still think he won. And in the "official" count Bush only won by two percent. Whoopie-doo. Nixon won re-election too.

[jobycom]

4. I haven't seen enough evidence to prove the voter machine theory yet

I'm not saying it didn't happen, only that I haven't seen proof. Until I do, I'll stick with what is proven. Voter suppression is proven.

Either way, it was close. Nixon won re-election by a landslide. One thing that gives me hope is remembering Nixon's first run. He lost to JFK in one of the closest elections on record. He ran again eight years later, against a party (us) who had started an illegal and senseless war, amid some of the worst division this country had seen since the Civil War, and he won, and he turned this nation so far to the right we still haven't recovered.

Time to reverse that, don't you think? Gore, Hillary, Kerry, Dean... Someone... The time is ripe. But first, let's take back some seats inn Congress in 2006.

[MissWaverly]

5. did you see the fundraising letter from the RNC posted here

they said they only carried Ohio by a swing of 60,000 votes

[sandnsea]

2. I'll be posting these

I've been gathering up stories for a couple of days, will be putting it up tomorrow. Anybody else who wants theirs posted, you can respond here. A paragraph would be best.

[Robert Oak]

6. Solidarity with one's own

Recommended for greatest page.

I think this is extremely important. "Infighting" and the lack
of solidarity among democrats is one of the ways to weaken
the overall resistance to the Neocons and their agenda.

Kerry is now out there trying to get health care for kids and
he is introducing legislation that is very good, for example,
one bill to "democratize" the DoD contract awards process (and
we can see by the latest results, they clearly need some competition!)...

now due to this "turning" on him, his legislation has less chance
to even get heard.

Then, we have "centrists" Democrats wanting to become even more
the "corporate party with anti-choice" in order to "appeal" ...
they are out of their minds. It's clear from the polls the appeal
is to the people who want socialized medicine, a cap on medical costs,
reining in of corporations, stopping these absurd, multinational corporate sponsored trade agreements, an end to corporate welfare
and so on.

The real issue is getting that message out like the same "mantra"
that Republicans have crafted for their propaganda and hidden agenda.

It isn't Kerry, it's the propaganda machine and being wise on
gaining momentum as well as not selling out your constituents,
which immediately turns the choice to
"do you want your candidate with abortion or without for both represent multinational corporate interests" needs to be the real focus. Included in that is true accuracy and fair elections.

[kikiek]

15. Exactly. I read today someone who said they didn't like what Bush

was doing to the country and we are on the wrong track. But they were still happy they voted for him because marriage is supposed to be between a man and a woman. Yes...I hope they all have an opposite sex companion to live with them underneath the bridge. My husband and I have our box all picked out. I hope she doesn't end up in the box next to us. I won't be very neighborly.

[Robert Oak]

18. I know, I just couldn't believe that motivated people

It was absolutely shocking...kind of like finding out your neighbors
are actually KKK members.

I'm in OR and just was absolutely shocked in such a liberal state
only 36% of the people voted against the denial of gay marriage.

Yup, worked like a charm...gotta love how political power
is being manipulated by prejudice and fear.

[sandnsea]

19. It was 57-43

Let's get the numbers right at least. Do you think the gay rights/civil union law will pass?

[Robert Oak]

20. ah, I'm quoting the election day numbers i saw, thx

not *quite* so horrible.

I hope so, but right now the house is busy passing abortion restrictions..

clearly the neocons/fundamentalists are alive and well in OR.

[dandrhesse]

7. I campaigned for Kerry and I still maintain that he won

Everywhere he went he drew record crowds he drew a crowd of 5,000-7,000 in our town that has a total population of 50,000. With less than a week notice and the rally was held on a weekday during work hours, it was raining and about 40 degrees and the rally was held outside. The only reason the number wasn't higher is that the venue was packed! that is over 10% of our total population! The numbers do not add up. The "president" has an approval rating barely above 40% and he was just re-elected and Kerry is still able to mobile literally millions of people in a matter of hours through his website? come on who are they kidding. Proving it is one thing, knowing it is another.

[cestpaspossible]

8. The numbers do not add up.

I agree with you about that.

[vince3]

9. Great Letter

You were backing the right horse, kid. Kerry won.

[Wizard777]

10. I think he is one heck of a nice guy.

We have to put a stop to good people finishing last.

You know that Kerry fella. He musta brought some of that wacky tabacky back from Nam with him. He had that nice young Edwards boy seeing Pigs wearing lipstick. :wow: That just ain't right. We are gonna have to keep that Edwards boy out of the Barnyard. He's borish and plum loco to boot.


:rofl: :yourock:

[NinetySix]

11. My problem with Kerry wasn't a "Less Than Stellar Campaign"

I thought the campaign was rather well-run, and that what ran his candidacy off the rails was the media focus on things like the Swift Boat charges, which were notably lacking in any balance, investigative integrity, or critical reflection (e.g., "this group charges 'X'; Kerry responds 'Y').

My problem with Kerry was not anything he did up to and including November 2nd. Instead, I was deeply disappointed by his broken promise to "stand up for us." When John Edwards stepped out at around 2AM to tell us that Ohio was not a done deal and to imply that there would be some sort of action to contest the patently crooked election there, I took heart. Too much, as it turned out; I lost almost all heart when at around noon the next day, John Kerry sprinted to a microphone to concede.

I don't feel as negatively about him right now as I did then (that would be a tall order), and I do appreciate the efforts he's made from the floor of the Senate. But it's a mild case of too-little-too-late for me. The fight shouldn't be a rear-guard action like it is today, but a frontal assault on the forces of Theocracy and Corporatocracy from the Bully Pulpit. If only he'd beached that boat and taken the fight to the enemy head-on....

[porkrind]

22. "John Kerry sprinted to a microphone to concede."

That about sums it up. :(

[DELUSIONAL]

12. unfortunately because Kerry didn't have the backbone

to stand up and fight for what he won -- it will be a very long time before a huge segment of the population EVER trusts a democrat to fight for them.


The democratic voter turnout was huge -- and a whole lot of people know their vote was stolen -- that their efforts to get to the poll and vote for Kerry was wasted. Their vote was changed.

I'm driving cross country and talking to some of the same people who fought for Kerry last year -- now they won't even TALK about politics. They turn off the TV -- no mater which side the politicians are on.

Democrats won't fight and democrats don't care -- seems to be the message many people took from the Nov. election. These people were passionate last year AND in 2000. Now they just don't care.

When our side can't make sure the votes are counted -- and their side owns nearly all the voting machines (including the punch card machines used in Ohio) -- democrats don't have a chance in hell of winning in 2006 or 2008.

And I really hate to write these words -- but the fire in the belly is gone in people. These are the political wonks like us -- these are the grass roots people -- the ones that made the effort to got to the polls and vote.

[EFerrari]

16. We know what happened and won't unknow it.

Take care, heal up. We're not going away. (They forgot to figure that in.)

:)

[kikiek]

13. I still think Kerry was a great candidate. He would have been a

fantastic president. Unfortunately it is going to take 2 disastrous terms to get many people to realize they made a big mistake in trusting this admin. I can only hope to have a country that is still salvageable when it is over. It is because of Sen Kerry and the other fighters in congress if we do.

[Catamount]

14. Thank you for reminding us, just imagine how

different the world would be right now if our real president was in the White House.
I know he would have been hobbled to a large degree by the congress, but we'd be going forward instead of falling further into this morass of lies and deceit.
I still believe in Karma, so I'm hoping that this house of cards will fall, sooner or later!
:crazy:

[Adelante]

17. I never understand

The nonsense I see on DU about Kerry not having "passionate" support. I just don't get it or accept it.

You're some of the staunchest fighters I've ever seen :toast:

[sandnsea]

23. Thank you

It's nice to hear. When you've put your entire life on hold for over two years, it gets to be more than insulting to be told you don't even exist.

[wisteria]

21. Very nice. n/t