My Passionate support of John Kerry

[Corey_Baker08]

I didn't really know much about politics up until the past couple of years. While I found myself caught up in the Gore/Bush 2000 election as a fourth grader, I soon shifted focus and lost touch of the political world. It wasn't until September 11 that i regained my passion of politics as a 5th grader. I remember that day like it was yesterday, being in gym class as it was announced over the intercom wondering what was to come and if it was truly the end of the world.

In those days even though I supported Gore in 2000, a year later I was a Bush fan because of September 11. I would watch all of his speeches, I cheered when he stood on top of the remains of the world trade center and promised payback, and I mourned for the victims.

Like most Americans I was supportive of my President and my country. I thought that no one could lead us better than George W Bush. Then the ignorance of my youth wore off the day my mom came home crying because she and my dad had just lost their jobs to cheap overseas labor markets. I was soon to get my own job at a restaurant at 14 years old and start fighting for myself.

I helped with what I could giving money, offering support and helping with what I could. Year after year eviction after eviction I came to know that things must change. Thats when he came along, It was Presidential candidate John Kerry.

I knew from the start that he was my choice, he was my hope, he was my dream, he was my President. He was truly fighting for me and my middle class family. He shared the same values and the same beliefs that I did. From the war in Iraq that we both supported was a simple shared message,The commander in chief should not send our troops into harms way because he wants to, but only because we have to."

I soon found myself campaigning day and night, day and night. i began volunteering and soon enough I was getting calls from the Democratic National Committee asking me to travel to Ohio to some rallies to serve as a voice for teens everywhere,unfortunately my finances or my schedule would allow me.

I saw Kerry at a rally in Dayton,Ohio on October 19, 2004. It was my first political rally ever and my dads Union allowed us very close seats. I was only standing a few feet away from the man that I think i admire most in the world. There was so much intensity and passion in every word he spoke that night, I laughed, and I cheered and I cried that night thinking of what the future would hold.

Then came November 2, and it was all taken away within 24 short hours. for days and weeks and even months after the election I found myself in a true state of reflection, I found myself feeling as if my best friend had just been taken away from me. He was a best friend that gave me a hope and a dream, he told Americas best day were still yet to come, and i believed him.

Now I am looking to what the future will hold and for me it still holds the promise that John Kerry will be our next President. I realize this may be false hope and the chances of it happening are slimming down, but day by day it gives me something to hope for, something to dream about.

[RAF]

1. Kerry was once a strong man

after the 2004 election fraud he showed he is a typical weak Washington elitist who would much rather slide back out of the way then to get in a face to face conflict over right and wrong.

I personally feel anyone within our party who still favor this let down are a major part of the problem that face our party. If this bs continues this life long Democrat wouldn't think twice to change my affiliation to Green or Independent.

Remember what we are living through today is solely because Kerry chose not to fight the obvious e-voting fraud that has taken over our country. Actually, the way almost all Dem. leaders have avoided this issues leads me to believe they have avoided it because some how some way they benefited from it in the past.

[Southsideirish]

2. I thought he was the "electable" one, isn't that what he told us?

[RAF]

3. sadly

I think we all know by now it doesn't matter what these scumbags say to us. They are part of the same corrupt group, regardless of political affiliation.

[Corey_Baker08]

5. I dont belileve Kerry is a let down

I believe this election was also fraudulent, believe me I am currently working with the candidate for Ohio Secretary of State and together we are addressing the problem.

What could Kerry have done.Please Tell me what he could have done other than what he did to prove election fraud. Republicans control the house and senate, repunblicans control the media, Republicans control the voting machines, Republicans control most of everything Kerry would need to press the issue of election fraud.

You say that he could have stood with Barbara Boxer on Jan 6, well if he did it would have done the same amount that it did when she stood.

Kerry is right now co sponsoring a bill for election reform, will it make a drastic difference, proobably not, will it help pave the way, absolutely.

I believe your choice of words is stupid and wrong. It is people like you constantly threatening to leave the party that reflects a bad image on the youth, who are looking for a party to support.

Kerry is still living up to the promises he made durning this election in the United States Senate. Hes fighting to bring health care to me and the many other uninsured children in the world. he supported a bill that would raise minimum wage to $7.25, o how i could wish it would have passed, $3.67 an hour isnt getting my college tuiton paid.

[MoonRiver]

8. Hmmm,

"I am currently working with the candidate for Ohio Secretary of State and together we are addressing the problem."

Didn't you say you were a 5th grader when 9/11 happened? That would make you an 8th grader now, according to my calculations. You are a mighty powerful youngster to be working with political candidates and addressing electoral reform with them! I think you should seriously consider a career in politics. Oh wait, you already seem to have one.
:hi:

[Corey_Baker08]

11. Well Freshman in High School

I definately want to be in politics its my passion, its what i do for a sport unlike most kids my age playing hopelessly to make it in the nfl.

[Pushed To The Left]

57. Good for you!

I think it's great that you're getting involved at such a young age. I had no interest in politics when I was 14 whatsoever. Keep up the good work!

[RAF]

10. How about at the least.........................

speaking out about the long lines ( do to deliberate withholding of voting machines in minority areas) or the major fact that everyone of these e-voting machine manufactures hold "proprietary software license" over the source code that make the machines run.I'm willing to bet most if not all average people have no f-ing idea what that means.

I find it both discouraging and reprehensible that people within our own party would give our past candidate a pass on this. You are not part of the solution you ARE the problem we have furthering the truth getting out!

[Corey_Baker08]

13. UH HUH Kerry did exactly as you just Said

At the Martin Luther King Breakfast in march Kerry said the following:

"In Democratic districts, it took people four, five, 11 hours to vote, while Republicans through in 10 minutes. Same voting machines, same process, our America," Kerry said

and

"Thousands of people were suppressed in their efforts to vote. Voting machines were distributed in uneven ways"

Read the facts before trashing someone.

[RAF]

15. and if Kerry made a point to push this issue

prior to conceding all focus would have been put on these very issues. Instead, he concedes faster then even his harshest critics thought he would and in doing so gave Rove, Bush and the corrupt corporate media avenue to change the focus of topic.

Like I said, what we have been going through since the 2004 election results and what we will go through until 2008 is solely because of candidate Kerry.

Except it as fact!

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

29. Like a cheap K-Mart deckchair,

Folded, that is.

[sendero]

38. People who ....

"can't do anything" about possibly the most urgent problem facing our country (election fraud) are not presidential material.

[globalvillage]

4. Don't lose hope, Corey.

John Kerry was, and is a good man and an excellent leader. He's fighting for us in the Senate and will continue to 'give voice to our values', just like he said he would. Even though he could not overcome the totality of the smears of the admin and their cronies, the lies of the SBidiots, the cold shoulder from the media, serious voter disenfranchisement and election fraud and the abandonment by the Church, he was still the right man for the job, and you were right to support him.
Our best days are still to come, Corey. Just wait.
:hug:

[Name removed]

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[Corey_Baker08]

9. "EVERYTHING HE NEEDED TO FIGHT FOR FAIR RESULTS"

This has got to be a joke.What was he gonna use a telephone and call everyone in the country telling them? The fact is the Republican controlled media would have buried this story under the table and you know it.

Why dont you answer my question? What could Kerry have done to help prove election fraud?

[Name removed]

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[Corey_Baker08]

54. I think youve disconnected yourself from reality

Kerry has been talking about the results all across the country, on meet the press, at meetings, his legal team still has an investigation going, new evidence of election fraud has turned up in Wisconsin now.

Face it Kerry could have done more, yes, but damnit hes giving it all that he has when he is facing a Republican controlled everything.

You expect me to say your right and im wrong but im not going to. Your wrong and you are bitter that some one else wasnt our candidate.

[globalvillage]

12. So you suggest, do you?

I'm asinine, naive and bound by your suggestions? Well, my suggestion to you is unprintable. What the fuck makes you think posting on this board gives you the right to bash other members? Read the rules, buddy.

[Name removed]

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[globalvillage]

20. Again.

I suggest you read the forum rules. There are a lot of Kerry supporters in this forum. Calling someone a 'sack of shit' is not productive. If you have a problem with the way Sen Kerry conceded, there are ways to make that known. I wasn't too thrilled either, but I'm sure I don't have access to the full story.
And it's sister.

[RAF]

22. trust me

I know the rules very well. Just because my sign on date is fairly recent don't confuse that for the amount of years I've spent reading this forum.

Don't find wiggle room to get out of the discussion. Bone up on the facts and perhaps we could have a productive discussion.

[globalvillage]

23. You know the rules,

you just choose to ignore them. OK. Re the discussion, I'd rather not. You know, you make a lot of assumptions for someone who claims to be interested in the facts.

[Name removed]

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[MoonRiver]

25. There are a whole lot of us who think Kerry should have been shouting

and screaming about election fraud at least a year before the election. Maybe if the thugs had known they were being watched and the Democratic presidential candidate was going to expose them when they tried their dirty tricks they would have backed down, at least some. Kerry should have also filed lawsuits immediately when the fraud was apparent. Even if he couldn't have proven it right then, that action would have helped discredit the bush regime, and empowered others in Congress who wanted to fight the theft. Once he conceded, in blitzkrieg time, he took the wind out of all those efforts. So sad.

[RAF]

28. Well said

and so true!:toast:

[MoonRiver]

33. Thanks RAF!

This stuff needs to be discussed. As the saying goes, those who refuse to learn from the past are doomed to repeat it.

[globalvillage]

31. You're right

and the campaign did have attorneys and watchers at the polls in the battleground states. So did the Repugs. Sad, though, that we did not have enough to cover every precinct. I know I took the day off work and sat my butt in a chair from open to close to make sure every vote was counted. For what it's worth, we won handily and I feel good about my part.
I think we seriously underestimated the lengths the Repugs would go to disenfranchise voters and steal votes. We should have had watchers in every precinct, but there were not enough volunteers to go around. So most of my anger is focused on those who bitch and moan about our 'loss', but didn't show up for the party.
As for the concession, I agree that it seemed very hurried. I just don't know why. I have come up with several scenerios, but they're just speculation at this point. I do believe we'll learn the truth, though, sooner or later.
So, mostly I agree with you, but without knowing the reasons for the rush to concede, I can't be certain what Sen Kerry should have done.

[MoonRiver]

32. We'll never really know why he rushed to concede.

We do know he did, and that's enough to make me to be forever suspicious of him running again. I remember massive evidence of probable Rethug voter fraud being published all over the web for years. Why didn't Kerry notice and take preemptive action?? That is another question that makes me doubt he's enough of a fighter to deal with the Rethug machine. I think he's OK in the Senate and MA seems happy with him. I wish him a long and productive Senate career, but not another run for the gold.

[globalvillage]

35. I think

it's a long way to 2008, and we're likely to find the truth before then. If we do, and if the hurried concession was unavoidable or at least reasonable, he's still a great candidate for '08 IMO. If we don't ever find out, he's still my choice but less likely to win the nomination. If that happens, I'll back whoever we choose and work just as hard for the campaign.
Sen Kerry was a fighter in his youth, and he's a fighter now. I have a hard time believing he laid down this time, so quickly and when the stakes were so high, without a reason.
I don't know if it's going to be enough to win back DUers who consider him a 'sack of shit', but I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt until the truth comes out.

[RAF]

46. "find the truth"?

Like I said before, many people with this "let's see what happens" mentality are sitting back waiting for a memo from Rove to Blackwell. You wont get it!

There is and has been enough evidence to start a simple investigation. Have you read John Conyers report from January? That's all we should be pushing for, a simple investigation. The republicans wont allow it. Why not? Better question, why hasn't Reid and Pelosi gathered every last Democrat Representative for a major press conference? A press conference like this would have to be covered by the corrupt corporate media. Wonder why instead Pelosi and Reid were pissed that Boxer signed on with Conyers to contest the 2004 presidential election?

Surely everyone country wide would agree that all it could do is strengthen our democratic process right?

Geeze!

[BeFree]

17. ',,,,had everything needed...'?

I wished you were correct, RAF, in that Kerry had everything needed to fight against the election fraud. Sadly, he didn't, and doesn't yet.

Now, if you are so wise as to be able to explain exactly how Kerry could have beaten back the 'official' results on Nov. 3, I am sure there are a ton of folks who'd like to hear it.

Of course I think and believe the election was stolen. Unfortunately there has been no satisfactory hearing yet. The last I heard there was a case moving through an Ohio court. The wheels of justice grind too slowly or we would all be becoming quite aware by now, just 6 months later, eh?

[RAF]

19. let me ask you

what the hell do you feel we need to get the message out to most average everyday people who aren't political junkies like us?

Kerry was leading by all accounts (exit polls) as of 4 pm, by 11 pm it was reported he was handily defeated. That has never, NEVER happened before in the history of taking exit polling since exit polling started. That and that alone was reason enough for flags to be waved.

Dang people, we aren't going to have perfectly written memos from Rove to Blackwell to get this point across.

Please understand this!

[BeFree]

34. What the Hell we need...

...to get the sheeple to understand.

I'm not sure. But I think, over time, folks will see what we see. What we see is screwed up exit polls, machines that didn't count Kerry when Kerry was selected, and the potential for the machines to really screw up the count. Potential being the key word.

At the time of the election enough things just did not fall into place fast enough for a verdict to be delivered. Besides, I do feel it very possible that the same people who would lie to the nation about Iraq would go so far as to threaten anybody who might foil their devious plans.

Even today only three out of ten people I talk to about BBV are cognizant enough to even begin grasping the evidence so far presented. What might have taken place if more than half the people at the election time been cognizant?

Sure Kerry could have done more, but I'll not lay the blame for the stolen election at his feet. That's the easy way out and amounts to barking up the wrong tree.

The republican owned machines are the culprits, not my people.

[RAF]

44. "over time"?

How much time do you think we have? Everyone, including every Washington insider knows the fraud associated with e-voting. There was no reason for Kerry and his campaign not to make this a major issue BEFORE the election not only after.

It's well known that John Edwards wanted to fight to the end. It was Kerry's decision to quit in record speed. Now we have Theresa coming out expressing what all of us already know. What more do you want or need?

There is NO more time. This should have been acted on prior to the 2004 election vote,as promised by Kerry himself. Remember when he constantly said he would make sure every vote was counted and counted fairly?

This election manipulation has been going on since 2000. We are now in the year 2005. What is your idea of a time table for which this should all play out?

Unbelievable

[Turn CO Blue]

26. Are you kidding? You want a 9th grader

to stop taking a "naive" approach? You want him to be as cynical and negative as you've become? He's already got a "better hold of the facts" such as you insist on, than any other 14 year old I've ever seen!

So what if Corey has a bad case of hero-worship of Kerry?!! So the fuck what?!! It's better than if he were some brown-shirted goose-stepping Bush*-worshiper at his or any other age!

Ask yourself why you want to destroy that hope of his? Why? What do you gain from these kinds of posts? What is driving that impulse?

I had a lot of hope of what Kerry could/would do, and I'm a hell of a lot older and more cynical than Corey.

[Name removed]

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[Turn CO Blue]

49. Well, I am going camping next weekend at the sand dunes

so I guess I really AM a camper!

You had no idea there were children here? There are all kinds -- young, old, rich, poor, former Repubs, trolls, and even those who act like children.

But to the real point here -- did you even bother to actual READ the original post of this thread -- or do you make it a habit to jump into full-on argumentative mode without doing so? How can you begin to say you did read it? If so, then you failed to process the details of the first paragraph, such as the OP being in the 4th grade during the 2000 election, mention of "gym class", 9/11 during 5th grade, etc?

And you dared to admonish Corey to get HIS facts straight? Sheesh!

I know the "facts" as well as anyone. The "brothers Diebold" and Karl Rove schemed and robbed Kerry of the election, and Kerry failed to speak up for us and himself after the robbery took place.

So, what does that have to do with your TONE in this thread? Make no mistake, I was cricizing your cynicism with a young adult poster, not any supposed "facts" about the handling of the election that you raised.

You want me to ask Theresa -- I'd rather ask Conyers.

You want a discussion forum with reasonable adults. Okay, sounds good.

[RAF]

50. don't try to tell me about DU

I'm willing to put money on the fact I have been following DU long before you knew of it's existence. Over the years there have been occasional children joining in the discussion. Many during the 2004 presidential election. On the whole they are very far and few in between.

Based alone on the posters thread title "My Passionate support of John Kerry" one needed only read it to understand where their point of view was coming from. Excuse me for not reading the long rant supporting this title.

At no time did I enter this discussion with over the top "TONE". Perhaps you're confusing differing opinion with attitude?

Kerry had his chance and truly flushed it away. The man has been a very good Senator for Mass. let him stay there. He has shown he lacks the fight to be president of our once great country.

Once again, when you sit back and watch the so called nuclear option, SS reform and every other slimy trick these republican bastards have up their sleeve remember Kerry chose to bow out faster then even his harshest critics thought he would.

[Turn CO Blue]

53. I hardly think it matters,

who's been here longer but if qualifying my time on the board matters to you, okay then. You're correct, I have only been a member for about 8 months, and lurked a few months before that. I have been reading DKos quite a bit longer. In 2000, I voted for Gore and...oh wait, did you actually want my Progressive resume'?

I don't agree that I confused content with attitude, but I do agree you are entitled to your opinion...as is Corey entitled to his about Kerry. I also believe he's entitled to express it here and to engage in hero-worship of a damned fine Senator if he so chooses.

I too, screamed and yelled when the concession was made. I was sick, as you were. I have not necessarily moved on ...except to attempt to cope with lessons learned and to begin preparations for the next round in the ring. I save most, not all, but most of my anger for the neo-cons and their idiotic viewpoints (the whole circular firing squad theory of Dems and all that.)

The next opportunity for the leadership (and Kerry) to show some cajones, is this week when Fristian throws down the gauntlet -- I'd better see the Dems step out onto the steps of the capitol and hold a fiery press conference and shut the infernal place down. I'd better see that. (I'm not saying the media would air it, of course, even if it happened -- but at least we'd know from the "internets".) They'll probably turn the other cheek and make comments about Statesmanship and the duty to keep showing up. Believe me, I am just as weary of seeing them lie down as you are. I have been seeing some fire from Reid, Boxer, Byrd, Frank, etc. lately. Perhaps...perhaps.

[Name removed]

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[Chicago Democrat]

7. Stop the Kerry Smear campaign Swift Boat Ad already in making for 08

http://www.eugenemirman.com/videos/Swift_Truthful_Vets.mov


Shocking new allegations!

[globalvillage]

16. You crack me up. n/t

[stillcool]

21. Hey Corey....

i was just thinking about you the other day...haven't noticed you around lately. I admire your spunk and tenacity and hope you continue to be inspired by John Kerry and others like him. There will always be those who disagree...even vehemently, but the good you see in others is only apparent because you know it in yourself.

[1956]

27. I'm proud of you and JK

Young Man, I am so happy to have read your posts!
It is uplifting to know there are teens like you out there. Spread the word to your friends!! We need you!
As far as Kerry and the concession, folks, he is still working on getting his ducks in a row b-4 spilling the beans about the stolen election. It takes time to do this. When he conceded,I'm sure he was given wrong info on his chances of the final count in Ohio. He didn't want to look like Gore did with the sore loser thing, so he got it over with. I think he has of course since learned how massive and overwhelming the evidence seems to be in his favor.
I believe it will all work out soon, and if it doesn't, I don't think Bush and Co. are going to be able to last much longer. OUR VOICES ARE GETTING TOO LOUD FOR THEM TO IGNORE!!

[Sydnie]

30. Corey, you make me very proud

You keep on keeping on. I am right there with you in your beliefs and your admiration.

And I am not a freshman in high school nor part of the Dem problem either. I am a long time, card carrying member of this party.

You remind me of myself in many ways. I worked on my first national campaign at 14, for Eugene McCarthy. I believed in what I was doing then and I believe in what we (and Kerry) are doing now.

Never give up your dreams because you are OUR future!

:hug:

[NovaCameron]

36. John Kerry as president?

Well sorry to say this but john Kerry wasn't the best choice to run against Bush. In fact non of the canadites were. His stances on issues were quite cloudy and incomplete. Most of America has resigned itself to four more years of Bush, however bad they may be... Most of the Democratic leaders have been quite silent and very weak on pressing their views. We should shove the issues down the republicans throats and scream them from the tallest building. If the GOP and Neo-conservitives want a party war then lets give them one.

[pacalo]

37. Cloudy & incomplete?

Guess he didn't dumb-down his message enough for some of us.

One question: Why do those who have displaced anger toward Kerry feel compelled to rain on the parade of a young high school freshman who just poured his heart out about his admiration for Kerry?

Nice, nice heart you have, Corey. Your post was excellent.

[NovaCameron]

39. Yes, exactly...

Kerry seems to not have connected with the people. Thus his explinations, while extensive and precise, didn't have the effect he wanted it to have. He always seemed to have been on the defensive and not on the offensive on may issues. Most likely because of the press, which he should have beaten to death on unfair coverage practices but... He should of critized Bush more emotionaly. That is what cost him the election. And the elections of most democrats for the last thirty years...

[pacalo]

59. What cost him the election is

Republican-owned electronic voting machines & secretaries of state who were more than willing to go along with the program...for money, of course -- they don't come cheap.

Those who stole the election love Democrats second-guessing Kerry & blaming him for his "losing" the election. It gives their handiwork credibility & legitimacy. Some people seem to forget how much more presidential Kerry was than Prezinet Deer-In-The-Headlights, particularly during all three of the debates -- each of which Kerry won by a very decisive margin.

The election was stolen. Period.

[karynnj]

71. And if he blasted the press, they would cover it favorably

and decide they really liked him. Not likely, the press would choose the segment they would play ad nauseum and they would choose to show him in the worse possible light. As it was, he gave the press very few opportunities where he didn't look good. So often you saw only Kerry and crowd with one of their talking heads explaining Kerry's day.

[blm]

43. His stances on the issues were clear and detailed. Media edited most of it

out and barely discussed the issues at all, let alone in detail, as per their corporate masters.

[Mass]

40. Corey you should be very proud of your loyalty

Dont let yourself be put down by a handful of naysayers that cant accept that people dont agree with them.

It is admirable and rare for somebody of your age to be that interested in politics. Continue.

[undeterred]

41. Great post, Corey

I went through many of the same emotions. I felt the most hope I have felt in the last 5 years when I attended a Kerry rally and saw and heard him in person.

The teen/young adult generation's involvement in politics has never been needed as badly as it is right now. :patriot:

[sandnsea]

45. Hang in there

Believe it or not, things have looked pretty bleak in this country before. :hug:

Great post!

[blm]

47. Good you don't allow more cynical minds to poison your heart and soul

Mr. Corey Baker.

Some folks don't understand that Kerry has been looking to better this world in MEANINGFUL ways and traveling the harshest roads to do so for almost 40 years.

You do and you're only just starting high school.

[Fabio]

48. Beautiful post, Corey.

It was a campaign based on hope. Dont loose yours.

[Yellow_Dog]

51. Kerry is unelectable

Kerry is a very smart man, and I believe he would be a good president.

However the John Kerry that campaigned in 04 is not electable. He absolutely does not relate to the common man, the guy struggling to keep his head above water.

In addition to the traits that make him a good choice he must also have appeal to the common man/woman. His vast wealth, his stiff almost robot like demeanor, and his persona of being an elitist lost him millions of votes from people who may not have liked Bush, but just couldn't pull the lever for Kerry. These are not faults, they are just the way he is, and it shows.

[Vektor]

62. I agree Corey!

Great post, and congrats on being elected class President!

[Mass]

67. Sad day in a democracy when RW smears spread by the media

are what decides who is elected.

[LittleClarkie]

70. but a rich elistist who had a more priveleged background than Kerry

who actually grew up upper-middle class instead of rich, who had jobs as a kid and knows the value of a buck, that rich elistist in the White House is there because he has found ways to hide his upbringing and convince people they can have a beer with the spoiled brat.

[CWebster]

81. Now now, don't rain on the luv fest

with those nasty cold, stark realities.

[Corey_Baker08]

55. *****************EVERYONES OPINION IS RESPECTED*********************

If you say that you dont believe Kerry is electable thats fine, I welcome your opinion. In fact it means alot to me that you would take the time to read my post and make a comment, I appreciate it.

However I do not appreciate idiotic post who claim they have all the details to everything but when you ask for facts to support their theory they're completely stumped. I do not appreciate having my credibility smashed because of my age, I am young and I know I have alot to look forward to but I also have alot to fight for and I will continue my fight until the end.

All post are welcome positve or negative, however if you are disrespectful towards me dont waste your time in posting.

[Yellow_Dog]

63. You are going to have to excuse me

cause if this reply was directed at my point on why Kerry is not electable, and you feel that this is disrespectful to you, then I am confused as Bush looking at a big word on his cue cards.

WTF did I say? I live in the south, I talk to a lot of people, and what I expressed is what I heard a great deal of before the election. It is the reality of how people, at least in my town feel, and I don't think this place is all that different from most of the country.

[LuPeRcALiO]

65. Kerry's southern strategy was unfortunate, no question

If he'd spent more time campaigning there it's likely that the negative perceptions you're describing wouldn't have taken such deep root.

But you have to realize that the out-of-touch Massachusetts flip-flopper you're describing is a media creation, not the real candidate. Kerry is actually a pretty effective campaigner.

Anyway if he runs again I hope he doesn't repeat that error.

[cestpaspossible]

66. It's like you didn't even read what he wrote.

He specifically said:

If you say that you dont believe Kerry is electable thats fine, I welcome your opinion. In fact it means alot to me that you would take the time to read my post and make a comment, I appreciate it.

and you replied by saying:

You are going to have to excuse me cause if this reply was directed at my point on why Kerry is not electable, and you feel that this is disrespectful to you, then I am confused as Bush looking at a big word on his cue cards.

:eyes:

[Yellow_Dog]

69. Pay attention, I voted for Kerry

it is all the others, who don't read, can't read, didn't read that didn't vote for him.

Never loose sight of the FACT that a persons perception is their reality, and that is the basis for making any decision.

It is not about Kerry, it is about the perception that millions have about him, and he has no one to blame but himself. No one, regardless of how smart, how wise, how ethical, will NOT be elected if they are not perceived as who they really are. Kerry was perceived, at least in my part of the country, as a vulgarly rich elitist, and I repeat, that perception was reality for millions

[cestpaspossible]

74. I'm talking about your totally meaningless comment, not you.

Your comment was not a meaningful reply to the comment you replied to, that's my point and nothing else.

[LittleClarkie]

75. If a vulgarly rich elitist is unelectable

why do we have one in the White House?

I am well aware of what much of the country thinks. They are wrong, and have been fed lies by the RW media, in much the same way as Gore before him.

I dispute your assertion that he has no one to blame but himself. He is who he is, and trying to be anything else would have been phoney. There were ample biographies out there about him that showed his upbringing to be much more middle class than Bush's.


Perhaps there was more Kerry could have done to combat the spin. He could have tried to seem more common somehow I suppose. But that would have come off as mostly phoney. Bush is better at that shit. But what does that mean? That means we elected the better actor. Greeaaaat.

What have we become when we must pander to the shallowness of the voting public.

[Yellow_Dog]

76. I don't know how to make it any clearer

it is not what the man is or what he is not, that this applies to any candidate.

it is about peoples perception of who they think the candidate is or is not. Bush is dumber than a box of rock, meaner than a snake, and is as unethical as they come, yet he comes across as a sincere, honest, ethical man that relates to the common man, and that helped him win.

Kerry is smart, and I believe honest and ethical, yet what many people perceive is that his a vulgarly rich elitist, and that defeated him.

The really really point that no one here seems to get is:
A persons perception of anything is their reality. It doesn't matter how outrageous or unrealistic that stance is, it is their reality.

[LittleClarkie]

77. I get that

what I dispute is that Kerry has no one to blame but himself. What the fuck was he supposed to do? I don't think he's capable of faking it like Bush does.

[Yellow_Dog]

78. Then perhaps

Kerry was not the correct choice to challange Bush.

Step #1 - get elected.
Step #2 - Repeat until you accomplish Step #1

[Corey_Baker08]

73. No This was not about You AT ALL

I was just using your post as an example that is said in a respectful way that you do not favor Kerry. Truthfully the posts i am referring to are by the username RAF, scroll up the page and read our discussion and you will understand what im talking about.

Sorry about the unclarification

[Vektor]

80. Actually my post #62...

Was meant for Corey, the OP, and I effed up, and put it after yours instead. It was unintentional.

[fedupinBushcountry]

56. Excellent post

Corey, you make me well up inside. This is exactly the impact that John Kerry wanted the youth to get out of his campaign. He was a young man when JFK said those inspiring words "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country"

Those words inspired so many of us. I was 10 years old when he said them, he had brought the young to the world of politics and why we needed to be involved. My brother was 7 years old during that campaign and I still remember him going down the street with his red wagon filled with Kennedy buttons and bumperstickers to pass out to everyone he encountered. He ended up getting his radio license at 12 years old and at 16 was the youngest radio newsman in our area, that was how he chose to do for his country. My 2 older brothers both joined the service and were in Vietnam, luckily they survived that horrible disaster.

John Kerry took those words to heart and chose to serve his country in more ways than one. He brought that message back to focus for the young of today. I have 3 kids all in their 20's, it woke them up and and John Kerry inspired them to do more.They have chosen to serve their country in different ways, my oldest a History teacher, my midlle son a musician, writer and artist, his songs speak to the problems of this administration and the world. My youngest is a girl who is in college, and just decided to get a Master's in education, along with her music degree, she wants to bring the arts into all the subjects, be it Math or English etc. to 5th graders in the inner city of New York city.

So Corey don't let a few immature naysayers detract you from your hopes and dreams and your thoughts, the young are our future, and you Corey give me hope in that future.

I salute you. :patriot:

[zann725]

58. I feel the same way... worked the campaign too, & very much believed in JK

And still do! And on a strong gut level, I still believe he WILL be President...BEFORE 2008??? I don't logically know how, I just believe more and more with every day that he will. Perhaps it's delusional, but...

Oh to hope!

[AlmightyTallest]

60. Beautifully said Corey

I remember right before the election at the big rally for Kerry in Philly, Clinton said in his speech: "If one candidate's trying to scare you, and the other one's trying to get you to think; if one candidate's appealing to your fears, and the other one's appealing to your hopes; you better vote for the person who wants you to think and hope."

I thought that was a wonderful statement. The thing I hear most often about the election is about the hope John Kerry inspired and how much it is now missed. But not all hope is gone, for myself knowing that John Kerry and others like him are still out there fighting, despite everything, gives me hope. As does your post. Thanks.

[LuPeRcALiO]

61. Corey you're an example to us all

We could use a little more of your idealism and it's good to be reminded that the Democratic party of FDR and JFK still has a future.

[Arkana]

64. I salute you, Corey, for doing something that few others on this board

will do--openly express admiration for Senator Kerry.

After the 2004 Election, Kerry supporters were all but driven from DU because of the overwhelming majority that had nothing but vitriol for the man. I think he's a great man and a dedicated Democrat, and no amount of smear will change that.

[cestpaspossible]

68. With your help, we will elect a Democratic President in 2008

like you, my first choice is Kerry - as it has been for 10 years - but if someone else gets the nom, I'll have his or her back as well - and yours.

:yourock:

[Withywindle]

72. Beautiful post, Corey!

I feel similarly. (I've been around long enough to have voted for Dukakis for Prez - and I did - I liked him OK, but I certainly didn't feel the way I do about Kerry.)

There's something important in your post I think some folks in this thread are missing: we need hope and inspiration as much as we need righteous anger. We need people to admire -- and this does NOT mean we have to accept everything they say and do uncritically; it just means we need to have the gift of recognizing when someone can speak to our hearts with wisdom. And it is a gift, because it's a deep pleasure to hear our own dreams articulated by someone else.

It's OK if your inspiration has flaws or has made mistakes (it better be OK!); it's OK if others disagree passionately with some of his decisions, or with you for admiring him so. But I don't think it IS OK to express those disagreements in an insulting or patronizing way. That poisons the well for everybody. I'm sorry you got that treatment.



You rock, Corey. I hope I get a chance to vote for you someday. :thumbsup:

[Griffy]

79. Hes ok.. hes no Galloway.. THATS what needed to be said!

straight up truth! Kerry is still in the game.. GET in there Kerry and bring down bush on his own lies!