How do you think Kerry has been doing so far

[WI_DEM]

in the weeks since he has become the presumptive Democratic nominee?

[vi5]

1. I hate cliches, but....this is a marathon, not a sprint....

He's doing just fine. Everyone was all worried when he was getting attacked last week and not fighting back. Well now without having to lift a finger he is out of the defensive spotlight, which is firmly back where it belongs. So he didn't have to waste time, money, or energy spinning his wheels and fighting back the sping.

There will be plenty of time where that is needed. This early on isn't it.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

2. 35 years preparing for this

he is doing great.

[molly]

3. He's using his extremely intelligent mind

to rule - not anger and emotion. He is doing GREAT!!! Let them dig themselves holes they can't climb out of.

[Caution]

4. I think the single biggest factor is that BushCo is starting to implode

Kerry's campaign is going well simply due to the fact that Bush and his criminal gang are really starting to make themsevles look bad and the media is finally smelling blood in the Bush Whitehouse.

[daveskilt]

8. and he is staying out of it as much as possible

although I hope he is ready to deliver the death blow when the time comes.

staying out of it keeps the accusations more credible and less about easy to ignore mudslinging by kerry. doing nothing now is the right move. capitalizing on the sudden media attention on bush's lying, war profiteering, psuedoreligious, cultish, pandering, fanaticism - that will take skill, and I dont know yet if kerry can do it but so far so good.

[seventhson]

5. I am really pissed about the Venezuela/Chavez comments

His skiing looked too smug and rich (but presidential and cool)

I would say, though, I expected a disaster. He passes barely with a D-.

A disaster more or less. But still WAAAAYYYY better than Bush who is a Holocaust on wheels.

[mobuto]

6. Kerry's been doing absolutely brilliantly

Bush has nearly 50x as much money - its absolutely insane - and yet Kerry's been mopping the floor with him. Kerry's been doing a fine job and he's going to make a great President.

[Merlin]

7. What planet are you living on?

Kerry is allowing himself to get defined by Bush--just like Gore did.

He's failed utterly to energize the party base.

There is absolutely no excuse for his failure to reach out to all of us who were so active in the primaries; to call for a crusade; to urge contributions and involvement; to at least make an attempt to be what Howard Dean was (and is) -- a man of the people.

If Kerry made just the slightest effort to come down to our level, he could be raising $1 million a day without trying.

So far his performance is beyond pathetic. It's far worse than I expected.

And now he makes this incredible blunder on Chavez. Good grief!

[daveskilt]

9. Im hoping there is a long term strategy here

americans have short attention spans. what kerry is doing in july will be telling.

[INTELBYTES]

51. He is hand delivering bush the WH in 04 on a sliver platter.

He makes stupid comments that the media is just playing over and over.

He hasn't defined himself other than raising taxes on the upper middle class.

He looks like an elitist. He looks like he should be in a "grey poupon" commercial.

If you can't see that, then I hope your in a minority. If we don't catch this runaway disaster, you will be "goose-stepping" to the bushites in 2004!

This should have been a reply to #10. Sorry #9!

[mobuto]

10. Speak for yourself, pal

He's failed utterly to energize the party base.


Whine away. But I'm part of the "party base" and I'm plenty energized. If you're feeling uninspired, maybe the problem isn't the candidate but rather your choice of breakfast cereals.


Kerry is allowing himself to get defined by Bush--just like Gore did.

Nonsense. Kerry's latest ad is just one more sign of how he's succeeding in setting a positive alternate vision for America that's resonating with voters. Of course he can't define himself if he doesn't have the money to do so. So contribute!

to at least make an attempt to be what Howard Dean was (and is) -- a man of the people.


Well, Kerry isn't a Man of the People. We've had a Man on the People in office for three years, and that hasn't worked. The American People understand now that image isn't the issue. We want substance and leadership. Both are qualities that our Democratic candidate offers in abundance.

And now he makes this incredible blunder on Chavez.

I don't think that was a blunder at all. He's absolutely right.

[Merlin]

11. I repeat the question. What planet are you living on? PAL!

It sure isn't the same one the rest of us are living on.

You typify the Kerry attitude in your insolence, you're flippant ivory tower disregard of anybody you disagree with.

If that continues to be the Kerry approach, they can try in vain to bleed money out of this stone.

There WERE a lot of us ready to go to the barricades for Kerry. Little by little, he's convincing us to sit on our hands.

Your response fits right in. Insult your critics and play God. It's limousine liberalism at its worse.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

12. Yep. That limousine drove Kerry all the way to Vietnam

and to all the Iran Contra hearings.
Sorry if he's not good enough for you. Meanwhile he's raised 7 million in 5 days.

[Merlin]

25. I served in Vietnam combat, too. So I don't want to hear it from you.

That's got nothing to do with the point at hand.

Kerry has NO FUCKING BUSINESS giving George Bush a green light to proceed with a coup against another democratically elected Latin American government.

If you disagree with that statement, then you are not Democrat. You're a part of the right wing elite.

[mobuto]

47. I'm sorry, Kerry hasn't

Kerry hasn't given anyone a green light to proceed with a coup against any government anywhere, democratically elected or not.

Kerry said he opposed Chavez. That's very different from calling for a coup. I oppose Bush - and yet I wouldn't want a coup here either.

[mobuto]

13. I typify the Kerry attitude?

No, I'm just pissed off by people who seem to do nothing but criticize Democratic candidates, offering nothing in return. You supported another candidate in the primaries? Well so did I. And you know what? John Kerry's our candidate. And he's a damn fine candidate.

[Merlin]

26. Yup, you sure do.

And it's too godam bad you're pissed off that I'm not falling in line like a good kitty.

Unlike you, I remember all the string of Gore, Dukakis, Mondale, Carter defeats caused by weak candidates stumbling along in the campaign. So far that fits Kerry to a tee.

If you think I'm going to go quietly into that good night while another Democrat marches off into the deep end you're nuts. I'm going to scream bloody murder. It's the only way to deal with a campaign as top-down as Kerry's is turning into.

[mobuto]

30. Huh?

So you're saying Democrats lose because we nominate weak candidates. Our candidates are weak because people won't support them. But you won't support Kerry because he's weak. But he's weak because people won't support him.

Got one of those chicken and the egg things going here I think.

[Merlin]

33. You'd better get yourself some reading glasses.

I've said repeatedly OUR CANDIDATES HAVE BEEN WEAK BECAUSE THEY DON'T LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE IN THE PARTY.

That fits Kerry to a tee.

Sorry but I'll be damned if I'll shut up and go along with dumb moves like this. Not gonna happen.

[Name removed]

35. Deleted message

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

[sangh0]

14. On the planet I live on, most American couldn't care less about Venezuela

On yours, it's a huge blunder

[Merlin]

27. That's because your living in a world without windows.

Evidently you think that because it's not on the radar screen now it never will be. But when the Bushies pull off the coup they've been maneuvering for in Venezuela, Kerry will be in no position to object.

If you think it doesn't matter that your US tax dollars are used to subvert democratically elected presidents in other countries, then you should join the Republican party.

[mobuto]

46. Yes he will be

Kerry doesn't support military coups.

Nor do I. I oppose Chavez' government, but I don't want a military coup either.

[sangh0]

48. Calling someone a Repuke is very, very, old

and shows yo have no argument to make

[hedgetrimmer]

29. When you say "American" on the planet do you ignorantly ignore the

SOUTH in that "American" or do you just blatently see yourself a U.S. citizen as "American" and anything else on the continent is not? America is a big place and on the planet in which I live there are many in "America" that care more than less about the outcome of Venezuela.

Further, Kerry himself is concerned about Venezuela and does care more than less about the country. The thinking peoples of this board will continue to point out that Venezuela is a Democracy and that any opposition to that Democracy demands the question of wether or not this country is true to it's ideals of Democracy and if not why not?

many blessings-

[sangh0]

49. What do you think?

Is it really that hard to figure out who I was referring to, or are you just trying to make a point that's irrelevant to what's being discussed here?

[hedgetrimmer]

52. The basis of the argument is biased by the comment "America".

Which alienates major populations and is indicative of an ideology that is repressive to our global neighbours. Nothing of which I stated is irrelevant.

As I stated earlier and which you ignored...

"Further, Kerry himself is concerned about Venezuela and does care more than less about the country. The thinking peoples of this board will continue to point out that Venezuela is a Democracy and that any opposition to that Democracy demands the question of whether or not this country is true to it's ideals of Democracy and if not why not?"

Interesting to me that you find it an argument in the proper naming of continents and countries yet ignore the question of Democracy. Hmmmmm... relevancy, how interesting?

many blessings-

[hippiegranny]

16. what do you think your anger brings to the table?

i'm really not sure what you want from this board and the people who post here. it would appear you are looking for the comments of posters here to vindicate you in your refusal to move forward now that dean is out of the race (but definitely not out of the discourse) and get rid of bush.

i don't mean to get you any more upset, although i probably did, i just was taken aback by your vitriol. this can't be productive.

[Merlin]

28. It sure as hell can be productive.

Kerry is so arrogant and top-down in his approach and deaf to anybody on a "lesser plane" that the only way to deal with him is to scream bloody murder when he's on the wrong path.

I intend to do just that.

This is an atrocious misjudgement on his part.

[Auntie Bush]

15. Agreed! When he comes back from vacation all energized

like a bunny and rearing to go...he'll rip * a new one... as the saying goes! However, right now Bush is doing a good job of doing that to himself.
Kerry doesn't need to spend the money or effort now. Others like General Clark and Hollbrooke can do it for him. Let Kerry stay out of the fray and let Bush do all the attacking. I say Kerry is using some sound psychology and spending our money wisely.

Go Kerry/Clark Go!!! :bounce:

Edited to add...WOW!!!!! This is my 999th post! :bounce" :bounce: the next will be my 1000th. Will any bells ring ?

[Endangered Specie]

17. He may have lost this first battle...

but the war is still on. And we know who knows how to fight wars around here.

remember

"You may have one the battle little dude... but you lost The War" - Home Alone 2

[AlinPA]

18. Media and Rove have defined him in their terms. In another week,

they will make it sound like he wasn't in Viet Nam and Bush* is a damn war hero.

[Hippo_Tron]

19. I'll count about 25 of those votes for #6 as lurking freeps...

The other 2 were probably just having a lill fun.

[Zynx]

20. He's been doing okay.

He will do better once he's campaigning again. He needed the break though.

[DaveSZ]

21. Kerry is an average candidate

Who will need Bush's impolsion to win.

Luckily Bush is bringing himself down. :)

[mobuto]

23. No, Kerry is a first-rate candidate

He's certainly the most liberal candidate since Johnson, maybe the most since Truman or Roosevelt. But unlike so many others, he's a real fighter. You don't push John Kerry around.

[Zynx]

56. Kerry is a much better than average candidate.

[Finbar]

22. Snatch

Hopefully like in snatch when Brad Pitt gets his ass kicked for the first few minutes of the fight, then knocks the guy out with one unforeseen punch.

[mac1000a]

24. He's been doing pretty good

Remember, for months it looked like Dean was going to be the nominee. I was a Deaniac but I now firmly support Kerry. During all those months that Dean was ahead, Kerry wasn't raising much money and not really getting in stride for being the nominee. Now that he is, he's just getting warmed up. He's taken some time off, and he's still managed to hold off most of Bush's attacks. When he comes back, he'll be recharged.

[newyawker99]

42. Hi mac1000a!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[notbush]

31. Look at the polls

This fucking ski vacation could wait until next December.
2 weeks ago Kerry was ahead in every single national poll....2 weeks later he's behind in almost every national poll.
There's a lot of work to be done between now and November.

[mobuto]

38. Nah

Two weeks ago Kerry was tired after six months of non-stop 24/7 campaigning, and was making gaffes left and right. Kerry's down because Bush just spent $20 million to attack him. He certainly needed the rest - better now than in October. Its going to be a long sprint to the finishline.

[genius]

32. Terrible. See the article on Chavez. That will cost him votes.`

Chavez is a hero to most of us who suppot democratcy over tyranny. Kerry stood up for tyranny and for Bush and against democracy and the common man in that article. I'm very dissappointed. Kerry needs to clean up his act. He's acting too Skull and Bonesy.

[mobuto]

37. It will cost him votes...

Yes, Kerry isn't likely to win a single slum of Caracas.

[Piperay]

55. Yeah but

the average American voter doesn't know Chavez from Chablis. I don't think that will hurt him.

[sampsonblk]

34. But he's OUR disaster

Let's face it, the reason John Kerry is doing ok in the polls has nothing to do with him or his so-far lackluster campaign. Same with Iowa and New Hampshire where he beat Dean.

We (including myself) have chosen Kerry as the most likely guy to achieve what we really want - that damn crook out of the white house. I hope Kerry doesn't play this as though he has done something worthwhile. It ain't about Kerry.

The one who really "got it" in this campaign was Trippi. Kerry is at this point just catching the anti-Bush waves. Kerry may do better if he stays on vacation! He can let us do the selling for him. I can sell the party to anyone who will listen. I can sell anti-Bush in my sleep. But pro-Kerry? That's a tall order.

If people have to see him on TV with these less-than-convincing explanations of insignificant Senate votes from years ago, that may hurt our cause!

[Guaranteed]

36. He's been up and down. Flashes of brilliance,

then sheer stupidity.

I think what's keeping him afloat is just luck. There are outside forces that are tearing the Bush administration apart. He's having trouble showing the leadership needed to beat them, but now they're getting their heads handed to them, so it doesn't really matter.

[Walt Starr]

39. I'm fairly convinced Bush will be in office on January 21, 2005

I also suspect it may be a blowout on November 2nd, 2004.

[mobuto]

41. Blowout?

I think that's a bit harsh. Kerry won't get more than 53 or 54% of the vote, max.

[Walt Starr]

43. My guess is the opposite

and Bush may even carry 70-80% of the electoral votes.

I also anticipate a terrorist attack just prior to the election and multiple October surprises to produce this result.

[Hav]

44. .

I think he was mocking you.

[mobuto]

45. 70-80% of electoral votes

Whoever wins will likely carry around 70% of the electoral votes. That's what the electoral college is designed to do - create electoral landslides even when vote totals are close, as tiny vote shifts in key states result in major electoral shifts.

I also anticipate a terrorist attack just prior to the election and multiple October surprises to produce this result.

Well you do that. I'll continue to operate under the assumption that John Kerry can win this thing, and I'll continue do my damdest to make sure that happens.

[Hav]

40. hm

Quite an unfortunate time for this poll after he took a short vacation after securing the nomination.
What post national polls show is that Bush and Kerry are still tied.
Let's wait and see how he will do the coming weeks and months and how the public will respond to his ads.

It's way too early do be too sure that it will be a "blowout" in the GE when there are still many months to go.
Considering the 911 investigation, some interesting new books attacking Bush, a Michael Moore movie and the possibility that there may be more people like Clarke speaking out, there is way too much that could happen to be so sure that everything is lost.

[proud patriot]

50. I voted average

:shrug:

[sistersofmercy]

53. I voted "good" would have voted "great" except for the Chavez comment

n/t

[Piperay]

54. Not great but good...

I would say above average. :thumbsup: