I Sympathize with your disappointment with Kerry's announcement.

[FrenchieCat]

As I believe that the way you all are feeling now will be exactly how I feel if Wes Clark chooses not to run. A lot of years invested are not easy to shake off. The fact that your guy really nearly won (and some say he did) must make it that much harder.

You all have my sympathy and my support. It will not be easy to re-adjust although you all will.

I will say that the type of loyalty you all have shown is exemplary and very commendable. I know that you will all continue to highlight John Kerry's work in the Senate, and so you should.

This really is a post of solidarity...as my guy has not yet announced, I hope that you will do the same when the time comes, if it shall be so.

Again, I admire all of the work that you have done on behalf of John Kerry. He could not have found better support in his quest if he had wished it.

Please do not take this post in any way other than as it was offered. As someone who supported John Kerry on his last bid, I wish you all well.

The media is the real culprit here. Do not forget that as you move forward!

[Blaukraut]

1. Thank you, FrenchieCat

It's sad and heartbreaking, but we'll Kerry on.

[beachmom]

2. Thanks, Frenchie Cat. My consolation is that he is in the Senate,

and will be fighting the good fight for Massachusetts and the nation.

[TayTay]

3. Thank you. This was nice of you.

Ahm, I kind of felt this coming. I am not so surprised. Again, I don't think it would have been possible for this particular Senator to be true to who he is and what he believes and run for President in the particular cycle.

This war must stop. Sen. Kerry can be an incredible voice of conscience in helping to make that happen. He has a nearly unique platform and ability to hold people accountable to what they are saying and doing as regards that war.

Sometimes people are able to render great service to their nation. It may not be in the office of the President, but it is great and very noble service nevertheless. I strongly feel that Sen. Kerry wants to speak his mind and conscience on this. He can now do so. That may have a greater affect on American history than anything else he could do at this point.

Again, thanks for stopping by. I appreciate the kindness of your remarks. You are a real credit to Gen. Clark and he is lucky to have you as a supporter.

[whometense]

4. Those are very kind words.

And you know we all have the greatest respect for Wes Clark here - a lot of us thought he should have been Kerry's running mate.

And believe me, we will always have Kerry's back. The announcement doesn't change that one bit.

[saltpoint]

5. You're a class act, Frenchie Cat. Thanks.

[FrenchieCat]

9. It is John Kerry who is a class act

not I.

[saltpoint]

14. There can be more than one. One, say, representing

Massachusetts in the Senate, and another, say, in Berkeley making it happen as a citizen and a mom.

Hat's off to ya.

[sandrakae]

6. He just broke my heart.

I still think he was our best hope. I can't imagine anyone else as President.

[FrenchieCat]

7. I know how you feel. It will take time......

and it won't be easy.....

I know. :(

In fact....I know too well! :cry:

[LittleClarkie]

10. I didn't expect to be sitting here crying

But here I am.

[LittleClarkie]

8. Thanks Frenchie

Very kind of you.

[Democrafty]

11. Thanks, FrenchieCat.

My heart will always, always, always belong to JK, but your guy is the real deal, too. We've got your back.

[FrenchieCat]

13. Even if you don't, that OK too......

Because right now, I'm not sure what Clark will do......and I'm not as hopeful as I was yesterday. There are internal forces working in all of this that I have no clue about.

This democracy is really not doing well.

[LittleClarkie]

Do you think pressure is being applied?

From say, Hillary's camp?

[FrenchieCat]

18. Pressure is coming from somewhere....

I just don't know where!

Feingold
Warner
Bayh

and now Kerry.

Most likely the same place that got Gore not to run again in 2004, I reckon. :shrug:

[Democrafty]

17. I know. I wouldn't have said that if I didn't mean it.

This is a sad day for me, because the future looks very dark with the candidates we do have. There would be a better debate to look forward if Feingold had entered the race, and I think the same it true about Clark. Best of luck to you and to the General.

[karynnj]

30. I think you're right on that

and one thing I will never do again is not watch primary sources (like the Senate). These last three years have been eye openning for me, though I always thought I was well informed. After all, I read the NYT ....

I'll keep watching and will try to stay involved in pushing for what we thought were American values.

[blm]

12. Thankyou, FC. Appreciated.

.

[wisteria]

15. Thank you. Clark is a good man. And, he would have support from me if he ran. n/t

[kerrygoddess]

16. The media is the culprit

Thanks Frenchie Cat.

[FrenchieCat]

19. You've got that right.....and so with that I say.....

I pray that all of you will stay interested in politics (cause after witnessing what you have, it would be very healing to the psyche to kind of shut the door and go about with your life)....and I know that most of you are passionate about politics which is how you came to supporting John Kerry...

and I urge you to continue your fight on the media. They must be neutralized, as they have become the kind of gatekeepers we never dreamed of years ago. They are guarding the interest of the wrong individuals. They have and will continue to do a disservice to this country.

They make me sick! :puke:

[karynnj]

32. Speaking just for myself,

I was drawn to continuing to support Senator Kerry after 2004, because of the values he represented more than anything else. Two of those values were his advocacy of citizens having to be active to keep democracy alive and his intolerance towards corruptions.

Those are values many of us already that were activated by his actions and words. I am happier, even at this minute, that I supported a man I completely believe in than in having supported and voted for winners only because they were the Democratic nominee.

Dropping out would betray these values - and we have a great example of someone who never did that.

[Mass]

20. Thanks FrenchieCat

I sincerely hope that Clark will not be blocked by the same Democrats and media who blocked Kerry.

Unfortunately, a number of people want this to be a race between Obama and Clinton. Between the two, my choice goes to Obama, but it will take some time because I am sure of this choice.

[CarolNYC]

21. Can I join in here....

I can only imagine what you guys are feeling right now....and I gotta say, this announcement hit me in a way I didn't expect and don't even really understand but I am greatly saddened by the news myself.....Little Clarkie, I understand your tears. I'm near to crying here and he wasn't even my guy.

I don't know why exactly, but I've been feeling a sort of solidarity with you Kerry supporters these past few weeks....and now I share you disappointment.

No doubt the good Senator will do his best to make things right through his position in the Senate. I've said this a number of times on these boards: I think John is a good and honorable man and he's one of the few I trust at this point to work to keep us out of the 'next war', which I believe he still can do even if not running for President....and that is very important to me.

I echo Frenchie's sentiments that you guys are a credit to JK. You defend him passionately and come armed with a lot of ammo to back up what you say.

Rock on....

[ray of light]

23. Thanks CarolNYC...and a big cyber-hug to you too.

John Kerry is a good and honorable man. And so many in politics are not. I hope whoever wins the primary will be as honorable...but I'm not holding my breath.

[wisteria]

27. Thank You. n/t

[TayTay]

33. Hey thanks!

You are a class act, you know that.

Much appreciated.

[ray of light]

22. I'm in sync with every thought on this thread. Thanks for coming here

and saying what you did.

I agree with someone who wondered who is pushing the pressure to oust the 'liberal' dems. I have long said that I trust Kerry and Clark but there are some who I just don't trust.

I hope my instinct is wrong.

[mloutre]

24. thank you. and we've still got his back.

If Senator Kerry has decided that he can be more effective speaking his mind and standing up for his beliefs as a strong force within the Senate than as one of a host of Democrats jockeying for position in the '08 presidential sweepstakes, then so be it.

I've said this before and I'll say it again: whatever Senator Kerry's decisions might be, I will continue to back him up on them to the best of my ability.

A man of his integrity and experience will not be allowed to go to waste in any coming Democratic administration, I'm sure. He has been and will continue to be a powerful advocate for reason and reflection in Washington no matter what.

[Adelante]

25. Well, Frenchie's always several steps ahead of me

But I wanted to come in and tell you how heavy my heart is. I learned to respect Kerry's warriors during the primaries and never forgot how in the darkest days back then he was loved and revered by his grassroots. I had always thought of him as a great Liberal Senator for this country and have said so many times, but he would have been a great Liberal President, as well. The country has lost in that respect, but is still ever fortunate he is in public life.

Eh, I'll just :grouphug:

[politicasista]

26. Thanks WesDem, Frenchie, and Carol

I am now considering Clark and Gore as the only hopes left. :grouphug:

[karynnj]

28. Thank you for your kindness

I hope that Clark or Gore will run.

I am amazed at what Senator Kerry has been willing to endure to offer himself as a Presidential candidate. The attacks from the RW were without precedent and over the last two years, the attacks of half of the Democratic party were added.

I am glad that he will at least still be there in the Senate to support what he things is right. From November 3, it was obvious that it would be a longshot. I am disappointed, but not surprised. I am so grateful that I was able to see 2 of his most incredible speeches at Faneuil Hall and to have met him at a moderately small event - where I could see he was who I thought he was.

It is an incredible thing to have someone who you can believe in and see and verify that he really is the hero who is the best of what America could be.

Thanks again Frenchie

[FrenchieCat]

31. These words are exactly why I feel what you feel

"It is an incredible thing to have someone who you can believe in and see and verify that he really is the hero who is the best of what America could be."

I know that feeling well, which is why I am in sincere solidarity with Kerry supporters without motive. :patriot:

[_dynamicdems]

29. Thank you. Your words are kind and inspiring.

There is something that Kerrycrats and Clarkies have always have in common: we have both supported an honorable, capable and patriotic human being. Both Clark and Kerry show integrity in everything they do. I truly hope Clark gets into the race and always have even though Kerry was my first choice. His voice needs to be heard.

Earlier today, I said I'd support Kucinich now. If Clark gets into the race that will change: the general will have my support. There is no way I can support Hillary Clinton. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you in hopes that your man does run. His voice does need to be heard.

[Dinger]

41. I'm Not A Teary Person, But That Kerry Sig Did Me In

Itis beautiful and powerful.:patriot:

[Dinger]

34. Senator Kerry, I Accept Your Decision, But I Wish You'd Reconsider

Don't give up hope Kerry supporters. If Warner is thinking it over, maybe Kerry will too. If he doesn't, he is an outstanding senator that this country needs so very much. Thank you so much Senator Kerry, & keep up the good fight!:patriot:

[WildEyedLiberal]

38. I hope so.

Thank you Dinger. :hug:

No matter what happens, I will always support John Kerry. Always. I hope, if the craptasticness of this field is not improved by fall, that he reconsiders. If not, and anything remains of America in 2012, I hope he runs then. I still feel like this country needs him. That has not changed. But my hope for America's future just got a whole lot darker today.

[babylonsister]

35. Very nice of you, FrenchieCat.

For all of our sakes, I also hope Wes Clark runs. One of the many positives I saw in Kerry was his military experience, and that's lacking in the current crop of candidates.

[rockymountaindem]

36. Wow. What a nice thread

Like I said "out there", FrenchieCat, you always make Clark look good and you've been respectful to others as long as they've been respectful to you. Ultimately, I feel that there is a lot of common ground between our two groups because the men we support have so much in common. This thread is definately a nice pick-me-up from the crap that's going on out there in GD right now.

I have to say, I'm not really surprised by this announcement. I am disappointed that we won't get another chance to see what Kerry's made of, though. I hope Clark gets into this race and gives everyone a run for their money.

[WildEyedLiberal]

37. Thank you

:hug:

I feel numb right now. I can't even imagine supporting anyone else, but I will say that Wes Clark had BETTER run now, because Gore is not, and the rest of the field is the most colassal, cruel JOKE in American history.

[ProSense]

39. Thanks FrenchieCat.

At this time, this means a lot. Best!

[Crunchy Frog]

40. I just want to add my voice to Frenchie's

and no, this isn't a conspiracy of Clarkies, but I heard the news on NPR as I was driving home, and decided to pop over here, and saw this thread.

I really admire the way you all have stuck by your guy and defended his honor, and I hope you will continue to, as I believe he is going to be a major force within the Senate for bringing an end to this war and accountability to the Repukes.

You also have a wonderful thing going with this forum, that I have watched with envy, and I very much hope that this community here continues to be active and to thrive. I sometimes come here to lurk when something important is happening and I want to see a more sane discussion than those occuring in the rest of DU. :crazy:

Anyway, just wanted to say that you're a classy group of people who support a classy guy, and I wish you and him all the best. I also hope you don't mind if I pop in and post every now and then. I'm also still making custom avatars, and if anyone ever wants one, just PM me.:hi:

[Dinger]

42. We Should Be Able To Recommened This Thread!

!

[wildflowergardener]

43. Thanks.

Meg

[Leilani]

44. Hi Frenchie Cat!!!

I didn't see your thread or I would have signed on. I started my own because I felt exactly as you feel.

What I relearned today? Politics is not fair, & the best man does not always win.

But Kerry suporters should be proud of their candidate & themselves.

[MH1]

45. Thank you, FrenchieCat, other Clarkies, and others who have been cool about this.

Much of the rest of DU was rather depressing today. I am appreciate you all stepping forward and showing genuine decency.

I do not have any second-choice candidate, and so far only one "anyone but" candidate (bet you can guess who). I may never pick a primary candidate to back, since PA doesn't really have a vote (unless the primary calendar changes significantly), and I may just write in John Kerry.

But meanwhile, you are absolutely right, it is the media that is the issue, and it will hurt any honorable candidate - and our efforts for progressive solutions to problems. Fighting the media monster is something we can all get behind, regardless of which of the remaining candidates we prefer.

Thanks everyone for your kind words and support, and solidarity fighting on our common ground.

[globalvillage]

46. Thank you.

:hug:

[cadmium]

47. Thanks FrencieCat. It takes an earnest interest in

making things better and doing the right thing that I think Clarkies and Kerrycrats have in common. No one would like Clark just for his popularity.