I love John Kerry!

[nam78_two]

I can't see him without feeling so sad about what we lost. I wish he was running in 2008. At least I hope he will again at some point in the future. Now there, is someone I could work for with so much genuine enthusiasm.

I can't believe that any % of Americans thought that that mentally-challenged monkey would make a better president than Senator Kerry...

:rant:

[rockymountaindem]

1. Well, I think we all feel that way

I still cannot get over how many people were sooooo into their precious pattern of voting Republican they wouldn't even consider Kerry or listening to what he had to say for one second. All those people are complaining now about how Bush is "bad for the party". Well, that ain't the only thing he's bad for.

And, not half an hour ago, I was in an argument with a Nader supporter. Yeeesh...

[Democrafty]

2. Can't argue with that.

:)

[sandrakae]

3. Me too!

[karynnj]

4. I agree - I think that if we had really had a free press

and media, it would have been a landslide. The Rove principle is to go after opponent's strengths - in 2004, they distorted everything about Senator Kerry. In fact, I think the reason the media still treats him so badly is that they fear Americans actually seeing him for who he is.

Americans already know that the press lied about Bush being the genial person anyone would like to have a beer with - the same person whose staff delayed over a day telling him how bad New Orleans was for fear of his anger. They also see the millions of issues that they were lied to on - many where Kerry told the truth - and Cheney or Bush called him a liar who would say anything (as they said about the ammo dumps left insecure in Iraq.)

So, for many Americans, their last defense of their vote is "But I couldn't vote for Kerry". This would crumble quickly for most people if they saw the real person and knew his positions. He was a war hero. He is a very classy person. He has been an excellent Senator. He tells the truth. On Iraq, the ISG represents the broad concensus - and they pretty much endorsed his ideas.

Yesterday, thinking of the various interviews that the Kerrys have given on their book, I realized the big difference between them and many other strong envioronmentalists. Senator Kerry sees industry and especially technology as key players in the solution, not just as villains. It is inherently a more hopeful positive approach.

He sees the role of the government as funding research into parallel methods for accomplishing a goal like that of a genuinely clean coal process and giving incentives, via the tax code to encourage companies and individuals to do things that help. In addition, of course, to inforcing environmental requlations.

This is so inherently optimistic - but that optimism, coupled with respect for American ingenuity and enterprise is the very heart of what most of grew up with as the "American spirit". This appeal is more "American" than the appeal to class, which is more European. All of Kerry's Small Business Committee work weaves liberal goals with a belief in free enterprise. This is why he won many liberal and moderate Republicans who heard it. The problem was that so many never heard anything about Kerry's achievements or positions.

At the Charlie Rose interview, Kerry spoke of the huge opportunity whoever is elected in 2008 will have to be a truely great President - like FDR - because so much will be needed to repair what has been done. This is the positive way to look at the mess they will inherit. I don't yet see anyone, other than Kerry, who could really take up both the international and domestic pieces tommorow and immediately move in the right directions. I'm still looking.

When I think of this, I selfishly wish he were still running - but I can see why he made the choice he did. He still has the same real goal - public service.

[ginnyinWI]

5. I think those same things.

Nobody out there is of FDR calliber except for JK. Well maybe Al Gore could do a lot, too.

I don't suppose he could enter the race late without being met with "flip-flop on whether he wants to run" kinds of accusations.

It seems like such a waste that he only be a senator from now on. Hope it isn't so!

[whometense]

6. Speaking of flip-flopping,

I've been doing some myself - between being delighted to see him so happy and relaxed (and Teresa too - the wife in me can completely understand what a relief it must be to not have to watch so many cheap shots taken at the man you love.) On the other hand, I am still selfishly wishing he were running so I could vote for someone I believe in completely.

I don't know that I will be making fun of undecided voters anymore. I am at least for the present firmly in that camp. A begging letter came from Obama yesterday, and I dumped it in the recycling bin without a twinge.

[ginnyinWI]

7. yup--I'm happy for them as a couple, too.

I totally understand the sense of relief Teresa must feel. But I do believe she would have been a trooper if he had decided the other way. It's got to be hard enough to spend quality time because of his hectic Senatorial schedule. I complain about my husband's sometimes long hours, but he's home every night and every weekend (barring the odd business trip).

I think Teresa herself is basically a rather introverted type who doesn't get turned on by crowds and cameras. She looks down or away when being interviewed and warms up more slowly to situations. I'm like that too, so I can see it. But that makes her a natural opposite to JK's level of "buzz" and can balance him out.

I don't expect to really make a choice of candidates until the primary debates begin. I don't want to rely on our broken media to get anything right; I don't want to be influenced by any spin. I'm only going to believe something I hear coming out of the candidates own mouth!

[karynnj]

9. Whome - I feel exactly that way

and have said no to all the calls and mail except the DNC and the Jr Senator of MA.

It really is sad that the man best qualified in all ways - and yes I put him well beyond Gore - had his run hurt by people who don't deserve to be on the same planet with him.

[ProSense]

12. Amen! n/t

[MBS]

14. amen from me, too! n/t

[TayTay]

8. Geez, I do too, but

What the hell is up with these numbers:

http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=20214d2f-8085-4afb-8115-319d697f9e8f

Okay, on the up side, the trend is up 7 percentage points. But still, geez, not good.

[whometense]

11. I don't get it.

That's not the feeling I get from the people I see every day - what about in your neighborhood? Who are they asking? And you have to wonder what's up with those numbers. It's gonna get the Mass repukes all overexcited. Sigh.

[TayTay]

13. I can't figure this poll out, it makes no sense

There is no reason for the poll numbers at the end of the survey. (Geographic location.) They don't make any sense. I still have to chalk it up to an anxiety vote and not a disapproval vote, unless they are taking Deval Patrick's troubles out on the good Senator as well.

Seriously, :shrug: :shrug: :shrug:

There is no reason for that. All I can think of is that the numbers went up, they will probably continue to go up. But there must be some slow-leaving residual something left over from, I don't know what. (Hey, never forget, Kerry got a beating here from RW talk radio. They beat up on him daily.)

[whometense]

15. That's the only explanation that makes sense to me.

RW talk radio and the newspapers and the f*&^ing talking heads on TV have been beating up on him for four years. I guess a degree of that crap has sunk in at this point with those who pay no attention except to the ambient noise.

He deserves so much better. Fortunately, he knows how to let it roll off.


Edited to add: unless it's just good old-fashioned MA contrarianism at work.

[nam78_two]

16. Are those numbers that bad?

I am not sure what the approval rating of senators usually is-I mean the ranges etc. Given that Romney is popular in some parts of MA, I wouldn't have found it that surprising that about 30% of the 600 polled are idiots?

[beachmom]

17. I think the answer is here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=273x128504

MBS's "Frustrated with Democrats" thread, where she had to listen to an Obama volunteer bash Kerry, and this volunteer came from Massachusetts.

My opinion? A lot of the people in the disapproval column are lefty liberals who are still mad about 2004. They think he ran a bad campaign, so as Bush's numbers go in the tanker, the more these folks ask -- hey, why didn't he win that election against such a loser? Kerry has been bashed nonstop since the '04 loss (not to mention the smears against him DURING the campaign) by all of the pundits and local press, too, so that has taken a toll, which will take time, effort, and dialogue in person to be assuaged.

But . . . when it comes to actually voting, most of the whiners will vote for him. I also think his numbers will go up once he big time starts campaigning in Mass. and talking with the whiners, who will say -- okay, he's not ALL that bad. Even if they're still mad at him, they'll vote for him on Election Day. I'm hoping by then, however, that they'll understand how lucky they are to have him representing them in Mass.

Nevertheless, Kerry should assume the numbers are true and real, and respond accordingly.

[wisteria]

10. I agree 100% with your thoughts. n/t