Needing help clarifying something

[politicasista]

I went back and listened to the good senator's interview with Michael Baisden from yesterday, (hat tip to luftmensch :hi:) and something the Kerry said really stood out.

It was a response to Mike's comment about picturing Obama next to McCain saying how the country was in "poor shape", gas prices, mortgage crisis, the war going bad. Mike was saying "this man (McCain) doesn't stand a chance against Obama once people hear their (I think opinions or platforms). Kerry responded (almost saying don't go there)to him to be careful not to raise expectations for something that can't be met. He also said that he (don't know if he meant McCain or Obama but I assume Obama?) has had his share of debates and knows what's going on and has a point of view and nobody should take anything for granted, saying that he knows first hand. Paraphrasing.

Is Kerry saying that we should be careful not to underestimate McCain or raise expectations for Obama (i.e. set ourselves up for disappointment)? I am thinking both. I am remembering the sentiments that beachmom said last weekend about the talk that some (not all of course :)) think that Obama's charisma and political talents will save him from what Kerry went through. I think it's also good that Kerry is passing along this advice to everyone and Obama. The media (and voting machines?) is still not our friend.

Overall, it was a short, but good interview :).

Link for anyone that missed it in the other thread. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=T3SYLG22

[karynnj]

1. I heard pretty much what your heard - and thanks again for the link

The first question I don't remember, but I think platforms. The latter - he was speaking of Obama. You captured it well. I think Kerry was saying the same thing he is saying even of his Senate race - that he shouldn't take anything for granted - you have to work as hard and smart as you can.

[politicasista]

4. No problem n/t

[Mass]

2. Both, I think.

The McCain part should be obvious for anybody who has a minimum of common sense. With all his faults, McCain will be a formidable adversary, if anything because he has cultivated the media for many, many years now and that they are clearly reluctant to go negative on him. Add to that that we will see the same attacks that Clinton has tried, simply stronger. So, yes, while Obama is a better candidate than her, IMHO, it will be a battle that will need to be fought strongly.

The second aspect is important as well, and Kerry has started to fight on that one as well, including by supporting some primary candidates like Lautenberg:

Hello Friend,

One of my oldest friends in the progressive movement always had a saying to describe how he took stock of people: he said it wasn't whether you were liberal or conservative, it's whether you were a "stand-up person." He meant that it mattered what you did when the chips were down, the positions you took not when it was easy, but when it was really hard.

Now, a true stand-up guy -- my colleague Senator Frank Lautenberg -- is facing a primary challenge for re-election. Let me tell you -- I'll do everything in my power to help re-elect Frank Lautenberg because he's a true progressive who has been with us when the chips were down.

Frank Lautenberg always shows up for the fight and he speaks his mind. In 2004, when a lot of people were having a hard time separating fact from fiction about the military service of politicians, Frank stood on the floor of the Senate and said, "We know who the chicken hawks are. They talk tough on national defense and military issues and cast aspersions on others. When it was their turn to serve where were they? AWOL, that's where they were."

Well, when it's been Frank's turn to show up and fight, he's always been there -- and I mean he's been there in difficult times. Back in June of 2006, it seemed like no one wanted to come within a mile of legislation Russ Feingold and I introduced to set a deadline to bring our combat troops home from Iraq. Only eleven brave Democrats stood with us and voted for an end to the Bush Iraq policy.

Frank Lautenberg was one of them.

It's not the only time. When I led that filibuster against drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Frank signed on -- and spoke out on the Senate floor.

When Ted Kennedy and I filibustered Judge Alito's nomination for the Supreme Court, Frank didn't take a pass just because Alito was from New Jersey -- he stood up to that pressure to stick with a home state nominee -- and he did what was right -- filibustering Alito.

Frank Lautenberg is, in short, one of the very best progressive Senators we have. And he needs our help. Please donate what you can to his campaign:

http://www.actblue.com/page/jkforlautenberg

Frank is locked in a primary battle and he's fighting his heart out -- fighting the only way he knows how.

Born in Paterson, NJ to parents who immigrated through Ellis Island, Frank has had to fight every step of the way -- working nights and weekends in high school to help his family make ends meet, serving our country in World War II, building a business, and coming to the Senate to be a voice for people, not the big powerful interests that already have plenty of "representation."

The Senate needs progressive warriors like Frank Lautenberg. People who show up when it counts and fight 'til the bell rings.

So please do what you can to keep him in the Senate:

http://www.actblue.com/page/jkforlautenberg

If we work hard, we can build a real working progressive majority in the Senate for 2009. But we need to keep our great progressive Senators in there in order to bring the real change we need to our country.

Thanks,
John Kerry

[politicasista]

5. I think so too

McCain will be a formidable adversary, because he has cultivated the media for many, many years now and that they are clearly reluctant to go negative on him.

I have noticed that. With the affair episode, the media basically let him off the hook (at least during the GOP primaries). Now that the Rev. Wright has been overblown, MSNBC wants to now see how he is handling his pastor problems, knowing that they and the rest of the MSM gave him a pass on it and other things. Go figure. :eyes: I am sick of this pathetic media. :grr:

[TayTay]

3. It is a little cold water, but it needed to be said

This fall's election will be very difficult. Sen. McCain is a seasoned politician and has a lot of experience with the national media and with defending his ideology in public forums. While it may look to us partisans that this is a mismatch, it is not.

We have to work harder than ever this fall to get Sen. Obama elected. This is no cakewalk, by any means.

[politicasista]

6. You three have made valid points

I agree with you and the senator. This will be no cakewalk by no means. As soon as the lies/smears make the rounds (for the GE), we have to be ready this time.