How many in here believe Kerry deserves a second chance at the title?

[Mass]

(I thought I would bring here a thread posted on GD and GDP, so that those who dont go there have a chance to answer it).

And my answer is YES, oh YES.

[JI7]

1. i noticed the double post also

and agree with you on why they did it.

[jenndar]

2. Of course!

I totally reject the notion that somebody who is eligible to run for POTUS doesn't deserve to. When people say somebody doesn't deserve to run, it means they don't want that person to.

And as long as we're on the subject of wanting stuff, yes, I want Senator Kerry to run for president again.

[emulatorloo]

3. of course he does!

if he wants to run when the time comes, he should run

[sandrakae]

4. I want him to run again.

We deserve to have a man like him as our President.

[_dynamicdems]

5. Yes, absolutely! IF

Senator Kerry wants to run again, he's got my support.

If he doesn't, I'm moving to Massachusetts so I can vote for him there! Hell, I'd vote for JK for Emperor of the Universe if he ran.

[emulatorloo]

6. P.S. if I had an ignore list, I would start using threads like that to

collect names for my ignore list.

[Island Blue]

7. Of course.

There are a lot of people in the Democratic Party who have run more than once - Joe Lieberman, Richard Ghephart, Jesse Jackson, Al Gore and others. If those folks get a second crack at it, why the hell shouldn't someone who probably actually won anyway? I don't understand the logic that says in order for you to get a second chance at the Democratic nomination, you first have to have had your ass stomped by someone else within your own party. (I'm not saying you're saying that Mass, I know you're not. That just seems to be the prevailing logic on DU and in other places.)

[BlueIris]

8. YES.

He'll get his chance.

[politicasista]

9. Sure

I wonder why the same thread is in GD or GDP? :shrug:

[Mass]

10. I though it was clear

Time to make sure that people do not forget to hate Kerry.

[second edition]

11. I never post in here,but I do visit often. I will vote yes and

second your conclusion. Extremely unfair. I alerted,but I can see my efforts have resulted in an additional post in GD being allowed.I refuse to ignore these though, I will respond.I guess that is just the fighter in me. I do like that the Kerry group takes the high road and doesn't counter post with negatives about the other's losing candidates.It shows who has class. Oh, and don't get me started on Kos. You know, CNN mentions his blog from time to time. I hope they (CNN) just see the name Kerry and notice how popular he is and don't really read the posts there.

[politicasista]

12. Hi second edition

Welcome. :hi:

[Mass]

13. I saw your posts. Great posts.

I alerted too, then decided that, if this post was fine on GD and GDP, it should be fine here.

I dont like going negatives on candidates, but the more I stay on DU, the more I feel like becoming against those candidates I dont like. If it is fine to bash Kerry, it should be fine to bash others.

[ray of light]

15. There is a thread

on why someone should change their mind and vote for kerry after this. You know I can't decide if I should alert or not. It invites flaming yet he also said he'd delete it if necessary.

There are times when this type of invitation to flame really makes me question peoples' sincerity.


I don't even know if I'm allowed to say that much but I will say this:

This kerry bashing is pissing me off big time.

And it's depressing yet also makes me realize how much harder we have to fight to get the rest of the country to realize he deserved better than he got last year and better than he gets here in gd and kos!

[second edition]

16. I know, I want to get into it to.

Boy, I could say a lot about their perfect choices and be as rotten as they are too. It's just that I know it will only escalate and the whole board would become negative.

[jenndar]

17. I think all of us could.

But it's bad citizenship, and it reflects SO BADLY on their "perfect" candidates. Without saying much, people on here have soured my attitude toward some pretty good Dem. politicians.

[Mass]

18. One particularly, and the sad thing is that I liked him a lot

But it is clear that some people are angry because their candidates has still not called for a phased troops withdrawal and for some, this is a problem.

[Mass]

14. And now there is another thread whose only goal is Kerrybashing.

(GDP also).

We can be sure that Kerry hit where it needed and the rats are afraid.

[Mass]

19. And I have put a newbie on ignore.

That is after he said he would trust Clinton, but not Kerry because he was for the war.

[TayTay]

30. Welcome!

So, post in here some more. Your stuff is great!

Nice observations. It is easier to be short and pithy and negative than it is to be intelligent and think critically and still manage to come off as a serious person. A lot of folks in GD fail this test. They sanrk, but without anything of substance behind the snark. IT's basically worthless stuff.

Thanks for fighting the good fight for us out there.

[JI7]

20. seeing some of the posts the bashers

i'm pretty sure some of them are right wing trolls.

[wisteria]

35. I also think many are Kos carryovers too. Excuse me,but

screw them!

[LittleClarkie]

21. I don't think it's a matter of "deserves"

There's something about that word that bugs me. Like folks have to earn the right somehow.

[JI7]

22. i agree with that

but i think the thread was started with the intent to just bring out Kerry bashers which is why it was worded and asked the way it was.

Teresa said the same thing about the word "deserves". something about nobody really "deserving" it. of course the right wing took it out of context and claimed she said Kerry didn't deserve to be President.

[jenndar]

23. I keep thinking about Teresa's comment, too.

Because it comes from somebody who could so easily act entitled to everything she has, only she isn't like that. And I think Senator Kerry displays a similar attitude - he has the support he has because he works hard for his constituents and the country, not because he's "electable" or deserves something.

It seems that a lot of people think their candidate is entitled to more votes than somebody like Senator Kerry because Senator Kerry has already gotten x number of votes. And it's unfortunate they feel that way because it really doesn't have anything to do with how elections - primary, Congressional, national - work.

[JI7]

24. you can see it in Kerry's interaction with just regular people

he always makes it so it's about them more than him. he gives them the answers they deserve on important issues. not some short rehearsed line. he asks them additional questions to get a better understanding of their situation so he can give them a more informed answer.

he is late often because he wants to give everyone a chance to ask him what they want.

[Fla4kerry]

25. I have mixed thoughts

Not sure if I want him to run. Too many people will not take that chance and vote for him again in the primary's. In my heart of hearts don't think he will enter the race and if he does probably not get the nomination, as the competition will alot stronger in "08". I hope I'm wrong but feel his time has come and gone for this once in a life opportunity.

[wisteria]

34. I'm hoping you are wrong too. And what real strong competition?

Hillary- I have my doubts. Edwards- I just don't see him eclipsing Kerry just on sheer experience, Warner- Kerry has him beat hand down on foreign policy and experience.

[Mass]

27. I agree with you - However, this was clearly not the goal of the

OP and of most people who answered.

[New Earth]

26. of course

especially after yesterday's speech.

he put the smack down on their ass :toast:

[YvonneCa]

28. The sooner the better!

He IS the President !!!!:7

[karynnj]

29. If he wins sufficient primaries - sure

I want him to get a second chance, because I haven't seen anyone better. I just wish that people would see that to win again he will have had to do very many good things between 2004 and 2008. There's no downside to his doing good things, he's being a good citizen, good Democrat, a good Senator and a good person.

Also, I don't think Kerry's speech yeaterday was more personal than political. Bush used his platform as President to lie about Kerry. Kerry doesn't have a comparable platform, but he has truth on his side. I really think that while these questions exist, Kerry wanted the words of his Georgetown speech on the eve of invasion in the Senate record.

[beachmom]

32. Anyone can run for president.

Whether one deserves to run or not is a pointless and useless proposition. Half of this country's PRESIDENTS probably didn't deserve it, but nevertheless they still ended up living on 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

As far as Kerry goes, I think he needs to do what his heart tells him to do. If he runs in the primary, I will vote for him, even if he's polled with 2% of the vote. I am, in general, a strategic voter (meaning I will sometimes vote for the one I think will win in the general), but with Kerry it's a different story. In the wonderful world of politics, he's stolen my heart, and there's no way I can get it back. He may not win; in fact, he's downright an underdog and a dark horse for 2008, but he's my man. If Hillary or someone else gets the nomination, I hope that I'll be more of a grown up than the Deaniacs out there, and I will put my heart into helping them out. But if there is a ballot with JK's name on it, THAT'S who gets my vote.

Okay, ball's in his court.

[TayTay]

31. Sure, why not

This is a democracy. If Sen. Kerry is willing to do the heavy lifting necessary to 'be a contender,' then he gets to run. What anyone on DU thinks is of no relevance. If he wants to do the grind of showing up in Iowa and NEw Hampshire (and whatever other states may be in the mix for early '08) and for meetings great and small and learn the state internals and who to talk to and such, good for him. Go for it. If he wants to do the dreary and difficult work of fund-raising and do that repeatedly, then he deserves a shot. If he wants to arrange for the 5th house party in two days in a little corner of NH or Iowa and deliver, yet again, a brief speech on why he thinks he should be given a chance again to set things right in America, hell, go for it. There are only about 6 to 8 people in the entire country who will be credible as candidates for President. He has already proven that he is one of them. What any little pissant naysayer on DU thinks, a year out, doesn't change that.

It's not just a question of 'do I trust him' again. Screw these people on DU who think they know everything. Sen. Kerry doesn't owe them anything. They willingly got involved in the campaign last time. Sometimes you pour your heart and soul into something and it just doesn't pan out. These people seem to think that someone owes them something for that. Grow up. It was about the country, it was about electing someone who they thought would be a good President. If that wasn't good enough for them, then they shouldn't be involved in politics. There's no return counter here. You step up, take a stand, make a choice and stop whining about it afterward.

Honestly, some of these people are idiotic lightweights. They seem to think that people in public office are magical beings who control all the elements around them. The only people I have respect for are the people who have been around the block a few times, endured the heartaches and the smears and the put-downs and managed to still come back kicking. A lot of people on DU who come off as 'know it alls' would fold under any real pressure. They are lightweights and summer soldiers and deserve neither respect nor regard.

Screw them and the horses they rode in on.

[Island Blue]

36. You make running for POTUS sound so glamorous.

I've often thought there are probably many people in the country who have the necessary skills and talent to BE President of the United States, but do they have the temperament to endure everything that you mentioned above, to BECOME President. Do they have what it takes to endure all of the slings and arrows they will surely face once they become President? I agree with you, there are probably very few people who actually have what it takes. (That goes for Democrats and Republicans.)

[TayTay]

44. It's not very glamorous, IMHO.

The beginning of the race is a grind. You appear in front of 50 people (if you're lucky) at a house party and talk. You try and raise cash. You have to stay at cheap hotels because everything has to come out of the campaign treasury and it's more important to have gas for the cars and literature to hand out than it is to have a fancy hotel room.

It's giving the same speech over and over and over again and trying to make each time sound fresh and exciting. It's meeting local people with varying degrees of ego who feel you need them more than they need you. (This happens in Iowa and NH all the time.) It's showing up and marching in the Founder's Day parade when it's 95 degrees out and your feet hurt and you're tired and you have two more appearances to go before the day ends. It's worrying about money all the time. It's worrying about the press not showing up to cover you. It's worrying about the press showing up and reaming you for some little thing. It's worrying about the ego clashes among staff. It's all those things. It's a damn grind.

I have seen the New Hampshire primary up close for many years. This is a damn marathon. I sometimes find it hard to believe that this is how we pick the leader of the free world, by Pancake Breakfasts at the VFW and chile cookouts at the Knights of Columbus hall and so forth. It's a friggin workout. There is very little glamorous about it. It's damned hard work and it demands an absolute commitment to the process. Those who survive it have my admiration.

[beachmom]

38. Can vs. Want

This reminds me of that NH event you guys went to. That one woman, who was distraught about the war, said "Can you run again, is it possible that you can run again?". He answered, "yes, but I haven't decided yet if I will". There it is in a nutshell. He can do it, but the question is does he want to do it. I think he does, but only if he thinks he has a shot. All the stuff you mentioned, Tay Tay -- he pretty much was saying, yeah, I could go through that, but do I want to? And, actually, I truly do believe he wants to. I think his thinking is, you live life fully, and he has this goal. Was 2004 the end of the pursuit of that goal or does he have enough life left in him to go for it one more time before he gets too old? At this point, he looks great, and he looks like he's putting everything into place for another run. But, if he decides against it, no harm done, since he's doing so much good.

[TayTay]

41. IMHO, it's not just his decision

A single person doesn't run for President. Their whole family runs for it. Sen. Kerry has two daughters who gave up a lot to assist in his run last time. They are now both establishing themselves in jobs that they have worked very, very hard to get. (Dr. Vanessa Kerry has a medical career to begin. She has, I think, completed her training and she can start to establish a practice. How many years has she been in school and training for this? Can she interrupt her life again for another two year run? What about his other daughter who has a shot at becoming a director for major studios. There are precious few female directors in that business. Could she take the time off and return?)

That's just two people to consider. There is also the wishes of his wife to consider and his extended family. It's probably a lot to have weighing in on you. He has to consider if it's worth doing becuase he has a legitimate shot at it and consider if he wants to put everyone through the whole ordeal and grind of it again. IT's a decision that should not be made lightly.

Oh course I would love it if he ran. But, that's up to him. And to his family. They would bear the cost of the decision.

[jenndar]

42. He made a similar point on FOX

during that interview with Colmes. He said that whether or not he wanted to go through another race was irrelevant to his politics at this point.

What I took that to mean was that he still wants to be president, but doesn't know if he's interested in campaigning again. I thought it was a good answer in contrast to, say, Gore's claim that he'll never seek public office again. At this point, I'm just glad the desire is still there for Senator Kerry - I couldn't vote for somebody for an office he wasn't sure he wanted.

[wisteria]

33. Well let me state a resounding YES!!!!!!

[MonteLukast]

37. Most definitely YES!

Although, I do have to wonder: Does that Massachusetts law prohibit running in the primaries and running for the Senate at the same time, or just the general election?

[wisteria]

39. That I don't know about, I'm not from Mass. n/t

[TayTay]

40. Yes. According to state law, it's one or the other.

Senator Kerry cannot run concurrently for two federal offices. And he cannot do so, IMHO, even if it was legal. It would piss off the voters. Voters are a jealous lot and want you to commit to them and them alone for whatever time period is under discussion. He can't run for Pres again and run for the Senate. That would be political polygamy and it wouldn't go over very well. (It's us or them foreigners Senator, what's it going to be?)

[MonteLukast]

43. So... it does go for primaries too? (n/t)

[TayTay]

45. There is a tiny loophole, but .....

Candidates for US Senate from the Commonwealth of Mass must declare their intent to run for the office by May 9th (I think) 2008. It is conceivable that if things don't work out, Sen. Kerry could just pull papers again for the Senate. But I doubt that scenario would happen. Who knows?

[rox63]

46. Duh! Of course!

If he wants to run for president again, he has my enthusiastic vote. If he decides against it, I would love him to remain my Senator for as long as he wants.

[MH1]

47. Absolutely!! ...however...

I posted to the one in GD, WTF is this, a sporting event?

I know you are only copying them, but to me the nature of the question is even more offensive than that it was designed to elicit anti-Kerry posts. Republicans take sides in politics like rooting for a sports team. Democrats are supposed to be smarter than that.

[Firespirit]

48. What sort of a question is THAT??

;)

GD lurkers: a loud, resounding, un-suppressable un-hackable YES! He has done more in the past year than probably any other Democrat in Congress for beloved liberal issues. And some people actually want, actually post online that they wish he would "crawl under a rock." Their resentment of him is such that they would sacrifice the good he can do for these issues rather than have HIM as a standard-bearer. (Such fools are not worth further notice.)


OK. I'll go out on a limb and say that it is my personal opinion that any failing candidate deserves a second chance unless he/she actually was a universal screwup who truly pissed away an opportunity -- that negative description, of course, would NOT include a candidate who was up against an enormous series of obstacles and very nearly overcame them. A good primary system, where the first voters do not primarily represent a special interest group or extreme edge of the party, sorts out who gets these chances. But if Kerry wants to run, he should not be dissuaded from it on the basis of "he had his chance." That's the weakest of arguments.

[WildEyedLiberal]

49. Absolutely, unequivocally, resoundingly YES.

He was the right man in 2004 and he will be the right man in 2008. He's been the right man all his life. There is NO ONE in politics today with his honesty, courage, integrity, vision, and gravitas. No one. He has all the qualities held by the historical greats, and none of their grievous flaws. His only flaw is that he is sometimes too trusting. But he also learns from mistakes, which is the very definition of wisdom and personal growth. America could only be so lucky as to be graced with a Kerry Presidency.

[Blaukraut]

50. Definitely yes!

I sincerely hope he decides to run again, and he will have my full support a second time, too. I worked my heart out for John Kerry last year, and was crushed when Bush took the presidency again.
However - unlike some other people in other forums - I do not feel like I am owed anything for my support and effort towards the campaign.
For that matter; I'm pretty sure that a majority of those who claim to have given their full support and hard work to Kerry after their own candidate lost the nomination are flat-out lying.
I think their supposed support went as far as casting that final vote for John Kerry, if that.
That same group would probably love to lock John Kerry up in a basement for the entire year of 2008, just to prevent his entering, and - heavens forbid! - possibly even winning the primaries.
It irks them that they have no recourse other than scanning the message boards for Kerry threads to flame, in hopes of changing a few minds.
Good, I say. Let them expend their energy with fruitless, inane, repetitive Anti-Kerry posts. It keeps them from doing any real damage in the real world.
Once John decides to give us, and himself another chance, I, and I know all of you guys here in the Kerry group, will put our actions where our mouths/keyboards are, and it might just work out this time!

[TayTay]

51. Absolutely!

It often just floors me how easily people think the decision to run for President is made. This is not a little deal, it's a very, very big deal. This decision will change your life for one, two or maybe more (I hope) years. It is not to be done without careful consideration and review. (I wrote above that I think it's a grueling marathon. People who do this have to really, really want to do this.)

Should Sen. Kerry run again, then I would fully support him.