Kerry to visit Iowa, thank backers

[Freddie Stubbs]

A commission will be named to study the nominating calendar for 2008 the same day.

By THOMAS BEAUMONT
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
December 7, 2004

Former Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry plans to visit Iowa on Friday to thank supporters, despite his losing the state Nov. 2.

Kerry plans to greet backers at a 6 p.m. reception at Hotel Fort Des Moines in the capital.

Kerry's bid for the Democratic nomination was on the ropes a year ago, but was reignited in time to win the Iowa caucuses in January. Then in November, President Bush beat Kerry in Iowa by roughly 10,000 votes.

Kerry has not said whether he will run for president again in 2008, but he met with supporters Saturday in New Hampshire, where he narrowly beat Bush after winning the campaign's leadoff primary a week after the Iowa caucuses.

more: http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041207/NEWS09/412070388/1001

It looks like Kerry is keeping his options open for 2008. I guess that it's never too early to state campaigning in Iowa.

[ewagner]

1. There should

have been a nation-wide "thank-you" tour.

[realFedUp]

2. It's a little early to start campaigning again....

[Freddie Stubbs]

3. The Early Bird gets the worm!

But it doesn't always work out so well for the Early Worm.

Kerry may be trying to keep his support up to dissuade potential rivals from even running.

[realFedUp]

4. well it's turning me off frankly

He can't address the voting failures of one election campaign
but is seemingly gladhanding for the next IMO?

[welshTerrier2]

5. Last week Kerry did the same thing in New Hampshire

some on DU have been critical of Kerry for a variety of reasons ... here's my position on him:

first, Kerry was not my choice in the primaries; i voted for Kucinich ...

second, the party needs strong visible leadership ... IF Kerry wants to step up to the plate, and be the leader of the loyal opposition, and it remains to be seen whether he will do this effectively, count me in ... i think the criticism of his trying to take a leadership role is very misguided ...

this is not intended to defend Kerry's actions on any issue to which he is rightfully criticized ... i think, for example, that his concession speech was premature ... and I certainly think his position on Iraq was and is totally bogus ... the only acceptable position is that we should get the hell out of there ...

so my point is not to agree with everything Kerry says and does ... but to snipe at the man himself, rather than taking issue with him on specific things, weakens us ... if Kerry wants to be a general leading the charge for the next four years, and if no one else has the national stature and the stage to do so, let's take what we can get ... we need a voice and we need it now ... and other Democrats, at least for the time being, seem to lack the necessary stature ...

[The Zanti Regent]

6. Thank Backers. for WHAT???? Laying down and dying????

I don't want to even be within 100 feet of this phony Bonesman.

The sad thing is that my only child wasn't the last person to die for this mistake called Iraq.

[emulatorloo]

7. Maybe he wants to thank me for the work I did.

Do more research on John Kerry and Iran Contra and BCCI. Your 'bonesman' theory doesn't hold water.

You can look into this starting w this DU thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=203&topic_id=122563

P.S. Please don't tell me you have never been in a club with somebody you couldn't stand.

[lakelly]

8. IMHO

There is no strong, visible, leadership from anyone in the Democratic Party. If Kerry wants to be that visible face, I am all for it. He isn't perfect, and he wasn't my first choice for president, and it pissed me off to no end when he conceded the election so quickly. But, I still have come to appreciate and respect him as a leader who has shown immense courage in the face of adversity.

[welshTerrier2]

9. welcome to DU, lakelly !!

your views on Kerry are very similar to mine ...

[TheDonkey]

10. I hope he travels around the country thanking supporters

he still has a lot of support out there. I'm happy to see he isn't afraid to stay in the spotlight.