Kerry Statement on the Death of Ronald Reagan

[NewHampster]

Statement from Senator John Kerry on the Death of Ronald Reagan


June 05, 2004

For Immediate Release
Boston, MA

Senator John Kerry released the following statement today:

“Ronald Reagan's love of country was infectious. Even when he was breaking Democrats hearts, he did so with a smile and in the spirit of honest and open debate. Despite the disagreements, he lived by that noble ideal that at 5pm we weren't Democrats or Republicans, we were Americans and friends. President Reagan and Tip O'Neill fought hard and honorably on many issues, and sat down together to happily swap jokes and the stories of their lives. The differences were real, but because of the way President Reagan led, he taught us that there is a big difference between strong beliefs and bitter partisanship.
“He was the voice of America in good times and in grief. When we lost the brave astronauts in the Challenger tragedy, he reminded us that, ‘Nothing ends here; our hopes and our journeys continue.’

“Now, his own journey has ended-a long and storied trip that spanned most of the American century-and shaped one of the greatest victories of freedom. Today in the face of new challenges, his example reminds us that we must move forward with optimism and resolve. He was our oldest president, but he made America young again.

“Our prayers are with his family, and the wife he loved in a way all the world could see. And to the end, she loved him with courage and complete devotion. She helped all of us better understand the cruel disease that took him away before it took his life, and what we must do to prevent and cure it.

“Teresa and I and our family extend our deepest sympathies to Nancy Reagan and the Reagan family. Today, from California to Maine - ‘from sea to shining sea’ - Americans will bow their heads in prayer and gratitude that President Reagan left such an indelible stamp on the nation he loved.”

http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2004_0605.html

[Renew Deal]

1. Reagan Died?

j/k

[cjbuchanan]

2. Great statement

Praises the man while reminding us of the way politics should be.

[NewHampster]

4. I agree

It's well written and professional.

I wonder what the freepers will find wrong with it?

[Geo55]

7. what the freepers will find wrong with it?

He didn't say Reagan was a "god"

[carpetbagger]

8. He isn't pushing to rename Mass.

"The Ronald Reagan Commonwealth of Massachusetts"

[oddtext]

33. he didn't propose

that we change the our country's official name to:
The United REAGAN States of America.

[bluestateguy]

3. I hope people realize Sen. has to say this

People who bash him for this gracious statement are really out to lunch about politics.

[Just Me]

24. Personally, I admire graciousness.

Especially at this time.

Reagan is dead so nothing said can hurt him but it can hurt many who are alive and in mourning. Irrespective of the fact that I cannot celebrate much of his political life, I will respect the man's death and offer my sympathies to those who survive him.

[Liberal Veteran]

5. We should aspire to be as civil and gracious....

It costs us nothing to do so.

[ClassWarrior]

13. And, in fact...

...it in some small way earns us our soul.

Amen.

[DemBones DemBones]

15. Costs us nothing, gains us much

in terms of character.

[LandOLincoln]

6. Very powerful statement, and very, very true.

I thought the Reagan Administration's policies were ghastly, but I never hated Reagan the man the way I hated Nixon and the way I now hate Bush. At least Reagan wasn't a paranoid psychotic.

And I keep thinking of Ron Jr., what a great, great guy (and great Progressive) he is, and how he and his family are grieving now.

& watching so many of my so-called fellow Dems/Progressives doing spot-on imitations of self-righteous, hate-spewing Freepers is stomach turning.

[DAGDA56]

9. Very appropriate...except for the very last line...

...personally, I feel no gratitude for the indelible stamp Reagan left on this nation...but, then, I'm not a US Senator running for President. As another poster said above, you gotta understand politics. Odd, but not surprising, how Kerry's statement was far more eloquent than the platitudes mumbled by the Bush Boy...

[NewYorkerfromMass]

14. then say some prayers

Kerry leaves open that possibility too!

[DAGDA56]

16. Pray for America BECAUSE of Reagan?

...yeah, OK...that'll work.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

22. yes

pray for the damage Reagan did to be undone by Kerry!

[Tellurian]

10. Bravo...Senator Kerry!

A wonderfully kind and generous statement. Reminding us the way we were when we were a kinder gentler nation. Your subtle reminders nicely contrasting the divisiveness of the Rovian politics we are forced to live with daily.

OTOH- It was shocking to see BushI and his wife jumping on the tv bandwagon sharing their personal experiences with the public when Reagan was barely cold. The untimely tv interview was sorely in bad taste and smacked greatly of pr opportunism.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

26. Kerry is such a classy guy. Love that man.

[Tellurian]

31. Yep, and I think we'll like the new First Lady just as well.

[sundancekid]

11. full of grace, full of truth, full of class, full of honor--a real example

of the Democratic leadership from the next president of the beloved USA!
Thanks, John Kerry.
O8)

[DemBones DemBones]

12. When an adversary dies, our public responses

say a lot about us, about our characters.

Anyone bothered by public praise of a man who just died ahould remember some lines from Marc Anthony's funeral oration in Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar"

"I come to bury Caesar, not to braise him.
The evil that men does lives after them, the good is oft interred with the bones. So let it be with Caesar. . ."

[KittyWampus]

18. I come to bury Caesar, not to BRAISE him.

did you see your typo? :)

[Fridays Child]

17. And Chimpy said...

"It's a sad day for America."

:eyes:

[othermeans]

21. Not as sad as the day Bush was elected (?) president nt

[AnnitaR]

19. What a classy statement!

I am impressed at the thought that was put into that statement. Whether you agree with the statement or not you have to appreciate the effort that was put into it!

John Kerry is going to make one hell of a President!

[Andromeda]

20. A very gracious statement

by Senator Kerry. I would expect no less from John Kerry who is a class act.

[chookie]

23. Bravo, JFK!

It is a most charming tribute, and most appropriate. It deals with the controversial issues the Reagan presidency raised, but in an affectionately humorous way, which serves to acknowledge divisions, but to choose to respect the man at the time of his passing. Gee -- this is how "Statesmen" conduct themselves

What a treat to read a respectful tribute to an opponent --this is what decency and honor, artciculated with intelligence and heart, sound like. It's been so long since we have had our wearied minds so elevated by those in political life

Isn't it nice? Isn't this the sort of man you want speaking on our behalf? Wouldn't it be great to hear this sort of thing every day? I am so proud of Senator Kerry! Thank you, sir!

[JI7]

25. there is much more heart and emotion in this statement than Bush's

[crossroads]

28. Very true...n/t

[PROGRESSIVE1]

27. I commend JK! This is how you do it.

He properly praised Reagan while not kissing ass. He said what needed to be said. He discussed how Reagan was much more Statesman-like, unlike Bush. It's good because when the Rethugs/Neo-Cons exploit this, JK can compare Reagan's grace to Bushler's bumbling.

[FARAFIELD]

29. Who the hell is Ronald RayGun?

[IndianaGreen]

30. Some people should take a clue from Kerry's statesmanlike statement

and recognize that Reagan was beloved by many Americans, many of whom will be voting Democratic in November.

Kudos to John and Teresa!

[Leilani]

32. I agree completely!

Kerry made a beautiful & gracious satement.

Others might look to his example.

[LifeDuringWartime]

34. im worried

about all of the hate on the boards tonight... im glad some people can be civil.

if you had a next door neighbor who was a total, asshole, then died after years and years of alzheimers, would you say "GOOD RIDDANCE!" to his family? i sure hope not.

[Zhade]

35. Reposting from another thread...

...because I'm stunned that Reagan's crimes are going down the memory hole.

I cannot believe he said this.

Okay - I'll acknowledge up front that it's a smart move to attract center-right voters.

That said...

What the HELL will you NOT do for a vote, Kerry?

I mean, excuse my impertinence, but this is REAGAN we're talking about. You know, the first puppet for the radical and religious right? The guy who wanted to NUKE Russia, and spoke in apocalyptic terms? IRAN-CONTRA, anyone? Grenada? School of the Americas? Hello?

Kerry, it has been said, "exposed more governmental corruption than any other prosecutor in recent memory". The validity of that claim aside, Kerry INVESTIGATED THIS MAN - and found his administration guilty of TREASONOUS ACTS.

And he HONORS the man he found to be a crook?

Just how far will Kerry go to bag the 'swing voters' and other undecided right-leaning voters? Voting for a death-squad enabler who he investigated to become ambassador to the UN (Negroponte), honoring a man who signed off on ghastly crimes against humanity in Latin America (Reagan) - where is the line for Kerry?

Is truth, accountability of criminals, and justice for their victims just easy to discard in order to win? And if so, where are the Democrats as a party?

This is madness, and I cannot fathom why people let this slip past unremarked-upon - or, worse, encouraged.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

36. He's focusing on the positive spirit Reagan fostered

Reagan fostered pride in a lot of Amercians. Obviously we need to tap into that if we want to win.
Kerry is no dummy. Far from it.
He's proving he is a worthy man and deserving of the office.
Far more so than his juvenile opponent.