Kerry Would Be A Terrific President

[clar]

And I'm a Dean supporter. I think Dean has a broader appeal than Kerry, but if he does win in the general, he enters the WH with disadvantages that Kerry would not have.

Kerry knows the ins and outs of DC politics. Dean does not, and you need to be able to work with the insiders. Maybe he could do so, but Washington insiders have been brutal to Dem POTUS outsiders. Consider the treatment of Carter and Clinton.

Nuance may not be such a good thing when campaigning, but it certainly has its benefits while governing. Dean didn't demonstrate much of that here in Vt. He often angered people on both sides of the political spectrum. He was sometimes abrasive. Kerry is well respected by both sides in the Senate. I believe that Dean does understand that Washington isn't Montpelier and he has a shown a sharp learning curve. It may be enough. It may not.

I disagree with Kerry's IWR vote. I think it was, at least in part, politically motivated. That vote does not negate a Senate record that any dem should be proud of.

The Kerry campaign has not been well run. Ultimately, Kerry is responsible for this, but well run or not, I can't see Kerry beating Bush. I'm not going to rehash why not- let's just say I don't think he can appeal to the "average" American voter.

[FlashHarry]

1. I agree.

Dean and Clark, too.

I even think that Gephardt, Graham or Edwards would make a pretty good Prez--possibly even Mosely-Braun. Kucinich seems a little too authoritarian to me (executive order this, executive order that), and Sharpton seems too inexperienced and demagogue-like. But that's just my opinion.

Lieberman, though, is in a class by himself. I think he'd be better than Bush in a way that Carrot-Top would be better than Bush--i.e. his only redeeming quality is that... he's not Bush.

[disgruntella]

2. roflmao

Can't you just see it?

LIEBERMAN/CARROT-TOP 2004

Slogan: "Well, we're not Bush/Cheney, are we?"

[clar]

3. Thanks for replying to my post

I have no doubt that if I'd entitled it something negative, it would have immediately been swamped.

As far as Lieberman goes, I don't like him, but I'd much rather have him for President than bushco, and frankly, I think the ABBAL crowd really doesn't get it. The differences between the two are important. Good thing, though that we won't have to face a Lieberman v bush race.
L's chances of getting the nomination seem slim.

[disgruntella]

4. let me add

This is a decent, sensible critique of both Kerry and Dean. (Again, probably why it isn't "on fire" as a thread, so I'm replying to kick it!)

[clar]

6. No shit

I was thinking of entitling it something like:

Kerry's Despicable

and then posting the same message, but I couldn't quite bring myself to do it. Thanks for the kick. This is a conversation I'd really like to have. Oh well.

[Wetzelbill]

18. I think so

I'm a Kucinich guy, but I would have no qualms about having a Kerry presidency. I like Dean, Edwards, Gephardt, Graham, etc, as well.

[CentristDemocrat]

5. Kerry needs to stop being a snob.

Before I will vote for him.

[clar]

7. What has he done

that you think defines him as a snob?

[FlashHarry]

9. I think it means 'stop being wealthy.'

There's a powerful feeling of reverse classism on DU against Kerry. He's wealthy, he went to Yale, he was in Skull & Bones, so he can't be trusted. Never mind the fact that he's fought tirelessly for years for progressive causes.

[CentristDemocrat]

13. It has nothing to do with that, actually.

It's how he treats people.

[FlashHarry]

16. Care to elaborate?

How, pray tell, does he 'treat people?'

[CentristDemocrat]

26. Rudely and snobbishly.

He was awful in a Judy Woodruff interview I saw. Talked down to her etc., tried to act as if he was above her and shouldn't even have to answer her questions. Clark was also on the program and he acted totally opposite.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

11. O.K. instead of a polished baritone he should speak like Dean?

in a whinier and higher pitch?

[CWebster]

8. Nah

Kerry is a political animal and not a very good one.

His last sneaky salvo meant to sabotage Dean on the I\P issue backfired. Dean demonstrated growth and greater awareness, Kerry establishment status quo. The final straw.

[clar]

10. OK but

what about addressing what I wrote regarding experience, record and insider outsider status? Does Dean's lack of knowledge about the inner workings of DC bother you? If not, why not? I'm curious.

[CWebster]

12. nah

Are you saying we should only consider slale entrenched insiders resigned to the system and threatened by change?? It seems like a pretty lame argument- considering some new energy and enthusiasm might be just the thing to get things in gear.

[Name removed]

14. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[CWebster]

15. Hi Honey

:hi:

[sangh0]

17. And again

we have another example of someone not responding to the issues raised.

At least it's consistent.

[clar]

20. No I'm not saying that

but you still haven't answered my question. And just because someone's spent a long time in DC, does that make them a stale insider?

What about Byrd, Kennedy, or my Senators, Leahy and Jeffords? Harkin and Reid?

[CWebster]

23. Yeah, there are some decent insiders

There are some decent outsiders. Considering the level of frustration with the current crop of disappointing insiders running for president, perhaps an outsider is in a better position to win over the base.

[disgruntella]

22. nice rhetorical question

Here's mine:
Are you saying we should only consider candidates with "new" energy and enthusiasm, because anyone with experience in DC is obviously entirely corrupted and co-opted by The System? It seems like a pretty lame argument....

[Mike_from_NoVa]

19. My gut says he feels ENTITLED to be the nominee...

...and he can't understand why he has to work so damn hard to get the nomination. It's like "Hey, I'm tallest, I have the hair and the chin, this should be a no-brainer." But it isn't working out that way for him and he seems very discouraged.

If he is the nominee I will vote for him, but I don't trust him yet.

[CentristDemocrat]

27. quality post

[blm]

21. That's how Kerry campaigns best, let the other guy get ahead first.

The strategy of the long distance biker. He knows he has an infrastructure built up from strong groundwork.

[clar]

24. That strikes me as

being the the "Life of Brian" defense. I can't believe that Kerry wants to be in the position he's in right now.

[blm]

25. Tell that to the Weld campaign.

.