Who here thinks that Kerry is an opportunist w/ poor political judgment?

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

So, he throws the liberal grassroots a bone by suggesting that he'll comment on the Downing Street Memo (DSM) on Monday. We get all excited to only learn that it's not going to happen immediately (if ever). And, in the interim, he UNDERCUTS any media coverage of the DSM by releasing his medical/school records. So, now the issue is Kerry's past AND NOT ON POSSIBLE HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS by the President.

Am I the only one here who thinks that Kerry has the political/media savvy of a puss-encrusted bunion?

Jesus! What the fuck?!

JB

[sniffa]

1. i don't think that

carry on with your bad seLf.

[mac56]

3. Me neither.

But think what you want to.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

2. I think you heard what you wanted to here

He said he intends to bring it up with the senate...I don't recall a statement saying he intends to bring it up "monday"

[merh]

4. I find it amazing how some folks

choose the perfect screen name. :shrugh:

[H2O Man]

40. I would have opted to

not respond to this thread, but for your "on target" comment. There are a lot of things that justify discontent in today's political world, but I don't see how Kerry's actions in the past couple days rate up there.

[merh]

45. I've never read about any successful campaign against

tyranny or oppression where the troops attacked their leaders. Call me crazy, but I just don't understand the mindset. Anyone willing to speak out should be encouraged, not chastized for not speaking on the day you want them to!

Good to see you my friend. :hug:

[H2O Man]

62. self-destructive behaviors

never make sense.

[Mass]

5. Nope because he did never said what you say

Unfortunately, you are following the RW memes without even realizing it.

Reread what he actually said and listen to Olberman who debunked all that last night.

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

12. But, shouldn't Kerry be aware of this...and WORKED to beat the smear????

Even if the Monday statement was a hoax, it telegraphed to the rightwingers that Kerry was going to make a statement on the DSM...eventually. This, then gives the rightwing media time to pull together all the smears to cloud any DSM statements.

Telegraphing what you are going to say rather than JUST SAYING IT is demonstrative of political/media stupidity. Sorry, but it just is poor strategy and as a result of Kerry's stupidity we will be robbed of any substantive discussion in Congress and the media of the DSM.

JB

[Larkspur]

6. I do and have for many years.

Kerry is at least 6 months behind the times and easily falls into Repuke traps. Just look at his GE performance last year. Pathetic!

[BR_Parkway]

7. I don't know, releasing the records keeps the attention on him -

and with the word impeachment getting throw in via NewsMax et al, delaying the DSM (if it was delayed) has given more time for speculation, press coverage and awareness. The records also go to comparing his credibility to Shrubs.

If the speculation gets strong enough, it might be enough to stand up to the Wacky Jackie verdict that is sure to come out soon.

[jayctravis]

70. Oooo oooo oooh! Mr Kotter!

Kerry releasing records immunizes him from "You won't either!" if he calls for Bush to release records...regarding Bolton, for example.

[Lerkfish]

8. well, I don't agree, FWIW.

but you go on.

[Straight Shooter]

9. I haven't seen the records yet, I suspect they contain nothing damaging.

So he'll discredit the radical right with proof of his merit.

Now, on to the DSM with no baggage attached, eh?

I respect Kerry. I don't respect his campaign managers. I'm sorry he ever listened to them instead of his gut instincts. If they had been advising him in Nam, he would be dead.

You're not the only one, but my goodness, such a diatribe.

[zanne]

10. We're so desperate to have a voice...

We'll vote for somebody who'll speak up for us SOMETIMES.

[TayTay]

11. What? Take your meds and slow down

He never 'threw the liberal grassroots a bone by suggesting he would comment on Monday on the DSM.' He had an interview with a smallish Mass paper in which he noted the DSM, noted he was frustrated that no one in the Senate was bringing this up and said he would do so. (Go look it up, this is what he said.)

Much speculation followed. It became a big story, which might require a bigger speech. That takes time and research. I don't know if you follow the Senate, but it does get busy over there sometimes, what with Ambassadors to Iraq getting appointed and Pension funds to investigate and so forth. (Also, some guy named Bolton is taking up a shitload of time for some damn reason or another. So are these damn judicial appointments. Go figure.) Give Kerry a chance. The mention of the DSM happened on Wed or Thurs last. He should have a grace period to get this together and make a coherent and compelling speech. (And ask other Sens. to get involved, which would be the real desired outcome anyway.)

I'm sure the Senator regrets that you have had to wait a whole day. The business of the Senate and the nation should wait because DUers are being inconvenienced. Fax this concern to his office at once!

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

14. So, why DIDN'T HE BRING IT UP SOONER THAN LATER???

This is the issue. Kerry's telegraphing of what he's going to do on DSM in Congress has only given the opposition time to pull together negative stories and smears.

It is NOT smart or politically savvy to give your strategies and plans out to the enemy.

JB

[havocmom]

29. Kerry works like the good prosecuter he was/is

He gets his ducks in line before he starts shooting. Wish more, ahem, angry liberals would follow that lead.

Speaking truth to power is good, but doing it in a logical, well researched fashion is better. One is less likely to fall into traps when one sits on the impluse to jerk a knee every time the RW and media taps one.

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

34. Yeah. That strategy is REALLY serving us well, isn't it?

There's SO much evidence that you are right. I mean with our controlling the White House and both Houses of Congress, why would we ever want to deviate from the "thoughtful" strategy you and Kerry espouse?

JB

[havocmom]

36. OK, so how is the rather Rather-like stratgey of jumping on something a

wee bit to eagerly working?

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

39. Come on! It's a freaking official British document for god sakes!

This has nothing to do with Rather and questionable materials/sources. If the DSM was a fake, it would have been discredited by the British officials more than a MONTH AGO. The importance of the DSM is the FACT that it is unassailable. This is why I'm having a hard time understanding the need for "tactful slowness."

JB

[havocmom]

42. One doc does not make a case

and you seem to be now changing the target of your anger. A game I do not play.

Have a nice day.

[zanne]

15. We've been let down so often...

We're afraid to get our hopes up. How many times can our hearts be broken? Oy!

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

16. My beef is with the lack of MEDIA SAVVY. This is necessary these days.

Kerry may be a fine man, but someone needs to school the Senator on how to manipulate the media to get our message out.

And, don't give me this bullshit about it taking time to craft a message. Kerry's better than anyone I know on speaking well "off the cuff". Plus, what's there to say? Just read the memo into the Congressional Record and make a few statements on how this fits with BFEE actions at the time.

JB

[TayTay]

23. Wow, so it's his fault this was misinterpreted?

Sorry, I don't think so. That's a stretch. He was asked by a smallish MA paper about his thoughts on Iraq. He mentioned that he wanted to bring up the DSM when he got back to DC. He thought it worth mentioning and worth bringing up in DC. (No mention of how. It was a little interview and a throw-awya line not a press conference called for that purpose.)

Are you mad at him because he is bringing this up or because he isn't? Are you mad at him because the media and the folks on DU misunderstood his intent or because he stated an intent?

Do you want the memos raised or not? I think the Rethugs know about the memos. It is irrelevent as to whether or not they have lead time. They will do what they do. Our side has to prepare a credible line of attack on this regardless of whether or not Rethugs like it. The truth is still the truth. If I were Kerry I would want some time to make a credible case. This might take a week. Plus, last time I checked, John Kerry doesn't run the Senate or the Dem Caucus. Kerry might also want to check in and see if anyone else in that august body wants in on this. Gawd, give it a little time. Then rant against him.

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

30. I'm mad at him for NOT understanding the media or how to circumvent things

As an apparent Kerry staffer, you and I are not going to see eye-to-eye on Kerry. I like him as a man, but he and other prominent Dems need to learn how to master the media and message better than they are doing now.

The Repukes have gotten media manipulation down to a science and this is why (in part) they are kicking our asses right now.

JB

[TayTay]

41. Are you the staffer or am I the staffer?

Cuz if I'm the staffer, I want resume creds. Is everyone who disagrees a staffer? (Again, that's a lot of resume creds to give out.)

What if I honestly disagree with you and made up my own mind in an independent way, the same way you did? I would hope that you can also handle an honest disagreement and argue from the facts and with logic without weakening your argument by making the other side into some sort of a 'ringer.' (Argue your own strengths. There is an audience here. If you get the better of the argument, other non-shrinking violet DUers will let you know and ream me a new one. So be it.)

The media responds to the *ies because they have the bulk of the power. A Senator's office does not have the same ability to sway the news media that the President does. They do not have the same perks to wave in front of the press.

Some news stories get carried away. This will always happen. This might or might not turn out to be one of them. The bulk of the argument right now is on what hasn't happened. It is always dicey to argue the negative. (What, it didn't happen, well, ahm, it should have not happened in a different way. Geez, that's a reach!)

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

43. OK, agreed. Hypertension is lowering...

I just get so frustrated with what I perceive to be opportunities to get our message out that are not being taken advantage of.

JB

[TayTay]

54. 'twas a pleasure discussing it with you.

I am sure there will be more instances where we disagree. That's what makes discussion boards interesting, after all. If all I ever read was the opinions of folks who agreed with me 100%, I would leave.

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

66. Agreed. More broadly, I'm glad to have you on our side. n/t

JB

[MessiahRp]

13. Kerry is stepping up to be our leader...

He wants to get everything out of the way and hammer them for everything he's worth. Have you listened to Kerry at all since the election? Aside from Barbara Boxer, nobody has spoken out for us at all in the way he has.

Plus remember 2008 is not out of the realm of possibility.

Getting this all out there takes a huge Repug talking point away.

Rp

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

17. He doesn't stand a chance in 2008. Plus, we all know Hillary's running.

Kerry had his chance and he fucked it up (vote theft, notwithstanding).

JB

[Magginkat]

21. RE: Kerry had his chance and he fu*ked it up

I'll second that one. What little respect I had for Kerry has long since gone down the drain. If he was so great after Vietnam what's happened to him these days? He's one of the most spineless Dems in the Congress!

Magginkat
www.ProudLiberalBitch.com

[second edition]

60. I would guess you never had any respect for him.

To bad. I'm glad you are in the minority in respect to John Kerry.

[Magginkat]

84. You would guess wrong

I happen to be a Vietnam era Vet who had a great deal of respect for Kerry. If you were around during that time you should remember what a fighter he was.... not the spineless wimp we see today.

I may not be as much a minority as you would like to believe because I see comments about his lack of action all over the internet.

[MessiahRp]

22. Yeah Hillary's running... so what?

Last I checked, WE choose our nominee and she's not exactly popular with a lot of Democrats. She might be positioning herself towards the middle for a general election, but I think she's forgotten that Democrats will be voting first and being Dem-lite doesn't play well in the Democratic primaries. See: Holy Joe Lieberman.

Rp

[Sydnie]

31. You're right about that

I don't think I could hold my nose hard enough to vote for her.

[second edition]

61. So what! Hillary is running! I'm voting for Kerry if he runs!

I still intend to support Kerry if he runs again. Can't say the same for Hillary.

[Magginkat]

87. Vote for Kerry?

Not this old battered Vet. I refuse to waste my vote on a clown who did practically nothing to win the last election. Even when everything points to the fact that he won and to the voter fraud, Kerry did nothing...... Oh I take that back. He went on vacation.

I put Kerry in the same class as bu$h at this point. I would vote for the neighbor's raggedy old dog first.

[seabeyond]

18. not me n/t

[geek tragedy]

19. He's under the delusion that he's a serious option for 2008

As witnessed by his attempt to act like an outsider recently.

[paulk]

35. why is it a delusion?

Gore was considered the frontrunner for 2004 until he dropped out. It would seem Kerry is in the same position.

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

38. Gore. What a sad situation. I truly miss him.

Gore DESERVES to be in the White House. Lord knows, we wouldn't be starting the second Crusade under his stewardship.

JB

[paulk]

44. I would have happily voted for him

he would have been a good president

[geek tragedy]

47. Because Gore won the popular vote in 2000.

Kerry ran a shitty campaign, was a shitty candidate, and has been shown to lack the one single factor he offered: electability.

He's an aristocratic Senator from the Northeast--about the worst standard-bearer for a party that needs to work on its populist appeal.

[paulk]

51. there are a lot of Democrats who think that Kerry won the

popular vote also.

I'm not advocating that Kerry automatically gets the nod in 2008, but I do think that describing that possibility as "delusional" is way too harsh.

You are entitled to your opinion on Kerry's skill as a candidate and campaigner. There are many who disagree and perhaps would be more interested in discussing that with you than I am.

The party may need a more populist appeal in 2008, but the issues in 2004 trended more toward national security (and this was borne out by post election polling). Of the candidates running, Kerry had the best credentials in this area (except for, perhaps, Clark). That's why the overwhelming majority of Democratic primary voters chose him as their candidate. IMO.

[geek tragedy]

53. The problem was that his credentials were a bit, how shall I state it,

stale. His record was that of a dove in the Senate.

Now, there was nothing wrong in principal with being a dove during that time. That was my position--he was right for voting the way he did during that time.

But, to then rely upon his service from decades before to show himself to be a tough guy killer just didn't work politically.

This is also why governors make better candidates than Senators: Governors have accomplishments instead of voting records.

[paulk]

63. Kerry got caught between a rock and a hard place

he had been quite a bit more militant toward Iraq during the Clinton years than most realize, but his campaign kept it quiet because they didn't want to offend the anti - war left, which was already pissed about the IWR vote.

He got slammed as too much of a dove by the right and too much of a hawk by the left.

It does seem true that Governors have a better chance of election than Senators, which is unfortunate, because I don't think they make better Presidents. They don't know how things "work" in Washington and it takes too long to get up to speed in our increasingly dangerous modern world.

Look at all our recent Governor/Presidents - Carter, Reagan, Clinton, Dubya - each one's first couple of years were pretty disastrous 'til they figured out how to get things done.

[sniffa]

57. ah, i'm starting to feeL you out more now

bash kerry, argue that gays shouLd expect or even try to marry.

what eLse am i missing?

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

67. What? Are you saying marriage for gays is a bad thing?

And, what does this have to do with Kerry's lack of political/media savvy?

JB

[Sydnie]

20. He announced the signing of the release forms a few weeks ago

One has nothing to do with the other. Actually, the forms that were released show that some of those that slandered him during the election are actually on the record as having the opposite opinion those many years ago. Shows that he WAS speaking the truth and they weren't. Lends even more credibility to any future statements that he will make about the minutes of that meeting.

Seems I am a glass half full member of the "liberal grassroots" where this issue is concerned.

He said he would begin discussing it when he returned to Washington on Monday. I am sure that he has, with other senators. He will speak to it on the floor as well. It's nice to circle a few wagons before you taunt the enemy, isn't it?

I will say it again ... he will NOT disappoint you, unless you are expecting him to fall on his sword merely for your entertainment.

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

25. We'll see. For now he's going to be the conspiratorial "D" student Yalie.

Thanks to his "careful planning," if you are right, Kerry will be phrased in the media as a mediocre college student-now-Senator. Most non-political junkie folks will be MORE interested with this personal aspect/relevation than any DSM comment he may make.

JB

[Mass]

28. So what - this is what made Bush attractive to many people

How many people here said that he was too intellectual.

[karynnj]

71. You've got to be kidding

Over half the people in this country saw Kerry in the debates, whether they liked him or not, they know he's intelligent and very knowledgeble. (and he wasn't wired ;) ) No one is looking at his freshman year grades (when he was 18 yrs old!) to determine how smart he is at 61. (I graduated in 72 (IU) with a GPA of about 3.3 out of 4.0 in math/ economics and I'm amazed at how brilliant Kerry is at Senate hearings and how smart he is answering unfiltered questions. I would love to be half as bright as he is.)

[Freddie Stubbs]

80. Actually he had a 'C' average

From what I read about him, he was very active in student government and other extra-curricular activities. She perhaps he was not lazy, he just didn't have classes as his top priority.

[theboss]

24. I don't understand why he didn't release this info a year ago

Some of his decisions are just baffling.

[Mass]

26. He did - all these infos were known a long time ago

The Boston Globe and the SBVT continue pounding and they would have even if he had signed the form before.

You seem to believe these people are rational and were going to stop. By now, we should know they are not. They would have said that the records do not reflect the reality (as they said).

[babylonsister]

27. Not I. Would be nice if, instead of Dem bashing, you'd

find a few repugs you're annoyed with. Jeesh! :eyes:

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

33. But, that doesn't mean we don't hold our own to task...

Only attacking the Repukes, while shrugging off our own problems/incompetence, will NOT result in our taking back power.

Kerry is a fine man, but I am disappointed that apparently it takes him weeks to make a statement about the DSM (only after telegraphing that he's going to do so to everyone).

In the modern media, the MESSAGE is dominated by those who get there first and speak with concerted voices. Right now, this applies to the Repukes...they're doing this very well. We suck at it.

JB

[babylonsister]

37. No it doesn't mean Dems get a total pass, but give the

man a break. He said he'd discuss the minutes and I have full faith he will. He first said this weekend that he INTENDED to discuss them, not weeks ago. It's only been a few days, and apparently he wasn't even in DC yesterday. In the meantime, Kennedy is also riling up some attention; I just think it's all good. But FWIW I'm a Kerry supporter, so perhaps I'm sensitive and/or protective of this fine man.

[karynnj]

83. You're concerned that the Republicans are bringing up the DSM?

By bringing it up themselves they remind of an oft repeated event of my childhood. I grew up in a very large family. One younger sister was more creative than the rest of put together in getting into mischief. My mom, exasperated, would often tell her "To wait till your dad gets home". She would then greet his car as it arrived, saying "I didn't do it". She was then asked what, exactly it was she didn't do.

Now, the Republicans control most of the media and the government. They can get coverage that we can't. We want the story out and they don't - they take a risk in bringing it up, that the gist gets out.

Kennedy put out a statement on it today and some said Feingold may too. There is no urgency for Kerry to speak immediately. Kerry gave a fiery speech on the nuclear option and got nearly no coverage. What makes you think that Kerry can command coverage - even during the campaign when he should have been entitled to reasonable coverage he got very little.

[greendeerslayer]

32. The 04 Election Was Enough...

...to convince anyone with an unbiased mind that Kerry is an oppurtunist with (piss) poor political judgement.

[undeterred]

46. WHO HERE IS SICK OF KERRY BASHING?!

I am. :shrug:

[Sydnie]

48. Me too

"damned if you do and damned if you don't" -- I would just expect one of those damnings to be from the other side once in a while, wouldn't you? :hi:

[LittleClarkie]

82. Oh! Pick me! (hand in the air)

Yeppers.

[GumboYaYa]

49. Me...I'm sick of his so-called "judo."

I knew the 2004 presidential election was lost when we were visited by the "Dem Party Advisor" during the election and heard plans of their chess playing and judo matches. Kerry and his team like telling people how smart they are without ever delivering the goods.

Give me a good, old-fashioned, fire-breathing populist in the next election and we will win. Preferably one from the South and a degree from some school like the University of Georgia or Ole Miss (take that Southern bashers). If we run another northeastern Yale grad again, we will lose again.

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

50. Yeah! Where's a good Heuy Long when you need him!

Clinton was the closest I've seen to your populist vision. Dean could be a possible successor, though I think he's been marginalized. Edwards was trying out a populist message for a while, but he's given to DINO sentiment and the perceived "lawyer" thing diminishes any populist cache. Other than that I don't see any other populists on the horizon for Dems to latch onto.

JB

[karynnj]

76. Dean grew up on Park Avenue

he went to Yale and I think the Albert Einstein school of Medicine (Yeshiva University) in NYC. But, yes, he can sound like a populist.
Edwards could be a populist - think "To kill a Mocking Bird" Gore towards the end of 2000 sounded like a populist and he was from Tennessee. Bill Clinton was a populist.

That said Kerry's Kids' first message and his Veteran's rights are poulist in there very nature - Kerry, like Dean, seems to be pushing people to become active in causes they believe in.

When it comes down to it, Democrats should be populists as it works with the Democratic message.

[ultraist]

52. Kerry's grades from college are such NON news

Who cares. We have people DYING in Iraq, our economy is in the shitter, and the MSM is making an issue about Kerry's college grades from decades ago?

I'm so sick of non news being pushed as if we should give a fuck about irrelevant things.

As far as Kerry releasing his military records, he is a day late and a dollar short. He should have done this during the campaign to discredit the Swift Boat liars. Why is he doing this now? It is creating a diversion from the real issues.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

55. Opportunist? Naah. He voted for the war because it was right.

He supports the occupation because it's morally correct.

He's typical politician going, doing, and saying whatever he thinks will bring him money and votes.

[Magginkat]

88. The war was right? Morally correct?

Dear Heavens,
What have you been drinking? There is nothing right about this war morally or otherwise. It was based on a mountain of lies and thousands of innocent people are dead because of those lies. What the sam hill can you say is morally right about that?

[Just Me]

56. I wish some people would learn to spend their anger,...

,...in a way that doesn't hurt the rest of us.

"puss-encrusted bunion" PUKE!!!! :puke:

[second edition]

58. You are absolutely incorrect in all of your assumptions.

To assume you are correct, John Kerry would have to have some control over the media. We all know that is impossible, so the release of his school grades and military records (which by the way -he signed an ok to release form for several weeks ago- long before he mentioned the DSM)was orchestrated by the media. He never said he was going to be the only one calling attention to the DSM- he said he was going to mention it when he got back to Washington on Monday. Maybe, he felt he couldn't bring up the minutes on his own as they required very serious attention and was requesting additional Democratic help. Especially since the whole impeachment statements have been blown out of proportion. You are to quick to jump to conclusions without allowing for the benefit of the doubt.

[karynnj]

73. Someone posted that the Senate FRC (which Kerry is on)

is having breakfast with Blair tomorrow. Maybe he feels that as there is no real critical need to speak today or yesterday - that he might be able to ask pertinent questions (even if they won't be answered). This order makes more sense than the other.

[JHBowden]

59. Kerry is like a McClellan.

We need a Grant.

[LynneSin]

64. I knew the day after the 2004 I didn't want him to run again

Personally, I'm tired of these uptight uppity politicians running on the democratic ticket. I admire Al Gore and John Kerry, but I have 3-year old sneakers with more personality & charima than the both of them combined. Neither had the appeal to get the independant voters to support them.

Time for a new candidate

[saltpoint]

65. I belive John Kerry is an exemplary American citizen and a truly

strong U.S. Senator.

I like his wife, too.

[Dr Fate]

68. I'm giving Kerry the benefit of the doubt until Friday.

And I persoanlly dont care if he is an opportunist or not (aren't we all in one way or another?)- so long as he raises the issue.

I like Kerry and I hope he does the right thing.

[noamnety]

69. What the hell is wrong with Kerry?!

Why couldn't he solve the Iran Contra/BCCI mess and get those guys convicted in a week or two? What kind of loser stays on an investigation like that for months or even years without letting go? Didn't he know the public would lose interest? If I'd been a senator, I would have brought it up immediately, and had them all in jail before the week was out. That man has no political savvy whatsoever.

;-)

[LittleClarkie]

72. Gee, I thought he was rather spiffy, myself

The opportunist meme seems to have come from way back with Nixon and O'Neill, so I tend not to trust it. And from giving him a good gander during the campaign, I found just the opposite.

And I started out really, really apathetic about the guy.

[tallahasseedem]

74. Not me...

Who knows what has been happening behind the scenes since he has announced he was taking it to the floor. Did you read about the Los Alamos guy? I dont put anything past this administration and their strong-armed tactics.

[LittleClarkie]

78. I think the publicity explosion caught him by surprise myself

I picture him standing back and thinking, "Okay, how do I want to handle this."

[tallahasseedem]

81. Exactly!

Its like the election part deux. Every single action and word of his is being monitored and will be used against him at the drop of a hat. Why do you think the whole grade comparison of him and Bushie came out today? Its as if they are trying to discredit him all over again. Whats next? Swift Boat Veterans against Downing Street minutes?

[Raksha]

75. Maybe it wasn't such a bad move.

It gave B&B time to lie on record about the DSM. Kerry can challenge those statements while they're still fresh in people's minds.

[Freddie Stubbs]

77. I don't think that he is an opportunist, but

sometimes he doesn't show the best of judgement.

[sweetheart]

79. Kerry fought the good fight... i'm hiding this thread

This is divisive and unhelpful, tearing people down because you're bored.

[Bridget Burke]

85. Not me.

And your style won't win any converts.

[Bridget Burke]

86. Not me.

And your style won't win any converts.

[autorank]

89. No permanent friends or enemies, just permanent interests! JFK's fine now

OK, Kerry, it's pay back time. Do the right think, do it with flair and passion, and I'm behind you all the way.

[extropianDreams]

90. I TOTALLY AGREE!

I think he was a phreakin' ringer personally. he's a company man, IMHO. all of these career politicians mostly care about the Status Quo. they are already rich beyond anyone's dreams and want to remain so. I have been told at DFA meetups that the progressive movement can include Libertarians, Greens, Independents; essentially anyone who wants to fight against fascism. this partisan bickering is NOT effective!
personally, I don't think the old guard Dems have the balls to do what needs to be done. they mostly care about the Stock Market and the latest poll that may affect their next election.

Kerry is just the poster boy for this faction.

Gore can speak more bravely and elloquently than Kerry. I think Kerry disappeared because he is/was a ringer.