Can't Improve Upon GOP Research Of Kerry

[DrFunkenstein]

Who Is John Kerry?

107th Congress, 2001 Senate Votes

Against The Bush Tax Cut: Kerry voted against a $1.35 trillion tax cut package to reduce income-tax rates, alleviate the "marriage penalty" and gradually repeal the estate tax.

For Reducing Size Of The Tax Cut: Kerry voted to reduce Bush's proposed tax cut ceiling by $448 billion over 10 years.

Against Ashcroft Nomination: Kerry voted against confirming John Ashcroft to be Attorney General.

106th Congress, 1999-2000 Senate Votes

Against Genetic Privacy: Kerry voted against approving a GOP plan to restrict use of genetic information by health insurers.

For Expanding Hate Crime Protections: Kerry voted to include gender, sexual orientation and disability in federal hate crime protections.

Against Reducing Taxes: Kerry voted against reducing federal taxes by $792 billion over 10 years.

105th Congress, 1997-98 Senate Votes

Against Banning Partial-Birth Abortion: Kerry voted against a ban on "partial-birth" abortions.

Against Banning Cloning: Kerry voted against allowing vote to ban human cloning.

Against Educational Savings Accounts: Kerry voted against allowing a vote to create educational savings accounts.

Against Fiscally Responsible Budget: Kerry voted against approving a GOP budget to cut spending and taxes.

Against Balanced-Budget Amendment: Kerry voted against approving a balanced-budget constitutional amendment.

104th Congress, 1995-96 Senate Votes

Against Balancing The Budget: Kerry voted against a bipartisan plan to balance the budget in seven years.

Against Tort Reform: Kerry voted against allowing a vote to approve a cap on punitive damages in product liability cases.

103rd Congress, 1993-94 Senate Votes

Against Spending Reductions: Kerry voted to kill an amendment to reduce budget spending by $94 billion.
For The Largest Tax Increase In American History: Kerry voted to pass Clinton's budget that raised taxes and cut spending.

102nd Congress, 1991-92 Senate Votes

Against Stopping Missile Defense Spending Cuts: Kerry voted against a motion to kill an amendment that proposed deeper cuts in SDI spending.

Against School Choice: Kerry voted against approving a school-choice pilot program.

Against Thomas Nomination: Kerry voted against confirming Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court.

For Defense Spending Reductions: Kerry voted to transfer $3.1 billion to domestic programs from Defense department accounts.

101st Congress, 1989-90 Senate Votes

Against Flag Burning Amendment: Kerry voted against a constitutional amendment on flag desecration.

Against Parental Notification For Minors' Abortions: Kerry voted to kill an amendment requiring parental notice for minors' abortions.

Against Considering A Capitol Gains Tax Cut: Kerry voted against allowing a vote on a capital gains tax cut.

100th Congress, 1987-88 Senate Votes

Against Death Penalty For Drug-Related Murders: Kerry voted against approving the death penalty for drug-related murders.

Against Bork Nomination: Kerry voted against confirming Supreme Court Nominee Judge Robert H. Bork.

99th Congress, 1985-86 Senate Votes

Against Rehnquist Nomination: Kerry voted against the confirmation of William Rehnquist to become the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

KERRY'S INTEREST GROUP RATINGS


<>

http://www.rnc.org/Newsroom/RNCResearch/research012303-2.htm

[FlemingsGhost]

1. What was his vote on the Iraq invasion?

I've forgotten.

[Parche]

2. Kerry

He has explained his vote for
the use of force
it was not a vote to invade

[FlemingsGhost]

4. "Gee honey...

my insistance to have intercourse, wasn't an invitation for you to get pregnant."

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

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

[FlemingsGhost]

9. Thanks, Will.

Excellent debate technique.

[WilliamPitt]

12. Read post #10

[Parche]

13. Kerry

Just as Kerry explained his vote and his views
which were right
Some people need to listen to his speeches
JohnKerry.com

[TLM]

48. Sorry I'm taking Kerry's own advice...

“If You Don’t Believe In The U.N. ... Or You Don’t Believe Saddam Hussein Is A Threat With Nuclear Weapons, Then You Shouldn’t Vote For Me.” (Ronald Brownstein, “On Iraq, Kerry Appears Either Torn Or Shrewd,” Los Angeles Times, 1/31/03)

[DrFunkenstein]

52. Not An Imminent Threat

According to the CIA's report, all US intelligence experts agree that Iraq is seeking nuclear weapons. There is little question that Saddam Hussein wants to develop nuclear weapons. The more difficult question to answer is when Iraq could actually achieve this goal. That depends on is its ability to acquire weapons-grade fissile material.

If Iraq could acquire this material from abroad, the CIA estimates that it could have a nuclear weapon within one year. Absent a foreign supplier, the CIA estimates that Iraq would not be able to produce a weapon until the last half of this decade.

http://www.johnkerry.com/news/speeches/spc_2002_1009.html

But I appreciate your concern.

[TLM]

47. OMG that should be Kerry's campaign slogan....

[Feanorcurufinwe]

3. What was Dean's vote on the Iraq resolution?

Dean did actually vote, right? He wouldn't lie about it in a prepared speech, would he?

[FlemingsGhost]

7. Who said anything about Dean?

Oh... you did.

[WilliamPitt]

10. Why are you starting this fight?

You are, you know. You. Above is one hell of a record. If you lived ten lifetimes, you'd fail to measure up to that record above. I would too.

Dems Unite. Yeah right. Practice what you preach.

[FlemingsGhost]

21. Folks can "unite" for varied causes...

When all else fails, question one's motives and character, right?

[WilliamPitt]

5. Do you have anything to say about the entire career described above?

[FlemingsGhost]

17. Kerry has served this country and the Democratic Party well.

One of the good guys.

His support for an illegal, and immoral invasion of a sovereign nation however, should limit him to his current position.

[WilliamPitt]

Fair enough

A sound opinion. Why all the shit-slinging above? People talk about the tone on DU being poor. This thread was started to point out one hell of a record. Rather than post reasoned dissent, like you just did, you came in looking for a fight. If you wanted a fight, good on ya, but change your screen name.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

31. No Will. It was not even a sound opinion.

Kerry supported the President to act responsibly. Period.

[TLM]

49. And if anybody should know the Bush family would abuse power

it should be Bush's own frat brother.


Kerry had a good record, but has spent the last 3 years rolling out the red carpet for W and voting for most of the crap Bush sent down the pipe.

He supported the war, his campaign even going so far as to attack Dean for insisting on having the Un behind any troop action back in Febuary.


But the reaction to Dean hit a nerve in the Kerry camp. Kerry's campaign manager, Jim Jordan, snapped at Dean's insistence on getting U.N. backing (a position supported by three-quarters of Democrats and 53 percent of Independents). "Gov. Dean, in effect, seems to be giving the U.N. veto power over national security decisions of the United States. That's an extraordinary proposition, one never endorsed by any U.S. president or serious candidate for the presidency," he told the Associated Press' Ron Fournier.


And Kerry also said...


“If You Don’t Believe In The U.N. ... Or You Don’t Believe Saddam Hussein Is A Threat With Nuclear Weapons, Then You Shouldn’t Vote For Me.” (Ronald Brownstein, “On Iraq, Kerry Appears Either Torn Or Shrewd,” Los Angeles Times, 1/31/03)



He now supports keeping parts of Bush's tax cut... which has to upset his supporters who have spent so much time pounding the meme that Kerry was against them... and he voted for 350 billion of Bush's second tax cut.

He voted for the patriot act... no cild left behind... sat out the PBA vote and Kerry's war vote was a vote for his career over what was best for this country... and that is exactly why he will not have my support in the primary.

[DrFunkenstein]

54. Did I mention NCLB Was Kennedy's Baby?

The original version called for adequate funding and local flexibility. The Harkin amendment, which Kerry voted for, went even further.

[Parche]

23. Kerry's vote

Like I have said before he has explained
his vote for the use of force, which was by the way
the last resort, and actually not an OK to invade
anyone, GW Bush took it upon himself to dissolve our
friendships with the rest of the world and set the
invasion in motion.

[displacedtexan]

8. a bit more info...

Senator John Forbes Kerry (MA)


Current Office: U.S. Senator
Current District: Junior Seat
Office Seeking: President
First Elected: 11/06/84
Last Elected: 11/05/02
Next Election: 2008
Party: Democrat

Committees:
Finance
Commerce, Science & Transportation
Foreign Relations
Small Business and Entrepreneurship , Ranking Member



Background Information
Gender: Male
Family: Wife: Teresa Heinz
2 Daughters: Alexandra, Vanessa
3 Stepsons: John, Andre, Christopher.
Birthdate: 12/11/43
Birthplace: Denver, CO
Home City: Boston, MA
Religion: Roman Catholic

Education:
JD, Boston College Law School, 1976
BA, Political Science, Yale University, 1966.

Professional Experience:
First Assistant District Attorney, Middlesex County, MA, 1977-1982
Attorney, Admitted Massachusetts Bar, 1976
Lieutenant, United States Navy, 1966-1970
Received Silver Star, Bronze Star, 3 Purple Hearts, 2 Presidential Unit Citations and a National Defense Medal.

Political Experience:
Senator, United States Senate, 1984-present
Lieutenant Governor, Massachusetts, 1983-1985
Democratic Nominee, United States House of Representatives, 1972.

Organizations:
Leader, Vietnam Veterans Against the War
Co-Founder, Vietnam Veterans of America.

Caucuses/Non-Legislative Comittees:
Co-Chair, Congressional Vietnam-Era Veterans Caucus
Chair, Democratic Steering Committee
Chair, Hispanic Task Force
Senate New Democrat Coalition






Biographical
Issue Positions(NPAT)
Campaign Finances
Interest Group Ratings
Voting Record
Additional Biographical Information
Speeches and Public Statements
Endorsements
Fun Facts
Campaign Schedule



Contact Information
Washington DC EMail Address:
[e-mail]
Campaign EMail Address:
[e-mail]
Washington DC Web Address:
http://kerry.senate.gov/
Campaign Web Address:
http://www.johnkerry.com
Campaign Web Mail Address:
http://www.johnkerry.net/conta ...
Campaign Web Address (Spanish):
http://www.johnkerry.com/esp/

Washington DC Address
304 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-2102
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Campaign Address - Atlanta
1100 Spring Street, Suite 360
Atlanta, GA 30309
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Campaign Address - California
6100 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 225
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Campaign Address - Chicago
101 West Grand Avenue, Suite 200
Chicago, IL 60610
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Campaign Address - Des Moines
John Kerry for President, Inc.
1500 Locust Street
Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: [phone]
Fax:

Campaign Address - Florida
201 South Biscayne Boulevard
Suite 2700, Miami Center
Miami, FL 33131
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Campaign Address - Houston
3200 Travis Street, Third Floor
Houston, TX 77006
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Campaign Address - Manchester
John Kerry for President, Inc.
195 McGregor Street, Center Entrance
Manchester, NH
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Campaign Address - Massachusetts
John Kerry for President, Inc.
197 Portland Street, Third Floor
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Campaign Address - New Jersey
50 Northfield Avenue
West Orange, NJ 07052
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Campaign Address - New York
373 Park Avenue South, Ninth Floor
New York, NY 10016-8805
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Campaign Address - Washington, DC
John Kerry for President, Inc.
519 C Street, Northeast
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

District Address - Boston
1 Bowdoin Square, 10th Floor
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

District Address - Fall River
222 Milliken Place, Suite 311
Fall River, MA 02722
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

District Address - Springfield
One Financial Plaza, 12th Floor
Springfield, MA 01103
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

District Address - Worcester
90 Madison Place, Room 205
Worcester, MA 01608
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]



Roll Call Vote Analysis
Year Voting Participation Party Support Presidential Support
2002 96% 92% 72%
2001 98% 98% 65%
2000 95% 96% 97%
1999 99% 95% 93%
Source: Congressional Quarterly


http://www.vote-smart.org/bio.php?can_id=S0421103&PHPSESSID=0559a9997ea888ccc572fb08a0811120

[JNelson6563]

11. Very nice

All of what you list will enable me to support Kerry if he won the nomination. Because I think his IR vote was politically motivated I work for another to win that nom.

Here's an interesting blurb that helps to demonstrate how I feel about that fateful vote that you omitted:

Roger Simon notes that the gulf between Democrats and their leaders has narrowed somewhat.

"The fact is that many Democratic leaders voted for the war resolution last year because they either believed it was the right thing to do or the politically wise thing to do. They thought back then that their party was behind them. Now, they know better."

But it may re-open once the war ends.

"But the top tier is not worried: They think the war will be swift and victorious, that Saddam will be removed and that the liberated Iraqi people will happy to see us. Then, they say privately, Howard Dean will have no issue to get cheers with and the Democrats will return to their senses."

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/politics/dailynews/TheNote_March18.html

Why did the GOP omit the IR vote? Did I overlook it? Did the GOP leave it out of it's "anti-Kerry" talking points as it might win points from a few Rs?

Julie

[DrFunkenstein]

36. GOP (Thanks Again!) Explains Why Kerry's Vote Wasn't Calculation

Compare what Kerry was saying in 1997 to now, and tell me if there's any difference.

“Saddam Hussein cannot be permitted to go unobserved and unimpeded toward his horrific objective of amassing a stockpile of weapons of mass destruction. This is not a matter about which there should be any debate whatsoever in the Security Council, or, certainly, in this Nation.” (Sen. John Kerry, Congressional Record, 11/9/97)

Senate Intelligence Committee Member Kerry Said U.S. Must Do What It Has To Do To Address “Grave Threat.” “While we should always seek to take significant international actions on a multilateral rather than a unilateral basis whenever that is possible, if in the final analysis we face what we truly believe to be a grave threat to the well-being of our Nation or the entire world and it cannot be removed peacefully, we must have the courage to do what we believe is right and wise.” (Sen. John Kerry, Congressional Record, 11/9/97)

http://www.rnc.org/Newsroom/RNCResearch/research061903.htm

See how consistent Kerry has been through the years at this site. While he was clearly agonized by the IWR, he voted from a long-held conviction. While you may disagree with his choice between two crappy options, you cannot look at his floor speech and say he wouldn't have handled the situation magnificently.

[JNelson6563]

37. Not so magnificent

to be taken in by the BFEE. That is my take on the IR vote.

Like I said, he's go tmy vote if he wins the nom. Him standing shoulder to shoulder with Jr when it really counted means I work for another to win the nom.

Julie

[NewYorkerfromMass]

38. uh.....that was Gephardt standing shoulder to shoulder w/ Shrub

in the Rose garden.

[DrFunkenstein]

41. Kerry, Like Daschle, Was Pissed At The Rose Gardeners

Gephardt Caves
Editorial

HOUSE MINORITY Leader Richard A. Gephardt acceded to the drums of war on Wednesday, agreeing to an overly broad resolution authorizing President George W. Bush to attack Iraq. In the process, Mr. Gephardt undermined efforts in the Senate to limit the war authority to disarmament, rather than regime change.

Mr. Gephardt -- who was joined by other centrist Democrats, including Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut -- claimed to have won important concessions from Mr. Bush, and waxed on about how "this should not be about politics." But the concessions he won were minor, and his actions appear to be driven by the political imperatives of the coming election.

Before Mr. Gephardt decided to cave in on the war resolution, Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D. had hoped to make the Biden-Lugar resolution the basis of a vote in the Senate. That now appears unlikely. Mr. Biden said Wednesday that he was a realist and knew that the new compromise, ballyhooed Wednesday afternoon in the White House Rose Garden, pretty much meant the end of his approach.

Mr. Gephardt has long favored regime change in Iraq and called Saddam a serious threat. But as recently as two weeks ago he said that Mr. Bush was not justified in waging war to overthrow Saddam, only in disarming him -- a position exactly in line with the Biden-Lugar resolution he has torpedoed.

http://www.commondreams.org/views02/1003-01.htm

[JNelson6563]

42. I should have been more clear

I didn't mean literally. He and most Dems did so though when they voted for the IWR. Presenting a united front and all yanno.

Julie

[ShaneGR]

14. Why is RNC research trashing a Democrat on my screen

I'm blind and now I have to wash out my eyes.

THANKS A LOT!

[WilliamPitt]

16. That's the kind of trashing I could live with

:)

[Bandit]

15. "Clinton's budget that raised taxes and cut spending."

No tax and spend there. Raised taxes on wealthy and cut spending which led to largest economic growth in American history.

[HFishbine]

18. Okay, I have a legitimate question

Not sniping here, just genuinely curious:

"Against Genetic Privacy: Kerry voted against approving a GOP plan to restrict use of genetic information by health insurers."

I know that this may not be described completely, yet such restrictions don't sound like a bad idea to me.

And what about this one? Again, on its face it sounds like a good idea:

"Against Educational Savings Accounts: Kerry voted against allowing a vote to create educational savings accounts."

[WilliamPitt]

20. genetic information by health insurers = stem cell research

[HFishbine]

24. Will

Health insurers doing stem cell research?

[WilliamPitt]

25. Good point

Not sure. The educational accounts was a privatization scam.

[HFishbine]

26. Privatization?

Of education? Like a savings account to pay for private school?

[WilliamPitt]

28. Vouchers

[HFishbine]

29. Educational Savings Accounts

Okay, the scoop.
---------------

The educational savings accounts were obviously a way for parents of kids in private school to subsidize their tuition (not vouchers exactly):

Vote to pass a bill that would permit tax-free savings accounts of up to $2000 per child annually to be used for public or private school tuition or other education expenses.

Right. What parent with a kid in public shools is going to have $2,000 in education expenses.

[sistersofmercy]

40. I believe the genetic info for denying coverage relates to the discovery

of the loci of genes for disease such as Huntington's Disease which hits an individual later in life and is quite costly for treatment. The insurance cos were seeking to exclude coverage for ppl who through genetic testing could be found to be carrying the gene. In other words, rather than using genetic testing to further treatments which could alleviate the side effects of devastating genetic diseases the insurance cos were seeking genetic disclosure to apply the preexisting condition clause.

[janekat]

19. Yeah - but who cares if he has YEARS of voting progressively

It's out the window now.... Don't you understand convoluted logic? LOL!

[JNelson6563]

22. I think some may call it

"How'd he do when it mattered the most and it was a huge gamble to do the right thing?" sort of thinking.

Pointing and laughing at those you disagree with will not eradicate that fact.

Julie

[sfecap]

27. You forgot this one.....

Balanced Budget Act - Conference Report



Bill Number: HR 2015
Issue: Budget
Date: 07/31/1997
Sponsor:


Roll Call Number: 0209
Conference report adopted
Full Member List


Senator John Forbes Kerry voted YES.

Vote to adopt the conference report on a bill to provide for a balanced budget by 2002. The bill reduces spending by $270 billion over 5 years, including reductions of $115 billion in the rate of growth of Medicare spending, and $140 billion in discretionary spending reductions. The bill includes $24 billion in block grants to the states to provide health insurance to uninsured low income children, partially funded by an increase in the tobacco tax; restores Medicaid and SSI benefits to children as well as legal immigrants in the country before the passage of the welfare reform bill; expands Medicare preventive care coverage; and expands the type of health plans available to Medicare recipients including allowing some Medical Savings Accounts, among other provisions.

HR 2015: The Balanced Budget Act

Vote to adopt the joint House-Senate conference report of the bill to balance the budget by 2002 by reducing spending by $270 billion over five years. The bill includes provisions to reduce the rate of growth of Medicare spending by $130 billion over five years, mainly through reducing reimbursements to health care providers. It also increases Medicare preventive care coverage, including mammograms for women over 40, and expands the kind of health plans available to Medicare recipients, including allowing up to 390,000 people to choose Medical Savings Accounts. Over five years the bill increases Medicare Part B premiums up to $60 per month, provides $1.5 billion to help low income people pay their Medicare premiums, and reduces Medicaid spending by $13 billion. The bill provides $24 billion to the states for health insurance for low income uninsured children, partially financed by a gradual 15-cent increase in the tobacco tax. The bill restores SSI and Medicaid coverage to disabled children, and to legal immigrants who were in the country before the passage of the 1996 welfare reform act. The bill also requires discretionary spending reductions of $140 billion over five years, among other provisions.
(Conference report adopted 85-15 on 7/31/97)

Bill Status:
Bill Number: HR 2015 - 105th Congress (1997-98)
House Passage Vote: 06/25/97 - Outcome: Passed
Senate Passage Vote: 06/25/97 - Outcome: Passed
House Conference Report Vote: 07/30/97 - Outcome: Passed
Senate Conference Report Vote: 07/31/97 - Outcome: Passed
Presidential Action: Signed on 08/05/97
Public Law Number: 105-33 111 Stat. 251

http://vote-smart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?vote_id=1392&can_id=S0421103

Kerry voted against the original Bill, then voted to pass the Conference Report (which slightly modified the original) and send the legislation to the President for his signature. Looks like JK thinks cutting Medicare spending is fine.

Gee...reducing Medicare spending, and using a tax on tobacco to fund programs...who has he criticized about that lately?

[DrFunkenstein]

35. The Difference Between '95 (Dean) and '97 (Kerry)

"In the last few days, sensing the political fallout, Dean has come up with a fresh explanation: He was doing something that Clinton supported and actually signed into law. This is even more misleading, an apples and oranges mixture that makes what happened two years later sound like what happened in 1995-96.

Nothing could be further from the truth. What Clinton signed in 1997 was a law that finally produced a tax cut for ordinary families (introducing the child tax credit, subsequent increases in which Dean now says he wants repealed), and containing spending cuts to pay for it. It is often referred to as the Balanced Budget Act, but in fact it was the booming economy that produced the huge surplus at the end of the '90s. This law, more accurately, produced a tax cut that was responsibly funded.

The spending cuts included a large bite out of Medicare but not the same kind of bite the Republicans fought for with Dean's help in '95. This time around, instead of attacking the beneficiaries (which Clinton opposed), it reduced Medicare payments to providers like hospitals, nursing homes, and physicians. By bipartisan consensus it went too far, especially in its harmful effect on large teaching hospitals, and much of the money has since been restored.

Dean now says his willingness to go after middle-class entitlements reflected the deficit crisis of the mid-'90s, but this is also a misleading position. The fact is that the deficit reduction program enacted in Clinton's first year had already put the country on the right road. What the Republicans were pushing in '95 was revolution."

http://www.politicsus.com/presidential%20press%20releases/Gephardt/100403BG.htm

[HFishbine]

30. More Scoop - Kerry's Vote on Genetic Privacy

"Against Genetic Privacy: Kerry voted against approving a GOP plan to restrict use of genetic information by health insurers."

Man. Is lying just a way of doing business with the GOP?

Here's the scoop:
-----------

The legislation to restrict the use of genetic information by insurance companies actually came before the Senate as two different amendments to a House appropriations bill. One offered by Daschle, the other by Jeffords.

Both would prohibit insurers from using predictive genetic information to deny insurance coverage or set rates.

Both would make taking such a test at the insurance company's request optional.

HOWEVER, if you did consent to such a test, the Jeffords ammendment would require the insurance company to provide you with a written notice of their privacy policy. They could share the information, but they'd just have to tell you who they were going to share it with.

The Daschle amendment would, if you consented to a predictive genetic test, prohibit the insurance company from sharing the information, period.

In other words, as long as the insurance company put it in writing that they were going to do so, they could, under the Jefffors amendment, share your test results with your employer, your insurance agent, the Medical Information Bureau, or anybody else the insurance company deemed appropriate.

Kerry voted for the Daschle amendment-- the more restrictive amendment. It was the first to be introduced and it passed. Then the less restrictive Jefford's amendment was introduced, and although Kerry rightly voted against this one, it passed too. Effectively replacing the Daschle amendment.

It was Kerry's vote on this second, weaker amendment that they lying fucks of the GOP would like to use to have you believe that Kerry voted against medical privacy.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d106:h.r.04577:

[Octafish]

32. Solid record as a real DEMOCRAT.

No wonder the GOP smear machine works 24/7 on the guy. And the media? They're AWOL as far as Kerry is concerned.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

33. worse than AWOL- they are torpedoing Kerry like he's still on a swift boat

He is being 'Gored' like Gore never was- John Kerry's cheesesteak at Pat's

[Octafish]

34. We've been saying it for over a year on DU.

Sen. Kerry is our strongest candidate for kicking the Little Turd back to Crawford.

He's the one Rove fears: unassailable on his record as a true war hero, as a true Democrat, and a true leader.

What really saddens me, are the posters on DU who don't respect that.

[TLM]

50. Kerry torpedoed himself with his IWR vote...

and his vote for 350 billion of bush's tax cuts... his vote for the patriot act... his vote for no child left behind... his sitting out the pba ban vote... and his attacks on Dean for insisting the Un back any action in Iraq, which Kerry now says he supports.


Kerry can make up all the convoluted excuses he wants, but I think it is clear that he voted for the IWR because he was afraid voting against it would hurt his career.

Now that it turns out voting for it HURT his career and cost him support... his supporters are acting that that's Dean's fault or the media's fault. The fact is that it is Kerry's fault.

Face it, Kerry fucked up... he slid right over the last few years, and was more interested in covering his ass than doing what was right, and he's paying for that now.

I guess he didn't figure that this would be the year that a massive grass roots movement would mobilize behind an outsider and put an end to the status quo.

Just imagine, if Kerry had voted no, he'd be as unstoppable as Dean is right now. He has nobody to blame but himself.

[DrFunkenstein]

53. You Should Re-Examine Dean's Position

On Feb. 20, Dean told Salon.com that "if the U.N. in the end chooses not to enforce its own resolutions, then the U.S. should give Saddam 30 to 60 days to disarm, and if he doesn't, unilateral action is a regrettable, but unavoidable, choice."

That's hardly insisting that the UN back any action in Iraq.

As for Kerry voting out of calculations, he wasn't up for re-election in 1997:

“Saddam Hussein cannot be permitted to go unobserved and unimpeded toward his horrific objective of amassing a stockpile of weapons of mass destruction. This is not a matter about which there should be any debate whatsoever in the Security Council, or, certainly, in this Nation.”

“While we should always seek to take significant international actions on a multilateral rather than a unilateral basis whenever that is possible, if in the final analysis we face what we truly believe to be a grave threat to the well-being of our Nation or the entire world and it cannot be removed peacefully, we must have the courage to do what we believe is right and wise.” (Sen. John Kerry 11/9/97)

You may disagree with his vote, but there was conviction behind it.

As for the "status quo," Kerry has the record you wish Dean had. But keep talking about IWR. It saves you the trouble of admitting Dean's foriegn policy is supremely lightweight.

[blm]

55. Bring up Hart's critique of Dean's foreign policy and you get

cuts on Hart. As if his opinion doesn't matter.

[blm]

43. They ignore Kerry, Edwards and Kucinich.

Sharpton they love to chuckle over and Carol M...Who?

[DrFunkenstein]

44. I Second That Emotion

It is amazing that Kerry maintains such high numbers despite the media's hostile relationship to him.

[blm]

51. That''s the rub. He's still up in the pack even though he

gets little press on his positions and the issues, and an inordinate amount of negative press, which mostly covers him only in relation to the horserace and Dean.

[Karmadillo]

39. Kick

n/t

[mitchum]

45. kick

[0rganism]

46. That's quite an endorsement, hehe

Kerry has quite a record to run on. Now if he could only embrace it, and forget about constantly checking himself and moderating his tone, he could be a real people-mover. Seems like he's always stopping halfway; I want to see him open up and be the liberal we all know he is, deep inside.