I'm trying to like John Kerry...

[sfecap]

But having watched his speech, I can only think of one word....boring.

I'm sorry...I really want to be able to look past his votes on the Patriot Act and the IWR, I want to see beyond his political waffling, but he gives me nothing to get excited about.

He doesn't appear to have the "fire in the belly" for the job. I appreciate some of what he has to say, but he is totally unmotivating. He doesn't make me want to get up and cheer.

And the overdose of military rah rah stuff...big deal. There is more to being President than a military record. It means nothing to me in terms of candidacy.

If he somehow gets the nomination, I'm afraid we will have four more years of the chimp. I just don't see how he can get voters excited about the election, and turn them out.

Sorry, Kerry supporters, but that's just one voters take on him. I am not trying to bash Kerry, and I know I don't cut him much slack here, but this is my impression.

[vi5]

1. I think his fire is going to come...

I'm not a Kerry supporter but I'm happy to have the problem of being torn between two great candidates (I'm currently getting behind Dean after much indecision between these two great men).

I think they both are taking different campaign approaches. Dean has sprinted out of the gate, which he needed to do to make a name for himself. He's proven to me that he has the strategy and the campaign and the staff to be a formidable opponent in 2004.

However, I still really like Kerry and if he's the nominee I think he's going to be just as formidable an opponent against * in 2004, albeit for different reasons. I just think he's taking the attitude that slow and steady wins this race.

Either way, Dean or Kerry I think we all come out winners in this thing despite what the rabid Dean bashers and rabid Kerry bashers say.

[DJcairo]

2. You've hated Kerry all along

Why would watching a speech by him change your mind?

[sfecap]

14. Don't be idiotic.

I don't hate John Kerry. Take a deep breath and understand the difference between an opinion and hatred.

I'm a voter...there are many like me.

[Old and In the Way]

45. You may not hate him, but you have been posting a lot of anti-Kerry

threads lately. So I do find this post rather disingenuous.

[sfecap]

50. So...it is disengeuous to question any candidate?

This is a race. Not a tea party.

If Kerry can't stand the heat here, what's he gonna do in the vast hinterlands of the American political landscape?

All of the candidates get a turn in the barrel. (Except Dean...he get's it everyday...)

[Old and In the Way]

72. No, it's disingenous when you try and tell us that you want to like

the candidate and then proceed to give us 20 reasons why you hate him....

But boring is the best reason, I think.

[demnan]

3. I've heard Kerry at other times when I liked him more

Back last year he was my first choice (well he was the only choice) because he came out and said he would fight Bush on stuff. But his Senate record disappointed me somewhat. I'm lukewarm on Kerry. Although I did see him on 60 Minutes II and he seemed really personable there. I guess he's like Al Gore, can seem somewhat stiff on the campaign trail, where in private he is warmer.

[PurpHaze69]

4. Kerry IS boring.

He doesn't stand for anything. It's the same old generic shit all candidates spout off. I hate shrub, but Kerry can't beat em.

[Old and In the Way]

46. Right, PurpHaze69

I'm sure you remember John's anti-war positions that helped to end the war in VietNam. I remember and I am grateful for the VVAW who helped to bring it to an end.

Boring...right. As relevant as calling Dean, bombastic or Kucinich, boyish.

[searchingforlight]

5. I would vote for Kerry if he was nominated and be proud of him as

a candidate. I believe he is sincere and a good man.

That said, I agree with you. He doesn't excite me when he speaks and he doesn't seem to have the energy or enthusiasm that will win over fence sitters.

Another person's opinion.

[DJcairo]

7. Please, this is so negative.

Last I checked, "boring" has nothign to do with Vietnam Vet who is serving a fourth term inthe US Senate and who just called Bush radical and pledged independence from Middle East oil in a decade. It was inspriring. This is high point for us Kerry supporters and maybe, just maybe, you guys can try not spoiling our enthusiasm. If you'd like to debate issues fine, but "boring" is meaningless.

[searchingforlight]

11. My intent is to only give my opinion.

He has to appeal to all voters to be elected. If you can't handle other opinions, that's your problem.

I don't find his style exciting or compelling. I don't feel that is bashing him or his character. It is just stating my opinion which (last time I looked) I am allowed to do.

I will vote for him if he is elected and I support your right to be enthusiastic about him as a candidate. Your defensiveness is alienating.


On edit: I know many Viet Nam Vets. I am married to one. That war ran our life from 1963 until 1970's. My husband is a good man but I don't feel that he is qualified to be President. I know many Vets who are supporting this war and rabid about it. That one fact, though admirable, does not mean much in the grand scheme of things.

[sfecap]

19. Nobody is spoiling your enthusiasm.

Have at it. I think it's great!

However, my wife and I watched the speech. She got up and left 10 minutes into it. She is a voter who wants to look at all of the candidates, too. Her impression was the same as mine.

And please stop with the war hero shit. It's also boring, and not too relevant.

Look, get behind Kerry and work hard for him. I do admire your enthusiasm. He just doesn't do it for me.

Tell you what...I'm going to the debate Thursday night in Albuquerque. I'll have a chance to see him up close, maybe he'll light the fire...

[renie408]

57. 'Boring' may not have anything to do with Vietnam

but it has a lot to do with winning the hearts and minds of American voters. One of the problems that we have in this country is poor voter turn out. We need a nominee that gets people on the edge of their seats, that makes their hearts beat a little faster. We need a leader in these tough times that gives us hope. Kerry may be a capable leader and I honestly think he is probably NOT really the Tin Man, but unless they find a better way of letting people in on the 'real' Kerry than putting pictures of him on a Harley on his website, he is going to have a tough time winning the nomination. That is NOT criticism so much of him as of the people handling his presentation to the country. Some people just aren't good in front of crowds. But it is up to his campaign people to help him relax and to figure out ways to make him seem more approachable.

[Garage Queen]

41. I thought Kerry did a good job this morning on the morning talk shows

Did anyone else notice that he was on ABC, CBS and NBC simultaneously? heh heh heh. I noticed that when I rapidly flipped channels.

After watching his pre-Announcment interview on The Today Show I must say that the "boring" critique, while valid, is overstated. He seemed to be a very reasonable, thoughtful and intelligent man with well-thought-out positions. His energy level could have been a little higher; then again, I'm no ball of fire at 7AM. :7 And he did give it to * pretty good ... SEVERAL times.

However at one point I thought "sound bite, Kerry. Give 'em a sound bite." Unlike *, he speaks in complete sentences. Looooong complete sentences. IMHO he'll have to sprinkle a few sound bites here and there in his speeches to more effectively get his message out.

Overall: while I'm supporting another candidate, I feel Kerry is a great addition to the "official" pool of Democratic candidates, and look forward to supporting WHOMEVER comes out on top.

Anybody But Bush in 2004!

[chimpymustgo]

6. Well that personable guy, AWOL must really turn you on.

Geez. I'm looking for smart, courageous leadership. Not somebody to turn me on.

[molly]

8. Don't strain yourself!!!

and quit starting posts with a notso hidden agenda. :puke:

[virtualobserver]

10. cmon, molly...couldn't you hear the disappointment in his words..

when he reached the sad realization that Kerry was not moving him?

[molly]

12. All I heard was a sarcastic evil snicker

[Cha]

18. And all I hear from you is Sour Grapes!

[liberalnurse]

23. Hi zidzi ...

Glad to see ya pop in.... :hi:

:yourock:

[Cha]

37. Hi liberalnurse!

Thanks! Good to see you're on Board, too! :yourock:
:hi:

[sfecap]

20. Clean out your ears, then.

You bash away here, and I give an opinion. Last time I checked I have a right to that.

You don't like it, put me on ignore.

And please grow up.

[molly]

25. I don't put anyone on ignore - I may miss something

"please grow up" ? I am not an immature CULTIST blindly following questioning NOTHING - refusing to see the TRUTH!

[virtualobserver]

28. do you question Kerry's vote on the Patriot Act.

or his vote on the War resolution....

[molly]

29. ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!

[diamondsoul]

83. *blinks* Why-ever not?

I question my candidate's votes all the time if I find them disturbing!

[molly]

85. Kerry's vote has been documented here time and time again

I understand his vote. I am NOT disturbed. Go - study - learn - evolve.....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=262154

[sfecap]

35. A CULTIST never questions...

:-)

[renie408]

59. Nope

A cultist believes their leader when he tells them what he would do if he were in a fictional position. Like when he says that if he were a senator, he would never vote for the authorization to use force.

[sfecap]

32. Well, Molly...I guess the truth is perception...

You have yours and I have mine.

You have done nothing but insult supporters of Howard Dean. You attack him every opportunity you get, and now you whine when I offer an opinion of Kerry. If Kerry is your dream candidate, fine. But try to understand, others may view him differently, and that is very valid in a race for the nomination.

The key to this race is motivating and turning out voters. I am not sure (at this point) whether Kerry can do that. Time will tell.

[Cha]

36. The truth is kerry voted for the Patriot Act and the Iraqi Resolution...

allowing bush to Bomb the Shit out of Iraq!

And now they've got fallout over there that's getting more lethel by the minute!

"SOLDIERS and civilians in Iraq face a health timebomb after dangerously high levels of radiation were measured around Baghdad.

Levels between 1,000 and 1,900 times higher than normal were recorded at four sites around the Iraqi capital where depleted uranium (DU) munitions have been used across wide areas.

Experts estimate that Britain and the US used 1,100 to 2,200 tons of armour-piercing shells made of DU during attacks on Iraqi forces"

[virtualobserver]

38. this will come back to haunt anybody who authorized the war

it is disgusting.

[Cha]

40. It's more than "disgusting"! It's a Crime Against Humanity!

[indigo32]

48. I am not an immature CULTIST blindly following question Nothing ????

it's shit like that that really makes me want to :puke:, can't you find a better way to support/defend your candidate? I understand you're pissed at the poster for calling Kerry boring, but I'm tired of hearing that mantra, and I'm gonna let people know it. It's bullshit.

[molly]

86. Go learn - educate yourself

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=262154

[indigo32]

98. Molly

Ughh You just don't get it. Go read, educate myself. WTF do you think I'm doing here? Christ. I'm sick of being lectured to.

[sfecap]

24. No hidden agenda.

Just ONE voters opinion. And there are (hopefully) millions of us who will listen, observe, consider, then vote.

I sincerely hope Kerry can crank it up a few notches. I really do. He won't beat the chimp by putting voters to sleep.

[liberalnurse]

9. Me too.

I watched his speech with the intent to become better informed. My mouth dropped to my chin when he repeated Dean's healthcare dream, to have all American with the same healthcare as our Congressman and Senators......

I guess Kerry is an admirer of Howard Dean too.

[molly]

13. The joke is on you - take a look at Vermont's healthcare

system - it is MEDICARE and MEDICAID and not a thing more!

[XanaDUer]

15. I know molly, that's all it is!

Also, I found it interesting that Dennis Kucinich, a great guy, pointed out yesterday that Dr. Dean wants the US healthcare status quo to remain!

I was glad Dennis said that.

[liberalnurse]

33. Then Denny was wrong....he may be fibbing....

Dean does not want to have one plan for all...Folks can opt into his plan if needed or stay with their current plan be it private or employer based.....You obviously misunderstood.

[Andromeda]

90. No, you're wrong.

Dean doesn't want to leave things as they are---he wants to reform and build on what already exists and improve on it incrementally. Bill Clinton's idea of health care for everyone got bogged down because it was so huge and expensive it scared people off. Dean is realistic and knows that there has to be money to pay for it and he has to get bipartisan cooperation to move it.

I don't know what Kucinich said, nor do I care. Just get your facts straight please before you start twisting what Dean said.

[liberalnurse]

17. Similar but not everyone can qualify

for Medicare or Medicaid. I've taken care of many people who have not had any health insurance or primary preventative care. They typically seek care when they pass out and are sent to the emergency room by squad. Example, metastatic cancer, strokes, early renal failure and kidney disease, tuberculosis, emphysema, diabetes and childbirth without any, any prenatal care...etc....

Its a fine start. It will not be successful if you ask for what we actually need at the moment. Start small and build the system. You don't have all the lobbyist from the various powerhouses attacking you at the same time.

[BayCityProgressive]

21. Kerry has advocated healthcare for all

since he was elected to the senate. You people are ridiculous. Everythign isn't about St. Dean. That being said I do think Kerry's speaking style is boring as all hell. Very monotone.

[Cha]

30. I don't think he is "St Dean" ....that statement couldn't be further

from the truth! Dean isn't perfect just like anyone else! I just happen to think he cares about what happens to People and tries to fix it! He wants to get a Health System started that's workable and build from there!

[molly]

31. I want someone to tell us what EXACTLY he has in mind

[BayCityProgressive]

34. Agreed.

I think all the candidates care about the people. To suggest however that Kerry stole the idea of universal care from Dean is MORE than laughable. I am not a Kerry supporter or a supporter of anyone else at this point but these off the wall ridiculous comments by Dean supporters are a turn off. What next Galileo stole the idea that the earth is round from the Dean BLOG?

[Cha]

39. I didn't say kerry stole a freakin' thing! I have other problems

with kerry! Like his vote for the Iraqi Resolution!

Not very courageous!

[BayCityProgressive]

53. Sorry

I wasn't directing that at you.

[liberalnurse]

42. I suggested, identified....

that Kerry stole the line from Dean, that he wants healthcare for all just like our Congressmen and Senators.... Thats been Dean's line for 3 months.....I know because I have seen him 4 times and talked face to face with him in Cincinnati this July at a private fundraiser....

I'm not off base here.....

[DemPopulist]

49. That's an old Ted Kennedy line

From August 12, 1980 (http://www.cs.umb.edu/jfklibrary/e081280.htm):

The President, the Vice President, the members of Congress have a medical plan that meets their needs in full, and whenever senators and representatives catch a little cold, the Capitol physician will see them immediately, treat them promptly, fill a prescription on the spot. We do not get a bill even if we ask for it, and when do you think was the last time a member of Congress asked for a bill from the Federal Government?

I say again, as I have before, if health insurance is good enough for the President, the Vice President and the Congress of the United States, then it is good enough for you and every family in America.

I don't even know if Teddy was the first to use it; I think it's a pretty old argument by national healthcare supporters. But I don't know how many times I've seen Dean supporters attack Kerry or someone for appropriating one of "Dean's lines" when they were using a fairly standard bit of rhetoric. :shrug:

[renie408]

56. Which candidate DOESN'T care?

They all care. Well, maybe Lieberman doesn't. J/K

[library_max]

16. "My Candidate Sucks So Bad That I Have To Attack Yours"

All hail CoffeePlease1947! He has come up with the perfect formula for dispelling all these negative campaign threads! All you Dean-bashers, Kerry-bashers, any-Democrat-bashers, please repeat after me: “MY CANDIDATE SUCKS SO BAD THAT I HAVE TO ATTACK YOURS.”

If I were a Bush supporter, I would be ROFLMAO to see all these Democrats ripping each other to pieces. My candidate in the general election is Anybody But Bush. As for the primaries, I haven’t decided yet. Amazing, ain’t it? Considering that the primaries are only six months away.

Come on, ladies and gentlemen! Unity, please! Eyes on the prize! BUCK FUSH!

[Cha]

22. We don't need scoldings from you! We are allowed to have

our opinion!

And at least one of these posters who gets on and can't take someone's opinion of Kerry has been bashing candidate Dean for months! Wah!

[liberalnurse]

27. Well said.

Ditto observation.....

[renie408]

58. Yeah, right

Poor defenseless Dean. He is just a big ole puddin' that those meanie Kerry supporters have been taking unwarranted shots at.

Give me a break!! I live in the south, I know a pitbull when I see one. Dean has been hanging off a tire in the backyard since this whole thing started. I am not exonerating the Kerry people, just saying that the Dean people have been holding their own from the get go.

[library_max]

79. But what we really need

is a moratorium on bashing on both sides. Chances are pretty good that either Kerry or Dean is going to be the nominee. What are all the activists who committed themselves to hating one or the other going to do then? How hard are we making it for us to work together in the general election to support the eventual nominee, whoever he or she turns out to be?

If we pick at every nit, exaggerate every flaw, demand purity on every issue, we are going to end up with a nominee who has learned to be all things to all people. In as a pig, out as a sausage, as the saying goes. This is what happened to Dukakis. Everybody is going to end up being disgusted with the nominee, the process, and each other. I can't think of a more effective way to cripple our chances in the 2004 election.

[renie408]

92. I said this already.

And it fell on deaf ears. I agree with you, though. If Kerry supporters have a whole lot invested in hating Dean, it is going to make it tough to support him should he win the nomination and vice versa with Dean supporters.

[library_max]

97. Sorry

I was trying to reply to #22.

[killbotfactory]

26. IOW: "My candidate sucks so badly he can't stand up to criticism"

...

[CWebster]

43. Second it

.

[Pavlovs DiOgie]

44. Kerry is somewhat dry

but he could run circles around Bush in a debate. That would be fun to see. I don't think Bush could counter-attack Kerry's long statements, because Bush would get lost after the 5th word.

[polpilot]

47. The only hope is for Dean to continue to energize and bring hope to the

huddled masses of disappointed democrats!!!!...and concerned intelligent repubs too!!

What if the DLC just gave John an EXACT REPLICA of Air Force 1 to fly around in. Would that do it for Kerry?? Would it??

Dean '04...

[burr]

51. Who is the guy with the white beard? Anyone else notice this guy?

I know he's important. He was at most of Bob Kerrey's campaign rallies in the south, and he was at alot of Cleland's rallies as well. My guess is he is a vet, and an associate of Cleland...probably from Georgia. But has he held office, or does he head a major organization for vets?

He always gets seated on the stage, even back in 1992. But he never says anything, these candidates love this guy for some reason. :shrug:

Oh, and it isn't Santa Claus...I already know that he's been kidnapped by terrorists. At least that's the CIA story.

[Cocoa]

52. what's the reason for posting this?

Fine if that's your impression, but jeez it's a little banal for a whole thread.

[renie408]

54. I dunno

It sure got the Kerry supporters hopping out of the woodwork.

[renie408]

55. The REAL people

You know, I wish I could meet these people in person and get a chance to know the person that ISN'T being manipulated by handlers. Kerry impresses me as the kind of guy that looks like he has a stick up his ass in public, but can probably rattle of one liners with the best of them. They would be especially funny coming from this tall, grave-faced man. And Dean, is he really as choleric as he appears? I read that he made sure to leave time open in his schedule for his kid's soccer games and that even when he was governor, he drove his kids to school. But Dean's schtick is to be angry and to rail against...well, everybody, and Kerry's is to be noble and so they are almost typecast and stuck in their roles.

I don't want to harp on this, but Edwards does beautifully in front of an audience. He is able to be eloquent without being pedantic. Kerry always seems to get stuck in his words to me. It really isn't so much WHAT he is saying, but that he says so damn much of it. Sort of like an author that takes two paragraphs to write "Joe walked across the street." You end up losing track of the story because it is too wordy.

[sfecap]

60. There you go!

Good point.

I have met Howard Dean. He was a guest in my home. He is very charasmatic, likeable, forthright and direct when questioned, and generally a very likable person. (Great sense of humor, too...)

I'm going to be seeing him tomorrow night, and I'll be attending the debate in Albuquerque on Thursday. I am hoping I get the chance to meet some of the other candidates. I am certain that they are all very likeable and personable, too. (After all, they ARE politicians...)

BTW, I met Lieberman during the 2000 election ca,paign. Nice guy.

[burr]

61. You must know something I don't...

"But Dean's schtick is to be angry and to rail against...well, everybody, and Kerry's is to be noble and so they are almost typecast and stuck in their roles."

If it was a joke, it needs a punchline. If you are trying to make a point, try to back it up with examples. I have yet to hear Dean criticize anyone but shrub personally, something that even Kerry does. Dean has many great ideas...but is not afraid to criticize the decisions and ideas, or lack of ideas, coming from others.

[renie408]

62. I am SURE

I know many things that you don't. I feel confident of that.

I have to pick the kids up from school, but I will dredge up some examples when I get back.

[burr]

65. Thanks for the knowledge...

I've always wondered if there was a god or goddess. :yourock:

[renie408]

66. This would be

one of the things I don't know. I do not have personal knowledge of the existance of god.

But I do know the resting pulse and respiration rates for the average adult horse, which I would bet you don't know without Googling it.

See?? There are many things that I know that you don't.

[burr]

74. Ole lord or lordess....

please forgive my trespasses as I forgive those who trespass against your worshipfulness. And lead me not into ignorance, but deliver me from evildoing and evildoers, :evilfrown: for you are the power and the knowledge and the glory forever...amen.

[renie408]

76. So

What you are saying is that the only way anyone can know something you don't is if they are a god? Wow, you certainly have the healthy ego, don't you?? I was mostly fooling around with saying that I was sure that I know things that you don't, but I appear to have hit a nerve. Everybody knows things that others don't, that is one of those phrases that bugs me. Along with people saying that they are 'worming their horses.' Long and random story.

To be flat honest, I am having a hard time finding direct quotes from Dean that blast anybody other than Bush. I have found lots of angry anti-Bush rhetoric, though, and the some comments like the pirated Wellstone comment that make him look as though he is not working and playing well with others. And I found reams of articles that call Dean angry, but don't directly quote him saying anything openly hostile. I have only had a few minutes to mess around on Google with it though, because I am between car rider lines.

I do know that, as has already been mentioned, that there is a generally held view that Dean is angry and nobody in his camp seems to be doing anything about it. I have heard him speak once (over the computer, not in person) and he seemed to be pretty worked up in the thing I saw. Also, if he is not angry, he really needs to get new photos out there. I seem to see a lot of pictures of him looking like he is getting ready to burst a blood vessel. This may be subtle anti-Dean bias in the media, but it is out there.

[burr]

77. I forgot that God doesn't have a sense of humor...

I love my ego, my id, my alterego, and my beautiful faces. Please don't screw this up for me!!!

[renie408]

81. Perception is everything

And here I thought you were the one who was lacking in the sense of humor department.

And have you paid ATTENTION to the world around you?? Are you kidding me?? God doesn't have a sense of humor??

[burr]

82. I forgot about that one...

on the question of God having a sense of humor, please don't be sooo modest. We all take the word God, and define it with anything we feel is holy enough to be worshiped. Relativity is the universal law, and one which also changes with perception. :think:

[peaceandjustice]

99. maybe Wellstone's corpse can steal a Fox News strategy

and sue Dean for "copyright infringement" like they sued Franken.

oh, wait...neither "from the Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party" or "fair and balanced" is actually copyrighted? Then maybe everyone can quit bitching about Dean using that line.

[kang]

64. You can't be serious?

I haven't made up my mind yet about which Democrat I prefer, but nearly every undecided person I speak with (family, friends, etc.) believes Dean's an angry man or playing the part of the fiery competitor. This is the perception out there and I don't believe that the Dean campaign isn't aware of this or in part encouraging it. He's attacked the more moderate Democrats by claiming Sen. Wellstone's "Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party" line and he's attacked Pres. Bush pretty aggressively. That makes him in many people's minds...well, angry.

I think he'd be a fine candidate for the most part, but Dean people shouldn't ignore the fact that they're going to have to let his more gentle, likeable side come out too. I mean, the man was a doctor and he probably wasn't yelling at his patients. Otherwise, he'll come off as a fast-talking, bull-doggy, hot-tempered, cocky blue blood guy who will turn off more than a few voters who are more of the Edwards/Graham persuasion (Southerners tend not to like such fast talkers...or so my father tells me). My fiance is an undecided Democrat and even she says he comes off as a "meanie."

[burr]

69. Yelling, cocky, hot-tempered???

Maybe your thinking Lieberman, Kucinich, or Sharpton.

Most of the people I have talked to, feel that Dean is still an underdog or a longshot. I rarely hear much about him from most people..other than the anti-gay shit that insane neocons scream about, or positive things from sane people who have heard a little about him.

[renie408]

71. You need to get out more.

[burr]

75. whatever you say...

:hippie:

[genius]

63. Kerry is one of the candidates least like chimp.

He didn't read USA-Patriot when Daschle shoved it down his throat. Dean did intend to speak the words he spoke about cutting back civil liberties. It's seems somewhat hypocritical of Dean supporters to atttack Kerry on civil liberties. He and Dean both wanted to go into Iraq with U.N. backing so their approach is pretty identical. Though I'm not supporting Kerry, I'd definitly take him any day over Dean.

[virtualobserver]

67. what an amazing defense of KERRY......

He voted for the dismantling of the Bill of rights because he didn't read the bill?

Sounds like Presidential material to me.

[killbotfactory]

70. Kerry has reading problems...

He didn't read the PATRIOT act, and he thinks the Iraq War Resolution only authorized the threat of force to get Iraq to work with the UN.

[DrFunkenstein]

68. So Let Me Get This Straight

The Dean fans didn't like the speech.

:wow:

[sfecap]

78. The speech was fine.

The guy giving it just doesn't get me very fired up. I suspect that I'm not alone in my view.

It's not a big deal, just an observation.

YMMV....

[molly]

87. You just gave yourself away...

[sfecap]

88. Oh no!!!!! I gave myself away!!!!

Whatever will I do now?

What was I hiding that I gave away?

[renie408]

93. I feel so left out

How did you give it away?

[sfecap]

95. Beats me..

But I did. Want some? ;-)

[JohnKleeb]

73. Thats funny that you say that

because I support the only candiate who voted against those two, and I have often risen up on the occasion to defend Kerry. Kerry I think could be like JFK in a little, and my man Dennis K is something totally new, I am not sure what to say about Dean, I respect what he has done with meetup and all.

[sfecap]

89. Kucinich is a fine candidate and a fine man.

I happen to agree with many of his positions, too.

Unfortunately, I don't think he will be the nominee. Dennis is a man of principle and courage, and he has been instrumental in forcing all of the candidates to address issues they otherwise wouldn't.

[virtualobserver]

91. whatever happens, I hope that he plays a prominent role.......

in the next administration.

BTW, I finally watched the "Kerry Announcement"

I knew that I was in trouble when the intro announcer spoke about sharing it with "millions across the fruited plain".

Except for Max Cleland, it was boring almost to the point of being unwatchable. I wouldn't be very confident if I was a Kerry supporter. There may be an audience for a presentation like this...but it reminded me of a 4th of July TV special.

[JohnKleeb]

94. I cant just give up

You have to whats right especially during this crossroads in time. That said DK simply inspires me, can anyone name who received the Gandhi Peace award? Yes thats my Dennis.

[sfecap]

96. John, you inspire me.

I know that you are young enough to be my son...your interest, your enthusiasm, your willingness to to listen and discuss other ideas is an inspiration.

When I read your posts here I realize that the youth of our country are truly our future. And knowing that there are many like you makes me believe there is hope...great hope for all of our futures. You will be the ones that will create what we all aspire to. I only hope we can leave you something to work with...

Never stop believing.

Never, ever, give up!

[UnapologeticLiberal]

80. Same here

I like his record and I like what he stands for, but there is something about him that just does not do it for me. I don't know what it is, but he just does not excite me the way Dean does. If Dean does not get the nomination, I would rather Kerry get it than anyone else, but I just can't imagine being as enthusiastic as I am now.

I think a big part of it is the differences in campaign style - I was talking to the past president of AU College Dems yesterday, who is a major Kerry supporter, and he was angry that we are in the process of chartering a Generation Dean chapter that might get money from the university. I said "so why don't you get 15 signatures on a petition and start a Kerry organization?" and he was like "I'm involved in a Kerry organization...I am from Massachusetts and I volunteer for the official campaign" or something like that. I said "but what about organizing students here?" and he said something that indicated that that is not how it is done in their campaign, that unofficial people do not just start organizations. So I said "that's the difference, I guess - your campaign is much more top-down and traditionally run." And he said "yeah, because that is what works." My phone rang so I did not get to answer him, but I thought about it later and I realized that he is completely wrong. The traditional approach DOESN'T work anymore...if it had worked in the last 2 elections we would not be completely out of power. Kerry is using the same handlers who screwed up Gore's campaign, and his campaign is only now starting to think outside the box and trying to find new ways to reach people, while our campaign already has grassroots organizations in almost every state that have been active for months and has brought in thousands of people who have never been involved in politics before. Bringing in new voters and finding new ways to reach people is how we are going to win this election, and the traditional, top-down campaigns with tons of handlers and spin doctors are not going to work. They say part of Kerry's problem is he is being overhandled...if I were him I would fire half the pundits and consultants he's got and start fresh. Whenever I see him speak I feel like he has a lot to say but it is not coming out because it has been neutered by his campaign staff...I think if he would stop listening to them so much and speak from his heart he would be a lot better off.

[Forkboy]

84. no offense

but I find it hard to believe that you're trying all that hard.