(BG) Kerry, voter have mini-debate

[DJcairo]

Senator assuages Iowa man who disrupted speech

October 08, 2003
Boston Globe
By Patrick Healy

LE MARS, IA -

It is an axiom of politics that candidates should play nice with the voters, cajole rather than challenge them. Then again, until yesterday, Senator John F. Kerry had never met Arie J. Olivier.

In the midst of his stump speech at a restaurant, before what seemed like a typically friendly crowd of 50 supporters and curious Iowa voters in this small town in the northwestern part of the state, Kerry was promising new government spending on highways and bridges when a voice piped up from behind him.

``Is this a socialist country or a capitalist one?'' asked Olivier, loud enough to startle Kerry and hush the room.

For a moment the presidential contender seemed unsure what Olivier was talking about. But then Kerry promised to answer any question the silver-haired man had on his mind.

``When does life begin?'' the 86-year-old Olivier asked the Democrat, an abortion-rights proponent.

Several audience members booed Olivier - some later said they knew him to be a hard-core, conservative Republican - but Kerry invited the man to a minidebate.

``There's room for everybody to have discussion,'' Kerry said.

The senator then tried to indicate that the wealthiest top 1 percent of Americans benefited disproportionately from the ``Bush tax cut.''

``No,'' Olivier corrected him. ``Congress voted for the tax cut.''

Kerry conceded that, but noted that he opposed the tax cuts, like many Democrats, because millionaires like the senator and his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, were the Americans enjoying the most tax savings.

``I'm for enlightened capitalism, not robber-baron capitalism,'' Kerry said.

``You're favoring the poor over the rich,'' Olivier said.

``I'm an entrepreneurial Democrat,'' Kerry said, and then contrasted the budget deficits and 3 million jobs lost in this decade to the balanced federal budget and several millions of new jobs during the 1990s. That economic situation, he said, was the result of ``the Democrats and Bill Clinton.''

http://johnkerry.com/news/clips/news_2003_1008a.html

[fob]

1. I can't believe that's the best Kerry could do.

How's he gonna beat bush* when he can't take down a few RW talking points?

Full Disclosure: I am currently leaning Sharpton, but open to all

``Is this a socialist country or a capitalist one?'' asked Olivier

Several answers here; What do you think? (make HIM answer the ridiculous question)

Or, It's a little of both, sir, do you have a problem with America? How far would we be today WITHOUT our FEDERALLY FUNDED NATIONAL HIGHWAY SYSTEM? Do you live in a rural area? Would you prefer the mail system be privatized so your rural area would be underserved and overpriced?

``When does life begin?'' the 86-year-old Olivier asked the Democrat

Couple of tacks here too;

At conception.

That's between you and your god. The fact that abortion is legal is the law of the land. you do believe in the rule of law, don't you?

``No,'' Olivier corrected him. ``Congress voted for the tax cut.''

You do understand how our government works don't you?
And who currently controls congress? Who has the responsibility for presenting a budget, congress or the president? When there was a surplus bush* said we needed a tax cut, when that disappeared, he said we needed the same exact tax cut. Since the situations were exact opposites, in which was bush* lying?

``You're favoring the poor over the rich,'' Olivier said

Damn right! How many lobbyists do "the poor" currently have on retainer in DC? Please define "poor" and "rich". This country was built on the backs of working men and women, I make no condolences for supporting them.

And one more thing, Mr Olivier, isn't that a French name? How have you liked the juvenile French bashing from this admin? You say you're a veteran, how are your benefits faring today?


Calling for ALL DEMS to throw the pink tutu away

[MrPeepers]

5. Or...

it might be better not to make these kinds of people terribly angry by jumping up and down all over the things they believe in. The way to go is ease them into a more liberal (and so far as I'm concerned, correct) mindset, but you can't just throw them in and expect them to swim. Kerry kept his cool in face of some serious ultra-conservative nutjob who started playing Rush Limbaugh in the middle of his speech, and I think that's exremely admirable. He handled the situation the right way.

Peepers

[Larkspur]

2. Regarding the Bush tax cuts and this Repuke bozo, I prefer Dean's

retort of "You can have tax cuts that benefit the upper 1% or public education, infrastructure (roads-bridges etc.), healthcare for everyone, Homeland Security, Social Security..., but you can't have both." Dean is right when he says, What have Republicans done for those like Mr. Oliver that vote for Republicans but these voters and their families have nothing to show for it.

[sandnsea]

8. Sell a Republican prosperity

This guy owns a mobile home park and considers himself a business man. Reminding him that his rents were paid on time because of Clinton economic policy will go alot further than suggesting he pay more taxes so his renters can have more 'free handouts'. Everybody goes up together, that's Democratic economic policy.

[LuminousX]

3. Taking it for what it is

Good healthy open unscripted exchanges like this are GREAT. My esteem for Kerry has risen. How to handle an openly hostile voter in a fashion that furthers your agenda without looking like an ass (When a man argues with an ass, it is difficult for a third party to figure out which is the man and which is the ass.)

Bravo for Kerry.

[TheDonkey]

4. He did a good job

But from what it quotes it didn't seem like JK but too much power into his case for the democrats. It was good he didn't get puffed up and flip out on the sob for interrupting him!

[Meshuga]

6. Very classy

Kerry handled the situation very well! You don't win people over by fighting them. You win people over by showing respect. Way to show amiability senator! :-)

[George_Bonanza]

7. Great way to handle a heckler

Kerry sends a message to Republicans: "Any time, anywhere!"