Kerry has plenty of advice, not so much support

[Freddie Stubbs]

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- He came into New Hampshire as a favorite son of New England, a next-door neighbor considered most likely to win the first-in-the-nation primary and lock up the Democratic nomination.

With his bearing and his compelling story as a Vietnam veteran, Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, not former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, was the one who early in the campaign had fashioned an aura of inevitability. The national media almost universally treated him as the front-runner.

But now, just 46 days before primary day, polls show Kerry in a free fall, his once considerable support collapsing around him as he clings to a distant second place. Former Vice President Al Gore's endorsement of Dean this week simply added stress to an already troubled candidacy.

Kerry's puzzled supporters say they aren't sure what has happened to the man they still consider the most presidential, most knowledgeable and most experienced of the nine Democratic candidates.

more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0312110100dec11,1,5534827.story

[molly]

1. Gore's endorsement just made us

rally.

"they still consider the most presidential, most knowledgeable and most experienced of the nine Democratic candidates."

It's not over until the convention is over - don't forget that.

[Maine-i-acs]

2. I'm nervous about senate Dems vacating their seats.

Would John or Joe be able to ensure a Democratic replacement in the Senate? We need all the Dems we can get there.

Kerry's a good man - strong in a critical area where Dean is perceived weak. And he's good at trashing Bush.

[swittersnc]

3. that's why i'm so angry with edwards

i live in north carolina. edwards' very late decision to vacate his senate seat was basically equivalent to dusting off the chair for the republican replacement.
add to that the fact that he's missed virtually every senate vote since he began campaigning (to his credit, he did go to washington to fight the medicare bill).
in my opinion, he did a grave disservice to our state and to the dem party. i would have likely been a fervent edwards supporter if he'd at least finished his first term as my senator...

[loyalsister]

16. Don't blame you

It seems arrogant. AND, he is blowing an opportunity to rebuild your state party. It is inspiring to the grassroots to have a senator for representation.
Similar thing is happening in MO. Gep should have run for the senate. It would have been better for the state party and better for all of us.
I suspect that without those guys in the race, Kerry would have had a better chance.

[cindyw]

12. He's not leaving seat, unless he is president. I think we can forgive him

giving up the seat in Mass, where a Dem would surely sit, if we get a Dem president.

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

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

[swittersnc]

5. but it's still very real

.

[Sensitivity]

6. Kerry Was a Good Guy. Dean/Kerry Ticket??

Is Kerry too proud to join the Dean Ticket. At least we know what his record is. I am a bit scared of Clark's republican roots.

[Freddie Stubbs]

9. Perhaps in the cabinet

Sec. of Defence?

[cindyw]

13. Would Dean be too proud for a Kerry/Dean ticket?

:dem:

[OneBlueSky]

7. personally, I think Kerry will do a lot better . . .

than predicted in New Hampshire . . . and since the name of the game is exceeding expectations, it could give him a boost even if he doesn't win (a la Clinton) . . .

[Monte Carlo]

8. I think too many attribute his 'yes' vote on the IWR...

... to gullibility, calculation, or worse. I think that is incredibly unfair for someone who has been a model Democrat for decades.

Dean has the momentum now, but with Gore endorsing him, many people are beginning to take a long, sober look at the candidate himself. He is not the anti-war super-liberal savior he is made out to be, and I think more people will begin to see that.

[killbotfactory]

10. Dean supporters are not retarded

We were never under the impression that Dean was a "anti-war super-liberal savior".

We've known this since we started supporting him.

John Kerry has just run a horrible campaign.

[Monte Carlo]

14. Most people don't even know who the hell Dean is.

Or Kerry, or Clark, or even Lieberman for that matter. Gore, on the other hand, is known by pretty much everyone because he could have been our President. With the recognition that Gore brings to the Dean campaign, many voters who are barely aware of the primary process will begin to look at Dean, the man who could be our next President. I am not talking about Dean's core, I'm talking about the masses.

Kerry has run a flawed campaign, but it is not over yet. Exactly one poll in this race matters.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

11. "anti-war super-liberal savior"?

Can't say that I know a single Dean supporter who ever believed that. In fact, we've been fighting that false impression since Day 1.

I think the people looking for an anti-war liberal savior gravitate toward Kucinich.

[LuminousX]

15. WHAT?! Dean isn't an Anti-War super-liberal savior?

Why am I just hearing about this now? Isn't he a shill for the Gay Agenda(tm)? I could have sworn Gay Agenda(tm) HQ put out a memo talking about how they will now be able to lobby out of the Oval Office (and when the Gay Agenda(tm) says lobby, they mean "lobby").

I could have sworn Dean pledged to disarm America AND to save my soul.

*Sigh* I guess I have to find another candidate to make blood sacrifices to. I hear the Elder Party is running Cthulhu again, Hastor my be the VP.

[mitchum]

19. I guess you don't know p-lpil-t or sc-tt lee then...

they certainly seem to labor under that delusion

[Upfront]

17. Dean Supporter Says

Kerry seems to have lost direction. His attack on Dean has moved him from my 1st, at one time, to way down the line. It is sad to watch because I know he is a good man, but you just can't do like he has, and expect to win over votes. Yes, I know Dean attacked the pro war people by saying they did, and he did not. Did not like that either. Kerry comes across as a man that just thought the nomination was his for the asking. He is just a little uptown, elite, for me. In the end it is more about what Dean has done, then what Kerry has not.

[molly]

18. Excuse me? Kerry's a little uptown - elite?

what about the guy that went skiing after he dodged the draft? The same guy that went to all east coast private schools?

Kerry's public records speak for him - Dean's are sealed.

[DrFunkenstein]

20. This Is Last Month's Talking Point

You need to consult the Moonie 8-ball for new directives.