WSJ: Kerry looks to Iowa as a Swing State

[La_Serpiente]

Kerry looks to Iowa as Swing State

The Iowa Presidential caucuses could be a turning point for Sen. John Kerry, not just for the political bounce he hopes to get but also because the small-town directness of voters here already has made the Massachusetts Democrat a better candidate.

His answers are less curt, his appeals more personal. Gone are the prep-school jokes about hog farms. Instead, Mr. Kerry lets the joke be on him, feigning shock when an elderly woman allows that she must stretch her Social Security checks to cover not just medicine and milk but also a drop or two of something stronger. "I'm sitting here making your story really good and now you tell me you're blowing it all at the bar," he says to laughter and applause at a breakfast in Chariton.

After years of plotting his life -- and being overanalyzed at each turn
-- this image-conscious New Englander seems almost liberated. Mr. Kerry isn't an instinctive politician; "Do it right" is his trademark phrase, not "Go for it." But at 60, the graying Vietnam veteran remains one of the most determinedly self-improving figures in American government, and Iowans are taking a second look. On caucus night, Jan. 19, he wants to be the next Comeback Kid.

Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean and Rep. Richard Gephardt of neighboring Missouri are the front-runners in Iowa. But a second-place Kerry finish remains possible and would give him a much-needed boost before the New Hampshire showdown Jan. 27 with his nemesis, Mr. Dean.

more....

Kerry looks to Iowa as Swing State

[flpoljunkie]

1. Thanks for posting. This is the part I like--from Governor Vilsack...

"The reality is it's a very competitive race that is still fluid," says Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack. And oddly enough, the patrician Mr. Kerry -- educated at St. Paul's School and Yale -- may be the truest insurgent in the field.

[Deesh]

2. Kerry's Iowa Chances

Thank you, La Serpiente, for this update on Kerry. Much appreciated.

In trying to decide about the Democratic Primary race, I imagine each of the candidates on stage in a debate with Bush.

I think Kerry would crush Bush in a debate.

[adadem]

4. Agreed

In a one on one debate Kerry would squish shrub like a pesky bug :)

[oasis]

3. "the identification of veterans with Kerry is awesome"--Max Cleland.

"I call him Sea Biscuit....he gets better as the pressure mounts." Max knows a winner when he sees one. Kerry's no quitter.

[FXDS]

5. At the end of the day

Kerry will be on top at the end of the day. I have faith in him. He will kick smirks ass on every topic!

[WiseMen]

10. I am not sure the Powers That Be will let it happen.

[oasis]

6. kick

[mb7588a]

7. Listen up, Iowa: "SQUASH BUSH LIKE A BUG." nt

:toast:

[frustrated_lefty]

8. Give it a go Mr Kerry!

[Byronic]

9. Now is the time John!

We are definitely up river now. Point your boat to the shore and go for it.

I'm sure there are many, many people who would love to see a Kerry comeback. Ideologically Kerry is a better fit for many Democrats than perhaps their own chosen candidate is. Many will vote for who excites them, and for who they believe has the best chance to beat Bush. Many won't vote for him at all because of IWR. That is understandable.

But a John Kerry who shows he has a lot of fight left in him would, I think (and hope!) convince a lot of people to give him a second look.

John Kerry - don't read the polls, read his record.