A salute to John Kerry....

[marmar]

for vocally standing up for Nancy Pelosi amid the right-wing and MSM attacks, and for taking on that trough-feeding warthog Newt Gingrich in a climate change debate. And for being big enough to recognize and admit that the pro-war vote was a mistake, and for understanding that the core liberal values of the Democratic Party are to be defended and promoted, not hidden away somewhere.
I voted for him in 2004 and thought he would have made a great president - he had the smarts, the oh-boy-do-we-need-it-now ability to use reason, and compassion, even if he didn't run the best campaign in history. I wasn't so excited when he first became the nominee - I had to warm to him - but I did, and I've become an even bigger fan with everything he's done since that election.
So here's my enchante to a great statesman, and my sincere hope that you'll continue to serve your country for many years to come. And for the half of the country that voted for the other candidate, :wtf:?

[SoFlaJet]

1. thank you for posting that marmar

I also voted for him in '04 and prolly would be supporting him this time around too-you know if people like John McCain and Hillary Clinton and the MSM didn't jump all over him screwing up a punchline...

[bluescribbler]

2. K&R

I remain proud of both my Senators.

[rosesaylavee]

3. Kerry is a class act

and a great human being. Proud to have supported him in 2004.

[Kurovski]

4. Kerry is one of our truly great senators.

Or so say I. K&R.

[SharonRB]

5. I felt the same way, marmar

I wasn't crazy about him at first, but once I got to "know" him a little better, I really liked him. I went to see him a few times on the campaign trail and I thought he was great. He would have made a wonderful president.

This past summer I got to meet him in person at a small Granholm fundraiser at a state rep's home, and I liked him even more. At that point, of course, I thought he was going to run and he was my first choice. I actually think he did the right thing by backing out of the race -- it was unwinnable for him and he's doing so much good in the Senate.

[blm]

9. I appreciate what you said, but do disagree about him running.

Over the course of the many Dem debates, I doubt any other Dem candidate would hold up to the scrutiny and show themselves as better debaters of the issues than Kerry. And if they can't show themselves to be more in command of the Dem debates then why hope they'll dominate in a general?

And Kerry, like Gore, did win before with most of the media still in full protect Bush mode, so..... enter the RNC and GOP operatives who work to steal it for Bush as they would have done no matter what name was on the ballot in 2004 - even Clinton's.

Kerry's reason for NOT running is completely consistent with who he is -running for president is now an OBSTACLE to his goal of getting out of Iraq and effecting that cause is his priority - because doing whatever he can to change something so drastically wrong is who he is.

[SharonRB]

11. Oh, believe me, I wanted him to run

Had he stayed in the race, I'd be very torn right now between him and Gore, should he decide to run. I've been working very hard on the Draft Gore movement and I really hope he runs. My dream would have been a new kind of joint presidency between Gore and Kerry -- sharing the job equally. Never could have happened, but it would have been nice to get them both to their rightful places.

[blm]

12. I definitely recognized your appreciation, I was just adding a perspective

on what would have happened had he run.

I pretty much see him and Gore in that same way - no matter what corpmedia says in ridicule, when it comes right down to it how many Democrats are there who can REALLY outdebate and outperform either of them at this point? And we KNOW no Republicans can.

[SharonRB]

15. You are so right!

[rox63]

6. We're very proud of Senator Kerry here in MA

In fact, we're proud of both of our Senators, Kerry & Kennedy. I guess you could say we're Senatorally blessed here. :loveya:

[marmar]

7. You should be....

We've got one excellent senator (Levin) and one perfectly acceptable, if not exceptional one (Stabenow).

[mtnsnake]

8. Standing up for a fellow Dem and standing up for the environment

It doesn't get much better than that. If it weren't for some of our most vocal environmentalists, there wouldn't be any environment left for wolves to howl in late at night.

[AuntPatsy]

10. K&R He deserves it.

[beachmom]

13. Thanks for this post.

Kerry was excellent yesterday in that debate against Newt. It really was an enlightening discussion. Sadly, much of the MSM mocked the entire thing, and have once again lied to the American people. (And, yes, it is a lie when you turn such a compelling debate into a snarkfest).

[wisteria]

14. He is a great statesman and a very special man of the people. n/t

[Adelante]

16. Salute

:patriot:

Anytime.

[Laurab]

17. K & R for Kerry

A leader and a patriot - he's one of the best we have, and I, too, hope he'll continue to serve his country for many, many years.

[mloutre]

18. Dammit, if that guy *ever* runs for President again...

... I just might have to rush right out and vote for him. At least once. Maybe more.

[LSK]

19. you took the words right out of my mouth

K&R

[Divine Discontent]

20. anytime I see a tribute thread

to the Great John Kerry, I join in... HE's A TRUE (even if long winded at times, like me) AMERICAN HERO! Morally dubious folks like Chainknee and his conservative money grubbing evildoers are but the dust that falls off Kerry's feet when he walks... he's a HERO to me and my family..

WE LOVE YOU JFK!

I almost want to have someone do a flower thingy for him, because last year he did this stand up kinda stuff when no other Dem was doing it also... he's such a leader, even if at times he's not the best speaker, but his heart shows through CLEARLY!

www.cafepress.com/warisprofitable <<-- check it out, top '08 stuff

[ohtransplant]

21. I may have to write his name in anyway if he doesn't acquiesce

to my demand to run!

[MasonJar]

22. Either Al Gore or John Kerry would have been great presidents

just as they both are great statesmen and patriots. They are continuing their good works for mankind, while the republics are destroying everything in sight. And as I have reminded you often before, they both won. In 04 I was helping in Ohio; that place was filled with deception. If more people go to jail, hopefully less will feel like cheating next time.

[vankuria]

23. Great Post!

Those of us that truely follow politics don't need any convincing that Sen. Kerry is a great man, a terrific leader and would have made an incredible president. This country had a chance to return to greatness in '04, instead half the population chose to keep an imbecile, alcoholic, fratboy.

I've followed Sen. Kerry's career since I was in junior high, I can remember watching with my late father, as he gave his famous speech before the senate, how can we ask someone to be the last one to die in Vietnam. I get emotional just thinking about it. We need another John Kerry with the same passion, to ask that same question about Iraq.

He is a true patriot and the criticism he gets is so unjustifed and every opportunity I have I let people know what a huge mistake it was not to elect him president.

[NastyDiaper]

24. He's kicking ass right about now.

/cry

[beachmom]

28. That is classic! "Yee haa is not a foreign policy"

Thanks for the pic.

[LSK]

33. please make that an original post

[PresidentObama]

25. Senator Kerry is an example of why I'm a Democrat. I salute Kerry for standing up for Pelosi. n/t

[nam78_two]

26. K&R.nt

[Unbowed]

27. John Kerry is indeed a class act.

He is putting the concept of "statesman" back into politics.

[Blue_In_AK]

29. Right on...

John Kerry is a great man, who never has stopped fighting for us.

[MH1]

30. Hear, hear.

Everything you said, except I was excited when he became the nominee...I fell for him in the primary debates and just like him better and better the more I know about him.

:patriot:

[johan helge]

31. John Kerry - my hero!

The difference between the two candidates in 2004 speaks volumes about the difference between the two parties. The difference in 1972 was very similar. And the Democrats can be proud of these differences.

[WildEyedLiberal]

32. Amen!

I warmed to him during the campaign in 2004 and damn if that warmth refused to wane with time. In fact, as you say, it's only grown stronger and stronger. He is a rare specimen: an HONEST, PRINCIPLED public servant with sterling character and a real, tangible compassion and concern for the people of this country and the world. I still hope I get a chance to see President Kerry in my lifetime, because there is simply no one in America right now as born to that role as he is.

[politicasista]

34. K&R!

:kick:

[ElizabethDC]

35. I heart JK!

He's the reason that I got really interested and involved in politics, and he's an all-around great guy. I'm glad that he's still out there fighting even if he isn't running this time around.

[Catamount]

36. Great Post--thanks. One more K&R

And never forget that......

[Spiffarino]

37. Good on ya, Johnny.

I hope he runs in 2012 if the Dem doesn't win in '08, 2016 if one does. If he runs his campaign with the same kind of backbone, he can't lose.

[TayTay]

38. Yeah, he's been doing good work

He was right to try and filibuster Alito in Jan of 05, right in June of 05 on the Iraq withdrawal amendment and he's right now on defending other Democrats from the RW smear machine.

:patriot: for Sen. Kerry. It will be a pleasure to stand in the cold next year for hours and get sigs for ya. A real pleasure.

[karynnj]

39. Having voted in 9 Presidential election,

and the vote in 2004 was the most heart felt and with the strongest belief that I never felt in any other election that I was voting for someone who would be known as one of the great Presidents.

At the NYC book event, Kerry spoke of the opportunity that the person elected in 2008 will have the opportunity to be one of the greatest Presidents - on the scale of FDR - because there is so much to do. His saying that made me deeply sad at that moment that he wasn't running. He would be up to making the changes - we need to ask who of the people running are?

[lonestarnot]

40. President John Kerry!

:patriot:

[Old and In the Way]

41. In a just world, he wouldn't have run in 2004.

Because Gore would be finishing his term. Kerry would be a front runner this year, though.

[blm]

50. True.

.

[StoryTeller]

42. John Kerry is the reason I...

1) Threw off the last vestiges of my conservative upbringing and became a very happy, proud, progressive, liberal Democrat

2) Was able to finally believe that there are at least some politicians who have integrity and honesty and a true desire to serve the good of the country.

3) Decided to take baby steps into becoming more politically active--I even volunteered to help on a campaign for a House candidate last year.

4) Found you all at DU (was looking for people to mourn with after the 2004 elections)

5) Have had the courage to start confronting the beliefs in my conservative community that I feel strongly are wrong. I figure if John Kerry can face disapproval and even outright hatred because of standing up for his convictions, so can I.

6) Have become more aware of current events, and the issues that are important today.

7) Have made a LOT of really great friends (hi Kerrycrats!)

Okay, so the guy isn't a god, exactly. But he's a damn good example of humanity at its finest.

And the debate yesterday was awesome. :)

[karynnj]

43. This is a such a beautiful tribute to Senator Kerry

The sadest thing about 2004, is knowing that a large portion of the people who blindly voted against him would be astonished how much they would both like and respect him if they met him for even 10 minutes.

He is an example of humanity at its finest.

[LeahD]

47. Couldn't have said it better!

Except for #1 (I've always voted predominantly Dem) your story is my story.
On the day of his concession speech, I decided that I would become more than an informed voter, and that I've done. John Kerry is the real deal.

[LittleClarkie]

49. Indeed. I wouldn't be out there phonebanking and canvassing now

if not for him. ABB got me started, but he kept me going. I had to warm to him like the OP did. And hoo boy, did I ever.

[_dynamicdems]

44. Good for Senator Kerry, once again!

He'll always be President Kerry to me.

[Der Blaue Engel]

45. Still has our backs

:loveya:

[ProSense]

46. Thank you. Here's my tribute to:

John Kerry.

[hibiscus]

48. President John Kerry!

:patriot:



I took this picture of President John Kerry on 5 April 2007 in Herbst Theatre, San Francisco (during his book tour for "This moment on earth").

I WANT him to be President in January 2009! In my mind and my heart, none of the current 2008 candidates is as Presidential as him in every sense of the word. Please tell me it is not too late for him to run in 2008, please...

[YvonneCa]

52. It's not too late...

...if that's his choice. I still hold out a sliver of hope...maybe it's denial...but the country really needs him.:patriot:

[YvonneCa]

53. P.S.

I was at Herbst for that event, too. I wish I had known other Kerrycrats were going to be there. :(

[FreeStateDemocrat]

51. America's future is more hopeful with John Kerry as a member of the U. S. Senate.