A posting that doesn't blast anyone- what's happening in Iowa

[jadesfire]

Quad City Times: A time for John Kerry
By QUAD-CITY TIMES STAFF

A time for John Kerry

A funny thing about the Iowa caucuses: Candidates spend an inordinate amount of time trying to come across as ordinary guys in the coffee shops, grain elevators, at the factory gates and school gyms.

John Kerry just can’t cut it.

He’s not ordinary.



He’s extraordinary, in the nicest and most qualitative sense.

At the QUAD-CITY TIMES, before he parleyed with editorial board members, we took Kerry to a break room unannounced to talk with three of our co-workers who took a few minutes off the packaging insertion production line. In just minutes, he was speaking easily with them about hopes, dreams, troubles and disappointments and answering their questions. He handled the curve ball deftly and walked away talking about what he learned from them.

That was among the experiences that differentiated Kerry.

All the candidates we met spoke very well.

Kerry listens.

He ponders questions, asks follow-ups and answers thoughtfully. He appears to be continually learning, whether it is the kite-surfing he took up a couple years ago, the guitar lessons he has put on hold during this campaign, or asking our opinion on Mississippi River lock expansion.

EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT

[Padraig18]

1. A very nice piece.

It reminds some of us here what we should ALL remember--- that we have MANY fine candidates, not just the one we happen to have chosen to support; thanks for sharing it.

:hi:

[Racenut20]

2. Can't dispute the quality of John Kerry

I regret he has not brought a stronger message to the voters of Iowa and New Hampshire.

I have a real problem that the "record" turnout at the Iowa meetings is projected at 121,000. It was only in the 60k range in 2000. This small group and the media should not be determining our nominee.

[mopinko]

4. media stampedes aside

the nominee DOES need to get the required number delegates, and there are not enough available in iowa to lock it up.

[blm]

9. My concern is that the Iowa caucuses will be "Trippied"

He's a win at all costs type. Integrity need not apply.

[9119495]

3. Great post. I support Dean but

I really think we have many great candidates. I have to separate them from some of their nasty supporters (just as I would hope people would separate me from some of Dean's nasty supporters). I think Kerry could whip Bush's ass in the election, but I also believe that of Clark, Edwards, and Dean. I like Dean best so that is who I'm backing. I think this article could have been written about any of those four candidates and I appreciate its posting.

All I ask of those who bash away, try to get to meet the candidate you hate (easier for me in Iowa) to see if your hatred is really well placed.

[jadesfire]

5. great post as well...

it's great to see that there are still people here that really want to talk about what's going on and not just get caught up with the "mine's better than your's" mentality (though we all slip occasionally : ) ...).

I love reading about most of the candidates and what is actually happening on the ground. And I really love when people can make a post without automatically slamming just because they are not the one they are supporting.

[blm]

6. But, here's the reality. That article COULDN'T have been written about any

of them as you claim, and therein lies the dangers of the general election. It is also a statement that diminishes the hard fought and often unpopular efforts consistently put forth by Kerry throughout his career.

They said Kerry has a Phi Beta Kappa in areas where the others would be doing on-the-job training.

This is absolutely true.

Kerry wrote the book alerting to terrorism and its international funding back in 1997. That is a formidable fact for the general election.

Kerry investigated and exposed more government corruption than any lawmaker in modern history. BCCI, IranContra and CIA drugrunning.

Kerry Helped normalize relations with Vietnam, aided Corazon Aquino in her takeover of power from Marcos, negotiated end to war in Cambodia.

He helped bring an end to wars while also keeping an eye out for the war against the environment by working for 10 years to craft the Kyoto Protocol with other world leaders.

You cannot say that about ALL of them. It would not be true.

[9119495]

7. a good point as some of them have no military

service record. I meant the spirit of the article, specifically how our candidates are really good at talking to people and how they will actually represent the interests of the "we" in "we the people."

[blm]

8. The thrust of the article was about depth of experience.

And Kerry has always sought the most progressive solutions to difficult circumstances, including on foreign policy.

Why are so many pretending he's an empty suit who has accomplished nothing? Maybe because those people are ignorant of real history? They see politics as sporting events? They don't care, they have their own narrow political agenda?

[NewYorkerfromMass]

10. the sad truth is Kerry is not as exciting (to some) as Dean

and if excitement is your game then substance takes a back seat.
However, I have a mission for my fellow Kerry fans:

Copy this piece and send it far and wide throughout Iowa, and the rest of America.
It is far and away the strongest, most persuasive endorsement I have yet seen for Kerry.
We still have plenty of time to win the fight.

[blm]

11. I wish it had mentioned his historic expose of BCCI and IranContra.

There is so much about Kerry that is astounding to any thinking person who values hard work, strong character and progressive values.

[iowapeacechief]

16. Well put!

Each candidate has his/her strengths, and I do not limit my high praise to four of them. If only we could meld our ideal leader from the best aspects of these people!

Before the IWR vote, Kerry was my Number 1. Now he's tied for second with Dean.

I gave my heart to Kucinich last May. As long as Dennis insists he is a serious candidate for the Democratic nomination and runs as if he "expects" to take office in the White House a year from now, I am going to respect his courage and support his cause in the most practical ways I can.

[blm]

18. I'm a Kerry and Kucinich supporter, too.

I admire them both greatly as the two have most defined who I am as a progressive. I've followed DK for over 30 years and JK for over 20 years.

I admire their fights against entrenched power in the 70s and 80s, especially.

They are my Special Ks.

[Skwmom]

12. Kerry is a top notch candidate

and I really hope he and Clark end up on the same ticket.

[Moderator]

13. jadesfire

Per DU copyright rules
please post only four
paragraphs from the
news source.



Thank you


DU Moderator

[rucky]

14. Is that a newpaper endorsement?

or are they doing one for all the candidates?

Either way, it was heartfelt & verrry well done.

Linkus maximus, please

[NewYorkerfromMass]

15. It's a full blown endorsement

http://www.qctimes.com/internal.php?story_...on&c=22,1022697

[rucky]

17. sa-WEET!

[blm]

19. is this the first Iowa paper to endorse?

.

[WiseMen]

20. Kerry is a UNIQUE assett in Party. No one else with Record and Experience

All the flaws in his personality I have come accross have been in
unsubstatiated campaign attack stuff.

[blm]

21. Well, GOP operatives tried to bring him down for 30 years.

Much of what they planted over those 3 decades has found its way into Dean camp smears, and now they paint Kerry as a "corrupt Washington insider"...very sad.