Boston Herald: On Iraq trip, Kerry to skip election finale

[Freddie Stubbs]

By Andrew Miga
Tuesday, January 4, 2005

WASHINGTON - When Congress meets in a special joint session Thursday to count electoral ballots from the presidential race, Sen. John F. Kerry will be noticeably absent - thousands of miles away on a fact-finding trip in the Middle East.

Kerry's two-week overseas trip, which includes stops in war-ravaged Iraq, conveniently allows the defeated Democrat nominee to avoid a potentially awkward moment on the House floor as congressmen vote to certify election results.

``(Kerry) wants to personally thank our troops for their service, focus on the steps that must be taken to achieve success in Iraq and hear from experts in the region,'' Kerry spokeswoman April Boyd said.

Vice President Dick Cheney - who zestfully played the role of President Bush's pit bull during the bitter fall contest - will preside over the official electoral vote count.

more: http://news.bostonherald.com/politics/view.bg?articleid=61675

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

1. Don't Bother Coming Back

If you don't have enough Balls to stand up when it counts, and show respect for those who supported you with $$ and time these past 10 months, then you can stay in Iraq for all I care.

If you actually think you have even the slimest chance at running again in '08, you're obviously dumber than I thought.

[naryaquid]

6. There's definitely something "goin' on" in the Democratic party...and

it's not good...Did you hear that Clinton, sitting alongside Bush Sr. announced yesterday that "George Bush won the election fair and square"?!...What balls!! (or lack of them?)...there's some shifty, slimy stuff going on here, IMHO.

[Freddie Stubbs]

12. You won't find many Democratic elected officials

who have said anything to the contrary.

[suziedemocrat]

16. I'm starting to hate Clinton.

He also did a lot to encourage the Iraq war. Does he want everything to go to hell so his hideous wife has a better shot at his old job? Maybe he is pissed at Democrats because Gore tried to run away from his fairly fantastic record.

[naryaquid]

19. ...The more I see and think about him...especially after yesterday,

Hell, he's going right in Conyer's face with that statement...The more I dislike and distrust him...I never thought he was the best Democrat..too conservative for me...but I'm starting to get REALLY suspicious and turned off by him...

[spooked911]

25. Me three-- Clinton has gone WAY downhill in my book in the last

few years. I thought the impeachment was ridiculus, but the guy was still pretty dirty. He did some good things, but I agree- he was too conservative.

[roenyc]

60. Its good to be here

most Dem's think Clinton is God. but as much as i like the man (charismatic) there is much about his term that offends me and it has nothing to do with Monica. much to do with being conservative and kissing up to that party. between welfare reform and no funding to the FCC mess and so much more. and the rumors about the Oklahoma bombing and where is the Arab looking guy? and then the first WTC bombing. one has to wonder if its the only way to be safe in office in this country is to participate in this neo-con game involving the CIA/FBI setting things up to erode our civil rights. of course my tin foil hat is really tight but what can i say. i still wonder about JFK, rfk, and martin Luther king! been a long life.

[demo dutch]

43. delete

[demo dutch]

44. Your facts are only partially right. He agreed with the war because

there was a lot of stuff unaccounted for in Iraq. But Clinton said in an interview with Time Magazine that he would not have undertaken the war until after U.N. chief weapons inspector Hans Blix "finished his job."

[mycatforpresident]

64. Actually, when PNAC asked Clinton

to get more involved in Iraq, he declined.

http://www.newamericancentury.org/iraqclintonletter.htm

Not Bush, though. Yeehaw!

[rodeodance]

2. good god!! cheny is presiding for the cerification!!

[ET Awful]

4. Yes, he's the Vice President, much as Al Gore presided over it

in 2001. It's part of the role of VP.

[hippiechick]

5. That's protocol ...

Gore had to preside over 2000. It's the VEEP's duty as 'President of the Senate'.


:hippie:

[naryaquid]

3. Interesting timing...He could have been the "one senator", to

object to the certification, couldn't he?

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

7. If He Really Wanted The Presidency

I'm beginning to believe that this so-called democracy is just a sham for the media to thrust upon the unsuspecting public. We really don't have free elections in this country anymore, and those in power know it. They are all guilty as far as I'm concerned, and if nobody does stand up on Thursday, the democratic party has lost my vote for many, many, many, many years to come. I can guarantee them that much, for what it's worth.

This country is going to hell in a handbasket....but are we enjoying the ride?

[naryaquid]

10. ..I'm with you...I've lost faith - after many years and many

battles, especially this last election...am certainly not enjoying the ride...My husband works for a Canadian-based company...we go back and forth with a possible move there.

[righteous1]

13. Don't forget to write n/t

[naryaquid]

17. ..Don't think I will......you may be too busy

fighting fascism to write back...

You're bit of sarcasm suggests to me that you DISAPROVE? of those who would leave the country?...I might feel otherwise if I hadn't LIVED long enough to have WORKED as long as I have...But guess what?....Everyone gets to make their own call as to how much MORE of their limited life span they want to dedicate...

[Freddie Stubbs]

42. If all the politically active Democrats left the country

The Republicans would be very happy

[naryaquid]

46. I know...but that won't happen...just a few of us, maybe, who are

getting too old and too tired...

[genieroze]

18. Didn't Nader say that? lol eom

[Lisabtrucking]

54. I'm joining you on that one. I will always vote the third party. n/t

[nascarblue]

8. What an ass...

I'm sorry but how many more times can Kerry show his Skull and Bones loyalty. Here's a guy who went in to the election up 10 points only to be down ten points before the debates. Here's a guy who walked with 51 million. Here's a guy who said he had "17,000 lawyers!" Now after all this work that was done for him he splits town?

Any of you know that Kerry hired only one attorney for the whole two months in Ohio and he was a Republican???


The Kerry campaign, which raised millions of dollars to guarantee "every vote will be counted" in the 2004 election, has challenged the results in just one county, where a technician dismantled at least one voting machine prior to the recount. Daniel J. Hoffheimer, an attorney hired by the Kerry campaign has emphasized his belief that despite that challenge, "this presidential election is over. The Bush-Cheney ticket has won."

Hoffheimer is affiliated with Taft, Stettinius and Hollister, a Cincinnati firm with deep Republican ties to Ohio's current GOP governor, Bob Taft. Hoffheimer said "the Kerry-Edwards campaign has found no conspiracy and no fraud in Ohio," but more serious researchers continue to uncover plenty. While struggling to find the financial resources necessary for the legal challenge, the Election Protection team has continued to uncover deeply disturbing evidence of manipulation, theft and fraud that went unaudited by the official recount.
http://www.verifiedvoting.org/article.php?id=5471

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

11. Take The Money And Run

At least he got our $$ and time these past few months. He has no use for us anymore....at least for another 4 years. He obviously doesn't care much for those who supported him, and is content to live out his existence as a meaningless senator, who gets outvoted by the repubs every single time.

[ebayfool]

15. Here's a guy who walked with 51 million? Source? n/t

[blondeatlast]

66. Indeed, before this thread gets overly FR.

Gang, this is DU, please back up your claims...

[StopTheMorans]

75. seriously, all the tinfoil in here is waying down this thread

i'm surprised it's not sinking faster :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat:

[bunny planet]

45. I'll follow Faye's advice in response to you.

:hi:

[Vektor]

48. Oh good god.

AGAIN.

He does NOT have 51 million dollars. The correct number is FIFTEEN. AND since we have no idea what the future holds, to speculate about that money, and where it is going to go is absurd right now.

He never claimed to have 17,000 lawyers. Who the hell has 17,000 lawyers? This stupid figure came from a freeper mag!
Nor did he only have one Republican lawyer! I don't even know where that gem came from.


Where are you getting this bizarre stuff from?

And the Skull and Bones/Dungeons and Dragons "dark majique" stuff is beyond tin foil.

[Helga Scow Stern]

53. Good god indeed! Drama dudes. We'll just have to "hold the tension"

of not knowing before we start slinging arrows of unfounded rumor and character assassination.

[Vektor]

55. That would be great....

I too was appalled by the character assasination...and it's happening a lot. Constant attacks on Kerry, when very few of us even know what's going on behind the scenes.

Hrrmmm...

Hopefully it will all be out in the open and the naysayers can calm down a bit. Or at least fizzle out.

[blondeatlast]

67. But the S&B stuff is oddly, eerily familiar.

Where have I heard the same tired BS before?

[LittleClarkie]

50. I love how the total keeps growing. $15 mill...$40 mill... $51 mill

And the next number somebody pulls out of their ass will be... I dunno. Are we following some sort of integer pattern here?

Last I heard, it was $10 after expenses, about what Gore had left over in 2000.

As for the lawyer situation, no we didn't know he only hired one lawyer. You wanna know why we didn't know he only hired one lawyer? Because it's not freakin' true, that's why. Kerry's NEW lawyer, Don McTigue, is knee deep in the election investigation. Hoffheimer was a probate lawyer who struck me as a volunteer.

(Oh no, scare Republican PROBATE lawyer. He's probably hoping Kerry doesn't come back from Iraq. Maybe he's hoping he'll get the probate lawsuit.)

Ya know, if I end up leaving the Dem party, it would be because of the leadership. It will to get away from all this childishness. Democrat freepers I do NOT need.

[Vektor]

52. You may be right, LittleClarkie -

The last correct report I heard was 15 million, back in November - it is probably significantly less by now.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

9. Yep, while * is waiting in the WH bunker...

for news from Rovie that The People have revolted and are coming for him.... Kerry will send a statement from 'the field' (he's doing the shrub's job, the guy who can't travel, cause it's not safe for him)... wonder what Kerry will say?...



I am entitled to my opinion

[Verve]

14. What happened to Kerry's rhetoric about standing up for our country?

This is sad.:-(

[merh]

22. Verve, don't fall for it.

What class would you say these posts fall under?

[whometense]

24. You said it. n/t

[Verve]

27. 2 and a 3. Thanks Merh for slapping reality back into me. LOL! n/t

[ebayfool]

56. Ooh, ooh! Me! I take notes!

A twisty combo of CLASS 2 & CLASS 4 & CLASS 5. I'm still learning the lesson so I tend to blur the distinctions a bit, but I DO keep my notes close to hand for frequent referral - thank goodness you were kind enough to frame it to make it easier to spot.

(eases some of the frustration trying to figure the tag team rosters out)

[blondeatlast]

68. Now, now, we're a "big tent" board...

//sarcasm; the deep, unveiled variety//

[emulatorloo]

33. Kerry's standing tall in Iraq, while GWB seeks 40mil for the inauguration

Please, get a hold of yourself. What is sad about Kerry meeting w our troops?

[blondeatlast]

69. My thoughts exactly. nt

[thoughtanarchist]

20. Unity people

How is democracy served by these tantrums?

[CoffeeCat]

21. I'm still holding out hope...

...that there is some kind of plan, and Kerry's absence is designed to help, not hurt.

If Kerry was present on 1/6, the entire focus would shift to him. The day would not be about election fraud and Bush's organized-criminal move to steal the election.

The day would be about Kerry.

If Kerry was there, reporters would be scrambling to interview Kerry. Kerry would be forced to pick a side, "Do you believe you are the President?", "Do you believe President Bush won this election fairly?" We don't need Kerry in that position. Kerry doesn't want to answer those questions. It's a lose-lose.

As strange as it is, Kerry is a red herring. The core issue is: The Republicans are stealing our elections, and what are we going to do about it? The 1/6 vote forces these questions and debate about the Conyers evidence. Kerry's absence keeps the focus where it should be--on the fraud evidence presented--which forces the spotlight on the Republicans.

Instead of inane questions for Kerry, "Do you think ya won the election?", reporters will be forced to turn toward the Republicans, "What do you have to say about the election-fraud evidence presented by Conyers?", "Why won't Kenneth Blackwell answer Conyers' questions?", "Mr President, do you think these fraud allegations should be investigated and what does this mean for your presidency is fraud is uncovered?"

If this is why Kerry is gone--it's truly a brilliant, strategic move which road maps this issue toward a fraud discussion, and also forces the media in the direction of the Republicans.

It's a Rovian move. It puts "the other side" on the defensive and forces them to defend the indefensible. Beautiful.

BTW--Before I became a stay-at-home mom (a few years ago), I was a PR/Media Relations Strategist for govt agencies and also for a high-tech company. I'm hoping that we're seeing an award-winning PR plan play out. Numerous signs indicate that Kerry anticipated fraud. It's possible that a reaction plan was in place, before the election. Kerry's absence may be part of that plan.

I guess we'll see.

Let's give Kerry the benefit of the doubt. Anyway, thinking negatively only raises your blood pressure. Right?

[spooked911]

28. You give the Democrats WAY too much credit I'm afraid

it would be a nice plan, but it assumes that the Democrats actually have a plan. I'm not convinced. I'll be pleasantly surpirsed if any senator stands to protest.

[cali]

30. I understand you want to cling to hope

but I'm an adherent to Occam's razor. I don't think Kerry's presence would detract from anything, and I can't see anything remotely like a brilliant plan, particularly as it's likely nothing earth shaking is going to happen on the sixth. IMO, Kerry is exhibiting cowardice in not being in the Senate on the 6th, and I don't think it speaks well of him.

[Oversea Visitor]

39. Hmmm

This one messy PR mess.

Bush vs People/Voters vs Democrats vs Republicans

Ouch cluster bombs all over the place

People/Voters.... " 2000 was a sham the people pay US234 million to make sure it dont happen in 2004"
Solution.....?

Democrats...... " Gore 2000 repeated, what are we going to do? what are we going to do? when the monkey come home "

Republicans .... " History show Gore 2000 was bad, now 2004 ouch what are we going to do? what are we going to do? when the monkey come home "

Bush ..... " I am the kind of guy if I figure its right I will do it"

What a big mess some toys are just too dangerous

[vitointn]

65. Still Holding Out Hope

Have to agree with you Sparkles. There has to be something in place, but I also think Kerry has seen the writing on the wall (though it's in watercolor). The deck is stacked against reversing the election results, but it has the potential of opening other doors.

The Republicans now control the whole shebang.

They've held and now expanded their control of the House since 1995. The origins of ALL legislation.

They've expanded their control of the Senate held since 2002. This is the most dangerous because lifetime judgeships can be determined here, thus "activist judges" of a different manner can get on board.

They've had the White House since 2001.

They can no longer expect the American people to believe that Democrats and Liberals are derailing or impeding legislation or confirmations...because most are just along for the ride (for the moment).

The rhetoric and talking points they've eschewed over the years will now come back to haunt them if they don't deliver.

Remember...Every Cloud has a Silver (or Blue) lining.

[farmbo]

23. Breaking: "Soft Humvee Drivers for Truth" releases attack ads on Kerry

...to run in major battleground states...the Bush/Cheney campaign denies any involvement.

:crazy:

[naryaquid]

37. ...What are they attacking him for now?...He's not running for anything

[blondeatlast]

70. For pity's sake...

I KNOW you aren't serious.

Or do I?

[rockedthevoteinMA]

26. um the herald? It's like faux news newspaper up here in MA. n/t

[cali]

31. Yes it's a trash right wing rag but

the truth is that Kerry is not going to be in the Senate on the 6th. Why couldn't he have waited until after that date to go to Iraq?

[Freddie Stubbs]

36. Maybe his frequent flyer miles are about to expire

:shrug:

[Freddie Stubbs]

38. The Boston Globe is also reporting the he will be in the Middle East

Kerry's skills on display in Mideast trip

By Rick Klein, Globe Staff | January 4, 2005

Senator John F. Kerry is reemerging on the public stage this week with a 13-day fact-finding trip through the Middle East, which supporters say shows that the Massachusetts Democrat is determined to maintain a high profile after his losing presidential campaign.

"He intends to play a prominent role in foreign and domestic policy, and this is clear evidence of this," said Philip W. Johnston, chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party. "The fact that his first major public outing following the election relates to Iraq and foreign policy tells us that he intends to be a strong spokesperson on those issues."

Kerry arrived in Amman, Jordan, yesterday and has planned a hectic itinerary, with stops scheduled in Iraq, Kuwait, Syria, Egypt, Israel, and the West Bank. He has meetings set up with a wide range of specialists, local leaders, and military commanders, as well as troops from Massachusetts, said April Boyd, a Kerry spokeswoman.

"He'll be seeing things up close," Boyd said. "He wants to personally thank our troops for their service, focus on the steps that must be taken to achieve success in Iraq, and hear from experts in the region about the war in Iraq, the war on terror, and the Middle East peace process."

more: http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/01/04/kerrys_skills_on_display_in_mideast_trip/

[grapette]

29. JK: "Reporting for Duty" (salute)

*sigh*

[emulatorloo]

34. Petty attacks on John Kerry don't change his long history of fighting

for the people of Mass or the people of the US.

Kerry is headed to Iraq now. . . .sounds pretty damn brave to me.

[newyawker99]

62. Hi grapette!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Pacifist Patriot]

32. Okay, I'll be the Devil's Advocate for a moment.

Perhaps his absence is by brilliant design. Maybe something is going to happen in which it would be best if he were not present. Who knows, I'm just not going to speculate until it plays out.

[joevoter]

57. Agreed

We will see on the 6th. Keep those faxes to your Senators going. We have one day to help make it happen. Lets give it all we got!

Joevoter

If you are in Oregon use this site for sample letters and send Wyden your thoughts...

www.votewyden.org

[blondeatlast]

71. I kinda agree with you.

The timing is definitely NOT an accident.

[propagandafreegal]

35. He is doing this on purpose! nm

[Benson]

40. Without JFK's support, No Senator will Object for him. (nt)

[thoughtanarchist]

41. Without peanuts, your snickers...

is a milky way.


what purpose is served by such useless conjecture?

[LittleClarkie]

51. I have no lung capacity right now

no fair making me laugh. I'll cough myself to death.

Oh. My. God. I love it!

[sepia_steel]

58. wtf

hahahahhahaha. that's the best thing ever.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

74. May I quote you on that?

:thumbsup:

[Vektor]

47. I just want to know...

...and I don't know...which is why I am asking.

Is it possible that Kerry had planned and made arrangements for this trip LONG before he had any idea so much fraud would be revealed. I doubt he had any clue on Nov. 2 HOW many irregularities would be uncovered...

Could have have just booked the trip in an attempt to stay busy, and continue with his life's work, not knowing at the time that a possible challenge was in order?

[Clark2008]

49. Guy on the Randi Rhodes show just called

Said they were trying to get all Dem senators to stand up on the sixth.

Called Kerry's office, pleaded just to send info to the senator before he made his deicision and was told, get this, The Senator doesn't believe bloggers are credible.

So much for grassroots.

[Vektor]

59. That's totally false.

Not that I don't believe you heard it, but either the man on the show, or the man at the office is FULL OF SHIT. Kerry absolutely appreciates his bloggers. Several of us met him at various rallies around the country (from the official Kerry blog) and he would make it a point to personally thank the bloggers for what we do. If you introduced yourself as a blogger, he'd make it a point to talk to you. If you posted a lot, you could tell him your screen name, and likely, he'd recognize it. Not only did he do that, he actually quoted some of us in his campaign speeches. Some of us personally exchanged messages with Elizabeth Edwards on more than one occasion. She ALWAYS made it clear how much Kerry appreciated us. I don't see her as the pandering, lying sort.

Remember "All hat and no cattle?"

From the blog...among many others.

I have heard a lot of B.S. since all this election drama began, but that Kerry does not support the bloggers is absurdity. He knows that we are a tremendous support system, and has said as much, many times.

[Freddie Stubbs]

73. The people who answer the phone in Senators' offices

will very rarely tell you how their boss stands on an issue. It is preferable to send a letter which fully explains the Senators stand and the reason behind it.

[roenyc]

61. that guy was a bev Harris plant

didn't you listen to the rest of his message? he said people should go to bbv.org over and over again and that all the proof of fraud is there. that he is a programmer or something. and that there are a (i dont remember the number) a bunch of computer specialist working on Ohio from bbv. and all the proof is on the web site.

Well Randi went off on this guy and said: why is bev Harris sending her people to call me? tell her i will never forgive her for what she did, never!" and tell her to tell her people stop calling here.

now i can only assume that others have called and been screened out. she took this call to tell him on air to get lost.

[femme.democratique]

63. I think it was Kennedy who said that bloggers weren't credible. eom

[blondeatlast]

72. Someone in this scenario lied. It's one of three:

Randi's caller, the guy at the Senator's office (the most likely), or...?

Kerry did listen to the bloggers; I know from the ralliy I attended.