What do you think. Is there ever a chance Kerry will run for President again?

[wisteria]

I know may do not agree with me on this, but I a not overly opptomistic that we will see a Democrat in the White House in 08.

Is his drive to be President over for him? Will he do all he can for two years and then give it another shot?

[Dr Ron]

1. I think it depends upon what happens

I think he wants to be President but doesn't want to enter a futile campaign.

Chances are obviously better if he wouldn't have to run against a Democrat in 2012. I wonder if the experience of running against an incumbant in 2004 would make him a little more reluctant to run if there is a Republican running for reelection. If a Democrat loses in 2008, when the conventional wisdom is that they should win, there would be a new scape goat and this might take some of the heat off Kerry.

The most important thing is what happens to the public perception of Kerry in the next few years. If he emerges as a Senate leader and the conventional wisdom shifts and it becomes common for people to say he should have been elected then there is hope. If he continues to be regarded as a loser within his own party then it is far less likely.

All in all, I think the chances are low but not impossible.

[wisteria]

6. I had not thought about him running in 2012 against an incumbent Republican pres.

That is something to think about.

[Dr Ron]

14. I'd hate to see that happen--unless he wins

We saw in 2004 how hard it is to beat an incumbent, despite all the people who blame Kerry for the loss. Although I knew it was a long shot all along, I was hoping he coud do in in 2008 when not running against a sitting President, especially in a year where any Democrat has an edge.

I'd hate to see him run again only to lose and risk appearing to be a new Harold Stassen. I'd rather have him as a major leader in the Senate.

Of course there's always an outside chance that someone like McCain could win and then not run again due to age (or increased unpopularity of Republcans).

Predicting what will happen in 2008 is difficult enough, but at least we know the major players and can make some guesses. We can't really make meaningful predictions beyond that. I doubt Kerry will run again, but you never know how things will change.

[Mass]

2. Honestly, no. Of course, we cannot know for sure, but I think

it is probable this will not happen. A lot of buzz has been made, for example, of Gore running in 08. This will not happen. The same is probably true for Kerry. Hopefully, the Democrats will give him more and more leadership role in the Senate (his subcommittee assignments in the Foreign Relation Committee are a good beginning) and he may be able to shape the policies of the country for a lot longer than as President (remember this last at best 8 years).

This said, why I understand your questions about a Democrat winning in 08, I would not despair. The Republican field is weak (Hell, Romney is one of the favorites, this should tell us a lot), and I do not think the country can survive 8 more years of GOP leadership. So, I intend to work very hard so that a Democrat wins the WH in 08. I would prefer that it is neither Hillary nor Edwards, but, if it is one of them, so be it. But WE MUST WIN.

And for Kerry, who knows. He may continue being an influential senator. He may even get a seat in a cabinet, if this is what he wants. Who knows.

[beachmom]

3. No, I do not think he will run. I think he will go on to be one of the

greatest senators in our history. But he has made his decision. And he's going to be doing things from now on that will mean he won't be able to run. Unless this country moves seriously to the left in 5 years, which I doubt it will.

He said in that article that he is at peace. And I believe him, and think this decision is final.

Of course, with Gore it seemed he'd never run for president again, and now people want him to. So you never know. But Kerry will be older, and I just don't see him doing it in 2012.

[_dynamicdems]

4. I have the same feeling you do.

If Hillary Clinton gets the nomination, she will probably lose. Pray we don't end up with McCain.

Another consideration is what happens if Hillary or another less-than-qualified Democrat does manage to win? They inherit an effing mess and it gets worse. This scenario is almost as bad for our party and our country.

Kerry will do his best to offset the damage that has been done by his work in the Senate, prior to the election in 2008. He can be a real leader in the Senate, but there is a Hell of a lot of damage to counter and Bush is determined to create more before he leaves office.

It's easy to forsee a number of scenarios where Kerry could run again. It's too vague at this time to know what will happen, but I truly believe this man will go down in history as one of the greatest leaders of our time whether or not is is as President. Kerry is just warming up, you can count on that. It has taken an entire lifetime for him to become the leader and hero he is. He is destined to lead us out of the darkness in one way or another.

[Noisy Democrat]

5. If the Dems lose in 08, I expect Kerry to run in 12

My guess is worth what you're paying for it -- I don't know him personally --, but he'll only be 68 and no doubt still as strong as an ox. There are so many variables, though -- the state of the country, whether Teresa feels like going through it again (she's a few years older than he is), what his public image is at that point (as Ron pointed out), etc.

What I can say with great confidence is that I think it's far too early to assume JK *won't* run in 12.

[wisteria]

8. I am happy to hear you say that, senator is fine, but as a President he would be better.

He would have more respect and more of a following. There is to much room for him as a senator to be written off and ridiculed and marginalized like they do to Kennedy. Many here say he can be a great senator, but I doubt it will matter much to people outside Mass.

[TayTay]

7. Ahm, well, never say never.

However, Senator Kerry will be asked this in his re-election bid in 08. Ahm, saying yes to a possible in '12 would not be helpful.

[wisteria]

9. That is understandable. Too bad NY didn't care if Hillary ran in 08 for the

senate with designed on the presidency.

[Noisy Democrat]

10. Well, Kerry himself can't say yes to 2012 for a few reasons

For one thing, it would sound as if he was planning on the Dem nominee losing, since surely he wouldn't run against an incumbent Dem. But *we* can speculate a bit, if it makes us feel better. I definitely won't be wearing a Kerry '12 t-shirt any time soon, though, because of the undermining-the-Dem-nominee factor.

[TayTay]

11. Ahm, I meant in Massachusetts.

Ahm, my feeling is that Massachusetts wants no to mean no. Period. He has to pledge his undying love to the Bay State and to being the Senator from the Bay State. (Yeah, it's unfair. But we have had a lot of people not committing to Massachusetts in the last 10 years. People want him to stay put. I know that will not be popular on this group, but it is an accurate reporting of the feeling here at home.)

[wisteria]

16. So, it is over? The quest is over? n/t

[Inuca]

19. Yes, I am afraid so.

Unless we wish for bad things to happen, so he can have a chance to be the knight in shinning armor. And believe me, I understand perfectly the sadness and difficulty to accept that is implied in your no text message, I feel the same way, I find it almost impossible to accept it's over. But it is.

[Noisy Democrat]

25. I think it depends on how we want to think about it

For me, it would be foolish and counterproductive to put a whole lot of eggs in the 2012 basket -- it's too far off and there are too many variables. But I think there's a *possibility*, and I'm not going to let go of that prematurely, either. I just won't let it overshadow what's going on now. Some people may find it easier to come to terms with the present situation if they just shut all possibility of 2012 out of their minds. Others may prefer to hold onto that spark of hope. So long as we can wholeheartedly get on board with what JK intends to accomplish in the Senate -- instead of just pining for 2012 and letting that become our major source of motivation --, I don't see any reason to categorically declare, "No, never, he will never run for president again." I prefer to think that all kinds of possibilities are still open, but then to focus my attention firmly on the exciting work in front of us.

I expect JK to do incredible things in the Senate, and I don't think he's going to let thoughts of 2012 influence the decisions he makes. I think that at least for now, he's free of strategizing towards the presidency, and that freedom will unleash tremendous energy. Does that mean we'll never get on board the presidential campaign train again? Not necessarily, and I don't think it's necessary to deny that possibility altogether -- unless for some people, cold hard certainty is easier to digest than "Who knows what the future will bring?" I just think we should set that glimmer of hope aside someplace safe where it can give us a bit of comfort without dominating everything else, and then turn our attention to the adventures that lie more directly ahead.

[wisteria]

29. Exactly. As a dreamer of sorts I like to think anything is possible.

I am also a firm believer in the philosophy of never say never.
I have no intention of forgetting the present and just looking to the future. Nope, 2012 is too far away even 2008 is still to far away to predict.
Time will take care of the sadness and everyday life will again take over my thoughts. But, for a long time I will still hold out hope. It works for me.

[wisteria]

12. Oh, I think they would be hard to find anyway. n/t

[Firespirit]

13. Oh, there's a *chance*...

At present I'm not going to assign a number to it. The man himself has spoken with us at great length, and he says there is a chance if things go badly next year. (Badly as in a Repug, not badly as in Hildebitch.)

Right now I honestly cannot say. In two years I'll be able to answer that much better.

[TayTay]

15. I am relieved to hear you say this

And very, very happy to hear that the boss checked in and assured the troops about the future, his and others.

That was nice. Glad to hear it. (Ahm, I have been worried about you and WEL.)

[wisteria]

17. Hildebitch? Did you think that up after catching the KO interview with her.

Honestly, she sounds like the wicked witch from Oz. My daughter had it down perfectly. It is good for a laugh or two.

[whometense]

18. Glad to hear it too.

By the way, she is now permanently branded Hildebitch in my mind. I love it.

[Firespirit]

20. I will not accord her any respect.

Hildebitch. Or, to Harry Potter fans, I will also call her Hildemort.

Everything that has happened the past 6 years began with the Clintons. The Supreme Court, corrupt Florida officials, and Bush thugs all played their part in post-election 2000, but I have come to believe that we took a wrong turn the minute that Gore chose Lieberman instead of Kerry for his VP. And he did it because of the Clintons, and their utterly selfish "stab everyone else in the back for ourselves" nature. The Clintons and Lieberman are cut from the same mold.

That group is the cause of the Democratic Party's fall from grace in the 90s and 00s, not deliberately, but just because they didn't give a damn who got hurt as long as they got theirs. The Bush presidency was not a deliberate end, just the incidental result -- the toxic waste of the Clintons' machinations. Look at those photos of Bill and Poppy yukking it up, or read about Hildebitch making nicey-nice with Newt Gingrich. The Tom DeLay Repugs that made it their life's mission to destroy the Clintons are, and always have been, irrelevant. Flies that got swatted last November. The real enemies are the neocons and the hardcore corporatist-globalists, which include the Clintons.

No, I will not accord her any respect. And I will do whatever is in my power to take her out over the next two years.

[Blaukraut]

21. Can I help you?

Taking out Hildebitch (love it!) is near the top of my to do list, so count me in.

[Dr Ron]

22. Lieberman and Clinton

For the most part I agree with your antipathy towards Hildebitch, but do you really think the Clintons are responsible for the poor choice of Lieberman over Kerry? I saw the choice of Lieberman as part of Gore distancing himself from Clinton, considering how Lieberman responded to the Monica scandal. Of course the Clintons didn't seem to hold a grudge during Lieberman's reelection campaign.

[Firespirit]

30. I don't think they told him to do it...

...but I doubt that they wept over it, either. They probably knew it was a lousy move, which was perfectly OK with them. I remember reading that they treated George W. far nicer on his first inauguration day than they treated Gore, who had been their right-hand man for eight years. I also haven't forgotten the plethora of news stories in 2001 and 2002 that talked about how the Clintons and Gores were barely on speaking terms.

Then Gore didn't endorse the DLC candidate, Lieberman, or the Clinton candidate, Clark. (No offense meant to Clarkies, just a statement of fact. I like the General and hope he isn't the next victim of Hildebitch's bloodied knife.) I think Gore would've endorsed Kerry if Kerry had been seen as a legitimate candidate, but Gore's choice of Dean was IMO his parting shot before he got started on his big global warming project. Good for him. He was burned too, but his work will secure him a far better place in history than the Clintons could carve out for themselves. If Kerry manages to get this war ended, in whatever capacity (I'd like him as Secretary of State under a respectable Dem, but the Mass people may not want him to do that after just getting re-elected. They're rather a greedy bunch. ;) We'll see), then he too will have secured his place in spite of being backstabbed.

In my view, everything the Clintons have done since Bill left office has been a buildup for a Hillary run in 2008. They didn't do their utmost to elect Dems in '02 or '04, or '06 for that matter, but dumped on those who did put their all into it. Carville sabotaged K/E's plans to look into Ohio (and now it's come out that there was definitely malfeasance in the recount at least). They made nice with the people who were looting the country, and stole the spotlight repeatedly. Hillary put out her book right around the 2004 primaries, and I think it was deliberate. I'll give them credit -- they're good strategists, and willing to wait, but they're cold and uncaring. Maybe that's why they made nice with neocons; they think the same way and after all do have a lot of economic views in common. That's all it's ever been about with that sort, domination by U.S. multinationals over the entire globe. That's what she represents, and that's what we're up against.

[dailykoff]

40. I think that's a good analysis.

But I'm still wondering how they shut down his campaign. Was it the money? Did he get a tap on the shoulder from somebody? Because I really think it was his to lose, not Hillary's, and if he'd stayed in he'd have had a far better chance of winning than her. She's got her name, period, but Bill didn't even get a plurality his first time out, and I don't see how she'll do better than Bill.

[whometense]

23. Sign me up too.

Anything in my power.

[politicasista]

24. I am with you n/t

[whometense]

26. To me, this news story says A LOT:

http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/9740.html

* Barack Obama’s presidential campaign got some good news yesterday when some of John Kerry’s top fundraisiers announced they would begin supporting the Illinois Senator. As the NYT noted, “So far, at least, the list includes: Bob Farmer, who was Mr. Kerry’s chief fundraiser; Mark Gorenberg, Mr. Kerry’s top money man in California; and Alan Solomont, a major fundraiser in New England for Mr. Kerry and a former national finance chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Orin Kramer, a prominent New York Democratic fundraiser, has also signed on with Mr. Obama.”

Hmmm....Take that, Hildebitch.

[whometense]

27. Another (local Boston) post:

http://gitell.wordpress.com/2007/01/25/solomont-with-obama/

Solomont With Obama
January 25th, 2007 by gitell

Alan Solomont, a former national finance director for the Democratic National Committee under President Clinton, is signing on to the campaign of Barack Obama. Solomont, who was formerly a top fundraiser with John Kerry, has a long history of ties to Senator Hillary Clinton. Despite these ties, he’s backing Obama. “I hope to play a leadership role here in New England,” Solomont told Gitell.Com. “My sense is that there is… a great advantage in being a new face and a new voice. A powerful voice and uplifting voice could energize people. I think Senator Obama responds to that desire of the American people better than any other candidate.”

Here’s Brian Mooney’s take on it.

Edited to add that Gitell has a word about Cam as well:
http://gitell.wordpress.com/2007/01/25/kerry-out/

...I also have to say a word about a hidden asset for Kerry, his brother Cam. Here’s what Cam told me yesterday: “”I’m disappointed. I worked hard to get John elected president. I believe he would have made a great president…You’ve got to deal with the realities. And looking at things … the way he can be most effective on the issues he cares about is in the Senate. There’s a lot that he can do there.”

[Inuca]

28. My thoughts exactly

I saw it yesterday, just as a title I think on CSPAN. Obama offers at least hope, Hildebitch (I like that!) means wallowing in the same smallness (this just blew me away, a single word that says more than thousands of other words... only it was not only the "the smallness of the last six years" but unfortunately much longer than that).

[rockymountaindem]

34. Wouldn't he be considered too old by then?

[Noisy Democrat]

36. No

McCain is taken seriously, and as far as I know, he's 72. JK is in excellent shape; at 68, he'll still be able to present himself as youthful enough for the job.

[rockymountaindem]

38. Good!

I wasn't sure how old he is now. Thanks for clearing that up.

[wildflowergardener]

31. hard to say

For me, I would say there is always hope, but it seems it's not something you can really answer until the results of the 2008 election. It seems as if there is more of a chance if a republican gets into power again in 2008, but that's something I'm not going to (and I'm sure John Kerry doesn't) wish just so he will run again. If a democrat gets elected then you have that democrat running again in 2012, and then most likely the vice president running in 2016. I'm not sure do democrats normally run agains the vice president? So I think it would really depend on is any republicans win before Senator Kerry would be too old to run again.

This is not knowing, of course, if Senator Kerry would have a wish or desire to run again. My impression just from his speech is he would have the desire.

One of my biggest reservations with Hillary Clinton is could she actually win the election. There are so many people who dislike her. I know I don't like her and she wouldn't be getting any of my support - though I'd probably hold my nose and vote for her if she was my only democratic choice.

If Hillary runs and loses I would guess maybe John Kerry would be their in 2008. It seems there would not be as big a pressure for him not to run, since there would have been a break of 4 years, and yet another person would have lost. Also alot can change in 4 years - he can distingush himself even more, in helping get us out of Iraq.

Also, it makes me feel a little better if I just have a little bit of hope. I know it helped me after 2004, to think that there was a chance the election was stolen and might be reversed. Helped me to gradually get over being quite as upset about him losing and Bush staying in office.

Meg

[JanusAscending]

32. Or..................what if the person (other than Hillary)

nominated in '08 chose him to run as VP?????? Do you think he would consider that scenario? I've been thinking Kerry/Obama for over a year now. Maybe it would be Obama/Kerry ???? JK could sure teach him the ropes, and I have a sense (feeling) that they like each other, and believe in similar things. Hopefully before the DLC gets their hooks in him!! (is anyone else having problems with DU tonight? This is the only site I can get to open?????)

[wisteria]

33. maybe, he can play the Chaney roll, only the good Chaney. n/t

[JanusAscending]

39. There ya go!!!

"Oops,there it is!!"

[politicasista]

35. Judge Mathis liked that scenario

Ignore the snark. They say that for every democrat.

Commentary: Barack Obama/John Kerry is the Best Presidential Ticket for Democrats in 2008
Date: Thursday, October 26, 2006
By: Judge Greg Mathis, Special to BlackAmericaWeb.com

After months of speculation, U.S. Senator Barack Obama has finally admitted that he is thinking of running for president in 2008. The first term senator from Illinois says he’ll make his decision after the November elections. This announcement didn’t surprise many. Obama’s name and the word "president" have been linked since he wowed the nation at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. In fact, it seemed Obama was the only one saying he wouldn’t run for president.

Now that his tune has changed, the criticisms have begun: His challengers have repeatedly said Obama doesn’t have enough experience working on national policy; he doesn’t have any experience working on foreign policy. To some degree, this is true. But, over the years, many presidents have lacked certain skills. To compensate, they chose a running mate to fill in the gaps. If Obama chooses to run, U.S. Sen. John Kerry, the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, would make up for any holes in Obama’s experience.

Obama, once a community organizer and civil rights attorney, spent many years fighting for the needs of the poor. In his current role as a senator, he focuses on bringing jobs and economic growths to Illinois. Obama understands the needs of the average American and has worked tirelessly to make sure they have access to the opportunities they need to succeed. Kerry, on the other hand, brings a different set of experiences to the table. Currently in his fourth term as a senator, the Massachusetts Democrat is considered one of the country’s most respected voices on national security and international affairs. Combined, Obama and Kerry represent a political ticket that fights for the rights and needs of all Americans while, at the same time, realizing America must work closely with other nations to advance a global agenda.

Kerry would have won the 2004 election if it hadn’t been stolen from him. Ohio, the state that gave President Bush the electoral votes he needed to win a second term in office, reported many voting irregularities. Election officials in that state reportedly failed to process registration cards Democratic voter drives generated, and mostly Democratic precincts didn’t receive an adequate numbers of voting machines.


http://www.blackamericaweb.com/site.aspx/sayitloud/mathis1027

[Noisy Democrat]

37. I hadn't seen that -- thanks! n/t

[JanusAscending]

41. First I've seen this too!

I'll read the whole thing tomorrow. Too tired now.Thanks for the link!!

[wildflowergardener]

42. Vice President

Of course, If he were to decide to do the vice president thing, then he wouldn't be in the senate fighting to end the war, he'd still be out campaigning,

However, I bet he would do it. He wouldn't be campaigning as long and would not be quite as risky a thing if he was chosen after the primary as if he were to run in 2004 and not get the nomination and lose his senate seat as well.

Of course, I'm afraid I feel there was more chance of him running and winning the primary than being chosen as vice president - because I know how many democrats here (and maybe high up) blame him for the 2004 loss - will people decide he would cause the 2004 candidate to lose and discourage that?

Meg

[TayTay]

43. Okay, cards on the table time for me, this is how I feel

I read this over on the Still Fighting post on the JohnKerry.com site.

Allow me to share the heartfelt admiration and profound sense of disappointment expressed by those who have preceded me in this blog. I, too, respect and fully understand your decision. In fact, the day before your announcement, I ran into your sister Peggy (as I have many times), and expressed my hope that you would run again. She took the opposite view, but quite properly did not inform me of your plans. In the mere minute we had for a talk, she displayed a sister's love by saying, "He is such a good and decent man, and it's a zoo out there!" She obviously does not want you to be hurt again.

I agree with the good Senator's sister, enough. Oh dear Lord, enough, enough, enough, enough, enough. This is a good and decent man. It has hurt me to see this good and decent man put through the ringer this past year by people who I don't think are qualified to carry his gym socks, nevermind criticize him all the time for the stands and actions he has taken. Enough. I can bear it no more.

Yes, I think John Kerry would have made an outstanding President. It would have been different to have someone with a real live moral conscience at the highest level of American government. But if it is not to be, then I do not want this good man trampled anymore on the floor of the Senate by mental midgets like Jeff Sessions because they think it will make a crass political point and because they think it's fun to knife people and watch them bleed. Enough!

John Kerry performed a service to this country that a lot of other people in government now will never, ever get to do. He helped to stop a war that was immoral and unjust. I have no idea how many lives were saved because he stood up back in the early '70s, but I do know that Wall in Washington is shorter because of his efforts. I damn right and well know that. I don't know too many other people in DC who can make that claim, the claim that they helped stop needless death.

Stopping this current war in Iraq and saving more lives from being put on some future Wall in DC is God's work. That's how I feel. There is no higher calling or more noble and necessary work that can be done for this nation, in any publicly elected office than the effort to stop this immoral and unjust war. Maybe John Kerry was put on this earth for that very purpose, though it is heartbreaking beyond words to think that. (How incredibly awful to have to do this twice. Noble and inspiring, yes, but the cost. My God, the cost.)

So yes, I am at peace with this decision and am not even thinking six months down the road, never mind any other year. This war must stop, it is damaging the soul of this nation. I want to help in this effort in any way I can. Again, I believe it to be God's own work to be done at this hour, in this country. "Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called the Children of God."

Godspeed Senator Kerry. Speak up, act for all those who feel they have no voice and no way to get through to the warmakers. Speak up, tell them the truth, tell them how wrong this path is that we are on now. Tell them that we have to stop this immoral and unjust war. Go, do that, for yourself, for everything that you learned about war at such a horrible cost and for all those who are currently learning that cost. Go, be the Peacemaker, do God's work. I got your back and will do anything I possibly can do to help.

But, in all honesty, I am relieved this week. I can bear it no more. No more hurting, no more snide remarks, no more little Jeffies on the floor of the Senate sneering about Davos or Sen. Allard's who accuse their betters of being weak and 'spun by the political winds.' This is a good and decent man. He deserves better than this crap. Enough!

Now go, do God's work. Help to end this war. There are countless people who will benefit from this in ways we don't even know now. Go, do this, it is the most pressing need of this nation at the moment and will require all the considerable skills and talents you possess. And, sir, you do so with all my best wishes, prayers and promises to help. Godspeed John Kerry.

[Inuca]

44. Oh Tay!

That was unbelievable! Thank you.

[JanusAscending]

54. Ditto, I feel so selfish!!

Maybe he will be the one to save my Hiedi from harm by getting us out of there before WWIII starts thanks to * !

[wisteria]

46. Tay, once he speaks out, the negatives will start again. As long as he is bucking the system.

But, I understand your POV. The immediate is important and it will be years not months before things are straightened out in Iraq and the Middle East.The remarks and smears, I think that goes along with the territory. Bush gets ridiculed and smeared. Hillary get ridiculed and smeared, Bill gets the same treatment. Even McCain. They made fun of and ridiculed Lincoln too, for his appearance as well as his walk.Jefferson was the butt of jokes and smears. In fact, Jefferson hated the press. This stuff doesn't bother me, it is to be expected. However, it is obvious that the current powers within our party had it in for him. The did not even want him to make it to the primaries. Makes me wonder why, but I don't feel like speculating now.

You have the Senate race to look forward too. That will occupy your time. There will be a positive outcome I am sure and he will be able to rebuild his reputation a bit and win back a couple of wayward Dem's. But, for the rest of us that have nothing left to hope for and have to watch others take center stage in what is becoming a very long and depressing election season, well maybe we want to look past all of that and into the distant future. Maybe, it helps us get past the bad times right now. To look and hope for the future.
Besides working with JK to bring the troops home, I intend to do everything in my power to rid the party of the Clinton's. They are a black mark on our party. And, I want to see them crash and burn so that our party can renew and truly become the party of the people.
I like to call it cynicism used for the common good.
Peace!

[TayTay]

48. Okay, one last time, I'll open the other vein, but just for you.

Wisteria, some of it will stop because the idiot factory in DC will start to go after some other targets and that's fine with me. This will free Sen. Kerry up to do the work he has to do, the work he and a few others are uniquely able to do. That is a very good thing.

Did you see that hearing the other day in SFRC? Dear Lord in heaven, Sen. Hagel and Sen Kerry friggin bled right there on the hearing room floor. Some of the other people had all the intensity of folks trying to figure out the NYTimes crossword puzzle. They talk about the war as though it's a series of jigsaw pieces that have to be fit together or like they are doing homework for some college class. Not Hagel. Not Kerry. The pain in their voices was real. I don't believe they ever, in their worst nightmares, thought it would come to this again. It showed. Their statements were alive with that passion and with the horrible knowledge they have of what war is like. It was night and day from everyone else who spoke. Night and day. I was almost too numb from that hearing to even feel anything when Sen. Kerry was on the Senate floor later on and made his announcement. That hearing leveled me. It was crushing.

I think in the last few years that everyone has wanted a piece of Sen. Kerry. I was part of that. I wanted him to be President and I wanted him to run again. Oh, and I wanted him to do everything he could to stop this war. Ah, how pieces are there to go around here? These are not cardboard figures or just talking heads from the TV, these are real people who have histories and feelings and dreams and desires. They take hits and get hurt, just like real live human beings are wont to do.

Well, enough. When the Senator announced that he wasn't running and would devote his energies to ending this immoral and unjust war, I was relieved. Maybe there will be a few less people trying to dig in and get a piece of him. Well, not Howard Kurtz of the WaPo. He published a piece the next day that basically said, hey, I was trying to cut a piece of you off and you kept moving. How dare you deliver a speech on what to do in Iraq. I just wanted to see you be emotional. I just wanted to carve that one last piece out of you and watch you bleed a little bit and I am upset you made me wait to do that. Well fuck Kurtz and the horse he rode in on. (Geez Howie, you had time, you could have popped some popcorn and settled into the comfy chair and really turned up the volume so that when the juicy part you were waiting for happened, you could cheer and stuff. Motherfucking bastid.)

There were a lot of instances of that happening. There were a lot of people who wanted another piece. We all saw this in Oct. I don't want to see it, not at that level, again. Enough. Some of it will stop and that suits me just fine. Again, this is a good and decent man and he deserves better than this, and I hope that taking himself out of the intensity of another Presidential run eases some of that idiotic bullshit he has had to go through. I really do.

I saw that hearing. I saw the raw emotion of it. I can't imagine what some of these veterans are going through to see this all happen again. It must be awful. That is enough to go through and ending it will be enough to go through. So, yeah, I am relieved. I can't help it. That's my own humanity and my own soul I'm holding on to here. I felt relieved. I think it was for the right reasons.

Again, Godspeed John Kerry. Go, do God's work. And I hope you start to get some of the love and care that are certainly due you for all the great things you have done for this country. Now, go get 'em, sir. We have a mistake to make right and I don't know anybody better suited to do that, I really don't.

[beachmom]

50. Nothing to add to that. Amen. n/t

[wisteria]

52. Tay, I hope that bleeding vein is well bandaged.

I do want you to know, I do not want to see the good senator suffer. I also realize that a lot of the smears have been generated by inside the beltway and people in our own party. Also, I certainly do not want to marginalize or deem irrelevant the goal he has now set for himself. I admire his so much for taking this on. I am also happy that he is now free to speak his mind. I want only what is best for this man. I could see he seemed to be wearing himself out, he was prone to colds and was carrying a great burden on his shoulders.
For now things should remain as they are, it is for the best of all concerned. However, sometimes destiny interferes in a settled life and one must heed the call to do more. We never know what the future will hold and what changes may come into being.
May the senator find the peace he so rightly deserves for now as he pursues what he himself said he feels in his gut.

[TayTay]

55. All bandaged up and well on the way to healing.

I wrote what I wrote because it was honest and it was how I felt. I owe people in here that. I really do.

I don't dwell in bitterness. It's not me. It is an effort for me to stop long enough to write stuff like that. It is honest, but it is painful to write. I have to stop long enough to pull it up from inside and put it into writing. But, having done so, I will move on. (Sorry, but my stays in Heartbreak Hotel are measured in hours, not weeks or months. That is just who I am.)

I will move on. I will keep DC's Heidi in my thoughts, and the names of a lot of other people who are 'in harms way' and move on. Because I completely and totally believe that getting them out of harms way is what must be done. It is, as I have written, God's work.

So, I won't be writing stuff like I did above anymore. I can't. I don't really live there. I live in the world of the possible. I live in the world where you make plans, have hope and work to make things better. That is me. I hope that is okay. It is also honest and true.

[whometense]

57. For what it's worth,

I pretty much agree with you. The venom that's poured out of the left and the right towards him in the past few days have convinced me that he made the right decision. It's been staggering, the amount of poison they still had in reserve for him. Only imagine if he'd announced he was running.

Over the past few days I've come to think that, although I believe he would have been an excellent president, and though I do believe he won in 2004, he really did have to choose between following his own moral compass and maneuvering his way into position. He made the only choice that makes sense for him right now.

It's been said here before, and I completely believe this is true, that his only real stumbles in the 2004 campaign came when he had to triangulate - he's not good at lying; he's not even good at spinning. He's too honest. If he were bettr at those things, he wouldn't be the man we love and admire so much.

I was never actually able to bring myself to ask him to run again, and I do realize that for those of us who are lucky enough to call him our senator, that's an easier call than it is for others. To see what he had to deal with in 2004 was hard enough - to watch him go through it again (and to think of Teresa having to watch him go through it again) in a doubly difficult effort seemed too much to ask.

I have no idea who I'll vote for in the primary - but that's a long way off, and I'm hopeful by then there will be someone in the race I can truly respect. Until then, I'm officially off presidential politics.

[Noisy Democrat]

58. Thank you for saying all that

I feel much the same, Tay. As I've said in other posts, I need to hang onto the glimmer of hope that 2012 represents, but only as a glimmer, not as something I really expect. And at the same time, I feel much of what you're saying here. By Election Day 2004, I was so sick at heart from seeing a good man trashed and smeared and lied about, I just wanted it to be *over*. I could almost -- almost! -- say that I didn't care about the outcome, so long as they would just stop *hurting* him every day. I still have some of those feelings. I also want to see him kick some ass, though, and possibly get the respect he deserves. So I'm sad he's not running in '08. But I know what you mean about "Enough." I really know what you mean.

[wildflowergardener]

49. I agree

<But, for the rest of us that have nothing left to hope for and have to watch others take center <stage in what is becoming a very long and depressing election season, well maybe we want to look <past all of that and into the distant future. Maybe, it helps us get past the bad times right now.

Wisteria,

This is how I feel. Even thought I know it may never happen, it makes me not feel so depressed to think he might have a chance to run again. It just makes me feel a little better. That's how it was in 2004. I was so so depressed after that election - I had to think to myself, maybe in 4 years, so I could get out of bed.

Even if it never happens, by that time, I'll be feeling better - and I figure, either a democrat will have won, so I'll be feeling pretty good about things, or they won't have, and at that point I can maybe continue to hope for Senator Kerry to run again the next time. Either way it just makes me feel a little better and that all hope is not gone.

Meg

[wisteria]

51. Yes, it is what I like to call the Scarlett O'Hara philosophy only

instead of saying I will think about the pain and deal with it tomorrow, it is extended into the future.

[karynnj]

56. I agree with you

I hadn't seen that comment on the Johnkerry.com blog. The quote attributed to Peggy says a lot. It says something that she used words like good and decent. There are many words used to describe politicians and leader, but how many of them would be described by the people who know them best as good and decent.

and it is a zoo out there. I imagine that this may at least end the politically motivated attacks from our side of the aisle. Those in many ways likely hurt more - because they were from people he had to know knew better. (The more I think of it, this decision may have been made to avoid having his more fragile than he is crew and his family go thru 2 years of hell.) The feelings of Peggy and other family members may have had a role.

Reading the comments on that post and on the thank you post - He should see that he inspired many.

If he is able to shorten a second already too long unnecessary war, he is doing what is best. He is serving his country and living up to his values.

[wildflowergardener]

45. Do I want Senator Kerry to be hurt

Of course not. And because of this, if he chooses not to run again to avoid all of the backstabbing, etc. that goes on then I support him and his choice. It doesn't mean I wouldn't be dissappointed that he won't be president, but it is a relief that now everything he does on the senate won't be second guessed.

But if he decides to run again, I will support him. I believe that I have read that it was his lifelong dream to be president. If he doesn't want to give up on his dream, it's his choice. No matter how much his family may want to protect him, it's his choice what he does from now on, whether he decides to not run again and stay as senator, or to run again someday.

And I won't feel guilty for wishing he would run again. I also feel it's important to tell him he does have support, that not all people are backstabbers - which is why I'm so glad to see so many nice comments on his blog. Us speculating on whether he is going to run or not is not going to make a difference anyway. He will choose what he wants to do, so I'm not going to feel guilty for wishing it. If I wish it, I wish that if he runs it will be different and he won't be treated that way - maybe it's crazy.

Maybe it's because I'm from Massachussets and don't get to have him supporting my state that I feel this way - I don't know. Or maybe I'm just selfish for wanting him to be president - I don't know.

Editing: I hope I don't sound overly harsh, but I felt like you were saying we shouldn't want him to run again, because we should want him not to be hurt instead, but I can't help but want him to run again - it's not that I want him to be hurt.

Meg

[wisteria]

53. I see nothing wrong with still hoping. We all have reasons to think about

things as we do.

[dailykoff]

47. Yes I think there is.

I don't see anybody but the media and the pollsters embracing Hill or the other veep shortlisters and Kerry's already proven he can win primaries and bring in votes. I could be wrong but I see drafting later in the season as a distinct possibility.

Edit: it may look bleak as the party appears to have withdrawn its support but the party isn't the people and we haven't heard from the voters yet. They're the ones who decided in 2004.