Non Kerry related but I miss Dick Gephardt

[JohnKleeb]

I mean the man is one of the best champions if not the best for the working man and woman the last quarter century and he's gone from Congress. Sure he's not the most popular person on the boards but I don't care. Here's why I love and adore Dick Gephardt. He's the same age and has a similiar upbringing background to Dick Cheney but he instead of pushing his openly gay daughter to side like Dick Cheney did, Dick Gephardt was very proud of Chrissie and not afraid to talk about her. I like the man because in many ways he reminds me of my mom's parents and family, a little more moderate socially but a very tolerant man when it comes down to it and a man who believes in economic equality. Telling you this, I think Gephardt would have made a fine Secretary of Labor.

[Mass]

1. I liked Gephardt

As Kerry, he is somebody that spent his life serving his country in different capacities.

The fact that after all these years, he is still not particularly wealthy is pretty impressive. I know that it would not have been very popular in some quarters, but I wished that Kerry had chosen him as vice-presidential nominee. He would have made a solid choice among the union families and would have been excellent to defend Kerry against the SBVT and on other issues.

He announced his plans for the future earlier this week.

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/11911882.htm

[JohnKleeb]

2. Gephardt like Kerry is also a veteran

Yeah Gephardt doesnt really appeal to people in my generation that much, because most younger people are more concerned about social issues but I as I told Congressman Obey's office when they interviewed me for a job, I told them that I was very interested in economic issues. I am such a paradox when it comes down to it but I care more about economic issues because my mom's family hard work is part of how I got where I am now, my dad went from job to job a lot when I was a little kid. Yeah he is a pretty humble guy when it comes down to it.

[Mass]

3. I am not sure

I think with more exposure, he would have been liked as well.

Like Kerry, he is an acquired taste, but, contrarely to what some people say, he is good at stump speech, because he is guenine when he speaks (always the good same old Gephardt), and does not play somebody he is not.

[JohnKleeb]

4. Yeah I just think the younger voters wouldnt have been excited

by him, thats not Gephardt's fault though if that had been the case, most younger voters don't understand just how important the right to organize and etc really is, I was in the UFCW very briefly last spring, my mom's dad was in the bricklayers union, and his father and his father in law were UMWA members. Yeah Gephardt really isn't someone who pretends to be what he aint, he really would have been a nice running mate or a cabinet member.

[saracat]

5. Gotta disagree. Gep was on television defending shrub and dissing DSM the

other day.He sounded just like a Republican and used all their talking points.Says the war was totally right and Bush is doing the right thing! I was soooo mafd I could spit! I am so thankful he is no longer in government. And I used to think he was okay. Grrr. I still admire his supporting his daughter. But remember, he is against gay marriage. I interviewd Chrissie once and it was kind of difficult for her to justify his position.

[Mass]

6. I missed that.

But Clinton said the same thing, to be honest.

[saracat]

8. But Clinton at least admits the resons for going to war were wrong

At least he did the other night on Letterman. He just thinks we should finish the job! He thinks the weapos Inspectors ought to have been allowed to do their jobs as well. Gep was far more strident. He said the "liberation of Iraq "justifies everything!

[JohnKleeb]

9. We shouldnt have gone to war in the first place

Huge mistake on our part.

[Mass]

13. In this case, he changed his story compared to a few months ago

Good for him.

I am very surprised by Gephardt saying that. I guess it is a good thing he is out of politics in this case.

[JohnKleeb]

7. Thats awful

about the gay marriage thing though, Kerry claims to oppose gay marriage too, I dont like it either though.

[pinkflower21]

10. I think Gephardt is a good man

but I'm suprised at what was said about him sounding like a Republican in a particular speech because I have never known Gephardt to sound like that. I remember his old line about Bush being a miserable failure during the primaries. I'm glad that JK chose Edwards over Gephardt because I think Edwards is the more exciting choice and could appeal more to younger voters.

[JohnKleeb]

11. Yeah I think they both would have been good choices

I like Edwards a ton since he really is a great speaker who has a great perspective on things.

[saracat]

12. Believe me, I was surprised too. I suppose it is because Gep supported the

IWAR and doesn't want to back down. He supported Bush's position very strongly at the time.He differed from Kerry in that Kerry wasn't necessarily voting for the IWAR as to oblige Bush to go to the UN. Gep actually approved of the war, and apparently still does.Wonder why?I always liked the "miserable failure" line. I guess he just meant it domestically!