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[ProSense]

Some snark, but lots from Kerry

Kerry takes another look at presidency
Says loss in 2004 made him tougher
By Rick Klein, Globe Staff | March 11, 2006

WASHINGTON -- As Senator John F. Kerry prepared to make a return to presidential-style politics with a classic day of New Hampshire campaigning, he said that the 2004 run left him tougher and more eager to fight.

''When you get knocked on your ass and lose a race, you've got to stop and reflect on what you're doing, why you're doing it, what matters, and what's important. And I did," Kerry said in an interview in his Senate office on Thursday. ''There's a very different John Kerry now who is absolutely crystal clear about how I communicate what I need to communicate. . . . People are going to be looking for leadership."

Snip...

''I only know that I'm in a position to make this choice," Kerry said, reflecting his belief that he'd be a viable candidate should he decide to run. ''I'll do what I think is the right thing to do, based on my own gut and desire. I will not worry one instant about conventional wisdom. It was dead wrong in the last race, and it probably will be dead wrong again this time. I just don't buy into some of the things I hear around here based upon what happens when I go out and see people around the country."

Kerry has about $15 million on hand in his campaign accounts, a figure that is surpassed only by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York -- who has a war chest of about $17 million -- among potential 2008 Democratic contenders. He sends regular e-mails to a list of 3 million supporters and has begun trying to energize them by urging them to lobby on legislation and to help veterans who are running for Congress.

Snip...

''He's done a good job positioning himself as well as could be under the circumstances," said Joe Keefe, a former New Hampshire Democratic Party chairman. ''In a party that historically wants to bury the previous nominee, he's in a good position to buck that trend."

Kathy Sullivan, the current chairwoman of the New Hampshire Democrats, echoed Keefe, saying, ''I think people like John Kerry. They feel a real comfort level with him. That's an advantage. you have to remember that the Democratic Party, unlike the Republicans, tends to be cruel to those who served as the banner carriers in the previous election."

Snip...

''I'm energized. I'm as focused as I've ever been," Kerry said. ''You've kind of got to dust yourself off, and say, 'OK, I took one in the jaw on that.' . . . I am a much better public person-slash-candidate as a consequence of that (campaign.)"


http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2006/03/11/kerry_takes_another_look_at_presidency/

[rox63]

1. This is encouraging!

I think a lot of people have realized how many issues he was right about, and * was wrong about. Some of those people may see the light and vote for JK.

[ginnyinWI]

2. I loved reading this!

I'm really glad he hasn't given up, and hasn't listened to the nay-sayers. He still has so much to give this nation. :)

[wisteria]

3. People ARE looking for leadership, he nails it . Very encouraging

and personal interview. I am energized too.

[ProSense]

6. Great word:

"energized." This is an extremely encouraging article because Kerry has continued to be a dynamic force within the party and the Senate. Couple that with the experience of the last campaign and the positives are significantly enhanced.

[sandrakae]

4. It will break my heart if he doesn't run again.

I truly beleive it is his destiny to be President of this country. We deserve him.

[jillan]

5. Found this interesting, and very promising

Was watching Liberty News on Link tv this morning.... we are talking about the extreme left here.

They were talking about the Democratic Party and how they are a bunch of enablers to this administration. Then they said "There are a few democrats on the hill that are speaking out"
They showed a clip of Dennis Kucinich speaking out about NSA;
and then they showed a clip of Kerry:loveya: questioning Condi.

Now if Liberty News finds Kerry as one of the good dems - wow!

[whometense]

7. Do they have a website?

If you can find a link or a clip that would be a great post for GD!

Great find - we don't have that on our RCN lineup, for sure.

[jillan]

8. Couldn't find one.

Link Tv has an excellent website - wow. Never been there until just now.

But Liberty News website was not updated for awhile.
It would have been a great post for gd. It was done with humor, making fun of
the Leiberman type dems. And in the end it was really about voting for all of the vets
running for Congress. Just loved how they showed Kerry fighting for us in the middle of it all.

[jillan]

10. I take it back. Found it.

http://www.libertynewstv.com/

click on the one where the woman is sitting.

You have to sit thru the news for about 10 min to see the Kerry clip,
but this is the kind of news I like, you may remember - real news...you may enjoy it too.

[whometense]

12. Thanks!

I watched the whole thing - that was truly inspiring.

You're right - as I was watching I was reminded of Walter Cronkite - and the way the nightly news told you the truth every night, whether it was pretty or not.

My only quibble was that they fell into the lefty line of Feingold-Murtha-Leahy(?) being the country's potential saviors. They might have added JK into that group easily enough, but they didn't.

[ohtransplant]

9. Sounds like the Senator is champing at the bit...

but I'm sure he'd be the first to say, Let's focus on 2006 first.

I too hope he runs. He brings so much to the table and is, by hos own estimation, better for the experience of 2004. This country needs him.

As soon as the 2006 elections are over, Buckle up Senator. Kerrycrats are ready to roll!

(I think I may be getting excited!):applause: :woohoo: :bounce:

[TayTay]

11. There is no doubt in my mind that he is running.

Not after today. 3 Events in New Hampshire in one day? The vigorous defense of the New Hampshire primary and the Iowa caucus and their placement in the primary schedule? Shit, he's running. I'm going to have to start evaluating the locals, cuz I think I'm going to have to get a new Senator in '08. (I truly believe that he is not re-running for that Senate seat. No matter what happens.)

Great article, btw. I saw it first thing this morning. Front page placement, with a very nice pic. The Senator was looking good, even if it was *that tie* again.

[wisteria]

22. I 'm going with that thought in mind too. Kerry in 2008!

Somehow, I am more excited this time around. I always said to those I knew that he was to good to be just the ABB candidate. That that tag was a dis-service to him and his accomplishments.

[JI7]

23. it was those who were angry their candidate lost who kept pushing it

along with the republicans.

no matter who won the nomination there would have been people who ended up supporting them even though they were not their choice and would have viewed it as being more about voting against Bush than for the candidate.

if their candidate was the one everyone loved then they would have won the nomination, especially against someone they claim nobody likes.

[benny05]

13. Sounds like it,..

Is it true that Kerry doesn't offer an official blog for you to post?

I've been wondering why the posts are so high here other than great enthusiasm, and I heard you all don't have an official Kerry blog (sponsored by Kerry) to blog.

Guess it's different for Clarkies and Edwards bloggers since neither one of those men are in office...?

[jillan]

14. It would be nice if he did have an official blog

Maybe after the 2006 elections, we can
bug him about it.

There are alot of Kerrycrats on the internets,
and it would be great to have a central place to
come and talk.

[fedupinBushcountry]

15. It is very different

You would not believe what you have to look out for on a Senator's official blog. Being a mod on the Kerry blog during the campaign, we always first had to consider it being the blog of a sitting Senator. Just ask Vek (:blush:) , and we had to monitor it 24/7.

[TayTay]

16. Ah, you never know.

Stranger things have happened. And could happen again.

Vigilence.

[karynnj]

18. I think it's nice being here

At this point when we're concentrating on 2006, it's probably preferable to be in a common site with everyone - but with a group where we can discuss events that are very Kerry specific.

It may be easier on the nerves to be on a site only with those who agree, but it means you learn nothing about why some support other candidates and you have no chance to win anyone over. (I'm not naive enough to think there is much "winning over" that occurs. It would usually mean that a person has first found a reason to no longer support someone they supported. Then they need to be willing to trust another candidate and only then is it possible that they might move to your candidate.) Still as candidates fade or leave, there will be people looking, so it's better not to hide somewhere private.

There is at least one all Kerry blog that I know of - not supported by Kerry - but by Kerry supporters. The Edwards blog is pretty recent and doesn't seem to get the number of posts that this group does. Clark's is older and also seems less active than this group.

As to why we have more posts, we're a gregarious lot and the Senator has done an amazing job since the election. A great Kerry biography might be more fascinating than any on any other politician of the last 50 years - including people who became President - so we have great material to write about. But, the main reason might be that over time, many of us have come to really love the group's discussions - with different people bringing different things to the group. I find this place quite hospitable and enjoy being here.

[Mass]

17. The reaction on kos and GD makes me think most people consider

him as a serious contender.

If he was as irrelevant and unable to win as they thought, they would not lose their time posting that he should not run.

[karynnj]

19. True,

after all how many diaries anywhere argued that Sharpton, Braun or Kuchinich should not run in 2004? Zero to my knowledge.

Now, the only one being told he shouldn't run is Kerry. Why?

[JI7]

20. yup

they talk about how NOBODY likes him. so what do they care if he runs. since nobody likes him then he wont get any votes and wont win the nomination.

[ProSense]

24. And

They don't realize that it's not that many of them. It's just that they are extremely nasty and they stink up otherwise positive threads.

[wisteria]

21. He is a serious treat to THEIR candidates. Kerry is a good

canpaigner and fundraiser too, they can't say the same for their candidates in most cases.

[ProSense]

25. The other thing is loyalty

Or lack there of.

Every week or two they lavish praise on a different hero and dump them two weeks later. It's tragic. Instead of building up Democrats to win, they feel the need to tear other Democrats down so their candidate has a better shot. Do they believe that their candidate is that weak?

[politicasista]

26. That was a ugly thread n/t

[ProSense]

27. Yeah all

20 of them. The same group, maybe a troll. There are a few more, but seriously they are just desperate.