John Kerry did not endorse anybody

[sandnsea]

Commitments were made to Specter and it's the right thing for the Dem leadership to adhere to them.

Regardless, Here's the actual statement:

“I know Senator Specter and Congressman Sestak both on a personal level. They’re both my friends, and I was involved very early in supporting Admiral Sestak’s 2006 race for Congress. I’ve been reluctant to get involved in a primary between two friends, and even more reluctant to be drawn into arbitrating the definition of the term Swiftboating. I’d like to see us get to a better place in politics where the word Swiftboating is retired from the political vocabulary.

What troubled me most about the 2004 smears was that lies were permitted to pollute the public dialogue even after they were thoroughly and publicly disproven by the Navy’s own records.

“Now, six years later, the term Swiftboating is back as an issue in the Senate primary. I cannot serve as a referee. That’s an issue for the candidates to address and the media to investigate. However, as the political season turns increasingly heated, I want to insist on a reality check about my colleague, Arlen Specter. I have known Arlen for 25 years and I know his character and the quality of his service to Pennsylvania. I’ve seen him beat cancer and seen in that fight a man who is guts and grit personified. I’ve worked with him on stem cell research and twenty first century infrastructure, and when he left the Republican Party he reaffirmed his independence once again.

“He’s a fighter and a friend, and I am proud to vouch for his character.”

[pinboy3niner]

1. Based on an earlier post, I thought Kerry HAD endorsed

Thanks for posting what he actually said (clearly not an endorsement) to correct the record here. :thumbsup:

[MajorChode]

2. According to his press secretary, he did endorse Specter

The 2004 Democratic presidential nominee released a statement praising Specter as a "fighter and a friend, and I am proud to vouch for his character." Kerry’s press secretary, Whitney Smith, later said Kerry was endorsing Specter.

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view.bg?articleid=1253746&srvc=rss

[politicasista]

4. His spokeswoman needs to understand how the media works

Otherwise, they are sending mixed messages on this deal. And yuk to the BH. :puke:

[pinboy3niner]

7. It wasn't the Herald's own reporting

Apparently, the paper just ran with the AP story:

"The 2004 Democratic presidential nominee released a statement praising Specter as a "fighter and a friend, and I am proud to vouch for his character." Kerry's press secretary, Whitney Smith, later said Kerry was endorsing Specter."

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hYaIyDkFVX0afGrXWSja6P1gCe3AD9FK2AB00

[politicasista]

8. Sounds like that.. ..

DUer blm and other K supporters have noted that AP has had it for Kerry for a long time (decades?) now.

Guess me will cut Ms. Smith some slack.

[pinboy3niner]

9. I hadn't heard that about AP . . .

and I was a Kerrytraveler in '04. Guess I'm not as plugged in as I used to be. I checked his website, and there's nothing definitive there. I wonder if there will be any further clarification or confirmation from his press secretary . . .

[politicasista]

11. Good question

It's ok to have a small withdrawal from politics. It gets too hot sometimes. :) I guess like sandnsea said, we will have to wait for an official word.

[pinboy3niner]

12. The other possibility is that they may prefer to leave things lie

Allow some to believe it was an endorsement, others to doubt it or believe it's not so. Something that may serve to please everyone, in terms of their biases and their perceptions of Kerry.

[politicasista]

13. Bingo n/t

[sandnsea]

14. It's an endorsement

Received an email from his office, it is an endorsement, yes.

I thought he was continuing to walk that fine line and not jump into it, but I guess not. Too bad, but Specter does deserve some loyalty for his decision to switch parties. Anybody does.

[pinboy3niner]

16. I don't think it's a case of what Specter deserves

It's all about the Party. Kerry HAS to go with the Domocratic Party. The only question was whether he would make an explicit endorsement.

Thanks for your update, sandnsea.

[sandnsea]

5. I'll wait to see something official n/t

[politicasista]

6. Makes sense n/t

[pinboy3niner]

10. I'm confused, myself

At least tentatively, his press secretary's statement would have to be taken as authoritative. Of course, that was reported by AP, and some question the source.

I e-mailed his MA online office, pointing out the confusion, and asked if they could confirm Ms. Smith's statement as reported by AP. I don't expect a personal reply, but if they're made aware of the confusion they may see a need to clarify.

[politicasista]

3. Sounds like the keyword here is "swiftboating"

That being said, he is needs a more media-savvy spokesperson/spokespeople (aka someone who understands how the media can distort things). JHO.

That said, me has not dogs or cats in this fight. There is lot more here going back home now.

[AllentownJake]

15. LOL

This Specter/Sestak primary is such a fucking joke.

BTW all those "progressives" supporting Sestak, want to see the invite I got back in March for cocktails with a McCain economic advisor and Joe Sestak!


Sestak is a fraud, you all are going to be pissed with him, and scratching your head on why if he gets the nomination.

Oh, and everything Specter said, is probably true, and Kerry has access to know that.

[Major Hogwash]

17. So, Kerry did endorse Specter, after all. Big mistake.

He should have stayed out of it.
I think that Specter is one of the worst Republican Senators they have ever had.

Specter is an old dinosaur and he should be replaced with a real Democrat.
Sestak was a fucking admiral, for crying out loud.
31 years in the Navy!