Kerry Postpones Campaign to Honor Reagan

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040606/ap_on_re_us/reagan_kerry&cid=519&ncid=2043

<snip>
WASHINGTON - Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry (news - web sites) plans to take time off the campaign trail to observe Ronald Reagan (news - web sites)'s death, saying Americans "bow their heads in prayer and gratitude that President Reagan left such an indelible stamp on the nation he loved."


Kerry said the nation's 40th president, who died Saturday at the age of 93 after struggling with Alzheimer's disease (news - web sites), lived by a noble ideal of bipartisanship.


"Even when he was breaking Democrats hearts, he did so with a smile and in the spirit of honest and open debate," Kerry said in a statement. "The differences were real, but because of the way President Reagan led, he taught us that there is a big difference between strong beliefs and bitter partisanship."


Kerry planned to speak Sunday with a tribute to Reagan at Michigan's Bedford High School graduation being held across the state line in Toledo, Ohio. He canceled a trip to Denver Sunday night to return to Washington, where Reagan's body was to be flown.

<snip>

[WindRavenX]

1. Man...

I have got to say I am getting tired of the Ronald Reagan love fest. Look, I'm sad he had to suffer, but that does NOT mean Kerry should take time off for this. Although, sadly, he may be doing the right thing...because I have a feeling that the Bush team may make an issue if Kerry campaigned during this "mourning" time...:eyes:

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

3. Don't shoot the messenger. I'm just posting the news as I surf the web.

[WindRavenX]

7. Oh I wasn't commenting on you

I was commenting on Kerry. Mea culpa if you thought my comments were directed towards you.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

9. Ok. Just wanted to be sure. :)

[alcuno]

10. Tired? By my calculation, it's only been 7 hrs.

We should all go on vacation for a week.

[Renew Deal]

17. 7:31 to be exact.

And you are right. We will all need a month off by the time this blows over.

[0rganism]

16. You should be happy that the "fest" will likely be over in two weeks

If this had happened in mid-October, it could have seriously affected the election.

[mountainvue]

20. This is

very presidential behavior on Kerry's part. He's acting as if. Where's crashcart? I saw his canned speech on this on CNN. Wonder how long that one's been in the can?

[radfringe]

39. you can bet that bush* won't be postponing any campaigning

I heard he has a constitutional amendment in mind that will replace the stars on the flag with reagan's face... :evilgrin:

meanwhile he will appear draped in the flag and call upon Reagan's image at every opportunity while denying that he is politicizing Reagan's death for campaign purposes

[Ediacara]

54. Just be happy it's happening in June

and not during the convention or god forbid late October.... I think we can suffer through it for the time being and then get back to campaigning in a week.

[DarkPhenyx]

2. Again our leaders speak with a grace and style...

...that we would all do well to emulate. It costs us nothing to be decent people and behave like human beings.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

4. Thank you.

[IndianaGreen]

8. I agree

this is very statesman like from Kerry.

[beanball]

25. Behave like humans

wound't it be nice if the republicans behaved like humen beings?.

[DarkPhenyx]

27. Yes, it would.

Many do in fact. Still, even the ones that dont are no excuse for us to be complete jackasses too, agreed?

[Gore1FL]

76. exactly

I've been disturbed with some of these threads -- the excuse seems to be the samme used by the right wing nuts over th eprison torture -- "Gee they did it too."

That didn;t wash with prison abuse and it doesn;t wash with Reagan's death.

We are inherently more compassionate -- it is built into the ideals that make us liberal.

[DAGDA56]

5. This is exactly how he should do it...

...pay tribute to the 40th actually elected President, head off the RW talking heads, and then move on. Kerry's got some smart people running things. Hate Reagan all you want (as I have, and still do) but they seem to know how to run a campaign

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

6. Kerry is very much the statesman. It is so obvious. He is going to make

a fine president.

[hlthe2b]

15. Yes, I absolutely agree. Courtesy is not Wussy, it is BEST STRATEGY!

[dkf]

11. So, does Kerry really love Reagan this much?

Or is he lying about it.

Hmmmm.

Not that I would expect him to come out and pummel the man, but all this gushing sounds like what you'd get at freeperville.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

13. He had to say something. He's not going on talk shows and gushing,

thank G-d.

[dkf]

24. Guess you missed this snippet

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040606/ap_on_re_us/reagan_kerry&cid=519&ncid=2043

Kerry planned to speak Sunday with a tribute to Reagan at Michigan's Bedford High School graduation being held across the state line in Toledo, Ohio. He canceled a trip to Denver Sunday night to return to Washington, where Reagan's body was to be flown.

--Tribute to Reagan huh? I bet you loved that one... And I have a feeling you WILL hear him going on talk shows and gushing about Reagan. In fact, I have a feeling that we are going to hear quite a bit of fulsome praise from Kerry up until the election with quotes and everything. Kerry is planning to co-opt the Reagan legacy. Just watch.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

64. I must have missed that snippet.

[Leilani]

12. That was a gracious statement!

You can hate Reagan, but he was never a bitter partisan, as Sen.Kerry said.

Thank you Senator Kerry, for showing class.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

14. He's right. He's running for President of the USA.

I, on the other hand, am not. :evilgrin:

[MarkTwain]

18. Kerry's Statement was...

... the mark of a gentleman. But more importantly, the mark of a truly skilled politician. He's growing into his role as the candidate, very nicely.

Damn. Read the not-so-subtle sub-text. He twice, in that brief excerpt, used Reagan's death to draw a contrast between Reagan and The Bush Idiot - in terms of crass partisanship. Without using the Bush Idiot's name, he effectively called him a "bitter" partisan.

By suspending his campaign, he is co-opting the opportunity for any criticism; indeed, it has to leave the Freeper shitheads speechless.

This will play extremely well with the middle ten percent and the undecideds who are found on the true playing field of the next presidential election.

Very, very well done, Senator.

[Nancy Waterman]

22. I am in total agreement with Mark Twain on this

He put Bush down without uttering an obvious word against Bush. A brilliant and statesmanlike statement. Everything Mark said!

[GarySeven]

36. There's a much more apt quote

from the REAL Mark Twain that (in paraphrase)reflects MY feeling on this event:

"I did not attend the funeral, but I sent a note saying that I approved of it."

[glitch]

46. I love it, thanks for posting - and welcome to DU! nt

[alarcojon]

42. contrasting Reagan and Bush

Kerry not only praised Reagan the man (a politically necessary thing to do) but also implicitly attacked Bush as the blatant partisan that he is. A great two-fecta (difecta? bifecta?). The trifecta would be calling the Repubs on the politicizing of Reagan's death that is sure to ensue. He has positioned himself well to do this.

[otohara]

48. But, But...Dumbass Idolized Reagan...vs His Own Father

and Wolf Blitzer is going to make damn sure that all of America know that. Why is everything turned around and focused on Bush in the so called liberal media?

I am taking a vow to not watch TV for the next two weeks.

Murder shows domniate the network drama's and death now dominates the news, Memorial Day, Iraq & Afghanistan dead, D-Day, War, Terror and now poor old Ronnie.

Even though it's all to highlight "our hero's, and Reagan" it's all too depressing.

[Rebellious Republican]

45. My thoughts exactly MT! N/T

[Dr Fate]

53. The Kerry critics on this board need to read your post, Mr. Clemens...

...But the DEM-bashers so blinded by their obligitory anti-Kerry feelings that they did not even see that.

[Generator]

55. Yes I got that too

Of course subtle is not a word Shrubscum can pronounce nor knows the meaning of, and most certainly is unable to ever convey in his words, mannerisms or deeds.

[Doosh]

19. well, it gives Kerry a nice breather

[Tellurian]

21. Exactly the right and proper thing to do...

I think Nancy would rather see and hear Kerry's eulogy
than tacitly grin and bear the hypocritical mastications
of the Bush Crime family bloviating at length their
past experiences with Ronald Reagan.

The Bush family have no shame.

[qwertyMike]

23. Smart move John

Looks good to the centrists/uncommitted.

Take a rest

[Solidarity]

26. Yes.

Yes. That should a great deal, but it may not be enough. Perhaps John can still put a Republican on the ticket and get a lot more conservatives behind his campaign. The left is in the bag so it's time to move to the right center and center right.

However, the idea that Reagan was non-partisan won't be believed by those whose lives he destroyed. Any idea on how this can be handled in a statemanlike and non-partisan way? We sure can't be partisan in an election!

[zmdem]

31. I appreciate your sarcasm

Sen. Kerry does have a "running to the right" problem. On the other hand is is normal for candidates to speak to the base in the primaries and then move to the center for the general election. Always a touchy issue.

Showing respect for Pres. Reagan is a different matter. It is right and appropriate for him to be gracious. Reagan had a major impact on American politics. With the possible exception of LBJ, he was the most important president since FDR. One need not approve of Reagan's policies to understand his accomplishments.

Certainly Jefferson and Madison strongly disagreed with the policies of Pres. Washington, but they did not discount his importance to our country during his time as president.

[playahata1]

28. Good for Kerry to stop for now.

Problem is, the Republicans will milk Reagan's death for all its worth in order to win votes. That, to me, is campaigning, and I do not see them doing otherwise.

[Maat]

29. Kudos to Kerry for showing class!

[Zhade]

30. I cannot believe he said this.

Okay - I'll acknowledge up front that it's a smart move to attract center-right voters.

That said...

What the HELL will you NOT do for a vote, Kerry?

I mean, excuse my impertinence, but this is REAGAN we're talking about. You know, the first puppet for the radical and religious right? The guy who wanted to NUKE Russia, and spoke in apocalyptic terms? IRAN-CONTRA, anyone? Grenada? School of the Americas? Hello?

Kerry, it has been said, "exposed more governmental corruption than any other prosecutor in recent memory". The validity of that claim aside, Kerry INVESTIGATED THIS MAN - and found his administration guilty of TREASONOUS ACTS.

And he HONORS the man he found to be a crook?

Just how far will Kerry go to bag the 'swing voters' and other undecided right-leaning voters? Voting for a death-squad enabler who he investigated to become ambassador to the UN (Negroponte), honoring a man who signed off on ghastly crimes against humanity in Latin America (Reagan) - where is the line for Kerry?

Is truth, accountability of criminals, and justice for their victims just easy to discard in order to win? And if so, where are the Democrats as a party?

This is madness, and I cannot fathom why people let this slip past unremarked-upon - or, worse, encouraged.

[dad]

32. Kerry is such a tool

Suspending his campaign? When is it going to _start_?

[Lorien]

35. It's the DLC strategy

play nice,be respectful, ignore the glaring failures and corruption of the right wing while the right wing is busy demonizing the left and dancing on Wellstone's grave. What does the public come away with? A sense that *everyone* respects a repub, while "liberal" is a label to be shamed with. This "strategy" HAS NOT WORKED to date, nor do I think a big payoff is going to come from it anytime soon. Isn't the definition of insanity doing the same thing again and again and expecting different results? It's time to cut the DLC loose!

[JCMach1]

33. Grrrr

:puke:

[GinaMaria]

34. he opted against the Wellstone strategy I guess n/t

[sampsonblk]

37. Then who the FUCK speaks for us????

Or don't we matter? Fuck that bullshit. Where is the Dem who is willing to say Reagan was a bad President? We all agree on it.

When Bill Clinton dies, do you think the Repugs are going to say nice things? FUCK NO! They are going to say good riddance.

[Solidarity]

38. Liberal/Left Vote In The Bag

It seems that John Kerry has concluded he has the liberal/left vote in the bag. No demands are being made on Kerry by progressives and as some posters have pointed out they intend to support Kerry no matter what he says or does before the election.

That being the case, people shouldn't be upset with Kerry. What do you want or expect from him?

[Dr Fate]

52. So the "Liberal vote" hangs on Kerry dissing a dead man?

Kerry opposed Reagan when it counted-when he investigated Iran-Contra.

None wants to see Kerry badmouthing a deadman before he is even in the ground...

But since you MUST have a dig at Republicans in every statement Kerry makes- here it is:

"Even when he was breaking Democrats hearts, he did so with a smile and in the spirit of honest and open debate," Kerry said in a statement. "The differences were real, but because of the way President Reagan led, he taught us that there is a big difference between strong beliefs and bitter partisanship."

SEE- he was still subtley dissing Bush- but you are too quick to just trash the DEM candidate to notice it.

[Dr Fate]

51. Kerry investigated Regan when he was ALIVE & IN OFFICE.

Now the guy is dead, so Kerry is being respectful...

And just who is "us" anyway- I opposed the war and I am a Liberal- but that does not mean I want Kerry trashing a dead man before he is even in the ground...

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

65. Well said, Dr. Fate.

[lolly]

40. What else should he do?

It would sure get him LOTS of votes if he came out now and started badmouthing Reagan.

Really, now. As distasteful as politics are, you flat-out don't get elected unless you know how to play the game. Republicans have a different playing field, and they have to play a different game. It may not be fair, we may not like it, but not liking it doesn't make any difference.

Clinton eulogized Nixon--even though his own wife participated in the Watergate investigations that helped bring Nixon down--and he did a very good job of it. It was the polically astute thing to do, period.

[Don_G]

41. Kerry Is Counting On Dimbo

To shoot himself in the foot.

Kerry won't capitalize on Reagan's death but Dimbo will try to pick up on the sympathy of the moment with Rove's usual heavy-handed tactics.

I think its a very smart move.

[Psst_Im_Not_Here]

43. Classy move

I've been hearing a lot about "If Bill Clinton died, do you the think the repugs would respectful?" --No probably not. But thats what makes this so classy. We're supposed to be better right? This isn't a kids game, to out bad the bad guys. We can't claim the moral high ground and stoop to their level.

The time to point out Reagan's flaws as a president isn't NOW. The emotions are too high. Attacking him at this time would not only seem petty, and disrespectful, it would be ammo for the repugs to pull in the center.

You can throw around Wellstone etc, but the bottom line is, Kerry won points with vital undecideds, center dems and possible cross over republicans. It's a brilliant strategy.

I understand the desire to have him point out Reagan's failures and attack. I understand how we want Kerry to keep touting the liberal base. But the reality is, to win this election he also needs to bring in the center. It's our jobs as the "Base" to understand this and realize that a national election is far more complicated than a local election and still support him.

Taking the high road is something that will pay off in November.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

44. All Senators used to be statesmen of this caliber

Thanks to Kerry for reminding us of this fact.

A reminder to those slamming him for this...a great number of Democrats (who I disagreed with then and still disagree with) voted for Reagan.

[lolly]

47. True--and another reminder

Kerry is running against Bush, NOT against Reagan.

"Praising," or at least acknowledging, Reagan while calling attention to differences (real or perceived) between Reagan and AWOL is a better way to get votes than attacking a dead man who hasn't run for office in almost 20 years.

[Psst_Im_Not_Here]

49. Great point

I was just thinking this myself. Attacking a dead man gains nothing only weakens our position as the decent moral contrast to the shrub.

:kick:

[Cooley Hurd]

58. Welcome to DU, Psst.

...now, DUCK!! Incoming!!!!;)

[Psst_Im_Not_Here]

59. Thanks!

And I'm ducking!

[Cooley Hurd]

57. I agree - to campaign during the period of mourning...

...would be a huge (and tacky) mistake. Ironically, as of this afternoon, Bush's attack ads against Kerry were still running on TV here in NY.

There a great gulf of decorum and taste between John Kerry and the Mayberry Machiavellis, and this crystalizes that fact...

[Dr Fate]

50. Glad to have such a class act for a candidate. n/t

n/t

[bluedog]

56. Bush Isn't

If was either on MSNBC or CNN but they said the bush campaign will still be going on!!

[Rex]

60. Ack...barf...gag...

Sometimes Kerry makes me sick. :puke:

[Rebellious Republican]

62. Well ,just be sure to take a barf bag along with you to the polls ...

when you go to vote for the Democratic Presidential nominee!

[Rex]

63. Oh I will, Kerry was way down on my list.

But I'm in the ABB crowd and would vote for a drunk possum if I thought he could beat Dubya. I just keep telling myself ABB, ABB, ABB. :crazy:

[neuvocat]

61. Shrewd move on Kerry's part.

He let's Bush self-destruct in front of the cameras and he's letting the whole Reagan funeral blow over so it doesn't take away from his campaign.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

66. I have a feeling that it's a "damned if he does and damned if he doesn't"

in terms of Kerry. What is he supposed to do? Spit on Reagan's corpse? Please!?

I'm getting ready to be flamed so let me go put on my flame retardant garb.

[lolly]

67. Yes--No "good" way to handle this

Kerry's goal now is to get more votes--period. Yes, he probably WOULD say whatever he needed to say to get those votes. That's the way politics works--or doesn't anybody remember the least compassionate conservative elected in my lifetime running on a platform of "compassionate conservatism?"

I would be annoyed if Kerry gushed and piled on the platitudes and "Noonered" Reagan over the next week, but that's not the same thing as acting "respectful" and decorous in public.

As I said earlier, Kerry is not running against Reagan; he's running against AWOL. Kerry can't really do much about the Reagan worship much of America still indulges in. His best bet is to make a decent showing, avoid competing with images of St. Ronnie's funeral, then re-enter in a week or so when the public moves on to the next big thing.

[Pachamama]

70. Yes, very smart move on Kerry's part-why spend $$ vs. this love fest...

...it would be self-defeating...not to mention a waste of money...

Let him sit back and strategize while Chimpy tries to talk and talk about how great Reagan was (and then try to compare himself to him)...

Then while the media and the Repukes go nauseatingly on and on for the next two weeks with no "controversy" from Kerry, it will die back and get back to the real news - Iraq, Chalabi & Iran Spying, Enron Trials, The CIA outing of Plame, Torture controversy, lousy economy etc. etc.

Let Bush and the Repukes talk up St. Ronnie - Then, the dems can happily make "counters" to every comparison that Bush makes to Reagan and they can say "Nope, he ain't no Reagan"....This is great - show America and the "Reagan Republicans" that Bush is as far from a Reagan Republican as one can get.

[despairing optimist]

68. After this, Kerry should pick an exorcist as his running mate

Or an orthopedist, given all the bows he's making to the right. I wonder if he can walk straight anymore.

Whose candidate is he, again? I've forgotten.

Al Gore, you need to have a little chat with somebody.

[Gloria]

69. He wouldn't have to "suspend" his campaign if he stuck to positive

speeches about his plans...

Is he taking most of the week off, waiting for Reagan to be buried?

On the other hand, since it all Reagan, all the time he message would get lost anyway. But if Bush is running ads, why not Kerry? Some of the bios/positive stuff wouldn't hurt.

I dont' know, I just think that after this is over, Kerry has to start throwing some punches....with force.

[Pachamama]

71. "I knew Ronald Reagan and he (Bush) is no Ronald Reagan" .....

...that should be John Kerry's line at the Democratic Convention...just like when Reagan made the similar statement about Clinton in regards to Thomas Jefferson...

Kerry is smart to not campaign this week - let the Repukes have a love fest, build Reagan up and mythologize him and then when Bush tries to compare himself to Reagan, Kerry can have fun pointing out all the ways Bush ISN'T Reagan - that's great for the Reagan Republicans or undecided Moderate Republicans who loved Reagan...

:kick:

[Pachamama]

72. "I knew Ronald Reagan and he (Bush) is no Ronald Reagan" .....

...that should be John Kerry's line at the Democratic Convention...just like when Reagan made the similar statement about Clinton in regards to Thomas Jefferson...

Kerry is smart to not campaign this week - let the Repukes have a love fest, build Reagan up and mythologize him and then when Bush tries to compare himself to Reagan, Kerry can have fun pointing out all the ways Bush ISN'T Reagan - that's great for the Reagan Republicans or undecided Moderate Republicans who loved Reagan...

:kick:

[alarcojon]

73. How Kerry should handle the Reagan issue

Praise Reagan specifically on two fronts:

1. Comment on how Reagan was not a partisan idiot. Contrasts nicely with Bush.

2. Comment on Reagan's optimism, contrasting it with Bush's pessimism and fear-mongering

[Pachamama]

74. Agree - Wouldn't it have been interesting to hear what Reagan had ....

...thought of Shrub the last 3 1/2 years had he not had Alzheimers?

Bet he would have hated him!

Your absolutely right on about the strategy of how Kerry should handle the Reagan issue...and I think its exactly what he is going to do...

Oh yeah, you forgot Reagan's charm and ability to speak and write...I saw an interview this evening w/ Tom Brokaw and Bush couldn't even say "Charisma" correctly when describing Reagan...Look at the letters Reagan wrote in his lifetime...Bush probably can't even write a sentence without someone helping him or proofing it...

[K8-EEE]

75. This Was Totally Aprpoprate, Good For Kerry.

Sometimes it's the decent thing to do to put aside the partisanship, it'll be nice to have President who has some class.