So Kerry campaign says he's "TIRED", WANTS A BREAK?

[digno dave]

I heard on ABC News tonight that Kerry had planned to take a few days off after Wisconsin but now is is unable to because of Edwards' surge.
Remember, he also took two WHOLE days off after a few primaries last week.
So, does he ahve the fortitude to nut-up and do this right? This is nothing compared to how it will be the last 2 months of the GE.
I don't expect him to be Clinton out on the campaign trail but can he do this the way it needs to be done or not?

[SinkingInTheRain]

1. Fair enough

Maybe a few days off to perform his duties of voting on the Senate floor would be good.

[Dookus]

2. I think very few of us here on DU

could maintain the schedule that ANY of the candidates have kept over the last few months. It's grueling. It's exhausting.

Kerry is 60 years old, and recently had prostate surgery.

A day off isn't unreasonable.

[digno dave]

we aren't running for president in hopes of saving the world NT

[Dookus]

31. No we are not

but that doesn't detract from the fact that this is a bullshit thread trying to imply that Kerry isn't up to the job of running for President.

A day off occasionally is perfectly reasonable, and attacking a man for wanting one is the worst kind of Rove-designed smear.

[Lex]

3. He did look & sound tired

last night.

The contrast with Edwards was striking.

[mandyky]

4. And he loses his voice a lot!

I would rather have the Dean scream than a wimp who "needs time off". Maybe Edwards is a better choice fight and stamina wise. Or we can bring back Dean. :)

[bushwakker]

27. That is really uncalled for

Unlike the other candidates JK has been running a national campaign - not cherry picking states to compete in. He's been competing in all of them, in all regions of the country. He dserves some respect not your derision.

[KittyWampus]

34. Seems To Me Dean Took Time Off For His Kids Hockey Game

frankly, I think Clark would have done better in that debate that turned into an assasination if he'd taken a day 1/2 off to rest and prepare.

Humans need time for their bodies to re-organize on the cellular level.

[littlejoe]

5. What's a day here or a day there? Even Clinton

got tired and contracted laryngitis on the trail.

[lovedems]

6. Give the guy a break.

I know alot of people who bitch about going back to work on Monday after having 2 days off. That is with a 5 day work week, not every single day, traveling, speaking, getting 2-3 hours of sleep, eating like crap...

That is not an unreasonable statement. Sure he signed on to it but that doesn't mean it is going to be easy. He deserves a couple of days.

[Meldread]

11. Is Bush going to give him a break?

I doubt it. Edwards is traveling the same road and has just as intense -- if not more so -- schedule than Kerry. And if nothing else Edwards gives off the impression that he could go on and on. Not the least bit tired and still highly motivated.

[lovedems]

15. That would be a persuasive argument if we were in ge but we aren't

he deserves some rest. That guy had cancer! Are there some people who are that unsympathetic?

[Lex]

18. I think Kerry should get rest if he needs it.

I just am concerned that he needs it just now.

The General Election will be far more rigorous I would think.

[RobinA]

19. My Grandmother

has more energy than Bush. Isn't he the guy who has to go to bed early every day? I'd say we have nothing to worry about in this area.

[aldian159]

24. Bush sleeps 10 hours a day

and runs on a treadmill for another two.

Kerry sleeps from midnight to about 5, when he gets up and tries to eat a healthy breakfast. By six he's out the door, so to speak.

I'm positive Edwards schedule is just as grueling.

[DoctorBombay]

7. You don't want him burned out for the general, either...

Still over seven months until November 2. Some energy is just going to have to be conserved if possible.

[Meldread]

8. I know. It's in stark contrast to Edwards.

Last Night Chris Matthews was talking to Edwards and he said that it looked like he was just getting started. He had no dark circles under his eyes, the conversation about how good he looked and how on top of his game he was lasted about 1 min and a half. And it was true -- Edwards was busting with energy.

Today I found out that he is 50 years old. Fifty! John Edwards -- he looks 35 or at the oldest 40! He's only ten years younger than Kerry.

I suppose the question that has to be raised is inevitable: Is Kerry up to the job to fight Bush in the General Election? Does he have the energy? Or do you want someone with the stamina, charisma, and natural talent to go up against Bush? Someone who can attract the middle of the road and disgruntled moderate Republicans?

[mlawson]

10. Fairly or unfairly, millions of voters are infuenced

by that sort of thing. We dare not ignore it.

[Meldread]

13. I agree.

Just as they vote on looks... and I doubt few people can deny that John Edwards looks a hellva lot better than Bush or Kerry. He has that certain "Southern Charm" about him.

[spooky3]

26. I've decided that JRE has either the best plastic surgeon or the best

genes or both that I've ever encountered. I know he takes good care of himself too but geez...

[KittyWampus]

35. Edwards Looks Like Uncooked Dough

which is how I describe people like him.

Has to do with people who go through Life on a fairly superficial level.

It is not based on physical looks either.

[WiseMen]

9. Should take days off. Not worth it to loose his health.

[hlthe2b]

12. I hope he does take the time needed.... You surely don't want to

interact with the press when you are tired, after all. Without sufficient rest, he will really be at risk of losing ground- looking quite tired and muddled-- especially against Edwards, who is not only younger, but energized by his recent success.

[Mick Knox]

14. Truman

Truman was hated - at around 30% approval.. far below you know who's current numbers... and Dewey was beloved... Truman hopped on his train and travelled and travelled... spoke.. campaigned.. worked his ass off as he always did and earned election to the presidency... The "Dewey defeats Truman" headline is now lore.. but it shows how sure they would be Truman would lose.... he proved them wrong with tireless campaigning...

Whats the point? hmmmmmmmmm

[aldian159]

25. The only thing in my grandmother's saftey deposit box

is a copy of that newspaper from that day in 1948. She bought it and saved it, reading another copy.

Wait, she also has a copy of the Trib's 9/11 Extra in there as well. It was the first extra I've ever seen, and she says it was the first one since JFK getting shot she recalls. Sorry.

[Mick Knox]

32. Ohhh neato

I dont have that.. I have from Gpa... Kennedy shot.. oswald shot.. moon landing.. and a few others.. That truman one is a keeper!

[seaglass]

16. Kerry is the only one who has not been cherry-picking

states to campaign in. This is a compact primary/caucus race - remember?

If he needs a rest, then he should take it.

[Baclava]

This is just the beginning...

It's still only FEB....give the guy a break...it's round 1 of a 12 round fight now that the sparring partners have hung it up...

[onehandle]

17. Gimme a break...

Let's see you (at 60) work and travel 20 hours a day with no breaks.

Nice try, pal.

[digno dave]

29. please

Hell, i'll be dead at 50. But, once again, i am not running for president in hopes of saving the world.

[JI7]

20. Kerry campaigned in ALL states holding elections

this is something none of the other candidates did so not sure you can compare them with him.

[revcarol]

21. Talk to the Kucinich campaign about that.

He's gone to every state and is on the ballot in every state. And only missed ONE vote in the House, that because of Republican shenanigans.It can be done.

but Kerry should rest if he needs it. That's his call.

[MurikanDemocrat]

22. I hope he DOES take a couple days off before Super Tuesday.

Jesus, the man is a mortal.

[spooky3]

23. I'm an Edwards supporter but Kerry should get a break literally and

figuratively. The campaign is a grind and you have to take time off and you have to pace yourself. There is no job in the world that it worth killing yourself, and none of our candidates will be able to beat Bush if they are extremely stressed and exhausted.

There will be a time that Edwards will need the same thing.

We need to be concerned for the health of all our candidates.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

28. Being well rested helps one think before they speak

unless you are George W bush

[funky_bug]

30. Since Kerry doesn't cherry pick his states like some others do...

... he probably NEEDS a day off. All that traveling and winning voter support probably wears out... much like unfounded attacks on GD.

[tobius]

33. I have heard that voters decide based on energy and sincerity,

to compensate for the mass of information that is available. Did a quick search and this was something from '97, pretty sure that what I read was more recent but this is still interesting.- http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=Uus-personalityUR4Rg_7MC%40sample.clari.net&oe=UTF-8&output=gplain


' "But, impressions of the personalities of political candidates boiled down to just two dimensions -- no more than a cardboard cutout of the real thing. These two were: energy/innovation, a blend of energy and openness, and honesty/trustworthiness, a mixture of the other three factors of friendliness, conscientiousness and emotional stability.' "</snip>

' "Gian Vittorio Caprara of the University of Rome says that by adopting a simplified method of judging political personalities, voters have devised a ``cognitively efficient strategy'' that helps them to decide how to cast their votes.' "

The researchers say this strategy is, in part, the brain's defense against the massive onslaught of campaign material and, in part, an acquiescence to the simplistic, skin-deep impressions conveyed by political campaigning.

I wouldn't be comfortable with a tired president, age or surgery don't get to be excuses in office.

[Moderator]

36. locked

excessive capitilization, and you need a link for that quote from ABC news.