Statement from Senator John Kerry on the Death of Ronald Reagan

http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2004_0605.html

June 05, 2004

For Immediate Release
Boston, MA

Senator John Kerry released the following statement today:

“Ronald Reagan's love of country was infectious. Even when he was breaking Democrats hearts, he did so with a smile and in the spirit of honest and open debate. Despite the disagreements, he lived by that noble ideal that at 5pm we weren't Democrats or Republicans, we were Americans and friends. President Reagan and Tip O'Neill fought hard and honorably on many issues, and sat down together to happily swap jokes and the stories of their lives. 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.
“He was the voice of America in good times and in grief. When we lost the brave astronauts in the Challenger tragedy, he reminded us that, ‘Nothing ends here; our hopes and our journeys continue.’

“Now, his own journey has ended-a long and storied trip that spanned most of the American century-and shaped one of the greatest victories of freedom. Today in the face of new challenges, his example reminds us that we must move forward with optimism and resolve. He was our oldest president, but he made America young again.

“Our prayers are with his family, and the wife he loved in a way all the world could see. And to the end, she loved him with courage and complete devotion. She helped all of us better understand the cruel disease that took him away before it took his life, and what we must do to prevent and cure it.

“Teresa and I and our family extend our deepest sympathies to Nancy Reagan and the Reagan family. Today, from California to Maine - ‘from sea to shining sea’ - Americans will bow their heads in prayer and gratitude that President Reagan left such an indelible stamp on the nation he loved.”

And with a sense of tasteful humor.

Good job.

I like it...

eom

:thumbsup:

DTH

and he's right. The partisanship today is much worse than it was then, when Tip O'Neill and Reagan were friendly rivals.

This is just right.

On edit: ROTFLMAO. We all said the same thing at
the same time.

Kerry once again rises to the challenge.

:puke:

What did you want him to say? What a fucking moronic thing for you to say.

Rich people didn't suffer under Reagan is what Kerry's comments reflect! I saw what happened too!

I said it was a moronic thing to say. I stand by that. You still didn't answer my question. What did you want Kerry to say? What do you think Nader will say?

I expect the truth!

it makes you look like a MORON when you throw that word around and then don't even know how to spell it. I'm not trying to pile on you, it's all over this board.

It's a joke.

What do you want good grammar or good taste?

Does someone have the pic?

some conservative (a freeper i think) held up a sign at some kind of rally that said "Get a brain morans"

No other Democratic candidate would do this any differently, and if they did they would meet the same fate I mentioned above.

secrecy here. He also acknowleges that Reagan did things to "break the hearts of Democrats..."

It's a damn good statement really.

He has Nancy's support from here on out.
Kerry is brilliant.
Generous, noble, and brilliant.

Thanks for pointing that out. :)

This is not the time for political leaders to say negative things about Ronald Reagan.

History will judge him, but give the family a little time to grieve.

has class and dignity. :thumbsup:

classy.

j/k I am just getting that out of the way. Anyway, nice smart classy statement.

"Ronald Reagan's love of country was infectious."

Why would Kerry say such a thing? Why would he turn his back on the party at such an important time in history? Come-on, praising such a person is just wrong! Kerry knows better! It's also counter productive to his campaign.

who just passed away would be counter-productive to his campaign. :eyes:

never speak ill of the dead.

the truth about the reagan years will continue to be debated & argued over for years to come. at this point, right now, a fellow human being, stricken with the most evil, insidious disease imaginable, has passed away, and his family & friends are deeply grieving him. i think we can leave them be to mourn for a short while. it is, after all, the RIGHT THING to do, and aren't we always blasting the repubs for NOT doing that????

dg

:thumbsup:

Very nice speech, John. But it doesn't change who Ronald Reagan was, or what he did, and the smarmy way he did it. I will say no prayers for Ronnie, only for those whose lives he affected in a miserable way.

"good riddance. he sucked ass!" did you?

please. :eyes:


We have an election to win here. We don't need sour grapes and vitriolic hatred.

Complaining about him now that he's dead won't change who he was either.

I spent 8 years of the Reagan Presidency sickened by his letting the religious right out of the box and harrassing us constantly over abortion. When clinic workers were killed, he refused to allow the FBI to investigate. I hated him for that. And I still do. He made me a nervous wreck for 8 long years.

When Bill Clinton was elected I felt a weight lifted off my shoulders.

I don't feel ANY gratitude for Reagan...none, whatsover.

I have to say that this makes me look a little more favorably towards John Kerry. :thumbsup:

to possess.

And to the Neo-Con hate machine, in case you missed it, this part was for YOU:

"Despite the disagreements, he lived by that noble ideal that at 5pm we weren't Democrats or Republicans, we were Americans and friends. President Reagan and Tip O'Neill fought hard and honorably on many issues, and sat down together to happily swap jokes and the stories of their lives. 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."

Reagan and O'Neill allowed issues to be debated fully. They didn't plot to cut the debate and push legislation through without any airing.

His point about searching for cures is a nice quiet cut on Bush administration.

it is beautiful and I am looking forward to a Kerry Presidency.

What a difference between this and the chimp's statement.

I have been waiting for Kerry to say something to make me really like him.

If I had had my way, the Democrats would have nominated Dean or even Clark. But this display of graciousness has convinced me that Kerry is the man for the job.

Oh, OK, I like the health care plan I read about
in the news today. Seems like a logical plan, prevention is cheaper than
curing the major diseases that the uninsured get. "Nip it in the bud," as Barny Fife famously said.

But I want to tell you, I LIKE Kerry for what he's said today about Regan. I like him for the man he is.

He does have a lot of class.

A class act, for a class act. Although I disagreed mightily with President Reagan, he represented our country well and with heart and dignity. We owe him a respectful period of mourning. Democrats need to understand that, basically, disrespecting this man is just not the right way to go as we honor our AMERICAN President, not a Republican politician.

Anything else is simple minded.

Complete the thought. Please. I'm direly curious what the end of that sentence was.

I'm sure you weren't implying an attack on Kerry for making a good speech. That'd be silly!

No they won't.

John Kerry handled this with grace and class. I cannot wait until President Kerry takes office.

If Clinton were to pass away, I do not think that any Republican would release a statement like this.

Rove saying "We will F*CK him like he has never been F*CKED before?"

...it's from 'Man Of The House..The Life and Political Memoirs of Seaker Tip O'Neill with William Novak :hi:

His statement reflects that. Those are the words of a man who will be EVERBODY'S president; not just the president of a minority of wackos.

Except for the part giving him credit for ending the cold war, it was an appropriate, classy eulogy.

It's amazing how far we have fallen since the depths of Reagan's maladministration.

(who shall remain nameless) began his hatemongering.

You could almost chart to match the decline of civility with the genesis of his show.

it's a broad statement, not really laying all the credit on Ron.

I wouldn't expect anything less from Senator Kerry. I can't wait until he becomes president.

I can not see where we are freer. ?Now, his own journey has ended-a long and storied trip that spanned most of the American century-and shaped one of the greatest victories of freedom...."

Even though he's not President yet.

:thumbsup:

it's the right thing for Kerry to say.

....Tip had a desk that belonged to Pres. Grover Cleveland in his office...Raygun had come in Tip's office the day he was inaugurated to change clothes after bein' sworn in...after Tip told him the history about the desk...Raygun said..."That's very interesting...you know I once played Grover Cleveland in the movies." Tip replies..."...No..Mr. President...you're thinking of Grover Cleveland Alexander...THE BASEBALL PLAYER!"...abridged exerpt from MAN OF THE HOUSE...The Life and Ploitical Memoirs of Speaker Tip O'Neill with William Novak :wow:

Tip says he didn't tell the press about the incident but Barney Frank said something to House Democrats about the President being under the impression that Grover Cleveland had pitched a few seasons for the Washington Senators during the four year interlude between his two terms in office!! :D

What a wonderful comment. Class is an understatement.

I think this is a elegant way for Kerry to respond. He's not saying Reagan was perfect (which you might think from turning on TV news right now) or even that they agreed politically, yet he offers some kind words and sympathy.

He shows that he's not merely acting the partisan when he says what he does about the Chimp, because he's willing to give credit to Reagan.

(I think Reagan was a *terrible* president! But Kerry's statement is the right thing for him to say, imo.)

Kerry- it's just a con. I'm sick of this. I'm leaving this country.
Buh bye!

At war with most of the world , a divided nation split fifty fifty with deep bitterness. Largest debt ever held and growing at the fastest pace ever. I guess a lot of the blame is with Reagan but his time is over. Now it is just his ideology that we must deal with. The con has been played and now Kerry will hlp restore justice.

Happy voyage to you!

I like it here.

and I agree that the statement from him is classy, as one would expect. I also agree that it makes * look extra stupid by comparison. I could have done without the last sentence though. To me, that crossed the line, and I am NOT grateful.