How do you feel about Kerry now?

Do most of us still support him? Do most of us want him to run in 2008?

Maybe I should change my vote.

Bush stole his office and he just smilied and bent over.

this is an example of what I hate about DU

We have to have these discussions if we are to win. It is important to see the bigger picture.

But I am still aching from what happened to Kerry.

always attacking our own. Reminds me rightwing gays.

Guess it depends on one's perspective.

look at this thread.

Nearly all the posts are only a few lines long, and say either "I like Kerry" or (a majority) "I don't like Kerry".

That's not debate, it's just venting, and while it may be satisfying it's extremely counterproductive.

How can a man that tall have no spine?

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

They just called. They're insulted.

I actually knew an 8 year old who was a Kerry supporter, an informed one at that. Mom's doing, I think.

were Kerry supporters and detest *! They know the real deal...

exactly what I'm talking about. Dems are a family...granted can be dysfunctional.. but the debate you speak of is not what am seeing from your posts... more of a hateful smear campaign.

Am not a obsessive Kerry fan, Dean fan etc.. but they are all good people trying to make things better and horrors.. human.

apologies..for some reason this post was farther down..directed at pet rock person

Yeah, Kerrybashers like you are quite....entertaining.

We're talking about RECENT performance.

Ever do any homework on Kerry:
http://www.ontheissues.org/John_Kerry.htm

Kerry isn't some screaming banshee. He's a bit more intelligent than that.

And I'm STILL disappointed with his recent performance.

Yep, he misstepped here and there but he fought against the most mean-spirited bunch I've ever seen and did his best. Mistakes, who doesn't make them. I'm proud to have voted for him and supported his efforts even though I was not on his bandwagon in the primaries.

He continues to work for the right issues. A good man.

The people responded to him.

And without proof, clear, convincing proof - any challenge to the election, for which so many hate Kerry for not doing - without proof in hand, the right wing and the media would have pummeled him daily. There'd have been counts of how many days, a growing chorus saying, "give it up" - without proo, and with that option or the option he chose, which one was the right way to go?

I voted for Clark in the primaries, but came to really like Kerry once I got to know him better. We all know he really won, but he knew what he was up against. It's "hard work" to fight these Repukes and not fighting him may have put him in a better position for '08. There's a lot of time between now and the primaries. Let's wait and see what happens. Things are starting to turn in our favor.

but everything considered, I really haven't seen him do anything to convince me that he's worth the effort.

That's my way of saying that he still has all of my trust and respect. If it isn't him in '08, America is eight thousand different kinds of Permanently Screwed. We still have a chance to save this damaged republic of ours--but I have little to no confidence in any of the other candidates out there to accomplish that objective. I'm open with regard to V.P. candidates next time; but in my eyes, it's Kerry or certain doom.

How could you not love that physique?

He's like a hamster on it's wheel, going round and round but getting nowhere. Please don't bore us with another presidential run in '08, Senator Kerry.

He just doesn't get it and he never will. He's nothing more than one vote on our side of the isle (except when it comes to illegal wars).

I was very disappointed in his Iraq position during the campaign. His position compromised him during the campaign.

But I enthusiastically supported him because I think he is a very good man and well qualified for the office.

I was also disappointed that he caved so quickly on election night when so many Democrats in Ohio had so many problems--all inescapably caused by a Secretary of State who was state campaign chair for the opposition. More than anything, this has turned me, not against Kerry, but to a position where I cannot support him unless he again obtains the nomination.

I still feel he is a good man, but he needs to get tough with these Repugs and never, ever give in to them.

and he blew it.

He said that know what he knew now he would STILL invade Iraq.

and he did NOT invade Iraq. Bush did.

The day Bush chose to invade, Kerry made a statement criticizing him strongly.

Knowing what he knew now, he would still vote to send the inspectors back in. He thought there were sane voices still in Bush's government who would stop Bush from fucking up so badly. He was wrong.

Go back to sleep now. Doing your homework can make you....very....very....ssslllleeeeeeeepy......

:boring:

I was hoping someone else would point that out this time. The usual suspects, such as TruthIsAll and me, were damn tired of doing it, I guess.

I honestly think he did his best during the 2004 campaign, but Rove, Hughes, and the Swifties kept hammering their BS rhetoric and lies into the minds of the dumb Americans (the 51% who gave Bush their vote) until it sounded like the truth.

he's a gazillionaire. He can totally afford to raise hell at the risk of losing his seat, which he wouldn't if he put up a godamned fight every inch of the way like all of those who voted for him wanted. That's half the Godamned electorate. And now there's 37 percent support for the shrub and where's kerry? He didn't have and still doesn't have fire in the belly.

Got no time for spinelessness. I've lost customers over principles and issues that matter and I'm a single parent of three with an income that barely gives us food and shelter. It aint like I'm in any position, unlike Kerry who has real power to make a difference.

What else do you expect?

when does a cocaine addicted coward become a politician with spine?

vs Patriot Act.

He acts like he has a spine, so people believe. The one with the actual spine doesn't have to brag about it.

Damn freakin' fake cowboy.

so why does he keep pussyfooting around? After hearing over and over for more than a year that Kerry is developing some great strategy, I'd like to see some action.

have any money! All he has is his senate salary! Big Whup! He used to be so broke the othere senators used to buy his lunch! (that was when he was going through his divorce) Maybe you are the kind of person who believes Theresa's money is his? If so you are mistaken, and I hope you will stop spreading you misinformation!

Even with all the attacks made against Kerry here it is good to see he is still liked. The bashers have been trying very hard to discredit and smear him in order to weaken his support. I'm happy to see this support.

I believe Kerry can really win, but only after his strong performance against the better financed incumbent. In 2000 I expected Gore to win without problem, and was extremely disappointed to see him lose so many states which Clinton won.

Thanks for asking.

Um...that's what I think of Kerry....

First, he won't get the nomination. Second, if he miraculously did get it, he wouldn't fight any harder this time than he did the last.

The greatest predictor of future behavior is past behavior. Bank on it.

I can take you on ANY point regarding Kerry's campaign. No, he wasn't perfect. No, he didn't have infinite amounts of money to swat back at the Bush?MSM Echo Chamber Lie Machine in August (do you now why?) to the continuous sucking up of the media to giving Bush a free pass... and that has nothing to do with the stolen votes in Ohio, Florida and elsewhere...

You can hate someone who has been your ally. I only view it as a pathetic trait.

And was it proof you asked for? Why that would be that he's a loser who LOST. If you want to argue that it was stolen, but Kerry had no proof and couldn't therefore fight it, I'd call that argument incredibly lame. Most of us on DU think it was stolen, the proof has been demonstrated by many here, but Kerry just merrily conceded in record time and has never uttered a peep about the overwhelming evidence of a second electoral theft by bushco. Kerry played it safe and held on to his war chest for another run in '08. I hope to God he doesn't get the chance to screw us again. He's a weak candidate to put it mildly. A loser is in reality a loser, even if he actually won, when he refuses to fight for what he won or at least reveal the truth about the theft, as has been done all over the Internet.

If Kerry wants to run again, I'll support him. I believe he is and was a strong candidate...hopefully whoever gets the nomination doesn't have to go through the same character assassination he did with a willing MSM that didn't bother to do their job as responsible journalists. Oh, and the BBV...

Still think he'd make one hell of a president.

I pray it becomes a reality!

.... but he doesn't have the stuff to be president, we can do better.

see how genuinely good he is. It never ceases to amaze me. Is he perfect, no. Should he have ignored bad advice and gone after the Swifties and * with both barrels. You bet, but that doesn't make me just write him off. I still sincerely expect great things from the man.

I always trust he'll do the right thing. He has a brave heart, glad to see lots of people here still think so too. As for the rest, the cliched criticisms are so tired at this point, get some new ones at least.

some heap on him.

Perhaps you have one to offer.

What IS it with the people who don't LOVE him? I DON'T understand. It saddens me that they can't see it.

attack their credibility, issue,,,
it becomes a he said , they said,
and it attracts attention to the Swifties


attack the merits of their claims, issue,,,
the events happened 35 years ago, since then,
witnesses - die/ can't be located /forget/,
records are thrown out, etc,

or something else?

And I know it's irrational for me to feel that towards him, because what happened in '04 was not his fault. I never really wanted him to get the nomination... But for a second on election day, I felt like *'s reign of terra was coming to an end. To have that dream snatched from me, and then to quickly hear Kerry's concession---the whole situation just caused a permanent negative association in my mind. And Kerry has done absolutely nothing to change the way I feel.

Edited to remove strong language.

I was curious to see how people felt about him on this site. I figured his approval rating would be way higher.

This is not an approval rating. You asked if you wanted him to run in 2008.

Some people may approve him but he may not be their choice for 2008.

DU has always been Hate Kerry Central. 50 - 50 is actually pretty good.

I still disagree with you, but thank you for removing flamebaiting language.

We all would have liked Kerry to win (at least I think so), but we have to look at the truth. The circumstances were not there for him to continue.

May be you dont see Kerry in a positive way because of your deception with the election, but please consider the actions he has taken and his votes compared to many other senators. His record for 2005 is certainly among the most progressive in the Senate.

so Amerika could repair itself.
whatever.
I guess he is still fighting the fight(w/ extreme PC speak), but because he quit on us I can't support him in 2008.
-edit stoopid speling eror :)

Even without Gore's numbers?

I still think he coulda done more. What exactly that more is I couldn't exactly define.
I just feel he should have said/done more LOUDER.

Yes or No

Probably, in many ways.
If it was brought up now it would make MSM negative coverage suicide.
something along the lines of "admission of guilt" too.

I think Kerry knew Bush wasn't beatable even before nominated. And yet he invested everything into a campaign against a better financed incumbent. As a result Kerry came close to winning, a nice surprise to many Democrats.

with far less "capital". I should say more positive about him, I just can't find it right now.

:dilemma:

If you refer to the election, there was no positive proof for him to fight for. He did the honorable thing. I think he chose the only option he had available to him. What did you expect him to fight with, assumptions?

He has been working for us, for example, he voted against ANWAR, the bankruptcy Bill, Bolton, Condileeza Rice,all three of the compromised Judaical nominees and these are just off the top of my head.
Your augment claiming he hasn't done anything, just isn't accurate.

and yeah I guess I do deserve it.
I see tonight on DU that he's getting ready to help fire up the DSM machine I hope will crush * too.
-edit spelling

There were so many reports of irregularities that he owed his supporters a few days of investigation. Maybe even the corporate media would have even been forced to take note of the bad situation in Ohio earlier. After those few days were up with no proof, he could have conceded with the caveat that his people were continuing to look into things. I mean, it was such an emotional campaign, and with all those memories of his song "No Surrender," I thought the concession was too quick. But at least I could have seen a concession from him after a few days. I'm not sure Gore should have EVER conceded.

All this said, I have respect for Kerry. I just thought he needed more of a "war room" mentality - especially when facing a Bush.

Couldn't say it any better (obviously).

I don't care what the bashers think, I am still cool with him.

I write to him sometimes. I learned so much about him and he is NO ordinary senator, IMO. He is a person first. Yes, I agree with a poster ^up there... He would've made one hell of a President. I'd support him in a split second above anyone else.

Until recently, this thread had stayed very civil.

Why is it that the same few people need to repeat the same bashing again and again.

Kerry has all my support. But obviously, I am actually considering what he has done since the election. Some have decided they prefer to ignore the reality and live in their fantasy world.

and think he's been working all along for many of the things we support -- including vote fraud investigations in Ohio. Genuine leaders are often those most willing to work behind the scenes.

The more I learned about Kerry, the more impressed I was: the great war record, then the bravery of opposing the war, the Senate record of investigations, etc., the background as a prosecutor--this whole fabulous life-work, leading up to the Presidency, totally qualified. During the campaign, on C-SPAN, I heard great speeches at rallies, the replay of the 1971 "Dick Cavett Show," and also heard really impressive things like, during the campagn, Kerry bought several copies of the book "Perfectly Legal" about how screwed up the tax system is because of corporations etc., for Kerry's whole staff to read. This would have been a totally intelligent, moral group of people in a Kerry Administration--painful. Apart from that, Kerry's campaign was destroyed by advice from "prick" males like Al From and Joe Biden to kill all reference to women's issues and concerns, and after Kerry's great career as a victim's rights advocate. I still think very highly of Kerry, and Teresa Heinz.

but not as a future presidential candidate.

I can't count Kerry out, still have hope because he works so patiently. It's like when Kerry comes out, Bush will know for sure his gig is up. Read Kerry was getting other's behind the 'DSM' anyway. I'm still betting he has a plan.

to form his or her opinion. That was how I picked Kerry; going through all the information one last time, really looking at his background, his development as a statesman, and his ideas. Then, I knew. The emotional attatchment came later. Which is why, once again, I can't understand how anyone who knows anything real about him doesn't love him. If you've bothered to learn about him, really learn, you can't help but love him, I think.

'nuff said.

... I was a Dean supporter. Still am.

-P

I like both men.

He did fine ,he didn't win but thats not the whole picture. He fought hard convinced alot of people, and handled himself with style and grace throughout. I'm proud to have worked for him, proud to have voted for him.I have always believed life's lessons come from defeats more than from life's victories.
Its a cliche' I know but: WIN SOME-LOOSE SOME

If you show up with your cleats on, and play hard and fair, there's no shame in loosing!

He doesn't inspire you either way???

Absolutely not!

Kerry reminds me of general McClellan of the civil war. The dude simply takes no initiative on anything. In the primaries, Kerry let Dean run circles around him painting him as a warmonger, and let BushCo run circles around him portraying him as anti-military.

Kerry can't even speak without using extreme caution, qualifying every phrase. My opinion of him as a politician has dropped significantly over the last few weeks. He'd make an outstanding president, but doesn't have the fire to make it there.

it seemed clear to me that Kerry wanted to assume the role of Party leader AFTER last year's elections ...

i saw nothing wrong with the Party having a spokesperson ... there is certainly a down side to speaking with 25 different voices ... it's easy to say, when speaking of the Democratic Party, that "there is no there there" ... we lack a cohesive center ...

so the idea of someone being the "front man" was fine ...

and Kerry got out of the gate quickly with his calls to cover all kids with health insurance ... all Democrats support this fundamental idea ... nothing too controversial there ... so it was a good start ...

but Kerry has the same problem now that he had during the election ... he wants to walk the "middle ground" on foreign policy ... and the "middle ground" when there's an unpopular "war" going on is seen by the public as a non-position ... would Kerry have done a better job in Iraq? yeah, of course ... but what's he really offering Americans for visionary leadership on the issue ???

the American people are way ahead of Kerry, and most other Democratic Senators, when it comes to the issue of Iraq ... if Kerry really wants to be a leader, he's going to have to take some risks ... and i just don't believe he's willing to do that ... at least not yet ...

perhaps he'll eventually join the Conyer's initiative on the DSM and score some points ... Kerry has been way too cautious and has failed to show the kind of leadership we need to end the occupation of Iraq ...