The Kerry/Clark "Country First" bus tour

Together coming to a town near you (sometime in the near future). I hope :).

I read somewhere that upon selecting his VP, Kerry would commence a bus tour to introduce his VP and the ticket to the American public. When I think of a Kerry/Clark bus tour this is what I dream of:

The Kerry/Clark "Country First" bus tour

Kerry starts off discussing how bad partisanship has become in Washington (comparing it to his earlier days in the senate).

He then goes onto say Congress is breaking trust with the American people by not doing the job they were elected to do...... he has seen many vital pieces of legislation go into the Congressional black hole (never to be seen again) because politicians too often put partisan politics, strict adherence to a particular ideology, or loyalty to a particular special interest group or political backer, ahead of doing what is right for this country and the American people.

He explains why he went into public service in the first place (starting with his service in Vietnam).

Finally, he makes a plea for our elected officials to put their love of Country before partisan politics (because isn't love of country what propelled them to run for office and become public servants in the first place)?

Wes starts off by explaining why he went into the military (became a public servant) in the first place. During his long career, he could have made more money and kept better hours in the private sector but he elected to remain a public servant (and it certainly wasn't for the pay).

He goes on to explain that as a military career officer, because he worked with both Democratic and Republican administrations, he was required to be a non-partisan.

In casting his vote for president, he always voted for the person he believed would do the best job of protecting our country. He also believes in giving credit where credit is due and jokes about how he took a lot of heat for complimenting Bush and the soldiers for a job well done in Afghanistan - and he's glad to see that so many Democratic senators and congressman did the same.

He discusses the importance of accountability and how it played such a critical role in rebuilding the military after the Vietnam War (and in seeing this country through troubled times).

He makes a plea for the American public to put their love of country before blind allegiance to any one political party and explains why it is so critical that we hold Bush accountable (e.g., if we don't hold Bush accountable, what type of message is that sending to our children and future generations - that you can act w/out impunity?). And quite frankly, he says, I just don’t see how this country can withstand four more years of a George Bush Administration.

Finally, Clark explains why Iraq has been a foreign policy miscalculation of epic proportions and how we will be all be paying the price for this mistake for years to come. He reminds us that many lives would have been saved if the soldiers had the right equipment (but Bush wanted his 80 billion without proper oversight, calling anyone unpatriotic who didn't vote for it and accusing them of not supporting the troops). He tells us that he wouldn't have voted for it and he'd like to see George Bush accuse him of not supporting the troops and of being unpatriotic. The money Halliburton illegally billed for (time and time again) could have been used to buy the protective equipment and take care of the many pressing needs back at home.

Kerry then further expounds on why we must hold Bush accountable (to restore our good name, repair our foreign relationships that have been damaged…) and what we must hold Bush accountable for (and it's much more than just the Iraq debacle). The best years of this country are still ahead of us but we are only going to be able to realize that goal if we can come together as a nation for in the words of a wise president long ago, “a house (nation) divided against itself cannot stand.” He also emphasizes:

American values (education, health care, jobs). These are not just Democratic, Republican, or Independent values but American values.

When you do what you're supposed to do, you should be able to achieve the American Dream. That goes to the core of what this country has always stood for. Something has gone seriously wrong and we need to get back to that overriding core value and belief of what America stands for (If you work hard and play by the rules....) Today those who worked hard and play by the rules are hammered while those who break all the rules are rewarded.

George Bush would like you to believe that I want to "hold him accountable" simply because he is a Republican and this is nothing more than politics as usual. No, I want to hold George Bush accountable because of what he has done to this country.

Homeland Security - Bush has not done all he can to keep this country safe but they(Kerry/Clark) would (while protecting our freedoms).

Finally he discusses how for many the obstacles we face seem so insurmountable. However “together” as Americans (not as Republicans, Democrats and Independents) but as Americans, there is nothing that this country cannot achieve or overcome.

A KEY BENEFIT TO THIS APPROACH: By focusing on the themes of non-partisanship AND accountability, if the Republicans where to tap someone else for Bush's VP, it would be very difficult for them to counter this message. Even if they were to replace Cheney with a Republican non-partisan like McCain. Inherent in supporting Bush for re-election (by joining his ticket) is putting partisan politics and desire for political power ahead of doing what is right for this country.

The theme song should be "This land is your land (Republicans/independents), this land is my land...(Democrats)"

Clark does not overshadow Kerry. What Clark does is cast Kerry in a very favorable light. Picking a man like Clark really says something about John Kerry the man (and John Kerry the President).

Why Kerry picked Clark:

1) He's very qualified. We've already seen what having an unqualified person sitting in the oval office can do and this is one of Kerry's biggest concerns in selecting a running mate. Clark has not only foreign policy/national security credentials but also what is needed to tackle the domestic issues on the home front (very few people realize that as a Whitehouse fellow Clark wrote a WH budget from scratch, that he has a degree in economics, that he was responsible for ensuring that that the soldiers under his command received properhealth caree, education and job development and was loved by the soldiers for doing so).

2) Clark's love of country and dedication to public service.

3) His non partisanship.

4) He can bring a fresh point of view to the table.

Am I the only one who sees how inspiring (and POWERFUL) a Kerry/Clark ticket could be? I think I'd actually begin to have faith in our elected officials once again. I also think this would really rally the country together and could spark the desire in many to become public servants, working for the common good. And God knows its going to take a lot of dedicated people to turn this mess around.

I think John Kerry has reached a real fork in the road in his quest to become the next President of OUR United States. I pray he chooses wisely.

Tee-hee. :7

:*

"Country first" you should send that in to the campaign, it would be perfect if Clark does get the VP position, but I daresay it could work even with a different candidate.

It would work with any VP candidate. Best slogan I've heard so far!

If Kerry uses a "Country First" slogan with Edwards as VP, the obvious counter from the Republicans: If you thought it was important to put our Country and the American people first, why did you chose an unqualified VP, a guy who has spent almost his entire life being a personal injury attorney to be a heart beat away from assuming the role of commander-in-chief.

The slogan really fits Clark, a non-politician, a non-partisan who has always put the country first (which is how I came up with the slogan). Imagine that, a political slogan that actually means something and is not just more phony hype.

skwmom, it would be great. Flags would be flying. The tour would go through the heart of middle america and many normally Republican areas. The massive crowds would be highlighted by veterans to serve their country again. Kerry and Clark would talk about what a great country this. They'd talk about patriotism and how this country can be great again. They'd say that we are a can-do country and can accomplish anything that we set out to do. They'd talk about faith and what it really means.

skymom, you made my day.:toast:

:evilgrin:

various public servants (such as teachers, fireman, policeman, etc) and others that have made a real difference (such as people that have made a major contribution in the world of science and medicine) to demonstrate that we CAN rid our dependency on fossil fuels - cleaning up the environment and getting rid of a whole bunch of problems in the process.

They could have these people say a few words about how Bush's screw-ups have affected them personally. This way the Democrats would be highlighting what's gone wrong while giving people hope that we can fix these problems.

Thanks Skwmom ( mind if I call you Mom?) You are the best. I think I said once before that I'm so glad and proud to have someone so thoughtful and expressive on our side. I hope someone on the Kerry
campaign reads that post. Everything you say is sooo true!:bounce:
Here's to you. :toast: :thumbsup:

But to tell the truth, my brother is really the one in the family who has a way with words.

Feel free to call me mom. I picked this identifier (SKWMOM) because at the time I signed up to DU I was a new mom and loving every minute of it (and still do)!

I could kick myself. I emailed her may draft and she gave me some ideas on what to include.

Thank you, thank you, thank you Donna! I don't like to take credit for someone else's work. I'm just really tired (long night) or I would have added a note at the bottom of my original post.

:toast:

I don't understand why Journalists and Campaign strategists get paid...as they rarely have an original idea of their own. This is a good strategy and would work wonders. Hope someone will latch on to it immediately!

That means a lot coming from you.

www.johnkerry.com

Though I think I will clean up the mistakes and post a corrected version at the bottom of this thread tomorrow. I've always had a very difficult time proofing anything I write.

Together, they would earn "rock star" status.

But they would earn this status not because of some media created marketing hype totally lacking in reality or substance. This would be a substantive, quality ticket that Americans could feel good about supporting. This is the type of ticket that will give Americans hope.

An All-Star Tour!

...I hope, I hope, I hope.

When I went to England in November, I made sure I wore my Clark buttons at all time - lest some European thought, with my Southern American accent, that I was a Bush fan (shudder).
In any case, everywhere I went, people were commenting on the button and hoped that Clark - whom they all adored - would oust the liar in chief.

Ahhhh... such hopes. Too bad the British media wasn't doing the reporting in America.

Which is why they liked Clinton. Our European relatives constantly ask "What has happened to the U.S?"

...they do not understand how our votes were not counted in 2000, and they do not understand a court ruling making Shrub Preznit.

But, once they visit here and see our pitiful excuse for a news media, they understand how people of little experience and/or education get in office.
All that media cheerleading.

if they could get some of the lifelong Republicans who quit their federal jobs because of Bush to speak out (for example, the guy who quit because Bush gutted environmental protection).

My family is 100% behind Clark and always have been........he would be absolutely the best pick for Kerry. Thanks for your good ideas!

saying no to Reagan.

I haven't given up hope!

:kick:

a Harlequin romance, starring the General?

behind a "Country First" tour (comparing it to a romance novel). Blind allegiance to a party label is killing this country.

are so devoid of humor that you don't get my point.

The General fixed his steely gaze upon her. He had never stood quite so close to her before. She could smell his manly cologne. His nearness was making her knees tremble. How many times had she fantasized about a moment just like this? How many times had she looked at the Speedo pictures and dreamed of what might be? Now, here she was, with his full attention, and she couldn't think of a thing to say.... to be continued...

I've seen your posts on other threads.

:kick:

on his guitar? My daughter recommended it to John Kerry as a campaign song when JK was soliciticing suggestions earlier in his campaign, but he chose Springsteen's "No Surrender"--perfect for him at the time.

Am sure you do know that it was Wes Clark's campaign song--which pleased us all tremendously.

which is why the song came to mind.

...I also support Clark as VP.

But your great idea would be good for any DEM ticket... You should "send it in" as they say...

If Kerry were to use the slogan "Country First" with a WEAK VP pick like Edwards, the Republicans would attack him for not putting the country first (for example, putting an unqualified guy a heartbeat away from stepping into the role of commander in chief because you bowed to the pressures of the big $ trial lawyers is hardly putting the country first.

With a Kerry/Clark ticket "Country First" is more than a mere campaign slogan (it means something). That is why it would work.

...that polite Southern boy can handle GOP smears just fine...

and the Democratic ticket in the process. He reinforces the worst memes about the Democrats:

1) They are weak on national security. ZERO credentials. A guy who has spent a majority of his life being a personal injury attorney (claiming to channel unborn children) is unfit to be a heart beat away from assuming the role of commander-in-chief.

2) They are owned by the trial lawyers. Have you taken a look at his contributors?

3) They are phony populists who lie to the poor and working class to get their votes. (Zero pro bono work, pushed for legislation that screwed the working class while benefiting his corporate buddies that live in that "other" America, he cherry-picked his clients to make the most $$$$ (of course he had to buy those three homes in excess of a million each - who knows what he contributed to charity since he's refused to disclose his tax returns - of course if he had made significant contributions I'm sure we would have heard by now), he missed votes critical to the working class (for example, overtime pay legislation) and has been nicknamed Senator Gone by his own hometown paper because instead of taking care of the working class and poor of NC, he was off promoting himself, and he refused to back the following legislation: "For the one or two who got a substantial jury verdict," said George W. Miller Jr., a former state representative in North Carolina who practices law in Durham, "there were 99 that did not get anything, either because they were not able to finance litigation or their claim was questionable." Mr. Edwards ……. opposed state legislation that would have helped all families with brain-damaged children and not just those few who win big malpractice awards.” http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/31/politics/campaign/31EDWA.html?ex=1390885200&en=4fb97ac07a96f186&ei=5007&partner=USERLAND. See also (A Populist Make-Over Meet John Edwards, the Corporate Man, http://www.dissidentvoice.org/Jan04/Ireland0129.htm


4). He's a phony without any core beliefs and principles (the newest meme), a shameless self-promoter.

Edwards is by the WORST possible VP choice that Kerry could make.

The guy can handle himself.

Look- I'm for Clark. You dont need to convince me. I just dont like bashing DEMS. Never done it- never will.

I call trying to get other people to realize WHY Rove is salivating for Edwards. I also don't like hypocritical phonies (be the Republican or Democrat). I find Edward's Two Americas, I feel your pain crap about as convincing as Bush's compassionate conservatism.

On edit: I also thought it was absurd to have a lightweight like Bush in the WH. I feel the same way about Edwards. He is not qualified to be a heartbeat away from becoming president.

...I can honestly consider either of these two as VP...

There is a VP thread on the "John Kerry Internet Town Hall Meeting" for discussion on VP possibilities.

I have had my post edited or deleted because I said that John Kerry was "perceived" to be weak on defense therefore John Edwards would do "nothing" to help the ticket. I also said that Edwards resume was short although his vision long. I mentioned that Clarks vision and resume were impressive. I again was rebuked. I was told that I was basically bashing Kerry because I said that he was perceived "weak" on defense, Iraq - terrorism - at least, as compared to his Domestic Policies. I mentioned that Kerry would be helped by Clarks and not by Edwards. Edwards is unqualified. Needless to say, there are Edwards' lovers on that board that, I beleive, are moderators - and he/she/they take full advantage of their "power" on the board. They basically have turned it into a "love fest" for Edwards. It is truly sickening.

I enjoyed your candor and your point of view. It was refreshing to hear someone voice my opionions and see it remain on the board!

Great idea and I would LOVE to see them do the Bus Tour!

cidliz2004

FP experience is on the ticket.

his country first. I came up with this slogan because surprise, surprise it actually meant something (which just might be a first in the world of politics).

...and I also like "Tour of Duty".

I still feel Clark is the one who will best appeal to the independents and disillusioned Republicans.

compete with a ticket like this!