Why is Kerry so disliked here at DU ?

I was just curious why some people whether they are from MA or not tear down their own while lifting another Dem up? :shrug:

for their favorite candidate to run in 08. I bet lot of them were secretly pulling for Kerry to lose anyway.

I was never a Anybody But Bush Kerry supporter. I still think John kerry would make an excellent president. Not everyone can agree with everyone 100% of the time.

to our losing candidates. I like Kerry a lot. I won't support him for President in a primary, but he's a very good senator.

He has my full support in 2008....hope he runs again ...

Sadly, between massive amounts of stupid people and a castrated media, he isn't President.

Fuck you Bush family.

Boats and to fight the fraud in the election, but I give benefit of the doubt for a rationale predicated on what I don't/can't know.

although I suspect a credible threat was made against his family. That's the only thing that would have stopped the Kerry I knew back in his VVAW days.

I still can't figure out why he hasn't sued that thug John O'Neil for libel over that book. Winning isn't the point. Tying the hateful cretin up in a court case is the point. Subpoena power doesn't hurt, either.

a closer look.

I still support John Kerry and he didn't deserve the smear job he got during this past election campaign...

I think he has shown himself to be a man of integrity.

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"Because he bragged about his "heroic" participation in a murderous war of aggression, in order to garner votes."

So veterans don't deserve respect? :wtf:

Welcome to DU :hi:

I think Howard Dean has drawn just as much ire here on DU. Which is a shame. I like them both. Though I am the original " Kerryfan".

a lot of people still have his back...He is one tough hombre...
His integrity is so good they couldn't find anything so they made up Vietnam stories...The Scarborough media never checked the lies... treated them as truth...

A badly misinformed public... Kerry will be back...

Kerry will be back but now he, like gore, has baggage he cannot escape. His military record, unfairly trashed, will follow him like a cloud...he had his chance.

comes to run against him for Senate and Kerry mops the floor with his lying ass that that baggage will drop faster than you can spit.

IT'S ONLY TO LATE WHEN PEOPLE GIVE UP. He has taken all they can dish out. There is nothing else they can throw his way. His military record is a good one, I don't think it will hold him back.I see no baggage that can't be overcome. Look, Bush survived attacks on his military record, I'm sure Kerry can too.

He had LOTS more help. He wouldn't fight for us. I was so angry at what the GOP got away with, while our guy just kept repeating "I was in Vietnam." I'm still angry.

It's ok. I bet it was all a set up so that Hillary, Clark, or somebody else could run.

I, and a small minority here, were arguing that Kerry should have been more agressive. We were flamed by lots of folks who assume that if somebody says something they don't agree with that that person must be stupid or a freeper.

Conventional wisdom, and post mortems now agree that Kerry didn't fight back enough. I believe even Kerry agrees with this.

I would like him better if he denounced the Iraq war and Bush for having taken us into it on false premises. Kerry has an excuse for not knowing there were no weapons of mass destruction in 2001 and 2002. But, Bush has no excuse. No matter what he says, Bush had the means to get good intelligence and the responsibility to get it. There is no excuse for Kerry's support of that war now that we know there were no WMDs and that Al Qaeda's presence in Iraq, if any, was extremely limited.

I haven't decided who I will support in 2008. It's too soon. As we saw with 9/11 too much can change between now and then -- including the health of the candidates themselves.

As in 2004, we will, hopefully, be blessed with a number of excellent candidates. As far as I'm concerned, there's never too much of a good thing when it comes to well qualified presidential candidates. The only drawback to a lively primary is that the Republicans get a lot of their campaign fodder from the mud the candidates sling at each other.

I hope Kerry will continue to participate in our perpetual campaign because I think he will gain trust and popularity as the public realizes how many of the events that he predicted and things he warned about come to pass. In spite of my disagreement with him about the war, he has a lot of qualities that would make him a great president. He needs to prove he is a fighter and has the courage to stand up for what he believes in. He also needs to keep in the forefront on issues like Social Security, health care, fairness in the workplace, fair trade that protects human rights including economic rights in developed countries, etc.

I would have voted for any Democrat (and I did), but for a candidate to belong to that kind of organization is not acceptable to me.

In fact, it enraged me when Kerry told us that his secret club is a secret, and none of our business. That is not the kind of person the
Democratic Party should nominate -- ever. That is not what democracy is about.

And if you think Skull & Bones is simply some kind of fraternity, then you probably think the Bushes are in politics to serve the common man.

I would gladly trade him for the cat killer/healer aka Senator Frist anyday. You guys are so hateful.

(I didn't, anyways.)

This is all about Hillary and DUs favorites running anyway. I wish we'd focus on 2006 and take back congress and the media. These 2008 threads are nauseating.

It was a time to show political courage. Sorry, but Byrd wasn't fooled and neither were tons of us.

I don't dislike him. I expect more from my leaders.

He knew exactly what was going on. He knows how things really work. It's very possible that he was once one of them.

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I'm down with the killing. My support of healthcare, education, the environment, fair taxation and all the rest is just a smokescreen to hide my blatant warmongering. That's why I worked for Kerry, cuz he was down with the death dealing. (That's why I've voted for him repeatedly since 1982, btw. I'm nothing if not consistent.)

Geesh, with libs like this it's a wonder Kerry got any votes at all.

I don't approve of the mass murder that has been committed & is being committed as we speak in our name by the chickenhawk in the White House who was so eager to invade Iraq.

And please educate yourself about the facts. You've listened to Faux News too long, apparently. John Kerry gave the president of the U.S. the benefit of the doubt when WhatsHisFace lied about our country being in imminent danger. WhatsHisFace misled Congress with phony, cooked documentation & John Kerry based his vote on the lies presented to Congress.

Me too...Kerry plays ice hockey at 60 yrs of age...he'd crush any of the swift boat liars in a fight anytime...

I woul rather have him in my foxhole than anyone...Will be in his in 2008 ... :dem:

He is hard to understand...from sports, music playing, historic war protesting....he seems like a down to earth guy....

But, in spite of the earthiness of his youth, he seems uppity in his now personna. His speaking talents were perfect in his testimony about Vietnam. Now his speeches sound too much like speeches. It seems as though he is not really there, as if he wrote a speech for his teacher and has to deliver it 'just so' to get an 'A'.

But this is trite stuff compared to my gargantuan objection...he voted for what I bluntly call the killing, plus the Patriot Act. I want hero caretakers of my country, not Republicans, leading me. (I base this on the premise that IF Muslim terrorists did cause 9-11, it was a criminal act, not a war act and a lot of people knew it, but our Senators allowed the corporations, military brass, and politicians (plus Israel) to have their way. Personally, I'm now at MIHOP which now creates s strange reversal of everything - if a MIHOP - it is a WAR - against us, the citizens and the disastrous collateral. Collateral - I despise a word that really means human souls.)

I am a sad and morose observer of a corporate, military, and religious takeover of my country and the world...his contribution is suspect.

Sorry, one of my heroes had to die so I guess I should settle for less that a hero for safety reasons, but what will we have left if we keep voting with the Republicans and the imperialistic takeover of us and the world. I apologize for saying this, but I wonder how much he cares and whether he is also a facilitator wearing a Dem hat. I watch and listen hoping I'm wrong, but I'm never convinced. There is something very wrong with this country and someone is to blame and someone has to do something. Can we really say he would have done it or will do it?

He inspired many, but not enough.
Then he allowed a theft with barely a whimper.

I voted because I was a passionate ABB and was really pumped up because I was convinced he and John E would win. I loved Teresa and Elizabeth and all of their family members - they were all so accomplished and authentic. I was soaring in spirit on that Tuesday morning because I thought the support would overpower the thefts. But my mind said to go slow if he won because I had a doubt about what his allegiance would be to the corporations and the Republicans.

Count me as one who cannot get over my disappointment in the votes of Dem Representatives and the absolute disregard they have for our voting rights. They did diddly about the integrity of the vote before the election even after all the previous thefts. It was unforgivable. It was as if they invited the theft and now they are virtually silent except for a few. Conyers is a saint.

Watching Kerry and the rest of them, I keep asking if it's true what some people say...they are Dems only to perpetuate an illusion of two major party's. (I am extremely anti-Nader, by the way.)

Kennedy, Clinton, and Shirmer were a few of my heroes. I was grateful to learn of Kerry's participation in the BCCE investigations and his other works. But I had a very vanilla opinion of him before I learned more, based on what I picked up in watching the country. I allowed myself to hope for the best.

Anyway, the only remaining hero here (in the Senate) is Kennedy (and Boxer) in his votes and fights. But, then, even he went and endorsed Kerry. I objected by sitting down and writing him a stinging letter, but didn't send it.

Just one person's problem with Kerry. Conflicted. Doubting, hoping, looking, watching for the path back to my country.

the Democratic Party, especially all elected Democrats, needs to acknowledge that our democracy is at risk ... it is not enough to fight for this program and that program ... those efforts are greatly appreciated and supported but they are not enough ...

our government has been infested by wealthy, powerful interests that pollute and then destroy our democracy ... job one for Democrats is to educate the American people to the crisis we face ... Kerry fights for the right position on most issues but hasn't yet made the case that needs to be made ... absent the right FRAMEWORK, his message is much weaker than it might otherwise be ...

but the big, near-term issue for me is Iraq and the terrorism being pushed on other countries by the neo-cons and their enablers ... with the IWR, i strongly disagreed with Kerry's vote ... his defenders said he was duped by the WMD evidence and was lied to by bush ... wellllllll, OK ... but here comes the next big vote ...

$81.4 billion ... more money for bush, the neo-cons, PNAC, empire building, and corporate hegemony ... anyone who believes bush will train the Iraqi army and then "get out" is naive ... there's no money in that for bush's corporate friends and that will never be the agenda as long as funds are allocated to keep US troops in Iraq ... $81.4 billion on top of the $200 billion we've already spent on top of a $400 billion a year Pentagon budget on top of massive federal budget deficits ...

at some point, it becomes more than i'm willing to put up with ... if Kerry or any Democrat votes to continue the killing, to continue the spending, to continue the illegal occupation of Iraq, i'm done ... i will never again support, fund or work for anyone who continues to support bush's war ... let's hope ALL Democrats see that bush cannot be trusted to do the right thing in Iraq; let's hope they ALL vote against the supplemental budget bill for the Iraq "war" ... NO MORE MONEY FOR WAR !!!

-- the U.S. Congress that there were good reasons to think again about our involvement in S.E. Asia.

Liked him since then. Liked him last year. Liked him a few nights before the election in November when he spoke to a large crowd in Tampa, after we heard from Sen. Nelson, Betty Castor, among others. Even the Goo Goo Dolls, who opened the evening, were strongly pro-Kerry.

And I like him tonight. Will like him next week, next year, and in ten thousand years.

Unlike the current White House resident, I consider him as a genuine public servant from whom we could have learned a great deal, for whom our allies would have felt true respect, and in whose hands the Constitution would not be under wanton attack from Far Right neocon assholes.

Thanks...I will support him for the rest of my life!

-- for your support of an adult whose citizenship is exemplary and whose range as a world thinker and citizen eclipses Dubya's by many lightyears.

Love your enthusiasim.

& all good wishes to you.

He has proven his grit.... will support him in 2008

My frustration with Kerry was already high during his weak campaign. But when he walked out and conceded before election night had barely passed...my rage and anger poured out as i thought about the time i spent working for him and like a lamb he just wimped out when we needed him to have a backbone. Then, his Iraq trip ...leaving our honor to be defended (fortunately) by a capable Stephanie Tubbs-Jones and tough Barbara Boxer.

Im sorry, Kerry failed us ...although he was "gifted" with amazing resources..

$300+ million for his campaign
A party as unified as it was going to get
Volunteers after volunteers (like me)
a "President" who was a clear failure
support from 527 orgs flush with Bush-hating cash
A profitable DNC...with cash to advertise

Im glad he seems to want to stay connected and I appreciate that, but he had his chance to stand up and he was a wimp....im not sure who im looking at in '08 (My heart would love to see a Finegold/Boxer ticket - heck i'd consider a Finegold/Edwards ticket)

... His courage seems to have been drained away by too many years in the Senate.... so let him continue to legislate and work to better things in the Senate.

(Of course we all know that if for some godawful reason, he becomes the 2008 nominee...im going right back out to support the party...god help me) (imagine me yelling Kerry as Capt. Kirk yelled Khan!!!!)

At least Gore had the balls to take his fight through the courts.

He will make a fine senior Senator when Kennedy retires.

Where is Gore now anyway? At least Kerry is out there fighting for the issues that matter most. I don't know why people think their candidate would have done so much better. Clark, Dean, or anyone would have been smeared the same way Kerry was. BTW, wanna trade senators? We'll give you Cat Killer Frist and take Kerry anyday since you guys don't want him anymore.

, not 120,000. It was worth contesting the election and I am sure that Kerry would have done the same thing in the same circumstances.

I am convinced that, given the circumstances, he did the right thing and I hope he continues fighting in the Senate for changes in the electoral laws .

Some are just lousy at arguing their case, I guess.

Others are flat-out trolls, I'd be willing to bet, waging disinformation campaigns: one part fact, three parts innuendo, with a dash or two of outright slander.

Crazy. :(

I once had immense respect for Kerry back in his anti-war days. But that respect diminished the longer I saw him in office. The last straw was his support for NAFTA. I refused to vote for him as Senator since then... though I would if he were in trouble.

I voted Perot in 92, and Nader in 96 and 00. But Bush had to be beaten so I held my nose and put a lot of effort into seeing that Kerry win in 2004. But Kerry ran a terrible campaign. His tap-dance around Iraq, his refusal to deal honestly with fiscal matters, and his lack of conviction on core issues that matter to me, make me nauseous.

No, I don't hate him one bit. And I was the only person in my extremely conservative high school to have a Kerry/Edwards bumper sticker on my yes, pickup truck. :D

So there ya go...

neither do most people in MA. He has actually been elected to the Senate four times.

You have courage - I salute you!

It's Kerry all the way for me. He's a great man, and a moral and brave one as well.

and what they got was somewhat lighter.

Before I continue, I want to say I deeply admire Howard Dean. He's a great man, and he's going to revive the Democratic Party from the base up. The man is a firebrand--and unfortunately, that's not what Kerry is. Dean is better at getting the base together, Kerry is the politico. There is a DIFFERENCE. I will admit that he made a mistake in not denouncing his vote on the Iraq resolution (which, by the way, was a resolution to go to war as a LAST RESORT, as Chimpy McFucktard failed to acknowledge). I will also admit that the Smear Boat Liars should have been dismantled when he had the chance--Kerry underestimated the gullibility of many of the American people, figuring that this shit was so stupid and outlandish that no one would believe it, but he was wrong. By the time he tried to fix it, the damage had been done.

I admire John Kerry for his conviction and his devotion to helping his constituents. Unlike Al Gore, he stayed in the spotlight after Debacle 2004, continuing to be a thorn in the Republicans' sides.

I guess what I want to say is that both Kerry and Dean are good Democrats--in very different ways.

See:

Kerry Criticizes Mass. Democrats for Gay Marriage Support
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=158x4373

Now he can go fuck himself.

it is no small thing that Kerry had to go way down to Louisiana (i think it's just south of New Bedford) to make his little speech opposing gay marriage ... and of course all that did was stir the debate on a national level ...

some so called "progressive DU'ers" have argued that "gay marriage" will never sell nationally ... well what the hell does that have to do with what's right for Massachusetts ???

of course, when you're as out of touch with Massachusetts voters as Kerry is, you have to go sucking up to more conservative voters in Louisiana ... if this is part of Dean's "we have to speak to voters in the Red states" campaign, i think what Dean really means is we have to move the Party way to the right ...

Kerry is not just out of touch with his own constituency, he's out of touch with his own state's highest court ... i guess when you're permanently running for President, you don't have to be a very good representative to the people who elected you ... and notice the words Kerry used to justify his position: "I'm not sure it reflects the broad view of the Democratic Party in our state." ... and that's the point!!! maybe Senator Out-of-Touch-With-the-Voters should "be sure" before he starts shooting his mouth off about what Democrats in Massachusetts think about this issue ...

hey John, if you ever get back here, could you me bring me one of those nut rolls from Stuckey's ??? and just what the hell is a crawdad anyway ???

You need to watch the personal attacks. Hey, wanna trade senators? We can take Kerry and you can have the Cat Killer Frist.

His opinions on same sex marriage have remained consistent. He is saying nothing new now. Obviously, he is a man who speaks his own mind. HE IS ALSO A REASONABLE MAN.Perhaps, you should contact him about your feelings and allow him to reply before attacking him. If you remember, during the election, Clinton tried to convince him to come out against same sex unions -period. He wouldn't do it. I can not speak for the good people of Mass., but I have reservations about this whole issue myself and feel that civil unions are a good compromise that can be seen as a beginning. Equal Rights for Woman is also a civil rights issue and we have had to learn to compromise on our own equality.

he was a bad candidate. He's way too obvious when he does political pandering.

kerry seemed oblivious to this political nuance.