What I've Learned: John Kerry (Esquire Magazine)

What I've Learned: John Kerry

Published: February 3, 2006


(Senator, 62, Washington, D. C.)

An honest answer is that I was more knocked on my ass when I was younger. Because when I lost the race for Congress in 1972, everything was new, raw, and fresh. That experience taught me how to pick up the pieces and go on. It taught me that there are much more important things than running in a race and not winning. Your family. Your values. The things you choose to fight for. I left the race for the presidency with my integrity — and that's very important.

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Unfit for Command was a pack of lies. I said so at the time. My crew said so. The Navy said so. But a lot of money was put behind the lies. If a lot of money is put behind a lie, it will become the truth for some people — particularly if they don't get enough of the real truth. I take the blame for not making certain that there was money behind the real truth. That's what I meant when I said I should've come back and coldcocked him.

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Katrina stripped away the curtain, and we found there wasn't even a wizard behind it.

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We've got to have an honest conversation about education in this country.

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A transformation is taking place, so I'm very encouraged. But we have to translate it into people winning in the House and Senate and governors around the country. That's step one in anybody changing anything or doing anything. You've just got to plow ahead and see where things fall.

One word I'd like on my tombstone to describe myself for generations to come? President would be a good one.

Interviewed by Cal Fussman