Kerry, Edwards show public affection

[Cocoa]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4297839,00.html

Bear hugs. Pats on the back. Shoulder squeezes. John Kerry and John Edwards are all over each other. The two Democrats and one-time rivals have shared so much public affection since becoming a team Tuesday that the presidential candidate even joked about it in New York after Edwards introduced him at fund-raisers and rallies - and hugged him before turning over the podium.

Kerry grinned and shook his head. ``There's been a lot of hugging this week,'' the Massachusetts senator remarked with a chuckle Friday.

Later, Kerry mentioned that Jay Leno had teased the Democratic ticket for being so touchy-feely. Mocking the apparent chemistry between the candidates, ``The Tonight Show'' strung together clips of the two in their first three days as running mates with Joe Cocker's weepy 1974 hit single ``You Are So Beautiful'' played in the background.

``We make a great couple, ladies and gentlemen,'' Kerry joked as New York donors cracked up.

more..

[m-jean03]

1. I absolutely LOVE it

I think it's wonderful, heartwarming and inspiring to see men unafraid to show their happiness and humanity in this way.

:loveya:

[Prodemsouth]

4. Yeah, I suppose, well at least Edwards is better looking than Cheney.

Seen displaying affection for Bush in public could cause insinuations of bestiality by our ever diligent media.

[m-jean03]

14. Maybe a little love and affection would do those rotten cretins good

But I have to admit, it wouldn't be at the top of the list of things I'd want to see.

(Unless it meant they had finally been bestowed with heart, mind and courage and were rejoicing in their newfound enlightenment... BWAHAAHAHAHAHAH!!! That's funny.)

[UpInArms]

2. just finished watching Staphlococcus on ABC

and this was played as a "joke" by Leno - I think the RW will try to smear them in some (not so) subtle manner.

[KDLarsen]

18. Been there, done that..

.. on the smear part

Drudge has already posted a "Kerry & Edwards is gay" bit - I'll spare you the details except that it contains plenty of pictures of the two standing close to each pther.

[Piperay]

22. They also tried that crap in 92

against Clinton & Gore, didn't work then and it's not going to work now.

[CO Liberal]

20. Good Name For Little Georgie

My wife refers to him as "Snuffleupagus"



Source: http://www.darkwindrising.com/

[JoFerret]

3. Good antidote to the Bush homophobia

and his gay marriage panic.

[Cocoa]

6. I think it's deliberate

taking it head-on, showing the contrast, letting the people decide which they want. I think it will be no contest. :toast:

[cliss]

10. Cocoa, I think you're right.

I'm getting this feeling too - Kerry-Edwards is going about things in an entirely new way. They are displaying supreme confidence in who they are, and what they believe in.

I belong to another message board, and people have mentioned that this is driving the Repubs NUTS. They do not like it one bit. This was probably done in innocence, but they just accidentally stumbled upon the Repubs #1 response button: homophobia/latent homosexuality.

Imagine Bush and Cheney holding hands, or worse yet, hugging each other. Yech. Of course, I've read that Cheney is gay, but that's a different story.

[Cocoa]

19. if we see that...

we'll KNOW they're desperate. Bush and Cheney getting in touch with their nurturing sides will go down in history as one of the biggest lol moments in election history. :-)

[truthisfreedom]

5. the repukes live on hate. that's why they think they can do something

with this... but it will never work. America is hungry for hope, and these guys are full of hope. now double, triple, quadruple... factor of 10 their security... because they are presenting a real threat to bushco.

[juajen]

11. Amen, lots and lots of security

and the prayers of a nation, as we all put our faith in this dynamic duo. This is so difficult, because I think one of things that is energizing this country is their spontaneity, visibility and infectious togetherness.

Propelling them forward is the hard work dems everywhere have been doing; not the least of which is Howard Dean, Wesley Clark, the Clintons, the Gores, the Vilsaks, Al Sharpton, Dennis Kucinich, Bob Graham; Dead God, the list is endless. What a beautiful, united party we are this year.

I truly hate for them to split and go their different ways for more efficient campaigning; but, I believe it will be easier to guard them. I hope that the adoring public will be on the watch with eyes, ears and intuition. After all, there are many differences between us and yesteryear. We know what can happen in this country, now, and we all have to guard our very loved candidates.

My suggestion: There are so many of us. Listen carefully, watch carefully and report to the campaign any fears on their behalf. I know they are guarded by Secret Service. I just don't think that's enough. I would love to see a Security Committee formed by whoever is best qualified to do it, manned by loyal volunteers in each state, whose main purpose would be to vet threats seen by local eyes and ears. The ones deemed serious enough to alert the campaign and Secret Service would then be turned over.

I know, I know, this would be very difficult to do. Even if it can't be done at this late date, the next time you go to hear them at a rally, or meet them at an airport, keep your eyes on the people around you, as well as the candidates and prepare yourself to take action to save these candidates and yourselves. At work, shopping or on the streets, listen to what people are saying around you. Threats should be taken seriously and reported. As I said, the state democratic organizations would be best to report this to, if they could be induced to organize a committee for handling this.

[peacebuzzard]

17. excellent point.

I really wish something more could be done. We honestly need a watchdog network out there, do you know of anyone else working w/ these concerns?

[nomatrix]

23. QuestionTruthisfreedom?

is that a "touchscreen" in your post?

[truthisfreedom]

24. a touch screen?

i don't know what you mean. it's a silhouette image taken by someone for a news service at one of their rallies.

[readmylips]

7. We never see cheney even hug his family or wife....

small man bush also stays away from his wife and calls his daughter's pain in the ass.

With all the medication cheney takes, his wife must have a lover hidden somewhere...his foker don't work long time ago. Little bush's foker must have quit long time ago too. This happens to life-long drunks.

[Tellurian]

8. The contrast is so stark...

because conservatives fear people will realize an authoritarian regime simply doesn't work on a Global scale. Using the family nucleus, as an expanded role model of absolute obedience to authority, may work for them in their households or their local enclaves. However, The Democrats have proven time and time again, America achieves success Globally using a much more benevolent, humanistic approach as demonstrated by the Kennedy and Clinton Administrations..

Democratic Rule=Peace and Prosperity

Republican Rule=War and Chaos

[Cocoa]

9. great analysis

authoririan vs. humanistic, I think that sums up the culture war, and I think you nailed it, the authoritarian has been exposed as a failure. That's why they feared Clinton so much.

[Tellurian]

12. If Kerry uses that contrast on the stump...

Voters will understand his message with crystal clarity.

It will also throw Bush's "Family Values" declarations out the window, and back where it belongs, in the family household.

[prolesunited]

13. No kidding!

The Kerry-Edwards team epitomizes family values, especially with those adorable kids and the genuine affection that is visible between all of them.

I hope that the one thing learned from Gore's 2000 campaign is be who you are on the trail. They are good, genuine people. I hope all of the smears and negativity don't drive them to change that.

Also, what are Bush and Cheney talking about: fear, terror, hate. I see hope and optimism oozing from the Kerry team.

To be honest, I wasn't that thrilled with Kerry, but with Edwards on the ticket, I'm much more enthusiastic.

[Tellurian]

16. With Kerry, you can see it's in there...

But the battle is not about family values..

It's about humanitarians vs authoritarians..

Authoritarianism is an encroachment on peoples culture, customs and their own set of family values..

Humanitarianism is about love and caring and acceptance of different culture for who they are and what they believe..

Any human understand the basic difference between Love & Hate..those are universal emotions. Republicans thrive on Hate and Democrats thrive on Love...it's that simple.

[drscm]

15. Their affection is a lot more appropriate.

At least Edwards does not have his hand up Kerry's *** in order to manipulate him unlike the current administration.

[AngryAmish]

21. Typical RW hit piece from the Guardian

Taking their marching orders from Drudge of all people.