Commentary: A recharged Kerry

[kskiska]

Favorable article from an ununlikely source.

"…striking contrast to President Bush, a rancher who never even rides a horse"

Suddenly Sen. John Kerry is all over the U.S. media: With days still to go to the opening of the Democratic National Convention in Boston, Kerry hit the national airwaves in a whirlwind of activity. Kite-surfing off Nantucket has been good for him.

It was not supposed to be this way. Gleeful Republicans and nervous Democrats alike interpreted Kerry's determination to go back to his favorite holiday resort as a sign of self-indulgence, even decadence.

(snip)

It has turned out far differently. The Spanish and British celebrity weekly "Hola!" this week showed a tanned and vigorous Kerry boldly kite-surfing on the coast off Cape Cod. The 60-year-old senator who is to be crowned officially as his party's presidential election standard-bearer in Boston next week came across as a dynamic, athletic figure. Often described as stiff and out of touch in his public appearances, he came to life in action, his long, gangling Lincolnesque frame at ease amid the surf and the waves. He was clearly enjoying himself.

(snip)

Today, of course, the Nantucket and Cape Cod area is associated with the Republican elite as well as the Democratic one. While it has been publicly recognized to be Kennedy territory since the "Camelot" days of President John F. Kennedy more than 40 years ago, today the Republicans' Senate Majority Leader, Bill Frist of Tennessee, has a vacation home on the Massachusetts coast, too. He may be a Tennessee conservative populist at home, but he studied at Harvard Medical School, spent seven years teaching there and returns whenever he can to savor the pleasures of the region.

(snip)

The Democrats may soon find they have more of a leader than they expected after all.

more…
http://www.washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20040722-084315-2567r.htm

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. Oh dear. Appearing in "Hello!" magazine may not be a good move.

In Britain, it's known as "The Curse of Hello!"

An appearance in Hello! or OK! is not all plain sailing. Many celebrity relationships have hit the rocks immediately after the couple professed undying love in an extensive photo-spread sold to one of the magazines.

Before OK! came on the scene, this used to be known as the "curse of Hello!," but now it extends to both titles.

http://www.cnn.com/2000/SHOWBIZ/Movies/11/24/glossies.reut/