Poor Gep!

[Stephanie]

It looks like they are fleeing the convention hall in droves! His speech seems to be everyone's opportunity to take a breather. Kerry made the right decision, anyway.

[arcos]

1. I think he's saying farewell... n/t

[Philostopher]

4. I agree, arcos.

I think, from the sound of his voice, it was a swan song.

[JohnKleeb]

2. Oh come on, they shouldnt do that

Gep is a good guy. I want him to be labor secretary.

[Stephanie]

5. He can still be labor secretary

Anyway, at least it was short!

[freetobegay]

3. He served very well

I wish him well in his endevors.

[izzie]

6. He has done some good ones on the House floor.

---

[JerseygirlCT]

7. Speech sounded earnest and sort of dull -- which is my take on Gephardt

[AP]

17. Which is probably what David Brooks thought when he was arguing that

Kerry should pick him for VP.

[Rhiannon12866]

18. This was not one of his best speeches. But that's no reason to condemn the

I have seen him when he really was on fire. HE'S the one who called Bush* "a miserable failure!"

Because of his experience and leadership skills, he was my first choice for VP. However, I can't say that I'm unhappy with Edwards. He definitely brings a lot that is needed to the ticket.:shrug:

[Rhiannon12866]

8. Watch this clip from "The Daily Show" and tell me that Gep is boring

I have a friend who was working for him in New Hampshire because she had met and spoken to the man and thought that he had real vision. So I took a good look at him and listened to what he had to say and I came to agree. Gephardt really wanted this. He gave up a leadership position and 27 years in the House to seek the presidency, he wanted it that badly. He is constantly criticized on DU because he supported IWR. Bush* lied to him, as he lied to the rest of Congress and lied to the rest of the nation. Gephardt, like Kerry and Edwards, voted in favor of IWR because they were told that there was intelligence that Saddam had WMDs and Iraq was an imminent threat to the U.S. We all know now that this was a lie. Bush* gave his personal word to Gephardt that war would only be a last resort, if diplomacy failed. He lied. Attacking Iraq was his first order of business, without even waiting for U.N. approval. Gephardt was hung out to dry because he was in the leadership position. He is a good man with a positive vision for our country. He deserves a cabinet position. I'm thinking Secretary of Labor. Take a good look at Gephardt and his entire record before you write him off.

http://www.comedycentral.com/tv_shows/thedailyshowwithjonstewart/videos_celeb.jhtml?startIndex=61&s=stewart

[K-W]

9. I backed him in the primary.

I loved his stand on the issues and his focus on the working class. What a great man and a great public servent.

[Rhiannon12866]

11. I agree completely. It sounds like you have his number

So why is he so vilified on DU?! This really burns me up!:grr:

On edit: Thanks for your post. It gives me hope.:-)

[K-W]

13. The IWR vote and being part of the establishment.

You could count Gep supporters on one hand at DU. He wasnt energizing progressives.

[Rhiannon12866]

14. Watch this interview and then say this

But I am well aware of the Gephardt-bashing on DU. I am a progressive. Dennis Kucinich was my first choice, but I listened to what Gephardt had to say and could have easily supported him. DU is blinded by IWR and just can't get past this, like FR just can't seem to get over Monica Lewinsky. Gephardt has explained his reasons for supporting IWR. The entire Congress was lied to, not just Gephardt. He has devoted his life to public service and deserves much better than he has received, from the country and also on DU. The lack of support for Lieberman I can understand, but Gephardt is a sincere man of the people.:shrug:

http://www.comedycentral.com/tv_shows/thedailyshowwithjonstewart/videos_celeb.jhtml?startIndex=61&s=stewart

[Feanorcurufinwe]

10. I hope he does become Labor Secretary

[Rhiannon12866]

12. Thank you! I think that he really deserves this

and that he'd be great at it. Labor is his base and he understands and supports them. Thanks for the support for Gephardt.:-)

[SoCalDem]

15. He's a nice man...BUT...

He just does not have "IT".. "IT" is the X-factor in elections, beauty contests,job interviews, and All COMPETITIONS.. It's hard to define, but when a person has it, we all KNOW it..

Gephardt, like Dole were workhorses, policy guys, but they did not have "IT"..

He probably should not have stayed a representative for so long.. He might have run for the Senate and gotten a higher profile...but he did not..


He will certainly have an offer from Kerry for some official job, and he may or may not take it..

[Rhiannon12866]

16. I see your point, but Gephardt is no Bob Dole

Did you see the "Daily Show" interview that I posted or when it originally aired? Gephardt was really good on this, as he has been in so many interviews that I have seen. He stayed in the House because he loved what he was doing and rose to the leadership position. He really wanted the presidency or he wouldn't have given this up. I feel that he is a sincere man and an honest man, something that has been challenged on DU. The best were duped by George Bush*, Gephardt among them. He realizes this now. He has the experience and knowledge to take on a top job. We need more Gephardts, fewer Doles and no more Bushes, LOL! I'm sure that you agree, my friend!:hi:

on edit: I thought that this clip revealed the essence of Gephardt, as I have come to know him:

http://www.comedycentral.com/tv_shows/thedailyshowwithjonstewart/videos_celeb.jhtml?startIndex=61&s=stewart

[salonghorn70]

19. Gep Is a Good Democrat

Rhiannon, you are entirely correct. He is a good man and a good Democrat. He's been a good loyal Democrat since way before a lot of DU posters were even born. I did not support him. I just thought we needed to go in a different direction. But he does not deserve most of the things said about him on DU.

[JohnKleeb]

21. I was born far after he got in congress but I love Gep

Gephardt reminds me of why I am a democrat, I am a big proponent of workers rights, and Gephardt reminds me of the days when the party was led by the great FDR, he was there when I first started watching CSPAN. I hope hes labor secretary so I dont see him go away entirely.

[Rhiannon12866]

22. Thanks for this marvelous post, John

You've articulated Gephardt's strong qualities in a way that I never could!:D

[theboss]

23. Gephardt always aimed higher than he really could achieve

He was perfect as a House member and committee chairman and in the leadership. Everytime he sought the Speakership or the nomination, he exposed his limitations. He was an excellent politician and a great Democrat but just didn't have the oomph or vision for those higher offices. How many times did he run for President? 2 or 3?

[JohnKleeb]

20. Rhi way to champion Gep

He's a democrat Ive known for a long time, and I would love to see him more.