For Kerry, It Wasn't Supposed To Be This Hard

[Closer]

But that was before Howard Dean...

By Matea Gold
Times Staff Writer

November 8, 2003

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — John F. Kerry looked weary.

The Democratic presidential candidate had just wrapped up another 12-hour day campaigning in this rain-drenched Midwestern state. Up ahead: a late-night flight to Boston, then another four-day leg through New Hampshire.

As his minivan trundled through the soggy night, the Massachusetts senator finished an interview and leaned back in his seat with a sigh. "I'm very happy to stop talking for a while," Kerry said, as an aide passed him a bottle of water.

It wasn't supposed to be this hard. When Kerry initially flirted with a presidential run at the beginning of the year, the four-term senator and Vietnam War veteran was viewed as a formidable candidate who would catapult to the top of a crowded pack.

But that was before Howard Dean. As public opposition to the war in Iraq grew, the former Vermont governor surged in fund-raising and opinion polls with his strong denunciations of President Bush. Kerry mostly has been on the defensive, forced to explain why he voted to give Bush authorization to use force against Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-kerry8nov08,0,2774688,print.story?coll=la-headlines-politics

[Closer]

1. So I guess

that horrible Cynthia Tucker is ALL alone in her thoughts huh? :eyes:

[blm]

3. Nope...the memes have been created by a corporate media....

and those memes will stand just as they were intended for all who ignore the truth.

They have been laying the groundwork for memes against Kerry since they first hatched the plan to destroy him in the Nixon White House. The newsrooms are full of those memes.

Keep working against Kerry, Closer. The good guys in the intel community lined up behind Kerry to make their case to bring down Bush because they know he can handle the information and prosecute that case. Funny, how so many are working to make sure that Kerry never gets that spotlight to do so.

[Padraig18]

6. We should all drop out now...

... and just give the senator the nomination; how short-sighted of us to believe that the primaries were supposed to let the members of our party decide who was our favored candidate. Silly geese... :eyes:

[blm]

7. Silly geese who believe the media and its distortions

could very well be the downfall of the Democratic party.

[Padraig18]

10. We must let our betters guide us, eh?

:eyes:

[blm]

13. Is the corporate media your betters?

Sorry to hear that.

I sure wouldn't let them sell me a career compromising centrist who uses hot rhetoric to distract from his Pied Piper-like method that is pulling the left further towards the center.

[ThorsteinVeblen]

14. The phenomenon had nothing to do with the media

It was purely grassroots. The media had to pay attention.

Dean had no media coverage whatsoever until he out raised all his opponents on the internet.

Period. Fact. History. I was there.

My hatred of Kerry has absolutely nothing to do with the media and, in fact, exists despite the media.

[Larkspur]

17. I'm not a goose, but am a horse owner with horsesense

and I don't need the corporate media to tell me the memes about Dean. I've met the man himself personally twice and his empathy with people is genuine. Dean is my voice on IWR, tax cuts, healthcare, and Bush.

[livinontheedge]

16. What "good guys in the intel community"? That is laughable.

If Kerry had a case to make, he would have made it by now. Or does he think it's better to wait until after Dean is nominated to "make his case"? Me thinks he has no case. Me thinks the "good guys in the intel community" are named Larry, Moe and Curly.

[blm]

18. If that is what you think, then you are wrong.

It all started with military brass feeding info to Kerry about Bush's failures in Afghanistan, specifically Tora Bora, which Bush tried to keep from the public. Kerry spoke out about it.

Some intel jumped ship publically, like Rand Beers, who told of Bush's refusal to address real antiterror measures. He went on Kerry's team to combat Bush on that issue.

Then there's Gary Hart, one of the most solid intellects in the world on foreign policy, national security and intelligence matters. He thinks Kerry is the only one with the complete grasp of those issues.

Joe Wilson, who exposed the lie of BushInc. on intelligence from Niger, whose wife was outed as a CIA agent by Bushies, joined Kerry's team and is obviously trusting Kerry to make the case that Wilson VERY MUCH is interested in making. The timing matters immensely and has to be as perfect as possible for maximum exposure and impact against Bush.

Gen. William Perry, an expert on nuclear proliferation, is also on Kerry's team.

Will Pitt can explain this all a million times better than an untalented writer like me. Hopefully he will someday soon.

[ibegurpard]

19. I heard the "right timing" argument right up until Election 2002

It never happened and we got our asses handed to us. Sorry, I'm not buying that one again.

[blm]

21. So all those men are wrong, and YOU are right?

You think Wilson or any of those men don't want to present the most powerful case that can be made?

You think the case is complete and ready to go? Or are you more interested in maintaining your own political agenda?

[livinontheedge]

23. Oh, I was blind but now I see.

Kerry is waiting for Dean to hand him his ass before he comes out with these new CIA revelations. Give me a fucking break. Nice try. Ain't buying it. If he had something, he would be talking about it right now. No, yesterday.

[blm]

27. Wrong. But your opinion will certainly stand and be joined

by others.

[ibegurpard]

30. And you have personal knowledge of all this important information?

We should just trust BLM?

[Melinda]

2. Kerry may yet win the nomination...

and if he does, he has my vote.

What's the purpose of this thread, Closer?

[ThorsteinVeblen]

15. If Kerry gets the nomination, I vote for Bush

Anything to quicken the destruction of the Democratic Party. The choice is between watching the Democratic Party self-destruct over the next 10 to 15 years or tearing it down NOW. The sooner we raize it, the sooner we can start to rebuild it with real leaders.

[blm]

22. So you are advocating for the destruction of the Democratic Party. Nice.

Just what the world needs.

[Melinda]

28. Well, you have provided me with additional food for thought.

You are one of a few here who tend to do that for me - thanks.

[mitchum]

4. Hard for Kerry (and some seem to have a hardon for Kerry)

[WilliamPitt]

5. Brilliant observation

Duh.

[mitchum]

8. Will, I hope you're not being sarcastic...

(with the "duh" directed toward me) I was using hardon in its "classical" sense. Y'know, someone who's seems to be obsessed with something (or someone) they profess to deplore

[JackRiddler]

9. test

x

[DemocratSinceBirth]

11. What Did John Kerry Ever Do To You?

NT

[flpoljunkie]

12. I like the way this article ends..no time for foreign policy newbies...

Mary Williams, 56, beamed after meeting him. (Kerry)

"Some people like to elect outsiders, but you know what?" said Williams, a dental hygienist who lives in Davenport. "We don't
have that much time to bring people up to speed, and I think he's up to speed."

[_NorCal_D_]

20. What is with

all the Kerry bashing? Are Dean supporters that fearful and desperate?

[robsul82]

25. Fearful?

Hehehehehe...in the words of Wayne Campbell, "Sheah, hrrrrrrright!"

Later.

RJS

[blm]

26. No...some are ruthless Libertarians.

Didn't you know the Dem party has been infiltrated with them? Not unlike the old-fashioned Republicans who were steamrolled by the deregulating Libertarian capitalists.

[killbotfactory]

29. Kerry keeps bashing Dean...

So what's good for the goose...

[Bandit]

24. Nobody said it would be easy.~~ There is a long ways to go yet

I wouldn't count Senator Kerry out just yet. He has run many a campaign and he has stamina. He has a lot of good things to say and has a position of authority in which to say them. I hope he doesn't get discouraged.