Kerry's National Steering Committee announced

[blm]

Kerry for President National Steering Committee

Chair:
Hon. Jeanne Shaheen

Co-chairs:
Senator Dianne Feinstein, California
Honorable Max Cleland, Georgia
Senator Ted Kennedy, Massachusetts
Mayor Tom Menino, Massachusetts
Lt. Governor Diane Denish, New Mexico
Representative Harold Ford, Jr., Tennessee
Hon. Henry Cisneros, Texas, Former HUD Sec, Mayor of San Antonio
Harold Schaitbarger, Virginia, International Association of Fire Fighters President

Steering Committee:
Hon. Aida Alvarez, California, Former Small Business Administration Director
Treasurer Phil Angelides, California
L.A. Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa, California; Former Union Organizer
Cong. Juanita Millender McDonald, California
Comptroller Steve Westly, California
Hon. Gary Hart, Colorado
David Wilhelm, Illinois, Former DNC Chair
Hon. Robert Reich, Massachusetts, Former Labor Secretary
Ambassador Joe Wilson
Lu Battaglieri, Michigan, Michigan Education Association President
Hon. Jim Blanchard, Michigan, Former Governor
Dan Mulhern, Michigan First Gentleman
State Sen. Buzz Thomas, Michigan, Former House Minority Leader
House Speaker Ben Lujan, New Mexico
Bobby Muller, President, Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation; Founder, Vietnam Veterans of America
Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields, New York
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Esq., New York, Environmental Advocate
Cong. Carolyn McCarthy, New York
Cong. Greg Meeks, New York
Cong. Louise Slaughter, New York; Congressional Women’s Caucus Chair
Hon. Alex Sanders, South Carolina; Former Circuit Court Judge, 2002 SC Senate candidate
Ken Riley, South Carolina, Longshoreman’s Union President
Lt. Gen. (ret.) Claudia Kennedy, Virginia
Cong. Adam Smith, Washington

[Capn Sunshine]

1. so, prior to this , he's had no steering?

that would explain a LOT

[blm]

3. Prior to this he exposed BCCI, IranContra and CIA drugrunning,

helped craft the Kyoto Accord, and helped to end three wars.

[sujan]

15. yea that war thing

he has helped to start another one.

[Walt Starr]

19. Without 'steering', one could almost say he was 'rudderless'

pun intended

[mdmc]

2. With such a great org.

why has his campaign sucked so bad?

[blm]

5. The media has its reasons for keeping Kerry and his team down.

I posted this a couple days ago.
>>>>>>>
What would Bush do to keep these men silenced?

John Kerry assembled a team to confront Bush on the issues Rove wants to take to the American people in 2004. National security and the fear of terrorism. No doubt, the last thing Rove needs are experts in those areas speaking out during the general election against Bush and for the Democratic opponent.

Gary Hart, knows more about national security and antiterrorism measures than any national figure. He is the author of the Hart-Rudman report which was delivered to Bush in Jan. 2001 after a 2 1/2 year study commissioned by Clinton. The report wasn't dealt with at all prior to 9-11.

Rand Beers, former National Security Official, knows the inner workings of the Bush team's post 9-11 efforts, of which he observed mostly inertia and incompetence.

Max Cleland, 9-11 commission, knows the Bush team is trying to pull a fast one on the American people by covering up crucial information of dealings that led to 9-11. Has been speaking out to groups across the country, and swinging the AWOLSTICK as a bonus.

Gen. William Perry, Clinton's expert on nuclear arms proliferation and N. Korea, knows Bush's failures on the serious Korea issue and his incompetence in dealing with its threat.

Joe Wilson, the man who knows TOO much. Exposed Cheney's office as the source for cooked intelligence reports on Iraq. Also alerted public to treasonous acts by White House in exposing his wife, an undercover CIA agent. Many in intel community aligning with Wilson and his wife against the WH.

The media is loathe to give these men the airtime at this point because they are too damaging to Bush on his perceived strengths. They can afford to ignore them and the substance of their case against Bush because they are selling the American people the "process" of the primary horserace as entertainment. If Kerry were the nominee, the media would have no choice but to feature his spokespeople on the various issues.

Kerry assembled a team to TAKE BUSH DOWN, while some others assembled a team to take Kerry down. Democrats need to take this into consideration. BushInc. NEEDS these men and their message muted.  
 

[Carolina]

46. sorry blm,

the problem with Kerry was/is not his team; it's him. And I say this as a former donating supporter not only of his senate bids but of his early foray into the 2004 presidential race. I thought Kerry-Edwards would be the Democratic Party's A-team. No longer :(

Kerry doesn't resonate with people. He cannot and will not win the red states. And he cannot parse, spin or defend his way out of his 'aye' vote on the Iraq War Resolution. He thought he was being politically expedient with that vote, but it was political cowardice and now apparently, political suicide. He had no real opposition in his 2002 senate reelection run, his Massachusetts constituents were soundly against the war and told him so, and his status as a wounded, decorated Vietnam vet who came home and spoke out against that unjust war all gave him the upper hand. The winning hand to go against Bush. He didn't listen to his constituents, he didn't listen to the senior senator from Massachusetts and he didn't listen to the sage words of another venerable colleague, Senator Robert Byrd.

No matter what he does now, it's hollow. And that most impressive team will not overcome his perceived deficiencies or the anger felt by many of us former supporters. Yes, he's certainly qualified and would likely have made an excellent pesident. But he comes across as handled, and his decisions of the past year added to the disorder in his campaign have all produced a floundering campaign. Let's keep him fighting the good fight in the Senate alongside Teddy.

[blm]

51. I disagree wholeheartedly.

Kerry is the man to make the case against BushInc. which is much bigger than Iraq. In fact, Iraq is just part of the overall case to be made from BBCI and IranContra the thread continues to 9-11 and Iraq.

Why do YOU want to go up against the intel community lining up behind Kerry? BushInc. doesn't.

It seems so many of you are perfectly willing to take advantage of the hits Kerry and his team are making against Bush for your own political gains. They take the risks going after Bush in substantive ways that hurt his credibility with the American people and yet you want the rewards to go to another. Never mind that Kerry and his team have orchestrated these important hits.

[Carolina]

53. if Kerry's the man

to make the case, why isn't he? Why isn't he polling better? Titanic time, better get off that sinking ship.

[blm]

54. Media spin. I'm not buying it. It didn't sink Gore

the way they hoped, and I don't think it will sink Kerry the way they hope.

You are welcome to support the media choice. I won't.

[La_Serpiente]

4. that's a pretty high powered

campaign committee. Geez. He should have been putting this together last year.

[blm]

6. some of it was put together last year.

but, mostly Kerry never expected the campaign to start as early as it did and was timing most of his campaign push for fall.

Kerry is guilty of putting together a team to defeat Bush while others were putting together a team to attack other Democrats.

[pruner]

7. yeah… Kerry's never attacked anyone

LMAO!

not only does Kerry attack Dean on a daily basis, his wife does too.

[blm]

9. He didn't set out to do that was the point, pruner.

If Dean hadn't started attacking the others back in Jan. the whole race would have a better tone to it today. Dean was even bashing Kerry as "Bushlite" when Kerry was OFF the campaign trail during his surgery and recovery period. The other candidates held their fire for months while Dean took all those free shots at them.

[pruner]

10. be that as it may…

the fact of the matter is, Kerry's entire platform in recent weeks has been bashing Dean.

and regarding the Bush-lite" tag, many of us here were calling members of congress the very same thing at the time Dean began doing it.

[blm]

11. Exactly. That's when Dean shifted from his centrist demeanor

to coopting the language of an internet message board. It was ridiculous for someone with a record as centrist as Dean to accuse longtime liberals with solid lefty records of being "Bushlite".....I always expected them to hit back eventually, I only wish they had done it earlier. Hell, 11 months later and the media still calls Dean the antiwar liberal when we know neither is true.

[pruner]

12. I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree on this topic…

but I do appreciate the civil tone of the conversation we've had here.

:)

[blm]

17. Straightforward

is a much better route.

[JNelson6563]

13. oh come off it blm

between you whining and making excuses for Kerry's Dean fetish and your constant hints that someday real soon now Kerry's gonna tear the whole cover of BCCI, BFEE and all things slimey it's about getting ridiculous. If Kerry knows so much and has all this evidnece why'd he get chumped into the IWR and what's he doin' crying in his teacup over Dean instead of telling us all now????? We're suppose to be picking our leader now and if he spoke up about knocking down that house of cards maybe folks would pay more attention. As it stands those making those claims for him look less credible every day.

I think we saw just what use he'd make of all the supposed dirt he has on these fascists back when it really mattered. Your allusions to boldness to come are unconvincing. Utterly so.

Julie

[blm]

16. Why take such a nasty tone, Julie?

What changed you? I don't attack you or others personally.

The American people can't even name the candidates. Most Democratic voters can't name them. You and me and a few million others ARE tuned in and we want everything YESTERDAY. I don't doubt he could do it now, but, it wouldn't get the attention of the American people would it? Why give BushInc. the time to dilute the charges?

[JNelson6563]

21. blm you have a selective memory

First of all, for the most part there isn't much inthe way of "nasty"
in my post. What there is might be identified as frustration.


Now to your false claim, I didn't think to bookmark it but I recall a post from you where you insinuated I (and basically anyone who disagreed with you) was a simpleton. I/we are brainwashed too and, if that wasn't enough you questioned my sincerity and demanded to know that if I were so sincere in my views why wasn't I supporting Kucinich. You were personal, nasty and demanding. Completly out of line.

I picked that post apart and clearly highlighted your nasty personal attacks but I don't recall you ever replying.

If you have a problem with the tone of my post, which I do not feel is nasty, then you need to go back and re-read soem of your own dear girl.

You have acted in such a way over these primary months that I have lost so much respect for you it's just sad. For a long time I really looked at your contributions here as definitely in the "worth reading" category. Now they are soaked with personal attacks on Democratic candidates and their supporters. It has been a very sad thing to witness.

And now to witness your sanctimonious hypocrisy, it is like a death blow to the tiny remaining sliver of your credibility in my view.

Julie

[blm]

25. I disagree. My charges have been against those who believe media spin.

And that should be separated out from those who have made more studied decisions. I would expect that those who made the more studied decisions would not associate themselves with the remarks directed at those spun by the simplistic rantings of the media.

Also...I have distrust of ONE candidate. You say I make personal attacks on Democratic candidates, and their supporters, but that is simply a false statement. In fact, I stepped up and defended other candidates many times from unfair charges.

I have never even attacked Dean personally about his looks or his family as many others have done. I stick to what he has said and done in the POLITICAL arena and his treatment of liberals over the years. I distrust his neo-populism that just happened to be born in an election year when he was TOO far right for my taste when he governed.

Maybe you should not read my posts or read them as they are written, straightforward without the added heat and vitriol read into them.

[Hep]

26. yes yes, we know

poor, misunderstood blm.

[blm]

27. Why do you mock other members who don't agree with you?

It really is a loathsome habit of yours directed at those whose only crime is that they distrust your candidate for very solid reasons.

[Name removed]

30. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Hep]

37. Why do you misrepresent me?

I only mock CERTAIN other members. I've never hesitated to criticize Dean for what I consider to be his mistakes. But there is no solid reason if you can't demonstrate it. And when the claims get out of control or the claimer (?) consistently backs out of any meaningful discussion, then they are just mocking. I don't feel bad for mocking in return.

Some here have marginalized the process. They've turned it into something other than what it should be. They've violated the very fundamentals of meaningful discourse and intellectual integrity. There is no response other than a mocking one.

I'm still waiting to see a response from the Dean critics to the post Schmendrick made yesterday. The poster took the time to write out a sincere and compelling response to these "solid reasons" you mention. As of last check, NONE of the critics have been good enough to provide a rebuttal. I find that distasteful, disrespectful, and indicative of the true nature of these criticisms.

And the REAL problem with this, is that it makes well meaning, intelligent people CLOSED to real criticism. It has gotten to the point where one can't even distinguish between hateful flights of fancy and legitimate criticism because of the shared language "Dean should rot in hell" thats so prevalent.

I'd love to know why you think the mean spirited rhetoric and routine ignoring of reasoned debate is appropriate, or above a mocking response. I'll find that thread tomorrow and post it so that you can have a chance to share what I hope will be a reasonable argument.

[blm]

44. I haven't even seen the post you're talking about.

However, I have seen many posts that excuse the way Dean governed and why it's OK now for him to campaign completely differently from the way he governed.

I am a person who examines and believes ACTUAL records. I have a great distrust of the CATO Institute and a high rating from them for ANY Democrat is cause for ALARM, not celebration.

[Lisa0825]

33. Direct quote from John Kerry.....

Dean Dean Dean Dean Dean

[eileen_d]

34. Kerry said it once

Dean supporters say it nonstop.

[sandnsea]

38. Direct quote from Howard Dean

Oh never mind, there aren't any. None that are consistent anyway. Oh wait, write a check and change the world. That could be one.

[snrfmaster]

43. at least people

are writing dean checks. and the only reason he gets more press coverage is cuz hes constantly beign attack by right wing ideologues like O'Reilly

[blm]

45. that was referring to the MEDIA'S obsessiveness with asking candidates

questions that all centered around Dean.

It was a slap at THEIR obsession and quite frankly, isn't it wrong for them to only pose questions to other candidates that revolve around the process and not about the policies?

[BJ]

8. take one nice bunch of DLCers

add a dash of New-Deal liberals

sprinkle with a dash of union leaders

bake for three or four months.

And there you have it, Kerry Steering Committee

shees, he's rudderless.........

[sujan]

14. hahahahahahahaha

enough already. Kerry has already lost the nomination.

[Renew Deal]

18. Steering to where?

I don't get this. Wasn't he running already? Why wasn't this in place?

[blm]

20. Steering Committees aren't something you start with in a primary.

From what I've seen in past elections, they develop and hopefully are in place before the full push begins.

[Hep]

22. Neither is a nomination

Much to Kerry's chagrin.

[Hep]

23. It's good to surround yourself with big names

Especially when you're not getting it done on your own.

[UTUSN]

24. Great Committee & Great Stand-up-blm

I stay out of the threads supporting other candidates. To repeat, the hostility among some of these campaigns sure looks like Shrub will get his first election after all.

[oasis]

28. Max Cleland, Robert Reich, Gary Hart,Joe Wilson and Jean Shaheen

Four kings and a queen, full house. Robert Reichis an impressive speaker and a guy I would want on the campaign trail with me.

Thanks for the update blm.

[Hep]

31. Unless one of them cross dresses

That ain't a full house. Mighty impressive steering comittee though.

[MaryBear]

29. This is an impressive list, blm.

As one who supports Kucinich, I may take another look at Kerry. Is any of these steering committee members double dipping by "steering" other candidates as well?

[IndianaGreen]

32. The list is impressive, the candidate is not.

Clark has inherited Kerry's mantle, and rightly so, since the General has spoken clearly and forcibly about the Iraq war and the PATRIOT Act in a way that Kerry has repeatedly failed to do.

Good bye Kerry!

[sandnsea]

40. We're giving the General a pass

Mostly because he'd be better than Howard. Clark hasn't spoken any more forcibly on Iraq or the Patriot Act than Kerry, it's just that people pay more attention to their chosen candidate. Is Clark repealing the Patriot Act? No. Was he really against the Iraq war all along? Who knows. He's a great guy and I'd be proud to support him, but he hasn't said anything Kerry hasn't said 100 times.

[Carolina]

47. ditto, IG

As I said in a post above, the problem with Kerry's campaign is Kerry. And that most impressive team will not overcome his perceived deficiencies or the anger felt by many of us former supporters over his IWR vote.

Time for him to pack it up and go back to being a fulltime senator

[blm]

48. Yes...let's trust the guy who's telling us he's a populist reformer today

when his LENGTHY record shows he's a Libertarian leaning, compromising centrist.

Let's all dump the liberals with REAL records who took REAL action to further progressive ideals throughout their careers. Let's dump the ONE lawmaker who exposed MORE government corruption with BCCI, IranContra and CIA drugrunning, than ANY other in modern history.

[Carolina]

49. exactly why he should remain in the Senate, blm

Since he exposed so much corruption in repug administrations, he should have known not to go along with shrub on IWR. As I said earlier in this thread: now he cannot parse, spin or defend his way out of his 'aye' vote. He thought he was being politically expedient with that vote, but it was political cowardice and now apparently, political suicide. He had no real opposition in his 2002 senate reelection run, his Massachusetts constituents were soundly against the war and told him so, and his status as a wounded, decorated Vietnam vet who came home and spoke out against that unjust war all gave him the upper hand, the winning hand to go against Bush.

He didn't listen to his constituents, he didn't listen to the senior senator from Massachusetts and he didn't listen to the sage words of another venerable colleague, Senator Robert Byrd.

Kerry doesn't resonate with people. He cannot win. We're not dumping Kerry because he's a good senator, we're dumping Kerry because as a presidential contender, excellent team notwithstanding, he's a loser.

[blm]

52. That's not true. That's a bullshit meme being spread.

Dean's team is even spreading the meme that Kerry is a "corrupt Washington insider."

Shame. Disgusting and shameful.

[Carolina]

55. don't confuse me with Deaniacs

I think Kerry should stay where he's been most effective and that's in the Senate. blm, you can't handle the truth about your guy because as the Big Dog said of Dems in general: we want to fall in love while they (repugs) just fall in line. Well, you're in love with Kerry but you need to fall in line with a winner.

Kerry is toast.

[eileen_d]

35. Kerry can't get an effing break on DU

Someone could post a menu of what he ate for breakfast and there'd be Dean supporters piling on top of each other to call him a sellout whose campaign is over.

By the way, he had a PowerBar. ;)

[IndianaGreen]

36. Did Kerry take the PowerBar orally or rectally?

The shithead deserves what he gets!

[sujan]

50. yep

and his inability to run his Campaign doesn't help either.

[sandnsea]

39. lol, it's already happened, I swear!!!

Somebody complained over in P&C because he's always going to pancake breakfasts and needs to change his food!!!

[JohnKleeb]

42. I saw that, thought it was trival too

I joked he picked up from Jim Palmer, baseball fans will know who I am talking about.

[JohnKleeb]

41. neat list