How was Kerry threatened?

[mrgorth]

a) "We'll kill the daughters". (Note to feds: I'm not threatening anyone)
b) "If you contest this you throw the whole world into a depression. You want that on your consience?"

[saracat]

1. I don't think he was. This is silly.

If it were a threat, Kerry would have not buckled. It is stratedgy or another reason. He may just believe that they can't find the votes!

[fertilizeonarbusto]

4. Your last sentence is it.

n/t

[genius]

13. I bet they threatened to Wellstone him and his family. The coward.

He should have talked.

[fertilizeonarbusto]

2. Must be #1

Kerry knows we are going in to a depression anyway.

[htuttle]

3. I'm guessing it was 'c'

c) Your career will be ruined.

[NYCGirl]

8. That's my guess too. C. You'll lose your Senate seat in the next election.

Edited to say:

And it wasn't a threat from an outside source.

[Cobalt Violet]

11. I don't think so.

I think his seat is safe.

[StatGirl]

21. How about d.) ?

A major terrorist attack on Boston.

But I don't think he was threatened.

[burn the bush]

5. you are assuming that he is being threatened?

I don't doubt that it has been mentioned to him that contesting the election could cause us turmoil but i doubt that he has gotten actual threats and hope that he would not bow to them if he did get any. As far as him staying out of this? It's just best for him politically. At least in his mind.

[Megahurtz]

6. where did this come from?

[Cyrano]

7. Perhaps it's too bad they didn't threaten him.

Given his life history, that would have made him come out fighting like a rabid tiger.

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

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[mrgorth]

12. Of course. Threatening him would be wrong.

[PaganPreacher]

14. Scene: Carlysle Hotel, 11/02/04.

SFX: ringing cell phone
John F. Kerry: Hello.
voice on telephone <Texas twang>: Hello, John?
JFK:Um, yeah. Who is this?
voice: It's Dubya, John. How are ya?
JFK: Well, I'm fine, Mr. President. How did you get this number?
GWB: Oh, the boys at Langley got it for me. How are things there at the Carlysle?
JFK: They're great, Mr. President. We're really keeping an eye on those exit polls in Pennsylvania and Ohio, you know. It's looking good for us there.
GWB: Well now, that's just fine. (short pause) I think it's time you and I had a little talk, John.
JFK: Er, what do you want to talk about, Mr. President?
GWB: Now, you've fought hard in this thing, John. Sometimes, you've said some things that I didn't care to hear, but for the most part, you've been a good sport about it all. John, it's time you and I had an understanding.
JFK: What do you mean, Mr. President?
GWB: What I mean, John, is that you are going to lose tonight. Florida and Ohio will go my way, and there is nothing you can do about it.
JFK: But, the exit polls....
GWB: Don't fall in love with those exit polls, John. We have an active Get Out The Vote program this year, and we'll get as many votes as we need <ironic chuckle>.
JFK: But,...
GWB, cutting him off: "But," nothing, John. The die is cast, as the fella said. Now, we live in the greatest country on earth, and it's important that Mr. and Mrs. America keep faith in her. That's where you come in.
JFK: Now wait a minute! I will not be complicit in any scheme to mislead the American people, and I will not concede this race if I am the winner. Do you understand me?
GWB, with forced calm: John, I think it's time for you to come to Jesus. Do you know what that means, John?
JFK: (silence)
GWB: (deep breath) John, I shouldn't have to explain this to you. You know, as President I can get my hands on all kinds of secret stuff. Private cell phone numbers, military records, even stuff about the Kennedy assassinations that would curl your hair. (pause) John, do you remember those Swift Boat fellas?
JFK: Um, yeah.
GWB: Well, those fellas got me to thinkin'. They made a mighty big fuss about you not releasing all of your Navy records. You never did sign that form 180, did you, John?
JFK: Well, er, no.
GWB: That's what I was thinkin'. (pause) Sure would be embarassing if those military records that you held back were to be leaked out. Now, you and I both know that what you did back then was just a "youthful indiscretion," but some folks might not see it that way. Some folks are kinda closed-minded; might not understand that a fella grows up over the years, and wouldn't repeat the mistakes of his youth. Lotta folks are not "in the way of understanding," as my pastor used to say back in Texas.
JFK, whispering hoarsely: OK, what do you want from me?
GWB, coldly: You know what I want, John. All I want is a gracious concession, and your promise not to contest the election results. You and your family get to keep your dignity, and the country gets to "move on." That's the name of one of your groups, isn't it? Fits, I reckon.
JFK: But, you're asking me to subvert the electoral process, and to surrender.
GWB: Don't think of it as a "surrender," John. Think of it as a "gracious withdrawal from the field of battle." Live to fight another day, and all that. As for subverting the electoral process- well, we're both about 44 years too late for that.
JFK: (silence)
GWB: Well, John, it was good talking to you. You and the missus will have to come over to the White House for dinner one night. Take care, now, and God bless.
SFX: phone signal disconnected

[northamericancitizen]

16. Could very well had happened that way. n/t

[AmerDem]

15. what in GOD's name are you talking about?

I have no idea where this comes from. This is a first. WOW

[Generator]

17. You are behind on your Kerry theories

The first I heard of this was Jeanene Garofalo on AAR.

She said "he must have been threatened to concede so early."

Then I saw it as a rare idea bandied about here on DU.

Some of us look for anything to give an excuse to Kerry. (and some of us are even worse off believing it's a possiblity-as anymore I think everything is almost as believable as everything else, down the rabbit hole)

[AmerDem]

18. as a major critic of Kerry as of late

I have to say, the second a guy like Kerry, who has seen death head on in Vietnam worries about a lightweight like shrub is the day hells freezes over. I personally think Kerry hasn't done everything possible in way of this election fraud but I find it more in line with his own power interests.

Take a step back for a sec. Do you honestly think coward assholes like shrub, Cheney, Rove and the like are even in the same league as Kerry, Cleland and McDermott? I personally think these men would give their own life before a bunch of cowards try to seize control. I'm thinking it may do more with Kerry trying to straddle a line while these fascist repukes self destruct and lord knows they are on their way to self destruction.

[manhattanite]

19. Exactly.

[propagandafreegal]

20. "Here's a couple of bucks, beat it". nm

[Forkboy]

22. none of the above

[jbnow]

23. IF there was a threat

I don't think it was to him personally, or his family or any blackmail.

Back when he was investigating Iran-Contra and BCCI he had high level world wise enemies...I am sure he faced threats then.

But another kind of 9/11 type threat might be something he wouldn't stand up to.

Not that I think it happened, just I think it would be the only threat that would work.

[ailsagirl]

24. I wouldn't put ANYTHING past those monsters

[Yupster]

25. This is why you can never disprove a conspiracy theory

Anyone who doesn't believe it must have been gotten to.

Any evidence against it just shows it was bigger than we ever thought.

People who believe conspiracies go to their grave believing them.