Trippi just said on MSNBC he wouldn't bet against Kerry if he runs.

[blm]

He said that Kerry could be the one to take on Hillary because he'd run with nothing to lose and Kerry has strong positions and ideas while Hillary will likely be bound by caution.

He thinks Kerry is a very serious candidate and being underestimated, yet again.

David Gregory and Tweety said something similar a couple weeks ago after dropped-pronoun gate was hyped to the nth degree.

[lancdem]

1. Sorry, I don't buy it

I have zero interest in seeing Kerry run. He should've won last time and blew it. Even if there was fraud, it never should've been that close. Anyone dumb enough to hire Bob Shrum as an adviser, given his horrible track record, is someone seriously lacking political acumen.

[saracat]

4. There was another candidate who is currently being praised for his acumen who blew all his campaign

funds on chocolate, cheese and big name entertainment yet is now considered brilliant.I agree that Schrum was a bad choice but as Trippi says, Kerry has nothing to lose now and that gives him freedom.The 1970's Kerry has returned and it is going to be very interesting to see what happens.

[blm]

10. I want the 80s and 90s Kerry to go all out against Corruption in DC -

I admire the 70s Kerry alot, but even that star pales to what he did for this country in the 80s and 90s by uncovering the worst government corruption of Reagan and Bush administrations.

[IndyOp]

17. Chocolate, cheese, and big name entertainment? Huh? (n/t)

:shrug:

[blm]

5. Kerry outperformed Bush - DNC collapsed party infrastructure for 4 years and any

candidate would have been stuck with the reality that the DNC would not and could not secure the election process. RNC dragged Bush across the finish line, while DNC was too weak to get Kerry's votes counted.

Why do you think Dean has had to work so hard rebuilding the party infrastructure all over the country for the last two years?

[INdemo]

9. Why cant people understand that Kerry did win

they stole the election and there is proof. Just like Al gore won in 2000

[Unbowed]

31. A lot of us believe that, but proving it is another thing indeed.

There is no use in crying over spilled milk. What we can do is learn from what happened and work as hard as we can to make damn sure it doesn't happen again.

Howard Dean's 50 State strategy was a very, smart plan. And the Democrats who, like John Kerry, campaigned at the local grassroots level to help push an agenda for change are to be commended as well. And so is everyone who has kept the scrutiny on voter and election reform and fraud. This scrutiny kept the midterms from being stolen and the 50 State strategy put Democrats in power in key positions at the local and state level, which will make it much harder for any shenanigans to happen in 2008.

[butterfly77]

72. We do know that he and gore won...

[Unbowed]

Anyone who can raised $1,000,000. in 24 hours is nobody to discount.

You may have no interest in seeing him run again, but with that kind of fundraising ability, I'd say there are quite a few folks who disagree with you and are willing to put their money where their mouth is.

[saracat]

2. Finally ,someone who understands the political climate!

I am so tired of the "Kerry shouldn't run, he had his chance, he's a loser, he didn't fight , yadda yadda" crowd. No matter what Kerry does, they will find a way to disparage it. It is always too late or not good enough, and most saying such things can't begin to compete with Kerry's contributions to this country. If Kerry wins they will say he didn't win by enough or the machines were rigged.

Kerry is a serious candidate and he is being underestimated ,again.But this time, it will work to his benefit.

[Blue_In_AK]

3. John Kerry is THE senator I trust

(well, and Barbara Boxer, of course).

[Unbowed]

32. I trust Kerry too.

And Barbara Boxer. Neither one is afraid to speak truth to power.

[politicasista]

33. And Uncle Ted

along with Kerry, Boxer, Feingold.

[dchill]

6. Unless Al Gore decides to run...

I think Kerry is our best candidate.

[blm]

7. I believe as many as possible should run - but I must confess I would LOVE to see

a debate that included Gore, Kerry and Clinton. They all know what the other knows and it would be amazing to see which one of them throws all caution to the wind and speaks the BASIC TRUTHS that aren't supposed to be spoken about the last 30 years.

[dchill]

13. "BASIC TRUTHS"...

Dream on! :)

So, seriously, how about Keith Olbermann for president? That's my go-to guy for unmitigated basic truth. Can't really think of anybody else, off-hand.

[tavalon]

49. Nope

I want him out there doing what he does best, comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable. He is the best of the media. Let politicians be politicians and journalists be journalists. Let Olbermann be Olbermann (an homage to Jeb Bartlett).

[ginnyinWI]

56. Olberman tells the truth very elegantly, but--

It takes more than that to be president. Obviously.

Time and time again, what Kerry has said has turned out to be the truth. It's one thing he continually pledges to do--to tell the truth. And he does it. I haven't seen a politician with more integrity yet.
But he's also got the wisdom and experience this country needs in a president.

[dchill]

60. "It takes more than that to be president."

Uh, yeah - that explains W. Not. I understand what you're saying about Kerry, but I feel that he could use more truth, more strongly put and more quickly delivered. Like Keith.

[rosesaylavee]

23. That would be wonderful to see...

now you got me dreaming.

[Unbowed]

34. Gore would be an excellent President, but I still choose Kerry because of the concept of

specialization. Gore's a specialist. He has pretty much become the movement to combat Global Warming. His passion and his dedication toward this goal have been non-stop since he's been in the political arena. To use a hospital for a metaphor, there is a difference between the Administrator who runs the hospital and the top surgeon in the hospital. One manages a diverse variety of responsibilities and keeps the facility functioning. The other has specialized and is the very best at the thing he has specialized in. The latter is Al Gore. He'd be a good Administration (President) but I think he's needed more in his field of specialization.

I've a slight preference for Kerry's politics. He's a bit to the left of Gore on some of the issues I care about, but that said, Gore would be my second choice because he's more than capable of doing the job. Many of the others in the potential 2008 lineup frankly don't bring as much experience or background to the table. But they are all great Democrats with excellent viewpoints and values. The more Democrats running in 2008, the better, because they will all help shape the ideals and platform of the ticket. I'm looking forward to great debate and discussion.

Let's hope we don't turn ugly like the Republicans when the competition begins.

[dchill]

38. I believe that Gore...

can multitask.

[Unbowed]

45. Yes, he certainly can.

He was in the Senate and he was Vice President. Like I said, he would be a terrific President. But I still think he has a calling to be a educator and an advocate. I've read others here post that he seems happier doing what he is now (than when he was in politics). I'd have to agree with that assessment. It would surprise the hell out of me if he did run.

[Dr Fate]

8. I say we give him a chance. I want to see him debate Gore & Clark....

...one way or the other, no one will be able to say DEMS have no ideas.

Gore and Kerry both have the "nothing to lose", unbound by caution thing- the issue is whether they will act on it or not...

[TayTay]

61. That would be a debate worth watching

It would be about something. All these people bring some serious thinking to the table and it might be a really substantive discussion.

It would beat the hell out of another idiotic horserace discussion, that's for sure. We are doomed to these wastes of time until something like a Dem debate occurs. I think the first one will probably take place in March or April. Then it will get interesting.

Let them all run and let the voters sort it out.

[msongs]

11. has any trippi candidate actually won an election? nt

[Unbowed]

27. No but his candidate lost to Kerry. n/t

[Le Taz Hot]

51. His candidate

lost to a set-up using the MSM and the Kerry/Gebhardt/Edwards campaign and 600+ mostly white people in Iowa. Trippi is a loser who is in it for the money, I don't disagree with that, but the predator class knows it is not necessary to win all the primaries, only the Iowa Caucus which is extremely easily manipulated, and the MSM will do the rest. Kerry managed to lose, yes, LOSE to the worst president in history. Regardless of the election manipulation, the 2004 presidential election should never even have been that close. And he'll have even LESS support in 2008. Why? Because the grassroots won't support him, the progressives won't support him and the activists won't support him. You guys keep pushing this loser (and the rest of the DLC bozos) and you'll have ANOTHER defeat in 2008.

[butterfly77]

73. He didn't lose nor did Gore...

But he shouldn't run again...

[Zynx]

12. Kerry is not the face of the Democratic Party that anyone wants to

project in 2008 except Republicans. He is their wet dream. Kerry is simply not the right candidate to follow the new 50-state strategy for the Democrats. He is a 21-state candidate and that doesn't fly.

[LittleClarkie]

16. Is that why he was all over the country supporting the 50 state plan?

Because he's a 21- state guy?

[Clark2008]

21. I don't think the poster meant that.

The poster meant that swing voters in the purple states find it hard to identify with Kerry.

Now, you can aruge for or against that, but I think that it DID occur in places like Arkansas and Tennessee and Arizona and Virginia and all those other places within a hair's breath of turning blue.

[LittleClarkie]

22. Ah, indeed. But that may have been a symptom of the kind of campaign

we were waging in 2004, which was definitely a 21 state campaign. Perhaps if Kerry campaigned according to the Dean plan, which didn't exist yet in 2004, then perhaps he'd have made it. And Kerry himself is different.

I say if he runs, give him at least a listen. If y'all like what he says and how he's conducting himself at that point, then vote for him in the primaries. If not, no harm done, he gave it his best shot.

[wisteria]

63. Oh, I thought that was Hillary. And your therory doesn't make sense

because if he was no threat, they would just ignore him.

[IndianaGreen]

14. Why is there such an organized effort against Kerry?

It's not just the GOP, but some of Hillary's proxies are doing the same?

Perhaps it is because Kerry did win Ohio, and they fear to have him in the race.

Kerry filibustered Alito. Hillary did not!

Kerry called for a troop withdrawal in Iraq. Hillary opposed Kerry and Murtha on troop withdrawal!

[mtnsnake]

18. No, but there's an un-organized effort against Hillary by you, as evidenced

here and all over the forum where you're on an agenda to slander her at any expense to your credibility.

There is no organized effort against Kerry. There doesn't have to be.

[LittleClarkie]

19. Well, golly, an agenda you say? I just thought he was offering his opinion.

Silly me.

[IndianaGreen]

24. Slander? Did Hillary support the Alito filibuster? Yes or No

Did Hillary support Murtha's call for a troop withdrawal? Yes or No

Did Hillary support Kerry's troop withdrawal plan? Yes or No

[mtnsnake]

25. Do you really think I'm talking about that particular post?

Didn't you see where I said all over the forum?

Good gawd, someone could start a thread about the demise of the grain crop in China and you'd post that James Carville and Hillary had something negative to do with it. Yikes

[LittleClarkie]

26. Not everyone likes everyone else's candidates. I wouldn't take it

so personally

[wisteria]

66. Oh yes there is against Kerry..

Hillary mostly gets a free ride and plenty of puff press.
DU don't like her, but away from the blogs it's all Hillary all the time.

[wisteria]

65. I agree, there is fear involved with their actions against him. n/t

[Ninja Jordan]

69. There's an organized effort against LOSING.

Kerry filibustered Alito? Then why is he sitting on the Supreme Court?

[LittleClarkie]

15. Cool beans

I'm there.

[babylonsister]

20. Dropped-pronoun gate - I love it, blm!

:rofl: And that news is heartening to me!

[AdHocSolver]

28. The purpose of running a candidate is to win therefore...

I don't want either John Kerry or Hillary Clinton to run for President in 2008.

Clinton would be a lightning rod for opposition to a Democratic Presidency, and I don't think
she would be very good at it anyway. When Bill was president, she was supposedly in charge of promoting health care reform, and that went nowhere. In 2004, Bush popularity was already in a downward swing, and Kerry still couldn't pull it off. If Kerry had campaigned better and won a couple more states, the mess in Ohio would have been irrelevant.

Kerry is a lackluster candidate who has been labeled as a flip-flopping, elitist liberal and no way will he overcome that image by 2008. His recent gaffe and the attack frenzy of the right-wing on him for it demonstrates what to expect if Kerry were the candidate.

Don't forget, Bush will not be the candidate in 2008. Whomever the Republicans run will not have the negative baggage Bush has earned. The Democrats have to get over their "we can run the same nonsensical game plan and win this time" shenanigans or we will get another four years of a Republican in the Whitehouse. Folks, this country will not survive as a major power if that happens. The world will see that this country has learned nothing from Iraq and it will be open season on the United States. The image of the U.S. as an "unbeatable" military power has been shattered. The only way for the U.S. to regain credibility is through demonstrated leadership in real diplomacy, and the Republicans have no one who qualifies. For that matter neither do the Democrats.

[LittleClarkie]

29. Oh, if he runs, it won't be the same.

He's not the same. The campaign won't be the same. No Shrum. Dean instead of McAullife at the helm of the DNC.

Eh, let's see if he runs, and then let's see if he makes it through the primaries.

If nothing else, can I have him as Attorney General. Pretty please?

[ginnyinWI]

57. Ask yourself why.

Why did the rightwingers jump on Kerry's joke and attempt to smear him?
Answer: because he's powerful and they wanted to sideline him. All it got them was more attention on Iraq which they didn't want. I doubt it changed anyone's vote from Dem to Repub.

And why are they leaving Hillary alone?
Answer: they want her to be our Dem nominee next time. They probably have files and files of stuff ready to use. You can know our Dems' power by the opposition they face.

On the next Repub nominee: I disagee with you there. The odor of Bush will still be around, stinking up the Republican party. Meanwhile, the Dems in Congress will show the country what the difference is when you have Dem leadership. I think it will be a good election for us. I also disagree that the Democrats have nobody who qualifies in the area of diplomatic leadership. It's just that those individuals haven't been allowed to for the last six years.

[wisteria]

30. Positive news. And a nod that kerry is doing this for our country

to make a difference and to initiate change. Senator kerry is a good and moral man who has taken many gut punches to get where he is. He is not a quitter. He is fighting to make a difference.

[Clarkie1]

35. I'd bet against him in a heartbeat.

Nothing against the good senator, but if I'm going to be laying $$$ on the line, well...

[Unbowed]

37. I'd bet against Clark or any of the others Kerry beat in the '04 primary.

Coming in third to Kerry doesn't give him very good odds in my book. Not that I have anything against General Clark, but as you said about a betting man...

I'm just illustrating a point here.

It's not about betting and odds. It's about throwing your heart over the fence and following it. If you believe in General Clark, then nobody has the right to tell you they wouldn't bet on him. You make your choice, just as I make mine. If we all fight for our favored Democratic candidates (fight FOR them and NOT AGAINST others), then we all win because the values and the ideas our man (or woman) represents become part of the process. We fight for our ideals when we fight for a candidate. Each candidate will bring their own voice to the collective voice of our party. That's why it's important not to attack others or belittle their chances.

[LittleClarkie]

39. I wish I could recommend individual posts

I'd recommend yours. Amen.

[Unbowed]

43. Thanks! What can I say, I love them all!

:)

[Clarkie1]

40. I wouldn't bet for Clark either at this point.

Hell, I don't even know if he's running. :-)

I think you are being a lilttle over-sensitive in what you interpret as "belittling," but I agree with your overall point.

[Unbowed]

42. I wouldn't rule out anyone at this point and after the surprises we've had and

none of us know who is definitely running other than Joe Biden (if we are even sure of him).

[LittleClarkie]

44. It doesn't much matter if he runs or not, as far as your support goes, correct?

It's not like you'll stop supporting him if he doesn't run. That's how I am with Kerry.

[wisteria]

67. I wouldn't underestimate Kerry.

After the election in 04 people were saying he wouldn't be able to hold peoples interests until the next elections and it would be hard to maintain his e-mail list and his core support. Well, guess what. Senator Kerry had managed to prove them all wrong. he was doing damn well until this Repub smear, but he may be down, but he isn't out and he isn't about to give up. He is a fighter.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

36. Kerry's poll number at the moment is atrocious

for the most recent nominee. Clearly a lot of people do not want him, and when your name recognition is near 100%, you know you are getting a fair reading. (and thanks to "dropped pronoun gate" (ha ha very funny) we know it is 100%) 4 years ago Al Gore's numbers were at least at the top of the field. Kerry is near the bottom. And one poll shows Kerry having 55% say they would definitely NOT vote for him- the worst of all named candidates- more than Gore and more than Hillary.

That unpleasantness out of the way, I suppose there is a chance Kerry could once again field a good ground game in Iowa, and come up with a convincing arguement as to why he deserves the nomination, and offers a unique perspective and opportunities not afforded by any of the other candidates.
But it's a tall order, and Iowa will be a very tough sell.

The week after the botched joke, Daniel Shore was not kind to Kerry's chances, and all but writes him off now. Personally, it was tough for me, but..... the John Kerry bumper sticker remains. :)

[politicasista]

41. I agree with you

Talking to people on the ground is the best bet. It's clear that the media and polls aren't his friend.

:hi:

[wisteria]

46. I predict those numbers will rise again. This reflects a lot of nasty

press he received for no legitimate reason. I also question the polls validity at this point. CNN has been rotten to him for a while now. Even when his numbers were higher they were trying to say he didn't have a chance. I suppose what I am suggesting is some media outfits are trying to take him out of the race for some reason or another. That he has fought back, and was doing so well tells me this was an orchestrated effort that backfired. Many influential insiders had written him off and are still trying to dismiss him. However, Kerry is a fighter and he is in this for something bigger than himself. He really wants to take America forward and change it for the better.
My sticker stays on and I have contributed a little at JohnKerry.com

[fooj]

47. I admire and respect John Kerry. He walked the walk for these midterms.

Personally, I think Senator Kerry has endured enough bullshit from people who claim to be on the same team.

I voted for him in 2004, however, my level of respect for him has risen considerably in the past six months. He's a team player and he did everything he could to help put the Dems back in power. He STOOD WITH THE PEOPLE of Connecticut. He did the right thing. I appreciate that. How many other Dems can we say that about?

John Kerry is a gentleman and a scholar. He's a decorated war hero. IMO, that's why Little Lord Pissypants and Co. does everything that they can to belittle and attack him. Pissypants is an insecure little prick. He knows he doesn't hold a candle to Kerry and I think that drives him crazy. Project, demean and belittle... they certainly concentrate their energies. The reason is fairly obvious to me.

[whirlygigspin]

48. No more Senators pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease!

They don't win elections.

Kerry is a fine man but he can't make a soundbite to save his life.

"Let me say this as succinctly and genuinely as a biped with the capacity to utter various resonant tones that convey meaning to other bipeds who can decifer meaning through tonal intonations stringed together to convey meaning can..." --no.

[Joe Chi Minh]

50. Tell that to the large enthusiastic crowds who mobbed him wherever he went.

[LittleClarkie]

52. Sorry, not enough e's

Now he's going to win and it's all your fault. Just a couple more e's and you might have convinced us. Sad really. Sniff.

[Eurobabe]

53. Yeah, well don't forget Trippi left Dean

so, sorry, I think Joe's smoking crack. Kerry is polling behind Clinton, Obama, Gore and Edwards.

[PeaceProgProsp]

54. He'll need work and can't afford to close any doors.

[zulchzulu]

55. When the candidates get on the stage to debate, you'll see...

It will be interesting to see what candidate tries to used the "botched joke" NON-issue as an issue towards Kerry.

We'll see how the stage looks when the candidates debate in the fall in 2007.

[butterfly77]

58. DON'T RUN KERRY!!!

Look what they did to him over the joke...DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!
DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!DON'T RUN KERRY!:think:

[blm]

59. Look what they did to Clinton over a girlfriend - IMPEACHED HIM.

Look how they convinced most of the country that the Clintons trashed the White House.

Look how they convinced the country that Gore is a liar.

It doesn't matter WHO the DEm is - they will all get lied about once they are TARGETTED.

Why on EARTH would YOU or any Democrat choose to believe a RW lie and use it in the same manner they do - to OBSTRUCT clear thinking?

[butterfly77]

70. I don't believe their lies...

Kerry had his chance and I do not want to watch him tripping all over himself to explain again what he did or did not say. DON'T RUN KERRY!!!

[wisteria]

62. And, why do you think they tried to knock him out?

If he wasn't a threat they would just ignore him, of course we all know the rest about how they twisted his words.

[butterfly77]

71. Every Dem who runs is a threat to the RepubliCONS...

It is time for new blood...DON'T RUN KERRY!

[BlueIris]

64. Another person I want to make out with.

Take me to this person. Now.

[wisteria]

68. GO AHEAD AND RUN SENATOR KERRY- make us proud! n/t

[Name removed]

74. Deleted message

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