In 25 words or less

[DoYouEverWonder]

how would you describe John Kerry?

So far, the media and the Bush campaign are the ones who are defining John Kerry. We can't continue to let Bush get away with memes like flip flopper.

In order to counteract these images, we need to come up with our own definition of who John Kerry is and what does he represent. We need to get some positive memes going and spread them around. Some key words and phrases for people to associate with Kerry.

So if you were to met someone who really doesn't know much about John Kerry, except for bits and pieces they hear on FOX, what would you tell them?

[JayS]

1. He's not Bush?

[DoYouEverWonder]

2. That's a good start

However, isn't it sad that even among Kerry's supposed supporters, that's the best we can come up with?

[Seven]

3. stuff

Sadly there just isn't much more to say about Kerry.

I have met him before, and he's a nice fellow, but he has virtually no charisma and let's face facts his views are clearly "nuanced" for political purposes at times.

In other words he is something of a flip-flopper.

Of course all Pols are, and Kerry is better than Bush on the enviornment and a few other issues.

So the best argument for him is "he's not Bush"...actually the best argument for him may be "his AG won't be Ashcroft and his VP won't be Cheney", but you see where I'm going

[DoYouEverWonder]

5. That's why I asked the question

because I didn't have a good answer either.

However, it is up to us to create that answer. That was why I made the challenge.


For starts:

Kerry was a good soldier. He served his country well in Vietnam.

Kerry has dedicated his life to public service and has always tried to make a difference.

Kerry will restore our standing and reputation in the International community.

Kerry will listen to folks like me.

....

[demwing]

23. kix /nt

[demwing]

24. I'm gonna kick this again

because we need more positive, pro-Kerry threads, and this thread has the potential to be all that and a bag of peanuts.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

4. That's Enough...

A dead dog would be better than *...

[Pabst Blue Democrat]

6. I'll give it a whirl...

(1)The (2)Next (3)President (4)of (5)the (6)United (7)States

*With some hard work on our behalf, of course.

[Protagoras]

7. A Statesman with a long history of advancing

democratic ideals and serving his country. Also someone who fits the bill as our next National Daddy.

(Belive that's 25)

[VOX]

8. Intelligent, thoughtful, wise, able to see all sides of an issue...

*Not* a hothead, works for the greater good, constructive, will admit it when he is wrong, level-headed, trustworthy.

Just for starters.

[DjTj]

9. John Kerry's courage brought him to Vietnam ...

...and his conscience convinced him that war needed to end. The perfect President for the War on Terror.

[MichiganVote]

10. Smarter than Bush

At least this guy appears to be someone who didn't waste his education at one of the nation's most prestigious schools. How many deserving kids would like to go but lack the money or other credentials?

He doesn't wear his religious beliefs on his sleeve and that works for me. I'm sooooo sick of hearing all that.

He appears accomplished, able to relate to a number of different people. Sort of reminds me of Woodrow Wilson. Who knows if he will be able to approach the same statesman like qualities that Wilson displayed.

Above all, Kerry does not have that shit ass sense of humor that Bush displays. No smirk. I've worked with troubled adolescents who were more polite than this guy.

Kerry has both legislative and international experience. He served in a war and was decorated for it.

If he lives up to his talk, he isn't bullshitting about making the rich pay their fair share. Which they aren't and don't want to do. That speaks volumes to me.

Kerry doesn't talk about jazzing up the Social Security System to profit the corporations who already are the new welfare class.

The guy doesn't have a history of drug and alcohol abuse and is not suspected of past marital infidelity.

Kerry's choice of a running mate is at least in keeping with his style and his politics. The Bush / Cheney duo seem over the last four years to have been in competition with each other for press or press statements. Suffice to say, that choice on the part of Bush / Cheney has been confusing. If its confusing to American voters, surely it is confusing to our allies.

Is Kerry a stunning choice? Perhaps not. But so far he hasn't said anything that I find extreme, he doesn't scream terror at my community everyday, he has evidenced a reasonable attitude in the face of some really nasty attacks (unlike Cheney who likes the "F" word)and his personal life is solid. Moreoever, he doesn't appear to run with a herd who want to bring on the second coming, a throughly freaky bunch of people.

So, what's not to like? Not much so far. In my lifetime, I've lived under far worse than John Kerry or even George Bush. But 4 more years of Bush is unacceptable.

[Claire Beth]

11. Kerry can do his own thinking....

he doesn't need a KKKarl Rove and Dickless Cheney to tell him what to do.

[xkenx]

12. RE ATTACKS ON KERRY & VIETNAM

John Kerry is one of the Senate's most decorated veterans -- though he has far fewer medals than friend John McCain -- and his record is impressive for an officer who spent just 10 months in Vietnam.

Each of the medals below came with a matching ribbon. Kerry wore his ribbons when he testified before a Senate committee in 1971; the next day, joining hundreds of other vets, he lobbed them at the Capitol.

Silver Star
What is it for? Gallantry in action

Why did Kerry get it? Kerry led three swift boats up a canal on Feb. 28, 1969, and ordered a daring attack on Viet Cong positions. When his boat took rocket fire, Kerry directed his crew to head straight for the beach, taking the guerrilla with the rocket launcher by surprise. Kerry jumped ashore and killed him

Bronze Star
What is it for? Heroic or meritorious service

Why did Kerry get it? On the Bay Hap River on March 13, 1969, a mine exploded under Kerry's boat, driving shrapnel into his arm and knocking Green Beret Jim Rassmann overboard. Despite heavy fire, Kerry turned the boat around and pulled Rassmann back on board with his good arm

Purple Heart
What is it for? Being wounded in action

Why did Kerry get it? He earned three Purple Hearts (the second and third are represented by gold stars), all for shrapnel wounds. His arm was scratched during a night patrol in December 1968. His left thigh was hit during a V.C. attack in February 1969. The March 13 injury, his third, entitled him to return home, and he did

Combat Action Ribbon
What is it for? Ground combat while serving in the Navy

Why did Kerry get it? As the commander of a Navy swift boat, he went ashore several times in pursuit of Viet Cong

Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon
What is it for? Heroism of a unit in combat

Why did Kerry get it? For participating in Operation Swift Raider, a campaign of boat attacks on enemy strongholds and sanctuaries

Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon
What is it for? Heroism of a unit

Why did Kerry get it? For participating in the Rach Gia interdiction, river patrols aimed at stopping Viet Cong infiltration from Cambodia

National Defense Service Medal
What is it for? Honorable active-duty service

Why did Kerry get it? For his service on the U.S.S. Gridley, a guided-missile frigate, from 1967 to 1968

Vietnam Service Medal
What is it for? Six months service in the Vietnam conflict

Why did Kerry get it? For his tour on the Gridley, which supported an aircraft carrier in the Gulf of Tonkin

Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross
What is it for? Awarded by South Vietnam to U.S. units for valorous combat achievements

Why did Kerry get it? For service on the swift boats

Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions
What is it for? Awarded by South Vietnam to U.S. units for meritorious civil-action service

Why did Kerry get it? For service on the swift boats

Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
What is it for? Awarded by South Vietnam for six-months service in Vietnam

Why did Kerry get it? For his tour of duty aboard the Gridley

BUSH, RUMMY, CHENEY, WOLFIE, PERLE, CONDI---TIME IN VIETNAM-ZERO, MEDALS-ZERO, CHUTZPAH-1,000,000,000,000,000,000

[DoYouEverWonder]

13. Great list

Especially when you compare it to W's service record.

Two cavities filled.


BTW: Welcome to DU :hi:

[JohnKleeb]

14. the next and best president of my life time

Ive read some of Tour of Duty, finally started reading it, and Kerry just amazes me as a person, he was a smart and quite serious student while at Yale. Reading about what he thought and why he decided to enlist in the Navy is inspirational. He's not a perfect man but I think he's a great nominee, reading about him is like reading about Kennedy honestly, maybe Kerry can become to my generation what Kennedy was to his. I personally prefer Kerry to the other dem president of this generation Clinton, something about Kerry that I like more than Clinton, hard to explain.

[sandnsea]

15. Thoughtful, dedicated, persistent,

A man who takes up a cause and continues to see it through, no matter how many years it takes or obstacles get in his way. Vietnam, Iran/Contra, AIDS, GLBT rights, violence against women, health care, education, the environment. A host of issues that became important to him in the 60's, 70's or even 80's; and he hasn't waivered on any of them. More than a politician or statesman, he's the definition of leader and trusted servant of the people.

[patricia92243]

16. To describe him or his political beliefs?

[DoYouEverWonder]

17. Whatever you think is most important

What would you say to someone who did not know much about him, that you want to convince to vote for him?

[MichiganVote]

26. I would say that

his approach to decision making appears cautious even when confronted with liberal ideas or ideologies.

[DoYouEverWonder]

18. Because it will be so nice

to have normal people back in the White House.

[Nicholas_J]

19. Pragmatic

Defining a person as a flip flopper when they change their stance based on changing situations is disingenuous at best. Change when change is needed.

[gulliver]

20. A wise, thoughtful leader who has always served his country...

... and has always worked hard and long to protect it and make it better.

[TNMOM]

21. Conscientious. Competent...

Educated. Strategic. Authoritative. Lifetime of service. Upstanding - does the right thing. Independent. A Seeker. Compassionate. Trust-worthy. High emotional intelligence. Brave. Adventurous. Doting. Handsome. Lover of life. Winner.

[demwing]

22. I'll try -

Though 25 words or less can not tell the whole story. So, I wrote a few sound bites:

*In times of need, John Kerry fought for America with honor,
in turmoil, he lead America towards dignity.

*Kerry's life is a portrait of patriotic service to country,
even when patriotism was misunderstood or unpopular.

*Only fools and fanatics are always certain of themselves. Wiser
men handle doubt, they don't ignore it. John Kerry is such a man.

[Lefty Pragmatist]

25. "Good enough to win."

He's not a great candidate, but he's a lot better than Gore, and he's good enough to win. Once in office, he may even be a great president -- there is no relatiosnhip between the two things.

[UrbScotty]

27. "John Kerry knows how to fight a war...

He fought one in Vietnam - and he saved people's lives!"