Why is it "crass" when Kerry talks about 2008

[nam78_two]

(which he never brought up-it was the Faux anchor who did) but ok when Obama does it x(?

[WildEyedLiberal]

1. Because there's an awesome double standard in the blogworld!

Kind of like how when other candidates criticize Bush, it's "courage" and "speaking truth" but when Kerry does it it's "positioning for 2008."

Kind of like when Kerry raises $15 million for other Dems he's being "stingy" but Hillary raises half that and she's the model of generosity.

Kind of like when Kerry calls for the filibuster of Alito, it's "meaningless because he knows it won't pass" but Feingold introduces a censure of Bush and he's a "hero" for "being the only one to stand up to Bush."

Yeah, it's kind of like that.

[frogmarch]

2. It sure is

and it really pisses me off.

[WildEyedLiberal]

4. Howdy, haven't seen you around here recently

I just spent a weekend in the real world - it's amazing how much less bullshit you hear when you're away from the blogworld/punditocracy echo chamber which I am convinced will twist itself into any pretzel distortions in order to avoid giving Kerry credit for anything.

[frogmarch]

5. Howdy back

WEL :) I've been spending more and more time in the real world - although I always read here at JK when I venture into DU, although it isn't as often as it once was. Not long ago I responded to a Kerry post in GD or GDp, saying that the only Kerry dissing I hear is at DU. It disgusts me no end that this great man is criticized by some Dems, when he should be lauded by the entire Democratic Party.

I hope Kerry runs in 08. I want him to be President, dammit!

[Mass]

3. Because Obama is the flavour of the month.

We just need to know for how long.

(Interesting point: Axelrod, Obama's adviser, was John Edwards's 04 man - Do not be surprised if the 2 campaigns look a little bit alike ).

[Dr Ron]

6. There already is a tremendous similarity

I've already considered Edwards and Obama to be in the same class--Senators lacking the experience to be President.

In Edwards's case he had a pretty lackluster term in the Senate and I'm not sure if more time there would make a difference in terms of being qualified to be President. Obama likely will have impact in the long run, but so far his time in the Senate does not show him as qualified to be President.

Obama is definately the flavor of the month. The question is if he has peaked too soon and the media will go on to someone else, or if they will continue to push him.

[Inuca]

7. To be fair...

... Obama has been in the news for a lot longer, though without doubt lately there has been a barrage of him. My gut feeling, for what it's worth, is that Obama is very different from Edwards, more substance and conviction, and I think better brains.

[Mass]

8. I was talking about GD and GDP, in answer to the OP.

I agree totally with the comparison you make between Obama and Edwards. Obama does not only make good speeches, when interviewed, he is able to say original and pertinent things. He has command of the subjects he talks about. He just needs a little bit more polishing.

All you have to do to know he is the latest flavor of the month on GD is to read the threads supporting him:

- He can beat McCain because the media like him,
- He is good because he is a blank slate
- He is good because his first MTP interview (was it really the first one?) is better than Edwards's one.

[Inuca]

9. MTP interview

I am almost sure I saw him on MTP a while back, and was quite disappointed in the interview. May have been another Sunday show though, not that it matters. He was very good yesterday, IMHO. By the way, what does "OP" stand for?

[Mass]

10. OP=original post (I think)

[karynnj]

11. It wasn't his first one - because Russert played

tape from an earlier one where he disavowed interest in 2008. All the same even if it was his 10th one, he was better than Edwards after a VP run.

[Mass]

12. I have not seen MTP yesterday...

but I believe you without any problem.

My point was not to diminish Obama's capacity, it was to rant about the emptiness of the arguments developed in favor of Obama. Kerry is impressive in most of his interviews and I would not use that as a major argument for him running.

There is more to an Obama candidacy (even if I think he does not have the experience necessary) than being able to give a nice speech. In fact, I like him because, while a little more conservative than Kerry, he has many of the same positions and way to approach problems. You can see they try to understand these problems and to arrive to a solution that will work, rather than trying to find something that will be popular.

[karynnj]

13. I am in complete agreement with you -

Obama is attractive, but not proven in the least. I have not been impressed when we've all watched the SFRC - he is clearly very very junior to Kerry, Feingold, Lugar, Hagel and Dodd in terms of what he brings to the discussions.

It's funny that much of what they love in Obama - the idealism, honesty, the eloquence, the public spirit - is exactly what they mock in Kerry. Kerry has RETAINED these characteristics through 22 years in the Senate which is not easy. Whether Obama will keep those traits as he gains experience and gravitas is not yet known.

[MBS]

14. my thoughts were much the same

when I posted this in another thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=273x108031#108334

[Mass]

15. I finally watched the interview

Very good, even impressive for somebody with not that much experience.

One regret, though, the excessive use of "I " . At two weeks of a major election, it would have been good to see Obama push the 06 field a little more. But I guess that this is what we have to expect.

[wildflowergardener]

16. Obama

I don't quite see what all the hype is about over Obama. Did I think his speech was good at the DNC - sure - but not as good I thought as all the hype I was hearing.

I don't really think he has enough experience yet to be president - we are going to need an experience person to fix all the screwups of the last president, IMO. Kerry comes to mind - not sure why : )

Meg