The Nation shows some love for Kerry (Say what?)

[TayTay]

No, I am not on drugs. Really. They like him now.

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20060529/berman

The New Kerry
Ari Berman

Delivering a major address in April before a portrait of George Washington and busts of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson in Boston's historic Faneuil Hall, John Kerry must have felt as though he was back running for President. But on the thirty-fifth anniversary of his stirring testimony before Congress as a representative of Vietnam Veterans Against the War, Kerry was invoking a theme downplayed throughout his 2004 campaign and confronting the issue that bedeviled his candidacy: the war in Iraq.

"As in 1971, this is another moment when American patriotism demands more dissent and less complacency in the face of bland assurances from those in power," Kerry told a crowd of 800 full of fellow vets and Democratic activists. "As in Vietnam, we have stayed and fought and died even though it is time for us to go." Kerry had recently broken with the Democratic leadership and proposed setting a deadline for Iraqis to form a permanent government and for US troops to leave. According to the Boston Globe, the audience was "wildly enthusiastic"--a phrase not often used to describe crowds listening to the junior senator from Massachusetts. Former DNC chair Steve Grossman called the speech "profoundly presidential," which is exactly what Kerry once again wants to be.

In the past few months Kerry has presented a side of himself very different from the one the public saw during the 2004 campaign. Freed from the grip of consultants, the spotlight of the national media and the Republican attack dogs, he is looser, clearer and more compelling. Call it the Al Gore Effect. At the end of a presidential campaign, losing candidates either retreat, keep up the good fight or attempt the arduous task of redefining themselves. Kerry's both fighting and redefining these days.

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20060529/berman

[ProSense]

1. Beat me to it!

This is a very good thing.

[TayTay]

2. See this one too! (Gushing..)

http://www.taylormarsh.com/archives_view.php?id=2347

[ProSense]

5. Very cool! Thanks!

I had to post!

[ProSense]

6. Posted in GD

My response in the thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2618870&mesg_id=2619019

[jenndar]

3. Wow.

What a nice change!

[demdiva]

4. What a GREAT article ... I LOVE IT

[_dynamicdems]

7. Ari Berman was the guy who was on the YoungTurks yesterday talking

about Senator Kerry. He had lost of good things to say about him too. They might have a video clip up by now...I'll check.

[paulk]

8. they bought the spin

"In the past few months Kerry has presented a side of himself very different from the one the public saw during the 2004 campaign."

I don't know what campaign they were watching. Yes, Kerry shaded toward the center - it's what a candidate has to do to get elected. If these asswipes had half a clue, they would pull their heads out of their ideologically correct asses every once in a while and deal with the real (political) world.

I know I should be jumping for joy over this, but it's hard for me to forgive how the left always seems to be stabbing itself in the back over some purity test or other. They stabbed Kerry plenty.

[WildEyedLiberal]

9. Better late than never, but The Nation has a lot of 'splaining to do

I'm certainly glad they're giving Kerry props now, but at the same time, watching them cravenly cover up for their previous hatred of him by trying to spin his recent kickassery as the work of a "new Kerry" just pisses me off and reminds me of the absolute and utter intellectual dishonesty of the left media. They were too busy being Kool Kids and sneering at Kerry in 2004 in order to maintain their hipster cred with the "progressive" crowd. I don't think I will ever forget that when it really mattered, the left wing media absolutely failed to come through for him - and, by extension, us. I am tempted to throw their sneering righteousness back in their face right now: "too little too late, The Nation."

I will try to refrain from doing so because honestly, the support of these ghouls can only help him win the primary in 2008. I won't turn away ANY praise of John Kerry, no matter how Johnny-come-lately it is or how absurd the about-face seems. So, thanks for finally waking the fuck up, The Nation.

PS - That line about crowds not typically being "wildly enthusiastic" for John Kerry is a steaming load of horseshit, and I know that from personal experience. Three different personal experiences, in fact.

[paulk]

10. to be honest - I am coming more and more to the opinion

that the support of the "left media" is detrimental to a candidate's chances. Does Kerry really want this pack of whiny, back stabbing piss and moaners on his side?

[WildEyedLiberal]

11. Oh, I'm sure they won't actually endorse him, never fear

But nevertheless, there are some people who read liberal magazines who don't read blogs, so if this story helps improve anyone's opinion of Kerry or makes someone think about supporting him, I'm all for it.

But they will never endorse him because - and this is why they REALLY hate him, IMO - he does not pander to them. The far leftists say they want a politician with integrity who won't pander for votes, but that's a lie. They just want a politician who panders exclusively to them. Kerry tailors his actions for no interest group, so he will never be the far left/centrist/DLC/anyone's "darling." That's why I almost always find a real affinity beyond politics with people who support John Kerry - he is not supported by one ideologically monolithic army of robots, but by all kinds of real Americans, from far leftists to centrists, who truly appreciate his devotion to the TRUTH and to American liberties and values. People who support Kerry always seem to have AMERICA'S best interest at heart, as opposed to a narrow interest group agenda. (Disclaimer: Not saying Kerry supporters have a monopoly on that sentiment by any means.)

A lot of the honest leftists will support Kerry when they realize he is the real deal who has been standing up for our freedoms all along. The dishonest ones never will.

[ginnyinWI]

12. and I saw some of that same attitude at kos today

"if he wants my support, he's gotta do A, B, C, and then D--in that order--or I'm not gonna go for him again."
Then even if he would, they'd find some other reason to gripe.

"But he didn't do it on a Tuesday!" :eyes:

He may be a public servant, but he's not a public slave!

[karynnj]

14. It also sounds like grade school kids,

if you won't (trade cookies, do my math, etc), you're not my friend any more.

Even if he did A,B,C, and D, they would say "Who cares about A,B,C and D, the really important thing is you didn't do E, F and G. Also, why do you always insist on being the tallest Senator in the room?

[WildEyedLiberal]

15. LOL

:rofl:

So true.

They don't care about ideology or charisma or anything else when it comes to electing a candidate. They want a slave to their every whim, who, when they say "jump," will say "how high?"

[karynnj]

16. Not to mention, if he did everything they said

he might not even be electable in Massachusetts. (I also don't get why they want to see him red faced, pounding his fists etc - I think it's amazing that he simply gets more focused and speaks faster.)

[karynnj]

13. Those October rallies looked wildly enthusiastic to me

I agree with your conclusion, if they need to believe he's a new John Kerry, let them. It's dishonest but if it works, it works. He desperately needs good press.

If you think of it, he almost won last time AND all those shown tape of him think he's way better than in 2004. Think meeting expectations. He is given credit for being very intelligent and a world class debater. His deficit per CW, no snappy answers and little charisma - both of these are 180 degrees off. He is head and shoulders better than any of the potential 2008 people on these elements. So, what happens when they campaign, debate or go on talk shows - we should get articles trying to figure out when Kerry became more articulate, more charisatic, eloquent, wittier and funnier. (We won't see any change) The articles, if they come, will help Kerry.