Kerry will have my support in 2008 before any moderate does

[mdmc]

I hear all the Kerry sucks shit. I feel it too.

That being said, outside of Al Gore, no DLC rat worm DINO will get my support; I can vote for McCain/Powell if I want a war enabler to win in 2008.

For what it is worth, Kerry is a right, honorable LIBERAL. I really respect that.

[Parche]

1. kerry

I am with you, I have, and always will support Kerry
From the beginning, when everyone was talking about Dean (I like him too)
and other people, long before that, I knew that Kerry was the one, and still is.
KERRY/CLARK 2008

I am a Presidential History buff also, and know he is the one!!!!

[mdmc]

2. I didn't think anyone could beat W (esp. after the dems enabled the war)

I wanted Kucinich to state our case, then Dean. I was satisfied with Kerry (as he is a true liberal).

I thought Edwards was super lame as veep, but whatever. At least we ran a liberal.

Kerry isn't my favorite (he needs a tab of LSD to blow his stuffy mind, imho), but I love his liberalism.

Kerry / Clark would be cool, but I doubt it beats McCain/Powell. Still, better to lose and stand for something over just losing.

[_dynamicdems]

25. I feel exactly the same way.

It was Kerry from the beginning for me too. I hope he runs.

[elocs]

3. Yeah, a moderate has ZERO chance of ever being elected President.

Most Americans are really closet Liberals.

[mdmc]

4. Well, Mccain looks pretty good, far better then bush...

Or if the GOP runs true liberals (Rudy, Pataki, Bloomberg, Romney) with Powell... they are hard to beat.

Why would Lieberman (if he wins the DNC nod) be better? Clinton? Bayh?

Peace, and God Bless!

[saracat]

17. McCain who wants to overturn Roe and increase the troops looks good?

To whom? McCain is a rat bastard who dumped his wife for a young heiress when he was 40 something.How can McCain look good and how is he any better than Bush?

[_dynamicdems]

26. McCain is the worst choice! He makes Cheney look sane!

If McCain gets in, he'll give Dubya a run for the title "Worst President Ever" without a doubt. The man is scarey. Right now we've got a dumbass, but McCain is a crazy SOB. He's a whack job of the highest order. This is not a man we want to be running the most powerful nation in the world in the nuclear age. :scared:

[MercutioATC]

5. I'll vote for Kerry...

...before I vote against him...

:P

[against all enemies]

8. I'm going to study really hard - so I don't get stuck voting for Kerry.

[WildEyedLiberal]

12. Wow, the Limbaugh joke hour is on a roll!

FYI, Limbaugh sold a bumper sticker that said "I voted for Kerry before I voted against him" on his website. You have decided to yuk it up with various media whores over the non-issue of Kerry's "joke."

Why not throw in some windsurfing while you're at it? The Karl Rove comedy hour would then be complete.

:thumbsdown:

[Eurobabe]

24. Why do people on DU have such a problem with those of us

who choose NOT to like Kerry as a candidate?

Free speech my ass!

[rockymountaindem]

27. It's not about liking Kerry or not

It's about using right-wing smears to attack a Democratic leader. It's possible to say the same thing without quoting Limbaugh, that's the problem.

[_dynamicdems]

31. Do we crash a thread about your candidate just to say we'd never vote for him or her?

NO.

The problem I have is with rudeness, obnoxiousness and Republican talking points used in a pro-Kerry thread. If you have a thread about, say...General Clark 2008 or Gore 2008, I'm not going to rush over to bash Clark or Gore, etc. And I'm especially not going to parrot Republican talking points about any Democrat EVEN if they might run against Kerry in 2008.

You see, that's the problem here. There are some people who like to crash other peoples' parties and piss on the furniture. Now that's not nice.

It's a free country and we do have free speech, but free speech comes with a price. Free speech goes both ways. If you don't like getting jumped on for anti-Kerry rhetoric, then stay out of pro-Kerry threads. But don't come into a Kerry thread, bash him and then whine because we use our free speech to give it back to you.

I've got an idea for all the so-called supporters of other potential 2008 candidates: why don't you actually post some support for your candidate instead of seeking out pro-Kerry threads to trash our candidate? Looking at the other Democrat forums, the Kerry forum dwarfs all of them with over 113,000 posts (and it was started AFTER the '04 election). The Clark Forum, the next largest, has less than 9,000. Are people here more motivated by tearing down than by supporting? What does this say about priorities?

You can choose NOT to support the Pope for all I care, but if you choose to loudly voice that opinion in the Vatican, don't be surprised if you are not welcomed with open arms.

Courtesy doesn't require a masters degree. Why is it that so many people just don't understand the concept?

[LittleClarkie]

34. I've actually been known to go and defend Dean, Gore and Clark

on occasion, when they were being attacked unfairly. And I wouldn't vote for any of them in the primaries. We're all in this together when you get right down to it.

I actually don't mind if someone says they're not voting for him. But it is slightly annoying when the thread isn't even about 2008 and doesn't contain the word president in the OP.

The ones I get annoyed at are the ones who tell me not to waste my time, that Kerry's toast. One dude's told me that two or three times, like it's gonna stop me. Pfft. Or the ever eloquent "Kerry sux"

[_dynamicdems]

38. People wouldn't be so intent on telling us not to waste our time on Kerry if he didn't pose a threat

in some way. I'm amazed by the vast numbers of people (Dems and Repugs alike) who simply cannot resist the LURE of Kerry. If he was washed-up loser they try to tell us he is, then why does he generate such a defense mechanism in these "basher" types? They obviously view him as a threat.

It concerns me that many of the people who attack Kerry tout their support of another Democrat when the DU group for their candidate is barren of posts. That makes me wonder if they are really what they claim to be.

Kerry supporters post non-stop about Kerry. Supporters of other Democrats also post non-stop about Kerry (just in the negative). What's with that?

That dude who's told you two or three times not to waste your time apparently doesn't mind wasting his. There is something inherently wrong with that.

[against all enemies]

43. He is a threat - to the Democrat's hopes of winning the Presidency!

He failed miserably the first time. And don't question my Democratic roots. I voted for Democrats before you were born. You sound just like one of those Bush supporters that are reality challenged. You , like the Bush supporters, have the same talking points - "Don't question our candidate" or "You're either with us or against us". It's the Bush "black or white" philosophy in shades blue rather than red. If you don't want public discussion on your candidate don't post in a forum that is founded in open debate. The idea is to win the Presidency by putting the best candidate on the ticket. Kerry has already proved he was not up to the task, can we please move on and find some one that can win?

And the next time you suggest that I am more Republican than Democrat you can kiss my ass.

[_dynamicdems]

46. So much erudition, I am simply at a loss as to how I should respond.

Let me try to sort out some actual points from that one jumbled paragraph.

1. You responded to a post to someone else. I never said a damn thing about you, but you reacted very strongly to defend your Democratic roots. Now THAT'S revealing. While I made no statements about your roots, red blue or brown, it is obvious that you have a bit of sensitivity in that area. Don't put that on me.

2. You can support anyone you want, but it is ignorant to seek out pro-ANYEFFINGBODY posts to jump into and start trouble. Yes, I suspect people who would rather knock down than build up. I suspect them of being jerks. Bad attitudes are not discussion tools. This was clearly the point of my post, but it seems that you need the Cliff Notes version. (You really should practice your reading comprehension skills so you can get it the first time.)

3. As someone who supported Robert Kennedy and campaigned for Hubert Humphrey after that, I am amused that you toss in the "before you were born" meme. Let me throw one in for you: "To assume is to make an ass of you and me."

4. As far as kissing your ass goes, it appears that would be any part of your body. Comprehend that. And no thanks!

[LittleClarkie]

36. Free speech your ass? No one is stopping you

But it's not just that you said "I'm not voting for him" it's that you had to do it in a snarky fashion. Don't want comments, don't be snarky. Consequences doncha know.

[_dynamicdems]

28. Sorry, but is sounds like you already flunked Democrat 101.

Not to worry: there is still an opening in Republican 101. It is being held at the Zell Miller Online University and taught by Professor Lieberman.

[against all enemies]

44. Give me a freakin break. I'm a Puke cause I don't want candidate Kerry?

You call me a puke, a Miller Democrat and a Lieberman Democrat because I don't want Kerry for 2008?

You're a joke. Dynamic Dems? And you support the least dynamic dem one can imagine. We haven't gotten to the glossary in our Republican 101 course yet. Does dynamic mean " stiff, rigid, robotic"? It must, because that's what your preferred candidate brings to the table.

[_dynamicdems]

48. Actually, I don't have any idea what you are, "puke" or otherwise.

Nor do I care.

But your posts are argumentative and rude. You come into a pro-Kerry post to spout Republican talking points and are offended that your Democratic credentials come into question! If quoting Republicans is your idea of being a good Democrat, you should be prepared for getting back a little of what you give, because you will.

[cynatnite]

6. Kerry's got my support...

Most dems do have it anyway. The 2008 dem field of candidates will be filled with good qualified people.

[KSU Wildcat]

7. Kerry/Murtha in 2008...nt

[mdmc]

9. welcome to du wildcat

peace and low stress

[_dynamicdems]

32. I'm so proud of our Democrats. We have a wealth of good and talented people in our party.

Kerry's my candidate though.

[Old and In the Way]

10. Kerry/Gore would be great in '08

:-)

[mdmc]

11. yes!

:kick:

[JanusAscending]

14. UH UH !!

KERRY/ OBAMA would be unbeatable!! Think about it! (not that I don't love AL Gore) but I don't think he'll run, and two men cheated out of the Office might be a bit much!!:toast:

[_dynamicdems]

35. Kerry was the one who recognized Obama's potential in 2004 and asked him to speak at the

Democratic Convention. Kerry picked Obama as a rising star and he was right. Obama has come quite a way since then. I've been wondering if there might be something in the works there.

[boolean]

13. Can we stop calling them moderates and just call them conservatives?

Really.

[LittleClarkie]

15. To some folks I'm a moderate

But it depends on how far to the right you're lookin' at me from.

[Sensitivity]

16. Is Kerry TOO Liberal and TOO principled or American politics?

[Marr]

18. Kerry isn't a moderate?

Isn't he DLC himself?

[Sensitivity]

20. I think senators are scored by their votes by orgs such as the National Journal

-- using their own "independent" criteria, or course. But I guess we all can have
our own critera.

[mdmc]

21. I think he is one of the best liberals in the Senate

behind the liberal lion Teddy.

[longship]

19. It'll be Gore.

The winds of change have turned. It'll be Gore because the Net has changed things. It'll be Gore because the climate is changing in ways that are going to make us all realize we need him. He'll respond to that call. He'll thumb his nose at the DC insiders who will be left with their thumbs up their asses, mumbling to themselves. He'll come out strong as a leader and will take the agenda way beyond, leaving everybody else in his dust.

Yes, I'm being idealistic. But so is Gore these days. We have to convince him that we need him, just the way he is now.

[ShaneGR]

22. Yes, because Kerry is the pristine example of liberalism.... ermmm

well, ummmmm, except for that YES vote on the war in the first place.

[_dynamicdems]

39. I wouldn't vote for a pristine example of liberalism!

That sounds like the wingnut far left, the polar opposite or mirror image of the neocons.

Kerry's very liberal on social issues and the environment, but he's tough on crime and pro-fiscal responsibility.

We all know the story of the IWR and how Kerry regrets his vote now that the truth about Bush's lies have been revealed.

That said, count me among those who are glad that John Kerry isn't a total pacifist. Nobody who is completely anti-war belongs in the White House in this day and age. Maybe some day we will have achieved world peace, but we are not there yet. Not by a long shot. It's going to take a lot of work and a lot of diplomacy before we can ever banish military action to the history books. To think otherwise is dangerously naive.

When John Kerry believes the Unites States is threatened, his priority is the defense of our country, not the ideal of pacifism. There are times when you have to defend yourself. I don't want a war monger in the White House, but I sure as Hell don't want a total pacifist in there either.

[LittleClarkie]

40. Off topic. I'm gonna have to go shopping when I get some bucks

Nice cafepress selection there. I want a Kerrycrat tshirt. That's my login name over at DailyKos.

[_dynamicdems]

42. Thanks , Kerrycrat! Let me know before you buy, so I can lower the price to cost for you.

I've got to get myself a Kerry shirt for the Birthday Bash in Boston. I'm going to get a long-sleeve, black "Kerry Was Right" tee!

[michreject]

23. Kerry had his shot

I don't see anyone from the Northeast winning. Someone from the midwest?

[rockymountaindem]

29. Mine too n.t.

[smalll]

30. Or so he is portraying himself now.

I just get the feeling that of all the possible candidates, it is Kerry who might be most aware of DU, Kos, etc. But not in a good way. He is playing to us. That Alito business is just the most glaring piece of evidence of that. That fillibuster attempt that came up suddenly, a little too late, out of Davos. It was a gesture. He sent us roses. I think Kerry just really really wants to be President, that he's one of those men who have been planning their lives around it since they were boys. This doesn't mean that he would be a bad candidate! He might be the best option in certain scenarios. But after 2004 he consciously ratcheted up his "liberalness."

Gore I think has had a real conversion, he's a different man than he used to be. I'm just not feeling that sincerity from Kerry.

[LittleClarkie]

33. We asked him to be more aware of the internet, to use it to communicate

because people needed that connection, we thought.

If he's more aware then it's because we asked him to be.

"We" = some of the folks in the Kerry group who got to meet him at his birthday party last year.

We are utterly convinced he is genuine. He just doesn't always show it unless he's comfortable with a person.

[smalll]

37. Well I respect your opinion

and thank you for your input about Kerry! Interesting.

[_dynamicdems]

41. Because he listens, he's playing us?

If he didn't listen, you'd say he was out of touch (and you'd be right).

If he were playing anyone, it would be the middle or the near-right, like Hillary Clinton is attempting to do. You see: his voting record over the past 22 YEARS attests to how liberal he is. He doesn't have to play to the left. He IS the left. That's where his issues and his fights have always been. If he were playing, he'd try to broaden his horizons and stretch more to the right, but that wouldn't be honest, would it?

The filibuster didn't come up too late. The Republicans forced a premature vote and Kerry had to come back early from the economic summit. I'm sure it infuriated him.

I think you're missing the point of John Kerry: he's driven to make a difference. Read Richard Kerry's, Star Spangled Mirror for some insight into Senator Kerry's true background in liberalism. His father was very liberal and he possessed a remarkable world view. You can see where John Kerry gets his passion for justice and for diplomacy.

There are people in this world who turn a blind eye to injustice and those who cannot. John Kerry has done many things that hurt him politically because it was the right thing to do. He bucked the system and paid a heavy price more than once.

With Kerry, being a public servant isn't a career, it's a calling. He's a politician because he was born to serve in much the same way as an artist is born to paint or a composer is born to to create symphonies.

John Kerry wants to give to us, not take from us. Once you get that, really get that, feel that, then you'll understand John Kerry.

[wisteria]

45. Kerry has MY support- period.

Oh, and I don't get the "suck" reference. What is meant by this comment?
He is a messenger for the people, he is articulate, extremely qualified, hardworking and wicked smart. How does these things relate to "suck"?

[jpwhite]

47. Kerry is not a good public speaker

John Kerry talks with a boring monotone voice. He is not the type of person I want representing America. The president is THE guy that people look at around the world to represent Americans. We need someone who is eloquent and who doesn't speak with the same voice all of the time........

We need someone who can speak well and who can bring all Americans together. I like one of these (Clark, Edwards, Obama, or Richards) for president.

James
[e-mail]