Kerry's White House bid fails to catch fire

[JaneQPublic]

http://www.detnews.com/2003/politics/0310/10/a06-294162.htm

---snip

...Kerry is surrounded by an all-star team of political professionals, including Jordan and Shrum, a top consultant to Al Gore's 2000 presidential campaign.

But it's also a campaign of uneasy factions and overlapping assignments. Kerry, for example, is advised by two pollsters, two media and advertising experts, and two speechwriting consultants. He also has two inner circles: one composed of hired hands in Washington; the other of old friends, family members and longtime loyalists in Boston.

This has made Kerry's operation the punch line of a joke in political circles: How is John Kerry's campaign like Noah's Ark? Both have two of everything.

The rivalry and duplication may help explain the persistent criticism of Kerry -- both from Democratic Party operatives and from the media -- that his campaign lacks focus, speed and discipline.

MORE....

[Dr Fate]

1. Still too early to say...

...he gets better & better- I'll bet he gains more supporters after they see him in the debates...

...I still say it's between kerry, Edwards and Clark...

[Hawkeye-X]

2. Kerry has lost fire since oh, Feburary of 2003

when he voted for the blank check to Iraq. I know he regrets that decision, but it's FAR too late to take it back.

He allowed Chimp to have his own quagmire without any exit strategy, and that will pull Kerry along with it.

Plus, he looks like Frankenstein -- he really doesn't have a national charisma. He may be attractive in MA, but where else can he be attractive?

I'm a Dean supporter, and so far, Kerry has struck out -- repeatedly, IMHO, and he's already showing desperation -- meaningless attacks which is proven baseless.

Hawkeye-X

[Guaranteed]

7. He's definitely hobbled by that.

How can he call Clark indecisive when he's flip-flopped himself?

There are two big issues (along with more than a few mini-issues) in this primary. They are:
1) Should tax cuts be repealed for the middle class?
and
2) Who has the strength and integrity to stand up to Bush in the foreign policy arena?

[NewYorkerfromMass]

11. the war vote was Nov. 2002

This is Bush's quagmire, not Kerry's, or Edwards, or anyone else who approved the resolution.

and you say Kerry looks like Frankenstein? Well then, I say Dean looks like a recovering drunk- bulbous red nose and all.

[einsteins stein]

3. These are similar complaints about Gore's 2000 campaign

Over managed, drowning itself, unable to respond quickly, etc..

Kerry has his strong points, but I don't think this is his year.

[NWHarkness]

4. I have a lot of respect for John Kerry

but I'd have to agree that his campaign seems leaden and lackluster.

[wtmusic]

5. 'Leaden and lackluster' like, perhaps...

the candidate?

[Voltaire99]

6. The Lurch of the Democratic Party

"You r-a-a-a-a-a-ng?"

Kerry's considerable intelligence and good intentions can not animate his moribund personality.

I've listened to him on three occasions now, and it's really more than a person should be asked to bear for God and country.

[ReadTomPaine]

10. Hey, you might wind up having to support him if he gets the nomination...

Keep your eyes on the prize. Anyone but Bush.

[cspiguy]

8. I though Bob got cancer anyway... oh John! nevermind

n/t

[izzie]

9. People out of congress do not do well. I wonder why.

I would say he is a good man but just not making it, Do you think it could be the Nam business?

[paulk]

12. people out of congress do not do well

because the essence of democracy is compromise. Governors can keep above the fray, to a certain extent. However, when you're in the legislature, if you want to get anything done you need to work with the other party. You have to give a little to get a little. And consequently, you have a record that can be used against you, usuually by people who haven't had to engage in that process.