Reply #46: I have liked him

[fujiyama]

ever since he first went after Bush* when he first took office. Right then there was talk as to who would run for in '04 and Kerry always turned up in the conversation. Kerry seemed the strongest -- able to take Bush* on the environment and other policy issues (especially at the begining of the admin.), stellar liberal voting record in the senate, and a great resume including military service.

9/11 and the aftermath came and passed by and the administration pushed for war with Iraq. By this time it was almost certain Kerry would take a shot at the presidency and he bought in to all the lies the administration told -- about the crowds cheering the soldiers with flowers, that the US would have a cakewalk, etc. In retrospect, Bob Graham, also an experienced senator (with a more moderate record than Kerry), had seen the intelligence and made a wise deciion in voting against it. His argument against the war wasn't the usual leftist rhetoric either. He simply said, this is a distraction from the real war on terror and that is why this is unjustified. Gore also came out and said this.

Kerry has also never really regretted his vote for the resolution. I think if he had admitted that he made a mistake, many would have forgiven him. Unfortunately he only made things worse by offering an extremely convoluted and confusing defense for his vote for the resolution. If he was as concerned about international cooperation and making sure the administration wouldn't abuse power, he really should have known that he shouldn't have voted for what was by most accounts, a blank check.

This coupled with the fact that there was so much hope invested in him -- that with his own personal experience in Vietnam --knowing the hoorors of war -- he would not allow the nation to get bogged into an unecessary and unjustified war.

At that same time, the obscure governor from Vermont was starting to get some attention, by vocally opposing the looming war in Iraq. Then several months ago Clark showed up, making Kerry's unique military experience, not as unique.

Eventually, Dean made a lot of headway, eating into Kerry's fundraising and support base.

It really is unfortunate. I've given up hope on him. Recently it seems that out of desperation, he's attacked the other candidates in an increasingly irritating fashion, and he's tried numerous PR stunts like the hunting photo op and more notably the motorcycle thing on Leno.

Plus, many of those that supported him decided to shift to someone they pewrcieve as being more electable, a real outsider, that also had military experience.