Reply #148: See, I take issue with this characterization:

[ProSense]

"I mean, granted, Kerry's not Mr. Charisma or Mr. Campaign Trail Dynamism"


Whether it was working the caucuses in Nevada or Texas, Kerry knows how to campaign and work a crowd.

And from 2004:

They roared for actor Ben Affleck and a host of local, state and national Democrats, including Gov. Ed Rendell. They cheered for Mr. Kerry's wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, and for Elizabeth Edwards, the wife of vice-presidential nominee, Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina.

But the most raucous applause came when Mr. Kerry took the stage, visibly amazed at the size of the crowd on such a wilting afternoon.

"No wonder they call Scranton 'The Electric City,'" Mr. Kerry said, bringing a roar that would be repeated again and again as he highlighted his plans for what he termed, "taking back America."

After his speech, Mr. Kerry joined Mr. Edwards in shaking hands and signing autographs at the edge of the crowd. Both signed banners for Kathleen Bressi, a Kerry volunteer and kindergarten teacher from Old Forge. It was the pinnacle of what she said was a long, hot day.

"It was absolutely worth it," she said. "I think these guys are going to make it. We need our industry to come home, we need our troops to come home, we need better education. That's why need them."

Kerry is one of the best campaigners around.