(WP) Kerry Sees Lance Armstrong As a Politician

[truthpusher]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/24/AR2005072400334_pf.html

Kerry Sees Armstrong As a Politician
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By JOHN LEICESTER
The Associated Press
Sunday, July 24, 2005; 11:03 AM
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SAINT-ETIENNE, France -- Sen. John Kerry thinks Lance Armstrong would make a terrific politician _ but fears he'd be running for the other party.

Watching Armstrong during his warmup for Saturday's time trial, the Democrat from Massachusetts listed the Texan's winning qualities.

"What's made him so special at the Tour de France, and as an athlete, is the level of focus, discipline, intelligence, strategic ability, and obviously, his endurance _ his ability to just take it on and go," Kerry said.

Those qualities would serve Armstrong well in politics, Kerry said. But Armstrong is also friendly with fellow Texan President Bush.

"I think he'd be awesome, he'd be a force. I just hope it's for the right party," said Kerry, an avid cyclist and longtime fan of the Tour de France.

(snip)

complete story: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/24/AR2005072400334_pf.html

[BrklynLiberal]

1. I cannot see Armstrong as a repuke.

Sheryl Crow would NEVER allow it. :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

AND he has spent too much time in Europe. He has heard and seen the TRUTH, not just what the US media feeds the sheeple here in the states.


Lives in Austin...the center of progressive politics in Texas.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=1951346&mesg_id=1951378

[Rufus T. Firefly]

40. "Lance Armstrong, a liberal-Schwarzenegger Republican"

http://www.centristcoalition.com/blog/archives/002310.html

[BrklynLiberal]

46. Not according to this quote from an unofficial Lance Armstrong Fan Club

http://www.lancearmstrongfanclub.com/uktimesonline.html


Once we settle down to talk at a long wooden table, we are swapping stories about George W. Bush, his fellow Texan. We agree that our politics are different to Bush's, but that the President is smarter, funnier and more likeable than the caricature. Even Sheryl, whose politics Armstrong describes as "way out Left", says that it's hard to meet Bush and not like him. I had assumed, because he and Bush were Texans and I'd seen pictures of them laughing and joking in the Oval Office, that Armstrong was a Republican. But he says his politics are "middle to Left". He is "against mixing up State and Church, not keen on guns, pro women's right to choose". And very anti war in Iraq.

So the "summit" has begun and here I am, thinking that I'd be getting hours of top-quality insight for my triathlon training, and, instead, it's like I am back in my old job, defending military action, defending the Bush-Blair relationship, insisting we did the right thing and saying, long term, it will make the world a safer place. But Armstrong is screwing up his face and he won't have it. "I don't like what the war has done to our country, to our economy," he says. "My kids will be paying for this war for some time to come. George Bush is a friend of mine and just as I say it to you, I'd say to him, 'Mr President, I'm not sure this war was such a good idea', and the good thing about him is he could take that."

[Lisa]

53. it's good-hearted of him to give Bush the benefit of the doubt

But based on previous reports about George W.'s personality, I'm not convinced that he would be so easygoing about someone who disagreed with him, especially in public. He might smile for the cameras, but would give him one of his infamous dirty looks at the first opportunity.

Or invite Lance to go for a bike ride around the ranch, then stick a spoke in his wheel!

[BrklynLiberal]

58. That is probably exactly what * would do!!!

Or invite Lance to go for a bike ride around the ranch, then stick a spoke in his wheel!

[imenja]

2. I think he's a Democrat

that's my hunch. I've seen him hold back smirks when asked about Bush.

[geek tragedy]

3. Armstrong would definitely be a Texas Democrat--doesn't like

guns, isn't a Christian, center-left in his politics, opposed the Iraq war, loves France . . .

[Isere]

28. If he isn't a Christian,

then why was he wearing a crucifix on the Tour?

[geek tragedy]

32. I should clarify--he's very secular and a big fan of the separation

of church and state.

[peacebird]

35. he is definitely an athiest. Has said so. Has no patience for the church.

so why he wears the medallion I do not know. But it is not a crucifix - it is a cross superimposed on an outline of the state of Texas.

[tammywammy]

54. I believe I read

that the necklace was a gift during his recovery from cancer. He thinks of it more of a good luck token like a rabbit's foot, than in any religious sense.

[sakabatou]

36. Kinda like Molly Ivins

[theophilus]

4. Correct me if I'm wrong. Definitely a great athlete but I have heard

that Lance is a bit of a pRick. I would think that would help him fit in on either side of the aisle, unfortunately. Oui ou non?

[BrklynLiberal]

6. Source?

[theophilus]

10. I can't give a definite, but I heard a piece on the telly.

They talked about his fiery temper and disposition and about his divorcing his wife? Is that true? Did he divorce the wife that was with him through his cancer? Correct me if I'm wrong (or the show was wrong). I just got the impression he is somewhat selfish.....

[imenja]

13. everything has been said about Lance

He never had cancer, he takes performance enhancing drugs, on and on. Most of it is fiction. I would, however, imagine that his single minded determination as an athlete does mean he places less priority on everything else, including his wife and kids.

[theophilus]

17. I wish him well and greatly admire his athletic abilities. I hope he

finds peace and will grow as a human being. I'm in the same boat.

[tinrobot]

42. He quit cycling to be with his kids.

To compete at that level, you have to give up something. So, yes, I'm sure he did have to prioritize cycling over being a dad.

I think it's great that he chose to be with his kids while they were still fairly young. Seeing his kids with him on the podium today, you can tell they're now top priority.

[BrklynLiberal]

44. That is what I heard too.That he retired now so he could be with his kids.

[BrklynLiberal]

16. It was his mother that nursed him thru the cancer.

So much for that "fact".

How Lance and Kristin met:
They met in January 1997 at the "Ride for the Roses" charity event, which was a few weeks after Lance had completed intense chemotherapy to treat testicular cancer.

Wedding Date:
Lance and Kristin were married on May 8, 1998, in Santa Barbara, California.

Divorce:
Kristin and Lance announced their separation from one another on February 24, 2003. After a brief reconciliation in June, 2003, the couple filed for divorce in September, 2003 and divorced in December.

Lance's Relationship with Sheryl Crow:
Lance Armstrong has been dating award winning musician Sheryl Crow. They met at the Grand Slam for Children event in Las Vegas in October, 2003.
Their relationship became public shortly after his divorce from Kristin.

http://marriage.about.com/cs/celebritymarriages/a/lancekristin.htm

[djg21]

Any athelete is, but cyclists . . .

have to be. Imagine a life that revolves around training, eating, training again, eating more, and sleeping. Then factor in time for commitments to sponsors, media events, etc. For medical and massage. Then, factor in traveling to races, and racing. Keep in mind that virtually all maopr pro racing events are in Europe, and that you have to spend a saom much time there each year-- from the late winter/early spring, through the next fall -- that you nown a second home there. That doesn't leave much time for family back in Texas.

[djg21]

56. Any athelete is, but cyclists . . .

have to be. Imagine a life that revolves around training, eating, training again, eating more, and sleeping. Then factor in time for commitments to sponsors, media events, etc. For medical and massage. Then, factor in traveling to races, and racing. Keep in mind that virtually all maopr pro racing events are in Europe, and that you have to spend a saom much time there each year-- from the late winter/early spring, through the next fall -- that you nown a second home there. That doesn't leave much time for family back in Texas.

[keith the dem]

21. Was a prick

A long time ago, while working at a bike race, I was on the receiving end of that temper/ego. I also got to observe the personality change in the post cancer Lance.

He is still extremely driven however, not a quality that makes for a good marriage, but is absolutely necessary to win 7 TDF's.

Put it this way, he is not the person you want to have a beer with, but to lead your team or organization, maybe.

[Greeby]

25. Good

We need more pricks in US politics and less batshit insane right-wingers

:P

[alfredo]

26. To be where he is, a team leader, role model, he has a lot

on the line. If during a race someone pulls a dangerous stunt, Lance will be on them like white on rice. He will protect his teammates. Today a competitor broke convention, causing a crash involving teammate Hincape. Lance caught up to the guy and gave him a few choice words. Even Lance's competitors bitch-slapped this upstart.

Lance has to be an asshole, lives and careers are at stake.

When he was a young rider he was brash and arrogant, but events have changed him. the death of a teammate, and his near death made him grow up. Still his youthful arrogance brought on by early success still haunts him.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

48. He had a reputation of being rather cocky early in his career.

But I think that was before cancer. He's matured a bit sincs then.

[Heddi]

51. A friend of mine is a professional cyclist and

she participates in velodrome races around the Pacific North West. She's very highly regarded in her class of racers and has won several awards.

In 2002 she had the opportunity to meet Lance Armstrong, someone that she viewed as a hero and inspiration--not so much for his cancer (She is a cancer survivor as well), but just for his talent in the sport of cycling.

She prepared herself to meet him, what to say--she was afraid of being a geeky 'fan' and gushing and being dorky around him.

She said that when she got to meet him, he was the most standoffish RUDE person she'd ever met. Because she had won an award, she was supposed to receive a 'private audience' with Lance for about 15 minutes--just some photo-op thing for her and her racing club.

She said he was rude, totally dismissed her achievements in cycling, and EVERYONE there was very unimpressed with him. He refused to shake the hand of another winner saying "Hey, man, I don't know where that hand has been" and then said to my friend (regarding her battle with and victory over uterine cancer) "That's nothing" and walked away from her.

her entire bike club was very disappointed with the illustrious Mr. Armstrong. My friend was convinced that he was just having an off day, in a bad mood, not feeling well, whatever, but she has heard from other people who not only met him, but who know him and have worked with him professionally that he's not too nice to 'underlings' in the cycling circuit. He really does hold himself as being 'better' than those who struggled like he did in the early days of his career, and feels that anyone who hasn't qualified as a cyclist to participate in the Tour de France is unworthy of his time.

[Cha]

5. Pictures from yesterday of

Kerry and Lance..thanks to globalvillage..


Sheryl's in there too!..
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1951346#1951419

[imenja]

8. you can tell Sheryl Crow likes Kerry

[Cha]

9. Yes, and I don't think

it would go over at all for Lance to run as repthug.

[imenja]

12. and Lance is from Austin--a progressive oasis

I lived in Austin for many years. Though they say it's become more conservative as it's grown larger over the last few years.

[Lorien]

27. Isn't she quite liberal?

didn't she wear anti-* shirts at various concerts?

[Cha]

34. I remember being very fond of

Sherly Crow..leading up to the War On Iraq because of her anti-Iraq War stance..tee shirts and all.

I found this from way back in 1996 on walmart boycotting her albums.

"1996 - Wal-Mart refuses to carry Sheryl Crow's self-titled second album because one of the songs contains an unflattering comment about the discount retailer's gun sales policy."

http://themunciescene.com/journal/content/view/24/56/1/1/

[imenja]

38. I think so

not sure about the t shirts, but you can tell just by the photo that she voted for Kerry.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

43. She certainly is no big fan of Bush LOL

[truthpusher]

11. Thanks - I added one of the photo's nt

[Placebo]

30. Fantastic!

Thanks! :toast:

[newscott]

7. Just what we need another politician from Texas

Just say no, Lance!

[geek tragedy]

14. Democratic winners in Red States are always welcome. eom

[blm]

15. Most of us SUPPORT lefty and Dem politicians from Texas. Why don't you?

What reason could a person possibly have for rejecting left of center Democrats from Texas?

[QC]

22. Well, it's not like we need to win some elections or anything, you know.

:eyes:

[Cha]

19. What is your problem..you were

on about this Yesterday!?

[Placebo]

29. So all politicians from Texas are bad?

:eyes:

[bunkerbuster1]

59. A reminder that the prep-school brat currently residing at 1600 penn.

ave., is NOT from Texas.

[ClintonTyree]

18. "Friendly with Bush"............

I guess that doesn't mean that he necessarily LIKES him. I'm friendly with the pitbull down the street, but I'm not going to put my hand through the fence to pet him.
I don't know though. It's been my experience that SOME Texans are too caught up in the "Texas mystique" :eyes: to see things clearly. The premise that being from Texas automatically makes you some sort of super-human, better than the rest individual gets pretty old sometimes. Like the "typical" Texan portrayed on "The Simpsons".
SOME TEXANS! I didn't say ALL Texans! I don't want DU Texans jumping down my throat. ;)

[geek tragedy]

20. His personal like or dislike of * is irrelevant: what matters are his

beliefs and what policies he would support and oppose.

[truthpusher]

23. I heard that Armstrongs heart is actually larger than most...

...peoples...This might disqualify him from entering the political arena :spray:

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

24. The dude speaks French.

"I'm sorry. I've said too much." - Karl Rove




Edit to add the HORROR: They both speak French! :scared:

[lateo]

31. Let's hope he isn't being recruited by the DLC.

[Name removed]

33. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[skygazer]

37. Wow, a Texas politician who can ride a bicycle?

That would be a change....

[JohnnyBoots]

39. Nicely done.

[deminks]

41. "Tour de Lance"

I heard this on CBS tonight, thought it was great.

[daleo]

45. Conservatives tend to sneer at cyclists

So, I just can't see Lance Armstrong being very conservative.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

47. Oh no, Texas Repubs LOVE their Lance, mainly because he's a guy from TX

who won something. Doesn't matter if most of 'em didn't know squat about cycling.

Of course most of them would probably turn on him in a heartbeat if he declared as a Dem and disagreed with shrubco policies.

[digno dave]

49. Put a cork in it, John

[CAcyclist]

50. Bicyclists' Revenge

If he did decide to run, maybe he could pass a strict liability law for motorists. And enforce our right to the road.

[goforit]

52. Boring!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mz Pip]

55. This is dumb

He rides a bicycle for crissake! Yeah, he's cool and has name recognition, but give me a break.

We have a governor here, in CA, who had name recognition. Well, you get the idea.

We don't need any more people deciding to jump on the political bandwagon who know diddly squat about the political scene.

That said, Lance Armstrong could do a better job than the Chimpster.
But then, so could I.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[SlavesandBulldozers]

57. well

ok im not going to say it.

[bunkerbuster1]

60. I pity the fool who'd stand between Lance and the Gov's mansion

should he decide to run, and I think he probably will, based on what he'd slyly mentioned in an Outside magazine interview.

Won't be for a few years, but he's beloved in Texas, and the guy has proven that he is tough and determined.