The Kerry v. Weld Debates

[mb7588a]

I was inspired by another thread to take a look at the Kerry/Weld debates. I've heard on TV and from professors that these debates were "among the best in American history."

From all accounts, it was a battle of political idols. These were guys that younger people in similar offices aspire to be like. But, both had problems with their record. Kerry had trouble explaining what exactly he had accomplished as a Senator. Weld had credibility problems.

I haven't been able to find full transcripts of any of the debates, though. Just little snippets here and there. They are definitely something the Rovebots will look at when they formulate their offense v. John Kerry.

The Concord Monitor has an excellent assessment of the whole campaign and debates here: http://www.cmonitor.com/stories/news/politics2003/1996_kerry_weld_2003.shtml

[tigereye]

1. boy, Weld was really smug on Charlie Rose the other night

I don't remember him being quite so smug when I had seen him talk before. He was also really jowly. Boy Mass Politics are sure complicated!

[dolstein]

2. A battle of two bluebloods

John Kerry had the good fortune of running against someone who's blood was even bluer than his.

Bush has been able to get away with murder in terms of casting himself as a good 'ol boy from Midland, Texas. The fact is, this guy was educated at the best prep schools in the country and got into Yale as a legacy. If the Democrats ran a true working class hero against him, they could expose Bush for what he is. They can't do that if Kerry is their nominee. That's why I'm backing Edwards -- he's the perfect candidate to run against Bush.

[tigereye]

3. when I see Bush spitting, patting his wife on the butt, etc

it makes me sick. He is such a phoney in every way. All this courtesy of David Letterman, too.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

4. I am very disturbed by portayals of Kerry vs. Bush as "same difference"

probably because there exists the possibility (however remote) that it is true. But then.....
I look at the records and that whole myth vanishes in a puff of smoke.

[saltpoint]

5. NewYorkerfrom Mass --

-- I agree with you that it's disturbing to hear some people claim "same difference" with Bush and Kerry.

My thought on that is this: it is possible to ingest too much animal tranquilizer. These people need help.

If a thoughtful person cannot make distinctions as abruptly sharp as between Kerry's self-accomplished adult and Bush's puerile chimp, he or she should seek professional counsel at once.

To those suffering this affliction: we wish you the best, but are not credentialed here at DU to treat a psychosis of such severity.

[dolstein]

6. Sorry, but Kerry won't be able to tag Bush as enemy of the working class

The messenger matters as much as the message. And John Edwards, the son of a mill worker, is far better positioned to make the case against Bush than the patrician Kerry.

[saltpoint]

8. I'll support Edwards if --

-- he is our nominee, but the point raised in the original post here does not involve Edwards' appeal, but the inability by some to make distinctions between Senator Kerry and George Bush.

I argued through exaggeration and hyperbole that Bush was an unaccomplished, unchallenged man.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

7. just imagine the Green party commercials

The list of similarities between Bush and Kerry - everything from their Yalie aristocratic families to their votes for the War and the Patriot Act ... let's just say the 2004 version of "Gush vs. Bore" will be even better.

[blm]

10. You're wrong. Kerry is the greenest candidate in the race.

Those in the green party who value environmental issues will NOT go after Kerry, especially since he'd be the most liberal Democratic candidate in the last 50 years.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

9. "Mr. October"

"I think Kerry was Mr. October," Kerry strategist John Marttila told the Globe on election night. "He took over in October. No one will ever underestimate John Kerry again. I just believed once we got John onto the playing field fulltime, we were going to win."

Kerry had risen to the challenge of his career, a feat he largely pulled out in the fall - after he brought on veteran Washington political consultant Bob Shrum, after he had honed his message, after he'd hit the trail for a half- dozen campaign stops a day and after he showed voters that he really, really wanted the job.

"How sweet it is," Kerry said on election night. "What a long, strange trip this has been."

For his part, Weld was upbeat in defeat, the Globe reported. He said Kerry deserved "a great deal of political and personal credit" for his victory.

Today, Weld offers high praise for Kerry's 1996 performance. Kerry "reared himself on his hind legs and said 'Come on now, folks' and ran a very good race the last month and a half," Weld said.
http://www.cmonitor.com/stories/news/politics2003/1996_kerry_weld_2003.shtml