John Kerry trying to build support to fight for Roe V. Wade

[Robert Oak]

The email:

This much is clear already. Judge Roberts is no Sandra Day O'Connor.

Last night we learned that President Bush wants to replace a woman who voted to uphold Roe v. Wade with a man who argued against Roe v. Wade, and that sends a clear signal that this White House remains bent on opening old wounds and dividing America.

There are big questions that must be answered involving Judge Roberts' judicial philosophy as demonstrated over his short time on the appellate court. The Senate must learn whether he has a clear, consistent commitment to upholding Constitutional standards like civil rights, the right to privacy, and Roe v. Wade. These issues are in serious question if you take even a cursory glance at his record.

We need to ask the tough questions to determine whether John Roberts is the nominee who will give America a Court that is fair, independent, ethical and committed to Constitutional freedoms rather than an ideological agenda, and I promise you I will do everything in my power to assure that no question is sidestepped.

Throughout every step of the confirmation process, I will keep you informed about the questions that need to be asked, the answers we need to demand, and the principles we need to defend. It's impossible to overstate the importance of this moment.

As the U.S. Senate discharges one of its most important responsibilities, I will be active and vigilant. I hope you will do the same, beginning right now. Start by sharing a few words about your personal feelings on the importance of this Supreme Court nomination.

You can submit your comments or questions here:

http://www.johnkerry.com/action/share /

Thank you,

John Kerry

=====================================

Why is it I like John Kerry more after the election and believe in him more as time goes by?

[sandnsea]

1. I don't know Robert Oak

Dammit, we tried to tell you. This is who he really is.

Glad you're coming around, it's huge converting Robert Oak!!

Not that he's always perfect, I hear he made a few wacky votes yesterday that we don't quite understand. But he's right where I want him to be 90% of the time.

[Robert Oak]

11. LOL I voted for him and pegged him to win in Iowa

We worked hard and with others to influence his economic policy...
those guys, all architects of the disaster of Clinton's trade policy
really were modifying policy and realizing some things.

This is our position, sane policy that is strategic, but it's not simple, there are no "black and white" answers and Kerry's economic advisor, especially the last two months created pages and pages of policy that truly were great, truly subtle, moving in a contigous fashion to the direction of strategic trade that gave power to labor
and the middle class. It's our opinion that a strong middle class makes
a nation a 1st world economic power.

Are you being sarcastic in thinking we didn't support him? From the beginning we were there. See his position paper on offshore outsourcing! (It's still up on the forum).

I do believe in John Kerry but just it appears like after he got up
and was done kicking himself for not blasting Swifties, it seems like he is even more coming out and calling things as they are...
he needed to do this more during the campaign and previous to the campaign he was too cautious in the Senate (last couple of terms).

[Son of California]

2. Right on

If it was Kerry making this pick, he would of chose a REAL moderate and a women -maybe even a black woman, and there would be no argument.
Let's hope he gets a cozy spot in the Hillary White House, hehe.

[blm]

20. Actually, I think he would have chosen someone further left than moderate

because Kerry understands the need for liberal influences in the law.

He was always against the death penalty and against criminalization of pot smoking. He wanted medical marijuana to be made legal.

[Dr Fate]

3. I signed this. I like how he leaves a space for comments.

I hope someone is reading them.

[second edition]

4. I'm happpy he is asking! I'm definately commenting! n/t

[William769]

5. You mean he's finally getting some balls?

[paulk]

6. what's your point, William 769?

other than disruption?

[Mass]

7. Some of the most courageous people in the world dont have any

(half of the population)

So his point is really mute.

[paulk]

8. LOL - how true

he's not worth listening to, either...

[Robert Oak]

12. come back line to peg and remember! n/t

[blm]

15. I keep forgetting that it was YOU who uncovered IranContra and BCCI and

helped end three wars and advocated for gays to serve openly in the military and offered the first ever gay-friendly legislation in the Senate.

[AuntiBush]

9. Thanks. Left my 3 cents and some.

Isn't it amazing. Senator Kerry emails us and wants to know how we feel. Does our President give a damn? We all know the answer to that one.

[FreedomAngel82]

33. Right

I love how we can put input as well. I told my feelings and piece of mind. I remember hearing how on Bush's website they had running during the campaigning that they did have a message board but they took it away and then they made it to where ONLY U.S. citizen's could come on the site. John Kerry had a message board and to where you could post on the blog after signing up.

[Eloriel]

10. Aw, shoot. Ya had me goin' there for a minute

with your OP topic line:

"John Kerry trying to build support to fight for Roe V. Wade"

I thought you meant he was actually DOING something -- like, you know, line up fillibuster or at least "no" votes.

But nope. Just another petition thingy. Words, words, words, specifically: ask questions. YEAH, that'll get him!!! That'll foil Bush. That'll defeat the nominee. That'll save Roe. Wow.

/NOT.

Sure was hoping to see some ACTION from Mr. Kerry. Disappointed again.

[Robert Oak]

13. gee wiz aren't you jumping the gun?

first he has to build support
then he has to gain consensus in the Senate...not easy with some of the roll over Democrats

then there is strategy

but the biggest thing:

THE HEARINGS HAVEN'T EVEN STARTED! Go comment on his website you want
hard core action and then judge him when the hearings start.

If you want him to act, support him! He's put up legislation for small business and attempts to get at least some health care going and everything is getting squished like a bug!

[Name removed]

14. Deleted message

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

[Robert Oak]

16. i have no idea who you are talking to

but I don't believe I've ever posting a Kerry blast/putdown/criticism of strategy to block conservatives or whatever your problem is or what are you referring to.

[LittleClarkie]

17. Um follow the thread

The person you went "gee wiz" at.

Not you. Someone who's permanently pissed at Kerry. As evidenced by the snark in his/her post.

[Robert Oak]

18. ah thx for clarification

another person thought I was anti-Kerry also in this thread.
Christ during the campaign
I practically was working around the clock trying to get him elected...
even locally I was a walking advertisement to anyone who will listen everywhere I went.

I still am depressed at all of that work behind the scenes, all of those
economic advisors, all of that advancement, modifications to massive global economic policy. It's a complete bitch to turn around those trade policies and start creating a level playing field without creating a "glitch" in the economy and making sure it's a smooth transition and they were working so hard. It just sucks, such research, right in the trash.

We still think all(minus our heros the usual guys where almost nothing gets by them: Defazio, Sanders) in the Democratic party are screwed on immigration positions and are too chicken to create a practical solution to counter and work with the conservatives, plus approach it from labor economics and national security...which currently it's "what multinationals want" policy, but that's about it.

[jillan]

19. Kerry ROCKS!

He is the number one senator that is standing up against those morons!

Kerry said he would continue to fight for us, and he is.
I was a huge supporter of Kerry last year, but I swear, I am even more impressed with him now.

(leave the negative comments elsewhere - he doesn't deserve it)

[TheFarseer]

21. I wonder if Roe v. Wade was overturned

if that would bring the radical left out of the woodwork just like the original decision brought the radical right out of the woodwork and we would win elections like you wouldn't believe? I haven't seen a current poll on abortion. Last I saw some years ago, pro-choice was a clear winner.

[rockymountaindem]

24. I think that upwards of 65% of people want Roe v. Wade to stay.

Check www.pollingreport.com for up to the date polls. It's a good site.

[ginnyinWI]

28. fully two-thirds of the population favor a woman's right to choose

If they would ever DARE to overturn Roe v. Wade, they'd never win another election! And I think they must realize this--they can read polls. Anything you hear hinting at it is just for the sake of that fraction of their base that wants it overturned--they keep promising them and not delivering, true to form.
Really the only ones they are interested in actually delivering the goods to are the corporate donors. Big money is their true master.

[FreedomAngel82]

34. That's my belief too

If they do over turn Roe V Wade they'll want other things that their politicians can't deliver. They know also where the public stands and could lose a lot of potential voters that could swing it their way so I don't think they'll do it. It'll be politicial suicide I think. Besides, what else would they have to talk about??

[ginnyinWI]

36. right

They'd lose their precious wedge issue that they trot out for every election. Then all they'd have is gay marriage to scare people with.

[rosesaylavee]

22. Thanks for the post, Robert

I love this guy and appreciate that he is still fighting for what is right. I worked on his campaign - went to a neighbor state to help out there. I would certainly vote for him again as I think he is a genuine hero and one of our very best public servants ever. I sign everything he works on.

I would suggest that those in the forum who think he is not doing enough to please list what he/she thinks Kerry **should** be doing. What first step is the right action if not gaining consensus?

[garthranzz]

26. Kerry thinks deeply and acts deliberately

I'm only halfway through Tour of Duty, but it's already clear the type of man John Kerry is. He is a man of principle (unlike the usurper at 1600 PA Ave), but he will also listen. There's a simple reason Kerry didn't protest or sue, though he knew he won: Al Gore. The "mainstream" media made Gore irrelevant, sour grapes, etc. - even though he, too, won. A challenge would go to Repub dominated chambers.

He knows the limits and rules in Washedup and is playing within them. Is he perfect? No. But I believe he is a man of integrity - and tha's rare these days.

So I'm sending him my comments.

(They're simple: if Bush nominates someone, apply the rule guilty until proven innocent.)

[rosesaylavee]

30. I will have to pick that book up

and I will try to find a 2008 bumper sticker supporting him - probably on his website... I think a Kerry/Joe Wilson ticket would be hard to beat.

[FreedomAngel82]

35. I have that book too

I haven't had time to read all of it but I'll try to read some more of it sometime before school starts back for me (college). But so far it's a great book. Kerry is truly one of the best.

[realFedUp]

23. Maybe he can lean on the "14" to get off their asses

and actually filibuster this guy.

[unlawflcombatnt]

25. John Kerry

I, too, am liking John Kerry more all the time. I just hope he's become a little stronger on his opposition to outsourcing. He seemed to oppose it, but he didn't always seem that adamant about it. But he was far better than Bush.

I already have a "Kerry 2008" bumper sticker on my car. The only way it's coming off is if Kerry drops out of the race. I don't always agree with him, but I do on most issues.

[Robbins]

27. Kerry

If he fights against Roberts while others show gutless I may be
supporting him for the nomination in 2008. I just hope he can handle
iraq better,and be tougher on the right wingers like the Swift boaters.

[rosesaylavee]

29. Welcome Robbins!

My sister also lives in Missouri and votes Democrat. Welcome to DU from someone new here too.

[newyawker99]

31. Hi Robbins!!

Welcome to DU!!

[LittleClarkie]

32. Eh, I'll keep my 2008 sticker

I'll just be rooting for his Senate race all the way from Wisconsin.

[rosesaylavee]

37. Question re school

Hi - did you by any chance go to clarke college?

[LittleClarkie]

38. Nope, I went the university route

first community college (Waukesha County) and then University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee. Kinda sucked for journalism, but that's where I went. It was what I could afford. Made it through 4 1/2 years without student loans, so I must have done something right. But that was back in the day, when you could do such things. (mid-80s)