Why does Obama OWE Kerry anything? ANY Dem candidate in '04 would have featured Obama as DNC keynote

[Unsane]

The argument is made that Senator Kerry launched President-elect Obama into the national spotlight by inviting him as keynote speaker for the 2004 DNC.

I like Kerry a lot and am just playing Devil's Advocate here, but I think pretty much any Democratic candidate for president in 2004 would have featured Obama in that role. It was indeed conventional thinking at the time that Barack Obama was THE rising star of the Democratic Party, and was the shoe-in to serve as '04 keynote speaker. While Kerry has served admirably as an Obama advocate subsequent to that, I think many may be awarding too much credit to him for Obama's placement at the '04 DNC.

That being said, Kerry has a lot of roles out there--principally as the new chair of the SFRC.

[politicasista]

1. Yep. People here would love for him to be marginalized and ignored

Because he is sooo boring and ain't tough enough to be in Obama's cabinet. And he ain't a people person either. I will never, ever forgive him for caving under pressure in Ohio and 2004. He is a loser, but I like him.

:sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm:

Ok, I just feel like biting sarcasm today.

[Egnever]

2. You just making this shit up as you go along?

It was indeed conventional thinking at the time that Barack Obama was THE rising star of the Democratic Party.


Where the hell you get that idea?

[JI7]

3. not really, Clinton picked Bayh and Gore picked Harold Ford

and look at how Obama picked Warner.

[MarjorieG]

4. So many don't understand Kerry's skills in foreign relations, why he would have been great president

They also don't know what he contributed, advice given to Obama this cycle.

It's not owing, but the best person for the job. I wish the resenters from 2004 understood a little more.

[seabeyond]

7. many people on the board give a knee jerk criticism of kerry that is rw talking point, bullshit, or

lie ,..... too.

lol lol

kerry would be great in many positions, i think

[seabeyond]

5. i certainly dont see obama "owing" and i doubt that is how kerry sees things, ....

having watched his character the last four years and more.

i dont know or care about the argument of "owing". i have argued from beginning obama doesnt owe hillary either when people suggest that

i do think they respect each other and kerry would do a good job if obama wants to put him some place and kerry wants the position. i would be all for it. and i would be all for kerry sittin in senate forever cause i think he is one of our better senators....

[JI7]

6. Obama doesn't owe Kerry anything and it's insulting to Kerry to say he does

when there are many other good reasons for picking him for sec of state .

[seabeyond]

9. exactly. what, where is this "owe" bullshit. n/t

[firedupdem]

8. I understand the political games that get played over and over

again but I feel that if anybody is OWED anything, it's US! Tax paying citizens who deserve some real leadership. I would like Obama to put the best people in the best positions who are capable of doing the best job for US. I don't care who they are and where they go. I'm sure Kerry, Clinton, and the rest will get placed where they can best serve US! I don't like the OWE thing. We did a lot to get Obama elected, money, canvassing, and the most important thing..voting! Let him do his thing and pass a few laws before we get too caught up!

[saracat]

10. Conventional thinking that Obama was "The " rising star? Seriously?

By whom? He was a defeated congressional candidate who had just won a Senate seat against Alan Keyes , who was the equivalent of running unopposed. Gimme a break. Kerry signaled Obama out before anyone else. I am not sure if he is "owed" anything but in the political vernacular, there is quid pro quo ,and there is no question that Kerry worked his butt off and promoted Obama as well as initially recognizing him. Usually such folks merit reward.

[iamjoy]

13. Not Exactly

At the time of the convention, Obama had not yet beaten Keyes. In fact, Obama was tapped before Ryan had officially withdrawn.

As I recall, Obama had a huge following in Illinois. He won a 6 way Democratic primary with a majority (not just a plurality) of the vote.

He's African American, and we like our political rallies to reflect the diversity of our party.

He's a gifted speaker.

So, there was much to recommend Obama.

I hope Obama doesn't tap Kerry to "reward" him for any assistance or recognition. I hope he taps Kerry because the junior senator from Massachusetts and former presidential candidate is really the best darn person to do the job in question.

[saracat]

18. Okay, hadn't yet beaten Keyes and he had recently "lost " an Illinois congressional race..

He is a gifted speaker and he is part African American but he wasn't a considered "rising star" by "conventional knowledge." He may have had a following in Illinois but most folks had never heard of him. Kerry certainly gave him a shot. It could have just as easily been Deval Patrick.I don't like quid pro quo decisions but every administration makes them. It is just the way it is. I am sure Kerry will be offered something and BTW, just because he may be rewarded, doesn't mean he also might not be the best for the job.The two things aren't mutually exclusive!

[Captain Hilts]

11. I agree completely. He would have spoken no matter who the '04 nominee was.

And Kerry, and the Kennedys couldn't deliver Massachusetts in the primary.

He has ZERO coat-tails.

[liberalpragmatist]

12. I don't agree

He was still just a Senate candidate -- the keynote typically goes to someone who is a newly-elected governor, congressman or senator.

He might have been the keynote with someone else. But it's very possible someone like Jennifer Granholm (who in real-life was almost selected) would have been selected.

That doesn't mean I think Kerry should be Secretary of State -- he'd be a good choice, but he would also do well in the Senate (where he'll be chair of the Foreign Relations Committee). All I'm saying is that there were other choices besides Obama and Obama was NOT a typical pick.

[saracat]

19. I agree!

[TheKentuckian]

14. I think its clear that Kerry scouted Obama out

I think its even clearer that Kerry is at least arguably the most qualified person we have for just about any political position.

It is clear to me that this is a man that I'd love to see make a serious impression on this administration and future ones.

What is in question is the entire concept of "owing favors" or that Kerry wants anything based on that kind of thinking.

[backscatter712]

15. I think Obama and Kerry are adult enough to think more about...

What's good for the the country and what's good for the party than who owes whom how many favors. I'd like to think that Obama and Kerry operate from a relationship of mutual respect.

[politicasista]

16. Excellent post

This Obama owes _______ something is weird. :)

[Danger Mouse]

17. I don't think Kerry is owed anything. I think Kerry would want the job...

based purely on the merits of his worth, not because he's owed something. That's the kind of guy Kerry is...he doesn't need a favor, he kicks ass enough to do the job anyway.
I think Kerry has done a LOT for Obama, though.