Maybe this will encourage you...

[ray of light]

But someone I know who is brave enough to still watch CNN and Fox told me that she thinks the Republicans feel very, very threatened still by Senator Kerry. She said, "When you see their talking heads they turn very RED and angry and very defensive. You can tell by their body language that they're scared of the power he has and the fact that he 'nearly' defeated Bush." (Frankly, the 'nearly' is in quotes because he probably would have defeated him without all the 'funny stuff' during the election 04.

She thinks CNN is pushing for Hillary in 08 and that they seem to want Hillary to be the one running. Hillary's name does bring in big bucks for them. (And people love to hate Hillary which really increases their ratings and profits.)

So...what do you think?

[TayTay]

1. He is a powerful voice in DC of opposition.

He has not faded away, per the usual script. He has a strong voice in opposition to the Admin policies. We saw this earlier in the year at the Social Security forum in NYC. Sen. Clinton specifically thanked Sen. Kerry for doing the appearance at Pace University. Kerry got huge applause there and he spoke like a 'Shadow President.' It has been that way at times this year and will be again.

Kerry is still in there, still kicking. He is a constant reminder of what might have been. Every time the Admin screws up or enters even worse moral grounds (indictments, Katrina, etc.) there is Sen. Kerry, still there, still showing that there is an alternative. Of course they fear and resent him. He hasn't gone away. He took their worst shots and is still there. (He didn't stay down. He got back up again. I just love that.)

[FreedomAngel82]

29. Exactly

Instead of like past presidential nominee's who have failed Kerry is still very out there. He still keeps in touch with supporters and everything too. I love it too. *sigh*

[jillan]

2. He is their guilt trip.

Everytime they see Kerry, the know they shouldn't have messed with those machines -:tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat:

And they know they shouldn't have LIED about him.

[rosesaylavee]

3. Kerry has been very combative this year and unrelenting

in his barrage of criticisms lobbed from the Senate floor. They should be afraid of him because

a.) He's at least pretty well entrenched in the Senate
b.) He's got nothing to lose now by criticizing the WH - he's certainly earned the right to do so given the stolen election.
c.) He's smarter than most of them and his points are well thought out and delivered.
d.) They may see him run again in 2008 - and I think, if he does run, the gloves will be off.

[politicasista]

4. Hi roseaylavee!

See you a lot out in GD. Welcome. :hi:

[rosesaylavee]

6. Have donated so now I can post here too.

Thanks for the for welcome!

:hi:

[wisteria]

8. Glad to have you here! Welcome. n/t

[ginnyinWI]

9. welcome rosesaylavee!

We're just starting our second year as a group--the more the merrier!

[FreedomAngel82]

30. Hi rosesaylavee!

Welcome to the Kerry forum! If you're a Kerrycat you'll love it here. :)

[rosesaylavee]

40. Well not sure I am full blown Kerrycat :)

but I am just not letting go of the stolen election of 04... just yet. I admire Kerry greatly and am grateful for his continuing national presence tho he really is just MA's senator now.

[Vektor]

41. Give it time, rosesaylavee!

Hang out here long enough and you'll learn to love him as much as we all do, perhaps! The environment out in GD can be toxic.

Glad to have you here - welcome to the Kerry group! :hi:

[fedupinBushcountry]

7. Welcome Aboard !!!

Glad to have you here. Your points are right on the mark.

:patriot: :hi:

[_dynamicdems]

12. Good points!

For all of the points you mention, Senator Kerry is probably viewed as "dangerous" on both sides of the aisle.

Kerry with the gloves off. Something tells me this would be a beautiful thing to behold!

[BlueIris]

15. Yes, welcome!

And...shhh...don't tell...but I'm pretty sure he's at least going to run.

[TayTay]

17. Hey welcome to the Kerry forum!

It's nice to have you here. You are most welcome!

:patriot:

[rosesaylavee]

18. Thanks all - nice to be able to contribute

What a nice welcome!

:grouphug:

[emulatorloo]

5. I finally saw the Kerry Iraq speech - real clear that this bugged GWB

and explains at least to me the hateful rhetoric spewed by Bush on Veterans Day.

Kerry clearly got under his skin.

[JI7]

11. there is something about Kerry that does that

i don't think Bush ever got over getting his ass kicked in the debates and how close the election was.

even with Al Gore he seemed to have more respect or at least no personal hatred. but with Kerry it's different. he even refuses to say his name.

a lot of it may have to do with Kerry being the type of guy he always hated. i read how Bush hated the liberals from college and the anti war people. with Kerry there is the added fact that Kerry served while BUsh didn't.

and of course Kerry is always out there reminding him of what he said during the campaign and calling out the Chimp.

[_dynamicdems]

13. Even with his money and powerful family, there is something that *

cannot buy or have Daddy hand to him: class.

John Kerry was born with class. He's a gentleman. No comparison. It would be like comparing Marcus Aurelius to Caligula.

[FreedomAngel82]

31. So true!

Even as a child and young adult he was so classy. He went off to war and came back and did the right thing by protesting. Plus, he and Teresa are charitable people and not rich fat cats. :loveya: You can tell the type of person Kerry is by how he treats people. :)

[ginnyinWI]

27. good points!

Kerry is indeed the Un-bush! The very thing * has always hated. They guy who was a real war hero and an anti-war activist, was born into privilege but had the character not to abuse it, and has moved up steadily in life without special help and without any detours into drugs and debauchery.

Kerry is a lot more like *'s father than * will ever hope to be--and I do think there is a strong Oedipal complex going on there. Deep down in his heart of hearts, * knows what a fraud his life has been. Sure, he lives by the values he grew up with, but there is always in the background those standard American values that we all understand, and he knows he wouldn't measure up to those if exposed for what he really is. There has to be a reason that he got into drugs and drinking in the first place.

And now Kerry remains, to threaten * by using the truth. The WH has been thrown into defensive mode (due to their own failures) and the truth is cutting deep.

[ginnyinWI]

10. this is indeed encouraging--I agree with all of the above comments

This, along with karynnj's thread about why DU doesn't like Kerry really gives reason to hope.
He's drawing fire from both sides of the river again, isn't he?
But there may just be a nice healthy Dem and Indy voting block who would be happy to have another chance at electing him.

If he weren't a threat to the GOP, he wouldn't be attracting this kind of attention--to the point that * refers to him in a speech!
A speech that only served to show the craven incompetence of our little boy prez. * would be smarter to never place himself in comparison to Kerry again.

[ray of light]

16. Don't forget kerry has that HUGE email list

and except for those who asked to be withdrawn he still has it.


AND...he's been using it to build more support that 'who' would refuse to help? Like for instance, his first bill to help provide for children...or to help the soldiers.... each mailing will keep those with him alert to what he's doing and also if they send it to others will help continue to maintain support.

As far as I know, Hillary doesn't have this. Or Feinstein.
Or Clark.

(I know Edwards still does and probably Dean (of course!) but Edwards isn't able to continue to fight Bush and make policy like Kerry.)

Conyers has one as does Boxer (because of their election reform stuff.

But I can tell you, I have seen people who were 'anti-kerry' turning the corner about the IWR just in the last week.

BUT...the primaries is where everyone will be trying to claw their way past him.

[karynnj]

24. I think Edwards' problem is less that he is not in office, but that he

really has a pretty slim resume. His career as a trial lawyer earned him a fortune and demonstrated his charisma. Unlike 2000, the problems of the country would seem to require more experience.

But, I heard Stephanopolis who was on Imus mentioning that Edwards, unlike Kerry, Clinton has said he was wrong on the IWR and said that he seems to want to be the full throated ati-war candidate. Before that he essentially said that he wouldn't rule Kerry out and mentioned that everyone did in Dec 2002 (although they actually were still ruling him out in 2003). I emailed the relevent text to "This week" from johnkerry.com.

Edwards is not in the Senate, but he seems to have gotten more publicity for a short, broad brush editorial than Kerry got for a well thought out, comprehensive plan presented both in a speech and written as legislation and presented on the Senate floor. Kerry's plan has won at least favorable comments from Dean, Boxer, Leahy and I think, Feingold.

Remember 2003, Dean, out of office, was able to make an enormous splash by taking an anti-war position because he had no paper trail. His fall was because of his personality, Edwards doesn't have this problem. The question will be how many in the media are impressed by him versus how many feel there is insufficient substance. So far - on Katrina and this, Edwards has been treated better than Kerry. Every editorial on Katrina praised Edwards at Kerry's expense and none mentioned Kerry's Senate work or private work on this.

Positioning Edwards as the anti-war candidate (which strikes me as odd as he was for the war even after it started) may be the media's attempt to get a candidate they like in that position or to get someone who will look insubstantial next to Hillary - which eliminates Kerry.

Island Blue, as the resident NC person - what was Edwards preception before he announced for President or before he was picked as VP?

[ginnyinWI]

25. Mainstream America doesn't want an anti-war president

Not one labled as such, anyway, so if Edwards or someone else gets that label, I think it helps Kerry. I think people still want someone they feel can be tough. This is the main problem with the image of Democrats, that they are not tough enough. And I think that's why Kerry got the nomination over Dean. DUers may want the anti-war candidate, but Mr. and Mrs. America don't.

It seems to be all about image. They forget all the tough Democrats we've had throughout our history. I really hope that they can remember this latest weak president who is a Republican long enough to vote them all out.

[FreedomAngel82]

32. We need to remind people of all we've done for the country

To show who really is the best to take care. If you can listen to Rhandi Rhodes on the first hour. She talks about the IWR vote at one point and how Bush lied about everything and what happened with that.

[rox63]

26. Let's not forget that

Edwards was a co-sponsor of the IWR. File that useful fact away somewhere, and haul it out when the 2008 campaign gets into full swing.

Overall, I like Edwards quite a bit. And I love the anti-poverty work he's been doing. But I think Kerry has a much stronger resume, and is a better candidate.

[FreedomAngel82]

33. Same here

I think Kerry could be like Kennedy and win the presidency. Kennedy was the only senator who ever won the presidential race. I think Kerry could do it. I do like Edwards too and I wish that they were in the White House now. *sigh*

[Firespirit]

14. That makes a lot of sense.

I've certainly suspected as much. Good to know that other people have similar suspicions.

Speaking of Hillary, I had a very odd dream last night about her. It was as though I had a time machine and could see what the future would be like if certain things happened. I selected Hillary as the 2008 candidate, "fast forwarded" to election day, and watched what happened from a distance... she didn't do so hot... won far fewer states than Kerry did. I don't think my dream would be too far off from reality. I can't think of a state that Kerry didn't win that Hillary would be able to win. I really can't.

[beachmom]

20. That's what bugs me the most -- this obsession with Hillary

When I look at all the potential candidates, she is not even close to being up there for me. Maybe that's why I've gotten excited about Warner -- Kerry is my #1 choice, but if he didn't run or something happened, when I look at the Democratic field many others are above Hillary for me. She is a combination I don't like -- perceived by the GOP and Independents as being a total liberal, while in fact having a voting record similar to a lot of Republicans AND she is totally pro-war, so that nobody thinks she's a wimp. I have also read many accounts that she's, ahm, not that nice. In fact, I read of some right winger who liked that aspect of her -- her coldness. If some Republicans are cheering on her heartlessness, then I know that there's a problem.

I watched the McLaughlin Group this weekend, and every time Pat Buchanan can say it, he says Hillary WILL BE the Dem nomination for '08. Even when they discussed Gov. Warner, after praising him a little, they immediately dismissed him as really having a chance of getting the nomination, instead saying he will be on the short list of Hillary's VP choices. Of course, Kerry is NEVER mentioned in terms of '08. They can't fathom it. Yet here we are, supporters for Kerry, and judging from that NH rally he still has a lot of supporters (it was funny seeing people like us who don't blog IN PERSON tell him to his face, "can you run again"). How many more of them are there?

I mean, who knows. Maybe Hillary will surprise us, but thus far, she just doesn't do anything for me. And I want this country to come more together. She is still a VERY polarizing figure. Maybe that's why the media want her in the race -- a great story.

[Mass]

21. "Talking heads talking points"

At this point, I dismiss them as totally unreliable.

They wanted Hillary to run in 2004, she did not run. Will she run in 08? we don't know. If she runs, how will she perform?

One year ago, we were told in no uncertain terms that Dean would be the nominee. There was NO other possibility. They just forgot that voters still have a word to say in this process, at least when it comes to Democratic primaries.

[FreedomAngel82]

35. I personally don't think she'll run in 2008

Call it a "gut" feeling. It would be funny though if it's a democratic plan to make them talk about Hillary and spend all their money and time on her and than she not run and we can have our money spent for ads and campaigning and stuff. Wouldn't that be sweet? :9

[FreedomAngel82]

34. I agree about Hillary

I like her alright as a person but not her policies. I would take Warner first if it came down to it and Kerry didn't run again for some reason. I think a Warner/Feingold team would be cool. I think people will think she will be like Bill but in reality she probably won't be too much like him. I think if Hillary was to ever run she needs more experience. She's only been in the Senate since 2000 which isn't long enough for me. Kerry has twenty plus years. And Pat Buchanan has no right to say who will be the nominee. I didn't know he was psychic too. :eyes:

[Mass]

19. I think that your friend is right.

The media have been showing again and again how afraid they are of Kerry. They know if he can make it to the primary season, he will be a formidable contender.

Also, they have decided onthe scenerio for 08: Clinton against a likeable moderate from the South (at this point, they dont care who as long as it is somebody who will put out a good show), then Clinton against McCain (perfect to push McCain as a maverick, an "authentic" war hero, and a moderate against a staunch liberal. (who cares that there is little true in all that - the war hero part aside).

They consider Kerry is not TV material and would prefer not to have him (independantly of any political bias, of course).

The voters have contradicted them once in early 2004. We'll see that they do the same thing later.

[beachmom]

22. They figure Kerry will be like a Gephardt or something

You know, get very little of the vote and be dismissed. I think they're wrong. I just can't imagine having a ballot in front of me with JK's name on it and not picking him. I think there are MANY others like me.

Ironic it would be, if people think of JK now as likeable but unelectable. But how IS he going to reach those rural areas (by the way)?

[Mass]

23. They would not be that worried if it was the case

On the contrary, I think they believe he could create a surprise, but, as they have decided their ratings would not be so good as with, for example, Clinton, they are making whatever they can not to promote him.

When they started promoting Dean in the 2003 summer, they had no idea whether Dean would be successful or not, but they had a good story: "the anti-war governor from a Vermont". With Hillary, they also see a good story: "a woman, ex First-Lady, who runs for the presidency (and we know that Clinton always makes good ratings). This is all about business as usual, political shows, ...

[FreedomAngel82]

36. They were wrong last year

I remember watching Nancy Pelosi's daughters doc on the democratic primaries (I just love that doc!) and in the beginning Kerry started out no where and with just few people paying attention to him and look at what happened. He rose up and kept going. Just me wondering: was the Iowa Caucus last year before or after the whole "Dean Scream" ordeal? I can't remember.

[Island Blue]

38. I think the "Dean Scream" was after he lost in Iowa.

I may be wrong, but it seems to me that's when it was. I wasn't paying real close attention at that point. (Shame on me.)

[Mass]

39. The scream was Dean's speech after his lost in Iowa

It was basically his concession speech.

In Nov and Dec. while the media were dismissing Kerry and were saying Dean was unavoidable, Kerry started campaigning in Iowa with real people and they liked what they saw. Then came Rassman and Mrs Vilsack's endorsement, just before the election.

It was interesting to see the polls change throughout January. But even the day before the caucus, they did not capture how many votes Kerry and Edwards did get.

[FreedomAngel82]

28. Good point

It's the same thing with Kennedy too. They're so threatned by him still for some purpose. :shrug: I guess cause they're fearless and have nothing really to lose. I think they want Hillary because they think she'll be easy to beat and of course the raitings for the networks.

[ray of light]

37. I suspect Hillary will never be able to compete without the media

skewing the impeachment, Bill Clinton's comments and even her 'right wing conspiracy' comment through out the campaign.

I actually feel bad for her that this is likely to happen.