Reply #14: So, Kerry did not have the leadership ability even to lead his

[JDPriestly]

own campaign. Kerry is a good senator. He simply was not presidential material. It is natural for a presidential candidate and a vice-presidential candidate to disagree, especially if both of them started out as strong contenders for the presidency, contenders each of whom has high aspirations, each of whom is dedicated to the greater good of the country, each of whom feels he or she has a mission.

Kerry should have said what he thought during the 2004 campaign. What kind of president would he have been if he could no even lead his own campaign? How effective were his persuasion skills if he could not even persuade his own running mate to follow his lead and agree with his strategy? Since when is the vice presidential candidate blamed for the presidential candidate's apparent inability to fight his own battle. How in the world was Edwards to rebut the attacks by the Swiftboaters? How in the world could Edwards have convinced the American voters that Kerry was strong enough to protect them after 9/11? Only Kerry could have done that.

And, assuming for the sake of argument that Kerry's accusation that Edwards did not want to "come out" against the War in Iraq, wasn't Kerry as the presidential candidate the leader. If so, why wasn't he strong enough and certain enough to simply tell Edwards what the campdaign's stance would be.

Kerry chose Edwards. He did not have to. Now he does not want to take responsibility for his choice. Kerry could have made it clear from the outset that he would be the presidential candidate and that his decisions would be followed. He clearly did not do that. This article attempts to reflect negatively on Edwards, but actually reflects poorly on Kerry. Sounds like Kerry waited four years to get his revenge when he thought it would do the most harm.

Kerry could not get up the gumption or the self-confidence to clarify the Swift-Boat lies loud and clear until the present, and he waited to attack Edwards until Edwards is excelling as a presidential candidate. Kerry looks like a back-stabber. This all reflects really badly on Kerry.