Massachusetts dem against Kerry, but for Clark

[conservdem]

I am a life long resident of Massachusetts. I have voted for Kerry in his Senate runs, but IMO he lacks integrity and and he's not a strong leader. If he gets the nomination, I will vote for him, but not happily. Clark would be a much better choice. (Edwards would also probably be better than Kerry.) I ask all to support and rally for Clark. Leave Kerry as a Senator.

Others from Massachusetts that have concerns over Kerry should share it with those that do not know him as well.

[Dark Star]

1. I agree.

We need Kerry in the Senate and Clark in the White House!

[blm]

2. Name 1 lawmaker who exposed more govt. corruption than John Kerry, please.

I'll await your answer.

[girl gone mad]

5. So..

why did he decide to just go along with the far worse Bush II administration? No fight left in him? Not politically expedient?

[conservdem]

6. What about Wexler?

If I recall his name correctly he's a rep from Californial that called the tabaco heads on the carpet.

BTW I am not saying Kerry's a shitbumb. In fact I have voted form him since I have been able to vote.

How long have you been following him? Are you a Mass resident?

I wait for your answers.

[SW FL Dem]

8. Wexler in from FL

Waxman is from CA

[conservdem]

12. Thanks that the one I was thinking of.

[blm]

16. BCCI. IranContra and CIA drugrunning exposed Reagan and Bush corruption

in ways that no other investigation ever came close.

Waxman and the tobacco hearings were great but hardly come close to the historic magnitude of Kerry's work on BCCI, IranContra and CIA drugrunning.

I've followed Kerry since that time. I'm an avid BFEE watcher who is dead serious about stopping them.

[conservdem]

18. I think Waxman has done other things than tobacco.

And again I not saying Kerry has not been good on the matters you mention, but how do you view him on integrity?

I take it that you are not a Mass resident. Am I correct?

[blm]

20. His integrity is intact after 30+ years of GOP operatives planting stories

attacking him as a phony since the Nixon White House. They ramped up the attacks to tear him down during his investigations that exposed BCCI, IranContra and CIA drugrunning. He was SCAIFED before Clinton, even.

He survived and only a man with solid integrity could survive what was done to Kerry over those many years to discredit him.

I am not from Mass., I was born in Ohio, lived mostly in NY and LA and now reside in SC.

[conservdem]

23. Could you support Clark?

[blm]

25. I support Clark's candidacy.

I always have. Edwards and Gephardt, too.

I give money to Kerry and Kucinich.

[conservdem]

34. I am attempting a link.

did you see this yesterday:

link

This is some of the stuff on him that I doubt has anything to do with GOP opertives.

[blm]

37. The SPIN on it is pure Ann Coulter.

Julia Thorne and Kerry are still friends and her brother is still Kerry's best friend. If Kerry had treated his sister as poorly as described, I doubt her brother would have maintained ANY ties, let alone remain his closest friend.

[conservdem]

39. Some of the stuff on the link is no big deal.

For example, I think the line about him not running to TH after she was mugged is silly. But at the bottom of that thread is the following:



Another Massachusetts Politician Seeks Annulment
BOSTON (CWN) - A second senior Massachusetts politician who

US Sen. John Kerry joins US Rep. Joseph Kennedy in seeking the annulment with both cases bearing striking similarities. Both men's ex-wives are not Catholic and both women have opposed the annulments, calling the process hypocritical.

Julia Thorne said on Wednesday she does not recognize the validity of the annulment process. She said that while she supports her ex-husband politically and wishes him well, she said the annulment process "was disrespectful to me ... and devoid of any sense of the humanity of what this means to me and the children."

News reports and assertions by Thorne, as well as Kennedy's ex-wife, Sheila Rauch Kennedy, have misrepresented the Church's teaching on annulments. Thorne said she wrote to Church officials that she considered its "ecclesiastical investigation as hypocritical, anti-family, and dishonest," as well hurtful to her children. Thorne and Kerry, who wed in 1970 and divorced in 1988, have two daughters."

I think its quite a low life move to seek an annulment of a marriage of several years when there were children from the marriage. I would think the same if it had been a repub seeking the annulment. I also thought Joe Kennedy was scummy for seeking one for his marriage that had produced twin boys. (Shame also on the church for giving it to him.)

Also see my post below about his race with Weld. And, do recall gist of what he said about skipping matching funds. He tried to suggest it was a bad thing to do when Dean was thinking about doing it then he did it himself and blamed Dean as the cause.

[seaglass]

26. Why does that matter? n/t

[conservdem]

40. If you are from MA I think you probably know more about his character.

Thats why I think it matters.

[conservdem]

14. blm, please respond.

[Quixote1818]

17. Kerry is Walter Mitty check out Factcheck.org

http://www.factcheck.org/article.aspx?docID=134

[funky_bug]

19. Here's two he didn't uncover

IWR and Halliburton. Hell, I'm as far from the white house as anyone, and even I knew what was up there.

He either didn't see it, or didn't care. I don't want someone who uncovers corruption when it furthers his cause... I want someone who uses his powers of discovery for the greater good.

The way I see it, either Kerry didn't see the corruption, which makes him dangerously naive, or he did see the corruption but acted in favor of IWR anyhow, which makes him dangerously unfit to lead this country.

[blm]

27. Why? Kerry's on the same page as Clark on IWR

so why pretend Kerry's position is somehow more egregious to you?

Go look at all Clark's statements and all of Kerry's throughout that same time frame and you hear much the same position.

[funky_bug]

30. Sorry, hardly

Clark has said over and over again that war is a last resort... that all precautions must be taken to avoid it... that the UN should be involved... Clark is hardly on the same page as Kerry, who looked at the resolution, and signed it.

[blm]

36. Everything you said was said by Kerry.

Those Dems who actually were doing the negotiating were the ones who got Bush to sgree to go to the UN, put weapons inspectors back in, and stop further actions into Iran and Syria that Bush wanted.

Can you please explain how you came to your conclusion that they were different? Clark, himself, said last fall that his position was similar to Kerry's.

[funky_bug]

41. Pretty easy

Kerry voted, and I listened. When he had a real chance to stop it, he didn't. I can't judge Clark on what he WOULD have done... but I can base my opinion of Kerry on what Kerry DID.

[girl gone mad]

3. Clark has a history..

of doing the right thing instead of the easy thing.

I do believe he has more integrity than Kerry.

[ThomWV]

4. Agree

I will not say a single word to besmirch Senator Kerry, but I do believe that General Clark is a better choice as the nominee. I think his credentials are of greater appeal to the voters of the country than the Senators.

Thom

[slinkerwink]

7. I live in MA, and alot of the Dems here don't like Kerry

[Mass_Liberal]

10. Me for instance

Mass resident for Dean!!!


Note: Clarks not bad either. #2.

[conservdem]

11. Agreed. In your opinion, what are the reasons for it?

BTW I thought Dean was good on MTP today. For the first time I found myself kind of liking him. I really liked his line about the Bazookas on the front lawns.

[slinkerwink]

22. aww, thanks......here are my reasons

Kerry has missed about 79% of the votes in Congress, and during my internship last summer in Congress, a lot of Congresspeople joked that Kerry kept on voting what was popular at the moment.

[Raven]

9. Why vote for someone without integrity for your Senator?

The answer is probably: Bill Weld and I guess I can understand that. But I don't think he lacks integrity completely. If you want that without question, vote for DK and we know he is not going to make it. I'm not sure any of these guys are "strong leaders". Clark ran troops, not a small feat, but not many of those folks were going to talk back to him. John Edwards? Who knows. He hasn't been around long enough to really make a judgment on that score. Howard Dean? He ran a state which is more that the rest can say, but Vermont is not exactly a complicated place.

The sad fact is that most of us want someone who can walk on water and the political system in this country is just not going to give us that person. I think John Kerry is a decent person not without warts. I think he is a smart man who will attract good people to his administration. I think he can win.

[Old and In the Way]

15. Vermont is not exactly a complicated place

Actually, the city manager of Worcester, MA would have a larger, more diverse population to deal with, than Howard had in VT.

But they're all fine men. And Kerry is the best candidate to unite Democrats, pull in Indies, and add Republicans in our quest to unseat the unlected fraud.

[conservdem]

21. Raven, you wrote:

"The sad fact is that most of us want someone who can walk on water and the political system in this country is just not going to give us that person."

With Clark we have a good opportunity with someone that is not really from the system, he can win, and he could be what people (dems and some repubs) have been looking for. But I admit he cannot walk on water.

Kerry is not a despicable person, but IMO the more people learn of him the tougher it will be for them to respect him.

[Leilani]

50. Clark led a coalition of 19 countries as SACEUR

He did not just "run troops" as you put it.

Try holding together 19 countries through a war, all with conflicting goals, strategies, etc.

And he won that war, without 1 American casualty.

Leadership? Top that!

[movonne]

13. I have come to the conclusion that whomever they run will have

some sort of a problem...Lets just get behind whoever it is and vote
Democratic. Anyone of them are better that Bush.

[conservdem]

24. Taking a break. But, I'll be back.

[isbister]

28. Massachusetts dem for Kerry

I have voted for Kerry in his Senate runs and IMO he will be the greatest President this country has seen in at least 40 years.

[conservdem]

31. Are you in eastern or western MA?

Do you think he is a man of high integrity?

What do you think of Clark?

[isbister]

48. South Eastern Massachusetts

Barney Frank is my Congressman (Massachusetts-04)

I believe Kerry will make an honest effort to work hard to do what is right for the people of the United States and the world. I think he knows the people, knows the system, and has proven he can reach a hand across the aisle or pull it back in order to get the job done.

Kerry is the right man for this time. I believe he will be the greatest President this country has seen in some 40 years (not a very high hurdle to get over, I admit).

The largest problem I have with Clark is his political inexperience. It has showed at times. I do not believe that it would be wise to put him up against what is probably the greatest political machine mankind has ever known (they got people outside of the immediate bush family to vote for the guy...they've got to be good :-))

I am also a bit concerned about his connections to the military industrial complex and his limited voting record on domestic issues, I have a very hard time with relying on any politician's campaign promises alone.

When given the choice, I choose the candidate with the proven record... do I love everything he's done in his life, no... but I'm sure he has things he'd take back, as would we all. I believe Kerry has shown that he basically "gets it" and almost as important, he has the ability to listen, learn and apply what he has learned.

[Bill McBlueState]

29. Kerry's opposition in 2002

When Kerry ran for re-election in 2002, there was a write-in candidate who ran against him in protest of his IWR vote. I voted for that candidate, but can't remember her name.

Does anyone have any idea how many votes she got?

[MAlibdem]

32. MA dem FOR Kerry

[conservdem]

33. I may be voting for your candidate in the GE, but can you tell me

do you think he is a man of high integrity?

What do you think of Clark?

[MAlibdem]

35. Clark seems like a good guy

But he's said himself that the military is apolitical (well, perhaps nonpartisan, but I would promotions and such are extremely political) and he's only come to think about politics since he left, a few years ago. I think he may not have long standing feelings on issues, and it's hard to verify that either way.

To be honest, Kerry is just a dream candidate. A true progressive with a record of progressivism that is being cast as the moderate in this race, lending him GE credibility. I think he is an opportunist, but to get to the Presidential primary, and have a fighting chance in it, you have to be an opportunist. That said, I think he's a dedicated public servant who truly wants to make America a better place.

[conservdem]

38. Fair points about Clark.

And I hope you are right about Kerry. Do you recall his run against Weld and how they agreed to spending limits. If my memory is correct it, was Kerry that first violated the agreement and then blamed his doing so on Weld. This is just one of the many things he has done that really bothers me. I would think it was a scummy move if a repub had done it and I think we dems should strive to be consistent and lead by example.

Also as Mass dem and a Kerry supporter can you tell me what sticks out in your mind that he has done for MA in any of his elected offices. I know there must be some good things, but I can not think of any.

Also do you know where he stands on the wind mill farm in of the Cape? I am for it and I thought he was avoiding the issue when he should have taken a leadership position on the issue.

[MAlibdem]

45. Wind farm...

I dunno, what I do know is that the guy who I had the best conversation with while campaigning for Kerry in NH was another volunteer who is an environmental lawyer. Environmental issues are what motivates him, entirely, and that is what drew him to Kerry.

I know Kerry set up a rape victims unit as a prosecutor, and has a better "liberal" rating than Teddy Kennedy (a badge of honor IMO).
More

[conservdem]

52. If it was him that really set up or took the lead in setting up the

rape victims unit as a prosecutor, then that is a good thing to his credit. It is telling though that you and I appear hard pressed to name specific things that he has done for MA as a Senator or Lt
Gov.

How do you think can bring in more swing voters, Clark or Kerry?

[Crewleader]

42. I'm from Massachusetts

and I want General Wesley Clark.

Now live in Florida and we love the General!

The republicans are already ripping Kerry's voting record...Kerry voted NO for Iraq the first time and yes for War now in Iraq when he cast his vote. Kerry gave Bush a blank check and sent ground troops to Iraq. The republicans will play havoc with that along with the media.

Over 500 soldiers died and over 2,000 injured men and women, who is responsible the most, definitely Bush and I include all those giving the OK, like Kerry.
What was he thinking when he signed the Patriot Act, the republicans will make their case and with the media's help will triumph through year's end if he gets the nomination.
We can't afford to lose in 2004!

There's only one man that can give us the leadership we need for our country who is strong on National Security and who has the experience of Domestic Affairs taking care of military families, strong on affirmative action for all to have equal opportunities and will create jobs holding corporations accountable when they move overseas.

We need someone who has record of achievement and good service and that is General Clark, who as given this country 34 years of himself and that means something, he's a true patriot who cares about values that we care about.Republicans fear him most, because he's the only candidate that fits the glove we need to punch out Bush!

Wes came from humble beginnings, lost his Dad at 4, single mother who worked as a secretary, lived in his grandparents home. Made himself with good grades to enter West Point and graduate top of his class. He is a gift to this country and he's ready to put this country back together again so we can start to heal and that takes all of us to work together so our grandchildren have a future where we don't leave them in debt.

General Clark can relate to all of us on budgets, no silver spoon. He knows what it is to struggle, he's been there. We drafted Wes and his wife Gert, they accepted because they don't like where this country is going and they want to help the people in America to have peace and prosperity once again and the American Dream!

God Bless You General and Gert!

[Carolina]

44. And I want you and FLA to

have a chance to voice your support for the General before the DNC and Washington types annoint Kerry. I have supported Kerry from afar in his Senate bids and in early 2002 for president. BUT, then I met him, talked to him, watched him surrender to Bush on IWR and try to spin his way out. That's when I went looking for another candidate and turned to Wes Clark. First through the draft movement and now the real campaign. He is a gift: the right man for these awful times.

Kerry's calculating ways and his assaults on Dean after stealing Dean's message, have turned me even further from him. If he prevails and gets the nomination, I will vote for him but I won't be donating any more money since I may need it to leave the country when we go down in flames.

[creativelcro]

43. .

[Kosmos Mariner]

46. kick

:kick:

[Kimber Scott]

47. I think Clark is easier to vote for, as well.

If Kerry wins the nomination, I will back him, but I would feel more sincere in backing Clark for President.

[conservdem]

51. Agreed. And kick

[Myra]

49. Thanks for the input. Clark's the best; no doubt!

:)

[D G]

53. Well, you have a right to your opinion

but I think Kerry would do a fine job as president. I do favor Clark over Kerry, mostly because I think Clark would be more of a motivator as far as garnering votes.

[conservdem]

54. I think its possible that Kerry could do a fine job.

But, he really lacks some leadership and character that make me think he will not rise to the occasion. If he wins, I hope I am wrong and you are correct.

[conservdem]

55. Kick.

[Auntie Bush]

56. Republicans fear Clark more than Kerry , but,

because Kerry is a true insider he gets all the insider endorsements.

[conservdem]

57. I am back with a kick.