I now FULLY support Kerry and apologize

[UnityDem]

for not saying so to the world.
I have been guilty of being silently for Kerry....actually more ABB than FOR Kerry....I rail against Bush (so easy to do)...but, I don't really PROMOTE Kerry as a good alternative to Bush.
Since Kerry was about my 4th or 5th choice, I have said that even though I will vote for him that I don't have a lot of enthusiasm to work for him. I was wrong! If the King of Jordan was here...I would apologize to him for my transgression.
I must now go to meet-ups for Kerry, talk to friends and family, and do whatever I can to help get him elected.
It is just too important!!!!NOT TO DO SO.
I have read Kerry's policies on his web site. I agree with him on most. (no more "which positions now/waffling/flip-flop" jokes that the REpukes want us to internalize - I won't silently allow those to go unchallenged)........he stands for what most of us stand for...and, yes, I am OVER his vote for the war that I opposed....I know that he would never have handled the war this way had he been in charge...
My lack of enthusiasm for him has been more "style" than "substance".
That must now change. He will never be charismatic. SO WHAT?
That doesn't mean that he won't be a GREAT President.
So, I enthusiastically say, JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT!

(any other former deaniacs, clarkies, edwardians, geppies, etc. want to join me and say that JOHN KERRY is now your guy too? and actively work for and support him?)

[trumad]

1. Don't apologize...

Bitching about JK is fine but there's got to be a point that we all band together for the sole purpose of getting Bush out of office. Once Bush is gone then go after JK all you want... He ain't perfect.

[senseandsensibility]

2. I was afraid that

this was going to be one of those sarcastic posts, but it wasn't. Thanks for your words, the apology isn't necessary, and NOW... let's get * out of there!}( }(

[blm]

3. I agree with sense...no apology is necessary.

Having another primary candidate is nothing to apologize for...that's what democracy is all about. The fact that you refuse to allow anyone to distort the truth of Kerry's potential as president matters much more.

[stryker18]

12. It's something we all have in common

Clarkie, Deaniac, Kucitizen, it doesn't matter--we want Shrub out of office, and when November rolls around we'd do well to remember that. I'm a staunch Kerry fan myself--live in MA, and I think that no matter what, Shrub must be ousted.

[checks-n-balances]

4. All right! Who else will take up the challenge?

You're right. He deserves our support, and the US deserves nobody less.

As for his Iraq II vote - I think he could appeal to all others who are supported it and are now beginning to wake up to how wrong it was to begin with. Something like - "Almost all of us WERE wrong. So the WORST thing you can do is vote for somebody who is STILL wrong - wrong on the war and wrong for the country!"

Maybe a campaign ad with sound bytes from people saying in rapid-fire succession, "I was wrong!" (on the war)

Then, "Many of us were misled about the war. That was wrong. Let's don't be wrong AGAIN by voting for those who are STILL WRONG!
VOTE DEMOCRATIC!"

Something like that, anyway. Designing political ads are not my forte.

[no name no slogan]

9. As a supporter with a candidate still in the race,...

I will support Kerry-- after the convention, when he's our nominee.

Until then, I will do my utmost to promote the issues and message of my candidate, Dennis Kucinich. There are still a lot of voiceless people who are not represented by either party in this country, and only one candidate has not been afraid to be their voice. And now, more than ever, that voice needs to be heard-- in the party, and in the country.

In late July, I fully expect to be on the John Kerry bandwagon. But until then, I've still got work to do.

:D :hi:

[Larkspur]

5. Skull & Bonesman vs Skull & Bonesman

Nope, I will never enthusiastically support Kerry. I'll hold my nose for him and vote for him in November, but that's as much support to expect out of me.

[mrgorth]

6. I sent money to Dean

and walked through a foot of snow in Delaware that amounted to, I think, 13% on Primary day. Yesterday I sent Kerry $100. We can work shit out after he gets in. Bush has to go first.

[blm]

7. Instead you will continue to enthusiastically OPPOSE Kerry

and smear him in all your posts because you want to defeat Bush in November no matter what.

Makes sense, eh?

[Hippo_Tron]

8. You're talking about what he did in college

Surely that's not the reason you don't support Kerry.

[zulchzulu]

14. Do you read Doonesbury?

Garry Trudeau is a....

Skull and Bonesman!!!!

Tin foil makes some mighty fine hats.

[OKNancy]

17. So is William Sloan Coffin

Wonderful thread last week with many DUers talking about Coffin and his bravery.

[MilDem]

23. I never understood the Skull and Bones thing

It has never been proven to me that being a member of Skull and Bones as turned men evil (or that only evil men are members.) Or that skulls and Bones execises any more power than most frats. Mabey I'm wrong, but I doubt it.

[ACK]

10. No worries here are my fav reasons for Kerry without ABB

This is not discounting many here that feel Kerry needs to be more left of center to differentiate himself from Bush.

Kerry is not as liberal as Kuicinch or Nader that I will give you.

However, Kerry is more liberal than Clinton, Lieberbush, or the way the DLC ran Gore the last time.

After all, the idea of changing NAFTA has entered from the fringe of political discussion into the national debate. He has said he will not back the FTAA.

The idea of National Healthcare has entered back into the National debate in a way Gore would not approach last time.

We are now talking about a program of National Service where kids can get money for college WITHOUT having to carry a gun.

Kerry will not take a unilateral piss on our allies in his approach to foreign relations.

He will protect a woman's right to choose.

He has pledged to lift the gag order Bush enacted on family clinics.

He will fight for real environmental legislation instead of Orwellian giveaways to the corporate powers that be.

He has pledged to let the Patriot Act lapse.

He will take away the tax benefits for corporations that ship jobs overseas.

He has pledged to close corporate tax loopholes.

He wants to get rid of the tax cuts for the wealthy and stop the deficit leak.

He wants to fight for strong enforcement of Civil Rights Laws listing the ADA and reversing Buckhannon which makes enforcement of all Civil Rights laws difficult.

He will fully fund Head Start. (really important never been funded right)

He wants a College Opportunity Tax Credit to help people to be able to afford college.

He is the first national candidate to not only talk about cleaner fuels and reducing our dependence on foreign oil but to actually talk about loosing ourselves from the "demon oil."

He has a 90% lifetime record of voting with the AFL/CIO and stands beside the base of organized labor. He does not demonize workers and their unions.

This is a man who can change his mind and makes an informed decision.

_

[stryker18]

13. The College Opportunity is my greatest interest

Being a college student struggling to pay tuition ($35,000/yr), it could be a boon to me and my family.

[ACK]

19. Everyone has their personal issue stryker18 one that hits the heart

I have a couple.

Environmental laws. The Orwellian tactics of this administration is so criminally insane that everyone who took part should be committed to an asylum immediately. :-)

Woman's issues. OMG, for those who say Kerry is boring, his speech on choice in front of the NARAL was just riveting. The difference between Kerry and Bush in full force. To hear how he championed shelters for rape victims and how he would lift the gag orders on federally funded clinics and ... oh just about everything about that speech was just golden. I may be a guy but I understand what is at stake for women and families and it just scares the every living hell out of me.

_

[Only Me]

11. Very encouraging post, I hope we have more like it. n/t

[MontecitoDem]

15. YEAA!

I felt the same way since Clark dropped out, but have been working hard to register voters and support our local dem party. No, I don't agree with Kerry's Iraq policy, but I sure love his environmental record. Please Nader/Kucinich folks, look at the polling before you cast your protest vote come November. Our water and air cannot afford 4 more years of Bush, although I respect your desire to vote your principles. For me, this is a year for pragmatism, and starting to change the democratic party locally from the ground up: a long term plan.
Anway, Thank you for this thread!

[UnityDem]

18. Pragmatism, yes....

Realism has smacked me in the face, as well.
Bush or Kerry will be MY President as of Jan.21, 2005.
When I look at that choice, it is so very clear what I must do.
I'm not saying others should follow my lead. However, I will no longer look for the things and talk about the things that I dislike about Kerry. I am now looking for and playing up the things that I DO like about him.
There are many. Environmental rights, workers rights, civil rights, women's rights, just to name a few.
However, for those who see very few things to like about him and will only vote for him because he is NOT Bush, so be it.
I just can not take the chance any longer (in my mind) not to work for Kerry. Today I will be phone banking for Kerry through the moveon.org group. That is my first step toward helping to ELECT JOHN KERRY! Kerry On, my fellow dems.

[PsN2Wind]

16. I will support the candidacy of John Kerry

and I will vote for him. But after seeing him here in Arizona, all but offering citizenship for illegal aliens, for votes, it will not be with unbridled enthusiasm.

[SW FL Dem]

20. I am solidly in Kerry's camp

I am going to a house party this month. I have signed up to volunteer at the local headquarters as well as with the Kerry team. I have donated money and will continue to do so. Kerry wasn't my first choice, but he has earned my respect and support.

[bigwillq]

21. I'm so glad you saw the light

No need to apologize. I think many of us were leaners on Kerry.
I am on Kerry's side now too.
WE all need to be if we're going to defeat Shrub.

[mzmolly]

22. I will work to support him, and hope to enter into enthusiasim before the

elections. ;)

[wyldwolf]

24. Most of the Clarkies have already embraced Kerry - did so almost...

...immediately.

[indypaul]

25. No apology necessary

I believe J F Kennedy described it as "rising above
principle." Primary elections do NOT produce victors
or vanquished they only produce candidates. This nation
cannot and should not be forced to tolerate another four
years of this mistake presently holding that office. I
think we all realize that and will do what is necessary
to correct that mistake, the sooner the better.

ON EDIT: "principle"