The writing on the wall is getting clearer for Kerry and an '08 run.

[WilliamPitt]

Kerry and Kennedy have been political partners for approximately ten billion years. For Kerry, this statement below is pretty much the political equivalent of finding three flat tires on his car right before a trans-continental road trip.

===

Kennedy drops support for a Kerry presidential run in '08
By Rick Klein, Globe Staff | December 11, 2006

WASHINGTON --Senator Edward M. Kennedy Monday dropped his public commitment to support Senator John F. Kerry in a 2008 presidential race, saying that he won't wait "indefinitely" for Kerry to declare his intentions while the Democratic primary field takes shape.

Kennedy said he doesn't currently plan to endorse another candidate and still might support Kerry if Kerry decides to run. But in an hourlong interview with the Globe's Washington bureau, Kennedy offered strong praise for two of Kerry's possible presidential rivals: senators Barack Obama of Illinois and Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, calling them "formidable figures" who are connecting with rank-and-file Democrats.

Kennedy said his oft-stated commitment to support Kerry again was based on the assumption that Kerry would state his intentions by early 2007. Since Kerry pushed back his decision in the wake of following an election-eve "botched joke" that damaged his public standing, however, Kennedy said he has informed Kerry that he may get behind another Democrat for president.

"I was under more of the impression before that he was going to run and was waiting in time (to declare his candidacy), but now he's deferred that decision," Kennedy said. "I have no plans of supporting anyone else at this juncture. I'm also not going to just wait indefinitely until he's made a judgment or a decision."

(snip)

Kennedy's comments come at a difficult time for Kerry. Early polls show him far behind the leading Democrats in potential presidential fields, and many party activists want Democrats to look for a fresh face in 2008.

Aides and associates said Kerry has been assessing the political fallout from his comment _ eight days before midterm elections _ suggesting that poor students "get stuck in Iraq." When Republicans blasted him for insulting the troops, Kerry apologized, calling it a "botched joke" meant for President Bush.

More: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2006/12/11/kennedy_drops_support_for_a_kerry_presidential_run_in_08/

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

1. Okay, I will take the first flame-thrower shots here

Good for you Ted.
We need better than the same old crap.

[lancdem]

4. You're not alone

I never wanted Kerry in 2008. He had his opportunity.

[QuestionAll...]

6. then Ted should back Kucinich... nt

[WiseButAngrySara]

19. I agree! Why not, QuestionAll? Answer that Question! ...n/t

[WI_DEM]

23. he's probably closer on issues to DK but Ted is also a pragmatic

politician as all the Kennedy's were and he won't back DK because Kucinich probably can't win a national election.

[QuestionAll...]

28. horse/cart. cart/horse.

egg/chicken. chicken/egg.

that one just doesn't fly for me anymore. not in this sorry United States of Affairs.
fug Ted's pragmatism - he should be thinking about the good of the country

[Bake]

77. Maybe he should back someone who can get elected.

I admire Kucinich but he has "Dukakis" written all over him.

Bake

[jgraz]

7. Yep, we're right there with ya

Kennedy basically just came out and called Kerry a flip-flopper. Not exactly what the Kerry '08 campaign wants to hear.

[SoCalDem]

55. Seconded.. we need a nice looking, well-spoken

JUNKYARD DOG with fangs and a blood-lust..and a sharp wit and a fire in the belly..

The people we are up against have control of 99% of the media (that matters), they have the backing of most of the slimy money-people, and they have a 40 year head start on us in the "research/development" arena.

If we want to win, we cannot just toss any ole candidate out there and expect to win.

And during the run-up to the primaries, we MUST NOT have candidate who "write the republican commercials" for the fall campaign, by having primary candidates who mortally wound each other before a final victor has to do battle with the republican who is annointed as the next interchangeable pyramid top.

Can we succeed? I hope so, but past experience has me worried.

We seem to have a lot of "Bob Doles" and a lot of "self-annointed" front-runners..

So far I don't see anyone who stands out, and seems electable to me.

[wisteria]

94. I don't recognize anyonethinking of running who fits your description. n/t

[SoCalDem]

95. Exactly.. It's too early to know who will emerge...

:)

[wisteria]

93. Kerry offers an opportunity for a genuine new kind of Democrat

someone who is his own man.Not only that but someone who gets it right most of the time and could actually lead this country. He is by far the most qualified candidate. So you see,your comment must actually refer to another candidate because it doesn't fit Kerry.

[davidwparker]

2. How is Hillary connecting with rank and file Democrats? I know these

polls we vote on aren't scientific, but Hillary is low in the numbers. I've not counted all the posts that say they don't want Hillary to run, but there are more anti-Hillary opinions that pro-Hillary opinions. I don't get Kennedy's statement.

[lancdem]

10. She does well in national polls

Unfortunately, DU is not the best place for foreshadowing who's likely to get the nomination. I recall virtually no support for Kerry in 2004 in the early primaries and tons for Howard Dean.

[jgraz]

12. She does now, because everyone's heard of her

Once we get past the name-recognition polls, I can't see her staying out in front. She won't be able to shake off her vote on the war.

[paulk]

88. yeah, kinda like Kerry and Edwards weren't able

to shake off their votes on the war back in 2004....

[wisteria]

92. Polls smolls, mean nothing at this juncture. n/t

[Tinksrival]

15. That was exactly my only question from his statements.

I am so puzzled by Hillary's "leadership"????? I don't live in New York so perhaps it's just local. I do live in the republican west Chicago suburbs where HRC is from and I still don't hear anything from or about Mrs. Clinton's political views, good or bad! The only thing I've heard in the media is about video game ratings. That's it!! :shrug:

[wisteria]

96. The whole article is questionable.

it seems to be more gossip and nonsense speculation. As you said, the Hillary part along should have you questioning the piece.

[Junkdrawer]

3. Kerry's biggest liability with the "base" is still Ohio 2004...

The early concession...

The promise to help in the "recount" that never materialized...

[QuestionAll...]

9. I think a lot of people donated to his campaign on the vote recount issue...

definitely one thing I'd want my money back on if I sent him some change.

[jgraz]

11. Yep, I gave a bunch -- $$ and time

I was on on the phone, booking a flight to OH when his concession was announced. Talk about a kick in the guts.

[renate]

56. wow... thank you for your phenomenal commitment

A kick in the guts indeed, to somebody so revved up to go to Ohio to fight the good fight. I can't imagine.

Bless your heart, and thank you!

[NotGivingUp]

45. pissed me off totally

[zulchzulu]

49. Are you familiar with what Turncoat Carville did on Election Eve?

You don't have the full story.

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

63. You're right, I don't have the full story

Link please?

What did Carville do?

What does that have to do with not fighting for Ohio?

[jgraz]

5. You can lead a pol to the writing, but you can't make him read

If Kerry was ready to face reality, he would not even be considering running this time. I keep trusting that he's smart enough to figure this one out -- I just hope he does it before this "Will He/Won't He" stuff becomes a distraction.

[ecstatic]

53. LOL @ "lead a pol to the writing" nt

[TheCowsCameHome]

8. Time to move on, John. You tried, now let others carry the torch in '08

[H2O Man]

13. Good.

While I do not want any democrat to say anything to add fuel to the republican hatred of Senator Kerry, it would be best if people like Ted Kennedy quietly withdraw their support for him possible running in '08, and for friends to talk to him off the record. Kennedy is a great example of how a Senator can be an important figure in promoting the Good Fight for Americans. It is important that citizens recognize the power of the Senate, too. Kerry can continue to be an outstanding American patriot, as a Senator. It's painfully obvious that this is something that the current president can never do.

[Pastiche423]

14. Good news

He had his chance and fucked it up.

[WiseButAngrySara]

16. Where's Ted's support for Kucinich? Why Clinton and Obama

and not Gore and Kooch?

[Shakespeare]

17. Ouch.

Kerry, meet bus wheels.

I'm fantasizing Gore/Obama. Probably won't happen, but I'll keep the positive thoughts for now.

[Pachamama]

57. Gore/Obama '08 - we share the same dream...

:hi:

[Killarney]

86. Yes! Gore/Obama!

[AtomicKitten]

108. I'll take a piece of that action.

[nam78_two]

18. Clinton and Obama

:-/

[WiseButAngrySara]

22. Gore/Kucinich! ....n/t

[byronius]

26. Gore/Anybody. n/t

[WiseButAngrySara]

31. I'll take that! ....n/t

[MoonRiver]

20. I hope Kerry takes the hint. n/t

[WI_DEM]

21. I honestly don't think that Kerry has the public support to win in 2008

the country wants somebody new/different. That is why Obama, despite his lack of experience, is catching on. I don't think Hillary is the answer either, but she is different--a woman at the top of the ticket would be a historic first. Of the two, I would take Obama over Hillary because he's new, fresh and charismatic--all of which Hillary is not.

My feeling is that Kerry is not going to run in '08.

[Clark2008]

73. Obama's "catching on" because he's all the media talks about.

I don't hear a real-life soul talking all that much about him.

[WI_DEM]

82. well he sure is getting alot of crowds and it isn't just reporters

[The Count]

24. Why isn't Ted backing an anti-war candidate? And untill the stolen 2004

election is brought forth, both those guys on the ticket have nothing to say to voters. Period.
Botched joke my ass! Looking for #1 in November 2004 and voting for war.

[geek tragedy]

29. Obama = anti-war. And pro-universal health care. eom

[dailykoff]

43. Obama anti-war? A few nights ago he was jawing about "victory"

on a chat show, Larry King I think. I read the transcript here. Anyway he seems pretty centrist vis-a-vis the war.

[AtomicKitten]

76. he was most definitely anti Iraq war

You have heard his "I am against stupid wars" speech, no?

[Tellurian]

120. My prediction...and btw, I'm never wrong.. (smile)

Gore/Hillary and OBama, AG.. Dream Team!!!

Clinton had the wrong AG...Reno threw him to the wolves numerous times.

[AtomicKitten]

125. taking it to the bank ...

:)

[AtomicKitten]

127. a quote from Obama on the IWR

Barack Obama, September 2002 said: "I don’t oppose all wars. What I am opposed to is a dumb war. What I am opposed to is a rash war. What I am opposed to is the cynical attempt by Richard Perle and Paul Wolfowitz and other armchair, weekend warriors in this administration to shove their own ideological agendas down our throats, irrespective of the costs in lives lost and in hardships borne."

[LittleClarkie]

35. He would be an anti war candidate if he ran

He's been an anti war person since April 22, 2006.

[byronius]

25. Many, many vectors pulling against him.

Read his book, respect his service, didn't vote for him in the primary, but gladly voted for him in the election. I was soooo pissed that he back down so quickly. Maybe as pissed as Edwards was. I don't think Americans as a whole buy into the 'elder statesman' meme, especially not when the opposing party are flat-out nasty-assed criminal liars. I would prefer a candidate that has the 'political carnivore' side at least available to him, mixed in with healthy doses of ethic, scientific realism and unshakable populism. Kerry seemed tone-deaf during the entire 2004 campaign. He continues to prove this, notwithstanding his occasional angry outbursts. I respect him, but the field is pretty damned rich for flawed and 'boxed' candidates to go anywhere.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

27. Kerry's Toast In That Arena. Tis Quite A Shame Too; He's A Great Man.

I consider him to be one of the most intelligent and honorable Senators we've ever had. It is a shame that there were certain things that kept the public overall from embracing him fully, and that there were enemies so disgustingly evil that smeared him like I've never seen anyone smeared. He deserved far better from this country, but we must also come to realize it is just not going to happen for him any longer. But I regard him with the utmost of respect, and find him to still be in the hi 90's of percent when it comes to the values and mind I want in politics.

[WiseButAngrySara]

32. Ditto. ....n/t

[cadmium]

46. Globe reporters are well known to twist words and make

stories out of non-stories. They said -- in reports that were completely bogus--that both senators had hard feelings about Deval Patrick. I wouldn't take Rick Klein's reports on much about John Kerry at face value.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

47. Doesn't Really Matter Anymore. He's Done Anyway.

With or without Kennedy's support. I really didn't base my tribute/assessment above on any reporter anyway.

[wisteria]

97. LOL, how do you figure that? If it wasn't possible news it wouldn't of been printed.

Gossip or no gossip.
It isn't over till either Kerry says it is over or the voters in the primary say it is.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

126. "how do you figure that?"... It's Called Deductive Reasoning And Logic.

And it is quite blatant here, regardless of how much we wished it to be otherwise.

Someone could also be emotionally clouded enough to say "Hey, Nader still has a chance! The election hasn't happened yet!", but I think it would be fairly easy to dismiss that notion via some simple deductive reasoning and logic as well. And no, I'm not comparing Kerry to the POS Nader, since Kerry runs friggin circles around him, I'm just illustrating by comparison how deductive reasoning and logic can be used to overcome emotional opinion, even though both are opinion and not fact.

So that's how I figured that. Good ole fashioned deductive reasoning and logical analysis. I think we'll find in due time that the reasoning and logic were sound.

[whometense]

52. Totally agree.

Don't believe it for a second.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

30. He had his chance, but decided to make a phone call instead.

His loss. :shrug:

[DemBones DemBones]

36. Yep. Worse yet

OUR loss. I wish I had written in Kucinich in the general election instead of wasting my vote on "I've got your back" Kerry.

[DinahMoeHum]

75. Bottom line: Kerry and crew choked at critical moments.

I don't want chokers or equivocators running for POTUS or any Democratic campaign.

:kick:

[LittleClarkie]

33. Fucking ouch.

Aw John, that's gotta hurt.

But I will support you regardless of your choice.

That is all I have to say.

(But I'm surprised. I thought that Kerry said he wouldn't announce until after the first of the year, which falls into what Kennedy says he's waiting for. I guess I missed it if he said he'd wait even longer. Maybe Kennedy knows something we don't.

But anyway... I still love the big lug. It'll suck if he doesn't run. But then I'll just push him for Attorney General and see if that flag flies.)

[babylonsister]

39. Ditto that. I'm surprised Kennedy is flappin' his gums so soon.

Maybe this is his way of encouraging/pushing Kerry. Whatever role he plays in our government, I hope he stays in as an important capacity as possible. Kerry is way too smart and patriotic to get lost; we still need him!

[wisteria]

98. Kerry is running until he says he isn't. Kennedy still supports him! n/t

[Blue_In_AK]

105. I would like to see that, too,

if Kerry doesn't run. A cabinet position would be fine.

[Major Hogwash]

34. So what? Kennedy will support him later anyways.

After Kerry makes his announcement.

[LittleClarkie]

37. True.

He just sounds impatient, is all. I didn't expect John to announce until after Jan, 2007 anyway. I didn't hear if he's changed that date.

But he's a deliberate man. Kennedy should know that, I would think.

[demdiva]

66. EXACTLY nt

[CTyankee]

38. Not only witll Kerry not run for prez in 08, he won't run again for Senate.

He is so unhappy that he could not defend what he felt was most important to him: the honor of his service in Vietnam.

That is so sad, but it is true. It comes from one of his closest political advisors.

[LittleClarkie]

40. Don't suppose you have a link for that info

or are you in with the in crowd?

[CTyankee]

61. I know this qualifies as hearsay but that is what it is, in that

it was stated in a personal conversation by Kerry. However, even tho I highly trust and respect the source, he did get it secondhand, so I am taking the attitude of "wait and see." Kerry could change his mind. It could have been a remark during a particularly rough time. I certainly could understand how Kerry could be down after such a heartbreaking loss in 04 and then the huge flap over the botched joke. I feel terrible for the man.

[kerrygoddess]

41. Really?

Or this little announcement from Kennedy could be political cover for Kerry to announce earlier than planned... just a thought. Some times a well leaked story greases the wheel, so to say.

[demdiva]

69. Well if this is true that's very sad

because I think the case on Kerry's war service is CLOSED with a capital C... and if LIES is all they can come up with on Kerry (even Senator Warner said on the Senate floor that these were lies), that makes him a better candidate for 2008 in my mind.

[CTyankee]

104. I agree and that is why I was so surprised to hear how he felt

You never can tell what people feel is their own "failing" in their lives. Have you ever consoled a friend who is deep in regret over something that you know is not their fault and you keep trying to tell you friend that but he keeps on insisting he could have done it better or differently. I've done that to myself. It is strange. I think Kerry did mostly all he could do at the time he was swift boated. We were just not prepared for the ferocity and the thoroughness of the attack. And its viciousness. Also, the press did not do their part, those lazy bastards. I truly despise them for their smug, lazy, passive attitude toward the whole thing. American journalism has never reached a point lower in my opinion.

[Bake]

79. "Could not defend"??? What was stopping him, pray tell?

Couldn't? Or WOULDN'T.

If his advisors were telling him to ignore the SwiftLiars, he was a fool for listening to him. Noboy is responsible for his failure to defend himself but John Kerry.

Bake

[cadmium]

114. If he reacted more often people would

be complaining that he never listens. He would have disrupted the whole orchestrated campaign -- the whistlestop tour etc. Few at the time would support that. Easier to recommend that in hindsight. Once he selected his campaign team, he had to go with the program. He did not have an infrastructure of his own. A Howard Dean run DNC would have been a lot more helpful than the benign neglect of McAuliffe's crowd. McAuliffe was chatting away happily threw the whole campaign with his buddy right-wing pundit Laura Ingrahm on her show.

[karynnj]

90. I wouldn't trust an anonymous source

First of all he did defend that service as well as his later service in state and national government. The Patriot group, in addition to other goals, has as a goal refuting each and every charge - because as the NYT article said this was important to Kerry within or outside government. There is NO real doubt to any honest person on Kerry's service being honorable - there's a reason that the term "swiftboating" refers specifically to lies.

This view ignores Kerry's actions for the last 2 years. He has fought for what he thinks is right harder than I ever ever seen anyone fight. He worked incredibly hard and he likely is as responsible as anyone for some of the 2006 wins - especially of many veterans who ran for the House. Kerry protected several of them against swiftboating as well as giving many of them money very early.

Also, look at who is leading on Iraq. Is there a Clinton/Obama amendment? Kerry and Feingold forced that issue on the Senate. Iraq was a major issue in 2006, but in the spring when things went to hell in Iraq, some powers in the party did not want to deal with it before the elections. They were willing to wait over 6 months because of the election calendar - contrast this with Kerry's April 2006 statement that he would not be silent as soldiers died and the policy couldn't succeed. This was a moral issue for him.

Read his Alito speech befor the cloture vote. On this as well, he took a stand against some of party leaders who didn't think it was worth the political cost. It seems on all these issues, Senator Kerry is leading efforts to get people to do what is true to the best of our values. His whole life is based on service and in Teresa he has a kindred spirit on this.

If he opts not to run for the Presidency, the only reason I would imagine he wouldn't keep fighting in the Senate is if he decides there is a different role he can play. If the concern is his reputation, continuing to be the honorable man he always has been would seem to be the best counter to the lies, not retreating from public view. It is also not the first time he has been smeared badly. The RW has been after him since 1971.

[CTyankee]

102. I don't blame you. If I could reveal more I would but I can't so you

are right to doubt. I'm kinda sorry I said it and I, too, hope that it was just a remark made in a moment of sadness and that that sadness will pass and he will go on to run for the Senate again. He is doing good by putting together the American Security Project and bringing together some of the best military minds, in addition to the political minds, to create a counterbalance to the right wing think tanks. They have a good chair in Gary Hart, tho he may be leaving as its head because he doesn't like fundraising. We on the left need this kind of think tank of our own as we begin laying out policy ideas going forward.

[wisteria]

99. Another anonymous source who doesn't know the senator very well. n/t

[dailykoff]

42. "Kennedy drops support" is putting it a little strongly, isn't it?

Kennedy said he doesn't currently plan to endorse another candidate and still might support Kerry if Kerry decides to run.

It sounds like Uncle Teddy is asking Kerry to shit or get off the pot. Fine, that's his prerogative, although why he would say it in the Globe is hard to fathom.

Anyway, when "early 2007" rolls around, get back to us. I doubt if anybody but the Globe will still remember the joke by then.

[tabasco]

44. Kerry's a damn good man, a war hero and would make a fine President.

I hate the IWR vote and would prefer someone who opposed the Iraq invasion from the get-go.

[zulchzulu]

48. Thinking who Ted supports for President right now is pretty insignificant

Kerry has many other allies who would certainly back him in his run in 2008. Kennedy will fall in line. As much as I like Ted and saw him all through Iowa with Kerry, he wasn't the biggest draw. He was very funny though.

I'm not worried... Kerry, who I personally feel is the most qualified on all levels to be President in the field, will run. And I'll do what I can to help out.

[kerrygoddess]

54. My take on this

Making a Mountain Out of a Molehill: Kennedy Won’t Wait “Indefinitely” for Kerry to Declare his ‘08 Intentions
December 11th, 2006 @ 11:34 pm

Don’t you just love it when the media makes a mountain out of a molehill, or better yet stretches a statement and takes it out of context. Case in point is the latest reading of the ‘08 tea leaves from Rick Klein in the Boston Globe — Kennedy rethinks support for a Kerry presidential run in ‘08. As a matter of fact Klein stretched his point so far in the piece I am referencing that it caused Ted Kennedy’s office to issue a statement clarifying his position on supporting Kerry in ‘08.

So here’s my take on this…

MORE - http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=4935

[zulchzulu]

103. Klein is just itching to restart the Swiftie Lie Machine again

I have a sneaky feeling it's Klein that wants Kerry to be out in the open again. His Rolodex has little post-it markers with John O'Neill's mobile number at the ready. Christopher Hitchens probably has offered free cocktails when Klein gets the word...

[Mass]

50. I may be wrong, but I am reading that as Kennedy asking for Kerry to

decide soon, not as the fact that Kennedy is not wanting Kerry to run. The title does not reflect the article.

Later in the day, Kennedy's office issued a statement clarifying that Kennedy will support Kerry if he declares his presidential candidacy "in the near term," though Kennedy aides declined to define that schedule.

The Globe has been announcing that Kerry would wait until this spring to decide, and it seems it is just a way for Kennedy to say "make a decision".

However, the Globe reporting on Kerry is lousy, so it not surprising they would title the article this way.

[cadmium]

64. They do this with misleading Titles all the time--question for posters--->

My understanding is that the author of the article does not title the story. Is that true? If not the author who does?

[demdiva]

71. Another interesting point nt

[Lilith Velkor]

51. Oh thank Fuck.

*whew*

[BlueStater]

58. Oh, goody. Another anti-Kerry thread *barf*

Sometimes you people are nearly as irritating as those idiots at Free Republic.

[demdiva]

67. LOL

[WilliamPitt]

83. Yeah, cuz that's what I'm known for around here.

:eyes:

[bigtree]

87. stirring up the blissfully ignorant?

damn you for trying to inform us

[Mass]

59. Apparently, the Boston Globe went a little bit ahead of itself and the article is now

substantially changed . Go figure! It seems that once again, the Globe is showing his high reporting qualities.:sarcasm: Kennedy stating obvious things (I will not wait forever) and saying nice things about other Democrats (well, everybody is not stabbing Dems in the back) does not mean Kennedy is dropping Kerry anytime in the near time. More probably pushing him to declare.

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2006/12/12/kennedy_wants_sign_of_kerrys_plans_for_08/

Kennedy wants sign of Kerry's plans for '08

By Rick Klein, Globe Staff | December 12, 2006

WASHINGTON -- Senator Edward M. Kennedy yesterday dropped his public commitment to support Senator John F. Kerry in a 2008 presidential race, saying that he won't wait "indefinitely" for Kerry to declare his intentions while the Democratic primary field takes shape.

Hours later, Kerry aides promised that the senator would make a decision "shortly after the turn of the year," despite recent signals that Kerry could wait until late spring before deciding.

A Kennedy spokeswoman said Kennedy would continue to support Kerry if the junior senator jumps into the race on that time lin
...

[bigtree]

60. absolutely

I think most voters would eventually opt for a seasoned Kerry before siding with the Obama question mark - no matter how charismatic the Illinois senator may be. Hillary's candidacy would provide a spot for an 'anyone-but-hill' constituency which Kerry could exploit. The problem is that Hillary and John are very much alike in their agenda and proposals.

John Kerry is a fighter. I wouldn't count him out, with or without Kennedy's early support.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

80. What Good Is Seasoning

What good is seasoning when it leads you to vote for the Iraq War Resolution?


The ironic thing is Kerry voted against the first Gulf War which at least was justified...

[bigtree]

81. old debate

In my opinion, Kerry's vote for the IWR was to stand behind the limiting language he and others had included in the resolution (exhausting all peaceful means; return to the Security Council) which intended to steer Bush back to the U.N.. There was no mystery that the alternative was going to fall. Kerry and others sought to influence Bush who stated he intended to deploy troops with or without a congressional resolution using a loophole in the War Powers Act which allows him to do so for a period of time and go to Congress later.

In fact, in the first vote codifying the invasion and occupation, Kerry was one of the few senatore who stood up and voted against the funding.

I just don't believe the nonsense that the IWR authorized Bush to unilaterally and preemptively invade and occupy Iraq. Bush doesn't use the IWR as justification. He can't. He ignored the conditions which were clearly set out in the resolution which intended to restrain him. The resolution was law. He broke the law when he pushed forward.

Silly, really, to dwell on this when these facts could be used against Bush in any prosecution involving his actions regarding Iraq.

[cadmium]

62. Here is another typical Globe "news" ie gossip tactic

Like you note they float a story one day then clean it up for press

Another thing they do is juxtapose stories. They love Romney

Here is the Page Two story that appeared today.

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2006/12/12/romney_is_fast_rising_as_a_serious_contender/
NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Romney is fast rising as a serious contender
By Peter S. Canellos, Globe Columnist  |  December 12, 2006
WASHINGTON -- Until very recently, Governor Mitt Romney has been a long shot preparing for a race -- the Republican presidential primaries -- that almost always goes to the favorite.
But through shrewd moves and good luck, Romney has steadily risen through the ranks of GOP prospects. Now, almost everyone in Republican politics ranks Romney as the second-likeliest nominee, behind Senator John McCain of Arizona.

Canellos is a respected reporter and he is telling the truth here. The Globe, however does this juxtaposition thing all the time--Kerry is frequently the target.

I don't have exact references on my fingertips but I am pretty sure they used this same juxtaposition thing against Deval Patrick in our recent governor's race.

[WilliamPitt]

84. Jeez

Now I feel dumb for having posted it.

:grr:

[AtomicKitten]

109. incoming

duck and cover

[LittleClarkie]

110. Not your fault dear. I don't have to tell you what a love/hate relationship

Kerry has with the Globe. Uncle Teddy must not have liked the spin, and went about getting it corrected. And for my money, the idea was more to get Kerry moving. It appears to have worked if his staffers are now saying he'll announce at the beginning of the year instead of the Spring.

[demdiva]

65. It sounds to me like they are twisitng Kennedy's words a little

I think that Kennedy is just backtracking a little in case another candidate surges ahead quicker then expected (or in case Kerry ends up not running) ... and then the press could turn his support of Kerry into lack of support for the other candidate and continue the story about a broken Democratic Party. I think this means very little until he actually makes an endoresement.

[bigtree]

70. pretty generic statement from Kennedy

I expect he won't endorse either Clinton or Obama before Kerry makes up his mind.

[demdiva]

72. I agree nt

[mtnsnake]

68. You only have to read in between the lines to know that Ted is really saying

Don't waste your time, John!

[cadmium]

74. Doesnt sound like you want him to run- OK. Reading between

the lines works both ways.I read that the Globe usually spins negatively about Kerry. They also use negative headlines, gossip and out of context quotes -- and call it journalism.

The Globe selects the lines for us to read through.

[mtnsnake]

113. He can run in the primaries if he wants to, but I doubt he'll go anywhere this time

In all honesty, I think something huge (for him) would have to happen between now and the primaries for him to have anything more than a remote chance. Plus, he'd have to convince everyone that he's not the same Kerry that ran last time, and I don't see that happening. He still doesn't have that knack of connecting. He's too stiff, among other things.

[cadmium]

128. Time will tell. Debates would change the dynamic--> for my part I

am most interested in opposing scurrilous spin. I got sensitized to this in 2000 when the media -- liberal as well as conservative--did their best to paint Al Gore as a stiff spaceshot.

I would support Kerry 100% but I am not that concerned with him running for president. I'm agnostic about whether or not he should run. I just want him to continue to keep doing what he is doing----speaking up against the administration and telling the truth. The truth often is nuanced and contradictory. If he is a long shot it is because he is not now and never has been a favorite of the Washington power elite.

I would like to see people examine their reactions to media-amplified scapegoating and peer pressure before writing him off. My best friend voted for Nader in 2000 because he bought into the media spin. He now is pissed off about it. If people don't like him they are free to vote for someone else-of course. I qualify my post by saying that I am speaking for myself.

[wisteria]

100. Well, I'll counter with a RUN JOHN RUN!

Make the other candidate really work in the primary. Show them up for what they lack. We need a real President and a real leader.

[mtnsnake]

115. I don't doubt he'd make a decent president

Too bad there's something called a campaign in between him and making it happen. If only he didn't have to campaign, he might have a chance.

[LittleClarkie]

106. Nah. He's saying "Shit or get off the pot" In other words, get a move on.

And announce already. You'll see.

[mtnsnake]

116. Maybe so, but Ted just doesn't sound too high on him anymore

It just doesn't sound like Kennedy is trying to convince him to run at all, like he's lost that lovin feelin.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

78. Barack Obama Is Selling Hope And DSB Is Buying It

eom

[wisteria]

101. Fluff with no substance. n/t

[AtomicKitten]

111. substance in spades

and charm, intelligence, eloquence, oozes charisma, a brilliant speaker, with a lovely family,
and people LIKE him and are begging him to run.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

117. He Had Enough Smarts To Oppose The IWR...

When he goes to bed he can use the fact that the blood of 3,000 Americans and 50,000 Iraqi civilians are not on his hands as a pillow unlike Hillary Rodham Clinton, John Kerry, Joe Biden, Evan Bayh, and all the grizzled Senate veterans who supported that ill conceived war...

[wisteria]

121. He didn't have to vote on the resolution. It is easy to say you wouldn't have

when you were never faced with the decision. Besides, I would rather a leader side on the side of protecting this country then taking a chance with our safety and well being. Sorry, but Obama gets no points from me for what he might have done.

[AtomicKitten]

124. Obama did indeed oppose the IWR.

Barack Obama, now a United States senator, September 2002: "I don’t oppose all wars. What I am opposed to is a dumb war. What I am opposed to is a rash war. What I am opposed to is the cynical attempt by Richard Perle and Paul Wolfowitz and other armchair, weekend warriors in this administration to shove their own ideological agendas down our throats, irrespective of the costs in lives lost and in hardships borne."

Lincoln Chafee on The Daily Show recently said the Democrats knew there were no WMD. Yet 28 brave Democrats had the foresight to consider their political behinds first and voted for the IWR giving BushCo the bipartisan political blank check to launch an unprovoked, illegal, immoral war on Iraq. What is the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives when one's political future is at stake?

I say BRAVO to the brave 28 Senators that voted yes on the IWR. Well done indeed!!!

Baucus (D-MT)
Bayh (D-IN)
Biden (D-DE)
Breaux (D-LA)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Carnahan (D-MO)
Carper (D-DE)
Cleland (D-GA)
Clinton (D-NY)
Daschle (D-SD)
Dodd (D-CT)
Dorgan (D-ND)
Edwards (D-NC)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Harkin (D-IA)
Hollings (D-SC)
Johnson (D-SD)
Kerry (D-MA)
Kohl (D-WI)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Lieberman (D-CT)
Lincoln (D-AR)
Miller (D-GA)
Nelson (D-FL)
Nelson (D-NE)
Reid (D-NV)
Rockefeller (D-WV)
Schumer (D-NY)
Torricelli (D-NJ)

disclaimer:

[Laurab]

85. I feel bad for Kerry but please, NOT Hillary Ted

As much as I like Kerry, and know that he would be a good, probably great President, I came to the conclusion that he won't be in this race - politics suck - it would be so nice if voters looked a bit deeper than they do, but facts are facts.

IMO Hillary has done NOTHING to deserve being the "front-runner" - I think she is the repugs choice for our front runner, and I hope it doesn't happen. I'm watching Obama with interest, because somehow he's suddenly a "rock star", and maybe there's something behind it - I don't know enough about him yet.

No matter what, I want it to be someone who can WIN - I don't think Hillary can - she'd be a great "get-out-the-vote" candidate for the repugs, and she is hated by them as much as we hate bush, although she hasn't done anything to earn it, and he's done plenty. It's unfair but true.

I'm glad Obama is getting press, only because it takes it away from Hillary. I don't want the repukes picking our candidate, thanks very much.

At any rate, I do think unfortunately, that Kerry won't be a choice - hopefully he can continue doing good things, either as a Senator, or in a post in the next DEMOCRATIC President's administration.

[wisteria]

89. There is more to this story. Kerry is not out! n/t

[wisteria]

91. Mr Pitt, you should know better than to jump the gun on anything

reported in the media. The headline has now been changed which indicates it was overblown and highly suspect to begin with. And what this all comes down to is Senator Kennedy saying if kerry runs he still supports him, he (Senator kerry) needs to let Senator Kennedy know soon. Other candidates are more than likely asking for his support.

This is the Globe and Rick Klein gossiping and speculating more than likely on behalf of another candidate.

Doesn't all this make you wonder why people are so concerned about Kerry running or not? Why not allow the primary to do it's job. Let the best candidate win. It seems to me they are trying to eliminate anyone who could be a threat to some other candidates that have weak resumes and no positions on issue. No competition means and easy primary win and money saved for the general election. Gee, who does that sound like.
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2006/12/12/kennedy_wants_sign_of_kerrys_plans_for_08/

[dailykoff]

107. Kerry has a lot of enemies: the MSM, the MIC, the BFEE, PNACers, Big Business

and all the sawed-off chisling haters in between. The writing is on the wall all right -- Kerry's got a target on his back and we're just dying to pull the trigger.

[tabasco]

112. If Kerry is a man of courage he will quickly put those new tires on

and drive on. I suppport him in principle whatever he decides to do but I will vote for a candidate that voted against the IWR.

[Tatiana]

118. Teddy reads the writing on the wall. He realizes the field is wide open.

And Kerry just doesn't have that "it" factor to carry him above contenders like Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama. He would have made a great President. Of that, I have no doubt. But such is life.

That said, I sure as hell hope Kennedy doesn't endorse Hillary. I refuse to vote for her in a Dem primary and I believe Obama needs to complete a term in the Senate before running for our nation's highest elective office. I believe he also has what it takes to be a great President, but not in '08. Give him some time.

[wisteria]

122. No, Kennedy has said he still supports Kerry. Where did you read

what you have come up with?

[lateo]

119. I certainly hope not!

Kerry had a chance with me last time and he blew it.

[BlueIris]

123. While I still have every confidence in a Kerry candidacy and win in '08,

I'll kick this for those of you who enjoy villifying statesmen for their trivial flaws.

[jillan]

129. I'll take my thoughts on this from Tweety himself

(Chris Matthews) A couple of weeks ago he said not to rule John Kerry out.