John Kerry Doesn't Rule Out 2020 White House Run

[karynnj]

78. Probably not -- polling showed no one likely to vote for him believed the liars by November

The ONLY way it might have cost him the election was that his genuine heroism and the character demonstrated by his actions in those nearly four years when he was in his mid 20s might have been used more in the general election -- as they very successfully were in the primaries. One example was where one person, who was on one of his swiftboats spoke of how in the time he was with Kerry, Kerry would come over to check on him and the others - putting a hand on his shoulder quieting asking if he was ok -- something none of his previous superiors had ever done. What was clear was that the men ACTUALLY on Kerry's boat - regardless of politics - respected him and were very clear in their praise of how he led them.

It is interesting having read many articles written by or on people on Kerry's Senate or State Department staff that their comments echo the loyalty and affection that these swift boat guys spoke of. They show an intelligent, compassionate, considerate person who led them well. Very different than how the Republicans wanted to define him.

Without the liars, the dramatic stories of Rassmann and Kerry's crew might have been able to help the Democrats win the battle with the Republicans in defining who John Kerry was.