Kerry to heckler: 'I never run away from a fight,' especially with Bush

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2004/02/05/politics1337EST0651.DTL

Answering a heckler, Democratic presidential front-runner John Kerry said Thursday "I never run away from anything, especially George Bush."

The Massachusetts lawmaker had just received an endorsement from Maine Gov. John Baldacci when somebody from the crowd of about 400 shouted, "Why don't you tell them about your vote on the war and the Patriot Act?"

Kerry has faced criticism from some Democratic voters and rival candidate Howard Dean for his vote in favor of President Bush's Iraq war resolution and his support of the Patriot Act, an anti-terrorism bill that critics say has curbed civil liberties.

"I'll explain them all as we go along," Kerry swiftly replied to the heckler. "I never run away from anything, especially George Bush."

[x-g.o.p.er]

1. But he never answered the heckler

Which causes me to wonder what his answers will be when he does answer the questions posed.

[cindyw]

3. Did you see the speech?

I know his stump speech. He talks about those things on a regular basis.

[CatWoman]

4. he's supposed to yell out

and answer heckler's questions? :shrug:

[LostInTheMaise]

33. But of course not

""I'll explain them all as we go along," Kerry swiftly replied to the heckler. "I never run away from anything, especially George Bush.""

Yet we still await the answer and explanation that has not forthcome.

Bring it on John F. K.!!!

[Carolina]

34. haste makes waste

he voted hastily, and I daresay politically expediently, but now has plenty of time to explain himself. Spare me.

Hastily mad decisions are almost always regrettable. The time for deliberation and explanation was before the vote was cast. Since I shook his hand and pleaded with him about Iraq before October 2002, I cannot get past his vote.

If, sadly, he becomes the nominee, all he will get from me is my vote. My zeal and dollars are otherwise committed.

[gWbush is Mabus]

6. never mentioned the Patriot Act

[0007]

10. What would you had like to seen? Kerry smack the schmuck

with a dead fish.

[polmaven]

27. Maybe he should have

told the heckler to shut up and sit down....That seemed to work well for some one else, eh?

[henslee]

30. didn't this happen to Charles Foster Kane in C.K.?

and wasn't it staged by CFK's campaign?

[Jax]

2. Explain it to me NOW Senator

Jax

[NewYorkerfromMass]

11. Here:

I voted for the Patriot Act right after September 11th – convinced that – with a sunset clause – it was the right decision to make. It clearly wasn’t a perfect bill – and it had a number of flaws – but this wasn’t the time to haggle. It was the time to act.

But George Bush and John Ashcroft abused the spirit of national action after the terrorist attacks. They have used the Patriot Act in ways that were never intended and for reasons that have nothing to do with terrorism. That’s why, as President, I will propose new anti-terrorism laws that advance the War on Terror while ending the assault on our basic rights.

This Administration has shown a pattern of abusing civil liberties....

http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/speeches/spc_2003_1201.html

[Jax]

14. Thank you for the link

Should have made it clearer that it is the Iraq pre-emptive bloodbath war he voted for that is NOT sitting well with me at all and will not sit well with me. If he is the nominee he has to do some big time mea culpa for that reprehensible vote. Even a part time DUer like me knew Iraq was about oil not weapons of mass destruction. This despicable 'war' we brought to Iraq is VERY personal to my extended family, has already had a life changing impact there NewYorkerfromMass. I believe I am not the only Dem feeling this way but then I haven't talked to every Dem out there.

Appreciate the link on his views on his vote for the Patriot Act though. Many thanks there. Do like what he said here:

"In my first hundred days, I will restore our commitment to civil rights and individual rights. And that will begin with the appointment of an Attorney General whose commitment to and understanding of the Constitution is as great as that of all Americans. An Attorney General who knows we can fight the war on terrorism without attacking America’s freedoms. An Attorney General whose name is not John Ashcroft. If I am President, this government will protect individual rights not roll them back. We will protect equal rights, privacy rights, and a woman’s right to choose. And we will restore the constitutional foundation of this nation."

Again thanks for this link, and for your efforts at DU, whether I agree with what you post here or not you put in time and effort to get your facts and what you believe out here. Respect that.

Jax

[Just Me]

25. If I could spot the propaganda, why didn't he catch on?

I am the same boat with Jax. I am simply having a really, really hard time resolving that particular conflict. I am not quick to judge his whole character on that vote,...but, for the first time in history, millions of people were protesting before a war was even waged. That speaks volumes,...I would think to him, having protested the Vietnam war. I just can't,...understand. I was even initially giving him the benefit of the doubt that he actually "believed" the administration's lies. Yet, if he is as perceptive and intellectually curious as the other millions who spotted what was happening and who took to the streets,...he would NOT have voted for authorization. I simply cannot get past that.

<edit - quit proof of spelling>

[Just Me]

32. NOTHING CAN DIVERT ME FROM ABB,...

,...I will take any step away from what is in place :D

[Voltaire99]

20. Completely unacceptable answer; Kerry fails the basic test

"...but this wasn't the time to haggle. It was the time to act."

As banal an answer as could be made. That desperate hour, in fact, called for acting carefully -- and not merely rubberstamping the most pernicious piece of legislation offered in modern times.

Kerry went along with the right wing mob. His cowardice, however, was not reflected by the courage and example of Sen. Feingold of Wisconsin, from whom the accomodationist Kerry could learn much.

Further, what to make of this preposterous claim?

"That’s why, as President, I will propose new anti-terrorism laws that advance the War on Terror while ending the assault on our basic rights."

The "war on terror" is a costly lie -- code for the expansion of our military-corporate aims. We don't need more of it. Just the opposite.

Kerry can scarcely be acceptable to progressives with these mealy-mouthed establishment attitudes.

[Zhade]

31. Amen!

The "war on terror" is a costly lie -- code for the expansion of our military-corporate aims. We don't need more of it. Just the opposite.

Couldn't put it better myself.

[Zhade]

23. This is, I'm sorry to say, a complete cop-out.

Let me preface my comments by stating clearly that I don't trust Kerry any further than I can throw him. Now that that's out in the open...

It clearly wasn’t a perfect bill – and it had a number of flaws – but this wasn’t the time to haggle. It was the time to act.

It wasn't a perfect bill, yet Kerry voted for it. But how would Kerry have known at the time that it wasn't perfect? After all, he didn't read the bill. As far as I know, not a single member of Congress had read the bill before passage.

"It was the time to act." So it's a good thing to be so fearfully reactionary that dangerous, unConstitutional bills become law, all because "the terrorists" are going to strike again?

Look, I can understand the worry that we were about to get hit again, but that does NOT excuse a senator with, as Kerry puts it, 30 years of experience from setting aside his Constitutional duties. I do NOT want as president a man whose actions can be guided by intentionally manipulated fear.

[gristy]

38. Did you read the bill, John?

They have used the Patriot Act in ways that were never intended and for reasons that have nothing to do with terrorism.

WTF? John, that's how these things work. Intentions don't count when it comes to laws. Only the law counts. Did you read the bill? Did you consult with any non-partisan think tanks (or even partisan ones for that matter) and ask them "what are the unintended consequences of this bill?" Or even "what are the hidden, intended consequences of this bill?" Damn it, John. If you're going to be our next President, you've got a heck of a learning curve to climb.

Oh, and don't worry about me. I'm ABB.

[xxqqqzme]

5. Why did "I'm

a lumberjack and I'm OK' just pop N2 my head when I read this??? strange association!

[CO Liberal]

13. I Thought About The Same Thing at Post #10

Someone getting smacked with a fish made me think of "The Fish Dance" and "The Lumberjack Song".

:-)

[pinto]

7. hey SFGate, headline does not reflect actual quote,( pet peeve dept) n/t

[BeatleBoot]

8. I know why he didn't answer!

Because everyone already knows how he voted.

And I think everyone knows now that Bush lied to Congress about the "imminent threat" thing.

So, I don't get the point.

[Larkspur]

9. No, Kerry doesn't run away from Bush, he just rolls over

like a dog at his master's feet.

[earthside]

16. Kerry's War Vote

I'm not happy about Kerry's vote for the war resolution. He was not my first pick, either.

But he demonstrated himself to be a fighter on the campaign trail, and smart, and articulate ... That's what we need.

Ideological purity should not be what those of us who want Bush out are about. Remember, Eugene McCarthy and George McGovern both voted for the Token Gulf resolution ... Yet they became the great political leaders of the anti-Vietnam war movement.

I'm for Kerry. Let's get with it and beat Bush.

Period.

[Debi]

18. You're correct

Much better to have a candidate that 'morphs' into what the other candidates have found to be successful than to stand on his own. Tell me one original position Kerry has?

I want a president that will stand up for me - not stand down for the current administration.

[msmcghee]

19. The only way you can have that . . .

. . completely, is to run for president yourself. Otherwise, you have to pick the best from those who are running.

Margi

[Carolina]

35. oooh, good line

and sadly too true:

a candidate that 'morphs' into what the other candidates have found to be successful.

[Zero Gravitas]

21. wrong forum

don't we have a forum devoted to candidate bashing?

[onehandle]

12. Why didn't the "heckler" just shout....

"I want Bush for four more years!"

That would have been just as helpful.

[Cocoa]

28. he implied it

he was probably a republican posing as antiwar, just disrupting the dem primaries.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

41. That was my thought

It wouldn't be the first time the Repugs had planted a disruptor at a Democratic rally.

[Zhade]

44. Oh, come on. There are plenty of progressives who ask the same questions.

It doesn't make us Republicans or disruptors.

We have good reason to question, too.

[GainesT1958]

15. Well, he never had to defend those votes at that stop...

But he will have to defend them eventually...of course, it's the things he CAN'T defend that have me worried about him!

Nice of Terry Mac to take sides in this thing behind the scenes, too--NOT! :mad:

B-)

[Zhade]

17. "Why don't you tell them about your vote on the war and the Patriot Act?"

Damn good points, I'm afraid.

The major issues that we hold up to excoriate b*sh on are issues Kerry aided and abetted in.

Either Kerry (and millions of ordinary citizens like myself) knew beforehand that the run-up to war was based on lies, or he was tricked and thus is far too incompetent to be our leader.

The latter is very dangerous. The former is treasonous.

[revcarol]

22. More flim-flam.

Surely Kerry knows that SOME PARTS of the Patriot Act do NOT have sunset provisions. They would have to be REPEALED!!

Thanks for contributing to misinforming the public, Kerry. Maybe before the next heckler, you will READ THE BILL, which you didn't bother to the first time, either.

[Nlighten1]

24. Who gives a shiat?!?!?!?!

Our goal is to get rid of Monkey boy and his fascist crew...we can worry about Kerry and the DLC later...

[Snappy]

26. Kucinich

The only candidate that voted against Bush Blank Check, Patriot Act, $87 Billion. I feel that Kucinich is the best candidate yet it is clear that most of the American voters aren't ready for an actual progressive Pres.

Kerry is the "safe" candidate.

[Carolina]

37. safe?

Kerry is Skerry, I mean scary. With Kerry leading the pack now, I feel greater fear and worry about our prospects for victory in 2004.

From BCCI and Iran-Contra, he had to know something about how dirty the Bushes were/are, yet he has rubber-stamped W on just about everything. He only, really found his voice (testicles ?) when the people started rallying to Howard Dean and the media took notice. Before then and especially on Iraq, he ignored his MA constituents and the thousands who took to the streets to protest pre-emption. He ignored his fellow MA Senator, Ted Kennedy, and the powerful words of his colleague, Senator Robert Byrd. He ignored his constitutional duty and SURRENDED to Bush.

Hard as I try to swallow the placebo pill of Kerry's electability and inevitability, I just can't, can't get past IWR.

[Sterling]

29. I sthat why all the BCCI perps and CIA drug runners..

Are running the country? I have my doubts about Kerry's gusto to really hit Bush and family where it hurts.

[trogdor]

36. What will all you people do when (or if) Kerry is the nominee?

Are you still going to harp on all this crap, or are you going to close ranks and get Bush the hell our of Washington? Huh?

The time for all this bullshit is damn near over, people.

Will the Patriot Act survive beyond the sunset date if one of our boys gets elected President? Hell no. I don't care which one it is.

Is John Kerry stupid for voting to give Bush power to wage war in Iraq? Sure he is. Will it keep you all from voting for him in November if given the choice between him and Bush? If so, we might as well fold this website right now. I thought the foundation plank in DU's platform was getting rid of that idiot George W. Bush.

Enough is enough, goddammit! There is no "I" in team, people! I voted for Clinton in 1992, after all, because the need to get rid of the other Bush overrode my reservations about Clinton. I do not regret for one single minute voting for Clinton in '92 and '96 (as a Republican). Plenty of 2K Nader voters, on the other hand, have deep regrets about what they did. Let's get with the program!

[Carolina]

39. time to get over it?

It ain't time 'til the delegate count is done. :shrug:

And you cannot begin to compare Clinton to Kerry. Clinton had a record of results in AK, he never went dirty on another Dem, he came from truly humble roots and didn't have to fake populism, he has immeasurable charisma ... need I say more!

[Zhade]

40. We cannot cling solely to beating b*sh. What about the future?

This stuff about Kerry? It's not crap. It's a reality that many of his votes enabled b*sh to commit his worst acts. Kerry is no longer anti-Establishment - he is the Establishment.

Of course we're going to vote b*sh out of power if we get the chance. It's pretty insulting for anyone to suggest otherwise.

Will the Patriot Act survive beyond the sunset date if one of our boys gets elected President? Hell no. I don't care which one it is.

Please note that, as a poster above mentioned, the entire PA itself DOES NOT SUNSET. The Act itself will remain law until it is repealed.

[polmaven]

46. What about the future?

There IS no future if Bush is re-elected!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Robin Hood]

42. Why don't all of you vote for Bush then?!!

No one else seems to give a damn abot Kerry's votes except the few idealists here on DU. It is painfully obvious that the vast majority of people out there don't give a rats butt about his vote for the IWR, as evidenced by his standing in the primaries.

Where as Dean's anti IWR has barely gotten him anywhere, considering the money that he has thrown at the race.

I am against the war, against the patriot act, but most of all I am against Bush. Kerry has taken these issues off the table and brought the main issue of the economy to the fore front of American politics. And as any astute political junkie will tell you, it is the economy stupid. People do vote their pocket books.

And the economy alone will Kick Bush out of office, just like it did his father.

[Zhade]

45. IDEALISTS? Try realists.

It is painfully obvious that the vast majority of people out there don't give a rats butt about his vote for the IWR, as evidenced by his standing in the primaries.

And that's a sad commentary on Americans as a whole - we don't care about the fact that a man running for president voted to enable an illegal act of war against a country which, as known by millions of average citizens at that time, did NOT pose a threat of any kind. After all, that's how they sold this war to the American people. As a desperate threat that had to be averted. Only problem? THE THREAT WAS A LIE, AND WE KNEW IT.

If we knew, then you can bet your life Kerry knew.

That is the crux of this debate. We know Kerry enabled b*sh for one of two reasons: he went along for political expedience, or he truly believed b*sh had good intentions and was telling the truth.

If the latter is the case, then Kerry is an utter fool and completely unfit for the presidency. If it is the former, he cannot be trusted with that power.

And when it comes to this myth of "electability", Kerry stands on shaky ground. The traitor in the White House can simply point out that Kerry voted to aid b*sh with regards to NCLB, the PA, and the IWR, and what will Kerry do then? All the service medals in the world won't raise him from the hole he is now in.

Unless, of course, the American people prefer retribution and combat bravado over the truth - in which case Kerry's planned continuation of the "war on terrorism" will give them their fill of militarism and empire-building.

[Spentastic]

47. BECAUSE IT GOT PEOPLE KILLED

What would it take for you to get a little antsy?

[leesa]

43. So is he going to prosecute Bush if president? Is he going to throw

out all the traitors in Congress and the Judiciary, including those from the Dems, who have betrayed our country? Don't see it happening. Status quo. Forgeddaboutit!