I think Kerry would make a more liberal president than Clinton

[fujiyama]

Judging by his record, Kerry would be more liberal in many policy areas than Clinton.

While there are times when I feel like smacking Kerry across the head, I actually have grown to like him as a candidate. I have the confidence that he would make a good president, and he has the potential to be a great one (if he can fix much of the mess that has been made).

I understand the frustration on some issues (I still and annoyed by his IWR and PATRIOT act votes) but there's a lot more to him than those two votes. I'll give the benefit of the doubt, especially when there is so much at stake.

[DaveSZ]

1. Yep

After Kucinich and Sharpton, he is the most left-wing Dem from the primaries (in terms of his record).

He has a lifetime ADA rating more liberal than Ted Kennedy's lifetime ADA rating.

He will certainly be more liberal than Clinton, who is more like Joe Lieberman.

[Old and In the Way]

2. Hi fujiyama......Fix your 1st sentence to say "Kerry would be"....

And I believe you are correct that Kerry will ultimately be seen as a lot more progressive than Clinton.....if we can take back the majority position in the House and Senate.

[DaveSZ]

3. Yep

We'll need the Congress for Kerry to achieve his full potential.

He can still exercise significant powers through the Executive though.

He can use the Antiquities Act of 1906 to create more national monuments like Clinton did for example.

[fujiyama]

6. thanks

done

[Somawas]

4. No matter how liberal

Clinton might have thought he wanted to be, he went rushing for the middle and trying to out Republican Republicans once Newt made his Contract On america. Damn shame.

[TreasonousBastard]

5. Kerry's lifetime ADA rating is 92%, even higher than Kucinich...

saying Kerry isn't a "real" liberal is bullshit:

http://www.adaction.org/Campaign2004/2004PR_1/2004pr_1.HTM

[emulatorloo]

7. Of course he would. . . .EOM

[Dr Fate]

8. Kerry has the potential to best Clinton and Carter...

...but WE have to get him there and support him while he is in office too...

[lojasmo]

11. Not carter. N/T

[DrFunkenstein]

12. Carter Wasn't Very Liberal Until He Left Office

Amnesia can destroy ya.

[Dr Fate]

14. Not even the potential to do so?

Your crystal ball & Kerry's resume dont necessarily concurr...

[lojasmo]

17. Okay. Fair enough.

We'll see.

[MontecitoDem]

18. Yeah, what you said!

[salonghorn70]

9. After He Takes The Oath

If Kerry lurches leftward, then he will suffer the same problems as Clinton in 1993 and 1994. It was only after Clinton came back to the middle, that his popularity solidified.

[mitchum]

10. Yes he will!

Gephardt would be a more liberal president than Bill The Triangulator

[DrFunkenstein]

13. On His Two Sucky Votes...

Even the people who most vehemently disagreed with his votes have little qualms with the way Kerry would have run things had he been in charge.

[dansolo]

15. Only if he is willing to stand up to the DLC

Clinton was the founder of the DLC, and he believes in the crap that they spew. My only hope is that once he is president, Kerry will reduce the amount of influence they have.

[TexasSissy]

16. Well, he'll certainly be better than *. And that's all I care about now.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

19. I must agree!!! JK is a true Liberal who will fight for our causes.