Reply #8: With all due respect,

[Sick_of_Rethuggery]

what would get you excited about a candidate?

Here is Kerry: elite preppie who volunteered to serve his country when he absolutely did not have to, came back and steered the anti-war movement in a more constructive direction giving it legitimacy and respect which may well have ended the war and saved countless jobs, excelled in every job that he has held thereafter (look up his record, dont listen to the media, it is splendid, I tell you: and I supported Gore and Dean before I gave him a look) and in my opinion, ran one of the most memorable conventions ever, with his speech, by its sheer eloquence, artful critique of the incumbent pResident (the gem: "wouldn't it be nice to have a President who believes in science?") and a superbly confident demeanor that speaks volumes for his future courage under fire qualities (if his past is not an indicator to you).

Seriously, what does it take to get you all excited? Sure there are things about him that I wish he had done differently (the IWR), but I accept his explanation because I gained confidence in him on the other major issues (the environment and women's rights to just name two). If this is also your major concern with him, I can definitely try to present his side to you...

In my opinion, it is this completely irrational Democratic/Left tendency to always wish for the moon that gives the Republicans their power: they are rah-rah about a duffer who failed his way up spectacularly and we are not excited about a spectacular candidate.

Please elaborate on who *would* excite you and why? (I mean no disrespect, but I *am* a Professor and I believe in forming opinions that are informed and always questioning that which I dont understand -- and I am genuinely puzzled about this mantra on the Democratic side "lesser of two evils" -- and I really really cannot understand dis-enthusiasm for the terrific candidates that the Democratic primaries do seem to produce...)