Counterpunch: John Kerry, Political Placebo

[Larkspur]

http://www.counterpunch.org/chuckman06152004.html

John Chuckman sums up how I feel about Kerry, though I do think that 4 more years of Bush would be worse than Kerry, but I do like the idea that Kerry is to the Democratic base what a placebo is to a seriously ill patient, a placebo.

<SNIP>
I recognize that Kerry needs all the advertising and marketing he can get. Every niche counts for one of the most uninspiring candidates in memory, although competition for the distinction of "most uninspiring" is tight in America. The nation's political system seems capable only of advancing con men, bumblers, and paste-board cutouts anymore, although, occasionally, as in the case of the late Great Communicator, a single man combines all three identities. A network of powerful interests much like rivers and tributaries running together to form one roaring cataract sweeps away any candidate in a major party who might actually stand for something other than the imperial ethos.

God knows Kerry has never represented much of substance. Efforts to sell him are likely wasted. Ask any professional marketer whether he or she thinks Bud Lite, even with the best marketing effort, can outsell Bud. If there's a better description of John Kerry than "Bush Lite," it eludes me.

Kerry, the boring, monotone moose of American politics, has hung up his set of Senate-fundraising cummerbunds--or at least restricted photographers access to the galas when he still hitches them up--in favor of casual plaid shirts. Well, he isn't completely consistent about the plaid shirts: it's a matter of which group he's addressing whether he wants to suggest being a regular guy or society swell. When he does wear the plaid--always immaculately pressed to make sure no one mistakes him for someone who actually works for a living--there is more than a passing nod to millionaire, perpetual candidate, Lamar Alexander, who made a hobby of running for the Republican nomination sporting custom-made red lumberjack shirts.
<SNIP>

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. Similar sentiments were expressed about FDR

I really think we can't know and Kerry NOT being Bush is inspiring enough for me.

[Political_Junkie]

2. Good point,

and one I had forgotten. Thanks, after reading that depressing article I needed to be reminded. I've been easily overwhelmed lately.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

4. I'm underwhelmed by those that continue to spread negative propaganda

about Kerry....

[emulatorloo]

7. Attack from the left, divide and conquer

Take a good serious man and call him a boring placebo. Compare a solid dem w a mostly terrific record w a right wing fundamentalist and say there's no difference, so why bother voting dem?

It *is* getting tiresome.

PS thnks for cheering me up, too, NSMA

[dwilson]

15. Propaganda. Pleeease. The guy is boring.

That's a fact; not propaganda.

[Larkspur]

8. Kerry is no FDR

at best if he's elected Prez, he could end up with a fate similar to Lyndon Johnson.

I wouldn't mind Kerry being Prez. Hope the world leaders give him the finger when he asks them to send troops to Iraq like they're doing to Bush.

[emulatorloo]

3. Sounds like the Gore-ification of Kerry

Especially the whole clothing section. . .

[I thought so.]

5. Dean quit.

Get over it.

[azmesa207]

6. Counter punch John Kerry Political Placebo

These guys sound like Republican Operatives to me alway negative response to Kerry.Actually who care what they think.

[Larkspur]

9. Typical Kerryite response

Blame those who oppose or strongly dislike Kerry as Repuke operatives. That strategy is straight out of the Rush Limbaugh attack book.

You guys and gals just can't take the heat. We may vote for Kerry because the alternative is a disaster, but that does not mean that we have to like him or support him in ways other than voting for him. I'm proud to say that I'm not a sheep following the Kerry herd.

[paulk]

14. It's a flock, not a herd

:)

[glitch]

10. placebos are quite effective, often more effective than often prescribed

high cost prescriptions. Just saying the placebo effect is nothing to sneer at. I am not agreeing Kerry's a placebo, but if he were it wouldn't automatically be a bad thing.
Plus if I were sick I'd rather be given a placebo than the wrong drug.

[leftistagitator]

11. Nice to hear what the Communists think about John Kerry

We don't have May Day so you don't hear from them too much in the states. At least they're not still pretending like there's no difference between Kerry and Bush, maybe in a few months they'll be to the point when they can stop badmouthing him every time he's mentioned.

[damnraddem]

12. Yeah, but if Kerry is the placebo, don't forget that ...

Dubya is the disease.

[Cocoa]

13. If Kerry is using that slogan

then Chuckman is missing the point. If Kerry is appealing to patriotism, it's more about Bush than about Kerry, it's about knowing that Rove is going to paint him as a traitor commie, and not letting him do it.

Chuckman and Counterpunch rarely if ever bring up the minor matter of winnning elections. And when dems lose, they love gloating over it.