If Kerry wins it's a referrendum on Bush..Not because of Kerry

[sventvkg]

I dont' know anyone who is overly exited about Kerry..I think he's going to win because Bush has killed his own presidency..Not because Kerry can beat him...I hope once Kerry gets into office he dazzles the Base because if he doesn't he'll surely be a one termer just like Bush..

Why is it no one seems that excited about Kerry??? We are all rallied up to get Bush out, sure, but not about Kerry's presidency...I find it disturbing.

[mstrsplinter326]

1. The "I love kerry out pouring in 3...2...1..."

I am certainly not happy about kerry being the alternative.

[gpandas]

21. because of his looks?

[mstrsplinter326]

28. Busted

NO! Consider looks: I am a Nader supporter - you think I need looks in a president??

Because he voted for the patriot act, for the war, because his words nearly mirror that of al gore's 2000 campaign: "I agree we should do ________ (Fill in what ever you want), but I dissagree on the timing"

Ex: Out-sourcing.

[gpandas]

44. a joke, of course, but...

i have often posted "you gotta win to win" because it is true that you have a much better chance of convincing democrats to adopt a more progressive agenda than you would republicans. in reality, we have only two choices-kerry or asshole. on the other hand, i think duers who don't care for kerry or the dnc platform have every right to express their views, as i am confident they will vote kerry. imho that the influence of du on the voting populace is way overestimated by duers, and i'm sure the same thing is true of the freeps. i would also guess that 100% of the people who post on either have their minds made up already and won't be confused by fact.

[mstrsplinter326]

45. gotcha, but some will tell you

your saying they have to lose to have a chance to win. and even then the chances of winning (based on recent history) are slim.

Say Kerry takes office, what's the likely hood of him changing policies to the more liberal, when a reelection campaign is looming not long after election? Money and liberal ideals don't go hand in hand for most of this countries elite.

[DaveSZ]

2. Yep

That's the feeling I also get.

Kerry's record is very solid though on liberal issues.

[sventvkg]

3. yea i've checked out his record and I like it as well..I'm hoping.

[LittleApple81]

6. Ditto. I LIKE his record. And I want Bush out. Therefore, I like Kerry,

will vote for Kerry, will help Kerry's campaign.
Forget about fire in the belly about Kerry. This IS a life/death issue for more than just America, it is a life/death issue for the world.

[Walt Starr]

4. Yup, and if Kerry does not live up to expectations from the Left

the Left will splinter and he will lose big time come 2008.

Sorry folks, flame me all you want, but thems the facts.

And since this election has proven to me the only way to get rid of a member of one party is to support the candidate of the other party, I promise that should Kerry fail to get us out of Iraq in a timely fshion, making moves within the first 100 days, I will be supporting whomsoever runs on the Republican side with the only exception to that being if the Republican candidate's last name is Bush.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

12. The splintered left was a godsend for Hitler

[BurtWorm]

19. A submissive left is also a godsend to the wrong people.

A left that just sits back and takes whatever the centrists in power (who won't be there in January 2005 without the left's assent this year) dish out is not worth spit.

[Walt Starr]

20. Yup, some refuse to face the facts

Kerry either delivers or he becomes a one term wonder, too.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

25. Well that post calls for an ability to distinguish

Nobody is asking you to lay back and enjoy being raped.

Must one intentionally undermine their own to be heard?

Were policy matters THIS bad when we retained any power at all in the three branches of government?

Again...fine line between demanding ransom and holding one accountable.

[BurtWorm]

27. It just disturbs me to see so little from Kerry indicating he knows

we're here and we're going to support him, and he needs us a lot more than we need him. He needs us on fire--which we already are and which a lot of us already have been since December 12, 2000. He doesn't need to put us out. It's not in his interest to put us out.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

31. He needs us more than we need him?

I fundamentally disagree with that statement...I feel the need is completely synergistic at this moment and again remind you that the far right got their rewards a slice at a time. It's not in either side's interests to dig their heels in...the USSC composition alone demonstrates that...you want more Ginsbergs or more Scalias?

[Walt Starr]

34. At this point in time, I agree with you. It's a symbiotic relationship

The instant Kerry is declared the winner, that symbiosis ends and he needs US more than we need him.

Again, this cycle has proven to me, if I decide Kerry does not meet my needs, I must go with the Republican. We have a political duopoly and that is the only way to work towards change.

Party loyalty be damned after November 2nd. The party is not loyal to me. I no longer feel any need to be loyal to it.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

36. Fine and thanks...I'm not disagreeing with you

timing is everything

[BurtWorm]

35. I want to hear Kerry say "More Ginsburgs" not "No litmus tests."

It's true that he needs us more than we need him. We survived the first Bush term (knock wood) without his help. Will he survive an election without ours?

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

37. There is NO comparison of the 1st Bush term to THIS Bush term

None whatsoever...the first Bush term kept the neocons in check..not so with this term.

Again return to the Kuttner article on America as a single party state....the first Bush term did damage..this one promises annihilation if left for another 4 years...if anything your responses to me make me wonder if you have lost all sense of urgency in the matter.

[BurtWorm]

38. Does Kerry feel urgent?

He's not coming across that way.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

39. Be specific if you want me to respond

I see and hear urgency in his speaking concerning foreign policy, enforcement of environmental laws, tax cuts for the ultra wealthy etc....

[BurtWorm]

41. The last I saw of Kerry was his speech to the AFL-CIO yesterday

and I wasn't impressed. I wasn't moved in the slightest, except to wonder why he was making those poor people stand behind him like props for the whole speech, and why the audience was being implored to applaud louder and more enthusiastically at the end of the speech.

I am totally turned off by the news that Kerry tried to get John McCain to join his ticket. Totally! And I don't trust he'll be showing any imagination with whoever he finally settles on as his VP.

Mind you I am probably going to drag my carcass into the voting booth and pull the lever for him, but I wish he'd do something to make me run to it.

[amber dog democrat]

15. I still can't bring myself to EVER vote for a Republican

even if Kerry does not meet some expectations. There are far too many Republican platform issues I am finding untenable, mendacious and dangerous.

Democrats would have to pick someone worse than Quasimodo before I would reconsider this stance.

ANYBODY BUT BUSH, Delay, Hatch, Hyde, Conryn, Santorum, Zell Miller, ( an honorary Repub!), Hastert, Trent Lott, .... and a whole lot more..

But I do have some respect for McCain.

[Walt Starr]

22. Well, the ABB movement has proven to me I must be open to voting for Repub

licans. It's the only way to defeat Democrats I don't like.

I've never voted for a REpublican in my life, but after this election, I will be open to voting for a Republican if Kerry does not make moves within the first 100 days to get us out of Iraq. I cannot afford to wait any longer than 100 days due to the drawn out campaign seasons these days.

Sorry, but that's the fact, regardless of who the Republican is (unless it's a Bush), if Kerry does not live up to MY expectations, I'm moving over to the Republican Party. I have exactly two choices. Re-election campaigns are referendums on the incumbent, ergo, if I do not like what the incumbent is doing, I must go with the other party.

[amber dog democrat]

43. Its not just Iraq

The Constitution and the attack on civil liberties,
The environment,
women's choice on abortion.
growing disparity beteen rich and poor,
the erosion of the separation of chuch and state,
corporate corruption
and the connection to the NEOCON / PNAC doctrines - I am refering to

the people like Perle, Scooter Libby, Cheny, Armitage, Wolfowitz, who dishonor the US world wide with this disasterous go-it-alone
imperialism

I guess if ever a candidate or party says the ends justifies the means, then this tells me where to go.

It is not just Iraq. I am confident Kerry will put in motion the necessary processes to get us out. Did he create this mess? Did he get us into an unnecessary war and lie about it to the American people?

I am probably to the left of where allot of people are, but I am not likey to vote republican until the current generation of idiological dinosaurs has moved on.

For that matter, any one who supported Reagan ( ever ) is suspect as well.

All the same I do respect your opinion and I know you are not alone.

[lancdem]

5. That will change once he picks his VP

and we have the convention. Right now, understandably, much of Kerry's support is being driven by anger at Bush, and that's typical for this point in the campaign.

[Parche]

7. Kerry

I am extremely excited about Kerry
I got to meet him a month ago, his speeches are fantastic
He is very Presidential looking
I have supported him for almost 2years now

[otohara]

8. Works For Me

What ever it takes to make this daily nightmare to end - Better than Lieberman

[democraticinsurgent]

9. Underestimating Kerry

It's easy to underestimate him in the wake of the excitement of Dean's candidacy and Kerry's quiet, studied approach. This has been accentuated by Bush's continued implosion. Most seem to agree that he should stay out of the way of the administration's self destruction which keeps him even more low-key than he would probably like to be.

I remember pretty much loathing Clinton during the 92 primaries and being quite bummed that he won the nomination. He wasn't what he could have been, but most of us agree he was pretty darn good.

So I look at Kerry as a guy who is likely to dazzle us. His voting record is pretty solid (Iraq is a sore thumb of course) and he is so wealthy that he is not going to look to feather his pockets.

A Kerry presidency could be a thing of beauty, especially if we can take the Senate and keep the House close.

(Full disclosure: I am an optimist.)

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

10. Do people want a fucking orgasm or a competent president?

And my question pertains to the White House specifically although I do view posts such as this as a form of virtual "jacking off."

Again, historically Roosevelt's policies were FAR more centrist and unexciting compared to the RADICAL changes he made during his presidency..no one could have foreseen Johnson waging the war on peverty...Bill Clinton GENERATED excitement...and in many ways he delivered but isn't HE the one leftists blame for abandoning the base? ( and I make this point simply to underscore the value of excitement and the law of unintended consequences)

Now..we return to our regularly scheduled programming of using DU to slam our nominee. :puke:

[Bridget Burke]

14. I want both! Just not from the same guy.

The last chick who did that caused a bunch of trouble.

As president, Kerry will be fine. If he's not perfect, I'll look forward to criticizing him for the next 8 years. And complimenting him for what he does right.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

18. Good to know your priorities are straight ;)

And yes...had people been oriented to organize and be active during Clinton's admin...we'd be in a VERY different position today...supporting someone INCLUDES holding them accountable.

[LTR]

11. Kerry hasn't shown flashes of brilliance yet

He's bright, and competent, though.

But I get a feeling he'll start to come into his own soon, and he'll surprise some.

So far, I think he's done a few smart things with his campaign. I'm sure he wasn't serious about the McCain as VP thing. After all, that's pretty implausible. He did it for the publicity, and it certainly got some people talking about him.

Lately, he hasn't really let me down. Let's hope it stays that way.

I still think the best person to beat Bush is Bush himself. The undecided voters and some leaning Republican may use this election as a protest vote against him. Either way, it is likely that Bush will continue to do himself in. He is running a terrible campaign so far.

[DaveSZ]

13. "Where's Kerry?"

http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=ViewWeb&articleId=7846

[Cocoa]

16. it would be the same with any candidate

Bush is so overwhelmingly bad, any opposing candidate would be overshadowed by how bad Bush is.

[vi5]

17. I don't want a rock star, i want a president......

I want someone to run the country like a competent, level headed adult. If I want inspiration and to feel all warm and fuzzy about myself I'll watch Tony Robbins infomercials.

[KittyWampus]

23. Kerry Hasn't Even Begun To Fight

He's barely even on the radar yet.

With all the crap coming out against Bush Co. why would you want Kerry in the way?

He will step forward at the right moment.

I am impressed with Kerry... and sick of the "I want a Prez to bar-b-q with" mentality.

[DemonFighterLives]

24. Could He Show Some Life

It sure is nice of the Bush Gang to self destruct, but at some point Kerry needs to make a stand. We have been through 3 years of hell waiting for the chance to replace these clowns. Sure would be nice to see some pep from our nominee. Heck with this war, get out. Get a VP selected and lets get out there.
Maybe the media has something to do with the dearth of Kerry campaign news. Maybe, Kerry has his own October Surprise planned?
:bounce:

[Kazak]

26. It is disturbing, but...

not nearly so disturbing as the prospect of four more years...

I suppose that's your point.

[seabeyond]

29. gonna let media feed this to you. we havent even gotten to see kerry

you want to tell me why people arent enthused. the media hasnt said a positive thing about kerry, nor do they show him and let him define self, so cause the media creates this kerry, you gonna buy it

dont you think we should at least experience kerry before deciding if we are enthused or not

this is old. lets just create another 2000 election here. gore is boring, oh so boring, look how boring. yada yada yada

[West Coast Democrat]

30. As in every presidential election, both are factors....

it's always a combination: strength of challenger AND referendum of the incumbent.

[Stuckinthebush]

32. I'm overly excited about Kerry

It will be nice to have a very intelligent, compassionate president who believes that it is important to look at all sides of an argument before coming to a decision. Also, a president who can change positions when new information is presented. That is the sign of an intelligent person who should be running a country.

Yes, I'm very excited about Kerry. As someone said in an earlier post, I'm not looking for a rock star - I'm looking for a good leader.

[LittleApple81]

33. So WHO CARES about the reason? As long as we get Bush out

we can work with a Kerry presidency... and more dems in congress, by the way.

[Timefortruth]

40. You're right and it worries me to death.

I just wish he'd pick someone to get excited about for vp.

[hippiegranny]

42. hey, whatever it takes

to get rid of the. worst. president. ever.

but actually, i am excited about kerry. he's a liberal, he's steady and he's a "closer". he's gonna go the distance for us.