Why John Kerry Won Tonight

[Tsiyu]

John Kerry won this evening's presidential debate for three reasons: Integrity, Integrity, Integrity - the words spoken to him by his own late mother.

He had the integrity not to laugh or smirk or chuckle over the very deep, real pain the American people are feeling today. As we see our children and Iraqi children die on a daily basis for oil and to line Bush's buddies' pockets; as we see our rights go down the tubes and our government hijacked by bloodthirsty neo-conservatives; as our gas and health care and college prices go up and up and up and our wages - indeed our very employment - go down and down and down, we are a nation of hurting people.

We are a nation tired of unjust war, tired of a leader who laughs in the face of our pain. Six American soldiers died today. Only John Kerry showed the dignity and solemnity a statesman shows in a horrific, tragic time such as this. Bush only grinned and joked and laughed as if he had not a care in the world. This will not play well with those who are suffering because of his policies. Kerry truly cares about what is hurting us and has plans to fix these wounds. All Bush can offer is a poor intellect and a disgusting, absurd sense of humor.

Kerry had the integrity not to insult the American people. He "gets it." He does not paint a rosy picture of today. He tells the truth about today. That wages are as disproportionate between rich and poor as in 1928-29! We know this. We see the businesses failing around us because the middle class has no disposable income. We see and hear the stories of our returning soldiers. We fill our gas tanks and must leave food and medicine out of our budgets in order to drive to our jobs and run our daily errands.

Bush's attitude toward the American people? He insults them. And he was full of insults this evening. He insulted health care workers ( buggy and horse? Where has this person been?) He insulted teachers, news organizations, our troops and even his own base, by denying he is totally committed to America being a "Christian nation" as his closest allies desire. He insulted every American when he asked us to believe he truly understands the issues facing Americans. And he can't even keep the insults straight. On the one hand, he claims American medicine is in the uh.... uh ....buggy and horse days, yet in the next breath he says our health care system is the envy of the world. A lie. And then spin. Which is it Mr. President?

John Kerry addresses the American people as if he respects their intelligence and judgement. "Because I said so" is no way to run domestic or foreign policy. Kerry knows this and he respects each and every American. This came through in his speech.

Finally, John Kerry has the integrity to truly believe the words that come out of his mouth. He quoted Scripture as one who understood the spirit of Scripture. "Faith is empty without works." This only underscores Bush's coldblooded, greedy portrayal of a "Christian." Bush is no follower of Jesus Christ, and while this should be no test for office, standing up for the ideals one purports to believe is a test in itself. Bush's words about "praying" ring empty and hollow and merely self-serving. John Kerry's words about his faith were genuine and show that his faith leads him to serve the American people, which he has done as a soldier and as a Senator for 20 years.

Kerry has the integrity and the heart to lead this country well. All Bush can offer is four more years of self-aggrandizement, immature bursts of giggling while Americans are hurting deeply, and lie upon lie to cover all his other lies.

Integrity. Kerry has it. Tonight he showed the American people why he will be our next president.

[cthrumatrix]

1. the difference is astounding... I agree and wonder how "intelligent people

can possibly see other... shrub was "schooled tonight" and is 0-3 against Kerry.

[whodiedandmadeUSgod]

2. Thank you for your thoughtful post!

[Amaya]

3. Very well said

Thank you

[liberalmuse]

4. As deeply cynical as I am...

I honestly believed in John Kerry tonight. Bush, well, I kinda tuned him out. The idiot makes no sense whatsoever!

[Tigerlily]

5. Agreed! Bravo for Kerry!

[wishlist]

6. Wonderful post- you summed it up eloquently

On CNN, their official debate poll results show Kerry 52% to Bush 39% with Kerry the clear winner. There is no question according to Bill Schneider that Kerry clearly won all three debates! Vanessa Kerry is on CNN right now pointing out all of the issues that Kerry is going to work for and how Kerry will not let the American people down if they give him a chance.

Bush displayed again why he should be relieved of his duties and retired to Texas since the job is obviously too hard for him to handle.

[wanpete]

7. imtelligent progressive thinkers=Kerry!

;-)

[ignatius 2]

8. Agreed, he had the integrity not to smirk or chuckle. I get physically

sick at my stomach every time I hear Bush say he is having a good time in the debates and on the campaign trail. He is haveing a good time while many Americans have no jobs, no health care and can't afford to put enough food on the table. He is having a good time while over a thousand of young Americans have died in his war based on lies. He is having a good time while tens of thousands of innocent Iraqis are blown to smithereens.

I will be having a good time when his sorry, pathetic ass is sent back to Crawford to lie with the rest of the rattlesnakes.

[skygazer]

9. Very well written

I will save this, it puts the thing nicely.

Yes, I agree. I was insulted by Bush's flippant attitude, and by his inappropriate giggling. We're choosing a leader and he is treating it like a joke. He speaks down to the American people, framing things in an almost chiding way, as if we would have to be stupid to think he's doing a poor job. That's insulting.

As the incumbent, he has the burden of proof, to demonstrate to us that we are in a better place than we were four years ago, or at least that his policies are bringing us to a better place. He cannot do this. Instead, he derides his opponent and belittles nearly everyone in the process.

Ironically, as the challenger, Kerry is to a certain degree bound to show why we need a change, why the current administration needs to go. He does that, but not solely that. He doesn't spend all his time attacking Bush's policies. He offers alternatives, he offers plans. He cites facts while Bush cites anecdotes, most of which make little sense.

It amazes me that anyone sees anything positive in Bush's performance. No, he did not attack the moderator. But he didn't prove his case, that he's the man for the job. Nowhere near.

[selmo7]

21. Thoughtful and Well Said!

I second the nomination for the front page.

[newyawker99]

30. Hi selmo7!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Zomby Woof]

10. wonderful post!

I loved the smirky non-sequitirs. "How you will address job losses?"

"*snerk* *chuckle* No Child Left Behind! It will get those kids thru school!*guffaw*snerk*"

Mentally deranged. Just mentally deranged.

:hi: Bhg!

[LuCifer]

11. Kerry actaully ANSWERED the QUESTIONS!

Novel concept, eh Mr. "President"? All W did was "WELL UH YOU GOTTA REFORM EDUCATION!!!" Oh man, just do like Dick did and just refuse to answer the damn question, Christ on a pancake!

Lu Cifer

[Old and In the Way]

12. Well stated and I couldn't agree more.

John Kerry is Presidential....Bush is simply a Pretender.

Nominated for front page!

[bif]

13. Very nice.

I'm printing this out and handing it to several of my conservative friends.
Thanks for posting.

[Tsiyu]

14. Obrigada to all for your kind words!

DU is a bit tough to maneuver this evening or I'd respond to each. I am very, very proud to be supporting John Kerry. And he kicked *booty!

Now, on to the polls. I love you all!:grouphug:

[Zomby Woof]

17. hehe

I posted a link to this thread in the Lounge AND nominated it for the home page!

Now how about THAT? :hug:

[Tsiyu]

18. Thanks Zomby

This talk of home page nomination is making me blush!

I just know, watching Kerry's eyes and *'s eyes, who truly cares about me as an American. To * & Co. I'm only one of the Great Unwashed. To Kerry, I matter, my kids matter and our soldiers matter.

After hearing that six GI's died today, I wanted to see a solemn president. I didn't expect either candidate to cheapen those soldiers' deaths by using them to score points, but I did want to see a leader who feels the same pain I feel over the loss of precious life.

Only Kerry showed compassion.

We Democrats should be so proud of our man. All of you sweeties who posted here must agree!

[Zomby Woof]

33. You're welcome

Kick :D

[Amaya]

15. Kick

nt

[fob]

16. Yes, all that, and bush* changed his tie from blue to red. He's clearly

not comfortable in his own skin.

[Hog lover]

19. Excellent post - Bush showed yet a third demeanor

in this debate. He obviously had been pounded by his advisers to stand up straight and to try to keep a pleasant look on his face. He ended up looking awkward and downright silly, not to mention it looked like he thought the serious issues presented by the questions were just amusing. He could not stop the rapid blinking when he was flustered by what Kerry was saying at times. My Gawd, how some people find him "real" is beyond me.

[wiley]

20. Thank You!

Well written. You saw the same debate I did. What was up with the right side of Bush's mouth. At one point he was foaming. Very weird. One of his eyes was smaller tonight as well. Bush just looked very odd. What a bloody punter as well!

I am now VERY enthusiastic about voting for and working for Kerry and a Democratic Congress. This is serious stuff.

See Going Upriver, at www.goingupriver.com of course. It convinced several friends to vote for Kerry. They were impressed.

:toast:

[justjones]

22. You hit the nail exactly on the head...Bush acts like he's entitled....

to be president. Like he rules us rather than represents us. On the other hand, John Kerry humbly asks the American people to vote for him, to grant him the "privilege" of being our leader. He has respect for all of us.

And Bush's laughing was totally inappropriate. He is totally and completely out of touch with the majority of the American people. I agree we are hurting: people are unemployed, poverty rising, soldiers are dying in Iraq every damned day, families are grieving, we are suffering as a nation. Bush acted like all of these issues were a joke.

Imagine going on a job interview and treating the people who are interviewing you like they're stupid not to hire you, like they owe you the job. Basically, these debates were Bush's interview and he blew it.

I say we flush Bush's application down the toilet and hire Kerry. He proved he deserves the job.

[IdaBriggs]

23. Beautifully said. Kick! nt

[camero]

24. Why Kerry won

GW lied about Bin Laden. Kerry called him on it. On national television.

[calimary]

35. And MAN does that ever need to be said, and repeated,

MULTIPLE times.

So does the post that started this thread. Just wonderful. And completely spot-on.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

25. Beautiful

Thankyou

[misscoko34]

26. this is how I am living

You hit the nail right on the head when you mentioned about going without one thing to pay for another! This is so true I almost doubled over in pain! I just landed full-time employment at a local hospital but I cannot afford to pay for insurance because I need every penny I have to pay my mortage, keep my lights on and pay for gas to get to and from work! That's all I can afford. I have three teeth that needs extracted but I can't afford to pay for it. Next month I have to let my electricity go two months in order to pay for my dental work.

My 16 year old daughter has to get a job if she wants to have decent clothes to wear on a regular basis. My son will turn 16 in March and he cant wait to get a fast food job so he too can pay for his clothes and shoes!

My neighbor just received news that her job at the local plant 10 minutes away is outsourcing 300 jobs to BRAZIL! at the end of the year. She worked for these people for over 25 years!!! She is about to lose her mind!

I am in enrolled into school now as we speak but I dont start until January 2005. Please GOD don't let this tyrant (bush) be our president!

This misery is REAL yall! But I have faith we will pull this election out. I have asked for election day off so that I can take my neighbors and the elderly to the polls..I am trying to save gas money as I write this...I am determined to do my part to make sure we gets the votes we need here in Georgia to defeat that idiot Bush!

[deek]

27. welcome to DU

I have so much hope now. Bush will be out!

[Tsiyu]

28. Welcome to DU misscoko34!

And I cannot tell you how much everyone's responses mean to me. I am struggling as well. Forget health care, forget the dentist, forget buying new clothes. Sometimes it feels so overwhelming, to know you have worked for so long to have so little.

Kerry is on our side. I was thinking this morning that * has let so many people down. Police, firefighters, our children. If he would only tell the truth, it would explain his cold heart. Instead of saying "I will use no litmus test to choose Supreme Court Justices" why doesn't he admit that every single one of his advisors and appointees meets his neo-conservative, greedy, cold-blooded litmus test? Why should we believe his appointments to the Supreme Court would be any different?

As premature births rise ( at a phenomenal cost to Americans) due to inadequate prenatal care, * refuses to tell us he will overturn Roe v. Wade if given the chance. How does his base handle this deception? Well, the strategy of Bush's Right Wing followers is to deny their core beliefs to gain power and advantage only to force their arrogant greed and injustice on the rest of us. He lied to us last night, repeatedly.

But Kerry called him on the lies every time. No matter how *'s ignorant supporters try to spin this, we are a hurting nation. Only Kerry has comfort to offer. Godwilling, he will lead us to better days.

[newyawker99]

31. Hi misscoko34!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[grl2watch]

32. Welcome to DU!!!!!

Welcome to the REAL world,where you're among people
who think like you do, want the truth
like you do, and who can be as funny as hell to boot!

Good luck with your new job and college. Looks like
you're going to have a great year!


:toast:

[calimary]

34. Welcome to DU! Funny, you'll get more sympathy and understanding,

and moral support here than you could expect from the ENTIRE republi-CON party and everyone even halfway related to the bush clan. The misery IS real. Hard to tell, though, when you've had the silver spoon treatment since the day you were born, and EVERYTHING, including the world, handed to you on a plate, and all your mistakes covered up and cleaned up by somebody else.

He wouldn't even be able to begin to understand where you are coming from. It just isn't in him. He can't sympathize with the grief and misfortune and difficulties of others - any more than I can bring myself to vote republi-CON.

I am sorry things are so rough for you. I'm filled with sadness and dismay that so many are trying to live and cope with so many degrees of agony. It's just not supposed to be like that. This is a great country. Or - it WAS - before his family got ahold of it.

Go ahead and snicker and smirk, georgie. You've got about three weeks left to be the cock-o'-the-walk. Then you turn back into just a plain ol' dick. A small one. Thank you for your election-day efforts! They're gonna count for something. They're gonna help people. They're gonna give us all hope. They'll contribute to our entire nation's liberation.

[Jasper 91]

29. It is apparent to all but the most biased

That John Kerry was the only one up on that stage who actually cares about anyone other than himself .

They say eyes are the windows of the soul and John Kerry's eyes are so expressive . They are full of campassion , intelligence and hidden pain but can equally dance with humour and amusement . Bush's eyes are like hard chips of lifeless coal and they can't show his soul because he doesn't have one .

[BeFree]

36. I'm stealing this most

..excellent report, and you can't stop me.

However, if you tell me a name to put down as the author, I will do that. Otherwise I will claim it as "read on the web". Your report needs to be seen far and wide, Mr. Ghost, don't you think?

Kerry on.

[Tsiyu]

37. Feel Free Befree

I will remain anonymous for now, but please feel free ( all who wish) to copy and spread this far and wide. I'm really a "she" ( Yeah, buddy came back as a GIRL! Who knew?) and I thank all of you who understand what I tried to put into words.

DU is my lifeline to sanity. Glad I could help validate the sadness so many are feeling over the * administration's rape of this once great nation. To all of you.....:yourock:

And keep saying, "President Kerry. President Kerry. President Kerry."