Iowa Letters: Kerry has needed leadership, strongest caucus candidate

[Feanorcurufinwe]

Letter: Kerry is strongest caucus candidate
By: Dwight Jensen, Iowa City 01/14/2004
Having studied the nine Democratic presidential candidates closely, I am satisfied that any one of them would be a distinct improvement over the present occupant of the White House. But, I have tried to look past their campaign promises to get a sense of who among them is best equipped to lead our country through the difficult years ahead. My first choice was-and still is-John Kerry.


As a young man in the 1960s, I had the privilege of working closely for several years with a truly remarkable man and an inspiring leader, Governor and later Senator Harold Hughes. I see many of the same qualities in Senator Kerry-personal courage, integrity, idealism, a vision for the future, a commitment to the environment, concern for the less privileged, and an instinct for leadership. Although they fought in different wars, both men learned firsthand the horrors of combat and were shaped by their memory of it.

For all of these reasons and more, I believe John Kerry stands out above his competitors for the nomination. He has the ability, temperament and experience to help the United States rebuild our shattered alliances and restore our country's standing in the world, while effectively fighting terrorism abroad and making us safer here at home. Not only does he offer the best hope of beating George W. Bush, I am confident that he will provide the enlightened national leadership that we have so badly needed.
Please join me in supporting John Kerry at your precinct caucus on Jan. 19.
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1877&dept_id=134491&newsid=10807629&PAG=461&rfi=9


Letter: Kerry has needed leadership for U.S.
By: Linda and Jose Carrillo, West Branch 01/14/2004
As our country faces uncertain times at home and abroad, we need a leader not only with courage, but also with integrity and a vision for the future. We think John Kerry is that leader.
We admire John Kerry for his leadership concerning issues important to us-equality and safety for women, his leadership in the fight to set and preserve environmental standards to keep our air and water clean, his leadership in the fight to provide public education and Head Start programs for our children, and his leadership to help all young people obtain a college education through public service.


We trust John Kerry's leadership and dedication to these and many other issues, because he has been involved not only in the fights, but also the solutions. These are not new concerns for Senator Kerry; he has led on these issues for over 30 years. Senator Kerry does not take PAC money and is beholden to no special interest group.

We respect John Kerry, not only for his intellect, but also for his intellectual curiosity. The solutions to this country's problems are complex. The answers will not fit in a 30 second "sound byte." Kerry is the kind of leader who can see beyond the expedient solution to the impact of a President's decisions on the future of our country and that of the rest of the world. We need a President able to envision and implement a plan to break our dependence on foreign oil. Kerry has such a plan. We need a President able to envision a healthcare plan that truly helps our citizens and our businesses. Kerry has such a plan. We need a President able to envision environmental policies that keep our air and water clean while also producing new jobs. Kerry has such a plan.

John Kerry has stood and fought for veterans, women, children, educators, environmentalists, workers, farmers and firefighters. Now he is asking us to stand for him. Please join the Kerry supporters Jan. 19, caucus night, and help send John Kerry on the road to the White House.
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1877&dept_id=134491&newsid=10807635&PAG=461&rfi=9

[poskonig]

1. Kerry's *intellect* is his most impressive quality.

To me, anyway. I'm glad the Carillos above mentioned it. America is in tough situations on many fronts, and Kerry knows the issues inside and out from immigration to health-care access to counter-terrorism. Most of the other candidates talk in platitudes.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

2. He strikes a lot as "presidential"

more often than any of the others I believe- I see that word associated with him.

[David Dunham]

3. Excellent Latter

These letters for Kerry are great. Dean is a total loser on national security issues.