While I might enjoy Theresa Heinz Kerry's "moments" does America enjoy

[KoKo]

her candidness, too?

She's unique...she speaks her mind...and is very willing to deal with the consequences. BUT...coming off "Laura..Stepford" is Theresa a New Voice for JOY! or is she going to be spun?

And...if she is "spun" is it worth it for her to speak her mind? Or, will the "Laura/Stepfords" in the end be..what America wants?

I honestly don't know...I leave it up to you here about this...

koko

[DaveSZ]

1. I don't know

I think Theresa is a good "blue state" wife, and Laura a good Stepford "red state" wife.

[noahmijo]

2. Well I think the repukes put on a good show as to how she "digusts" them

But in truth they wish they had a brass balls first lady candidate as opposed to the stepford wife they're stuck with.

[carpediem]

3. "there isn't a muzzle big enough for her" - Bob Dole

Heard this today and couldn't believe he said it. It was a snip played on msnbc and even the anchors looked surprised.

It is far worse than anything she has said.

I love her personally. She is a real person. I can't stand the way Laura lets * push her around, everytime you see them he is using his hands to direct her by pushing on her shoulders or neck - makes me cringe

[MichiganVote]

21. Oh that's rich coming from Saint Dole / Not!

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. Well, I took a poll of one today

My coworker is a fellow with a high school education, who hopes his son will be the first in his family to attend college. The guy works hard, likes to hunt, go on 4 wheelers-you get the picture. He came in the office to eat today (it's air conditioned there), and said he really liked Teresa Kerry. "That woman has spunk!" he said. He went on to say that he thinks Kerry will win in a landslide-he is thinking about the little guy. And even though Kerry was rich, he went to Viet Nam. And he likes hunting! This guy is 100% pro-Kerry. He's not on the internet, and I don't know if he listens to news (except NPR which I keep on at the office), but these were his unsolicited comments today.

[sundancekid]

8. may your coworker's feelings spread everywhere like butter, and

then multiply a thousand-fold ... IMHO, these are the EXACT peel-away votes we can get (whether had voted before anywhere between lukewarm dem to common-sense repub) ... these folks see SPUNK cuz they too have spunk

[flordehinojos]

5. Teresa Heinz Kerry has a beautiful mind. We get to see it through her word

Thank God for TeresaHenizKerry's beautiful mind and the words born in that mind that we get to listen to through the microphones of campaign 2004.:loveya:

[NoBorders]

6. well, recent polling data suggests

Most America still likes the Stepford image. At least I suppose that is the conclusion you would draw.

ABCC/WP Poll:
7/30-31/04
Favorable: 44
Unfavorable: 30
Never heard: 11
No opinion: 15

ABC/WP poll was 34 fav 24 unfav.

Laura Bush has favorables in the 60% range.

www.pollingreport.com

[saracat]

9. Screw them .You don't believe those polls do you?

[NoBorders]

11. with a grain of salt, yes I do

I don't take them to be gospel, but when 3 or 4 polls point in the same direction I think they have validity.

[saracat]

16. Okay, But Americans have had four years to be familiar with Laura.a Bush

And 60% favorable is only because they have never heard anything about her at all.But they vaguely know she is First Lady. They assume because she isn't an ax murderer( but she is guilty of vehicular manslaughter!) she must be alright. Teresa is the new kid on the block.She is flamboyant, and is married to the contender. I am amazed that she is more favorably perceived than unfavorably perceived at this juncture.Her ratings are great all things considered.

[NoBorders]

24. agreed - I was happy to see her favorable numbers

I thought that with all the smearing in the press, she was doing alright. Personally, after I saw her speak at the convention, I wanted Kerry to win even more, b/c I'd love to have a first lady like that.

[sundancekid]

13. a more reasonable read of the overall information from same source

would certainly NOT lead to your conclusions, IMO (and I've been doing research for over 30 years) ... see the actual data reported in the polling report:

*************************
Teresa Heinz Kerry

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. July 30-Aug. 1, 2004. N=940 registered voters nationwide. MoE ± 3. Fieldwork by TNS Intersearch.


"Regardless of how you might vote, please tell me if you have a favorable or unfavorable impression of Teresa Heinz Kerry, or perhaps you don't know enough to say."

Favorable Unfavorable No opinion
7/30 to 8/1/04: 34% 24% 42%
7/22 to 7/25 27% 26% 47%

=====================================================================

CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll. July 30-31, 2004. N=1,011 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.


"We'd like to get your overall opinion of some people in the news. As I read each name, please say if you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of these people -- or if you have never heard of them. How about Teresa Heinz Kerry."
4/04: "Teresa Heinz Kerry, wife of John Kerry"

Favorable Unfavorable Never Heard of No opinion
7/30-31/04: 44% 30% 11% 15%
7/19-21/04 31% 19% 23% 27%

====================================================================
Time Poll conducted SRBI Public Affairs. July 20-22, 2004. N=1,000 registered voters nationwide. MoE ± 3.


"Turning to the presidential candidates' wives, do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Teresa Heinz Kerry? Again, if you don’t have an opinion, just let me know."

Favorable Unfavorable No opinion
7/20-22/04: 21% 12% 68%
====================================================================

link: http://www.pollingreport.com/k.htm#Heinz

[Beaverhausen]

7. What has she said, specifically, that would turn people off?

All I hear are these generalities about her but have yet to hear anything specific..aside from the Shove it thing.

[xray s]

10. I am concerned about the distraction factor

I am already sensing the media is focusing on what Teresa says more than Kerry.

Example, a report on Chicago radio this morning about Kerry's Milwaukee rally had only one sound bite, Teresa saying "do they want four more years of hell?" in response to Bush demonstrators in the crowd. Now, when I hear that statement I think its great. But the people Kerry is trying to convince want to hear about health care, Iraq and jobs.

But all that radio station gave them this morning in Chicago was Teresa. Opportunity lost.

[salonghorn70]

12. Clear Channel Guy Called Her A NAZI Today

Schnitt, the clear channel guy on WOAI in San Antonio from 2:00-4:00 p.m. called her a NAZI today. He said it was the the way she looks, her demeanor, the way she speaks and her bulldozer attitude. I really resent this right wing attack on Theresa.

[KoKo]

14. Theresa is not running for President, though...what really is her place?

We Dems promoting her as a "New Force" might be shootin ourselves in the foot, here. I love Theresa...but what if "her voice" outshadows Kerry/Edwards?

Should "potential First Ladies" be running "on their own?" Or, should we females just "Let it all Hang Out Here?"

[SemiCharmedQuark]

15. This isn't 1920 anymore

Women for the most part (and men) are more accepting of women acting...human, instead of like a china doll. I love Teresa and I hope she keeps speaking up. If women continue to defer like Laura, the women's movement will NEVER get the point of women being able to speak their minds without being ridiculed. Look at Hillary. Although the right have ever so HILLARIOUS parodies of her (gag)most people think she's a strong woman. That was proven when she easily won a spot in the senate. Hell, even right wingers were scared to death that she would run for president. That giant stride was made because she chose to spoke rather than just sit back and do nothing. Good for her. All the fundies who think Teresa is too forward were probably going to vote for Bush anyway.

[2Design]

17. I prefer she be herself and tell it like it is. ....we do it on this board

no one else but Dean and Gore seem to have any backbone

[ItsMyParty]

18. We have to accept one given fact

(and I already knew this months ago before I ever heard even the sound of her voice): The Bush crime family ALWAYS goes for the wives. They went after McCain's as a "drug abuser" (pain killers for bad back). They went after Dukakis' wife as a "drunk". Teresa will not escape them. The media will be ever so helpful for the month of October to do NOTHING but dog Teresa, show her, spit on her, have specials on "dare we let this woman in the White House", etc. You know they will and they will stick Kerry on the back page. In many ways, the less Teresa gives them to savage, the better. We know the truth about her. Just get her into the job as Frist Lady and THEN Teresa can stand up and "let 'er rip"!!!!!

[peegee]

19. when Kerry is elected

we will finally have a first lady who will bring life back into the white house instead of the one who turns off the lights at 9.00pm. I'm so looking forward to the spectacular parties and intelligent people mingeling (sp) and making it once again the real white house and not the dull house. Time to bring back camelot!!!!

[Johnny B. Goode]

20. Republicans are just afraid

of a strong woman like Teresa.

[CaTeacher]

22. I think Teresa should

tell them all to go Cheney themselves. I love it when she tells it like it is--that is what we need in a first lady.

GO Teresa!!!

[sandnsea]

23. Teresa, hands down

I really don't know many men or women who respect women who tote along behind their men. This is like having been in the dark ages for 4 years and Teresa is just the kind of woman to stand up and say "it's okay to speak now". Freedom feels wonderful, the people are feeling it.