I can't answer the questions people ask about John Kerry.

[Raven]

I have to admit that I have been in denial about what an empty suit he's turning out to be...and maybe now that we are so close to the election people are beginning to focus...during canvassing today I got alot of tough questions from people and I found myself at a loss. People are asking "how is he going to get us out of Iraq?" "What is his plan for social security and medical expenses?" These folks don't want to hear platitudes about international cooperation in Iraq and they think that Kerry has spent the tax dollars he's going to take from the rich about ten times over.

I've hit the pavement canvassing and getting people signed up to register to vote every week for awhile now in rain and heat and humidity...I can't do much more...Kerry has to cut the bullshit and he has to do it soon!!! I'm feeling like the fire is going out...

[xray s]

1. what pisses me off

they don't seem to ask Bush the same questions

[DebJ]

2. just say www.johnkerry.com. Learn two valid points on 5

issues and you can cover a lot of ground there. Just a thought.,

[molly]

3. My reply to the Iraq question would be

"I don't know, but you can be sure he will try his damndest because he was in battle unlike the guy in the WH".

[Renew Deal]

4. You can tell them that you will get back to them.

Then put together the information on Kerry's site and drop it off.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

5. Just go to www.johnkerry.com

and look at the left hand side. There are all kinds of issues there. Hit one of them and see what he specifically plans on doing. He is not an empty suit!

I really don't understand your post. I've known you to be a big supporter. I would have thought you'd already aquainted yourself with the specifics of his plans.

Rest, relax, take a break. You've done good work. But boning up on his positions will help. Do you have a piece of literature you can hand people to help? At the very least, you can direct them to his website....

http://www.johnkerry.com

[movonne]

9. I sure don't think he is an empty suit....I really hate to hear for Kerry

talk like this...

[RamboLiberal]

6. Raven - you're listening too much to the f'in meda

I think Kerry/Edwards has given out plenty of info. Get their book and take it with you. Media runs with 10 second spots and refuse to let go. I think you've fallen for the "Conservative Media" propaganda!

Hell I could go on for an hour on the difference between * and Kerry if a voter asked. I could probably do several hours alone on the reasons not to vote for *.

Sorry, but I find this post of yours whining!

[MAlibdem]

7. Medical expenses should be an easy one.

1. A good amount of premium increases are caused by insurance companies defraying the cost of a few high risk/high care patients who have horribly expensive illnesses to treat. Kerry intends to pay for the healthcare costs of those people, so that the price of their care is not transfered onto others within their health plan but shouldered by the government.

2. Tax incentives to companies so that they can easily provide health insurance for employees.

3. For unemployed or those employed by companies that do not offer health insurance, Kerry intends to offer these 44 million or so people the same insurance plan and coverage as is currently given to government employees.


Total cost: $80 billion or so.

***Full disclosure: I'm working off what I remember from the primaries when issues were actually discussed.

[IronLionZion]

8. print out his stance on the issues

from his site and take it around with you when you go canvassing. And definitely tell people about his site. Remember that you don't speak for Kerry.

But I get what you mean. I haven't been impressed at all by Kerry. I don't know all his plans either...I doubt the man knows himself!

[Justice]

10. Have you read his website?

I would also say, why let them frame the question the way the republicans have the media framing the question?

The media frames the question this way - we know what george bush would do, but john kerry is not telling us, not giving us a reason to vote for him -- and at least with bush you know what you get.

Hmmm, so Kerry is supposed to tell what he would do in order to get elected, and bush can simply continue screwing things up royally in order to get elected?

I say this to people-

1. Bush has screwed up Afghanistan. We didn't get Bin Laden when we had him cornered in Tora Bora. We let Afghans go after him instead of the world's best forces - Americans. This was a horrible decision. Yet, you still think Bush is the guy you want?

2. Bush has screwed up Iraq. We will spend $200 Billion by end year -- we were told the oil would pay for reconstruction. More than 1000 Americans have died. Yet, you still think Bush is the guy you want?

3. I tell them, you could do a better job in Iraq and Afghanistin than Bush. He has done everything wrong. And then I challenge them to tell me what Bush has done right - what has gone well.

4. Kerry has said he would bring in other nations. He would contracts to companies in other nations, not just to Haliburton (you know the Parade magazine today has a story about Al Queda and says that the computers are powered by Haliburton and a message pops up telling you so? Bringing in other nations means sharing the upside, as well as the downside. Even bringing in other nations on the cost of war would help us - even if they would not send in troops.

[kentuck]

11. Raven, I have been a fan of John Kerry since 1971....

And I initially supported him in the primary and switched to General Wes Clark when he got in, then switched back to Kerry when Clark got out of race, beaten by Kerry. I still believe he has it in him but I believe he is sticking to a preset strategy to talk about the issues of the day like healthcare, jobs, outsourcing, etc and try to paint Bush as a negative campaigner, but he has not been successful at the second part of his strategy. I agree with you that people want to hear what his plan is for Iraq, Social Security, etc...They want to hear something different from Bush - not just a shade apart, but something that sharply contrasts with Bush's god-awful policies - especially on the war in Iraq and the war on "terror" specifically...he needs to draw some sharp contrasts, the more sharp the better. Otherwise, it will be difficult to win on the "issues of th day", in my opinion.

[Toronto Ron]

12. The key to the Iraq issue is this:

With the bush gang of oilmen, international cooperation is virtually impossible due to the negative seeds sown (pulling out of treaties, "Old Europe", Halliburton giveaways, etc.). Kerry will have the credibility to bring our (erstwhile) allies back to the table (and imagine if General Wesley K. Clark is his Sec'y of State). He will open up the rebuilding contracts to ALL: Not just Halliburton, not just U.S. companies.

[ochazuke]

13. check republicansforkerry.com for good talking points

[Suzi Creamcheese]

14. It seems like he is exhausted

Who wouldn't be, getting hit by all those negative ads. Maybe he just needs to take some time off and away from it all and recuperate, then come back with more vigor and a clearer message. I think we need to be patient and not panic about the election which is still nearly 2 months off. And maybe he will do well in the debates and make * look dumb.

[Name removed]

15. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[mairceridwen]

17. doesn't look to thin to me...

This example looks extremely detailed

http://www.johnkerry.com/issues/health_care/aids.html

this is considerably "thinner" but not entirely empty (of course, this is what more people care about)

http://www.johnkerry.com/issues/homeland_security/homeland_plan.html

why the discrepancy? I don't know exactly. Access to resources, time...there is only so much that people can do for a campaign. But there are definitely some concrete examples to work with.

the fact of the matter is, anything can sound thin if you keep asking How? HOW? HOW?

and people will do that no matter what.

it doesn't seem to me that people want endless amounts of detail...they want to feel good about voting for Kerry...and for that...well, it may be impossible. People aren't stupid, but reason and rationality do not always prevail.

[shockingelk]

20. Who are the people that give you a hard time?

You describe his plans a "thin". I think a more accurate description would be "general".

For example his interview in TIME today - about Iraq. He says he'll work as a statesmen and draw in help from other nations. He can't go into specific operational plans because he won't have the Generals briefing him on the situations until January 20 if he's elected.

You could mention just that and say you hope the person is paying attention to what Kerry is saying, just like you are.

Unless the person is already set to vote for Bush, it seems like that would be enough.

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[senseandsensibility]

50. I agree

This is insulting. And to think that some of these same people gave some of us B.S. just for suggesting that Kerry should hit back harder a month ago. We didn't call him names, and we were right. Now, when their chosen strategy fails, they trash the candidate.

[ClassWarrior]

Kerry & Edwards just published a book... A BOOK...

...called "Our Plan For America," and you can pick it up at your local chain book store, or you can have your independent bookseller order it for you.

Or download it as a pdf - see this post:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=798927&mesg_id=799348&page=

Read the book. Then tell me "his plans are thin."

[KoKo]

37. His website "sucks" in plain English....Check out his website compared to

Chimp...check it out...and see.

We could have and should have done so much better...FGS are all Computer Literates Repugs, today?

I see the most talent on DU and on Liberal Websites and we Democrats are left behind and clueless on Dem National Website and on all the Local Dem Websites I've checked out...and I'm not a computer Geek but a USER..looking for info. The Repugs have better Computer savy folks apparently than we Dems... and yet we DEMs have always held all the cards on "CREATIVITY!"

HELP we need MEGA HELP ...I've seen it here in NC...where our Dems were clueless and just got e-mail to work with Kerry Volunteers in the Precincts and Districts! :wtf:

[skygazer]

41. Then why are you campaigning for him?

And how detailed do you find Bush's plans?

[KoKo]

47. Because it's between a "rock and a hard place." Between "Iraq and

Armageddon." That's why...

[jonnyblitz]

16. i hear you raven, especially on the international cooperation

in Iraq thing. What other countries are gonna be STUPID ENOUGH to sign onto this mess after the Bush administration completely dissed them all to begin with? :shrug:

[GOPAgainstGW]

23. YELP KERRY IS IN BIG TROUBLE OVER THIS MIDDLE EAST SITUATION!

I will put together an "issue brief" tomorrow and post it on a new tread on this subject, for everyones comments. This Middle East disaster Bush got us in is extremely complex with no easy answers.

However, Kerry will lose this election if he does not specifically address this M.E.-Iraq crisis and provide a road map, that the public understands, to lead this Country out of a massive and extremely dangerous problem effecting 300 million people in the U.S.

And to be honest, Kerry-Edwards is the only ones we see in Washington D.C., along with Joe Biden, that can handle this task.

------------------------------
Beltway and Texas Republicans
Against Bush-Cheney ’04, Inc.
------------------------------
"Insider’s News”, Vol 1 - Kerry-Edwards Campaign Doing Well
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x748458
“Insider’s News” Vol 1.1 - Great Anti-Bush Sites
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x756409

[faithnotgreed]

38. on just about every thread i have been saying america needs kerry

to come out now and tell us something about what he would do

not a sound bite but a press conference or extensive interview. we need a grown up to talk about and confront this massive elephant in the room that bush has escorted in

i think with the facts that the media surely doesnt tell us, i think kerry could win over some real undecideds and even some weak bush supporters

[GoldenOldie]

25. We have to get this train back on track

Right after 9-11 the US had the full support of the world. Even Russian veterans were lining up at the American Embassy placing their medals on the gates of the Embassy and the Russians citizens were waving American flags. They along with other nations supported our going into Afghanistan....George Bush had the World support he needed along with the citizens of the US. When the Bush administration decided to attack Iraq things became a disaster for the US and the Nations of the world. This action now opened the doors for other nations ie., Russia to attack those they want to control with the same explanation that Bush used...pre-emptive strike....hit them before they hit us.

Putin is now ready to do exactly the same thing to Chechnya. Putin can now invade Chechnya and take over the country because a few Chechen muslim terrorists have made attacks within Russia. The Russians are angry that Bush does not support them with their invasion.

This is the first time that I can remember and as I earlier posted I'm older than dirt, more Dems and some Repubs voters have become more informed on the issues, the political process and what the candidates are doing. Our brains have been assaulted with the lies of the Bush administration and the Media and they come so fast and furious that we seem to be swimming upstream in attempting to sort the fact from fiction......maybe this is Rove's plan.

It is frustrating not to be able to have the issues so ingrained in your brain so as to be able to break them out when questioned. There are so many issues and how does John Kerry plan-of-action for each issue give us a step by step/detail for what he will do? Has this ever been done in detail during the campaign stages....it does leave it open for attack and the debates by the opposition. Does anyone recall if any State of the Union Address actually defines the steps to be taken when the President makes those promises.

I am not questioning your frustration because I soon will be walking the streets and need to have some answers.

[grasswire]

18. all you need to know is right here

From another DU thread:

..............
The fact that John Kerry closed the BCCI Bank with his Senate investigation and report and actually PUT OSAMA BIN LADEN'S BROTHER-IN-LAW, KHALID BIN MAHFOUZ, UNDER HOUSE ARREST AND HAD HIM FINED $225 MILLION. I added Bush will never prosecute his Saudi buddies like Bandar Bush AND BUSH'S OWN BUSINESS PARTNER MAHFOUZ (Harken Energy) but KERRY ALREADY HAS.

Every undecided I talked to yesterday said the same thing:

"THAT'S ALL YOU HAVE TO TELL ME. NOW I'M GOING TO VOTE FOR KERRY."

Who will help and make a nice desktop published flyer on JK having Osama's brother in law convicted and arrested?

We need a concise history, a picture of Mahfouz, a good layout person, etc.

Once we have the flyer, we PDF it and hand it out all around the country.

IT'S NOT WHO KERRY FOUGHT IN 1969, IT'S WHO KERRY FOUGHT IN 1991!
.......................
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=797162

Here's a link to a new Washington Monthly story telling about the matter: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2004/0409.sirota.html

Print it out -- take some copies along. All you have to say is "Did you know that Kerry put Osama bin Laden's brother-in-law in prison when he was a prosecutor?" Play the security card. Kerry knows how to deal with our enemies in ways that are less expensive and less dangerous than Bush.

Finally, someone on DU is developing a flier on this matter that can be handed out. And be sure to check the flier on the DU thread linked above. It's outstanding. Great handout for you to carry along.

[Wind Dancer]

19. Raven, try this website and see if it helps!

http://ideamouth.com/respect.htm#

[Nana]

22. Please don't yell at me..:)

but, I'm going to answer a question raised based only on what I've heard him say in his DNC acceptance speech and other readings...I'm thinking if I can pick this up, then so could others, especially strong supporters...

Irag: I've heard him say that he intends to immediately begin mending fences and reaching out to allies across the world and bring in their support. By doing so, getting more forces on the ground that are not American, the sense of American occupancy will decrease and Iraq might stabalize. I believe I also heard he is wants our troops to have the proper equipment to do their job right.

Edited to add: I believe I also heard him say that he would reach out to our allies and convince them that stability in iraq is a global good in that it would benefit them all.

That is from a newbie to this kind of forum ..:) Am I the only one who heard this in his speeches?

[Jacobin]

29. Hi, Nana and welcome to DU

:hi:

You are right and you have been paying attention. He has said that.

I think there is an enormous amount of frustration among Dems and the public in general about IraqNam. The problem is that there is no easy way out. It is a true quagmire. Stay in and it gets worse and more people get killed. Leave and more people get killed and it gets worse.

Bush has no plan other than continuing the slaughter. I think most people find Kerry's plan to "engage our allies to help in Iraq" is quite ingenuous given that we would be inviting them to a giant clusterfuck that they warned us not to do, as we insulted them for not joining. Quite frankly, a Frenchman or German would be viewed as an infidel invading occupier, just as much as an American.

Kerry is in a very bad spot with IraqNam. Had he opposed the IWR, I think he would have been in a better position to distinguish himself from Smirk's position. Alas, he did not and has spent lots of time trying to convince everyone he only gave Bush* permission to use force if he had to (when EVERYONE IN THE ENTIRE WORLE KNEW Bush* was going to invade IraqNam no matter what).

Its disheartening to see another Election 2000 on the horizon. Lots of people on DU have given lots of their money and lots of their time to try to oust the Chimp.

Kerry is not helping. He seems bored and tired. NOT what we need.

[KoKo]

24. Thank you Raven...folks out there that we are trying to "target" have

honest questions about the difference between Kerry and Bush...

Having to explain this "on the ground" with Kerry not giving us much help is a real problem.

I'm trying to work this out in my own mind..and still work my fingers and butt to the bone to get BUSH OUT....

But, I appreciate your frustration, knowing that you have been a huge supporter of his...and I a reluctant but "hopeful" supporter of his.

We just gotta keep on working ...but geeze...the burden is overwhelming...we can do it though...we've got to..or as I said we buy guns or leave..

[opihimoimoi]

35. Please Folks, If I may. Try to keep in mind many of the people out there

are Bush supporters/voters. They listen to Rush/Sean, etc. They have these questions in their minds not knowing/caring (the questions's)
are/were crafted by the Bush Team. Most are disigned to be extremely difficult to answer.

Notice the issues are for Kerry....apply those same issues to Bush and you will hear BS for the most part. The notion is to kill the grass roots of which most of us are a part of...defacto. If we term it in Positive/Negative Modes, the Kerry Team carries a lot more Positiveness for the Common Folk... of which we Grass Roots are a part of.

We must make up for the many who do not vote. Distracted, Turned Off, etc, for whatever reason, we have no choice but to work extra hard to make it easy for non voters to vote with Passion fun and good judgement.

Kerry cannot be counted on to make this happen by himself...we must insist to assist in a Positive manner.

Sorry for the length..... Come, lemme pour us some drinks, we gatta be needing them....

[KoKo]

48. I know, Opi...thanks (n/t)

[liveoaktx]

26. Turn it around-you KNOW what Kerry has said, then ASK

them "What plan does BUSH have for getting us out of Iraq?". "How is it that we went from a surplus when Bush entered office and social security secured to social security in danger, and Bush talking privatizing (gambling) SS?" How is it that Bush went on television at the RNC convention to talk about help for seniors and then the next day a 17 percent jump in medicare costs was announced-did Bush know about that then? If not, why not?

If these people don't want to hear about platitudes, then they SURE can't be happy with what Bush is doing. Kerry is not president yet, Bush IS

[KoKo]

27. Hubby just said...rather an "empty suit" to replace Rumsfeld with Clark...

a note of humor from hubby who deals with psycho partner...

Gallows Humor...

[Rose Siding]

28. Maybe this stat would help

A report this week gave me a smidge of confidence in his admittedly not-fleshed-out plan-

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6640-2004Sep8.html?nav=rss_politics
snip>
Interestingly, clear majorities in France, Germany and Spain -- whose governments oppose deploying troops in Iraq -- would back sending troops as part of a U.N.-mandated peacekeeping force, though support fell if those troops would be under U.S. command, the survey found.
-----------------------

This gives credence to Kerry's claim that other countries would send troops. I haven't seen such concrete proof of that anywhere else. But if he were to detail ceding control, the chest-beaters that hate the UN would out-yell the sense in the idea.

I never have tried to convince anyone to vote for him; I always commiserate about how awful Bush is and how we have to do anything to get rid of him. I wish it were different, but I didn't expect it to be. Hope the poll helps.

[roseBudd]

30. A couple talking ponts re: social security & Iraq

Iraq: First of all Bush has no plan and he continues to lie about Iraq. Bush bungled Iraq and Kerry is going to have adifficult time but Kerry is still in a better position. Bush has burned bridges and only a new administration can begin to think about international cooperation.

Social Security: Bush's plan is a big flim flam. privatizing social security will cost the gov't trillions and will take literally decades. before Bush blew the surplus their was a chance this was doable. And true to fashion Bush has not explained the cost.

[Enrico]

31. ALL YOU NEED! - SYNOPSIS

Here are all the points of the Kerry Edwards Ticket in brief:
http://www.johnkerry.com/plan/

They are all right there. East to remember and answer questions with.

[Eric J in MN]

32. answers

>People are asking "how is he going to get us out of Iraq?"

John Kerry wants to get US troops out within four years, and he'll get more international cooperation to accomplish this. He will be a better diplomat than Bush.

Kerry won't be out to privatize Iraq for big business, which is causng the tension, and will be more respectful of human rights.

>"What is his plan for social security and medical expenses?"
The Social Security fund has enough money through 2042 as long as we DON'T continue with the Bush plan of deficit spending which will encourage cuts in Social Security.

For medical expenses, Kerry wants the federal govt to cover catastrophic costs for small businesses.

>These folks don't want to hear platitudes about international >cooperation in Iraq and they think that Kerry has spent the tax >dollars he's going to take from the rich about ten times over.

It's not just a platitude to say the US would be more respected under Kerry.

Regarding total expenses of Kerry's promises exceeding revenue, that's true of every Presidential candidate, but at least he has some substantial plans for raising revenue.

[Uzybone]

33. This is funny

people are asking you to be detailed about what Kerry is gonna do but once you do your research and start prattling off the numbers I'm sure their eyes will glaze over. Also do they demand that same kind of accountability from Bush, the man who has list 2 million jobs in 4 years and turned a surplus into a 450 billion dollar debt that our children will HAVE to pay and has spent over 200 million dollars in the Iraq hole? I think not.

[Name removed]

34. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[West Coast Democrat]

36. I ran into a very rude guy the other day who worked for ACT....

I think it's very possible that there are moles at work during this election.

[Raven]

46. Are you implying that I'm a mole???

If you are then I'm certain that you are the mole. Why can't you folks have a constructive discussion on what Kerry is doing wrong and what he could do better. How many of you guys who are trashing me for asking some questions have actually been out there talking to people who don't necessarily agree with you or are undecided???

[KoKo]

52. very few...of those on the ground....me thinks....(n/t)

[K8-EEE]

39. I Agree -- Why Do People Fall Into This Double Standard

I'm sick of this bullshit -- it's like, GWB can speak in gross generalizations & rhetoric about the messes he's made and Kerry is supposed to have ALL the answers to mop up all of it??

I don't think any human being has the answers to things like Iraq but for God's sake, GWB doesn't even acknowledge it's A PROBLEM!

[Raven]

44. "Check her posts out folks"???

Who the hell do you think you are talking about!!! My posts lately have been chronicles about canvassing for Kerry for hours and hours...I have not been bashing John Kerry...I've been working for him and asking legitimate questions. You can just go to hell!

Oh and by the way...what have you been working so hard at?...trashing long time democrats who have legitimate questions about a candidate? You, my friend, are a real jerk.

[bigtree]

49. So you say

Here at DU your posts have been a constant source of criticism of our candidate without a speck of constructive advice.

Just my opinion Raven.

edit: I am a jerk. An asshole jerk. Asshole Jerks for Kerry unite!

[Raven]

51. Why don't you post them...

it would enlighten me and maybe help me discover the error of my ways. :-)

[bigtree]

53. Alright, I retract my slander of Raven

You're a good Bush basher. I won't repost the crap you've spewed about Kerry. Nice try.

[Raven]

55. Very cute...it's libel, by the way, not slander...

if you're going to crap on people, you should learn the difference. I think you could at least list the dates of my "Kerry bashing"posts...in that way, people who want to know how credible you are could check. In fact, you could PM me with the lists of my posts where I "bashed" Kerry and if they are any different from the constructive criticism that other thoughtful DU'ers have posted, I'll apologize. How's that?

[WI_DEM]

40. Raven, thanks for the wake up call

You have been a good soldier for Kerry and you make good points. Bottom line is that Kerry's message isn't getting out there. That is my criticism of the democratic convention that we spent too much time talking about the John Kerry of 1969-71 and not enough about what he specifically wants to do to for the country in the next four years. Iraq is the pivotal issue of this election and Kerry and Edwards rarely address it. He is getting beat up on his stand on Iraq in Bush TV ads and ridiculed by Bush on the stump. The argument that he voted for the Iraqi resolution and then voted against the $87 billion appropriation "for our troops" is gaininng traction and is a big problem for him. He must address it, indeed address his entire thought process on Iraq in terms the American people can understand if he is going to win this election. If it means taking some of the precious $$ we have to spend to buy time on all three networks--then I say it might be worth it. When I'm out doing my work for the Dem party I get the same questions especially on Iraq. Don't let the people who post saying you shouldn't bring up "bad news" on this site get you down. Some of us here need a wake up call to get our heads out of the ground. We want Kerry to win but he has to come to terms with the American people, imo, on his stand on Iraq. They want to replace Bush but aren't sure Kerry is the one to do it with. He must reassure them.

[bigtree]

42. The terms are these.

Bush will certainly perpetuate his manufactured war. Bush is a dangerous clown. Bush will destroy our democracy. Bush will use all of our sacrifices to further enrich his wealthy benefactors. Bush will destroy America as we know it if we give him full reign. BUSH IS DANGEROUS!

[opihimoimoi]

43. Common Sense, Common Good, logic, Reason, Sanity, etc all say the same

thing. We have need of a change. We must make a paradigm shift...old thinking to new thinking...

[robcon]

45. The election will not be determined by the issues.

Very few national elections have been decided by the issues.

What decides presidential elections is trust. The voters must trust that the president will act smartly and decisively in the course of the unpredictable events that will happen 2005-2009.

Kerry has to build up the case for himself as a leader - the issues are secondary, IMO.

[LittleClarkie]

54. Here are some links to articles I've been using

Some are profile pieces when it was only thought he might be running. Some are good debunkings of the flip-flop tag, which is a biggie since Rove and Co. had time to make it stick.

Also get "A Call To Service" and "A New War" from the library.

He is definitely not an empty suit. He's also not exactly Mr. Soundbite. He takes a bit to get to know, but once you do, you realize what you thought was an act of a preppy elitist is actually pretty genuine.

I like to remind people that he broke the Iran/Contra story and shut down BCCI, a bank known for it ties with Noriega and terrorists.

Here are the links. Hope they help.

(editing: I see some of my links broke. Eh, I went back and found more anyway, courtesy of the Repubs for Kerry. Enjoy. )
 
48 Nobel Peace Prize Winners Endorse Kerry
http://www.johnkerry.com/pdf/nobels.pdf
 
Lee Iacocca Endorses John Kerry for President
http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/speeches/spc_2004_0624a.html
 
Ten economic Nobel Prize winners endorse Kerry
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/us_vote_kerry_nobels
 
12 Generals and Admirals Endorse John Kerry
http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2004_0728a.html
 
WOMEN CAN AND WILL MAKE THE DIFFERENCEFOR JOHN KERRY (in .pdf)
http://www.johnkerry.com/communities/women/women_toolkit.pdf
 
 
REALITY CHECKS:
 
National Security Comparison
http://www.johnkerry.com/issues/national_security/compare.html
 
The Kerry-Edwards Plan for Homeland Security
http://www.johnkerry.com/issues/homeland_security/homeland_plan.html
 
Job Creation vs. Job Loss
http://www.johnkerry.com/issues/economy/compare.html
 
Moving Towards Energy Independence vs. Putting Enron First
http://www.johnkerry.com/issues/energy/compare.html
 
Cutting Costs and Increasing Coverage vs. Rising Premiums and Shrinking Coverage
http://www.johnkerry.com/issues/health_care/compare.html
 
President Bush: Flip-Flopper in Chief
http://www.americanprogressaction.org/atf/cf/{65464111-BB20-4C7D-B1C9-0B033DD31B63}/gwb.pdf
 
THE FOLLOWING HAVE AN OPTION IN THE LOWER RIGHT TO VIEW IN SPANISH:
 
The Bush Record on African American Families: Economic Setbacks, Attacks on Civil RightsThe Bush Record on African American Families: Economic Setbacks, Attacks on Civil Rights
http://www.democrats.org/aa/bushrecord.html
 
The Bush Record: Broken Promises to America's Children, Again and Again
http://www.democrats.org/specialreports/childrenrecord/
 
The Bush Record: Freedoms Under Attack
http://www.democrats.org/civil_rights/bushrecord.html
 
The Bush Economic Record: What a Difference Three Years Makes
http://www.democrats.org/economy/bushrecord.html
 
The Bush Record: Every Child Left Behind
http://www.democrats.org/education/bushrecord.html
 
The Bush Record: Industry Runs Roughshod Over Environment
http://www.democrats.org/environment/bushrecord.html
 
The Bush Record: Costs Up, Coverage Down, Companies Cash In
http://www.democrats.org/healthcare/bushrecord.html
 
Hispanics Cut Out of Bush Budget
http://www.democrats.org/hispanic/bushrecord.html
 
The Bush Record: Hostile To America's Workers
http://www.democrats.org/specialreports/laborrecord/
 
The Bush Record on Veterans
http://www.democrats.org/milvet/bushrecord.html
 
The Bush Record: Homeland Insecurity
http://www.democrats.org/specialreports/homeland_insecurity/
 
The Bush Record on Seniors: Higher Costs, Lower Benefits
http://www.democrats.org/seniors/bushrecord.html
 
The Bush Record: Robbing Social Security to Pay for Risky Tax Schemes
http://www.democrats.org/ssm/bushrecord_ss.html
 
The Bush Record on Medicare: Seniors Lose, Special Interests Win
http://www.democrats.org/ssm/bushrecord_med.html
 
The Bush Record on the APIA Community: Neglect
http://www.democrats.org/apia/bushrecord.html
 
AND FOR FUN:
 
Worry Illustration (more for your office, than to hand out to the public)
http://www.thenation.com/covers/alfredw/

And mine:
http://www.dailygusto.com/blog/archives/politics/000086.php

http://www.post-gazette.com/nation/20020605teresanat1p1.asp

http://www.post-gazette.com/nation/20020605teresanat1p1.asp

http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB113/

http://www.snopes.com/politics/kerry/service.asp