Kerry reopens door to possible presidential run

[El Supremo]

Source: Denver's 9News

DENVER - Sen. John Kerry (D-Massachusetts) reopened the door to a possible 2008 presidential campaign during a book signing in Denver and then again, in an interview with 9NEWS.

The 2004 Democratic nominee told a crowd of more than 250 at the Tattered Cover bookstore in lower downtown Denver that he had no desire to endorse any candidate for the office right now, choosing to wait to see how they addressed the issue of global warming.

(snip)

"Could that change?" Kerry said. "It might. It may change over years. It may change over months. I can't tell you, but I've said very clearly I don't consider myself out of it forever."

(snip)

When asked whether he expected that decision to change in time for the 2008 race, Kerry said, "If suddenly the field changed or the dynamics of the nation shifted, who knows? You might look at it differently, but I don't see that. I don't foresee that. That's not where I am today and that's not what I'm doing."


Read more: http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=68145

---

Groan! "I decided against it before I decided for it."

[youngdem]

1. Dear god no.

NO ONE is clamoring for a Kerry candidacy. Hey Jon, you wanna make yourself useful? Go convince Gore and Feingold to run.

Thanks.

[The River]

10. That Was My First Reaction

Oh God No!
He wouldn't fight for it in 04.
No way in hell he deserves to blow it again.

[caledesi]

95. Nooooooooooooooooooooooo! nt

[MH1]

11. Actually, he's a lot better than any of the current choices.

There's a lot of people who like Kerry and would vote for him, if he ran.

I think you are wrong in your statement about "no one."

That said, I think the excerpt makes this look more meaningful than it is - the only way Kerry would be able to get back in, is major implosion of the other leading candidates. And even that might not be enough.

I suspect he is having difficulty finding someone he can endorse in the current field, though. JMHO.

[TankLV]

14. Totally agree - Just Go Away John - stay in the Senate where you do some good...

ugh...

[LittleClarkie]

19. How can he simultaneously both go away and do his job in the Senate

Would you like him to go away on the issue of the war?

Would you like him to go away on global warming?

So the media asked him a question, and he didn't slam the door in their face, answering fairly honestly that anything could happen but he didn't forsee it. Whoopie ding dong. Why all the chest beating? It's a non story.

[tavalon]

32. Clarification - Go away as a Presidential candidate

Stay in the Senate where you are doing a fine job.

[LittleClarkie]

36. Fair enough. But the media is doing more to bring it up again than he is

He just answered a question with less of a negative than some would like. He didn't say he's rethinking anything at all. Just that life is uncertain, but that he's not running at this time. He's doing other stuff.

[ProSense]

25. Whatever he decides!

Just go away Obama.
Just go away Clinton.
Just go away Edwards.
Just go away Biden and the rest of the Dem field.

The OP article seems like it's pushing a rumor, but whatever he decides!

[LittleClarkie]

16. I'm a someone. And Kerry didn't say that anyone was clamoring, anyway.

Kerry didn't open the door. He just answered a question as truthfully as he could. Never say never, but it's not in his plan at the moment. If anyone is opening the door, it's the media, just so they can slam it shut in his face again I suppose.

Meanwhile, this someone wouldn't mind if he ran again, or at the least got a position in the next cabinet.

[ginnyinWI]

60. Agree: his answer is similar to the way Gore's been answering.

And there's nothing wrong with saying what they both are saying. It would be stupid for either of them to slam the door shut tight forever.

I would love him to run again, but only if it's a smart use of time, energy and money. I'll leave it up to the Senator to decide when that would be.

[blm]

86. It's funny how you all blame Kerry for the DNC's failure to secure election process,

because if Terry McAuliffe had done his job in the four years he was given to do it, Kerry would've been in the WH with the most votes any candidate EVER received and a mandate that winning by 5% gives a president.

Plus - he would be one of the few Democrats we KNOW would use the power of office to open long closed books on BushInc and their crimes of office.

Speaking derogatorily about Kerry just reifies the RW corpmedia message that he was unworthy of office.

GOPs don't do that to their candidates who REALLY lost. They put them up on pedestals and maintain their images as leaders and statesmen. They tell the country that the winning Dem was no good and stick to it. Dems attack the Dem candidate when the RNC steals it from the DNC. Because McAuliffe's DNC would not accept responsibility, that's for sure.

BTW, check out the DATE of this statement:

Edited on Mon Apr-16-07 10:06 AM by blm
All of the Clinton people at the DNC and in the pundit class would NOT further Kerry's remarks on BCCI because Clinton helped Poppy Bush cover it up.

And Dem pollsters told the campaign that people didn't understand BCCI - I call bullshit. Who were these pollsters really aligned with - anyone we know?

http://www.depauw.edu/news/index.asp?id=13354

Whom does the biographer think his subject will pick as a running mate? Not Hillary Rodham Clinton. "There's really two different Democratic parties right now: there's the Clintons and Terry McAuliffe and the DNC and then there's the Kerry upstarts. John Kerry had one of the great advantages in life by being considered to get the nomination in December. He watched every Democrat in the country flee from him, and the Clintons really stick the knife in his back a bunch of times, so he's able to really see who was loyal to him and who wasn't. That's a very useful thing in life."
>>>

[David Zephyr]

104. Amen. Everyone get off of John Kerry's back!

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

[Deja Q]

2. He's playing games or he can't make a decision. In other words, why bother?

"Could that change?" Kerry said. "It might. It may change over years. It may change over months. I can't tell you, but I've said very clearly I don't consider myself out of it forever."

Even Hillary is a better candidate.

'nuff said.

[turbo_satan]

3. Noooooo!!!!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Arugula Latte]

57. And let me just add:

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :o

[Mojambo]

4. He just can't get enough of that flip flopper label can he?

All said with much respect, and Senator Kerry deserves a ton.

[Straight Shooter]

39. Sad to admit, but that was my first reaction.

Even if he chooses not to run, he'll be stuck with the label again. Except this time there will be some truth in it.

Thanks, John, for providing the media with another potential brouhaha to distract from the U.S. Attorney purge scandal. Please, John, if they start to make a big deal out of it, just throw up your hands, laugh and say, "It was a joke." Please oh please don't defend it. It will only make it worse.

[Monkeyman]

5. Brother John NO

[TayTay]

6. Ah, he said no

What part of no do you have a problem with?

There is no fund-raising effort, no calling of people and asking them for support, no exploratory committee and no candidate here.

None. Zero. Nada. Nothing.

But, hey, don't let that get in the way of bashing someone for something they haven't done and have no plans to do. By all means, pretend that this story means what it doesn't. Jump off the deep end, despite all concrete evidence to the contrary and react to what isn't happening.

Kerry says he is not running. He said it again in this interview. He has done nothing to encourage a re-run and has, time and again, in interview after interview, stated that he is not running.

But, we should not let that get in the way of a good rumor I guess.

Edit: He said no on The Daily Show
No on Good Morning America
No on The Today Show
No on about 4 radio appearances that he made the week before Easter.
Kerry has said he is not running. He has said it over and over and over. However, I guess some people hear what they want to hear, not matter if it is based in reality or not.

[LittleClarkie]

9. Of course, darling. Some folks haven't had a chance to take a gratuitous slap at him in AGES

so why not invent something to get all lathered over.

It's such a non-story.

God forbid people should focus on the good he's doing with his environmental work and his anti-Iraq War stance. God forbid.

[stillcool]

13. Nice seeing you...

:hi: sad isn't it? I question my sanity in coming here these days. Where'd all the good people go?

[TayTay]

17. I don't know

People complain about the 'gotcha' qualities of the media then fall for it each time it happens.

How many national media outlets has Kerry appeared on and said, no, he is not running. But some little interview in Denver extends out the equivalent of "well, what if everybody else died or got jailed or were raptured or something: then would you run?" and pretends that's real.

Shame on the people who fall for this crap. We have better stuff to discuss than this non-story.

[LittleClarkie]

22. Well, just some people really

I wonder if the same people who complain about the gotcha are the same ones who fall for it each time.

But then, I reckon people fall for what they want to fall for.

Cheers, dear, by the way. I'm still around, as you can see. Defending our John as always.

[TayTay]

28. Nice to see you too LC!

I am also still here, still debating issues and still backing up the good Senator on the issues that matter. (And other good Dems too!)

[LittleClarkie]

33. I still peek in, but my work viewing has been curtailed by my boss

and besides the tone of the place gets to me sometimes. I'm taking a semi break. But when I pop back, I do a find for John to see if I've missed anything, and also scan for big news. This place is good for a person quickly getting a handle on the big story.

But even though I'm not here as much, I'm still doing things locally. Phonebanking for the spring elections, signing up to possibly be a delegate at the State Convention (something I've NEVER done before, so it should be interesting.)

With John doing good work right now, it's just frustrating to see the same stuff trotted out again.

[LittleClarkie]

7. That's not how I read it. He's taken himself out of it for 2008, barring weirdness

But that doesn't mean he'll never, ever run again.

But as your quote says, he doesn't for see it happening. That's not where he is today and that's not what he's doing.

But one should never say never.

Seems like a bit of a ways to go to pull out the old "flip flopper" chestnut. It sounds like more of a verbal shrug to me, and a recognition that nothing is completely certain in this world.

I wouldn't mind if he ran again, obviously. 2012, perhaps.

Seems to me the media is reading something into his words that he's not really saying. Typical, really.

[tavalon]

35. Actually, that's an okay position

I don't want him in this next race but really, I don't see a problem with him jumping back in later, after we've pulled our country back from the brink.

[karynnj]

45. He is one of the people working hardest to pull the country back from the brink

The fact that there was stuff that had to be done now that would be hard to do while running for President was the reason he gave for not running now.

[globalvillage]

8. Yes!

Now THAT's a candidate I could support (again) without reservation.

[Island Blue]

20. Amen, Globalvillage!

There are only two people who would get my unconditional support. John Kerry and Al Gore. At this point, I think it will be quite a while before I decide to support anyone.

[bear425]

51. Yes, the two candidates who actually WON already!

I feel the same way. I'm so tired of "Du'ers" denigrating JK. He may not have run a perfect campaign, but he would/will make a great president.

[zalinda]

53. I'm with you!

Gore and Kerry are the only two of the pack that would get my unconditional support. The rest all seem like light weights to me. I will have a very hard time voting for any of them at this time.

zalinda

[Manifestor_of_Light]

68. I'd go for Gore OR Clark OR Kerry, if Kerry decides to be combative this time.

[blm]

90. How about if the DNC secures the election process so the votes earned could be counted.

Imagine if Terry McAuliffe had done that in 2002 and 2004. We'd all be talking about Pres. Kerry pulling the last troops supporting the UN peacekeeping force in Iraq.

Or if the DNC in 2000 had worked to secure the election process before election day? We'd be talking about President Gore's second term.

[wisteria]

21. He will always have my support no matter what he does. n/t

[wisteria]

12. What are you trying to do? Start a flame thread?

I really wouldn't make anything out of this. Some of us would love to see him run, but he has already made his decision.

[El Supremo]

40. Not really. But I'll never support Kerry again.

The headline was pretty yellow. But by the rules, I'm supposed to post it without editorializing.

Kerry never said he was seriously considering running. But this is so typical of the press to overextend. And this is also so typical of John Kerry - never totally making up his mind.

Kerry still has a lot of money that he never spent on his campaign. A some point I hope he gives it to someone else. That money is his power and influence now, and I don't like it.

[karynnj]

44. He used a fair amount of it raising money for many many 2006 candidates

From the little "March madness" contest - he intends to do the same in 2008. He also is running for Senate in 2008 himself. So, he very likely can and win use it for his Senate campaign.

[blm]

88. Baloney - he COULDN'T spend that money by FEC rules because it came in during primary

calendar.

I am amazed how people are either purposely twisting that money issue or who are merely ignorant of the election money spending rules for primary and general campaigns.

[karynnj]

15. It's a reasonable answer

Read what he's saying - sounds to me like he's saying - that it's not going to happen.

"If suddenly the field changed or the dynamics of the nation shifted, who knows? You might look at it differently, but I don't see that. I don't foresee that. That's not where I am today and that's not what I'm doing."

This sounds like an honest answer of someone who has said he would like to be President - but he's saying that he does not forsee that. It is true that if for some reason all three main candidates backed out and Gore didn't enter - he would be one of the few who could step in (in addition to all the second and third tier candidates. I also see that the likelihood of that is infinitesimally small.

[Triana]

18. Can't he just send Gore and stay home? (n/t)

[TayTay]

24. I hope Gore stays out as well

I don't think he could be elected and I think he is doing more good now than he ever could as a candidate.

[catgirl]

77. Of course you do.

You know he would win in a landslide. Blah blah blah.

[karynnj]

31. Why ?

It would like be better for each of their personal lives to do so - but, in my opinion, either is better and more qualified than anyone running. (They both look happier than I've seen them in years - )

Who does it hurt if either runs? They would only win the nomination if they convinced more people than anyone else.

[catgirl]

75. Gore/Kerry

That would be awesome. Notice how the old freeps come out with
this "news". Kerry is one of the most courageous politicians with
integrity, grace and intelligence-so all the posters claiming he's
not a fighter, screaming noooooo and throwing insults at him are
so obvious. There are familiar names here from the last election. They
think we've forgotten them. Well, many of us haven't forgotten.

I really want Gore to run, but if he doesn't, I'd back Kerry in an instant.
He's better than the current candidates.

[karynnj]

76. Yep, I wasn't here until after the November 2004 loss, but the names are

those that attacked him for the last 2 years.

I think he made a very serious, difficult decision to not run. This freed the fund raiser and the Boston people who have been with him for decades who almost unanimously had stayed loyal to him until he made that announcement to pick others.

W don't know the question asked - from Kerry's answer, it likely included some far fetched condidtions - which account for Kerry's comments that he doesn't forsee that.

Watching the various Kerry interviews since he decided that, he and Teresa seem very happy doing what they are doing. He is freer to say things that need being said - that would be hard to say and be hear as his true gut belief rather than politics if he were running.

In an odd way, that mirrors his answer to Morey Safer when he was 27 years old and asked if he wanted to be President. After joking "President of what?", he seriously answered something like, "sure, but there are many things important to do and I am not sure I can do them and keep people happy enough with me." The things then were endidng the Vietnam war.

Interestingly, though the Safer interview was publicly available in 2004, the Boston Globe book ended the quote at "them" - distorting completely the meaning of Kerry's response. Kerry was saying doing the right thing on Vietnam was worth sacrificing a future political career for.

[Scooter24]

23. Folks, let's not jump on the OP

for posting this. He posted the headline as reported by the news. Whether Kerry is or isn't running is debatable.

Let's at least try to be civilized in this thread. I hope I am not asking for too much.

[Island Blue]

27. Reporting the news is not exactly what the OP did.

He editorialized by adding his own quote at the bottom of the post: "Groan! I decided against it before I decided for it."

The OP was hoping for flames, make no mistake.

[El Supremo]

46. Actually I am against Kerry and voiced my opinion. Flames or not.

This was a big new headline that I thought should be mentioned in "Breaking News". The fact that it shows that John Kerry still is non-committal also helped me decide to post it.

I worked a lot and gave money for his campaign in 2004. He did not respond to the attacks on him and conceded the election way too early. I was so mad at myself for helping such a poor candidate that I don't know what to do in 2008.

[blm]

107. He did respond to the attacks on him - other Dems did not back him up.

Did you see Bill Clinton out there defending himself in 1992 from the draftdodger attacks? No. Sen. John Kerry went out and spoke out consistently to defend him from those attacks. You had a more balanced media playing field then, too.

The corporate media would not give Kerry's counterattacks the airtime they gave the swiftliars. The truth was put out there many times by Kerry, his fellow vets and his campaign. The corpmedia made sure to downplay the truth while hyping the swifts storyline.

[LittleClarkie]

29. It wasn't the report. It was the gratuitous "flipflopper" commentary that got some going

Including me.

Seemed like a long way to go, frankly, just to bring out that old chestnut.

[Scooter24]

42. it was my mistake then

I didn't scan the bottom of his post, because like you, these reports are a dime a dozen.

I just assumed it was a tagline.

[sandnsea]

26. He said that all along

Somebody's make a mountain out of a mole hill. He said the same thing in Portland. He hasn't said he'll never run ever again, it's just not in the game plan now. No big deal.

Geesh. The things people reach for to beat him up over.

And then turn around and campaign for Hillary or the sponsor of the IWR or even the person who opposed his 2005 Iraq legislation.

Makes no sense to me whatsoever.

[tavalon]

30. Damn it!

I wish he would stick with his original plan.

[LittleClarkie]

37. Who says he isn't

He doesn't say it. It's just the media trying to drum up a story.

[karynnj]

41. His orignial plan was to run

after doing all he could to help the partty in 2006.

[alittlelark]

34. In 2004 I FOUGHT for Kerry, I flew to NM for Election Protection,

I donated, I canvassed, I Did all I could....


He didn't fight for me.

My sis woke me up that morning and told me he had BACKED DOWN from the fight. He didn't even TRY!!!

Gore fought tooth and nail all the way to the Supreme Court to keep this parasite from office.

I want a FIGHTER like Gore. I don't want another Skull and Bones-er-----EVER!




I do not want him in the race this time.
I feel like a jilted lover....:cry:

[ProSense]

38. He isn't, and neither is Gore. Have you thought about supporting someone else?

Or are you hoping for Gore, like I'm hoping for Kerry?

[INdemo]

47. John Kerry will be running for re-election to the Senate

in 2008...He can't do both..If not for his Senate reelection I have no doubt he would run......

[alittlelark]

55. ??? I want a FIGHTER.

[ProSense]

58. So pick one! n/t

[alittlelark]

59. I think I did - I assume most would understand

that I want GORE.

[tavalon]

43. Been there, done that

Got the T-shirt. Don't want another.

[alittlelark]

56. I have my B/W Election Protection T in the closet.

I don't even use it for a nightshirt.

[montanacowboy]

48. Oh Hell NO

Please John, forget about it

[ProSense]

49. Oh Hell YES!

Too bad it's a rumor.

[Blaukraut]

50. isn't it funny how the bashers come running

at the mere possibility? Pavlov's dogs. They hear 'kerry' and 'run' in the same sentence and the drool starts dripping. Sad.

[SoCalDem]

52. Just Duckie

:puke:

[BlueIris]

54. Senator K, if it happens, you know I'm there. If not, keep up the excellent work.

You have my support no matter what you need it for.

[NoodleyAppendage]

61. Nooooooooooooooooooooooo...

What a nightmare this man has become. Do good in the Senate John. You're better there. High-profile is not your game.

J

[fedupinBushcountry]

69. get over yourself

What are you afraid of ? Please do not call the Senator by his first name when you have no respect for the man that would have been the best President of your lifetime. Oh by the way , you didn't vote for him, right?

[NoodleyAppendage]

103. Get over yourself...the man is inept at big game politics. Ham handed.

John might be a good guy and a great senator, but his ham handed statements and actions during 2004 cost him the election. That's a fact jack.

BTW - I'll call him whatever I want. Free country, you see. I'm entited to have an opinion and to be as familiar as I would like when referring to him.

J

[MidwestTransplant]

62. Run on Gore's issue? Give me a break.

[YvonneCa]

63. I'm all for VP Al Gore...

...but since when is this 'his' issue? Kerry has been involved in environmental issues since 1970. I think either, or both, have environmental credentials.

[karynnj]

80. Kerry has been an environmentalist since childhood

Gore is not the only environmentalist - and if you read much about the 2004 candidate, you would have read Kerry's environmental proposals. Kerry's book has a recommendation from Gore and Gore in 2004 referred to Kerry as being the best environmentalists in the Senate. Kerry's own credentials on the environment are impeccable. He had a 96 % lifetime rating from the League of Conservation voters. Teresa was well enough regarded as an environmentalist that she was a delegate to the Rio conference. Her work on toxins, health and green buildings is impressive. If you watch or listen to any of the interviews (on johnkerry.com, you will likely be amazed at her expertise and accomplishments.)

He was the key person who led the NE Governors to implement a sulphur cap and trade program that became the model for the Clean Air act program. He was on Gore's committee that held the first Senate hearings in 1987 on global warming.

Kerry is NOT saying he is running here - but he, like Gore, has a real record on the environment. The fact is one thing that Gore has done is made this a voting issue for more people. This is what he said in one Rolling Stone issue was his goal. ANY Democratic candidate will have the environment and global warming as issues. So - your reaction is wrong on both counts.

Did you protest when Hillary gave a speech on global warming? Or when Bill Clinton did this weekend? The Clintons have at best a mixed record - the Arkansas record was awful as he allowed the type of pollution from animals (chicken) that Kerry fought then and now in his book. They did not use political capital to raise CAFE standards or do much in the first 7 1/2 years he was President. He did do a series of executive orders near the end of his term - many of which were overturned before they were implemented.

Did you protest when Edwards came out with global warming as one of his 5 points? Edwards has no long term record on this and had a League of Conservation Voters score in the 60s.

Will you criticize Obama when he comes out with a plan (if he doesn't already have one.)

[napi21]

64. Let me join the crowd of the "Hell NO!" responses. I really like him

as a Senator and I think he does a good job there, but NOT AS A PRESIDENT! Redecorate your office in the Senate Johnso you'll like it better, then STAY THERE!

[ohtransplant]

65. Snipe! Snipe! Snipe!

(I never fell for that one either.)

I don't see where JK flip flops at all here.

I do detect a Pavlovian response to the mere suggestion he might think about considering the possibility of looking into it - someday. Is that the best we can do?

I also donated and worked hard in 2004. I still have the buttons, T-shirts, yard signs and banner. They remind me of what could have been. I did it because I believed - in the ideas and the man - and I still do.

There are multiple reasons for the "loss" and multiple responsible parties. Why do we throw our candidates on the scrap heap as if they were defective in some way? Is it possible they've learned valuable lessons that only the experience could teach?

BTW, I don't have a candidate right now. I keep waiting for one to move me like in 2004. Still waiting...(and watching, reading, etc...)

[LittleClarkie]

70. Amen

and agree on all counts. Still waiting too.

I worked, I donated, I have tshirts and buttons still. And I'd do it again.

[SoCalDemGrrl]

66. YES!!! John Kerry is a great candidate-smeared by the Bushies & Swift Boaters

I can't even believe that DUers would mouth the same crap

that Bush et al spewed about a great American and a man who,

like Al Gore, won the Presidency.

El Supremo - shame on you for spouting that flip-flopper BULLSHIT!!

I'd only expect that from the sheep on the far right. SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!

[SoCalDemGrrl]

67. El Supremo - shame on you for spouting that flip-flopper BULLSHIT!!

John Kerry deserves better.

[Alexander]

71. I agree, but did you need two posts to say the same thing?

[rodeodance]

72. Good for you Kerry--Keep it open.

[Ian David]

73. A Kerry / Gore ticket would be pretty cool. n/t

[Name removed]

74. Deleted message

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

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

78. He'll do it without my vote.

I'm STILL absolutely certain he was a spoiler in the last one. In all the time since, he's never said or done a single thing to convince me otherwise.

[robcon]

79. Anybody can run...

Let John reconsider - it doesn't bother me a bit. I'd never vote for him in a primary, but the more the merrier on the primary ballot.

[hedgehog]

81. Either Kerry was totally unable to make the environment an issue in 2004,

or he wasn't worried enough about it to make it an issue. My reaction when I saw his book was that he'd finally gotten around to reading Gore's book! John , it's time to step aside and let someone else take a whack at the pinata!

[robcon]

83. Why does he need to step aside?

What harm is he doing running? He might win, although it's a longshot.

[hedgehog]

85. I guess I've seen too many primary seasons in which good candidates couldn't

get past the name recognition of other candidates. Kerry scares me because I can see him rounding up enough money to take the primaries without having the charisma to get people interested in real issues during the general election.

[karynnj]

91. Money will likely not buy this election

At minimum, Obama and Clinton have more money than he does if he stepped in now - which he is not doing. Edwards has slightly more money than he does. All three of these people have enough money to get their message out (per Edwards).

Most of Kerry's fund raisers - he only lost one (with long term Clinton ties) before pulling out - have gone to others, mostly Obama. So, unless they returned to Kerry, he would have to raise the money with the few fund raisers still sitting it out and his email list.

What he does have is:
- Name recognition
- An incredibly good set of speeches that were written by him as the basis of a second run. I think there was intended to be at least one more - on the economy.
- His email list
- His life history, experience, eloquence, integrity and having led more than anyone else - against the Senate leadership - on important issues. The question may be whether someone could be CIC - and Kerry can credibly do that.

So, if Kerry did enter - which I do not think he will, he would have to win because people actively made the decision that he was the best choice. This would not be based on money.

As to charisma - he won nearly every state in the primaries where he clearly was not the media's choice. He nearly won the general election even though the race was stacked against him.

[karynnj]

92. He spoke of it EVERY day in his rallies

The fact that you didn't see that is because you likely were not in the small subset of people who watched the campaign on CSPAN.

The media covered the general election campaign in a very bizarre way - you would see a few minutes that were highlights of Bush's canned event of the day. Then you would see the netork or cable person saying where Kerry was and what he said (usually about Bush) - often ignoring the main topic of the Kerry event. They would then show a narrow shot of Kerry criticizing Bush. Narrow, to avoid showing the huge crowds.

Kerry's book incidently was started in 2005 before Gore's movie and book took off. It also deals with a broad range of environmental issues - including toxins, clean air and clean water. Gore has done a brilliant job on global warming - but Kerry has credentials stretching back to the 70s and 80s. He was on Gore's committee which held Senate hearings on global warming in 1987 and he attended all the conferences with Gore. He has called Gore a visionary on global warming; In 2004,Gore called him the best environmentalist in the Senate.

[hedgehog]

100. Unless the news media have changed and/ot unless Kerry has

gotten a lot more effective in pushing his message past the fog of nonsense that surrounded the campaign last time around, I doubt he would do himself, the Party or the environment by running this time around. Push to get an effective and substantial candidate elected, then support him or her from the Senate. That's the best thing for Kerry to do, IMO.

Thinking about this, I think that Gore has decided that the best thing he can do for the environment is build public support for the next President to protect the environment.

[karynnj]

105. The problem was the media, not the candidate

People can't buy whet they don't see. The "fog of nonsense" did not emanate from Kerry's campaign. How much of Kerry's 30,000 to 50,000 people rallies did you see on tv? Unless you were watching CSPAN, not much.

Between not showing much "unfiltered" Kerry and giving credibility to the SBVT even though they contradicted 35 year old official records and provided NO proof, the media "voted" for Bush.

That it was so close was due to Kerry's incredible debate performances and the convention - the only times the media was forced to show Kerry.

They never gave Teresa any positive coverage. Even as a JK group regular, I have been amazed at how wise, brilliant and charming she is - from the book tour they are doing. If you are interested in health, toxins, or the environment, reading the "blog tour" where she is answering questions in depth is well worth it. She is an exceptional woman, who more than her husband, was completely distorted in 2004 - because she validated who Kerry is.

[Massachusetts]

82. NO!

[THUNDER HANDS]

84. wow, one would think he'd endorse Edwards

considering he picked him for his VP last time.

I guess those rumors of them not liking eachother were true.

[karynnj]

89. it's a different question

He did say that he thought the experience that Edwards got as VP would make him well qualified to be President.

The choice of VP has different considerations:

Who could add the most to what the Presidential candidate has.

Who is willing to be VP

and who could be a credible President.

Edwards was Southern, younger and was considered to appeal to a segment of the population that was not completely identical to the segment Kerry did. Edwards was well liked by the media and both Kennedy and Clinton.

Kerry has resed to not said anything negative about any of the candidates.

[THUNDER HANDS]

93. he hasn't, but

it does speak volumes that he wouldn't automatically endorse the guy he felt was good enough to run with him and take over for him should something have happened to him while in office.

Similar to Gore not endorsing Lieberman in 2004 during the primaries.

Maybe our candidate, whoever it turns out to be, should just pick whoever they like and get along with to be VP rather than just who they think "balances" the ticket.

[karynnj]

98. Kerry also picked Obama for the keynote speech and spoke of

how he was so inspiring then.

Also, he likely wouldn't choose Dodd - because he's from a neighboring state and has 20 plus years on SFRC or Biden - because they are too similar.

Hillary likely wouldn't consider VP.

So, he may think one of these people is better as President - but didn't think they would fit as well for VP. (There were Chicago area reports, never confirmed by either man, that Kerry wanted Durbin, but the thought was that 2 Catholics would be a problem. So, there are many factors.))

[rcdean]

87. A man who will sit back and let himself be smeared cannot be President.

I was a max donor and supporter of Kerry's in '04, so I have the right to speak out.

Kerry's inactivity in the May-July 04 period when the right began its swift-boat and flip-flop smears was despicable. I screamed about it at the time--along with many others--but we were all told to shut up by his brilliant true believers.

It was a disaster. He sat back and let himself be defined by his enemies.

The only explanation his campaign ever gave of that insane passivity was that they didn't know if they'd have enough money for the campaign. This despite the fact that Howard Dean had just shown them the way to big bucks from the internet.

Kerry is a self-infatuated intellectual with very weak practical judgment.

His failure to give Bush the thrashing he deserved in '04 will go down as one of the great tragedies of all US history.

Good Senator. Disastrous Presidential candidate.

[ProSense]

94. That makes no sense!

"Kerry is a self-infatuated intellectual with very weak practical judgment...Good Senator..."

What a bunch of nonsense!

[YvonneCa]

96. Kerrys, Gore, and Newt...

...all at the top of the page. Wow ! I DO love to see that ad for This Moment on Earth on every page. :) And Senator Kerry....if you DO decide it's the right time...you have a lot of support here. :patriot:

[jodini]

97. always loved Kerry

Never understood why people found him lacking in charisma...Maybe I'm weird. I was always surprised and disappointed over the number of people who bought into the right-wing framing of his persona including the "flip flop" references and all that b.s. Obviously, the world is constantly changing and a leader should be able to adapt and constantly assess our policies to determine if they are successful. If a leader is unable to do that, well, we find ourselves in the position we are today. Entrenched in bad policy and unwilling to rethink our options. Also, I was shocked at the success of the Swift Boaters and thought that there was enough info out there to put a smack down on that. Unfortunately, we are truly a talking points nation and all people seem to remember are the stupid campaign slogans. I was truly distraught after Kerry's loss and have frequently felt sad over what might have been...

I personally would love a Gore/Kerry ticket or Kerry/Gore, either way. But my main concern, at this point, is making sure leftie gets elected!

[Exultant Democracy]

99. Looks more like he is positioning himself as Gore's VP.

[paulk]

101. that is a ticket

I could get 100% behind....

[karynnj]

102. Same here

[sandyj999]

106. He needs to close that door and lock it! n/t

[Seabiscuit]

108. Indeed! Please, JK, does us all a favor and don't embarass yourself again!

[Name removed]

109. Deleted message

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

[Hieronymus]

110. "Dear John", NO.

:yoiks: You want to be president, but just don't have it.