Kerry Entertains, Strikes Populist Note in Georgia

[Judi Lynn]

Kerry Entertains, Strikes Populist Note in Georgia
Sun February 22, 2004 04:59 PM ET



By Patricia Wilson
ATLANTA (Reuters) - A looser and more relaxed John Kerry on Sunday pushed a populist message of closing the gap between the "haves and the have nots" in America as the Democratic presidential front-runner fought to protect his lead over rival John Edwards.

Back on the campaign trail after a two-day break and fully recovered from a nagging cough, the four-term Massachusetts senator kept up his relentless criticism of President Bush's economic and foreign policy, but stuck to his game plan of ignoring Edwards.

The marquee above the Roxy Theater in Atlanta read: "This Sunday, John Kerry live at 2 p.m." and he hit his stride in a 90-minute appearance, shedding his suit coat, sipping from a bottle of water and pacing among hundreds of boisterous supporters while fielding questions on topics ranging from rights for the transgender community to tax cuts.

He blasted the war in Iraq and its aftermath as symptomatic of the president's "reckless, inadequate, ignorant, inept" foreign policy, accused the administration's economic policy of "ripping the heart out of the heartland" and bemoaned the loss of 110,000 jobs in Georgia since Bush took office.
(snip/...)

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=4410317

[onehandle]

1. I just got home from that!

I posted my take here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=382498

[Malva Zebrina]

2. that is an encouraging description

because I have had the impression that Kerry is just a little bit too held back and reticent to criticize the current Bush idiot in chief.

[moondust]

3. Imagine Scrub making a 90-minute appearance:

"...pacing among hundreds of boisterous supporters while fielding questions on topics ranging from rights for the transgender community to tax cuts."

Unimaginable.

[JoFerret]

4. Watching Kerry on C-Span

in Iowa made me see his strengths: tremendous understanding of the issues; infinite patience and a sincere connection with people.