Democrats on Hill give Kerry hero's welcome on return

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/03/12/democrats_on_hill_give_kerry_heros_welcome_on_return/

Party unity seen as key theme for campaign ahead

By Glen Johnson, Globe Staff, 3/12/2004

WASHINGTON -- John F. Kerry, for years branded a loner in the Senate, was embraced with a standing ovation yesterday when he returned to the chamber's weekly meeting of Democratic members for the first time since the Massachusetts senator emerged as the party's presumptive presidential nominee.

The semi-public display of affection, heard through an open Capitol door and later replicated for cameras as Kerry held a news conference backed by a phalanx of senators, highlighted the rapid coalescing of support for Kerry since he knocked off his last major nomination rival last week.

"I think that what has happened to him, as I see it, as a friend and colleague, is that he has the platform now that he's always wanted to have," said Senator Barbara Boxer, Democrat of California. "It's made him happier. It's fulfilled him. It's made him better at friendship, at work, every way."

The unity theme was punctuated later in the day as Senator John Edwards of North Carolina, the last major challenger to drop from the nomination race, introduced Kerry to about 100 of his campaign donors in an effort to solicit their support for his colleague heading into the general election. The North Carolinian -- regarded as a potential running mate -- also held a private, half-hour meeting with Kerry that began with Edwards saying "Hey, brother" to Kerry when they met at the door of Edwards's office in the Capitol.

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[bread_and_roses]

1. I hope the "liars and crooks" remark

spurred some of that applause.

[Tippy]

4. "I hope the "liars and crooks" remark"

Does anyone know for sure if this remark was about the disruptor's present at the speech? I am looking for documentation..I am writing letters to the editor on stuff like this and also printing out fliers and I would like noting better than to link this statement to Hastered's staffer...

On Edit: I found a earlier thread with the info...

[boobooday]

2. He earned respect from me

By calling them what they really are!

Here's to UNITY in the face of IDIOCY! We stand united against the thieving fascists!

http://www.wgoeshome.com

[GreenGreenLimaBean]

6. Amen BBD

It confirms that he believes what he says while campaigning. the pundits
can't go on how he's a phony that will say anything to get elected.
They have off camera remarks to backup his on camera rhetoric.

JOHN KERRY: HE SAYS WHAT BE BELIEVES!

[hang a left]

3. It looks like Kerry is leaning Edwards.

snip>

Later, heading into the donors' meeting, Kerry and Edwards paused on the sidewalk outside a hotel two blocks from the White House as photographers clicked away. Asked if reporters were looking at the Democratic ticket, Edwards laughed before saying, "We're not taking questions today."

Edwards then turned to head into the hotel, but Kerry stayed back a step, feigning incredulity. "See that?" Kerry asked with a smile. "He's answering for me."

snip>

[seafan]

5. More great snippets from the article

Kerry's visit to the Senate followed three similar bridge-building meetings on the House side of Capitol Hill, including one held with its Democratic membership in the Library of Congress after Republican leaders refused to authorize meeting space in the Capitol.

Introducing Kerry to his fellow House members, Representative Edward J. Markey of Malden, dean of the Massachusetts House delegation, said, according to one person who was present at Kerry's meetings on Capitol Hill: "The Viet Cong couldn't stop him. Richard Nixon couldn't stop him. George Bush can't stop him. He's going to keep fighting until he wins."

<snip>

In an interview before he escorted Kerry to the Senate luncheon, Senator Edward M. Kennedy also struck the unity theme.

"The party has never, in my time that I've been in politics, come together like it's coming together," the Massachusetts senator said.