What is right about John Kerry (David Corn)

[Nancy Waterman]

http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i=20040315&s=corn

David Corn writes a thoughtful essay on Kerry:

Just like George Bush? It is true that Kerry, another Yalie and Skull and Bones alum, has voted in favor of NAFTA and other corporate-friendly trade pacts, that he once raised questions about affirmative action (while still supporting it), that he has, like almost every Democratic senator, accepted contributions from special-interest lobbyists (while being one of the few to eschew political action committee donations), that he voted to grant Bush the authority to invade Iraq. But this hardly makes him Bush lite. There is, as evidence, his nineteen-year Senate record, during which he has voted consistently in favor of abortion rights and environmental policies, opposed Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy, led the effort against drilling in the Alaskan wilderness, pushed for higher fuel economy standards, advocated boosting the minimum wage and pressed for global warming remedies. But what distinguishes Kerry's career are key moments when he displayed guts and took tough actions that few colleagues would imitate. One rap on Kerry is that he is overly cautious and conventional. He's no firebrand on the stump, nor does he come across as the most passionate and exciting force for change. But his history in Washington includes episodes in which he demonstrated a willingness to confront hard issues, to challenge power, to pursue values rather than political advantage, to take risks for the public interest.

[IronLionZion]

1. If you find a perfect politician

then he is a fraud and you've been had.

I like Kerry, but don't agree with him on everything. He's 100 times better than the shithead we have now!

[Manix]

3. ..your right he ain't perfect , but a thousand times better than the

Texas jackass.

[Frances]

2. Informative article

Thanks for the link