Kerry is his own man. If you don't think so, state why.

[Octafish]

Anyone who believes otherwise is unaware of the facts, in my opinion.

For instance, John Kerry stood up to the Bushies in Congress when they tried ramming through changes to the bankruptcy laws that would benefit the credit card companies at the expense of the little guys.

So my question is: Where's the proof Kerry was beholden to "special interests?" If he was, he'd do the bidding of the rich at the expense of the middle class.

I say there isn't any. So far, I am yet to see any evidence here on DU or anywhere else.

[anti-NAFTA]

1. Buzz, buzz!

EVERYone in politics is influenced by "special interests." Kerry is; Edwards is; Dean (whom I support) is; etc. A "special interest" can be a labor union, AIPAC, a defense contractor, a civil liberties group, etc! Why is everyone repeating this word like its anathema to bash other candidates instead of supporting a system, like France's, where the policies aren't determined by which "interest" contributes the most money to politicians. I'm really sick of this shit.

Edit: And try guessing what sort of "special interests" were behind these votes of Kerry's

Voted YES on extending free trade to Andean nations. (May 2002)
Voted YES on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam. (Oct 2001)
Voted YES on removing common goods from national security export rules. (Sep 2001)
Voted YES on permanent normal trade relations with China. (Sep 2000)
Voted YES on expanding trade to the third world. (May 2000)
Voted YES on renewing 'fast track' presidential trade authority. (Nov 1997)
Voted YES on imposing trade sanctions on Japan for closed market. (May 1995)


from http://issues2000.org/John_Kerry.htm

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

3. I believe in FAIR trade and you might want to double check your angst

at that Japan vote. IIRC, that was the bill that forced them to let our luxury cars in their markets after they manipulated prices in their OWN markets in order to sell their products on the cheap here...Kerry's vote was the right thing to do.

I can't believe the number of so called liberals against trade. Should we just take other countries' resources that we need to make our computers and leave them with nothing?

I completely support an overhaul of the manner in which trade is done but that will require diluting the power of multi-national corporations which will further require international cooperation so that we don't end up starving ourselves.

But there is NOTHING more elite than to suggest we live a great lifestyle while other countries don't.

[anti-NAFTA]

2. Wow. I certainly killed this thread. eom

[Octafish]

4. Don't think so.

What killed the thread is that there is nothing in Kerry's record to show that he's anything but his own man.]

BTW: I do appreciate your perspective. We ALL are influenced by those around us. Isn't that the essence of environmentalism? Perhaps it has many applications...

[CWebster]

5. He is his own man....yeah, right.

He is the exact stilted, pompous, long-winded bore that he was when he was polling at the bottom. He benfited from the media assasination of Howard Dean and the promotion of Kerry as "more presidential and electible". That is the extent of his sales pitch and when asked, the voters score Dean highest on everything but electibility...Since his credibility as electible was deliberately targeted and sabotaged.

Yeah right, I am going to vote for Kerry after all that.

[Octafish]

7. Thanks for your input.

Your opinion is much appreciated. But, please, give me an example of where Kerry's vote was "influenced" by his contributors. It seems to me, such proof is lacking.

[waldenx]

6. Kerry is in the DLC

thats enough proof.

[Octafish]

9. Show me, please, where that has affected his vote.

The guy has a 95-percent lifetime rating from the Americans for Democratic Action, a group that monitors real Liberals from the phonies. The ADA says Kerry follows up his rhetoric with actions that support ALL Americans.

[corporatewhore]

8. Proof hes a corporate whore NAFTA/GATT/WTO anyone?

[HereSince1628]

10. Well facial enhancement, by botox or whatever...

The vast majority of people wouldn't do that unless they were worried about how other people saw them. There is a convoluted psychology to that which actually makes his anxieties part of his own being, but there is also a part of that which says he'll change to meet the desires/expectations of others...

[Ivote]

11. His own man?

It would have taken only 1 senator to contest the 2000 election.
For starters.