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[PROGRESSIVE1]

1. Exactly. When it comes to these attacks, John Kerry does not...

roll over like most other Dem's. He fights them and puts the
opposition on the defensive.

[IndianaGreen]

2. "Kerry is a whole new kind of Democrat."

Yep, a DLC Democrat.

DLC Division

From and Reed want a different test, an ideological litmus test. If you opposed the Iraqi war, as Graham, Dean, Kucinich, Sharpton and Braun did, you are by their definition Unelectable. If you support a big health care plan, as Gephardt does, you are Unelectable. Too liberal on affirmative action or the death penalty, Unelectable. Rather than allow the party’s voters to choose their standard bearer, From and Reed want to mark some with a scarlet "U" going into the primaries.

http://www.tompaine.com/feature2.cfm/ID/8285

[PATRICK]

9. now I see the animosity

As for the impotent DLC leadership core, I would guess myself that their support of a too liberal Kerry, with that streak of heroism to contend with, is more venal- more the craven desire for rich presidential candidates who can weather the expenses of a gargantuan challenge. Everyone points to someone or other as their candidate. Lieberman stands out in conflicting fashion- a loser to throw honorably to the inevitable Bush triumph or their kind of ideologue who gets the "swing" voters. But sorry Joe, the litmus test is mainly greenbacks- for them at any rate.

Pathetic or demented? Who cares what they think? The sooner Kerry brushes off the miseries in the punditry in the DLC the better. For myself, I would confine my scorn to the clearer targets, no matter how friendly winning Dem candidates may be for their feeble support.

I am not as pessimistic about the DLC taint, but now I see why Kerry embitters some who see that. For that matter every decent and winning candidate is tainted that way because they mostly all meet and schmooze with the DLC. They trouble with that is whatever they gain is offset by a crippling ideological shift that loses elections as well. Hopefully they are not overcome by Republican lite attractions, but every once in a while I see some of the best new Dem officials straying that way like little lambs. It's like professional athletes taking guidance fromt the guys who wash the towels.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

3. It's exactly why shrub was on MTP Sunday

they will have a hard time not being blown out by Kerry in Nov.

[JNelson6563]

4. You're right but for the wrong reasons

The Dem candidate--likely to be Kerry--will win. Right-wing smears will not work this time.

Is it because Kerry is such a great fighter? heh heh I think the real answer lies in the Senator's actions (or lack thereof) during the Bush regime. No, Kerry may have been the great fighter once upon a time but those days are long gone. He now willingly fights battles others have begun and made acceptable to fight.

The reason the Dem will win is for one very simple reason: Bush.

People are not so much voting for someone as they are voting against Bush.

I was on the frontlines in Michigan's caucus Saturday. I am in the north of the state, a Republican stronghold to be sure. Folks were flocking to membership, signing up, donating money and offering to volunteer. Everyone was all fired up and we had record smashing turnouts. Heard "never" quite a bit. As in "I've never....voted in a caucus/primary....joined a political party....gotten involved in politics...." and on it went. To a person the reason every single one of them cited was Bush.

Not one said "Oh candidate X is so great" or anything of the kind. It was all about Bush. The masses are stirred. Bush is screwed. I'll say one thing postive about Jr., as membership chair of my local party, he's is fabulous for business! :toast:

Julie

[Cuban_Liberal]

5. I hear "I can't..." a lot.

I live in a very Republican part of Illinois, and I am hearing a lot of "I can't vote for Bush again..." type stuff here.

[JNelson6563]

10. music to my ears

:-)

[DrFunkenstein]

12. Complete Overhaul of Our Health Care System And Energy Production?

Is this stuff meaningless? Last time I checked, Kerry's initiatives are huge. Not only that, but they are not campaign stump pie-in-the-sky.

Kerry used to get slugged by the media for laying out exactly how he intended on achieving his broad goals. Thos plans haven't changed, even though his stump speeches are much punchier, less wonkish.

Kerry's health care will pass because 1) It is easy to understand (same as Congress), 2) it is not forced on anybody like single-payer, and 3) it focuses on cutting costs.

Kerry's energy independence will work because it sticks to the common sense and works to stay in line with good economic sense (which doesn't mean throwing billions in research at Big Oil). On top of that it focuses on the highly emotional goal of getting our asses out of the Middle East. We should not have to smooch the collective butt of the Saudi royal family when we could be actively developing clean, renewable, domestic alternatives and increasing fuel efficiency with new technology.

I'm sorry if this seems insignificant to you, but it means a hell of alot to me.

[THUNDER HANDS]

6. Kerry is a "tough liberal"

The party needs more of those. I was too young to remember Dukakis, but I can't fathom why the party nominated him.

Kerry will be to Dukakis what Springsteen is to Elvis Costello.

[Raya]

7. Unfortunately Some Insidious Slurs will get into Mainstream Media and Hurt

The worst are attacks that appear to come from the Left and thus wear the cloak of credibility.

[Name removed]

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[blm]

11. True, but...they have been doing it for over 30 years and he has endured.

I'll put my money on Kerry to prevail once more.

[redqueen]

13. Nope, won't work: ABB

They got the memo, and they're really starting to get worried. :)