Kerry Supporters, from a lost Clark supporter

[WillyBrandt]

You feel just as passionately about your guy as Dean supporters do about Dean, and Clark supporters do/did about Clark. Right?

Why is that? What gives you this inspiration?

Why do you think that Kerry can beat Bush?

Why do you think that Kerry has a higher probability of beating Bush than Edwards?

What are the best ways for grassroots Kerry supporters to get organized and to volunteer?

I'm asking these questions in all sincerity. I'm looking to get involved, but need to clear a few things up.

ON EDIT: One thing about Kerry that I like is that he's a tough bastard who won't get flustered. I only hope he can attack Bush in a way that will stick. His machismo shtick seems like a good start.

[WillyBrandt]

1. Nada?

[DinahMoeHum]

2. Suggest you tap into Meetup-dot-com

and type up Kerry. Look for Meetups in your area.

They'll probably ask that you, along with them, also get involved in the local political races (Senator, Congress, governor, state seats, etc.)

There's plenty to do out there, trust me!


:kick::kick::kick:

[eileen_d]

3. I am speaking ONLY for myself

I don't think I have ever been as passionate in my support of a candidate as many Dean supporters and Clark supporters here seem to be for theirs. That goes for my support of both Kerry and Clark. Again, I am speaking ONLY for myself, and not for any other Kerry supporters.

Here is a link to John Kerry's "Online Action HQ", which might interest you:
http://www.johnkerry.com/onlinehq/


Edited to add: I do not support Kerry because of "electability" - I don't believe in that whole concept, whatever the hell it means...

[dave29]

4. I think you will find

that there is less passion for Kerry - and more of the bandwagon belief that he is "electable". Kerry was never about grassroots until it became clear they were going to be a major part of this election cycle.

I admire your quest to find reasons to support the senator, as I have done the same - but if you truly want change in Washington - I'm not sure he's the guy you want to be throwing your energy towards.

This is not a pull for you to work for Dean - I've given up on trying t persuade people. I just, like you, want so badly for there to be a change in Washington, and to have the belief that our party really gives a damn what we think.

With Kerry as the nominee I think a lot of "activist" types are going to miss folks like Dean and Clark being in the race. Of course we should vote for the eventual nominee, but working for them with the passion we had for our original candidates may be a lot harder to swallow.

Personally I'm having a terrible time reconciling Kerry's "I voted for it, but the President betrayed our trust" line of reasoning - it makes me want to slap him and tell him to wake up to the reality so many of us saw well before the war began.

Sorry to hijack your thread, just have a lot on my mind this morning in this regard.

[WillyBrandt]

5. No, I like Kerry a lot. I think he has greatness within himself.

I just need to know more about him before I can jump onboard.

[DancingBear]

7. Just one more small detour?

I am having the same problem. The "big two" inspire NOTHING in me - nothing. I have followed Kerry for many years (when I lived in New England) - he was (and still is) as bland as they come (to my eyes, at least). I have so many issues with Edward's perceived "sincereity" that I will stop now, lest I say things I should not. The same holds with McCauliffe and the DNC/DLC cabal - they disgust me.

Yesterday, I re-registered as an independent, and as of right now I can't see doing anything save voting ABB in November. If Clark is on the ticket, that changes, and I will be back on the ground full bore, but until then - sorry.

I hope something makes me change my mind, but right now I am just watching the parade pass.

[WiseMen]

9. I think that is FALSE. Kerry has more passion behind him than people.

Those who know Kerry find him a self-efacing guy who doesn't toot his
own horn, doesn't like to deal with raising money, but is a true-arrow
human being.

The Kerry campaign was originally not run by Kerry at all and
didn't involve much grass-roots community building the way Trippi
did it.

Dean's community support is passionate. But more for their community goals than Dean personally. Kerry' fewer supporters are more passionate for Kerry personally.

[10376173]

6. why Kerry?

I think for this election cylce at a minimum our guy has to be credible as a warrior and a tough guy just to step up to the fear mongering table set up by the Repugs. While Clark certainly
has the creds he is/was an inexperienced campaigner.

If you see the picture of Kerry toting his M-16 in his fatigues you realize that one image alone trounces the AWOL beer drinking viet era
bush.

As a Mass resident I can tell you he's been veted many times by both the Boston Globe and the Boston Herald in his Senate runs.

There is no question in my mind that he will fight to win.

Teresa Heinz Kerry is a big assest. People like and admire her.
She's of Latin lineage and fluent in spanish and well liked in the Hispanic community as well. Her $ may come in Handy too.

Kerry's record is far from perfect but he's always fought the good fight and with a savvy veep pick he will fight to win.

check out the "Tour of Duty" by brinkley there are excerpts all over the web. you'll be impressed.

[DancingBear]

10. Thanks

This helped a lot. There are a lot of us folks out here who passionately worked for a man we thought was the greatest gift the Democratic party was given in the last 50 years, and with him now gone we are struggling.

If anyone else wants to speak well of Kerry, and show a little passion along the way - I'll listen.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

8. Well I don't know if my passion rises to that level

and that's all I'll say about that.

What isnpires me about Kerry is that he is actually a liberal that MAY have tacked back to the center a bit to gain national appeal but his credentials are still solidly liberal.

His investigative work in Iran COntra and BCCI is ONE of the reasons we know so much about our opponent and his cabinet's history.

He is a statesman who can CURE our ill relations with allies and get us back on track with REAL international cooperation in getting out of Iraq and has actually visited many of the countries where we need to create workable peace plans.

His policies on urban renewal, crime, and college educational opportunities are likely to CREATE jobs as well as empower people.

I think that Kerry can beat Bush because he has a LONG history of knowledge on the Bush's and can use this to his benefit in debates and he IS a strong debater..not likely to get his feathers ruffled in the midst of a debate.

I also think he can beat Bush since HIS National Security credentials are mush higher than Bush's. Take away Bush's cabinet and he HAS NONE even now.

As far as the BEST way to get organized, I suspect that there are plenty of Democrats who want to get rid of the current administration and as soon as there is a candidate to rally around, people will get out.

[gottaB]

11. I'm not the best spokesperson, but....

What inspires me about John Kerry? His speeches. There are a number of issues where Kerry excells, but what I really like is that he speaks intelligently. Full stop. That in itself makes him a credible opponent to George Bush. John Kerry speaks intelligently, and for who he is, and who I am, that comes across as direct and honest. As a Clark supporter, surely you appreciate the fact that some ideas cannot be reduced to simple declarative phrases, and you know that what cynics take to be evasiveness or waffling, may in fact be a sign of thoughtfulness and genuine communication. "Nuance" is what the critics call it, invariably with a disclaimer about its euphemistic function, occaisionally noting that nuance may indeed be, when all is said and done, an attribute of serious thought.

I believe our problems as a nation deserve serious thought, and I believe that after more than three years of Bush, the American people are more than willing to elect a president who has given our troubles, concerns and aspirations the serious thought they deserve.

These are some of my favorite Kerry speeches:

• On Foreign Policy
  
• On a High-Tech Economy
  
• On Appointing Judges
  
• On Democratic Values
  

(I can't really answer your question about grassroots organizing since I decided to support Kerry right before the caucuses and didn't do anything except talk to friends.)

[fiorello]

12. Kerry will appeal for progressive change in the name of patriotism

I loved the way Clark did it - appealing for a New Patriotism. I wavered between Kerry and Clark - I like Kerry better because he has a long progressive record. Now, if he can only run ON that record and not run away from it!

If Kerry is as thoughtful as his position papers suggest, he'll make a great President.

Why Kerry and not Edwards? I don't think Edwards can raise foreign policy issues effectively. It's not enough to say "me, too" about foreign policy and go after Bush's economy - we have to go after both!

Put Kerry and Bush next to each other, and it looks like an adult versus a play-acting child. That's the matchup I want to see.