There should be no conflict about this: John Kerry is a great man and a great Democrat

[BeyondGeography]

Lest we need to be reminded, Barack Obama stands on the shoulders of a giant today:

Vietnam war hero

Leader of Vietnam Veterans against the War, who personally helped end the war, IMHO.

As DA of Middlesex County, fought white collar crime and organized crime.

As Lieutenant Governor of Massachussetts, worked on the issue of acid rain and helped formulate a multi-state resolution that wound up as part of the Clean Air Act.

His many accomplishments as Senator include leading the Iran-Contra hearings; the investigations of BCCI and its role in money laundering and drug trafficking; leading the Senate Select Committee of POW/MIA affairs, which investigated the fate of every single missing serviceman and whose work led to the normalization of relations between the U.S. and Vietnam.

Defeated popular Rep. Gov. William Weld in 1996, keeping his seat for the Democrats in a tough electoral year.

Opposes privatizing Social Security, supports abortion rights for adult women and minors, supports civil unions for same-sex couples, opposes capital punishment except for terrorists, supports most gun control laws.

Dismantled George W. Bush in three consecutive debates, the first (and most lopsided) being on Bush's supposed area of strength, foreign policy and national security. (If Barack Obama had John Kerry's debating skils, this contest would be over by now.)

Humor included:

"If Bush is shot, the Secret Service has orders to shoot Dan Quayle."

Feel free to add to the list.

[redqueen]

1. *bites tongue*

[sandnsea]

2. Led the filibuster on Alito

Promised to fight to expand health care for children, and continues to

Led the fight for timelines

Proposed a plan to start troop withdrawal in 2005

Organized one of the original Earth Day events in Boston

One of the only primary candidates to receive a LCV endorsement and other environmental endorsements

Oh, and had a beer with bloggers who had flown in from around the country for his birthday.

[MBS]

4. What you said. .except to add that he was THE League of Conservation

Voters choice in the primaries, and they endorsed him early on, in fall 2003, and continued to work to elect him through the GE.And that he's continuing to fight hard for the environment, both on the global warming front, including alternative energy; and also on conservation

[MNDemNY]

3. Yes, but he's soooo damn dry.

[BenDavid]

5. If kerry were not going to endorse edwards, common decency

and respect should have forced kerry not to endorse anyone.....but then again I suspect kerry has his reasons...I think back to 04 and kerry was tied with bush in a blue state, Pa. The outcome truly was not known a week before. Kerry should have had this sate wrapped up but did not...Now, to whom did kerry call to help? Uh huh Bill Clinton in his first public appearnace since heart surgery appeared with kerry on 10/25 in philadelphia and from all indicators this helped kerry with undecided voters and to carry the state. At least I thought Kerry would consider the wife of this friend, but what the hell do I know?

[ellacott]

7. You're contradicting yourself

-If kerry were not going to endorse edwards, common decency and respect should have forced kerry not to endorse anyone.....


-At least I thought Kerry would consider the wife of this friend, but what the hell do I know?

[Yael]

14. Maybe he doesn't think she is the best candidate for the job?

[stillrockin]

6. And don't foget

Didn't fight when it COUNTED in 2004.

Didn't fight to stop the war.

Continued to fund an illegal and immoral war.

Didn't fight for impeachment.

Skipped the Medicare reform bill vote. (such a profile in courage)

Voted for the Patriot Act.

Now he's trying to sabotage his 2004 running mate in the 2008 primary.

What a guy!

[Bluerthanblue]

8. I strongly agree- but I've also learned that what

should be- and what is, even here at DU are often very different things.

I am an admirer of John Kerry. I don't agree with everything he says and does, but I sincerly respect and admire him. If experience and qualifications really mattered to people, he'd be finishing out his first term this year- and be preparing for his ultimate reelection.

:hi:
blu

[BeyondGeography]

12. Hopefully, this thread balances things out a little bit

Kerry could have melted away after the war and he still would have went down as a historic figure in this country. For him to forge a relationship with a guy like McCain, who hated antiwar protesters (and Kerry too, for that matter) and for the two of them to form the bond that they did in helping to close that particular chapter of our history is one of the most powerful stories of constructive reconciliation in the history of our politics.

[Bluerthanblue]

13. I agree- and

I am also an enthusiastic admirer of the freshman Congresswoman in your sig line!- Carol's a keeper.


Thanks for your post-

:hi:

[BeyondGeography]

15. Cheers, blu

:hi:

[Little Star]

9. JK, he's so yesterday! Tone deaf too!!!!!

[rodeodance]

10. yes, he has done much good for our country.

[flpoljunkie]

11. And, very smartly chose Barack Obama to give the DNC keynote speech in 2004!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNCLomrqIN8

[MISSDem]

16. Amen!

I totally agree.