Through The Darkest Hours To This One Shining Moment

[DrFunkenstein]

There is a difference between certainty and faith. Never for a moment did I feel certain that Kerry would become the Democratic nominee. In all honesty, there were times when I was truly shaken by doubt.

And yet, even in those doubtful times, I still had faith in Kerry's fighting spirit. If he was going to go down, he would go down swinging. But it was in a way I didn't foresee. The true test of Kerry's spirit - the judgement seat - was Iowa. He didn't win Iowa with big, showy speeches like I imagined. He did it by slogging day after day, slowly earning the respect and even admiration of Iowans across the state.

It's not the kind of thing the media picks up on, and even until the final weeks, they counted him out. But once he won, the media had to acknowledge a determination and drive they had not accounted for.

I have been a true believer for a long, long time. And it is not because of electability (although it helps). It is because I cannot help but admire the man's thinking, his ability to see the big picture. It is because I admired his willingness to perform lengthy, thankless tasks for the public good. It is because beneath the suit and tie and booming voice, there lies a thoroughly decent man.

Well before he ever declared his candidacy, I thought Kerry was the best choice for this nation. Since that time, the more I have researched his record and his history, the more convinced I have become.

Tonight my conviction has turned to elation.

[littlejoe]

1. Yes, but it was blasphemy to say so, until now.

[WillyBrandt]

2. Thank you, DF. Your posts have helped transition my support

They've always been a model of reasoned support.

[sistersofmercy]

3. Very nice post, DrFunk

It is indeed a rejoiceful night :toast:

[zls44]

5. Ditto

I felt lost for a while...and then the surge.

Comeback Kid II, anyone?

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[JI7]

22. whatever

didn't this person lose their account ?

[blm]

6. Glad to be on the team.

You're a star player, Doc.

[juajen]

7. WOW, finally

Congratulations to all Kerry supporters, and that should be all of us. He needs money and support to defeat *. We so need to be totally united behind him now, or cannot call ourselves democrats.

All of you who are still sniffling over your candidate (and I was one, sob, sob, General, General, Kucinich, Kucinich) the TIME IS NOW! I love this country, and at this time in our history, there is one man standing between us and total bedlam. We all know his name, JOHN FORBES KERRY.

[Newcastle]

20. I'll probably vote for Kerry

in November if it isn't raining on election day. Money I can't give him. He's done nothing to deserve my vote other than being not as bad as Bush, and he's certainly done nothing to deserve my money.

[kalian]

8. Well...now is when Kerry has to prove himself....

Now is when he really has to make a solid stance. Now is when he has
to prove his worth.

Wouldn't you say...?

[Name removed]

14. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[DrFunkenstein]

15. Tell It To Ollie North

[CalProf]

9. Dr. Funk, my hat's off to you

you have been like the Senator in your demeanor here on DU: didn't whine, didn't complain, just kept going.

That's what he did. That's what you did. There were times when my own spirit shrank, but often one of your positive posts would bring me back to commitment.

Thanks to you, and many, many congratulations.

On to November!

[WarNoMore]

10. Love your posts.

Kerry is a good man.

[Citizen Kang]

11. Dr, you've just won the battle within the party

The war hasn't even started yet. I'd save my elation for November should Kerry win. Good luck to Kerry.

[DrFunkenstein]

12. Thanks For All The Kind Words

And this is only a victory that earns Kerry the right to get on the battlefield.

Am I certain that he will win? No.

Do I have the utmost faith in the man? You better believe it!

PS - Blm, you were here supporting Kerry even before I was. My hats off to you and to all the Kerry supporters! Ah, what the hell, I've got to give props to everyone here at DU who put their heart and soul into their candidates, and for believing that there are still things in this world worth fighting for.

:toast:

[HalfManHalfBiscuit]

13. Kerry. Our next president.

I appreciate your positive posts.

[union_maid]

16. Wasn't my first choice, but it was easy to get on board

Faith is a good word. In all the years I've been voting, I've seldom voted for anyone I actually had any faith in at all. I do feel that Kerry is someone who you can put your faith in. He's got mine now.

[paulk]

17. You kept the faith, DrFunk

and were always an inspiration, especially during those "darkest hours". Thanks.

-----

I finally added an avatar - the Hindu God Ganesha, "the remover of obstacles". Ganesha is invoked at the beginning of auspicious opportunities and ventures, and for me that is what tonight represents. We have a candidate now, and we are embarking on a mission - the election of John Kerry to the presidency of this country.

[JohnKleeb]

18. I really gotta hand it to you and the other early Kerry supporters

You guys were told that John should withdraw like in December before a primary had even started. You kept the faith, Kerry was often a butt of jokes and many people including myself were cynical about his chances, I did give him a fair chance but I didnt expect at christmas time that he would be where he is now. It may seem hard to believe for some but Kerry is a uniter, and I think he will make a fine president, and personally all the others would have too. You like the firefighters doc didnt give up faith in the man, when Bush leaves this November and this man is our president, I will be happy to have him, and I will proudly vote for him as my first vote for reelection in 2008. Yes, I am predicting victory.

[Sufi Marmot]

19. As George Clinton would say...

"Let's take it to the stage!"

(Say it loud, I'm Dem and I'm proud...) :-)

-SM, looking forward to the main event...

[JI7]

21. this is very much how i feel

if you watch cspan and saw those meetings he had with groups of people where he took questions from them and went one on one, those were some of his best moments. the people asked tough questions, they even challenged him when he gave his answers. but he never dismissed them as unfair. they would ask him to help them with the problems in their lives. he always gave a good detailed answer. it's easy to criticize bush, and to just say in general terms he would be better. but he gave specifics and explained why things were the way they are and how he would change it and how they could help him in doing this. also, he ALWAYS asked them for their vote.

[THUNDER HANDS]

23. you really weren't certain?

I've been certain of him winning the nomination for 2 years now. I'm also certain of him winning the presidency.

Maybe I'm just an optimist.

:)

[Bread and Circus]

24. Congrats to you - you were damn faithful during some dark times.

[MaineDem]

25. I was surprised that people weren't considering him

Back in November and Decmeber, people weren't even aware of him.

I was talking to groups and at meetings and having to introduce Kerry to many of them. It got me thinking that most Democrats at the time weren't even interested in the primaries yet except for us political wonks. I had a gnawing doubt but I also had the feeling that once people started hearing him and actually had to consider the candidates, Kerry would do well.

I've had people laugh at me during those "dark" days. They said I was backing a loser. I told them to wait.

The elation I felt as the results from Iowa came in is one that I will cling to for a long time! New Hampshire added to it. Many of us worked hard back in those early days and this now becomes an even tougher job.

I introduced my 84 year old mother to John Kerry a few weeks ago. She had her picture taken with him and she is now the hit of her senior complex! :)

Great post, DrF.

[JI7]

26. as jk said

when asked about being likable. just give him some room with people so he can speak to them, answer questions etc and it's not really a problem when you see him there.

[blm]

28. Boy does that sound familiar.

Would love to see the picture, MaineDem.

[molly]

27. Steady as she goes - that's how I always felt

but we sure had one helluva fight!