Apparently, Kerry's new problem is Clinton

[T_i_B]

Hmmm. Make of this what you will.

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,6903,1212572,00.html

Bill Clinton was tucked away in his country home last week putting the final touches to his memoirs. The book promises to be the publishing event of the year, with an initial print run of one-and-a-half million copies.

Most of America is eagerly awaiting publication of the story of one of its most successful and controversial Presidents. Yet John Kerry, fighting to be the next Democratic President, is dreading it.

The last thing his faltering campaign needs is Clinton to dominate the airwaves. The book will suck up publicity Kerry desperately needs to show himself capable of defeating George Bush. 'Kerry's campaign is gasping for air already in lots of unhelpful ways. This can only add to it,' said Shaun Bowler, a political science professor at the University of California.

Many Democrats, however, would rather Clinton stayed out of sight entirely. They fear that his massive charisma will show up Kerry's charmless demeanour and failure to connect with voters. 'It will show that Democrats miss Clinton and many don't think Kerry has measured up to him,' said Larry Haas, an aide in the Clinton White House.

[Democat]

1. Kerry needs to get his message together and forget about Clinton

Clinton hasn't been in the news in the last few months and Kerry has still been relatively missing, so why should he worry about Clinton?

If anything, Bill Clinton will remind Americans of why Democrats are better leaders than Republicans.

Kerry's message problems have nothing to do with Clinton - Bill Clinton is an asset.

[Gore1FL]

2. I am not sure if his message problems are really problems

this is early for the campaign to be in the gear that Bushco is in. they've spent (read wasted) close to 100 million so far.

I agree through, the Kerry campaigns least worry is Clinton.

[patricia92243]

3. Agreed!

[flpoljunkie]

4. You might want to read Glen Johnson's column in today's Boston Globe

regarding Kerry's message not breaking through--he says otherwise.

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/president/articles/2004/05/09/a_kerry_message_starts_to_break_through?pg=full

[Democat]

6. Thanks for the link!

I'll give it a read. :)

[sweetladybug]

5. Personally I don't think Clinton will do anything that will hurt Kerry's

chances of becoming our next president. Clinton could be a huge voice for John Kerry (he was unable to be a huge voice for Al Gore since there was a constant smear against him from Republicans) Times are different now and I'm sure he will not let the release of his book do any harm to Kerry. If anything, the release of the book will have him back in the spotlight so that he speak out for John Kerry to win the election and send Bush back to Crawford TX. But I could be wrong
ELECT KERRY 2004!!!!

[Pepperbelly]

7. rightie spin ... always with the rightie spin ...

not constructive criticism so much as an opportunity to stick with the press corps' scripts.

[spooky3]

9. I totally agree. Publicity for Clinton will HELP the Democrats.

It will remind people how good things used to be, under a competent Democratic admin. The contrast seen by those who are paying attention will be with the current occupant of the White House.

This article is wishful Repug. thinking. If only the Repugs. were as good at proactive or even reactive correction of problems and wrongdoing (such as heeding complaints to the brass about the abuses in Iraq) as they are at proactive spinning, we'd be a lot better off.

Surely the Kerry folks are smart enough to have learned from the Gore campaign errors of keeping Clinton out of the spotlight. Gore should have had Clinton front and center. He is part of the team and has shown himself to be a good team player. The Democrats are crazy if they don't let him play.

[wyldwolf]

8. Am I missing something in this article?

...Yet John Kerry, fighting to be the next Democratic President, is dreading it.

Where has Kerry or anyone from his campaign stated they are dreading this?

Seems to me that everyone is assuming he's dreading it - adding fuel to a rightwing talkingpoint.

[fudge stripe cookays]

10. These links illustrate some bias...

I searched google for some Shaun Bowler info:

http://www.nctimes.net/news/2002/20021027/11111.html
"Gray Davis will spend money; Bill Simon won't," said Shaun Bowler, a political science professor at UC Riverside.

And so, Bowler said, Simon's conservative anti-spending philosophy would prevent him from rewarding Republican-leaning San Diego, Riverside and Orange counties for helping to put him into office, should he manage to pull off an upset.

"And there's no reason for Gray Davis to be nice to us. We didn't vote for him," Bowler said. (He could have said "this area" didn't vote for him. Instead, it was WE.)

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http://www.info.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/display.cgi?id=634&type=print

Recalls, he said, are usually a good sign, because it means democracy is working. “It’s a means of sending a message to leaders who are not doing a good job.” The fact that citizens of California actually lined up and waited to sign the recall petition at the local Sam’s Club means the Republicans have tapped into a very strong emotion.

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http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2003-07/uoc--cbb071003.php

"Republicans have absolutely no incentive to compromise," he said, because they can portray the budget mess as a direct result of Davis' incompetence." He said he wouldn't be surprised if there is still no budget by September. There are several reasons that complicate the budget stalemate.

'Nuff said? He's a "political science" prof in a Repub area. Probably filling his students' heads with his own fucked up idealogy. One guess as to how the jerk votes. Take everything he says with several LARGE grains of salt.

FSC

[in_cog_ni_to]

11. Kerry should give Clinton and his book

a week of air time then announce his VP Wesly Clark pick. The press will have exhausted the Clinton book discussions and be ready to talk about Wes Clark as Kerry's choice. However, I agree that Clinton will only help the Dems. While he's on TV pushing his book, he will, undoubtedly, get in a few Bush/Cheney bashes and some high praise for Kerry. How can that hurt us? It can't.

[blm]

12. What a piece of HORSESHIT. More planted stories

supposedly from the left. Typical.

[Monte Carlo]

13. What!? Clinton will be a great ASSET to Kerry!

Do you think Clinton's got anything better to do that to campaign for Kerry before November? I don't think so.

O they of little faith...