If John Kerry is serious about 2008

[saracat]

wouldn't it behoove him to stand up for this election more? He has already lost a tremendous number of people because they don't think he is fighting for them. Isn't this political suicide rather than being conservative in action? If he isn't working behind the scenes this seems politically stupid to me.W hat does anyone else think?

[glitch]

1. Totally agree. nt

[shraby]

2. If he doesn't stand up now, he's killed his chances 2008

[Joylaughter]

3. I say he should step up

NOW and fight like he promised. That is the only way I'd ever pay any more attention to him.

[GRLMGC]

4. I don't know

I think either way he's screwed. If he starts demanding a recount, he'll look like a sore loser. If he doesn't, some Dems will feel abandoned and resent him. What a shitty situation to be in.

[Hailtothechimp]

5. He wants to be the frontrunner for three years. Pathetic. nt.

[LisaL]

6. Who would vote for him in 2008?

What is the point of voting, if the machines just eat your vote?

[havocmom]

23. Who would even send a check? (n/t)

[liberalpragmatist]

7. We really live in an echo chamber

Frankly, nearly all the Democrats I've talked to outside of DU believe Kerry made the right choice to concede. I think so too. There were clearly irregularities, but the chance that it'll change the outcome is intfintisemly small. Even the black caucus, in asking for a review, has acknowledged that the result won't change.

It is a virtual impossibility that Kerry can win at this point. And voting rights groups are examining the problems. This is an issue and we will have to deal with it. But Kerry was right to concede when he did.

[saracat]

9. Wow! Who do you talk to? No one I know, except a DLCer,

thinks Kerry was right. And god save us from the DLC. They have let two elections in a row be stolen. Maybe three .2002 is in question too!

[Generator]

15. That thinking is SO pre-four year coasting into eight year nightmare

Take the gloves off, or the Dems are dead. I've never been more socked in the gut than when he conceded with that smile on his face and his calls for unity. Did I miss the riots and the people dying in the street? Then maybe he could have called for unity. The way he did it will never stand with anyone that really thought "this was the most important elction of our lifetimes."

Like those people that stood in the rain until midnight after working all day at some crap job that hadn't voted in their lives and believed in Kerry. Sorry, I don't expect them voting in 2008.

[Middle Finger Bush]

17. it was a virtual impossibility that the redsox would win too

[johntao]

8. well...

if he were openly contesting this election, the media would crucify him as a sore loser ala Gore. He can't win this unless independent organizations investigate this potential fraud. If they find something, I'm sure he would gladly contest the results. It's still not too late for that.

[shraby]

21. If they recount just the opti-scan

machines, it would throw the election to Kerry.

[wanpete]

10. Doesn't stand a chance in 08.

His message isn't clear and he is not showing the strength to fight the good fight now. This is not a wise move for him.

[jbm]

it's certainly ok to investigate for voter fraud...

but it's not ok to react to it as though it were true without absolute proof. "Innocent until proven guilty" isn't just a convenience for the courts, it's a bonafaide good workable theory to live by and for Kerry to jump on this when all the evidence is circumstantial would backfire.

[Middle Finger Bush]

18. innocent until proven guilty is irrelevant... Kerry was a prosecutor

[jbm]

20. hmmm..ya just might have a point there!

welcome to DU!:toast:

[Middle Finger Bush]

22. i hear what you're sayin though

never reveal your intentions to your enemy till you can finish the job

[Blue in a Red State]

11. He should at least

acknowledge the concern about the validity of the electoral process.

[dave502d]

12. If he not serious about 2004, serious I'm not voting for him in 2008. n/t

[NJ_Lib]

14. I need to get this off my chest, please...

NOT NEXT TIME - THIS TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

...hearing how "next time" we'll go get em'... Or how we must fix and get our shit together for "next time"...

FUCK NEXT TIME!!!

What about THIS TIME?

Isn't that what you told us LAST TIME? In 2000? Oh, we must have election reform. blah, blah, blah... And like fools, we drank your Kool aid... But here we are post 04 election in the same boat, but this time it's a dingy... This time no one even believes us... I feel like I'm going crazy... Like in the intro of F911, is this all just a dream? How can this happen?

FUCK NEXT TIME... I get up every morning and go to work, take care of my family and pay my taxes... I DEMAND they investigate it THIS TIME!!! Don't feed me the crap about 08... I don't give a fuck about 08... I won't be the person I am today and I am really not sure about my future political choices...

If we allow this to go unexposed, I will lost all faith and trust in nearly everything...I feel like it will change me to my very core... I will no longer be the person I was before last Tuesday... but a meaner, harsher and hollower version of myself...

Thank you for letting me vent... I really don't know what I would do without you guys...

[redsoxliberal]

13. I will NOT vote for him in 2008 UNLESS he fights this shit!

[Action Jackson]

26. its too early for him to fight

He must fight this but i can understand why he hasn't said anything quite yet. If independent sources can prove this stuff instead of Kerry or the Democrates then the fraud charges will carry more weight when coming from an independent.

On the other hand, he has really fucked our chances by conceding so early before the votes were even counted. They are still counting votes in Ohio. Why did he concede while they were still counting votes? He knew going in the bastards stole the last one.

[newyawker99]

34. Hi ActionJackson!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[mzmolly]

16. KERRY'S ADVISORS ARE MEETING WITH ONE OF OUR OWN DU-ERS TOMORROW.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=203&topic_id=34351&mesg_id=34351

Let's get to work and help out!

I for one am encouraged that they are listening.

[redsoxliberal]

25. meeting with...? that's a bit of a stretch (nt)

[mzmolly]

28. Yea, I guess your right. But apparently we can get info to them?

:hi:

[CraZdem4life]

19. kerry in 08? not if he doesnt back this.

i'm in high school right now (16), but i am heavily involved in politics and i am thinking about a major in political science.

heres my opinion: this election greatly affected US, the teenagers that cant vote yet...we're the ones that are going to have to pay off bush's screwups in the coming years when seniors retire. and theres the draft issue as well. if john kerry thinks that he could go in 2008 without backing this, i refuse to vote for him. hell, i'd rather vote for nader than kerry seeing that, unless hes doing something backstage, hes just sitting here and letting bush screw us up (for another 4 years). a real leader and patriot rises against corruption that he finds, in this case, the whole election was rigged. yet, he just sits there and does nothing. i say, screw him unless he stands up.

[newyawker99]

35. Hi CraZdem4life!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[goodboy]

24. He should be serious about 2004 first, serve the next four years

and then get serious about 2008

[dmac]

27. I am so frustrated

with so many posts that are angry with Kerry for not stepping forward to "do something". Please consider that perhaps he is doing something. Sorry if this is repeating another post that you have already read, but it is entirely possible that Kerry is doing the right thing. I know it feels like he has hung us out to dry, and I felt much the way you all are feeling but have finally reached the conclusion that he is leaving us hanging because he must. I felt such sincerity in the man who gave that concession speech - and that kind of sincerity doesn't vanish within a week. Perhaps he is not showing his hand right now because it would tip off the right wing genius Rove as to his next move. Think if you were engaged in a battle with Karl Rove! You had better have a good poker face and a good strategy - and it would be essential that you STICK TO PLAN. This means regardless of reading/hearing/seeing his "base" agonizing over his whereabouts, and his thoughts/plans. I know it is hard but I just wish everyone could give him the benefit of the doubt until he proves he doesn't deserve it. Some support would probably be appreciated if there is a quiet behind the scenes battle going on - rather than these cutting, faithless remarks. Sorry. But just try to remember why you voted for him in the first place and try to give him until the votes are all counted - and THEN if he still makes no move to come forward, THEN get as pissed off as you want to. Meanwhile, consider everything, EVERYTHING you hear and read about Kerry as part of a plan, including a pretense about 2008. Kerry is smart enough to know that it is now or never for him and I do not think he is going to let himself OR US down.

[Me.]

29. Hell Will Freeze Over

Before I vote for him again. He left us standing there with egg on our faces, our hope dripping through our hands.

[kikiek]

30. The more I see how the media is treating the fraud questions the

more I believe it is best Kerry isn't involved personally. He has to go back to the Senate and play hardball with these people. The way this administration holds grudges it would be ugly and unproductive. We will need his protection against this administration if the election isn't turned over. He will need the respect and support of the moderates left.

[saracat]

31. Respect and support of the moderates?

What planet does that thought come from? Those same "moderates" who never vote with us? Thise same "moderate repukes" who said they were voting for Kerry? The same "moderate repukes like Chaffee who were going to switch but didn't,? The same moderate repukes like Snow and Collins who enthisiastically campaigned for Bush? Dream on. He needs them for nothing and if he thinks he does, we might as well have had Tom Dashle for Prez. That being said , I hope Kerry knows better!

[kikiek]

32. Your thinking is as bad as the far fight. Time to start looking around

and seeing there are many different thoughts out there. I am personally sick and tired of people attacking each other here. Start doing something constructive.

[saracat]

33. You mean "FAR RIGHT" ?

I am being constructive. I work at several positions within the Party and am doing everything in my power to make sure we do not drift towrd the middle or the right. We must present a clear alternative to the fundie based right and we must go to the left to acheive it! I am also involved in several avenues to recount the vote and check into the machines and their accuracy. What are you doing?