The John Kerry Bloogers Meeting in Los Angeles
by Pamela LeaveyYes… there’s a typo in the title… and, no it’s not my mistake:
Yesterday, a group of Los Angeles area bloggers got together with John Kerry in Century City for an informal, off the record chat after the speech he delivered to the Pacific Council. As we made our way from the speech to the room reserved for our meeting with John Kerry we found the way paved with the sign above stating: John Kerry Bloogers Meeting. The humor of the mis-spelling was not missed by any of us and Steve Audio took a moment to pose with the sign.
Suddenly, as we were sitting at the table waiting for John Kerry to join us, he burst into the room waving the sign, laughing about the typo. “This is classic,” he told us… “I want you all to sign this and be sure to put the name of your Bloog under your name and I’m going to take this back to my office, frame it and hang it on my wall!” We all happily complied with the Senator’s request.
There’s been a few stories in the news recently about politicians and blogs, including one I posted about here, noting my experiences with the Kerry 2004 campaign blog. The informal meeting with the L.A. Bloggers was initiated by a suggestion I made to John Kerry when he was in L.A. in early April speaking on immigration reform.
I’ve had the experience to speak with John Kerry many times over the past few years, but for many of the bloggers at the table it was a first. Kerry was warm, funny, open, honest, frank and impassioned…
Because I have frequently written here about my experiences with speaking with John Kerry, yesterday’s meeting gives me the opportunity to note the experiences of the other bloggers at the meeting.
Dante (hekebolos on DKos) wrote a great diary about both the speech and the meeting here. Out of the group, he was the only one of to bring a laptop and he did a bang up job transcribing the adlib text of Kerry’s speech that was not included in the as prepared copy, posted here yesterday. Dante notes:
What struck me immediately was that Kerry’s demeanor in a private setting was so remarkably different from the common stereotypes about him. He was extremely warm, personable and engaging–a far cry from the aloof patrician that most people have come to expect as Kerry’s stereotype. Kerry talked with us for nearly an hour, despite warnings from his staff that the conversation would make him late for his subsequent stops in the L.A. region.
Hollywood Liberal reported on the speech and the meeting here. He noted Kerry’s opening remarks at the speech…
Kerry came out and joked to the very well dressed crowd that while we were on Avenue of the Stars today, (the street the hotel is on), the Republican party was becoming the Avenue of the Indicted. He also said that Congress is more dysfunctional right now than it has ever been in the 22 years he has been there.
On the subject of the off the record meeting Hollywood Liberal said…
The meeting was off the record so no one took any notes or recorded what was said. The first question went straight to the point, about how pissed off so many Democratic voters, are about what happened with the election, and also that it seemed like most Democrats in Congress had no idea how bad the situation was. Kerry responded by dropping the whole political routine and speaking like he was off the record to a bunch of people that already know what’s going on anyway.
SteveAudio’s post on the meeting, “John Kerry: Johnny, show me that you care, really care for me,” was a heartfelt expression of someone who “got” who John Kerry really is, as opposed to the image of Kerry pushed by the MSM during the election cycle…
He was impassioned, engaged, and not afraid of criticism. When asked why other Dem pols seem to be cowardly, he said that other members of the Dem caucus still didn’t get it. And when asked about the ennui that seems to affect the Democratic party, his response was a challenge: we need to win elections. Then we can do work, with a majority in at least one house.
We both came away feeling that this guy really gets it, that he has the ‘rock star’ vibe that only Al Gore & the Clintons have today. He said he felt like he was in the unique position, having been to the ‘mountain top’, to make some waves, both in Washington DC and in the Democratic Party, by helping articulate a message as well as helping to support other national and local Democratic races.
Had I heard those words on TV, I might have said “Whatever.” Hearing them to my face, I believed. This is a really smart guy, who has a real grip on international politics and issues, and who doesn’t seem to rely on flacks and flunkys for data. He is in command of facts, figures, and statistics. Not because he reads them, but because he cares about them.
Joseph of Martini Republic notes, “Senator John Kerry faced some progressive if occasionally grim-faced LA bloggers, including one from this blog” and he also points out that the meeting afforded a few chuckles over the “Bloogers” sign.”
Last, but not least, after the “Bloogers” meeting I had the opportunity for a little one on one conversation with the Senator about life, blogging and my upcoming visit to D.C. for the Take Back America Conference, June 12 – 14. Kerry will be one of the featured speakers and I will be one of the featured bloggers.
As we made our way through the hotel to find a quiet place to speak, John Kerry declared that he’s like an ice cream. We ducked into the hotel lobby shop to grab one.
Much to the Senator’s dismay, we could not find any with out nuts…
As I told SteveAudio by email last night, regarding his post on the meeting, sometimes “It’s hard to tell people that I know this guy named John Kerry and he’s not at all like people think he is and get them to understand that.” My impression of the “Bloogers” meeting was that each of the “bloogers” walked away with a different impression of John Kerry, from the one they went into the room with. And that, part and parcel was what it was all about.
There’s more photos of the day here, here and here.
The Bloogers attending the meeting were: RJ Eskow (HuffPo), Cenk Uygur (Young Turks), SteveAudio & Mrs Steve Audio (SteveAudio & HuffPo), Dante aka Hekeboles (DKos), HollywoodLiberal, Martini Republic, myself, Gary A (DKos – can’t remember his username) and Eric H (DCP).
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Thanks for sharing Pam! I’ve never met the man, I did get to see him at a campaign rally in 04 though. My impressions of people are rarely wrong and your personal accounts of meeting him as well as those of the other “bloogers” who have now had the opportunity to meet him, continues to validate my impression of who JK really is. Thank you!
Pam, I’m envious! I really want to meet him, or at least see him in person.
It looks like you had a lot of fun though!
Hi Pamela,
I just sent you an email about something that really concerned me. Maybe I’m off base since I assume you may not have had the same reaction. Please let me know if my understanding and concerns are incorrect.
Great Job Pamela! You lucky “Blooger” you!
Dave from P
I just responded and have to run out for a while…
Florida Dem and Andy
I wish everyone in this country could sit and talk to him – I guarantee he’d win in 08 by a massive landslide if he runs.
I’m jealous…
Hey John…there are some loyal bloogers in WI (which is really close to Iowa) who want to chat too! : )
Don’t forget about us.
Pamela,
I am confident of a Kerry win in 08. In your opinion, what makes you think Kerry would win in a massive landslide if he ran? I would love see that happen for so many reasons.
Dante
Dave, don’t tell secrets!! Do I get to see you next week?
IFKEditor
Absolutely – JK needs to have a Blooger meeting out your way too!
Hi Marjorie,
I would hope so. You can run but you can’t hide lady and I’ll track you down if you try.
Will Alan be there too or are you making him stay home?
Marjorie G
My flight gets in around 4:30 Sunday afternoon. When are you coming in?
Great pics Pam.
As far as the landside thing goes, now with the stolen election back in the news blogsphere, does anyone think that Kerry could reach the “activists” who may still be unhappy over the concession and 11/03?
Dave,
Alan gets to stay home willingly. Non-stop politics for a few years now, as most of us, has been wearing.
I was trying to go with voting activists from Westchester, but their plans still vague. I will probably take a bus to arrive Sunday late afternoon.
Indie Liberal
We talked a bit about that subject at yesterday’s meeting. I hope you checked out all the photos at the link, there’s some great pics of everyone with JK.
Thanks for sharing your adventures with the senator Pamela.
He can win in 08; however thanks to the msm and all the other liars from 04 he’s going to have to let more of the country see the same John Kerry you know about 1st hand.
This blog meeting was a great step and he should do more across the country if he has the chance to blunt hil, warner, and anybody else’s moves.
He’s right though the dems in dc and their butt kissing consultants still don’t get it and that goes for the clinton people to.
Look at the missteps by Reid and Pelosi in the last few weeks on impeachment hearings and the boxing tickets. Reid knew darn well he had no business accepting those tickets without payment and then go on TV and criticize the gop for the same thing. Of course I think the GOP is worse but for godsakes make sure your own backyard is clean of weeds before you start preaching about somebody else’s.
This was a great opportunity for the senator and even more so for the bloggers because I can’t imagine the great hillary C would do something like this unless there were 100 cameras.
Was momma T in town with him?
Oh, good. I will check out the rest of the pics. Thanks.
Indie Liberal
“now with the stolen election back in the news blogsphere, does anyone think that Kerry could reach the “activists” who may still be unhappy over the concession and 11/03?”
The problem is that many of the leftist “activists” see any talk of a stolen election as reason to bash Kerry. In their minds if the election was stolen Kerry is a fault for not fighting it.
There are a couple of major problems with this logic. There still has not been any actual evidence presented that the election was stolen. If no hard evidence has been obtained this long after the election, it is clear that there was no way that Kerry could have obtained such evidence in the narrow time frame between the election and the counting of the electoral votes.
Plus, the concession was based upon the calculation, which was proven to be correct, that there were not enough outstanding ballots in Ohio to change the result. If evidence of fraud had been discovered, the concession would not have meant anything and Kerry could have still contested the election.
Ron
I’ve talked extensively with a few bloggers including Brad Friedman about this. The subject came up yesterday and a few there at the meeting suggested that JK talk with Brad. There is the mindset with many Dems to hold the politicians feet to the fire gets them to step up. I don’t neccesarily agree with the tactic but we’ve seen the pressure work in the past. Brad is very knowledged on this subject, and I personally trust him to be fair with JK if he talks with him.
JK clearly is working on clearing up misconceptions and issues that have been peeves with various sectors of the party. I still have not read RFK, Jr’s article but I know JK has and it was my understanding that he discussed it with him, as RFK, Jr interviewed him. A lot of people see conclusive evidence for this. The massive vote fraud couple with the media manipulation, which RFK, Jr wrote about over a year ago in his article, The Disinformation Society, translated into a stolen election in my opinion.
pen Says: June 2nd, 2006 at 9:43 pm
No Momma T sightings… I miss Momma T, I was hoping she might be there.
The blooger (sorry but I just love that) meeting was a great step. It’s my understanding that there will be more of these. Although a few of the bloggers did discuss on their blogs snippets of the off the record conversation, they didn’t even begin to capture all of it.
JK was in fine form yesterday, with both humor and wit and a hard edge attitude of man who is only beginning to start swinging. I’m still digesting the day…
Pam,
Judging from the pics he looks like he is sitting and talking to you in father-daughter mode.
((((((Pamela))))))
((((((Dem Daily)))))
How wonderful. Kerry is setting a brand new style for the country. Others have tried a folksy down-home approach but didn’t really pull it off. This man will.
{{{{Teresa}}}}
My “Blooger Babe” is in the house!!
Indie
I’m too old to be his daughter! But it was nice talk with him. He’s such a warm, caring man. We talked about my business, the blogs, my daughter, my pending visit to DC and the trip my daughter will be taking there in August.
I figured that out Pam, it was just an interesting observation. hee, hee!
Dems can’t just put all the blame at Kerry’s feet. If he was the only standard bearer in 04 it would be one thing but in 04 you had the clintons and their ilk, a lot of dems who had designs on 08 themselves that should be held accountable.
Dems in red areas thought they had to run from their pres. candidate and back bush in order to get elected only to loose on election day.
Kerry didn’t make as many mistakes as a lot of other pres candidates including gore and its like beating a dead snake but without paper trail there is no recount.
The dems could have countered GOP wedge issues but they didn’t and instead used GOP talking points to describe Kerry and they are still doing it. Richardson, Warner, vilsack, bill clinton, rendell they are all still trashing Kerry with the same old GOP trash.
Far as I’m concern we need dems to win seats and take the house but I’m not about to let those who betrayed Kerry off the hook either.
pen,
Did you hear what Warner said about Iraq?
HA HA HA HA HAH!!!!!
{{{{Donnie}}}}}
I can bloog with the best of them!
I”m the BLOOGER BABE! So watch out!
I’m a blooger, your a blooger, wouldn’t you like to be a blooger too? WooHoo, It’s a Bloog-a-Rama!!!
Or western style:
Imagine the Sheriff saying: Stop or I will “Bloog”
Pen
“The dems could have countered GOP wedge issues but they didn’t and instead used GOP talking points to describe Kerry and they are still doing it.”
BINGO!
Donnie
Or in honor of the classic humor of the Firesign Theatre: We’re all Bloogers on this Bus.
LOL Pamela,
One has to ask the question:
“To bloog or not to bloog, that is the question”
“Give me bloog or give death!!”
Or as the wingnuts might think after this, WTF is a Bloog? Is this some new Liberal agenda? I don’t wanna bloog on me!! I hope there is a cure.
Bloog humor, now this is a new way to vent.
Donnie
LOL!
I say bloog you say blog…
Bloog on… I’m off to sleep!
Bloogaloo!
The latest dance craze!
If you show me your bloog, I will show you mine.
I mostly lurk. I happen to be a Massachusetts voter who has voted for Keery for years and who thinks he would be a great president. That said and at the risk of being a party pooper or worse, I think that Kerry faces greater problems if he is going to get the nomination and then win than some people either realize or are willing to acknowledge. And I think the issues need to be faced if he is to have a real chance both to be nominated and to win.
The perception in the country and among a lot of Democratic and independent voters (and there are states where independents can vote in any primary they want) is that he lost big and that his campaign was a disaster. That that wasn’t the case – he lost by very little and his campaign could have been more realistic in terms of the way he dealt with things but he position on the issues was spot on – is irrelevant. If he is to win, he has to overcome that.
In addition, the opposition is substantial. I don’t agree with Hillary Clinton on a lot of things – I am furious about her flag burning amendment – but she’s a very competent person; I personally think she can’t win but that does not make her a less formidable candidate. Joe Biden, Russ Feingold and John Edwards not to mention Bill Richardson and the various governors who are considering the presidency are not people to ignore.
John McCain is veering to the right and could be the Republican candidate. If he is, he will be formible because many independents refuse to see how conservative he really is.
The overwhelming comment that came out of the bloggers meeting was how warm Kerry is. I believe you guys. Really I do. But if Kerry can not project that when he is on television, he can’t win. People don’t see that and they think he’s cold. TV is the way that most people connect – and it’s a major way for him or any other candidate to overcome the negative ads that will be used against him. If he can’t project warmth – in ads or TV appearances – he isn’t going to win.
I should also say that I think that Nancy Pelosi would be a great Speaker of the House and that I would be overjoyed to see her in that position on the merits and because she’s a woman.
I don’t expect a lot of you to like what I’ve said. However, I do think that it is important to factor in some of the negatives if a winning campaign is to be created. And a lot of you are in a position to really do that.
Pamela said: “JK was in fine form yesterday, with both humor and wit and a hard edge attitude of man who is only beginning to start swinging.”
That (excellent) description perfectly describes the man I believe John Kerry to be.
Beautifully said and congratulations Pamela on finally getting the JK sit-down with LA bloogers that you’ve long been advocating.
Again, I just want to say, I roamed around the internets today before coming here, just to see how the headlines and stories stacked up, and again, The Democratic Daily took Most Interesting & Informative Place to Stop and Read!
(ps. Pamela, did you ask JK about the pat on the head thing I asked you about… hmmmm? I mean, it was important and I know you would have had that at the top of the agenda!)
Well, since this post as devolved into being “all about me” I just want to add, I’ll be working this weekend to put the finishing touches on volume two of the Review, and won’t be around to interact… unless the “stall” factor kicks in. But hopefully in the next week I can contribute a blog on yet another “Conversations in Rural Red” that occurred this week. The most interesting part of the conversation to me was… it was– in tone and content– nearly identical with a conversation I had last weekend with born and breed New Yorker. Which tells me, there is a common thread in this country, and a simple meme to catch it (bumper sticker style) is in order, soon.
Judith, I didn’t see your comment before posting. I think your remarks re: John’s television Q factor, etc., are relevant and valid.
I have long been an advocate, since the early days of Kerry’s campaign, for a simple message and simple meme. Simple the thread that binds Americans, complex the web that keeps us whole. John is more than capable of the complex, but to reach Americans, he needs to master the simple. And I mean simple in a strong, hugely twined and rope sort of way. Lifeline.
As Ron said here: http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=3163
“In order to take the time to blog we must suffer from the fantasy that what we write might have some impact on changing things.”
I have long held the fantasy that my words, coming straight from the fault lines in Rural Red, will somehow be heard by a Kerry speechwriter or master memer.
My idea has been a simple one all along, and if I do say so myself, it’s one that seems to resonate today– with both liberals and conservatives in rural red– more than it did in 2003. The metaphor is “American Energy.”
It harks back to “Yankee Ingenuity” it bounces around with the “America Firsters” and it covers all the ground inbetween. American Fuel, American Research, American Manufacturing, American JOBS, American Healthcare, American Taxes Working for YOU, etc. etc. etc.
I’m home, if anyone wants to call, Pamela has my phone number. You know?
So Judith, I take no offense at your post. If we can’t continue to evolve our messages to reach voters, we’ll continue to have elections that are close enough to be stolen time and time again.
I come from the perspective of a working poet and editor of poetry. It’s where I live and breathe. And simple poems, one or two liners, are the hardest to write.
I think we can stand in the center (as a hub of a wheel) and declare ourselves, and from that point, all of our issues, spokes on the wheel, radiate.
The Center of the Big Tent.
And simple doesn’t mean dumb… we already have that in Bush and bless him, he has personified the Village Idiot so well, he will actually make our job– to articulate to Americans on both coasts, up and down and through the center– easier.
I think Americans want to be proud of their country again, proud to BE Americans again. Right now, thanks to Bush Inc, we aren’t proud of a damn thing.
And those who are caught in the middle, both Red and Blue, middle class Americans, are watching their jobs quite literally disappear, their children’s futures disappear, their abilities to provide for their parents and their own retirements disappear, their healthcare disappear. And it’s hard to admit that we’ve failed in attaining/sustaining the American Dream. Truth is of course, is that America has failed– to see the future– and prepare.
So we need to gather up that lost pride and channel it… nothing wrong with American Energy and America First as a meme… we either support Manslow’s Hierarchy right there at the base, or watch this entire country race to the bottom. And there are certainly enough people around the globe today who think we deserve to be at the bottom. So, if we’re going to live up to our potential, we need to join together. Edwards almost has it in One America, but not quite. We need a substance to be that one America, and Fuel, ie, Energy, is it, imo
Okay. Enough mixed metaphors from me today.
pen Says:
June 2nd, 2006 at 10:53 pm
100% correct. It amazes me the number of Dem politicians who just parrot much of the “liberal” MSM/GOP talking points.
I’ve even heard Shrum parrot some concerning Bush on Hardball since he became a regular. Like his props to Bush’s reaction and speeches and “leadership” immediately after 9/11! WTF is wrong with that guy! Talk about not only clueless but living in an alternate reality!!!!!
Judith
During the meeting he talked about things that didn’t work during the campaign, the consultants, etc. All stuff he’s working on and changing. The bloggers that left that room the other day walked away with a different perspective of him. He’s learned a lot and is utilizing what he’s learned.
Leadership after 9/11???
If Shrum doesn’t realize the difference between taking advantage of photo ops and real leadership I see why he lost so many races.
Judith,
“But if Kerry can not project that when he is on television, he can’t win”
Parially true, but also keep in mind that much of Kerry’s image was based upon the attacks against him. Too often people don’t come to opinions based upon the facts but upon what others say.
That’s not to say that Kerry couldn’t have done things better, but he’s a smart man capable of learning.
I’d rather start with the person best qualified to be President and find ways to make him more appealing than go with someone who would make a poor President but looks better on TV. The country has made that maistake many times. If we find a Bill Clinton or Ronald Reagan (in terms of political skills) who is also the right person to be President that’s one thing, but I doubt we’ll be so fortunate.
Pamela,
“The massive vote fraud couple with the media manipulation, which RFK, Jr wrote about over a year ago in his article, The Disinformation Society, translated into a stolen election in my opinion.”
Misinformation was certainly a problem, but is not what most would consider grounds for calling an election stolen. There has been no evidence established for vote fraud, as has been determined by all serious studies, including that by the Democratic Party. Kennedy’s article turned out to be a real embarassment. He most likely counted on people who believed there was fraud taking his arguments at face value without bothering to check his sources and see how many errors were present.
Ron
We’ll have to disagree on this, reading Kennedy’s article I see he presents material that has been documented, but not covered by the MSM – who we know is in bed with Bush. Fraud is very hard to prove conclusively. JK knows that and says as much in the article.
Pamela,
The problem is that the material he presents is full of errors if you check any of his sources. He misquotes many sources and cherry picks facts while ignoring other facts which contradict his statements.
This material has all been debunked by many sources in the past, including by liberals and nonpartisan sources. That’s why the mainstream media has ignored it. Salon has a good article today on the many errors in his article.
Ron
The guy who wrote the Salon article has been claiming since right after the election that he did not think the election was stolen. So he is still saying the same thing – that does not make him right and Kennedy wrong.
I don’t think Kerry is up against much at all. No 9/11, dramatically diminished Repub base, weak opponents, and desire for a changed direction all across the country.
I think it simply might be a marketing decision. Maybe Kerry should sell his assets…his warm human direct down home self. So to thow a curve he could be packaged as the people’s guy. The man who cares. Not that hard.
What Teresa said.
The guy stands tall for America and Americans. Toss in that photo that Marjorie talks about where JK is scanning the skies on 9/11. Tall man, heads and shoulders above the rest.
Not that hard at all.
Amen KJ and Teresa!!
Pamela,
It’s not one guy. Many people have come to the same conclusions.
Whether Kennedy is ultimately right or wrong is a matter of opinion, but his sloppy research and misquotation of sources is pretty obvious. If there was election fraud, Kennedy’s article does not provide any evidence for it.
Indie- what did warner say about the Iraq war?
although he’s favorite of the Virginia folks I tune him out as he and Kaine piss me off with their constant trashing of Kerry to score points last year.
Judith- as you come from the senators home state you have a view that should be looked at as well. I think Kerry’s learning the more personal on TV but he does need to add more personal life and less policy. I will give you that.
I also think its harder for him than say Bill because Kerry seems to be a more independent thinker and a loner which is why I like him.
As for hill in the end she’s no bill although she’s going to use Bill to further her ambition like he used her.
Hopefully, folks will see where the media and gop lied on Kerry but he has to show those who say that downhome Kerry doesn’t exists that the man does. I think its unfair that he may have to open up more than is comfortable but unfortunately to many americans won’t look for the truth or listen to the facts. That’s where us on the KErry train can help him as well.
Pen, agreed. Although I think a television ad campaign that markets Kerry can be presented up front, ahead of Kerry’s appearances. Simple ads to fire the passions, then “let Kerry be Kerry” in his appearances, where he will more than deliver the goods.
I don’t advocate changing Kerry at all, what I advocate is changing how he’s initially presented and making sure that image/message/focus is geared right straight at the heart of what America wants/needs/craves… the chance to be whole Americans again, taking care of our own needs, our own energy, our own innovations, our own families.
Sorry, can’t seem to get off that bandwagon. I just keeping hoping in this campaign, someone with clout will listen to someone like me who is deep behind the lines in the heart of rural red. There are voters for Kerry here, still. And there are voters that will swing Democrat.
“John Kerry, Looking Out for America”
insert photos of:
Kerry on 9/11, scanning the skies
Kerry in VN
Kerry testifying for the Winter Soldiers
Kerry at the BCCI investigation
etc. etc. etc.
LOL I’ll stop now, promise.
oh shoot, I lied. Okay, here’s another:
“John Kerry, A Man for His Time”
insert photos of:
Kerry on 9/11, scanning the skies
Kerry in VN
Kerry testifying for the Winter Soldiers
Kerry at the BCCI investigation
etc. etc. etc.
Simple to produce. Simple message that resonates. Flood the airwaves, including radio. (Conservatives used radio ads in 2004 in multiples, very effective.) Billboards. Bumperstickers. Just catch the damn eye and ear, you know?
Then let Kerry be Kerry in his appearances and speeches.
Now I really will stop. I’m a poet and editor, not an advertising executive.
In the meantime, let’s bring our troops home from Iraq.
John Kerry: Tell Your Senators – Support Senate Joint Resolution 36 to Bring our Combat Troops Home in 2006
http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=3170
pen Says:
June 3rd, 2006 at 11:27 pm
pen,
here you go:
WARNER AND IRAQ:
At Tapped, Matthew Yglesias notes that Mark Warner is firming up his position on the Iraq War. Warner says that, knowing what we know today, he wouldn’t have voted for the war. I think that’s almost a no-brainer. Absent a strong threat of developing nuclear weapons, you can’t justify having gone to war to convert a brutal Sunni dictatorship into a somewhat less brutal Shiite dictatorship. (No, that’s not the best case scenario, but it’s not the worst-case scenario, either, and it’s one many U.S. policymakers would probably take right now.)
But that’s the easy question. The tough questions are: 1) Given the information before us at the time, was war a good idea? I think the answer is still probably yes, but it’s not so clear-cut. And 2) What should we do now? Warner thinks we should stay, and I agree, but this, too, is debatable.
Warner’s huge advantage here is that he doesn’t have to answer question number one. Answering that question is what tied John Kerry in knots, and I suspect it will do the same thing to Hillary Clinton. Warner ducks the question, which is smart. (The answer is complicated, and complicated answers inevitably get portrayed in the media as waffling.) People often note that governors fare better as presidential nominees than do senators. This is one of the reasons.
–Jonathan Chait
I’m delighted to have been such a stimulus, pleased that no one seems to have been horrified and sorry I wasn’t around yesterday. And maybe there have been too many articles posted since this one for anyone to be reading anymore …
Everything you guys have said is certainly true. But … Kerry still has to overcome the perceptions of people who believe that he ran a terribly campaign and lost by a lot more than he did … and he has to present himself in such a way that people are willing to listen to him. He’s also got to overcome the belief that if you’ve run and lost you can’t run again … much less run again and win.
If he’s warm, then the country has to see that … We’ve never seen him project warmth in Massachusetts … never mind nationally. The way he won against Bill Weld who was supposed to win here because he was charming, was that he informed the voters that he knew he didn’t have charisma but he did have ideas. And we voted for him. I don’t know whether that will work nationally but if he can’t project the warmth that he is said to have in small groups, he needs to do something. Selling ideas might be a good thing even if he can do that.
And like it or not, I think he has to be ready to attack the Swift Boat types … and to deal with whatever religous issues come up.
Judith, welcome to the Democratic Daily.
You make valid points, I lived in Massachusetts during the infamous Weld vs. Kerry campaign and remember those days well. It was a nail biter of a campaign. Weld has charmisa and savvy to spare.
I think Kerry is running, just a hunch, and as smart people do, he is taking stock of where he ran weak and spending time and energy shoring up those places. Time will tell, but there is still good feelings about him among liberals in rural red, so the idea that he ran a weak campaign might be an internet perception. If so, he’s certainly reaching out to the blogosphere, not to mention standing up to the SwiftLiers.
Sorry so short, early am and no coffee in sight!
Actually, the perception that he ran a poor campaign exists among mainstream voters (alas) and among my friends – US citizens – who live in the UK (and vote). The perception that Kerry lost by a lot more than he did, seems to be quite common; it’s not just the bloggers. In any case, he needs to do something about it – and whatever it is, if it works, it’s fine by me.
As to Weld, I’ve never thought much of him but his charisma paid off when he ran for governor against John Silber. I didn’t much care for either of them but Silber’s programs actually made some sense; his presentation was apalling. Weld’s programs were actually much more destructive of the poor.
Judith,
Second KJ’s welcome and the validity of your points. The # of people who still have misperceptions and the # who are weekly coming to see them will be ongoing over the next 2 years. It definitely needs to be enhanced in the lead up and during the campaign.
KJ has the ‘hook’ concept just right. I of course, would like it to be ‘American Synergy’ – but might be too much for John and Mary Public. Speaks to putting our efforts into coordinated teamwork instead of partisan offense/defense.
Since JK has his staff working on the whole Swift Boat story: lies, media distortions, etc. There is the potential for him to have enough $ to get it out there early – like shortly after he announces. So that can be laid to rest.
Have to wonder about the potential sympathy vote that could come from it. Not enough to necessarily tip the scales in itself, but could garner more supporters who come to check him out and realize there’s a really superb reason for this bandwagon. Add more people talking the positive truths about JK. Nice ripple effect.
So:
If he starts off by totally debunking the SB BS, gets the meme hook going early, maintains and/or improves his comfort in being who he is on camera, and the mood of the country continues to be angry about the past and desperate to find a candidate that comes across as the real deal; I see his chances as better than any one else.
Not easy, and not without those pieces and more. But for JK: very doable.
Kerry On!!!!
Kerry’s Second Shot
“Meet the Next President,” The Examiner says, there’s no reason why a Democrat shouldn’t have a second shot.
Contrary to the notion that some Democrats have that “You get one chance. If you can’t win, then it’s time t…