I would have been surprised if Kerry endorsed anyone other than Obama, at least once his long time Senate colleagues in the second tier were excluded. I see Obama as being closest to Kerry not only a number of specific issues, but on their philosophy of government. In contrast, I see Edwards’ stress on populism and weakness on so many other issues as placing him at the opposite side of the spectrum (at least within the Democratic Party). Besides, Kerry knew what a lightweight Edwards was when he campaigned against him in 2003-4, and his experiences with him as a running mate made that only more obvious.

Unfortunately, I think it is not Edwards time again. And I’m first and foremost anyone but the Clintons.

As for “Kerry freedom fighters,” the Obama endorsement led to lots of discussion over at the DU Kerry forum. Most seemed happy but there are a few supporters of Clinton and Edwards who weren’t so happy.

Yes, I have thought of reviving the blog. Maybe changing the name to ‘Kerry freedom fighters for Obama’.

Hope you are well.

Lou

He did this in a positive campaign, where he laid out visions of a better future. He was mocked for postulating a time where adequate sharing of intelligence internationally and law enforcement and occasional military action jointly with teh world would mean that terrorism would not be an ever present gray cloud hanging over us. He suggested greatly expanding diplomacy world wide, but particularly in Iraq, where he proposed the first of his evolving plan to get out of Iraq – ideas that have been consistent since 2003 and which the Iraq study group approved. Kerry/Feingold is the basis of the Democratic bills on Iraq. Kerry’s call for a summit was included in the 2006 Defense bill.

He also spoke of a burst of creativity and innovation that could be created by aggressively pursuing alternative fuels and more efficient technologies. He spoke of really taking care of the environment and reducing toxins in the air and water. Things that all the 2008 Democrats have in their platforms, though none have much in the way of credentials in their resumes. Kerry has a record equal to anyone.

Then there is health care. All the 2008 plans have some features that were first included in Kerry’s 2004 plans. By the way, HRC’s claim that she already made change and that thousands of NH kids have health insurance because of her. The original bill on that was Kerry/Kennedy. It was modified by Kennedy and Hatch (co-sponsored by Kerry and Dodd) to be S-CHIP – though much of the language of the bill was Kerry’s. HRC? She persuaded Bill Clinton to back its inclusion in the budget after it passed a Republican Senate.

Read the endorsement. Kerry makes an excellent case as to why Obama is the only one (of those running) who could end the partisanship. Without doing that there is no way to address the many critical issues facing the country.

The reason this is getting this reaction? This is an endorsement that Edwards or HRC would dearly love to have because of the accomplishments and the integrity of the man offering it.

I was thinking maybe this would get you to post again at Liberal Cowgirl. If news like this isn’t enough to get you back up on the saddle again, I’m not sure what would. What are you waiting for–JK himself to run again

Link

I’m looking for the full video of the endorsement: Kerry and Obama’s speech. Any ideas?

It was fun today!

Best,

Lou

When he voted for the IWR he made it clear that war was only justified under certain circumstances which were not met. He made this clear in an op ed in The New York Times and an article in Foreign Affairs. Kerry spoke out against going to war many times prior to the war. At the onset of the war he called for regime change in the United States in protest.

That’s not right. Kerry voted for the war. He’s since recanted, of course, but he definitely supported the war.

Also, I’m surprised you didn’t take the time to again point out what Bob Shrum said in his book: there is no love lost between John Kerry and John Edwards.