Amid Natural Splendor in Idaho, a Weary Kerry Gets Away From It All

New York Times ^ | March 19, 2004 | DAVID M. HALBFINGER

[kennedy]

KETCHUM, Idaho, March 18 — John Kerry was in the air, approaching the Continental Divide, and the candidate often ridiculed as straddling both sides of political divides was wrestling with the big matter at hand.

Should he ski, or snowboard? Or maybe both? He gave no clue where he stood. But that was Wednesday night.

A longtime adviser recently suggested that there were two John Kerrys: "indoor John and outdoor John" — one who agonizes over decisions, and another who acts boldly on them.

It was outdoor John, decidedly so, who emerged from an armored S.U.V. at the foot of Bald Mountain here on Thursday morning, outfitted in blue ski gear and swigging from a bottle of vitamin-fortified water. From the rear of the vehicle he pulled a weathered old snowboard, and for most of the day proceeded to zigzag down what locals affectionately call Mount Baldy.

Mr. Kerry arrived Wednesday night for a full week of rest and relaxation, and a rare bit of privacy with his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, at their high-altitude retreat.

His getaway came at a particularly rough time for the senator, the expected Democratic presidential nominee. For more than a week, he has had to defend himself from an onslaught of attacks by President Bush and millions of dollars in negative advertising, while taking criticism for calling Republicans "crooked" and "lying" and claiming to have the support of leaders whom he has not named. Moreover, a New York Times/CBS News poll indicated that many Americans were beginning to see him as the kind of politician who says what he thinks people want to hear.

Several Democrats and Kerry aides said some of his missteps were a result of exhaustion. They and some of the senator's friends said the vacation could not have come too soon. "He needed it about as badly as anybody could need it," said Sam Grossman, a real estate developer who has skied with Ms. Heinz Kerry here for decades, and with Mr. Kerry for years. "The best thing that can happen is he'll sleep, relax, eat some good food, and then, in a couple of days, he'll be back firing again."

Another reminder of how badly Mr. Kerry needed a break was provided by the Bush campaign, which released a commercial skewering him for saying Tuesday that he had voted both for and against the $87 billion appropriation for military operations and reconstruction in Iraq and Afghanistan. "I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it," he said, referring to an amendment he favored that would have rescinded some tax cuts to help finance the Iraq war.

Mr. Kerry's staff back in Washington was working in overdrive, meanwhile, marshaling surrogates to defend him and punch back at Mr. Bush. They were also compelled, however, to reject an endorsement from one foreign leader: Mahathir Mohamad, former Malaysian prime minister — "an avowed anti-Semite whose views are totally deplorable," Rand Beers, a foreign policy adviser, said in a statement.

But Mr. Beers added that Mr. Kerry would shun as inappropriate the endorsement of any foreign leader at all.

This is Mr. Kerry's first week with his wife away from the hurly-burly, as he calls it, since late August. Then, of course, no one much cared where he went.

This time his arrival was the top story in the local paper. His plane, a chartered 737, disgorged dozens of staff members and journalists, as well as a full Secret Service detail. A top-flight racing bicycle was also along, in case Mr. Kerry, as serious a biker as he is a schusser, chose to go for a spin.

On his first full day off, though, Mr. Kerry awoke determined to hit the slopes of Mount Baldy.

The image-conscious candidate and his aides prevailed upon reporters and photographers to let him have a first run down the mountain solo, except for two agents and Marvin Nicholson, his omnipresent right-hand man.

His next trip down, a reporter and a camera crew were allowed to follow along on skis — just in time to see Mr. Kerry taken out by one of the Secret Service men, who had inadvertently moved into his path, sending him into the snow.

When asked about the mishap a moment later, he said sharply, "I don't fall down," then used an expletive to describe the agent who "knocked me over."

The incident occurred near the summit. No one was hurt, and Mr. Kerry came careering down the mountain moments later, a look of intensity on his face, his lanky frame bent low to the ground.

Ms. Heinz Kerry, for her part, stuck to a pair of skis and was taking her time down the slope, accompanied by two old friends, one a former Olympian, the other a ski school instructor.

"I'm going tentatively, but prettily," she said, wearing tight black pants and a flaming red jacket.

The couple's outing created little stir here amid this natural splendor, but then Sun Valley is used to people like Tom Hanks, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis and Demi Moore.

"People of great fame and wealth can come here, and people don't invade their privacy," said one visitor, Larry Nast of Bellevue, Wash.

Still, Mr. Kerry could not entirely escape the hazards of the arena he had left behind. He had just sat down for a bite to eat on the crowded patio near the lift line when a waiting skier, John Norris, shouted: "Hey, John! What foreign leaders talked to you?"

Mr. Kerry beat a retreat back into the lodge, to an upstairs, out-of-the-way dining area where he would be sure to draw even less attention.

Idaho, to be sure, is very much a red state, but Ketchum is actually a dot of deep Democratic blue on the political map. Many stop signs here have "Bush 2004" spray-painted underneath, and the rebellious teenagers tend to be "hard-core vegans," said Barrett Cincotta, 13.

"Everyone in this town is anti-Bush," Barrett, a Junior Olympic skier, said between runs. "He's trying to destroy our planet."

Even visiting Texans were sympathetic to Mr. Kerry. Admiring the senator's choice of sport, Patrick Riggins, 51, a Houston real estate investor, said, "It's a little bit different from clearing brush, but I like it."

"Snowboarding really keeps you in the now moment," said Mr. Riggins, who added that he was rooting for Mr. Kerry. "Maybe it'll give him a chance to not think about all that stuff, and revitalize himself. This is the place to do it."

[kennedy]

When asked about the mishap a moment later, he said sharply, "I don't fall down," then used an expletive to describe the agent who "knocked me over."

What a f'ing a'hole.

[Puppage]

Oh, the wounded hero getting R&R

Where's the PUKE ALERT?

[kennedy]

He had just sat down for a bite to eat on the crowded patio near the lift line when a waiting skier, John Norris, shouted: "Hey, John! What foreign leaders talked to you?"

Sounds like a Freeper.

[Puppage]

outdoor John

[Piquaboy]

I sure do hope he does not run into a tree.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Give that guy a cigar !

[mrs tiggywinkle]

**Several Democrats and Kerry aides said some of his missteps were a result of exhaustion. They and some of the senator's friends said the vacation could not have come too soon. "He needed it about as badly as anybody could need it," said Sam Grossman, a real estate developer who has skied with Ms. Heinz Kerry here for decades, and with Mr. Kerry for years. "The best thing that can happen is he'll sleep, relax, eat some good food, and then, in a couple of days, he'll be back firing again." **

As President, one cannot 'get away' from all responsibilities for a couple days to regroup. You're *on* all the time. Kerry isn't able to meet that responsibility.

[IYAS9YAS]

"Everyone in this town is anti-Bush," Barrett, a Junior Olympic skier, said between runs. "He's trying to destroy our planet."

I wonder how his mommy got him to the slopes? SUV? Airplane to the area? This little puke is skiing an area that was clearcut a hundred years ago to provide him with his precious slopes. IDIOT.

[Judith Anne]

This is from the NYT, I thought we had to exerpt these...

[Reo]

"When asked about the mishap a moment later, he said sharply, "I don't fall down,""

Except in the polls, John, except in the polls.

[mewzilla]

Weary?! What a wimp! Try running a country at war, you wuss. Jeez, you can't even stand the campaign.

[rhombus]

This article was perplexing. Does the NY Slimes think this helps Kerry. It had the usual Bush-bashing statements (e.g., "attacks", "millions of dollars in negative advertising". However the article also discussed his flip flop image and made jokes about it (e.g., "Should he ski, or snowboard? Or maybe both? He gave no clue where he stood. But that was Wednesday night.").

On a whole after I read this article I thought "what a flaming A-hole this guy is" but then I know I'm biased and proud of it. I don't think this article helps Kerry at all but on the streets of NY, who knows. In fact, even the headline talks about how weary he is... one wonders if he has the stamina to be President (remember this, that issue will be back). How will the the left respond to this rich guy on the slopes who "doesn't fall down" and swears at secret service agents? Or don't they care abou the facts?

[TexasCajun]

Living at Mrs. Ketchup's multi-million dollar ski-villa nearby, socializing with Rich Elite White Folk on almost exclusive White ski slopes.

[agincourt1415]

You know football on the slopes is a lot of fun! "Hey John, go long for the football toward those big trees overthere".

[kennedy]

Nope. We have to excerpt the LA Times.

[RicocheT]

Kerry has the same rapport with his Secret Service guards that Hillary exhibited when she and the sinkmaster were in power. Secret Service are tough guys to take a bullet for the likes of Kerry & Co.

[texasflower]

He just never learns. This is going to be fun.

[areeves79]

[daybreakcoming]

his actions speak of a person who has already run into a tree and doesn't recall it

[keithtoo]

Notice the dateline is "Ketchum Idaho" making his place sound so mundane.

He really has an 8,000 sq ft mansion in SUN VALLEY!!

More NYT spin for their boy.

[Just mythoughts]

Wonder if JFKerry brought his "reenactment" movies he made while in Vietnam, reenacting his gun fight.

I have heard this is his favorite past time activity.

[uncbob]

"indoor John and outdoor John" — one who agonizes over decisions, and another who acts boldly on them.

And of course INDOOR JOHN comes up with a decision and then OUTDOOR JOHN comes up with a different one
Thus covering all bases

[daybreakcoming]

"Maybe it'll give him a chance to not think about all that stuff, and revitalize himself."

My gawd!!! What does he think being President is about? Campaigning is child's play compared to being POTUS. I can see the scenario now if he is actually elected (God please forbid)

[anoldafvet]

In other words, "I don't ever make mistakes, it's always someone else's fault". What an f'ing Clymer!

[mewzilla]

Who knew that buying a jock strap could be so evervating?

[Roberts]

Great. Another POS with no respect for the Secret Service agents that protect his life. He's on a par with Chelsea.

[anoldafvet]

Is it only me or is there something wrong with this picture? How did the guy get directly behind him if he is snowboarding down the hill? Why is the board almost on it's side when he is on a flat surface? Why isn't he throwing up any snow? Why doesn't his hair move?

[Irene Adler]

""I'm going tentatively, but prettily," she said, wearing tight black pants and a flaming red jacket."

Teresa is completely bats.

[Judith Anne]

Thanks. ;-D

[republicanwizard]

I'd love to know if it was the guy behind him who knocked him over. I would argue that Kerry is a racist if he used an expletive to deride a minority.

[NYCVirago]

When asked about the mishap a moment later, he said sharply, "I don't fall down," then used an expletive to describe the agent who "knocked me over."

You know what this reminds me of? How the Kennedy family saying used to be "Kennedys don't cry." Is his motto "Kerrys don't fall down"?

[VadeRetro]

When asked about the mishap a moment later, he said sharply, "I don't fall down," then used an expletive to describe the agent who "knocked me over."

A Kerry Presidency would bring a certain grace to the White House not seen since Lyndon Johnson picked puppies up by the ears.

[republicanwizard]

He thinks he is so macho. He is such an idiot.

[rrrod]

come back kerry! we miss you so much!

[Reagan Man]

Hey, skiing and snowboarding is fine. The problem is, John Kerry is a rich, foul mouthed, liberal elitist, on top of being a lying phony and a fraud. And with the personality of a doorknob.

[NYCVirago]

How will the the left respond to this rich guy on the slopes who "doesn't fall down" and swears at secret service agents? Or don't they care abou the facts?

The Democrats bought the proverbial pig in a poke with Kerry. But ultimately, the important thing for him is that he's not Bush -- all they care about is getting a Dem back in the White House, no matter what a jerk he is.

[NYCVirago]

And of course INDOOR JOHN comes up with a decision and then OUTDOOR JOHN comes up with a different one Thus covering all bases

Geez, another Democrat with a split personality -- didn't we have enough of that with Saturday Night Bill and Sunday Morning Clinton? Or with Al Gore supposedly having a personality in private, while being a tree in public?

[WestCoastGal]

""Everyone in this town is anti-Bush," Barrett, a Junior Olympic skier, said between runs. "He's trying to destroy our planet."

Well now, I guess none of us will be visiting Ketchum any time soon.

[Redleg Duke]

What an arrogant couple they make!

[Mo1]

Still, Mr. Kerry could not entirely escape the hazards of the arena he had left behind. He had just sat down for a bite to eat on the crowded patio near the lift line when a waiting skier, John Norris, shouted: "Hey, John! What foreign leaders talked to you?"

Hhehehehe Ping

[NotchJohnson]

Snowboarders are thugs on the slopes. They knock people down, show no coutesy and many times are youger people, even kids. This was no vacation, it was part of his campaign and image makeover from a mortician to a energentic dude.

[GladesGuru]

That's why the Dem's can claim to be so inclusive. Just think of all the shades of white you just described.

[rhombus]

he Democrats bought the proverbial pig in a poke with Kerry. But ultimately, the important thing for him is that he's not Bush -- all they care about is getting a Dem back in the White House, no matter what a jerk he is

Maybe that's why they are looking at McCain. ;-)

[NYCVirago]

Snowboarders are thugs on the slopes. They knock people down, show no coutesy and many times are youger people, even kids.

Not to mention their propensity for smoking pot...

[Ann Archy]

He says " I don't fall down"...and Teresa says "I'm doing it prettily"....OMG!! FREAKS!

[NYCVirago]

Maybe that's why they are looking at McCain. ;-)

If I were a black Democrat, I'd be outraged over those rumors. Think about it -- what those McCain as VP rumors say is that the Democrats would rather choose a Republican as their VP than a Democratic black man (or woman.) So much for the party of civil rights!

[Ann Archy]

Kerry had to run away from the guy who asked him what foreign leaders did you talk to!! What a WUSSY SISSY BOY.

Do 60 years old snowBOARD?? I thought that was for kids.

[daybreakcoming]

Kerry is proving the Secret Service to be the most professional people on earth. Anyone else shoulda woulda slapped that granite face into next week.
Don't have to wonder too hard as to the word he used to describe the man who got in his way, do we?

[petitfour]

This headline ain't biased. A weary Kerry???? A tired old man????

I have a question. If you have your face Botoxed, does it still do all the gymnastics that you see when folks ride a roller coaster or ski downhill really fast????? Or does it stay frozen in place?????????