Thanks to FReeper CounterPunch
Posted on 11/16/2004 6:36:44 PM PST by Tumbleweed_Connection
Jeffrey Birnbaum -
If he chooses to, Sen. Kerry can become one of the Democratic Party’s main spokesmen. He also could position himself to be the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination next time around. This won’t be easy, but if he works hard, keeps his fundraising base focused and is careful to make well-considered policy pronouncements, it is possible. Then again, Hillary Clinton may have other ideas.
Bob Novak -
John Kerry was an unobtrusive liberal senator never mentioned in the same breath with Senate leadership before he ran for president. He should and surely will return to that posture of anonymity. Kerry’s post-election cameo appearance, sought out by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, was uncomfortable and unconvincing. It recalled the antique and thankfully discarded role for a defeated presidential candidate as his party’s “titular leader.” The most recent defeated presidential candidates, Bob Dole and Al Gore, quickly were swallowed up by the unknown. Like Dole and Gore, Kerry has come under post-election criticism in his own party for running an indecisive and ineffective campaign. But unlike Dole and Gore, Kerry is a sitting U.S. senator who cannot disappear entirely. During 20 years in the Senate, Kerry was no legislator. He attracted most attention with out-of-Senate projects intended to promote his presidential ambitions — notably, trips to Indochina investigating missing-in-action Americans.
Mark Plotkin -
John Kerry can be a champion for D.C. voting rights and statehood. No political jurisdiction voted with greater fervor for Kerry than the residents of the District of Columbia. He got 90 percent of D.C.’s vote. No state even approaches these numbers. D.C. is obviously Kerry country. This place needs an outspoken and passionate advocate who holds high elective office. With a president who believes in democracy everywhere but in his own front yard, Kerry can point out this hypocrisy. I look forward to him speaking out and speaking often about this overlooked and ignored issue. Now is the perfect time to bring up the cause of D.C. democracy and fight for the rights of the citizens of the nation’s capital.
Eleanor Clift -
John Kerry says he is in the fight for the long haul, and I take him at his word. He’s not going to do what Al Gore did and disappear. He has a real job to go back to and a platform as the second-highest vote-getter in history to continue representing the 55 million voters in blue America who supported him. There is a leadership void in the U.S. Senate after Tom Daschle’s defeat, and Kerry is positioned to pick up the mantle. He seems to think he can run again, which means he’ll take an active role in rebuilding the party and shaping a message with broader appeal. There have been remarkably few recriminations against Kerry personally for the election losses. Democrats recognize they have bigger problems than his candidacy. With Republicans controlling every branch of government, Kerry is one of the few national Democrats who can command an audience for what he says. His challenge as an opposition leader is to speak with more clarity and conviction than he did as his party’s nominee.
Traitor......
LEFT OUT
TinMan in the remake of the Wizard of Oz.
Or..............he can drop back into the depths of nothingless...much like his previous 20 years in the US Senate.
Pocket Pool?
Fake Vietnam war hero.
"Honey, I shrunk the candidate".
What role can John Kerry play?
"I'm not a real leader, but I play one on TV."
Doubtful - Slick Willie still thinks HE's the mouthpiece of the party. And then there's the PIAPS. Neither is willing to share the stage with JFnK.
Definitely Herman Munster!
Wasn't the number of those not voting for Kerry but voting AGAINST President Bush somewhere in the 10,000,000-15,000,000 range?
Thanks to FReeper CounterPunch
Who's John Kerry?
Am I wrong?
Let me guess. Mark Plotkin lives in DC. There ain't no way in hell that a majority Republican Congress, and a Republican President are going to add two more RAT Senators and another RAT Representative to the Congress. No Way.
Everybody now living in DC knew what the rules were. It's the Federal City. Period. If they want representation, let them move to a real state.
Gigolo ??????
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.