Call him crashin' Kerry: Early leader now lags in Prez race (Behind Sharpton!!!)

New York Daily News ^ | November 7, 2003 | HELEN KENNEDY

[PJ-Comix]

MANCHESTER, N.H. - Things look grim for John Kerry these days.

Once the Democratic Party's solid front-runner to take on President Bush next year, the Massachusetts senator's campaign has taken a dive.

He doesn't lead in a single primary state. In New Hampshire, his own backyard, he trails Howard Dean by double digits. In South Carolina, a state he considers so key that he staged his formal campaign announcement there, his numbers are so bad that he's being beaten by the Rev. Al Sharpton.

Next summer's Democratic convention in Boston, once expected to be a coronation of the favorite son, threatens humiliation instead. The veteran Democratic pols who belly up to Boston's Parker House hotel bar, most of them Kerry fans, are shaking their heads over his slide.

But the candidate and his campaign remain confident, dismissing the polls and insisting the real fight hasn't gotten started yet.

"We're still in the phase of courting activists," said campaign spokesman David Wade. "The wholesale campaigning begins in earnest about now. He always says things get real when the weather starts changing."

It is far too early, counsel political analysts, to write off any of the top-tier candidates - especially an experienced, tenacious campaigner like Kerry, who tends to rally at the last minute.

"Two-thirds of the electorate hasn't woken up yet and his history indicates he's a late closer," said University of Massachusetts pollster Lou DiNatale, a longtime Kerry watcher. "It literally requires his life to pass before his eyes for him to come alive."

Kerry launched four days of intense campaigning in the Granite State this week, trying to recover some ground. He sharpened his attacks, calling Dean "two-faced" and a "weasel" in a bid to shoot down Dean's straight-talking image.

Kerry's camp is hoping for more incidents like Dean's Confederate flag imbroglio this week, sparked when Dean said he "wanted to be the candidate for guys with Confederate flags in their pickup trucks." They believe the hotheaded Dean will self-immolate, leaving the field to the less exciting but steadier Kerry. Supporters hand out bumper stickers reading "Dated Dean, Married Kerry."

Kerry has been hurt by the large field of candidates, each of whom chips away at one of his strengths. Though he is a Vietnam War hero with solid foreign policy experience, Gen. Wesley Clark is, well, a four-star general. Rep. Dick Gephardt has a big advantage with the labor union vote. Liberals, turned off by Kerry's support of the Iraq war, are backing Dean.

"It turns out he's everyone's second choice but nobody's first choice," DiNatale said.

In interviews, undecided voters tend to focus most on Kerry's patrician demeanour.

"He seems a little too aloof and statesmanlike," said Jeff Brodky, 29, a Manchester marketing consulant.

"Voters want to see some energy, some spunk, some fire."

[PJ-Comix]

In South Carolina, a state he considers so key that he staged his formal campaign announcement there, his numbers are so bad that he's being beaten by the Rev. Al Sharpton.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!

Supporters hand out bumper stickers reading "Dated Dean, Married Kerry."

SHEEESH!!! Talk about PATHETIC!

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Run, Al, run!

[iBillDavis]

and the race goes on...kerry falls behind sharpton in south caroline

[Poohbah]

In South Carolina, a state he considers so key that he staged his formal campaign announcement there, his numbers are so bad that he's being beaten by the Rev. Al Sharpton.

GO AL GO!

[NicknamedBob]

"...Call him crashin' Kerry: Early leader now lags in Prez race (Behind Sharpton!!!)..."

How else will he be in a position to kiss Sharpton's butt?

[Puppage]

So it IS true...people prefer BBQ Sauce to Ketchup!

I wonder how Steven Pagonis feels about that?

[areafiftyone]

I'm tellin ya - Dean is going to win the nomination. That man is on a roll right now and no matter how much the other candidates attack him his numbers stay high.

[samtheman]

Time for somebody to post the side-by-side pics of Kerry and Lurch. Explains everything.

[Quilla]

Kerry's lurched to the rear, wonder if he'll ever ketchup.

[Capt. Jake]

"'He seems a little too aloof and statesmanlike,' said Jeff Brodky, 29, a Manchester marketing consulant."

Dare I say, too French?

[N. Theknow]

Though he is a Vietnam War hero with solid foreign policy experience

WOW!

Kerry was in Viet Nam!

Who knew?

I'm flabbergasted. Totally flabbergasted. My flabber has never been so gasted.

[PJ-Comix]

I LOVE how Weasly Clark fell by the wayside just weeks after being drafted by the Clintons as the "savior" of the Demmycrats.

[TexasCajun]

Well, if Mr. Ketchup didn't pay his bills like Sharpton, he might have a bit more cash and not have to ask Mrs. Ketchup for a bigger allowance.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

ROTFLMA! Good idea for a commercial! ;)

[N. Theknow]

"He seems a little too aloof and statesmanlike," said Jeff Brodky, 29, a Manchester marketing consulant.

If he was any more aloof and statesmanlike he would have pigeon crap on his shoulders.

[pt17]

"He seems a little too aloof and statesmanlike," said Jeff Brodky, 29, a Manchester marketing consulant

Aloof, yes, but long face John's not anywhere near looking like statesmanlike. Do you think Mrs. Ketchup'll keep him after this is over?

[Pan_Yans Wife]

They picked Edwards, too. And he is so irrelevant, I don't know why he even bothers.

[hexpoppy]

Well, hey guys---watch what you say about the rev al--I plan to vote in the demorat primary(MO) and I think he's my guy.

[lonerepubinmass]

As a resident Masshole I can't wait to see Kerry get stomped in the primary. The only thing better would be turning on the local news and seeing the "Fat Bastard" Kennedy being wheeled into the cardiac unit at Mass General Hospital.

[EllaMinnow]

I love the smell of toasted ketchup in the morning!