John Kerry Doesn't Rule Out 2020 White House Run

[Purveyor]

by Pete Kasperowicz | Sep 20, 2017, 8:02 AM

Former senator and Secretary of State John Kerry said Wednesday he has no plans to run for president in 2020, but didn't rule out the idea.

"I don't have any plans right now, honestly," Kerry said on MSNBC when asked if he might make another run.

Host Joe Scarborough and others noted that wasn't a firm denial, and pressed Kerry to talk more about whether he would entertain a run. "You're a troublemaker," Kerry replied.

Scarborough noted that Kerry is younger than some of the Democrats who might run against President Trump in 2020, such as Sen. Bernie Sanders.

more...

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/john-kerry-doesnt-rule-out-2020-white-house-run/article/2635007


Really don't like using Washington Examiner but they and the Wash. Times are the only two sources with copy on this.

Here is the video clip from MSNBC of the exchange: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/joe-asks-secy-kerry-is-it-kerry-2020/vi-AAsfXyi

[cyclonefence]

1. Oh please don't n/t

[haveahart]

77. We could do a lot worse.

[BeyondGeography]

2. Yeah, well

Dukakis is still around too.

[Purveyor]

6. Might as well throw Al Gore into the hopper while we're at it...

[Warren DeMontague]

55. FRITZ MOTHERFUCKIN MONDALE, Y'ALL!!!!!

CMON! WHO'S WITH ME!?!?!?!

[BeyondGeography]

56. YO!

[Yavin4]

67. Heck, Jimmy Carter is legally allowed to run.

If we're going down that road.

[Hortensis]

74. Lol. From Kerry's interview yesterday with Rolling Stone:

Will the U.S. hit the emissions reductions targets that were set in the Paris agreement?
"We're halfway there, now, in 2017, and the targets are for 2025, so I'm convinced we will. We're going to see an exponential reduction in price and increase in capacity of clean energy – already, next-generation solar panels are more efficient, cost less. And that progression is going to pick up over the next few years."

The rest, about pulling out of the Paris Accord, isn't so positive, but I wanted to lead with something the boob-tube news media won't mention at all.

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/features/john-kerry-on-trump-pulling-out-of-paris-climate-agreement-w504583

[PearliePoo2]

3. I saw that! At the wrap up of their interview, Joe said to Kerry...

"See you on the campaign trail!"

[bearsfootball516]

4. I like John Kerry and all, but this would not go well.

[NewJeffCT]

7. I agree

I have a lot of respect for Secretary Kerry, but it's time for new blood. Plus, if Trump is still president, he'd be fighting to get any air time if running against Trump - he couldn't get air time when running against Bush because of his blandness and lack of charisma.

[Orrex]

5. Well, he should rule it out

If he tries to run, we'll be seeing this image 24/7:



Likely paired with this one:



The mysteriously tolerated Maureen Dowd worked very hard to help foster the image of Kerry as an out of touch loony latte Liberal, and we can bank on her and her compatriots opening fire again.

If Kerry runs again, it will be a disaster, not least for him.

[Joe941]

8. He allowed himself to be "swift boated"

This killed his chance to win. Fake news is a long used strategy of the repukes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiftboating

[karynnj]

17. "allowed himself"

He put his entire Navy record on line in April 2004 when the liars first appeared. The fact is that all the fitness reports were there and you could see that they spanned the entire almost 4 years he was there -- and they were uniformly excellent filled with high praise.

The media had all of this BEFORE the liars reappeared in August. The media treated it as Kerry's account vs the accounts of all they people. However, it was the official Navy record against the liars and the THEY should have been asked for some proof that the official record was wrong. Not to mention, all but one of the men on Kerry's swiftboats was 100% behind him ... and they were STILL strongly behind him even in 2009 when there was a Boston celebration of Kerry's long service to the country. (If anything "gave the rw "permission" to question Obama's birth certificate - it was this.)

In any prior election, the fact that these liars were linked to a campaign - they shared a lawyer and B/C people were caught spreading their literature, the MEDIA would have called THEM out and this would have backfired on Bush badly. Instead, cable TV gave them more and more time - even as they were shown to have lied. The book had hundreds of accusations - not even all consistent with each other. When some were found to be lies, they just started pushing a new set. In addition, when Kerry did tell the media he would respond to the allegations at a firefighters' event, they did not bother to cover his concise and clear statement referring to the Navy record. There is a reason that the term "swiftboating" was later used even by Republicans to try to dismiss attacks on their campaigns.

In addition, other Democrats should have been stronger in their denunciations of this. Kerry's record was there and they could have used it - he was a war hero and from actually reading the fitness reports, it was clear that he was a very exceptional, compassionate 24 -26 year old who commanded unusual intense loyalty from those under him and that he used every bit of intelligence and creativity he has to work to keep his men alive. (Special blame goes to the vain, self centered John Edwards who repeatedly told the campaign he would defend Kerry -- then did not do so. To add insult to injury, he told the media that the campaign did not want him to do such things. )

[Joe941]

21. That is a very good recount of exactly what happened.

I only wish Kerry would have defended himself a bit earlier instead of waiting until the swift boaters gained prominence before responding.

[karynnj]

25. They hit back hard when the liars first appeared in April -- and that is when they did the hard

work of putting his entire Navy record out there. That was also after Rassmann, the Republican marine he saved in Vietnam, had joined him and was validating him. What is clear is that the Republicans saw they needed to attack his service because of all it would say of his character, bravery and commitment. (I think the Kerry team may have expected to be hit ONLY on his protesting - which Going Upriver is a fantastic answer to.)

I also think the Republicans took advantage of the fact that through his entire public career, where Kerry spoke of the lessons of Vietnam, he did NOT speak of his own record - other than when he was asked at the SFRC. This is even true in the Ken Burns panel with Kerry, Hagel and McCain done recently. Wendy Sherman spoke of how he chocked up speaking of what the Iran deal meant to him, where he spoke of having served and having always had a desire, if he were ever lucky enough to have the power, to avoid a war. I suspect they wanted to force Kerry to speak of his own service -- knowing how hard that would be for him.

[IdealsAndReal42]

80. Your last paragraph.

Sure.
They wanted him to make him a "weak, man" if he publicly recounted orally the horror he witnessed in the war, stories he wrote on his war notes but never talked about orally because it was so painful.

[Hortensis]

71. Except for the Clintons (special cases, surely?), huge-scale swiftboating was new.

Who would have thought a true hero's and patriot's record could be so effectively turned againsthim on a national scale? Political scientists, and we, learned a great deal from that about certain elements on the right (and sadly some of us on the left also).

For all too many their vaunted "values" and patriotism really, truly were mere postures. No matter how sincere this type believed they were, given new leadership who instructed new positions, the old principles were changed out/abandoned as readily as wet clothes for dry.

All verifying the theory that large percentage of people don't choose their party and leaders to support preexisting principles, the way we always thought. Instead, they align with a group they identify with and then adopt the leader's ideology and positions. If the leader changes, their "beliefs" change right along with the leader. Scary! Plus, too many people simply don't know enough to have an ideology, and ignorance and emotional reactions add up to a critical weakness that allows easy manipulation.

Which certainly explains a lot about the trumpsters.

Speaking of, would all the people who grew up in that Kool-Aid drenched era and who are now saying "omg no!" here be able to speak 2 knowledgeable sentences of explanation why? Give it a try: Talk to yourselves and find out if you'd care to repeat it into a mike if stopped for one of those dumb-jerk-on-the-street interviews.

It's okay to want younger, newer people, but shouldn't it be based on more than emotional reaction? What kind of president might John Kerry be? (Not to confuse with Bob Kerrey, who was also a senator and also served in the VN war. It would help if one of them were named Adolphus or Rohan).

[Old Vet]

49. It broke my fucking heart watching these so-called fellow soldiers tear him up with lies...

Watching this decorated combat veteran get fucked over by a man who couldn't even prove he attended his reserve duty. SAD......

[maxsolomon]

46. i wrote to the Vietnam Veterans of America when the Swift Boating started

and asked why they weren't standing up for Kerry. the dude that wrote back said if they did their tax-exempt status would be threatened, and don't worry, Kerry could stand up for himself.

thanks, guys. the check's in the mail.

[moda253]

61. This is a crock of shit.

Sorry to be so crass but the people that bought into the Swift boat BS are the same deplorables that go for Trump. You can't defend against the completely stupid. We need to stop crucifying our candidates.

[Joe941]

70. The swift boat fiasco is probably what cost him the election.

[karynnj]

78. Probably not -- polling showed no one likely to vote for him believed the liars by November

The ONLY way it might have cost him the election was that his genuine heroism and the character demonstrated by his actions in those nearly four years when he was in his mid 20s might have been used more in the general election -- as they very successfully were in the primaries. One example was where one person, who was on one of his swiftboats spoke of how in the time he was with Kerry, Kerry would come over to check on him and the others - putting a hand on his shoulder quieting asking if he was ok -- something none of his previous superiors had ever done. What was clear was that the men ACTUALLY on Kerry's boat - regardless of politics - respected him and were very clear in their praise of how he led them.

It is interesting having read many articles written by or on people on Kerry's Senate or State Department staff that their comments echo the loyalty and affection that these swift boat guys spoke of. They show an intelligent, compassionate, considerate person who led them well. Very different than how the Republicans wanted to define him.

Without the liars, the dramatic stories of Rassmann and Kerry's crew might have been able to help the Democrats win the battle with the Republicans in defining who John Kerry was.

[BigmanPigman]

9. I like him and voted for him 2004.

He was a good Secretary of State and got the Paris Climate deal completed.

[Justice]

10. Kerry is three years younger than Bernie. 73 vs. 76 today. Both are too old to run.

"Scarborough noted that Kerry is younger than some of the Democrats who might run against President Trump in 2020, such as Sen. Bernie Sanders."

[maxsolomon]

47. OMG YOU AGEIST

just kidding, I completely agree.

Dems need to run someone that makes Trump look like a fat grampa clown. Which he is.

[karynnj]

57. Anyone would do that -- male, female, young, or old

I do not think Kerry will run, but the always well dressed, nicely coiffed, healthy, athletic and never clown like. He is happily a grandfather!

As 2020 approaches, we will know if what appeals to people is solid resumes and experience or a fresh face, with a vision and good ideas. If the latter, Biden has already signaled that he is interested. Clinton might at that point be seen as the choice people regret not taking. They will compete for those looking for demonstrated competence and experience. If Clinton stays out, I have no idea which of these would be better .. and if there is someone from the younger group who is more compelling than both.

[maxsolomon]

59. Kerry and Biden are OLD. Like Trump. Like Sanders.

No.

Gillebrand (50) or Harris (52) are the right age. 50s, not 70s. Dems do well with youthful candidates because they need the Youth Vote. BHO was 48 (?).

Yes, I'm ageist about this. Someone Trump's age won't make him look old - he dyes his hair blonde and tans to create an illusion of youth.

Fat Grampa Clown.

[LanternWaste]

66. What then is the eldest age you think would be yet young enough

What then is the eldest age you think would be yet young enough, and on what arbitrary measure is the answer predicated on?

[maxsolomon]

68. FFS, DU is such a Retirement Home nowadays.

I've been around and around on this topic on DU. I want the Dems to run someone who gets the youth to fucking show up so we don't turn into a Fascist Dystopia.

But sure, you got me in a box. You found the flaw in my Ageism. You win.

[karynnj]

11. Read Kerry's quotes and you will see why there is no article elsewhere

He said absolutely nothing to suggest that he intends to run and said he has no plans to do so. Watch the clip, it is clearly a facious question - note it is prefaced by noting that he is tanned and rested and younger than others who are being talked about and his response is to laugh as he says he has no plans. All light hearted.

To some extent, this is as much a comment on Sanders and Biden, who are older than Kerry. It also is always a compliment to be asked when he has given no signal that he is considering such a move - other than the fact that he did run in 2004 and considered running in 2008.

Unlike many in public life, at the end of his term as Secretary of State, he exuded a confidence and quiet pride in having made the kinds of accomplishments in the two areas that have motivated him for his entire career - peace and the environment. The Iran deal very likely avoided an imminent war. Trump may start a war anyway, but that is on Trump. The Paris climate change accord which he signed for the US holding a beautiful granddaughter is something that would likely not have happened without all the things that Kerry did to make it feasible. What is clear that even with Trump its very design - to avoid needing the US Senate approval - is robust enough that it will continue even without the US federal government.

While we don't know the issues that will motivate 2020, I would be willing to bet that we will pick a nominee who can articulate a vision of restoring America and rejoining the international diplomatic community. Kerry, like Biden or Hillary Clinton could easily do this and argue their real competence against what Trump has done. However, that was the essence of 2016 - and half the country was willing to gamble with Trump. It might be that all three of these people would be far better as elder statesmen, along with Obama, supporting and defending the nominee and articulating what Trump has cost the US. These four people could to rebrand what the Democratic is to counter the negative branding of our party by the Republicans. This will benefit the Democratic nominee.

[Purveyor]

19. Well actually there is now. From "The Hill"...

Kerry: No plans 'right now' to run in 2020

BY JOHN BOWDEN - 09/20/17 09:54 AM EDT 82


Former Secretary of State John Kerry seemed to downplay rumors of a possible presidential run on Wednesday, but he didn't rule anything out in a new interview concerning his 2020 plans.

Speaking on MSNBC's "Morning Joe," Kerry responded to questions from host Joe Scarborough about whether he could mount a second Democratic bid for the presidency in 2020.

"Let me just ask you," Scarborough began the interview. "You're tan, you're rested, you're ready, you're younger than everybody talking about running for president of the United States. Is it Kerry 2020?"

"I don't have any plans right now, honestly," Kerry, the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, responded.

more...

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/351515-kerry-no-plans-right-now-to-run-in-2020

[DeminPennswoods]

65. Doubtful he'd run again

mostly because his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, reportedly hasn't been well the last few years.

[Hortensis]

73. That is definitely a group with real experience and competence. Running a nation

is no job for amateurs or lightweights. Anyone noticed, btw, that most of those who rise to the top in the Democratic Party are very to extremely intelligent and most of their Republican counterparts are specifically not? Big differences in intellectual curiosity and what that means for knowledge attained and attitudes about the world is what I've noticed most.

Like Obama versus Romney? Kerry versus W? Clinton versus Trump? That goes to who we are and our values.

[femmocrat]

12. They say this stuff to keep themselves relevant.

He isn't going to run. He just likes entertaining the possibilities. They "all" do it.

Maybe he's writing a book, who knows.

[JI7]

13. Or maybe it's click bait headlines and lazy reporters

Reading the actual quote one can see he said no and the rest is joking around with scar.

[femmocrat]

14. Right!

I take it all with a grain of salt.

[Purveyor]

18. Did you watch the video linked in the OP. I never heard him say "no", what I heard him say is

"I don't have any plans right now, honestly," and "Well, I'm not thinking about it,"

That is hardly saying "no".

That said, I doubt he would run again but I would welcome another voice in the primary season.

[JI7]

20. because nobody seriously thinks he will run

[Purveyor]

23. I don't think many have even given it a thought until now and John could

have ended right there by emphatically stating he would NOT run.

He didn't do that and did indeed leave the door open, imo.

[cwydro]

15. I sure hope not.

I think he got even lower grades than Shrub in college.

That guy is never going to be president.

[Weekend Warrior]

16. Kerry is someone I could really get behind.

He would be a great voice in the primaries whether I vote for him in them or not. I would love to see him enter the race. He is one of the best among us. Unfortunately, he doesn't speak the language of ignorance very well.

[Bengus81]

22. Another re-run? I kinda want Truman to run in 2020.

Kerry would have made a hell of a Pres IMO,instead we got more Bush.Idiot. But your time has passed John.

[karynnj]

24. look at the entire interview and it is completely clear that Kerry treated it as the joke it was

He is very very serious speaking of NK, Ukraine, Iran and the Paris Accord - and as passionately commited to diplomacy and the environment as he has been for his entire political life. As soon as JS mentioned tanned, rested etc - he was laughing. I actually think his relaxed demeanor there shows that he completely is not in the midst of even testing the water.

Here is a link to the entire interview. http://insider.foxnews.com/2017/09/20/trump-united-nations-john-kerry-speech-makes-america-last

[Purveyor]

26. He should have just said "no" then. He didn't... eom

[karynnj]

29. Did you what the video?

His answer matched the levity of the question and gave it no credence at all. If he just said "no", I expect that JS would have come back with a completely phony what if the party saw him as the best chance - which it won't. It would be hard for any politician to honestly say no to that - and saying that that would never happen, opens "what if it did".

I have no idea what harm you think his response could do. What potential nominee could be negatively impacted? Are you concerned that some might see Kerry as a better version of Biden? (An elder statesman with a very strong record on foreign policy and domestic issues) It is probably true that Kerry - as Obama said of Clinton - would have the strongest resume of any previous nominee. If he and Teresa were 15 years younger and he had not run before, he would be a very strong candidate. As it is, I suspect that he is very comfortable with the legacy he has and is committed to continue fighting as a private citizen on issues he has been passionate on for his entire adult life. (Note how much more engaged Kerry was when speaking of the Paris Accord than the joke at the end.)

[Purveyor]

36. I watched it live and again the video that I linked in the OP. It is what it is and until John

comes out and definitively says he isn't running, I consider it an open question. Period.

As far as your second paragraph, you are reading way too much into this. Why all the hostility is what I ponder. I didn't say one way or another if I thought it would be a good idea if John campaigned in the primary. I welcome them all. That is what a primary is all about now...isn't it?

[bobbieinok]

27. AGE! AGE! AGE!

Where is the younger generation of leaders???

[stonecutter357]

28. fuck putin......

[Mike Nelson]

30. Well...

...Jimmy Carter never served a second term... he'd be much better than Trump!

[Purveyor]

37. He would have won against Trump. eom

[awesomerwb1]

31. I liked John Kerry, but please no

It's looking like we may see a circus similar to the republican primary.

Can someone please just take control of the Dem party and get everybody on the same page?

[struggle4progress]

32. Great guy -- but his 04 campaign didn't work well, and I won't support him in the 20 primaries

[oasis]

33. Kerry, Gore, Hillary. All deserve another shot. nt

[Vinca]

34. Disagree. Time for new blood.

[oasis]

39. There will be an urgent need to repair U.S. Govt. apparatus. Trump's

four years would have desimated the core of the federal workforce in DC.

Senior states persons would be better at connecting with those who were purged from government by Trump's administration.

[Vinca]

41. The other day a talking head on MSNBC said something that is very, very true.

People don't vote on experience, policy or qualifications. They vote on personality. Sad, but true. If we run any of the people mentioned, we'll end up with the Orange Fuhrer for 4 more years. If we run someone fresh, like Kamala Harris for example, we stand a better chance at winning. Then it's all hands on deck to try to repair the country.

[oasis]

45. Perhaps Kamala Harris, Xavier Becerra, ect. as VP to

Hillary, Kerry, Gore or Biden for at least 4 years until they learn the ropes. With more seasoning, Obama may have been a more effective president.

[Vinca]

53. Obama could not have done more because he was sabatoged by the GOP.

Given the obstruction he faced - including the theft of a Supreme Court seat - I think he did wonders. If you put Hillary, Kerry or Gore at the head of the ticket, it's a loss. Guaranteed. Biden has a little bit better chance, but not much. Surely there must be a Democrat between the ages of 40 and 65 with enough oomph to outshine the reality star.

[sarcasmo]

43. No, no and no. Time for new leadership. Kamala Harris and Joe Kennedy Jr.

[oasis]

48. Gotta have someone who knows their way around Washington.

After 4 years of Trump, there will be plenty o administrative repair to be done. Those new to the scene don't yet have the connections.

[Gothmog]

35. I could support Sec. of State Kerry in 2020

[Purveyor]

38. The hostility against Kerry on this thread is interesting, interesting indeed. eom

[DFW]

40. Being "younger than Bernie Sanders" is hardly a reason to support someone for the 2020 nomination

I'm with Howard Dean: our nominee should ideally be an exception person around the age of 50.

I think the world of John Kerry. I think even more of Joe Biden. I still say we should run a more youthful candidate.

[BlueStater]

44. Oh, goody. Another elderly man in his 70s. That's just what we needed.

(duh)

[Bradical79]

50. I think I'd go for a President Kerry

But I don't know that the public at large would come out for a retread. It's sad, but seems to me too many states want someone with less national political experience.

[democratisphere]

51. No! No! No! No! No!

Got it!

[SoCalMusicLover]

52. Go Away John!

You had the chance to step up and expose the theft in 2004, but did nothing. You had your shot, now give someone else a chance.

[MoonRiver]

54. No

[Kaleva]

58. Too old but if he won the nomination, I'd certainly support and vote for him.

[alarimer]

60. Please no.

I like John Kerry, but this is a bad idea, IF true.

[Renew Deal]

62. I rule it out

[maveric]

63. Hell no! Shit no! Fuck no?

He had his chance and fucked it up.
Yes he did.

[yortsed snacilbuper]

64. dubya beat him like a rented mule.

[TexasBushwhacker]

72. Only by 3 Million votes

But I don't want him to run either.

[karynnj]

75. Actually only by a small margin in Ohio -- the election is not based on the popular vote

He would have run a very different campaign -as would ANY one - if it were based on the national numbers. Not to mention, he faced a tougher challenge as too many people were still to traumatised to vote against Bush, who was at 60 % in late 2003 - a stronger position than Obama 2012.

However, his wife has health problems and he has found a role that he seems very comfortable with at Yale, which allows him to continue to work on climate change and other issues. It also allows him to mention some of the brightest young college students - some of whom might be our leaders of the future.

Not to mention, even though Trump might pull us out of the Iran deal as he did Paris, BOTH deals still matter. The Paris Accord now includes Nicaragua, so that leaves everyone in except the US and Syria. The Paris Accord may very well be seen as the point where the world got serious. We are already on a different track worldwide than we were before Paris. Trump pulling out hurts - as do es his defunding important work - such as work on carbon sequestration. (watch the first link, the future of energy, with a panel with Moniz and Jonathan Pershing and others - https://news.yale.edu/2017/09/15/watch-sessions-kerry-climate-change-conference-livestream ). Kerry was the essential force that made that accord happen. With Iran, a war was imminent had there been no deal. Everyone who is honest has admitted that it will keep Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. Trump can keep that or face standing alone with less leverage on Iran and far less diplomatic skill in his administration trying to get a bigger deal.

I think of all the people mentioned, Kerry is likely most comfortable with the legacy he already has and he is in an excellent position to continue as a private citizen to continue - on a different level - to push efforts on climate change. He has been great speaking out on Trump leaving Paris, calling Kim Jung Un names, and on Trump threatening to leave the Iran deal. Here, it is because he cares about the US and the world.

[LittleBlue]

69. We need a party rule. If you've run once and lost, you can't run again.

Can we please have one election not dominated by party elites who've already had their chance?

[ffr]

76. I'd vote for him again. He'd make a fine president.

And/or if Gov. Jerry Brown ran with HRC as VP, I'd enthusiastically support that too!

[Softail1]

79. why would the party of the future...

...want to keep digging up relics of the past?...time to move on, sorry..Kerry had his days in the sunshine. We need new-exciting-fresh leadership.