Single Best Description of Kerry I've Seen...

[chiburb]

"But what about support for John Kerry? I believe support for Kerry is based less on tribal identity than on an expectation he can perform the job of President of the United States well, or at least a damn sight better than Bush. We liberals and progressives and Democrats for the most part, I think, do not (yet) consider John Kerry to be our leader. He's more like the knight we've hired to go out and slay the dragon."

Source (credit where it's due!):

http://www.mahablog.com/

[sangh0]

1. Repeating something doesn't make it true

You can keep repeating how Kerry's support is not "pro-Kerry", it's "anti-Bush", but anti-Bush isn't why tens of thousands of PRO-KERRY supporters are waiting for hours to see Kerry at one of his rallies.

[chiburb]

2. You KNOW I don't believe that...

You KNOW I'm pro-Kerry, not just ABB. I think Maha's qualifier ("yet") is appropriate, and her description of Kerry as the dragon slayer we've hired is right on. In fact, I posted the quote because it DOES encompass ALL of us... even the progressives who have to hlod their noses.

We're not on different sides on this...

[sangh0]

6. I know you are pro-Kerry

but that doesn't mean that you are immune to propoganda, be it RNC agit-prop or Nadir agit-prop.

The Kerry supporters who have to "hold their noses" are nothing but a small contingent. Their numbers have been grossly exagerrated.

So no, we are not on different sides, but we do have different opinions on this. The Kerry campaign is strong. Support for Kerry is strong. And our enthusiasm for Kerry is strong.

[chiburb]

4. SanghO, read this:

From the same article:

"Some commentators have made a big deal of the perception that most likely Democratic voters are less excited about Kerry becoming President than they are about getting rid of Bush. But what this really says is that support for Bush is based on primordial emotions, mostly fear, while support for Kerry is based more on judgment and reason.

We don't need to apologize for that. "

[sangh0]

7. I do not agree with sentences that include the idea that

"most likely Democratic voters are less excited about Kerry becoming President..."

I am a progressive Democrat and I have been waiting for DECADES for the opportunity to vote for Kerry (not "someone *like* Kerry....Kerry!")for President.

[chiburb]

8. She didn't say that, she was quoting the punditry...

"Some commentators have made a big deal of the perception ..."

Once again, we (you, me, Maha) are on the same side.

[sangh0]

12. She also said

"We liberals and progressives and Democrats for the most part, I think, do not (yet) consider John Kerry to be our leader."

I disagree, and I do not appreciate those who claim to speak for liberals and progressives, particularly when they are wrong. I dont think we should spreading the message the "Kerry is not our leader". I think the message s/b "Kerry is our strong leader and we enthusiastically support him"

Once again, we (you, me, Maha) are on the same side.

Which is why it's important that we act like a team.

[blm]

3. And some of us have been waiting for decades for Kerry to be our President

and are quite familiar with the fact that he has investigated and exposed more government corruption than any lawmaker in modern history.

We are THRILLED that such a man of deep intellect, progressive ideals and sterling character will be president.

[Old and In the Way]

5. Is it possible to be pro-Kerry and anti-Bush?

Yep....

I couldn't be happier with our choice to lead us out of the Republican national nightmare. I'm sure that Kerry will be the Republican's worst nightmare....and it starts 1/20/05.

[merh]

9. Actually, the pro-Kerry and anti-Bush positions are more

harmful than just pro-Kerry. Double threats. Rove and those guys have lost it if they think they devalue the campaign by pointing out that voters are "anti-bush".....

That is lunacy. (imho)

[chiburb]

10. Harmful to Rove and Bush, right?

Just want to make sure I read it right...
(I agree.)

[merh]

11. Yes, sorry, I didn't make myself clear...

Harmful to Rove & the clown-n-chief.