NOW is the time to pressure Kerry

[kher-heb]

Look, he is going to win and become President so my question is this.

If you can't make this guy represent your interests NOW, what makes you fools think you can influence this politician AFTER he gets power?

Every thread on DU is spin and defending Kerry's flip flops and shortcomings because you people are still cowering in fear that Bush will call us liberals.

If you don't give Kerry the motivation to BE liberal he will NEVER represent us. (Assuming that anyone here actually cares about progress)

[Feanorcurufinwe]

1. What do you want to pressure Kerry about, and how do you plan to do so?

Just wondering.

[displacedtexan]

2. Have you researched Kerry's voting record?

Your description of JK doesn't jibe with his record.

I suggest you go to

www.johnkerry.com

and click on 'Issues.'

Have a nice day, y'all!

[blm]

3. Some of us know that his 35yrs of PROVING himself as a seeker of justice

and exposer of government corruption while promoting progressive causes means much more than a semantic game that some choose as their priority of choice to divide the Dem party.

[Kanary]

17. The rest of us know that he and other Dems took a right turn

a while back.

We can SEE.

A year ago, there was much crying and upset here because of the DEMS who let us down.

Some of us don't forget that.

Kanary

[VelmaD]

4. Oh good grief

If I had a nickel for every time some newbie came in here and referred to us as "you people" and knew just exactly what we think and what was wrong with all of us...I'd have...well, enough to pay my income taxes this year. :eyes:

[DuctapeFatwa]

5. I don't think that for most Kerry supporters, that is a goal. Their goal

is for Kerry to beat bush. Not bush's policies, just bush.

From the standpoint of political pragmatism, this makes sense.

bush's policies are popular. bush is less so.

Kerry offers the one-two punch of reassurance that the status quo will remain intact, with the addition of some visible cosmetic changes that will appeal to the more "liberal" segment of mainstream voters.

Because "mainstream" and "liberal" are separated by a substantial gap, and because bush's people will attempt to paint Kerry as some kind of fringe leftist anti-business radical hippie peacenik, the best thing that Kerry, and his supporters can do is stress his strengths: pro-war, pro-business, tough on terror, and if they are trapped, simply redefine "liberal" to be more in line with what the voters want.

[blm]

11. HORSE***feathers, DF. The only people on DU who pretend Kerry and Bush

policies are the same are those professional operatives whose job is to suppress the Democratic vote. They know that if you keep repeating the same old horseshit that Kerry and Bush are the same that some of the more naive voters might fall for it.

[DuctapeFatwa]

12. I wouldn't be so quick to help bush paint "the Democratic vote" with the

same radical leftist peacenik pro-terror brush with which he will attempt to smear Kerry.

And he has the money to hire plenty of professional operatives to do it.

Naive is equating a handful of anti-imperialists who post on this website with the millions of Democratic voters that Kerry needs in order to beat bush.

Just because the former may oppose US policies, that has nothing at all to do with mainstream Democratic voters' views, whether you feel they are sophisticated or well-read or not.

[blm]

14. Translation: Kerry is the same as Bush. DF's bottom line.

As usual.

David Horowitz.

[DuctapeFatwa]

16. I think your issue may be with the voters rather than with Kerry or with

me. From what I've heard of his speeches, he seems to have just a smidge more realistic view of what the voting class wants to hear than you do, with all respect.

[BeFree]

6. "...you fools...."

Cute. Now we're fools.

The thing is....the only way the country will get out of the hole it's in is if it turns away from the radical right and gets liberal. JK, as a representative of Liberals is just fine for now. Besides, we are gonna be all over his administration like stink on you know what. We are the DU and we are gonna DU it!!

[sangh0]

7. NOW is the time to forget all about Bush*

You are getting sleepy....v-e-e-r-y sl-e-e-e-e-e-py!

[sandnsea]

8. He represents me

He represents Democrats. 30 year record. Environment, women's issues, children, health care, education, security; you name it, he's been working on it just the way I would if I were in Congress. There's a difference between liberal and socialist.

[Lexingtonian]

9. Are you really a liberal?

It sure doesn't sound like it if you can't accept changes of opinion. Dogmatism is rather more Left than liberal.

Nor do you mention any specifics on (a) what would be reasonable and liberal to want that (b) Kerry is on the wrong side of and (c) why now is the appropriate moment to press him on it. Enlighten us, please.

[damnraddem]

10. My state's caucuses are this coming weekend.

I'll go and see whether there is anything happening -- e.g., Dean, Kucinich, or supporters to stand with. Having delegates for other candidates can allow some pressure on Kerry now, before the Convention, because he'll want the traditional release of delegates at the Convention.

[w4rma]

13. ... to do what? Imho, the primary was that time. (n/t)

[citizen snips]

15. Kerry is a Democrat.

Call him what ever you want but Kerry is a Democrat.

[kher-heb]

18. the responses so far reinforce my worst fears

None of you give a shit what Kerry does because he has a (D) next to his name.
He has absolutely no incentive to change anything and you sheep will bend over and ask for more.

[Moderator]

19. Locking...

This thread is inflammatory and not conducive to civil debate.

Thanks,

DU Moderator