John Kerry: Good, bad, or both?

[Bill Gold]

I guess it’s that time again…

What could he do to improve your opinion of him?

He could stop pulling an “Al Gore” and loosen up a little. I hope that when he’s on the Daily Show tonight that he’ll be wearing something other than a suit; preferably something like jeans and a polo shirt. Something not overly relaxed, but something to show that he’s not always uptight. It’s superficial, but so is the American public.

What do you think of his ability as a public speaker?

He’s a great public speaker. He can go on and on about many topics as is the case with many Representatives and even more so with Senators. He speaks very eloquently, but I think that’s more of a liability than a positive for him (just like it was for Gore). I believe that the American people are afraid of intelligence. In general, we’re afraid to think that smart people might know better how to handle our country’s affairs. Clinton was extremely smart, yet he spoke in a way that everyone could understand him. Kerry speaks wonderfully, but you can sometimes see that he loses the dumber or less politically knowledgeable people with things like “I voted for [the war in Iraq] before I voted against [it].” That was a perfectly correct statement and a valid position if you knew the specifics of the two bills he was talking about. Things like that loose the stupid people. It’s rare when you see Bush lose the stupid people…

Do you agree with all, most, some or none of his positions on key issues (i.e. the war in iraq, economics, etc)?

I was against the Iraq war from the outset. I was involved in debates even here on CD about Iraq back in the fall of 2002. I was right then, and I’m right today and it will be hard for me to forgive the Democrats for allowing Bush to, unquestioned and unchecked, have his way. It was bad for the world, and it was bad for American politics. I would stand even more firmly behind Kerry had he held a stance towards the war like Howard Dean’s or Dennis Kucinich’s.

I’m in favor of Gay Marriage or some other equivalent that would allow homosexuals the same legal rights and status as heterosexuals. The idea that marriage is either for procreation or that allowing homosexual marriages would somehow damage the children of America is a ridiculous statement. Not all married couples want or attempt to have children. Should they have their marriage licenses revoked? Homosexuality exists and has existed for thousands of years… Why does homosexual marriage have to be the threshold where it supposedly damages children in our society instead of homosexual relationships? This argument is based in religious roots and makes no sense to us nonbelievers (by the way, we have the right to not be religious, too).

I tend to agree with pretty much everything else he stands for with regard to abortion, economics, science, education, and other issues.

Any other comments?

Originally Posted by pi_guy578

1) What do you like about him.
He's anti Gay marriage (this is effective until he flip flops again...)

“There you go again.” This whole “flip-flopper” thing has to end. Everyone in politics does it, and then in the same breath tries to use their opponents’ changes in mind frame against them. If you think Bush has never changed his mind, then you’re sorely mistaken. A ten-second search on Google brought up the following three sites which have Bush “flip-flops” and sources to back them up.

http://www.compassiongate.com/promises/index.htm
http://www.flipfloppingbush.com/
http://www.americanprogress.org/site...RJ8OVF&b=42263

This whole line of attack against Kerry should end since it’s OBVIOUS that he, like almost all other politicians, is being pragmatic.

Originally Posted by pi_guy578

3) What could he do to improve your opinion of him?
Actually look at what bush is doing (iraq, terrorism, etc) and see that is what we should keep doing. We have been on the receiving end of first strike for a VEEEEERY long time. When we finally attack first, everyone is all "BUSH SUCKS!!!!!"

My opposition to the war against Iraq doesn’t sound like “Bush sucks!” It sounds like…

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...8&postcount=28
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...1&postcount=34
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...9&postcount=44
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...0&postcount=54
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...4&postcount=68
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...5&postcount=69
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...7&postcount=70

If you want to have this debate, I’ve had more than enough time to refine my thoughts and I’d be willing to share them. Feel free to start another thread.

Originally Posted by pi_guy578

5) Do you agree with all, most, some, or none of his positions on key issues (i.e. the war in iraq, economics, etc)?
No comment as his positions are very unclear (i.e. flip flops)

His positions are only unclear to those who are not willing to listen to them. Enough with the flip-flops.

Originally Posted by Ryan Dognaux

Actually I know of at least one of them who actually did serve alongside Kerry for some time. I believe his name is Steve Gardner, look him up.

They all served along side Kerry in the sense that they were in Vietnam, but every single soldier who served on a boat with Kerry supports his 5 medal career and also supports his candidacy. But yes, I agree that this whole thing should be dropped as long as the American people are told about the deceit by this organization.