Kerry to Bush: 'We're coming, you're going'

dallasnews.com ^ | 12:12 AM CST on Tuesday, January 20, 2004 | From Wire Reports

[Destro]

Kerry to Bush: 'We're coming, you're going'

12:12 AM CST on Tuesday, January 20, 2004

From Wire Reports

DES MOINES, Iowa – John Kerry's voice was so hoarse when he woke at 4:45 a.m. Monday that he sent stand-ins to three get-out-the-vote rallies.

But by late afternoon he hopped back on his campaign bus, the Real Deal Express, saying he wanted to see undecided Iowa caucusgoers one last time to "fight for every vote."

Those four words became the Massachusetts senator's political vow in the final weeks before the nation's first presidential caucuses – which Mr. Kerry won easily over his Democratic rivals. At a jubilant victory party, he took aim at the Bush administration and special interests.

"We're coming, you're going, and don't let the door hit you on the way out," he said.

Just two months ago, his presidential bid was in turmoil. He fired his campaign manager but denied it was a sign of distress.

Over the course of a few weeks, his style dramatically changed from appearing aloof and lecturing toward an attitude of displaying a willingness to listen.

In speeches, at town hall meetings and even on the elevator, he asked voters to "test him," "to look into his soul," and to "ask as many questions as it takes" to turn them into committed Kerry backers.

Monday night, as he greeted voters entering Urbandale High School, he stuck to his polite, direct appeals for support.

"I need your help tonight," he told an elderly woman in a knit sweater.

His campaign overhall coincided with growing concerns among some caucusgoers over Howard Dean.

He told a young man wearing a "Dean for America" T-shirt, "I guess I can't get your" vote.

"Well, once you get there, I'll support you over Bush," the man replied.

Sen. Edward Kennedy, who campaigned for Mr. Kerry, called his win "an extraordinary upset" that – using favorite Kerry line – "marks the beginning of the end of the Bush presidency."

"We love Iowa," he said. "Iowa voters found John had the leadership quality, the strength, the trustworthiness, the steeliness, to address the concerns of ordinary, average people, and to offer a vision for the country."

[Destro]

What ever danger Dean was for Bush, Clark and Kerry are more dangerous especially now that Dean has shown that they can get away with a heavy confrontational and antagonistic attack approach towards Bush, IMHO. (potentially). My instincts tell me the Dems, if the Dems field Kerry/Clark combination they will try and negate Bush foreign policy based on confronting Bush and Cheney on their lack of military record and in contrast to their (Kerry/Clark that is) military achievements. Take nothing for granted. These are not Dukakis on a tank type of Democrats.

[My2Cents]

Don't bet the house on it, "F-in'" Kerry....Opps. He already did.

[My2Cents]

Gen. Wesley Clark, hero of inconclusive wars not in America's vital interest. And John Kerry, hero of the Vietnam war, who returned only to vehemently protest that war, dramatically throwing away "his medals" during a protest demonstration, only to have those medals show up in his office when he was elected to public office. Turns out the medals he threw away weren't really his.

[Destro]

Clark was also a combat veteran of the Vietnam war and getting medals in a war, even if you reject them later still looks better then what Cheney said when asked why he did not go to the "Nam...he was too busy.

On a debate stage such a comparison would be painful

I also think a man with a military record can make those great points of yours but it would be harder for Bush and Cheney to do so.

Leaving the radio pundits to make these points-all of who never served either.

[ambrose]

Bob Dole's heroic military experience in WWII wasn't of much use against Slick Willie, a draft dodging traitor.

[ambrose]

And Wesley Clark is a raving loon. He nearly started WWIII in Kosovo.

I'd be more worried about the Breck Girl.

[america-rules]

Edwards is the only threat. He doesn't have any record to go against and he's taken the high road. If he makes it in the the top 2 in NH he's trouble !

[My2Cents]

I think the voters will be paying more attention to the candidates' positions on national security issues, military and foreign policies than past military experience. Bush has proven he's an effective commander-in-chief. What have Kerry or Clark proved? About all they've proven is that they would surrender American sovereignty to the French and the UN.

A lot of people served with distinction in Vietnam. That alone doesn't qualify any of them to be President of the United States.

[Destro]

I hope you are right and it does not matter. We were not fighting a war then though......

Then again Kerry is as just as spaced as Clark so that may come through.

[Howlin]

Wesley Clark believes that a woman has the right to an abortion up to the second a child is born.

Yeah, he's gonna win.

[Destro]

You might be right. Clark is unbalanced and that can come through easy enough and Kerry is an opportunist. Ok, I feel a little better. I stress again Clark can not win at any cost. I can live with Kerry but a Clark presidency would be a disaster.

[ambrose]

Edwards is the only threat. He doesn't have any record to go against and he's taken the high road.

Edwards used to be an ambulance chaser... I am sure he used to represent some pretty unsavory clients to be slimed with.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

But by late afternoon he hopped back on his campaign bus, the Real Deal Express...

Oh my. This seriously pegged my Gag-O-Meter.

[ambrose]

Wesley Clark is a loon. You can see it in his eyes. If he becomes President we could see this unfold:

"Mr. Vice President, Mr. Secretary, the missiles are flying. Hallelujah!"


Yikes.

[Destro]

I stress again Clark can not win at any cost.

[Reagan Man]

>>>What ever danger Dean was for Bush, Clark and Kerry are more dangerous especially now that Dean has shown that they can get away with a heavy confrontational and antagonistic attack approach towards Bush...

Dean got away with nothing. The Iowa caucus involved a bunch of partisan liberal Democrats who feed on the type of red meat that Dean offered. There was a problem though. After two solid years of campaigning in Iowa, Dean went overboard with his bigmouth and sent his campaign into total meltdown.

And if John Kerry gets the nomination, he has absolutely no chance of winning any southern states, even if he picks Wes Clark as his runningmate. Clark is like Dean. Unprincipled and a bigmouth.

[ambrose]

I'll also throw out the theory that it doesn't really matter who George W.'s opponent is...

A re-election campaign is really a referendum on the previous four years. Show me a president who has won re-election in the last 100 years who wouldn't have if he had a better opponent.

The only example I can think of is Tom Dewey vs Truman... but Truman wasn't running for re-election.

[nopardons]

None of them should! This is really a BROKEN GLASS GOP VOTER kind of election; unfortunately, the UNAPPEASABLES,here, are in full throttle and it's only going to get worse.:-(

[ambrose]

I can't think of a single state lost by Algore that John Kerry could carry.

Lieberman was essentially a Florida native son for all intents and purposes, given the demographics in Palm Beach. Florida is lost to the Rats for sure, unless they put a Floridian on the ticket.

John Edwards aka Breck Girl, is the wild card. He could potentially carry some southern states. He hasn't enjoyed the media's baptism by fire yet, so it is hard to say how he'd hold up as a candidate.

[Texasforever]

Yep the "real deal". I have heard there is a lot less than meets the eye about the "real deal's" heroics. I am also hard pressed to see how he will be able to reconcile his main "issue, of being strong on national defense after coming out of Viet Nam, throwing his medals over the Whitehouse fence and joining Jane Fonda in protesting and shoring up enemy resistance just as the present anti-war idiots are doing today. Once again he proves his hypocrisy, he voted for the war and is now joining Ramsey Clark and the anti-war idiots in shoring up the resistance. He is a broken record and he causes death and destruction each time he does it.