Posted on 07/10/2004 12:45:20 AM PDT by familyop
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| Teresa Heinz Kerry, left, her husband Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry, vice-presidential candidate Sen. John Edwards and his wife Elizabeth Edwards raise their hands at the end of a rally at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque, N.M., Friday, July 9, 2004. (AP Photo/Jake Schoellkopf) |
NEW YORK -- Bear hugs. Pats on the back. Shoulder squeezes. John Kerry and John Edwards are all over each other.
The two Democrats and one-time rivals have shared so much public affection since becoming a team Tuesday that the presidential candidate even joked about it Friday in New York after Edwards introduced him at fund-raisers and rallies - and hugged him before turning over the podium.
Kerry grinned and shook his head. "There's been a lot of hugging this week," the Massachusetts senator remarked with a chuckle.
Later, Kerry mentioned that Jay Leno had teased the Democratic ticket for being so touchy-feely. Mocking the apparent chemistry between the candidates, "The Tonight Show" strung together clips of the two in their first three days as running mates with Joe Cocker's weepy 1974 hit single "You Are So Beautiful" played in the background.
"We make a great couple, ladies and gentlemen," Kerry joked as New York donors cracked up.
Hugging, kissing and squeezing has become a part of every event since Kerry and Edwards set off on the campaign trail with their wives, Teresa Heinz Kerry and Elizabeth Edwards, for the first time together Wednesday.
It doesn't matter if Kerry is introducing Edwards, or vice versa, the scene is always the same, the lovefest playing out at rallies in Ohio, Florida, West Virginia, New Mexico and New York.
With a toothy smile, the North Carolina senator opens his arms wide and wraps an equally sunny Kerry in a bear hug. The two clap each other sometimes once, often twice, on the back with both hands. Pulling apart, they each drape an arm around each other. Kerry waves with his free hand, and Edwards pumps his fist in the air, thumb up. Sometimes the two tilt their heads together to make inaudible comments.
Often described as aloof, wooden and emotionally detached, Kerry now appears much more relaxed and affectionate, his style more closely resembling his younger Senate colleague.
Foes in the Democratic primary season, Kerry and Edwards were joined at the hip as they strode across the lawn of Kerry's wife's sprawling estate in Pennsylvania on Wednesday, making their first public appearance as running mates. Holding hands with their respective wives, the two walked side by side, grinning, laughing and leaning into one another to talk.
As Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico welcomed the ticket on stage in Albuquerque on Friday, Kerry and Edwards threw their arms around each other or patted each other five times in less than a minute, and then clasped hands and raised them above their heads.
It's not just the candidates; their wives have been affectionate as well. On Friday, Heinz Kerry and Elizabeth Edwards embraced at three different venues.
And both men have covered their wives - and each other's wives - with kisses and hugs. At an outdoor rally in Beckley, W.Va., Heinz Kerry introduced Edwards, saying: "We have two 'Johnnys Be Good' here. John, without much ado." Edwards walked up and kissed her cheek.
Later in Albuquerque, Kerry returned the favor, leaning in and giving Edwards' wife a peck after she offered words of praise for Heinz Kerry.
Looks like Kerry-Edwards has the gay, lesbian and wife-swapping vote wrapped up.
Focus group stuff to the tee. Kerry's too stiff, so let's create an affectionate image.
How absolutely, transparently and calculatingly boring.
Real, American men need at least two feet of personal space from other men. And it isn't just men that know this.
I don't know what Democratic image consultant suggested this, but this touchy feely campaign is going to look downright weird and disturbing to anyone who has been even vaguely socialized in our customs and norms.
What a freak show. I thought the dems already had the gay vote locked up, so what's the deal? This will backfire. I hope they keep this up, it's good for laughs.
An absolute mandate for one if he is to pursuit the most powerful position in the world. /s
But who was in front and who was in back?
BTW - I'm 46, and I've never seen two men behave this way outside of San Francisco.
If this is how millionaires behave, then may I always be poor!
Maybe there is more to this than is being let out...
Maybe Kerry just found out that Edwards if richer than Terresa....
It is all so....French.
All joking aside, any man that behaved towards me the way JFK behaves towards Edwards (or vice-versa) would have a fight on his hands.
Don't know about France, but men in America don't act that way. Ever.
They've spent too much time watching 'Queer eye for the political guy'.
queer eye for the democrat guy
Edwards said in a late night interview "if we are elected I plan to spend a lot of time in the Oval Office with Mr. Kerry and on the floor of the Senate with my esteemed colleague Mr. Teddy."
Blech. Only three days of this cr@p and I've had it.
I think Bill O'Reilly had a segment on this behavior--wasn't it called "freak dancing" or something like that, and isn't it banned at high-school dances?
Maybe Gephardt really was the choice until the Kerry imagemeisters told him he was going to have to all but make out with him everywhere.
One of two reasons it's going on, IMHO.
1. Kerry is trying to lose the "aloof" tag.
OR.
2. It was reported that Kerry didn't really like Edwards, and since each said negative things about the other during the primaries, they're trying to show they've reconciled and really like each other.
It's definitely staged, no two men would be all over each other like they've been without it being preplanned.
I agree with you. I'm thinking that Kerry is making a huge miscalculation about what the American public will put up with. Some Americans can put up with some pretty low stuff but most can only be pushed so far.
We don't like weirdos and Kerry and Edwards are acting like weirdos. We don't like wannabe first ladies with weird foreign accents who talk with a strange cadence and who are incoherent--please let TUH-RAY-ZUH keep talking--it does a Republican body good.
We don't like president wannabees "Whooping" it up at a public filthfest and then trying to justify their eager and joyous participation by saying the foul performers have first amendment rights. Keep up your fiddling while Rome burns, Mr. Kerry.
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