Posted on 07/25/2004 3:14:03 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
BOSTON - As a U.S. senator for nearly two decades, John Kerry will be a familiar figure to the 4,300 Democrats who gather in his hometown this week to make him their party's presidential nominee.
Kerry's challenge at the Democratic National Convention opening Monday is to introduce himself in a more personal way to the millions of Americans who say they still don't know him - and to many more who, having heard or seen him, aren't yet sold on his candidacy.
Despite months of intense campaigning and a burst of primary wins over Democratic rivals, Kerry, 60, remains something of an enigma. One-third of likely voters tell pollsters they don't have a good feel for him, and even his aides acknowledge he hasn't made a powerful public connection. "My sense is that there's a lot of people in America who want to replace George Bush," said Henry Cisneros, a former secretary of housing and urban development under President Clinton who is now a senior adviser to the Kerry campaign. "They've just had it. But they're not yet there in terms of saying that Senator Kerry is the person. The convention will provide a great opportunity for him to close the deal - to present himself as a plausible alternative in terms of substance, and as a person."
During the days filled with pomp, parties and orchestrated pageantry at the convention, Kerry's wife, children, friends and fellow veterans - including several he led as a Navy river boat commander in the Vietnam War - will try to acquaint the country with him as a person and a leader.
In movies, music and speeches, they will portray him as a former military man and prosecutor, hunter and outdoorsman, amateur poet, guitarist and motorcyclist.
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites), D-Mass., center, participates in a neighborhood front porch campaign stop as Columbus Mayor Mike Coleman, left, and Sen. John Glenn listen Sunday, July 25, 2004, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Thousands of demonstrators march through the streets of Boston on Sunday, July 25, 2004. About 3,000 demonstrators marched through the streets to protest the Democratic National Convention which begins Monday. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Connect with the voters?! That horse-faced sour-puss?! That negative, depressing, naysayer? That colorless, visionless, powermonger?
These people are sick.
What's he going to do to link, the Herman mind meld? I bet this guy has rubber gloves in the glove compartment of every SUV/Rolls he owns.
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Just like he linked with the auto workers when he drove a Rolls into motor city..
Oh, yeah - most of us relate to a 60 yr. old who goes snow boarding and ski boarding, and blames other people when he falls. And rides an $8,000 bicycle. And orders Swiss cheese on his Philly cheese steak. And has a butler nearby to make his pb&j's. etc.
I could go on, but the real problem is that he has no idea that he's so out of sync with most Americans. He'd do better with me if he admitted that he was rich.
I heard on FNC that Kerry suddenly diverted (yeah, right) his campaigning plans to head to Boston to watch the ballgame (sporty guy that he is, you know).
And what do you know???? He's throwing out the first pitch. Isn't it amazing how fast security and all can adjust to these little impromptu, spur-of-the-moment, spontaneous whims of John Kerry, the fun loving baseball fan and regular all-around guy?
What do you mean "link with voters"? Isn't it clear that he's just one of the guys?
I already know John Kerry=to know him is to be sickened by him.
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