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Times: Kerry's Own Aides Criticize Him as Manager
NewsMax.com ^ | 9/27/04 | Carl Limbacher

Posted on 09/27/2004 6:10:16 AM PDT by kattracks

John Kerry is trying to convince Americans he is more qualified than President Bush to lead the nation, especially during a time of war.

But Kerry’s own aides are complaining his has difficulty managing his own campaign.

According to a report in the New York Times this weekend, which described Kerry as "a four-term senator with comparatively little management experience," aides say Kerry too often deliberates even the smallest detail, leaving himself little reaction time to a much swifter Bush-Cheney campaign.

The paper noted that Bush’s background as a business executive and then governor of a large state has allowed him to manage his own campaign with greater success.

Of course, the Times still played Kerry up – quoting some aides as describing Kerry as "uncommonly bright, informed and curious. . . "

But the paper also paints a picture of "analysis paralysis” within the Kerry operation.

Some aides complain their boss gets bogged down in the details, making him slow to take action as he struggles to process and use information.

One aide told the Times he has figured out to influence Kerry: he doesn’t say anything until the very last moment. The waffling Kerry tends to take last minute advice.

Case in point: His staff was recently asked to find out all it could about certain details regarding the Bush administration's Medicare plans.

After his staff did all it could to provide the information, Kerry didn't even use it in a speech on the subject.

His staff says such a waste of their time makes it difficult for them to prepare their boss for the positions he wants to take against his Republican opponent.

". . . The downside to [Kerry's] deliberative executive style, they said, is a campaign that has often moved slowly against a swift opponent, and a candidate who has struggled to synthesize the information he sweeps up into a clear, concise case against Mr. Bush," says the Times. "Even his aides concede that Mr. Kerry can be slow in taking action, bogged down in the very details he is so intent on collecting."

Aides have other complaints, too. Like when Kerry spent more than a month trying to decide on his campaign logo. He was mulling over the font of the logo and whether it should have an American flag. Eventually Kerry decided to keep the flag.

Even diehard liberal the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who has traveled with Kerry's campaign, says although the Massachusetts liberal is a "thinker" by nature, "a boxer needs a manager and needs a cut manager in the corner and needs someone to handle the towels. But once the bell rings, a boxer needs his instincts."

Other Democratic Party stalwarts and officials complain Kerry is more interested in the "finer points" of politics, but doesn't seem too concerned with the mechanics of the business.

"Scott Maddox, the chairman of the Florida Democratic Party, said he could not recall getting a call from Mr. Kerry checking in with what was going on in that critical state," the Times said, in one example.

Florida is considered a "battleground" state; it is headed by George W. Bush's brother, Jeb, but polls indicate the state is still in play.

Aides also say Kerry isn't one to delegate too much power to any one person. There is no "Karl Rove" on his staff, say aides.

"I am always in charge," says Kerry.

Kerry's also not afraid to upbraid his staff – even longtime friends and associates – as well as let staffers go if he feels his campaign is running "off the tracks."

As a result, few loyalists of his 1972 campaign are still around. Now, few who consider themselves friends are currently on his campaign staff.

Meanwhile, President Bush takes advice from a small – and unchanging – gaggle of staffers. His most senior campaign staff hasn't changed in 18 months.

"He's not involved in the details," says Rep. Ted Strickland of Ohio.



TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: kerry
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To: Red Badger
I predicted this on threads in FR some time ago. If Kerry can't manage a campaign staff, how can he manage a Presidential administration? Who's calling his shots? Who's pulling his strings? As I've said often, he'll have the military continually in the air and at sea. Before they arrive at any scheduled destination, he'll re-direct their route.

His requesting information then failing to use it is just but one example of how government costs will escalate, with no increase in value, in an administration having his lack of leadership abilities.

What do his Senate staff think about his management skills? Any 'moles' there willing to speak out?

41 posted on 09/27/2004 6:55:13 AM PDT by Real Cynic No More ( Kerry is the Hanoi candidate)
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To: kattracks

Did they mention that "Viet Cong" Kerry's wife, Terry Kerry, doesn't trust him with her money, won't let him manage or touch it and won't even tell him where most of it is or how it is being used? If his wife doesn't trust him we HER money, why should we trust him with OURS?


42 posted on 09/27/2004 6:56:43 AM PDT by Tacis (When Kerry Farts, You Can Hear McAuliffe's Voice And Smell Lockhart's Breath!)
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To: kattracks

One cannot be a decisive leader without core values. Kerry has not core values. That's why he flip flops.

The only thing he is for certain is a narcissist.


43 posted on 09/27/2004 6:58:08 AM PDT by IamConservative (A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything.)
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To: ShandaLear

"Kerry takes all of the credit and none of the blame."

He learned everything he knows from the Klinton school of Politics


44 posted on 09/27/2004 6:58:58 AM PDT by SunnySide
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To: HOYA97

Thanks for the idea, I was wondering what to do for fun today! LOL


45 posted on 09/27/2004 7:02:02 AM PDT by mombonn (kerry . . . he spent 20 years in the Senate and doesn't have much to show for it. ¡Viva Bush/Cheney!)
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To: kattracks; All
"uncommonly bright, informed and curious. . . "

I don't know about 'informed' but my ex's standard poodle fits the rest to a tee. Loves the water and is scared of his shadow too!

46 posted on 09/27/2004 7:03:12 AM PDT by johnny7 (“You talkin' bout' the Queen again Bob? ON INDEPENDENCE DAY?!!” -Little Bill)
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To: Real Cynic No More

Reagan had a "hands-off" management style. Kerry has a "HEADS-OFF" management style.....


47 posted on 09/27/2004 7:03:29 AM PDT by Red Badger (If you shoot from the hip enough times, eventually you'll shoot yourself in the a$$......)
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To: Tacis
Joh sKerrys war room "Teresa doesn't trust Kerry with HER money, why should we trust him with OURS?"
48 posted on 09/27/2004 7:04:07 AM PDT by SunnySide
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To: surrey

He "let go" the American people.....


49 posted on 09/27/2004 7:05:35 AM PDT by Red Badger (If you shoot from the hip enough times, eventually you'll shoot yourself in the a$$......)
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To: ctdonath2
Bush: has a position.

I'm glad someone in this campaign has one......

50 posted on 09/27/2004 7:06:52 AM PDT by Red Badger (If you shoot from the hip enough times, eventually you'll shoot yourself in the a$$......)
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To: kattracks
". . . The downside to [Kerry's] deliberative executive style, they said, is a campaign that has often moved slowly against a swift opponent, and a candidate who has struggled to synthesize the information he sweeps up into a clear, concise case against Mr. Bush," says the Times. "Even his aides concede that Mr. Kerry can be slow in taking action, bogged down in the very details he is so intent on collecting."

Wow. And we should put this guy in charge of our national defense why?

51 posted on 09/27/2004 7:08:39 AM PDT by wayoverontheright
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To: SunnySide

"Some aides complain their boss gets bogged down in the details, making him slow to take action as he struggles to process and use information."

What happens is Kerry gets an idea. He then has his entire staff present their ideas to validate if his idea was the right one. He then makes everyone redo their ideas until he gets it just right. Then he tosses it and uses his.

Once his idea gets shot down, he blames everyone and then uses the idea that he should have used in the first place.

My old boss used to do that. We were never on time or on budget, but he looked great for presenting such a great idea. I despise bosses like this.





52 posted on 09/27/2004 7:16:24 AM PDT by EQAndyBuzz (Control the information given to society and you control society.)
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To: kattracks

A "four-term senator with comparatively little manangement experience..."? That translates into: "A power-hungry liberal who has sponged off of the American tax-payer for his entire adult life; a man who has never held a private sector job." 'Nuff said.


53 posted on 09/27/2004 7:21:47 AM PDT by Joan912 (whatever)
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To: kattracks

You could change the dates on this article and it would be a precise portrait of Jimmy Carter.


54 posted on 09/27/2004 7:30:26 AM PDT by Taliesan (fiction police)
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To: Always Right

Because the Republicans chose Kerry.

It was not the left that sank the campaigns of the other contenders, it was the right.

Had Republicans shut their yaps we'd be looking at Bush with a 60/40 lead over Dean, who would have imploded by now.


55 posted on 09/27/2004 7:36:32 AM PDT by sharktrager (Nobody deserves our hostility when they are in a time of need.)
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To: Red Badger

Apparently being "curious" is of vital importance to democrats. I have heard, again and again, that President Bush IS reasonably bright but he's just not "curious". They way they make it sound, being "curious" is something far more important than being steadfast, brave, determined, etc. Almost makes "curious" sound a little kinky.


56 posted on 09/27/2004 7:37:32 AM PDT by Maria S
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To: Phrostie
"I am always in charge," says Kerry.

Oh my, your snobisnm is showing again.

57 posted on 09/27/2004 7:47:22 AM PDT by suzyq5558 (proud member of the pajamahadeen for Bush! (jammies for truth!))
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To: kattracks

Kerry is as bright as a dim light bulb


58 posted on 09/27/2004 7:53:22 AM PDT by Kaslin (Stick a fork in Kerry, he is done)
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To: Maria S
They can't call him CURIOUS because then he would be referred to as CURIOUS GEORGE and everybody LOVES CURIOUS GEORGE!!!!!!
59 posted on 09/27/2004 7:59:18 AM PDT by Red Badger (If you shoot from the hip enough times, eventually you'll shoot yourself in the a$$......)
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To: kattracks

'How Dare you criticize my Husband! Anyone who disagrees with him is an IDIOT. Why don't you folks just go and SHOVE IT'

/sarcasm off

60 posted on 09/27/2004 8:17:38 AM PDT by sr4402
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