Posted on 11/23/2004 5:16:28 PM PST by West Coast Conservative
Many Democratic lawmakers are interpreting Sen. John Kerrys active participation in selecting the next chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) as the strongest signal yet that the defeated presidential candidate is keeping his options open for a bid in 2008.
Last week, Kerry contacted nearly every elected member of the House Democratic leadership, and other powerful lawmakers, on behalf of Gov. Tom Vilsack of Iowa. On Monday, Vilsack issued a statement that he was no longer pursuing the chairmanship.
But Kerrys aggressive support of Vilsack has convinced many key House Democrats that Kerry wants to install a chairman who would be in Kerrys debt and would not attempt to dissuade the Massachusetts senator from seeking the highest office again.
Lawmakers and top House aides say that Kerrys involvement in the DNC race is the latest of several clear signals that he does not plan to fade into the political horizon. They speculated that Kerry could depend on Vilsacks loyalty, noting that he was on Kerrys short list as a potential vice-presidential running mate and that Vilsacks wife publicly campaigned for Kerry in the Iowa caucuses.
Kerry sang Vilsacks praises in his first meeting with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and the new Senate minority leader, Harry Reid (D-Nev.), two weeks ago, according to Pelosis public statements. Kerry has also contacted caucus Chairman Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, in addition to several other lawmakers who did not want to be named. It was unclear if he had any conversations with House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.).
Word of Kerrys staunch backing of Vilsack, and Kerrys intent to stay involved in internal party politics, has spread throughout the caucus.
Obviously, Senator Kerry, notwithstanding his loss, is still very much in the mix and cares about where the DNC is heading in the future, said a key member of the caucus who was contacted by Kerry.
He has contacted me, and he has shared his opinion. He wants to be part of this process, Cummings said.
Kerrys attempt to play kingmaker was met with a range of reactions, from polite courtesy to private derision, among lawmakers and aides.
Some lawmakers said they were taken aback by Kerrys aggressiveness on this issue.
He not only lost, he lost badly, said a key member of the Congressional Black Caucus who did not want to be identified. Is anyone going to listen to him after the way he ran his own campaign?
Talk about being in denial. Kerry is damaged goods for the libs. He joins Dukakis, Gore, Carter and Mondale in the pantheon of failed liberal opportunists.
Good-bye TeRayZa...Hello Suha...
All right!
Another GOP victor wrapped up.
I'm not above dragging Kerry behind the shed and beating him like the canonical redheaded stepchild.
Well, hillary would eat him without ketchup...
Perhaps this individual doesn't want to go on record because he is afraid some others on the DemonRAT plantation will listen to what John Forbe sKerry has to say. And this individual is apparently unwilling to leave the DemonRAT plantation, so he is trapped, trapped like a DemonRAT.
Doubt if sKerry could take another broadside from the Swiftboaters. Geez, why would he want to?
This guy is delusional. Period.
Maybe he can get Al Gore to run with him.
After being married to "Shove It" Theresa, I am sure Kerry is loose. He is also a loser.
If Edwards runs, and Edwards goes for Kerry's throat in Democratic primary debates and vice/versa, it would be most fun to Freep such events, holding aloft "Kerry-Edwards" posters~!
Just as tone deaf as ever.
I hate it when that happens.
Good! Urging him to run will keep him away from the Senate for 4 years. One less RAT vote:)
It's not. 1968 was a very unique time.
Even Michael Dukakis had the good sense not to try again.
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