KERRY: 'I'm Going to Learn' - First, the blame. Then, the healing

msnbc.msn.com ^ | Jan. 10, 2005 - issue | Evan Thomas

[crushelits]

First, the blame. Then, the healing. In a new book, NEWSWEEK talks exclusively with John Kerry about why he lost—and looks at his plans for another run.

It was a little after 7 p.m. on election night 2004. The network exit polls showed John Kerry leading George Bush in both Florida and Ohio by three points. Kerry's aides were confident that the Democratic candidate would carry these key swings states; Bush had not broken 48 percent in Kerry's recent tracking polls. The aides were a little hesitant to interrupt Kerry as he was fielding satellite TV interviews in a last get-out-the-vote push. Still, the 7 o'clock exit polls were considered to be reasonably reliable. Time to tell the candidate the good news.

Kerry had slept only two hours the night before. He was sitting in a small hotel room at the Westin Copley (in a small irony of history, next door to the hotel where his grandfather, a boom-and-bust businessman, shot himself some 80 years ago). Bob Shrum, Kerry's friend and close adviser, couldn't resist the moment. "May I be the first to say 'Mr. President'?" said Shrum.

The others cringed. Kerry did not respond, at least in any memorable way. In the dark days after the election, he tried a joke: "Until about 7 p.m. that night, it felt great to be the 44th president of the United States." Ever since election night, John Kerry has been trying hard to learn from his mistakes, to cheer his disappointed followers, to avoid sinking into the inevitable depression—and to plot his own comeback.

[West Coast Conservative]

Bob Shrum, Kerry's friend and close adviser, couldn't resist the moment. "May I be the first to say 'Mr. President'?" said Shrum.

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!

[Uncle George]

Kerry will leaern alright; After the VETS get through with exposing the fake LIB.

[Ladysmith]

Bob Shrum, Kerry's friend and close adviser, couldn't resist the moment. "May I be the first to say 'Mr. President'?" said Shrum.

Oh, if there was ever a moment for "Bush holding up the newspaper with the wrong election results" image, this is it!!!

[The South Texan]

A book that will be on the discount table at your local bookstore within weeks.

[GROOVY]

Republicans, couldn't get as lucky as to be able to run against Kerry (the worst candidate in history) twice. Hillary will be just as easy to beat though.

[freebilly]

Kerry has moments of real sadness, say his advisers, hours when he disappears to play his guitar

Any guesses as to what he plays on his guitar?

[Noachian]

First, the blame. Then, the healing.

No, no...first the healing..then the blame.

Wait, wait....maybe blame should come first...

I got it....forget healing....blame everyone...

[Theresawithanh]

That line cracked me up, too! Mr. Shrum, thy name is
L-O-S-E-R!

I wonder if we'll still see exit polling in future elections. It didn't work so well this time.

[Theresawithanh]

What a great picture for the article! Kerry, exit stage right! Buh-bye!

[Bushforlife]

I'm a Loser.

[freebilly]

"The pundits have never liked me," he said. "Is it the way I look? The way I sound?"

Well, it's both. Also, the fact that you're a treasonous bastard doesn't help, either....

[freebilly]

That song is #1 with a bullet...!

[NorCalRepub]

Isn't Shrum like 0 for 8 now..........pathetic dork

[DUMBGRUNT]

From the article: (he had planned to do some skiing, mountain climbing and skeet shooting)

I do, want to see this guy on the pointed end of the rope!

It is more likely a guide with an electric winch to hoist him up a 5.5 walk up.

[Dallas59]

[NRA1995]

Kerry has moments of real sadness, say his advisers, hours when he disappears to play his guitar
Any guesses as to what he plays on his guitar?

"There's a tear in my beer....."

[NRA1995]

Kerry has moments of real sadness, say his advisers, hours when he disappears to play his guitar
Any guesses as to what he plays on his guitar?

"There's a tear in my beer....."

[Cicero]

Very interesting picture. He's had a complete makeover since he disappeared in November.

New tailor, new hairstylist, new manicure, new tie . . . .

It's a good thing Teresa pays the bills.