Posted on 06/08/2004 8:15:44 AM PDT by kattracks
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, flying to California on Tuesday to attend graduation ceremonies for his daughter, was considering paying his respects to Ronald Reagan as the former president's body lay in repose at his presidential library.Kerry suspended public campaign events this week in honor of Reagan, who died Saturday.
Kerry and his aides were considering a visit Tuesday afternoon, the campaign said. The period in which Reagan will lie in repose at the library in Simi Valley, a community northwest of Los Angeles, was scheduled to end Tuesday evening.
Reagan's death has shifted attention from the campaign to national mourning and commemorations of his historical and political legacy.
Kerry planned to attend the state funeral for Reagan on Friday at Washington's National Cathedral.
Kerry's daughter, Alexandra, is graduating from the American Film Institute in Los Angeles. He planned to attend the ceremony and a screening of her short film, "The Last Full Measure," which tells the story of a 9-year-old girl and her father's difficult return home from the Vietnam War.
Kerry is a decorated Navy veteran of the Vietnam War. His daughter has said the film is not autobiographical.
I wonder if Kerry views... will he use his middle finger?
He is a disgrace, and does not deserve to be a candidate for President.
We have the poser to force flip-flops on that metrosexual poodle.
SCUMBAG CYNICAL OPPORTUNIST ALERT!!
You know darn well he would never stand in line for 3 hours, he's too important, he was a Vietnam Vet.
Notice a voice that has been very quiet?
Senator Clinton has been very quiet.
...wonder if daughter will show too and wear the tacky dress she did at the Cannes Festival?
He couldn't carry the Gip's.
But he's not like the rest of those poor smucks waiting hours in line. Geez, don't you know who he is??? If not, Kerry will be more than happy to tell you all about his SUVs, his athetic prowness, and will show you home movies of him hunting down wounded North Vietnamese soldiers through the jungles.
I wonder if the RATs will demand an equal time response to the eulogy.....
Why does he have to fly all the way out to California? Reagan will be in DC tomorrow. If he seriously thinks that people will appreciate his presence in line at the Reagan Library, he is sadly mistaken.
On second thought, maybe it is good that he goes to to Simi Valley and make a fool out of himself.
WIth the crowds, his only option is a drop from a plane. Watch your step, sir.
Whether Kerry is considering "paying respects" for righteous reasons or not, we are all free to speculate - I happen to think Kerry is demonstrating opportunism, and not genuine respect.
I hope they make sKerry wait in line with the general public. The public loves Reagan, sKerry is just there for kiss-ass purposes. This guy is scum!
I think he should be turned away.
The question is..... does Kerry realize what he's getting into? This is Simi Valley. Reagan Country. Even the freeway is named after him. Staunch republican area. He may not get such a warm welcome.
Maybe, just maybe, we can suspend the us versus them in our time of national mourning.
True, Kerry is an opportunistic political shill. True, I am not voting for him. But in all honesty, I think everyone, with the exception of the puerile partisans amongst us on both sides, will agree that President Reagan was beloved by the vast majority of Americans, left and right. Honest disagreements over policy are no reason for the constant, childish nonsense I've been hearing lately.
Just a Richard Nixon was welcomed at John Kennedy's funeral, John Kerry should be welcomed at President Reagan's, and we should assume that he is paying his respects to the man, even if he opposed most of his policies.
And yes, he may not have to wait in line. Rightfully or wrongfully, a US Senator, does have time constraints that are more compelling than most. Were the lefty-righty thing reversed, I would expect the same.
"I have no problem with Kerry going to view Reagan at the library. As long as his sorry ass gets in line and waits many hours like the rest of those mourning Reagan."
Agreed. Although Kerry would be like a turd in a punch bowl in that environment. It would be great to see his uppity butt mingling with the masses. It'll never happen; he's above that.
His place is at the state funeral, with the rest of the elected officials.
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