Bring it on, Lurch, we're ready.
Posted on 11/10/2004 4:12:48 AM PST by kattracks
WASHINGTON - Defeated Democrat John F. Kerry [related, bio] yesterday launched his political re-entry, huddling with party leaders and vowing to play a high-profile role opposing President Bush [related, bio] in the next term.
Making his first public appearance since his presidential concession speech a week ago, Kerry posed for the cameras during a strategy session on Capitol Hill with House Democratic Leader U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi.
Kerry also met with Senate Democratic leader-designate Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada to flesh out an anti-Bush agenda for his party in the coming months.
``We have a very clear agenda and I'm gonna be fighting for that agenda with all the energy I have and all the passion I brought to the campaign,'' Kerry said.
Kerry, who plans to be a leading Democratic voice against Bush, vowed to pursue the issues he pressed during the fall race: health-care reform, protecting Social Security and energy independence.
The Bay State senator has spent the past few days thanking supporters and friends - and consulting with party officials on how he can continue to play a leading role on the national stage.
``He's a national figure and he has a huge platform to work with,'' Kerry spokesman David Wade said.
``He's very focused on coming back to the Senate and thinking of how he takes the issues he ran on and puts them at the top of the national agenda.''
Other Kerry sources confirmed the senator has rebounded emotionally and is looking ahead to expanding the political capital he built during the race.
Kerry has told close supporters he is open to exploring a 2008 White House run, sources said.
However, even top aides concede another presidential bid would be the longest of long shots.
Kerry, the aides said, probably will be eclipsed soon by fresher faces such as Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), running mate Sen. John Edwards [related, bio] (D-N.C.), Virginia Gov. Mark Warner or North Carolina Gov. Michael F. Easley.
Plus, much of Kerry's fund-raising base was built on perceptions he could beat Bush, the aides noted.
``Kerry will be a tough sell four years from now,'' admitted one longtime Kerry adviser. ``All this talk about running for president will fade soon enough when reality sets in.''
Kerry has designs on 2008 ( delusional at best)
That is why his concession speech was what it was and why he didn't act like Gore
Too many GOPers were complimenting him on his graceful concession ( naivete of too many of the GOP types never fails to amaze me )
Bring it on, Lurch, we're ready.
Hold on a minute Kerry...I heard that John O'Neil is going to be on Hannity and Clowns tonight and he says more "stuff" is coming out very soon....
He might actually have to show up for work in the Senate to make good on all that big talk? Theresa won't like having to hire someone to yell at in his absence, it just takes all the fun out of it.
"I have a plan" is NOT an agenda. Loser last year, loser last week, loser into the forseeable future - that's Kerry.
Reporting for Howdy Doody.
Does this mean he's going to start showing up at the Senate once in a while?
Translation: "My secret plan is to continue undermining the President, the military and the Constitution using my Senate seat and a dutiful press to full advantage. In other words, different day, same Kerry."
Shouldn't the rhetoric be: I'm gonna be healing the rift and moving to compromise.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.