There comes a time to take a stand...
and, in the face of mounting Kerry Malarky here on dKos...Botox sniping, Drudge-like health innuendo, childish threats to leave the party, hyperbolic appeals to a "politics of purity", and sophomoric rhetoric that is more indulgent than any Democrat should dare...
today I am joining primary voters from Iowa and New Hampshire...
joining firefighters and veterans and environmentalists...
and advocating for Sen. John Kerry in the Democratic Primary.
Here's why...and why, if you're fair minded, you should think about joining me...
or at least doing your part in toning down this "anti-Kerry" stupidity....
Here are five important bulwark reasons for my support....and a small caveat to counter the anti-Kerry avalanche here lately...
#1: Iowa and New Hampshire primary voters.
I believe in voting. I believe in listening to my neighbors and thinking about what they are saying....and Iowa and New Hampshire Democrats have spoken. I'm listening, and you should be too.
For all those who would put these voters down in some way...as many too many have on dKos...call them "dittoheads", question whether they even looked at the issues, sometimes even questioning whether they "are qualified to vote"...
let me remind you that without Democratic Primary voters...there is no Democratic party. These aren't sheep...these are hard core, regular folks Dems who deserve to be listened to and respected.
And if you haven't read Al Giordano's brilliant analysis of Kerry's support in Iowa...as a means of understanding these voters and the Kerry campaign...you should do so here now.
John Kerry, in winning Iowa and New Hampshire against all odds, proved he had the political mettle we need to win the electoral college come November....he did this the way the other candidates couldn't and didn't...by convincing folks to get out and vote for him. I respect this...and the voters who cast their ballots for him. It is no small factor in my support of John Kerry.
#2: John Kerry's positions and his record....
Unlike many here, I don't ask for perfection in a politician. (Neither do the Republicans...which is how we got Nixon, Reagan, Newt, Trent, Tom, Dennis and Bush pere and fils and, yes, Norm Coleman.) Politics, aka democracy, is messy and hypocritical by it's nature...if you want a concrete example...go to your next local school board meeting.
What I do ask is that a candidate roughly reflect my values, take stands on his or her own values, and, in a deeply pragmatic sense, be someone who will advance and protect the cause of the least powerful in our world and society...
John Kerry passes that test.
Here are two excellent independent sites to read about where John Kerry stands on the issues:
Votematch
and Progressive Punch (you have to scroll for Kerry and hit search....but it's worth it.)
Before you lambaste him...you should read these and think for a second. I did, and came away satisfied.
#3: John Kerry is a Vietnam Vet
This means something to me...and I think it meant something to everyday voters in Iowa and New Hampshire.
We Democrats are extremely weak with male voters. Our support from men has been eroding for too long...
say what you will about Kerry's priviledged background, his haircuts, his "forehead", his demeanour and speaking style...
when veterans who have lived through combat look at Kerry they see a candidate who shares that experience with them. It doesn't matter what kind of shoes he's wearing. There is a real "brotherhood" there.
We have not had a President who served in Vietnam. John Kerry did, and acquitted himself well. Further, his advocacy for veterans has been unstinting.
Before you dismiss this...read this article in the Guardian. The veteran factor is quite significant. and I think will pose real challenges to George Bush come November.
#4: Post 9/11, in a climate where GWB's fiscal travesty is putting Homeland security and basic fire fighting funding in jeopardy....
John Kerry has got the support of Fire Fighters.
Check out this bio and these testimonials and think for a second...
of how powerful an endorsement this is. If it doesn't get you...I guarantee it will convince millions of Democratic primary voters...and be a powerful force come election day.
9/11 and homeland security are more important issues than the Iraq war vote....John Kerry knows this, the fire fighters know this, and the GOP knows this.
Unfortunately, it's not the CW here on dKos. It should be. We neglect 9/11 much too much here, arguing over the nuances of each Democrat's war stance. However, all the Dems are for improved security and international cooperation...and that's what we want voters to remember come November.
The fire fighters' endorsement dovetails with the veterans' to form a powerful, visible statement against George Bush. And speaks to John Kerry's strength as a candidate.
#5: Kerry has a secret weapon against GWB...
his name is John McCain.
Read this article and think for a second about how the 2004 election would play out....
there comes a time when Bush needs that prickly independent voter that he can't reach but John McCain can....
and the best Democrat to neutralize this factor is Sen. John Kerry.
McCain, stumping for Bush, might drive the nail in the coffin against us in some key states....especially with Edwards or Dean at the top of the ticket...
this would be much much harder for McCain to do to John Kerry. Not just because they are buddies...but because McCain is neutralized by their history...and the legacy of their work together against Bush on environmental issues and veterans advocacy.
This is a strength that comes out of John Kerry's years of service in the Senate...he can point to friendship and cooperation with John McCain. This, friends, come November, might be the nail in George Bush's electoral chances...
In sum, my support for Kerry is largely based on Taking a Stand...and I am quite comfortable about the folks that I am standing with. Whether it's all of those mentioned above...or folks like my buddy Jerry from the Bronx...who put it so well...
you know, it seems like everybody is looking at their neighbors and saying...this guy Kerry's not so bad...if he's good enough for Joey and Nancy and Rita, he's good enough for me....I think that's how Kerry is going to win this thing...by getting people to come together.
Yes, I am uncomfortable about the ways in which John Kerry is too much a conventional politician, he wasn't my first choice here, and I know many who have grave reservations about him...but that is overridden by my desire to see George Bush go down in 2004, and my firm conviction that of the candidates remaining...John Kerry is the worthiest of my support for President.
(fwiw, Wesley Clark is my second choice for many of the same reasons mentioned above and while I remain quite impressed with Edwards and his campaign, I am not supporting him for President.)
Finally, the Caveat:
To all those here on dKos who have engaged in what I am calling Kerry Malarky these last days and weeks (and hours)...
you have made me ashamed to call myself a Democrat.
Your sniping, whining, threats and innuendo have done a disservice to dKos and to our cause. I am depressed in seeing ids and sigs that I trusted and respected lend support to this "ABK" movement...and further a rift that only helps our opponents.
It is my fervent hope that you find it within yourselves to support a candidate and stay positive in that support....
I am with the Democrats all the way to Nov. 2nd...with respect for all, and a pledge to support the Democratic nominee regardless of who it is...
friends, let's stop this silliness and take care of business.