Whether John Kerry wanted to pull back from public life and reflect on his lose, he doesn't have that option. He's still a United States Senator, and he's responsible to the people of Massachusetts to represent them for at least four more years. So it's good to see signs that he's not going to creep into the woodwork, but will instead lead the charge on two of the most important issues to many of us around here, health insurance and the integrity and transparency of our elections.
This from an email many of you have probably received this afternoon:
Regardless of the outcome of this election, once all the votes are counted -- and they will be counted -- we will continue to challenge this administration. This is not a time for Democrats to retreat and accommodate extremists on critical principles -- it is a time to stand firm.
I will fight for a national standard for federal elections that has both transparency and accountability in our voting system. It's unacceptable in the United States that people still don't have full confidence in the integrity of the voting process.
I ask you to join me in this cause.
And we must fight not only against George Bush's extreme policies -- we must also uphold our own values. This is why on the first day Congress is in session next year, I will introduce a bill to provide every child in America with health insurance. And, with your help, that legislation will be accompanied by the support of hundreds of thousands of Americans.
There are more than eight million uninsured children in our nation.
That's eight million reasons for us to stay together and fight for a new direction. It is a disgrace that in the wealthiest nation on earth, eight million children go without health insurance.
Normally, a member of the Senate will first approach other senators and ask them to co-sponsor a bill before it is introduced -- instead, I am turning to you. Imagine the power of a bill co-sponsored by hundreds of thousands of Americans being presented on the floor of the United States Senate. You can make it happen. Sign our "Every Child Protected" pledge today and forward it to your family, friends, and neighbors:
If you want to sign the petition, go here.
Update [2004-11-19 16:59:33 by DHinMI]:
Just so everyone is clear, let me address two misconceptions that seem to be playing out in the comments.
First, Kerry has already declared that money left over from his campaign will go to Democratic candidates and committees. Kerry advisors who spoke to the AP said he “wanted to save it in the event of a recount, legal challenges or other unforeseen bills. In the end, they said, Kerry's nest egg will be less than $10 million.” According to the AP article, “two advisers who have spoken to Kerry about the money said he likely will donate a substantial amount to Democratic committees and candidates for the 2005 contests and 2006 congressional midterm elections.” The AP also noted that Kerry’s campaign gave $3 million each to the DSCC and DCCC, and $32 million to the DNC, with $9 million dedicated to state parties, the largest-ever donation to the DNC, and the first from a Presidential campaign. So enough with the “why did Kerry steal $45 million” stuff. It’s a non-story.
The other thing people seem confused about is the chances of Kerry passing his proposed legislation; he won’t. In fact, almost nothing significant that’s introduced by a Democrat will pass, and damn few Democratic bills will even get a committee hearing. That’s just the way it works in a legislative body; the opposition is lucky to get small bills or amendments, but they don’t control the committee agendas, the floor agendas, and in the DeLay-controlled House, the Democrats have a hard time even getting a look at bills before they’re voted on. So Kerry shouldn’t be judged on whether these bills will pass, or whether somebody feels it’s a sincere effort to get them passed. They won’t.
The purpose and value in what Kerry’s doing is to advance a legislative and policy agenda. Kerry is our most prominent Democrat not named Clinton or Kennedy. Unlike Gore, for whom I have great respect, Kerry is not taking a hiatus from the public stage. So, if he’s going to be around, we have no reason to begrudge him for making use of his high profile to draw attention to health insurance and election reform. Let’s hope he works hard and gets attention for his legislative initiatives because that would draw a great and stark contrast with the Republicans.
You don’t have to like Kerry. But don’t judge him on whether these bills will pass, and don’t dismiss the value that comes from him drawing attention to important issues that we almost all think should be priorities.