John Kerry Endorses Barack Obama
By Nicole Belle Wednesday Jan 09, 2008 5:40pm
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Senator John Kerry embraced the presidential candidacy of Senator Barack Obama here on Thursday, saying Mr. Obama "had the greatest potential to lead a transformation, not just a transition."
"Who better than Barack Obama to bring new credibility to America's role in the world and help restore our moral authority?" Mr. Kerry said, speaking at a rally at the College of Charleston. "Who better than Barack Obama to turn a new page in American politics, so that Democrats, independents and Republicans alike can look to the leadership that unites to find common ground."
While it remains to be seen how much impact this will have in South Carolina--a state that John Edwards won in 2004--it does tend to confirm the whisperings about the fallout between Edwards and Kerry after the 2004 election that Kerry did not contest, despite Edwards' desire to. What IS invaluable to Obama is the access to Kerry's mailing lists for outreach and fundraising.
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yeah well, that's like, his opinion man.
Edwards acted classy about in on Ed Schultz's show today
poor Barack!
:o
The Kerry Kiss of Death?!?
Of course the man who couldn't concede fast enough in 2004 would endorse the man who is making conciliation his main theme. Blecch.
kiss of death. (in the parlance of our times)
It seems that Obama has got what it takes to win the primaries but I'm more interested in a Democrat winning the White house.
To that end we must all ask ourselves a hard question.
Is America ready to elected an Africans-American or a Woman President?
"and the times, they are a-changing . . . "
CD @ 7:
Channel Tweety much?
Should have saved the post title "Barack Man's Burden" for this post.
As if we care.
THE CFR CROWD MUST STICK TOGETHER….YES, WAR IS THE ANSWER….SAY HI TO THE NEW BOSS..SAME AS THE OLD BOSS….
http://www.nowpublic.com/obama-cfr
Democrats are. Republicans will do what they always do: kick, scream, and cry.
CD @ 7:
Ask the question often enough..
The same John Kerry who didn't stand up to the swift-boaters? The same John Kerry that realized that the election was being rigged and did nothing about it? ... Who cares?
Odd that a candidate for change is trumpeting the endorsement of an establishment figure.
What it tends to confirm is that John Kerry is the biggest asshole in the Democratic Party. First he screws Edwards by blowing the 2004 election, and now this. And at least Liebermann can blame whatever sort of Zionist dementia he's suffering from. There's no excuse for this.
Your loyalty to Sen Edwards, Sen. Kerry, is actually making Sen. Lieberman look like a stand-up guy. I think maybe there is something to this Skull and Bones cloak and dagger stuff.
Meet the new boss...
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzz!!!!!!!
Has Humprey endorsed anybody yet?
According to Hillary the other day, LBJ is endorsing her
(or something like that....it was a weird ass statement where
she trashed MLK and compared Bill to Lady Byrd, or something...)
Wake me when he does...
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
I heard the Ed Schultz interview and either Edwards is an excellent actor, or he has completely written off John Kerry and just doesn't give a crap. He was very gracious, but I would have been spitting nails if I were him.
Mitch @ 13:
Ooh, ohh, don't forget smear, tamper, and sabotage.
This is the best thing you'll watch all day:
Jay Spears: SMAK DEM CHRISTIANS DOWN
A real toe tapper.
Enjoyin' my coffee.
Better than celebrity endorsements
Gee I knew Kerry was spineless and an ass kisser but I never thought he would suck it up and endorse a man who two weeks ago stood up and told the country that John Kerry and Al Gore were the dividers of this country.. But the way he let bush and rove ride all over him in the 2004 campaign I suppose we all knew his balls were jelly.
So do you think Al Gore will forget about it, and kiss ass and endorse this man. I think who ever is the nominee he will endorse but I bet he's got more class than to endorse a man who spewed shit at him.
galmud @ 14:
Here in the real world we have to deal with the fact that it might not be.
But go ahead keep insinuating that I'm a bad person for wanting to keep a Bush heir out of the white house.
BTW I LIKE OBAMA.
Don't believe me?
That's your problem.
jr @ 2:
That's because Edwards IS classy. The media won't even talk about Edwards. It is all Hillary and Obama, the two corporate puppets. Never a peep about Edwards or Kucinich.
The Networks have convinced the public that the Demo race is a 2 horse race.
And they call this a democracy. Right.
And saddest of all, American voters are so ignorant they don't even realize it is happening.
Now, please excuse me while I go vomit.
Way to turn your back on the guy who wanted to contest the outcome of the 2004 election and quite possibly get you into the White House. Edwards was the only reason I voted for you in '04, Lurch. To think you could have been president. Oh well, enjoy your ride on the bandwagon.
Hey everyone........firstly, Hillary has plenty of "establishment support" within the Congress. Here's a prediction (and remember, I said it first): After "Sunami Tuesday" Edwards drops out and becomes Obama's running mate on the Democratic ticket. Hillary licks her wounds and angles for a cabinet seat (Sec'y of State???) in the Obama/Edwards White House! The handwriting is on the wall................
Well, this is gonna get Obama about six votes, most of them relatives of John Kerry. Because he's regarded as old-guard Dukakis/Mondale Democrap, the "change" people may take that as a signal that they should look at HRC or Boy Edwards.
Dear Nicole:
I have two questions. Perhaps, someone could verify or clarify the next two points here.
1. In the 2004 presidential election, Joe Lieberman criticized John Kerry in Florida for not being more supportive of the war in Iraq, and in doing so, did not support him all that much.
2. The Clinton’s although they came out in favor of Kerry and even though Kerry hired some of the old Clinton team near the end of his campaign, that the Clintonians really only gave him lukewarm support. In essence, the Clintonians were not all that enthused with Kerry’s presidential campaign. That it is not what was said about Kerry, but what was “not said” in his favor by the Clintonians which showed how little they supported him.
I thought I heard in real time that the Clinton’s did not want to really see a fellow Democrat beat George W. Bush because that would have possibly meant that Hillary would need to wait 4 more extra years before running.
Now, I have stated these postulates from mere memory. Neither point I made may be true. I am wondering if any of you here remember any of what I just said. Thanks.
***I also heard which may not be true, that the reason Kerry did not contest the 2004 presidential election was for the mere reason that Iowa was rigged for him over Howard Dean, and that little secret might have come out had Kerry contested the 2004 against Bush and company.
Now, if anyone, including Ms. Nicole Belle can clarify or shed light on my statements here, I would be grateful. Thanks. What I am saying here could be all wrong, partially true, or almost all correct. I would appreciate it if anyone has heard similar things in the past four years. Take care.
Why isn't Edwards getting more votes?
Is his message not connecting?
Can people not get past the "haircut scandal"?
Is just that he doesn't have enough $$$?
There were reasons why Kerry did not challenge the vote - Greg Palast wrote about it, he got backstabbed by Carville, the press was a bitch (you all forgot or what??) - though there is no excuse (except niceness) to call those Swiftboat assholes assholes.
That being said, he owed Edwards at least an endorsement. I remember that concesion speech (who doesn't) in which Edwards was forceful about a recount, and 2 minutes later Kerry said he would not contest. It was an insult to Edwards then, and this looks like an insult now.
I like Kerry, but he's got to stop being a nice guy and start acting like a mean motherfucker. First step, stop playing pussy with the Repubs. Second step, use his political machinery to kick the ass of ANYONE who even dares to smear a Democrat the way he was smeared. tell those Swiftboat guys to go to hell. Last step, endorse Edwards. He could vote for Obama privately come election day.
I do not like any of the candidates overall. Again, it is the lesser of evils. The last Democratic candidate I liked a whole lot was Gary Hart. He told the media to follow him around with cameras and then he was seen with the hot blonde bombshell Donna Rice sitting on his lap on a boat in the middle of the ocean. They were a nice looking couple, except, I believe Hart was a married man.
I would never vote for any of these Bush wannabe Republicans who would further erode America's image in the world and the economy, but none of the Democratic Party candidates are that exciting, either. It is a sham, sad to say.
CD @ 7:
Yes if they are the right African-American or woman. Unfortunately, both of these Corporate Clones are not.
eRobin @ 5:
Way to go John Kerry... You had a chance to save our democracy by fighting for the the 2004 election. That must of been one hell of a deal you made with the devil.
Mr. "I've got your back". Yeah right.
You're the guy who acted like an elitist snob and watched that kid be tased and did nothing!
This does not surprise me one bit. The fix is in. Wonder what this deal is all about.
Unfortunately the younger generation won't remember a thing about the 2004 election, and anyone who mentions it .... wears a tin-foil hat in their view.
Losing all hope. Go Edwards....
ChrisM70 @ 34:
America is showing it's true colours. Ugly ain't it?
One of these persons is going to be the next president: Hillary, McCain, or Obama.
At a Vegas gaming table, I'd put a few bucks on McCain.
Here in CT, I won't vote for any of 'em, but it won't matter because of the Electoral College (CT WILL vote Blue).
CD @ 7:
If not now, when?
John Kerry? Is he still around? After he crawled under a rock and didn't contest the 2004 election I thought he just went away. Hmmm.
Edwards still has my vote.
John Kerry and Joe LIEberman. What happens to these people? or is it because the masks are removed to show what is really underneath?
Who cares? If George Bush had never been born, Kerry would be known as the dumbest man in America. He should go wind surfing off Cape Cod right now, I think we would finally be rid of the lazy jackass.
I am glad to see the base get a clue on the pulse of the country.
Obama 08
Obama takes the position that the 2004 election was not stolen, and that GOP dirty tricks to suppress the Democratic vote are just conspracy theories. I'm sure that Edwards woudn't WANT Kerry's endorsement, and Kerry is more comfortable with someone who is willing to roll over and not be a sore loserman.
RobertD @ 41:
is that a rhetorical question?
trying to not sound to superstitious, this endoresment is tainted with bad luck
Help the GOP hurt themselves and have some fun, too: Vote for Mitt in the Michigan primary.
Edwards isn't getting any votes because he has the same experience as Obama without the oratory skills. Edwards has talked a lot about the disadvantaged and that's nice, but hasn't given specifics of how to make life better for the average American. Plus by all accounts he may have a personal scandal brewing and that would totally blow his nice guy family-man image.
I think he's not getting votes because he's not edgy enough. He's a dull nice, beautiful loser.
ChrisM70 @ 34:
I think he is appealing to the boomers who know something's really wrong with America, but we're not the majority .... Gen X'ers have 10 million more people... and they don't like his message .... they like Obamamania better, having grown up in a world of corporate compromise and celebrity worship. That is much more appealing to them.
It's not their fault.... they just don't know that these democracy stealing b*stards will never let go of their power.
I don't think they know that what Edwards is talking about will work... but can be done. I fought a grassroots battle along with some 35 yr olds and they wanted to negotiate. Us 50+ ers would not compromise and said the same things JE is saying .... and we beat the big business interest.
The right thing to do cannot be compromised! Go Edwards
Well, if Kerry hadn't turned my stomach in 2004, this proves he has zero class and character. Edwards was the best thing about 2004 ticket, in fact, the only good thing about it. Then again, disagree about Liebermann who still stinks far more than possible for Kerry to ever achieve, but Kerry is trying his best to match him.
This is a slap in the face of poor John Edwards. His candidacy is more or less over.
Furthermore, this support from John Kerry could be what pushes Obama for those few points past Hillary Clinton. She's my first choice, but I'm being realistic, and John Kerry is barely that 'kiss of death' some have mentioned above. His vote of confidence will at least reassure some individuals who are currently on the fence.
What strikes me as contradictory in Obama's campaign though is that he's 'for change,' catering to youth and a lack of Washington experience. Okay, but then he starts supporting Edwards, Kerry, ad infinitum? It seems he picks and chooses from the 'old guard' after making statements against 'the establishment' is all.
In any event, the primaries are getting really exciting - especially for individuals like me who are fairly confident that choosing between Clinton and Obama is a win-win situation. Once you get past the negative smear campaigns, you have two competent contenders who weren't born yesterday and have teeth when necessary.
Alot of harsh comments about Kerry. He really use to be a hero from the Vietnam era. I think some of the swiftboating that took place resignated even with the Democratic and liberal base.
From Huffington Post:
Gorgei, it's not the Swiftboating that resinated with the Democratic/liberal base, it was John Kerry's unwillingness to fight against the swiftboating.
CD @ 27:
Sorry, CD, but this individual is right. What creates certainty and doubt is the phrasing of these questions, which make people who weren't all that hung up on skin colour and gender start to wonder. Jon Stewart once nailed FOX on The Daily Show for the tactic of reporting slander but getting away with it because it was phrased as a question. 'Is your mother a whore?' for example is something I can ask you and then say, 'Hey, I wasn't saying she's a whore - I was just asking if she was!'
So what he's saying is that he and Bush wanna roll around in a coffin with him.
322 baby!
Shawnmeat @ 53:
I thought that was a well put and thought out comment. My only disagreement is that if Clinton wins it becomes harder for one reason and it is not the Republicans. It's Bloomberg...he will take all the independent and those Democrats that will not vote for Clinton. I may be way wrong on this, but I live in Iowa, and during the election here there was alot of anti-Clinton between both Edwards and Obama voters. Just a thought.
Karl Rove wrote a veiled racist editorial against Barack Obama in one of Rupert Murdock's papers explaining why Hillary and NOT Barack won in New Hampshire. I find it funny that Karl Rove is weighing in against Obama in this race. You can draw your own conclusions I'm sure. I personally am done with the Bush/Clinton/Bush Dynasty. Let's MoveOn.
who cares. Ho Hum Kerry is a dumb dumb couldn't even fight for Ohio and the guy he endorsed certified the stolen votes. Crooks and Liars reported on this very recent.
Hillary certified the Ohio election as well I know. Hillary will win!
Shawnmeat @ 57:
I don't have an ulterior motive.
John Kerry left all his courage behind in Vietnam. What's his endorsement mean? Zip, zilch, nada. Except for the big bucks still left in his campaign coffers.
I'm surprised that Ned Lamont endorsed Obama, considering that Holy Joe is Obama's mentor. Does anyone know what Obama's public declaration was when Lamont whipped Lieberman's butt and then Lieberman became a turncoat? Surely he must have made some great "change is wonderful" speech about Lieberman leaving the party and helping to f*ck up the balance of power in the Senate.
Politics makes for strange bedfellows ...
Biggus Diggus @ 56:
I understand...and by the way that wasn't a attack on people. Believe me, after he conceded the 2004 election, I was pissed and thought he was spineless. As a vet myself, I expected more of a fight from a war hero.
But, after reading his book I took a second look at the fact that swiftboating started with him and he had several paid staffers encouraging him not to attack back, because logic told them that the media and outcry of the voices on that situation would hurt Bush. I am sure it drives people close to insanity to be at one moment a national hero then a liar...plus equate what happened to Rather with the whole 60 Minutes thing...again the media didn't help.
John Kerry owes John "Stay the Course" Edwards nothing but his loss in 2004.
August was when the Swiftboat attacks started up. The same article also mentions Edwards refused to do the usual VP attack mode. Too partisan for his liking.
Straight Shooter at 63
I never saw one officer or enlisted man being filmed by his own person in Viet Nam.
It just didn't happen.
John Kerry, IMO, is a person of great privilege, greater-than-average ambition, weak character, and no-cutthroat personality.
Lamont endorsed Obama too. Top rec'd diary on Kos.
I can't wait til this hits all the assholes in the netroots who have been savaging Obama for being a Lieberman candidate because they're too intellectually shallow to see the HUGE difference between the Obama approach and the Lieberman approach.
One sizes up the goalposts' momentary location, rushes to the middle, pats himself on the back, then goes on Fox to smugly rip Dems who don't start in the middle.
The other says, ok, I know what my core progressive principles are, but I think it's wiser to get a huge, engaged popular mandate, then put a open air discussion in front of an engaged populace. Then treat people that disagree with you with respect and actually listen to them, and treat them as if they are operating in good faith. When the well-funded special interests are operating in bad faith, it's too obvious.
Ask any psychologist whether Obama's approach is mature and wise. When we say change is hard, it's also hard because it means we have to elect to prioritize solutions over revenge. That is very, very hard for me. But when Obama speaks to this, it makes me cry. Because it's true. I'll tell you what is a "fairy tale" is thinking that a large popular support for progressive ideals is going to come without us having to let go of a lot of anger. The other side may allow us a mandate but they will not allow us an angry mandate.
I just finished unsubscribing to Kerry's mailing list.
Larry @ 67:
Well put. I have been disheartened by alot of the Obama attacks, but then like my wife has stated, alot of these people have neve been to one of his events. Alot of people have been attacking Tweety for his admiration for Obama, but he is tapped into the momentum that says this could be huge...sorry, I can't blame him for that.
Come on guys, Senator Edwards has been blasting Senator Kerry sense the election and all of you know it. There has been some very bad blood between them.
I expected Senator Kerry to endorce anyone but Edwards, and it was oh so sweet he went with Senator Obama if it could not be Edwards.
Obama is a natural successor to the Kerry tradition of gutless mediocrity.
I can hear the concession speech already: "We may not have won the election but our campaign changed the world blah blah blah . . ."
VietVet8666 @ 66:
Not sure what you're saying, whether you believe the Swiftboat Liars or not. Shame on Americans who flaunted purple bandaids and mocked Kerry's service. Kerry should have raised holy hell instead of relying on "the better nature" of people to ignore such horrendous trash.
As I said, John Kerry left all his courage behind in Vietnam, or maybe it was after the Winter Soldiers. Doesn't matter, does it, how courageous he was in Nam. I saw the film, Going Downriver, and was very impressed by the depiction of John Kerry as a young man. Then he grew older and way too cautious, he forgot to listen to his own instincts that served him well in the jungles. He capitulated to the GOP without a fight. I had donated everything I could afford for him to fight to prove he won the election, and yet the very next morning there was the headline about his concession speech.
I put Kerry and McCain in the same category. Whatever courage they had a long time ago, they've either sold or given it away for political power: Kerry in 2004, and McCain in 2000 when he tucked his tail between his legs like a whipped puppy after the whispering campaign in South Carolina.
Does anyone in here think Edwards still has a chance in this? To me, it seems he is acting very selfishly for someone that believes in change so strongly. He knows his role right now is king maker. I think he has a right to run and I am not articulating that he needs to jump out. But whats his role right now? I like him and hope he backs Obama, but I hope he does it soon.
Straight Shooter @ 72:
Wow, that was a good comment Straight Shooter.
i feel that kerry not indorsing edwards is a blessing, kerry is, was allways gonna be a douchbag! oh and the mf should return my fifty bucks!
Gorgei @ 73:
I want Edwards in as long as possible. Once he's gone, there'll be no discussion at all of our descent into corporate fascism. The two who are taking corporate bribes certainly aren't going to mention it.
Straight Shooter at 72
Respect your posts.
But suggest courage, which may overlap ambition, is not the same as ambition.
Courage is disinterested.
Gorgei @ 73:
fuck obama !run john run!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"access to Kerry’s mailing lists for outreach and fundraising" Already done months ago, folks. I was contacted by the Obama campaign during the summer at an address I had only provided to the Kerry campaign.
In 2004, I inherited money from a wingnut relative, which my mother advised me to reject or forward to a worthy cause, so I wrote the big check to Kerry-Edwards. For one brief shining moment I was a player. Bonus: I was named after the wingnut, so it looks like a last-minute redemption.
FWIW, I think Kerry's doing this to check the DLC wing of the party. I always found the Clintons too conservative for me.
Kerry Kiss 'O Death?
Maybe. But this endorsement makes me like Obama less. Kerry rolled over and played dead in 2004. If he had fought the swiftboat liars quickly and with force, then I would have believed he wanted the job. I think he threw the election.
kali yuga @ 77:
So if its not Edwards, will you not be voting? If I thought Obama was a fascist I would never vote for him. If you beleive Clinton and Obama are both fascists you will likeley have quite a dilema come November.
Sure Edwards should stay in the race as long as he has the money. As long as he is over 15%, he'll have a big say at the Convention. And one can't predict where anyone will be in a month from now. Polls are never accurate.
Larry @ 67:
Ask me what?
Oh, that.
Well, it depends on whether you're talking about his approach to getting elected or his approach to fixing the country.
I think that his approach to getting elected is brilliant. It's simple. It's memorable. It's positive on the surface while not being inconsistent with the occasional negative ad. And it's very hard to criticize, since who isn't for change?
If you mean his approach to fixing the country, then I have no idea whether it's wise and mature since I have no idea what it is, even after reading everything I can get my hands on. But if you'd like to see something that definitely is both wise and mature, then read John Edwards' plan for moving toward national health-care (for example). Note how he states the goal and then explains why you can't have it in one step. Then see how he would ease us off private insurance over time. That's wise and mature. But it requires a lot more than one word to explain. So it has no chance at all at getting his elected because it's completely moronic with regard to getting elected.
Thanks for asking.
And please remember that I don't take insurance, so please give the receptionist the entire $140 on your way out. At that point, we'll take the boot off your car's wheel.
CD @ 28:
No CD, we just don't care who or what you like. We're simply tired of you droning on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on about whether someone is electable.
oh a skull and bonesman endorses obama?
i see where this is going....
fooooey to the democratic process and foooeey to you all...oh yeah fox "news" sucks!!!!!!!
Kerry brought Obama to the 2004 convention and let Obama have *the* prime time speech. It was that speech that introduced Obama to the country. There should be no surprise that Kerry is supporting Obama. The Kerry Edwards ticket was one of political expedience. Edwards was only on the ticket because he finisished second in the primaries. I like Edwards and wish he were our next President. I have even sent him some money, but Edwards did little to help the Kerry/Edwards cause.
As a campaigner in the last election, people were wondering where in the world Edwards was and why he wasn't being more forceful as a VP candidate. It appears that Edwards got his courage after the votes were cast, and was more than ready to publically criticize his running mate when there was no legal chance of turning the election results around. No matter how one spins it, the election was over and Kerry and Edwards lost and they had no legal recourse at the time to mount an effective challenge. But, it does no good to rehash a bitter and disappointing time. So, think what you will about John Kerry and his support for Obama, but remember it wasn't Kerry who got us into this mess. It was the Republican party and their slavish devotion to big oil and the neocon movement.