Well, we can't speak for all of them, of course -- but we do know for a fact that at least one Senator actually does, and in fact he addressed that completely understandable question directly in the course of his dKos diary thread last Friday:

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I don't mind Senator Kerry.

I even voted for him and donated to his campaign in '04. I just a) don't believe JK is hunched over his laptop blogging, and b) hate it when politician diaries make the rec. list that is 1)usually an ask for more cash and 2)a warmed over email that we all got anyway.

But that's just me.

by spartan68 on Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 09:46:47 AM PST


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He interacts with us, and I guarantee you

his comments are in his words. No idea who types it, but sheesh -- we're communicating with a Senator. He doesn't do drive by's here.

by beachmom on Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 12:18:29 PM PST


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it's a good question

Wanted to reply to Spartan68 – and unfortunately I’m probably going to have to stop checking in the rest of the night soon, and I apologize – but you raise a good question: I’ve done several live chats at Slate for the Small Business Committee I Chair in the Senate, and done sort of a town hall deal with Jane Hamsher during my book tour – but are there things we can do so that when I come here you actually know it’s me and not a staffer or some prefabricated quotes? Seems pretty fundamental that we know we’re actually having a dialogue; and Teresa, who spends more time in the netroots than I do, though I’m not bad for an old guy, has always pointed out to me that you’ve always got a certain percentage of skeptics who figure this is all a show when politicians pop up here. How do we break through sort of that disconnect?

by John Kerry on Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 01:42:29 PM PST


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This is part of why troll rating exists,

why sock puppets (alternate online identities that allow the same person to make the same comments over and over) are often frowned upon, and why we have to be as honest as we can: this netroots internet stuff is still pretty much an honor system. Imperfect though that can be

by democrafty on Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 01:56:28 PM PST


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well, lemme see

You're my favorite politician of all time and have rarely made a misstep, as far as I'm concerned. So I know you would never do something so cheesy as to have your staff pretend they are you. And I know some of your internet staff and think they're pretty terrific, and would never do something that cheesy either. They value "integrity integrity integrity" too. Besides, if we know anything, it's that everything gets leaked sooner or later.

And even though I know all of that, I'm still only 98.67% sure it's you. lol.

Don't sweat the small stuff and all of that.

Thank you for taking the time with us.

by sandnsea on Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 02:48:52 PM PST


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You just did...

...break through, Senator.

Persistence... just keep doing what you are doing.

"At a time when many worry that we have become a society of MORAL relativists, I worry, and too few worry,that we have a government of FACTUAL relativists." - J.Kerry

by YvonneCa on Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 02:52:59 PM PST


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How to deal with the skeptics

I usually will give a link to your comment history on Kos, Senator, (as well as some of those other blogs you have done discussions on like FireDogLake) to show that you interact a lot on the blogs. A lot of times you'll get people who don't pay close attention, and honestly don't know how much you have participated. Also, some of your colleagues have not done as good a job, often putting up "drive by diaries" where they don't respond a lot, or where they sound positively tone deaf to what is important to this community. Because of that, people do remain skeptical of any politician diary here.

As far as it being "you", I have to agree with Democrafty that there is a simple element of leap of faith that these are your words. I just know it's you, because it sounds like you, and in time, more people will believe that as well.

John Kerry: "The rubber stamp Republicans have now become the Roadblock Republicans."

by beachmom on Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 03:47:57 PM PST


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And you, beachmom, are a prime example of how

much trust and respect a person can earn online just by speaking with consistency and integrity. Like anything else, when we're blogging, we just have to do our best, and do it honestly, and, for the most part, people will respond to that.

by democrafty on Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 04:40:49 PM PST


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You break through by

doing exactly what you do. "Speaking" in your own words and in a style that anybody that pays attention easily recognizes.

Thanks for everything Senator Kerry, and stay safe on your trip!

by mangusta on Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 04:33:05 PM PST


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Break through you did!

Though like sandnsea says, we can never be 100% sure, by responding directly to skeptics, you can assure a reasonable amount of accuracy. Not many people would have the courage or ability to keep up a charade. I'm convinced, and I really do appreciate you taking the time to converse with us! Sorry if I came across too negatively, but we have seen a lot of drive by diaries, and I just never expected a man of your stature to have time to spend hanging with us rabble rousers.

I'll never doubt your creds again, and I'll pledge my support for you and Mr. Obama in your future endeavors. Keep walking the talk and thanks again for assuring this skeptic!

by spartan68 on Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 07:09:50 PM PST