SOTU Assessments
The Washington Post had this to say about JK’s assessment in a review of reactions to the State of the Union speech:
Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.), the 2004 presidential nominee, offered some of the harshest criticism of the night, saying Bush “glossed over the disastrous war and its multibillion-dollar price tag and implied again that our presence in Iraq is somehow improving the situation in that chaotic and turbulent country.”
Kerry added that he would soon introduce legislation to demand that the White House set a date for withdrawing troops from Iraq.
The New York Times editorial board delivered a hard hitting opinion after the speech. It looks like they came to the same conclusions as JK.
The White House spin ahead of George W. Bush’s seventh State of the Union address was that the president would make a bipartisan call to revive his domestic agenda with “bold and innovative concepts.” The problem with that was obvious last night — in six years, Mr. Bush has shown no interest in bipartisanship, and his domestic agenda was set years ago, with huge tax cuts for wealthy Americans and crippling debt for the country.
Combined with the mounting cost of the war in Iraq, that makes boldness and innovation impossible unless Mr. Bush truly changes course. And he gave no hint of that last night. Instead, he offered up a tepid menu of ideas that would change little: a health insurance notion that would make only a tiny dent in a huge problem. More promises about cutting oil consumption with barely a word about global warming. And the same lip service about immigration reform on which he has failed to deliver.
Their conclusion had a bit of a sting.
Say what you will about the flaws and shortcomings of the two-party system. After six years of the Bush presidency, at least we know it’s a lot better than the one-party system.
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What the Washington Post calls some of the “harshest criticism” should more properly be called “straight talk” or the unvarnished truth.
Thank you, Senator for your strong honest comments on the failure of President Bush to propose anything creative, innovative or sensible on any of the important issues. The country needs your honesty, intelligence and vision.
Oh, my stars and garters. What did they do to Fox News, and who/what has taken over its body?
When even the wholly-owned neocon subsidiary of Fox News is headlining an article on last night’s SOTU speech with “Democrats Blister Bush Iraq Policy in Lightning-Focused Rebuttal”, then it is proof positive that the current resident of the White House has so alienated even his own loyal base that they are ready & willing to throw him under the bus now.
Gee whillikers. I guess it’s time to ice-skate in Hades while porcine quadrupeds wing their way overhead…
http://tinyurl.com/2wfhth
Kayrnnj you have it right, straight talk, plain, simple and to the point from Senator Kerry.
No way his comments can be misinterpreted. Frankly, I found Senator Kerry’s remarks refreshing after having to read and muddle through the jockeying and comments of Senator’s Obama and Clinton from the Washinton Post link.
What did they say? What points were they trying to make?
Now however, Senator Kerry, well I understood his points loud and clear. How good to hear the truth and not some spin. Thank you Senator Kerry.
Supposedly breaking news- the senator is not running. Why did he not leave a statement here, why are we hearing it from the media first?
Kerry is out?
Senator Kerry’s decision not to run will disappoint many here, but freedom from the burden of a presidential run will allow him to speak his mind without the constraints of pleasing the electorate.
He is an asset that will be available to the new Democratic president in 2008. Secretary of State or Secretary of Defense? Who knows.
Things are looking up for the people and Kerry’s populist ideals will make him highly sought after, I’m sure.
Hmm.
If Senator Kerry has decided that he can be more effective speaking his mind and standing up for his beliefs as a strong force within the Senate than as one of a host of Democrats jockeying for position in the ‘08 presidential sweepstakes, then so be it.
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: whatever Senator Kerry’s decisions might be, I will continue to back him up on them to the best of my ability.
A man of his integrity and experience will not be allowed to go to waste in any coming Democratic administration, I’m sure. He has been and will continue to be a powerful advocate for reason and reflection in Washington no matter what.
As someone who volunteered for John’s campaign, and served as an online activist and blog moderator in 2003 and 2004, I feel that John made the right decision here. I doubt that any candidate who lost the popular vote in a general election will ever again get the nomination in the next election cycle. The days of a Stevenson winning a second nomination in spite of losing a general election are simply over.
I didn’t always agree with the decisions that the campaign made, but I never regretted working for John, and never felt prouder as an American than when telling his story. In an age where bluster and bravado have come to define what it means to be a patriot, John’s story struck me as a reminder of the stuff that America was made of. That so many Americans in the Red States preferred an irrational, militaristic buffoon to a man who understood all too well what it was like to watch your buddies die in the name of a mistake, shall be to their eternal shame, and especially if this President is allowed to attack Iran, and our enduring peril.
Senator Kerry,
I’m sorry you’ve chosen not to run although I understand why you would decide the way you did.
However, I’m more sorry for our country who lost the honorable and honest statesman they deserved in 04 though election fraud and shinanigans as well as a complicite-lying corrupt media who promoted spin instead of truth. Our world, our country, and our children will pay the price as a result for an extremely long time.
Yet, despite this, we all still must maintain the mission to reform the media and make our elections trustworthy, fair, and reliable. And regardless of who the 08 nominee ends up being, we will keep their feet to the fire too.
You have been a man of tremendous integrity.
Keep on keepin’ on, Senator Kerry.
A sad day in America I am in shock!
Wish I could be so optomistic, but I can’t. He goes back to being the Jr. Senator from Mass.. I don’t even think we will have a Democrat in office in 2008. Especially with the lott of them running now. Nope, maybe all this years wanna bees will allow for a Kerry 2012. I will move on, and hold out some small hope for that.
Thank you for everything, Senator Kerry. I’m terribly dissapointed that you will not run in 2008, but will support you in anything you do.
You and Teresa both know that all you have to do is whistle and you will have many Kerrycrats there to help. Just say the word.
Thank you again and God bless.
Senator Kerry:
I trust that you made the decision that you felt was best for you, for the Democratic party, and for the country. As a Massachusetts citizen, I look forward to your continued leadership in the senate and your election to a fifth term in November 2008.
I’ve still got your back!
I think this is America’s loss. Senator Kerry put together an incredible set of ideas for the country. With more support from other parts of the Democratic party, he would have won in 2004 and the world would have been better for it.
Senator Kerry has the eloquence, integrity, statesmanship, and brilliance to have been an exceptional President. He still has all those things. I think that when people really look back at the last half century, Senator Kerry will come out better than almost anyone else. He was and is the man who consistently told the truth, even when it was not in his interest. As a person, he is head and shoulders above his competitors. Too bad the media goes for cubic Zirconium over a true diamond.
Senator Kerry and his family are the best that America has to offer. I wish him and his remarkable family, all the best in the world - because they deserve it. I am amazed at what they have endured with incredible dignity. There is no one I respect more in public life. Senator Kerry is the truth teller of his generation. I am proud that I was able to support someone I could really believe in - realizing that that almost never happens.
The Kerrys gave an amazing amount of themselves and are role models in so many ways. Whether people see it now, or whether history sees it, that is the simple truth. My hope is that he will be able to push his wonderful ideas as a powerful 5th term Senator.
If his awesome comments in the SFRC today are a sign of where he is going, this decision, as painful and disappointing to us, seems to have relieved him of a burden that must have been hard to carry. By staying involved and doing what he did for 2006, he contributed enormously, by leading on Iraq, healthcare and the environment, he will continue to make on impact.
All I know is that John Kerry is the best President that never was. Someone else will be the Democratic nominee in 2008, but it will not be the best person.
What Matthew Carnicelli said.
John, I was hoping to have your back in the coming primaries and general, as before. I’m sad, so very sad. No words, really. You and Teresa have my heart.
I’m feeling echoes of bereavement that harken back to Election Day ‘04. There is now no way the best person for the job will be elected in ‘08, so I’ll have to hope we get the next best thing (whomever that is). I respect that Senator Kerry has made the best choice for himself and his family, and I’m glad that he’ll continue to work on behalf of Americans in the Senate. I’m just sorry that our country won’t have the benefit of his leadership as President come 2009.
But hey, we’re all still fighting the good fight. *weak smile*
Thanks, John, for everything. Teresa as well.
As sad as this is, Kerry once again made the wise decision, leaving him free to fight as a leader in Congress, or perhaps as part of another Democratic administration in 2009.
Post on Kerry’s decision at Liberal Values:
http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=931
Dearest Senator Kerry,
Thank you so much for your hard work. I’m sorry that we won’t be seeing you in the White House, where you belong, but I know that you’ll continue to work harder than ever for all of us, in Massachusetts and beyond.
We all value your integrity and strength, and will stand by you as you become an even more powerful Senator. You’re a good man, sir, and I’m proud to have been amongst your supporters these last few years.
Keep on speaking the truth. We’re with you!!!
Big John we love buddy!
Take a little time if you need it. Then come back swinging. Because once again we are counting on you to help end a war.
This is a tough one to take (and I wish JK would have just made the announcement here instead of leaking it through a spokesperson), but I’m glad he didn’t wait any longer one way or another. Today’s “butt of late night standup jokes” will be tomorrow’s “what if”, and while I can’t imagine not supporting the ultimate Democratic nominee in ‘08 whoever it is (I’m probably going to throw in my lot with Joe Biden), there will be moments - especially during debates - when Kerry’s substance will be missed in our standardbearer.
I’m sure you’ll cruise to another term in Mass., senator, and not long thereafter a major cabinet position will be yours for the taking.
In reference to the state of the union address, The presidents proposal to tax health care benefits from employer based plans and offer tax cuts to those who buy health insurance on their own.
What planet does The president live on?
I am a middle income person, I do not get employer based insurance at this time, but I have had those benifits in the past. The premiums keep going up, If taxed, these benefits will move out of the reach of many! For those of us without that benefit, I cannot afford to buy private coverage, where will I get the money to purchase coverage? A tax cut at the end of the year does people like NO GOOD!
Please will someone with a little bit of sense tell the president and his advisors(emphasis added) that this kind of idea does nothing for the working Poor of this country.
I am saddened by the senator’s decision to not seek the presidency again. He has been a strong voice against this war and will continue to be one in the future. His decision to not seek the presidency is respected as it must be. I look forward to passage of his bill to set a date to redeploy troops in Iraq. We will continue to need his leadership on this important issue. With his absence from the presidential race we will no longer have a strong anti-war candidate to look up to. He will no doubt continue to serve the people of MA and be a leading voice of dissent on this war. Thank you for your continued service to your country. God bless you Sir for being a voice for those of us who have none.
Dear Senator Kerry:
Today I shed some tears as I did in Nov. 2004. I respect your decision and will continue to follow your senatorial career. You are one of our country’s great leaders and I will always have great admiration for your honesty, integrity, and spirit. I know you will do everything you can to end this war in Iraq. God bless you & your family.
Senator Kerry,
I am disappointed that you decided not to run. But, I will support you anywhere, anytime, in anything you ask. Period.
You were the only one who gave me hope again .I have your back…Keep fighting! We need you now more than ever.