What makes Kerry so great?
 

ok....answer me. ;) why is HE the one who can beat Dubya? huh? huh? HUH?!?!?!?

;) :p

i'm not so sure he can... thats the problem-

no offense to you babes or to republicans- but i can't stand him...:o

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/spe...ues/index.html

i posted this before- but this site compares the candidates on the issues.... i liked it because it was easy to understand and showed pretty much where george w. and kerry stand on everything...

Heck just looking like and coming off as smarter than Dubya should be reason enough then all those bushism's would go away.

Hmm... I'm not as educated about this whole thing as I should be... I was in full support of Edwards, personally... but I'll try to answer a few thinngs...

1, the money thing. Let's face it, Edwards wasn't even in the millions before he dropped out, and even though Kerry has not reached where Bush is at in terms of fundraising, once all of the Democratic support swings his way, he will (hopefully) be competitive.

2, Edwards, for whatever reason, did not have the name recognition that Kerry and Dean had, outside of the south. I really don't know how bad it was, because I'm from South Carolina and have known about Edwards way before the campaign started, but apparently from what I can gather from the news, he was some little unknown from the Carolinas.

3, Kerry, as much as republicans probably don't want to admit it, DOES sound the most intelligent. I mean, I love Edwards, and I hope he'll run for VP, but the problem is that people in the north still have this misconception that even though someone has a southern accent, they are stupid. I think this crosses people's minds without them thinking about it. Not that it's completely unfounded, seeing as how South Carolina is number 50 in education, but that's beside the point. Edwards is intelligent, but some people may not be able to get past his accent. And, let's face it, Bush hasn't said the most intelligent things in the world during his presidency. Aaah... remember the glory days of Clinton? That man could SPEAK so that the world was listening. Come to think of it, he had a southern accent too, didn't he???

4, Economics. I'm not trying to make a huge debate over this, and I know that this isn't specifically Kerry, but most people believe that democrats are better economically. I mean, besides Republicans. But, under Bush, the economy has declined. I know what you're going to say, "The economy works in a 4 year cycle." Well, I have opinions about that of my own, which maybe one day I will discuss (ironically I'm currently skipping my economics class). Anyway, the common conception (whether you believe it's true or not) is that democrats are better economically... at least, the economy thrived under Clinton, near failed under Bush (BTW... have y'all noticed an improvement in the Dow and NYSE?)

5, Dean. Dean was favored to win (remember way before the election) but said some dumb things. And, let's face it, it's always been between Kerry, Dean, and Edwards. I'm not completely sure why... publicity, I guess. But yeah, you know all of this.

I think that so many American's (*cough* Democrats) were already frustrated when Gore got the popular vote and still didn't win... Then, the fact that Bush happened to be the president during 9/11 (who knows if it was his fault??? I sure don't!) And THEN, the fact that our economy has suffered greatly the past couple of years... probably because of 9/11, but who really knows there, either... If someone did know, I would hope they would do something to fix it. Point being, Bush has a lot of strikes against him. I don't KNOW why Kerry is viewed as the best person for the job. Charisma?? Height????? Who knows? The fact of the matter is, he obviously was favored by Democrats all over the US, so hopefully (or not, if you like W) the ones who voted for him were right.

The fact that ralph nader is running again and is going to take away some of his votes!!! Go ralph!! Go mess it up again!!! :D

Actually Kerry and Nader are meeting on how to defeat Bush sometime soon so who knows what will happen.

Here is a link about the Kerry /Nader meet up...

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/poli...49/detail.html

Please study Economics.

-Rudey
--And the indexes moved up in most markets at least 30% since the prior year (btw).

Here I why I like Kerry:

-He opposes school vouchers.
-He supported the right to vote for ex-felons.
-He is pro-choice.
-He received an "F" from the NRA, a 100% from Planned Parenthood and a 92% from the League of Conservation Voters.
-He opposes organized prayer in public schools.
-He favors rolling back tax cuts for people making over $100,000.
-He favors raising the minimum wage.
-He opposes drilling for oil in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge and favors tougher fuel economy standards.

I'm sure there are many here who would not like Kerry for the same reasons I like him. For me, the most important issues are ones like abortion, the separation of church and state and the environment.

i like her reasons... A LOT :D

as do i!

I think Kerry is a strong presidential candidate because his campaign promises are aired on Al Jazeera and he is supported by Kim Jong-il, Mahathir Mohamad, and Yasser Arafat.

-Rudey
--And his high score with the Center for Security Policy distinguished his ability to tackle terrorism

Re: What makes Kerry so great?
 

Well, maybe he can get more votes.

Actually, I'd prefer to see debates on the candidates in a forum that didn't start out quite so one sided.

I know that emotions can run high, but this is not a way to start a friendly and fruitful debate in my humble estimation.

Please read my post correctly if you're going to make comments.

I did. Nowhere in there did you have a grasp of Economics. Stop hating now ok? My name is Economics.

-Rudey
--Stop hating ok?

You're right!! those are the exact reasons why I think he's a creep and hope he loses!!!

Actually, my point was that these were common misconceptions, and that I had an opinion completely different. Sorry if I was unclear.

And, Rudey, i.e. "Economics", I also don't think that any of us can TRULY know the full economic spectrum that is the United States. Lord knows my little second degree in Economics from USC has not given me access to the privy information that is only made available to George Bush himself. None of us are completely informed about the goings-on of the budget, foreign influences, etc... I don't try to act like I know, which is also why I didn't publicize my opinion, because I'm not sure if it's right.

Down here, the common defense that republicans use when democrats say that their administrations have proven better economically is that the economy is in a 4 year cycle. So, the improvements that were made during Clinton's administrations were caused by Bush, and the former slump (I understand that our economy is on the uprise now, hence my pointing out the improvements in stocks) was caused by Clinton. Let me reitterate: this is the southern Republican's view. I personally think that this is contradictory seeing as how Clinton held an 8 year term, and some of the causes in the slump of the US economy were caused directly by the incidents of 9/11 and the international doubt of how the US economy would improve.

Sorry if I hated, ok, but people have been jumping down my throat on these boards lately, so I'm already a little on the defensive.

Now. Go at it. I'm sure you want to tear my theories apart.

And PS, I only have about a 3.4 in Economics, and a 3.8 in Music, so you can figure out which degree is my main one. ;)

Hey, at least you're educated.

My biggest pet peeve is when people are like, "Yeah, I'm a republican!" or "Yeah, I'm a democrat!" More often it's republican here, though... Anyway, my peeve is when people say that and then you bring up the issues with them, and they quickly end up changing their mind.

Personally, I think that the issues of gay marriage and abortion should be left up to the people, not the government. And personally, I think that guns are dangerous and having a right to arms doesn't mean we shouldn't have stricter regulations. And personally, I don't think we should drill for oil in one of the few places in America left that is still virtually complete nature. And personally, I don't think we should have Christians praying for Jews, Muslims, Buddhists (sp?), and Scientologists.

But, at least you are educated on the issues. That's all I ask from Republicans. If you are educated, and still oppose, then that is your perogative.

I don't know if Kerry is so great, but I agree with him on most issues. I will probably never agree with any candidate or political party 100%. If I agree with someone more than 50% of the time, that is my candidate. So far I agree with Sen. Kerry more than Pres. Bush.

Oh wait, I thought we were trying to have a reasonably intelligent discussion here. My bad.

yup, your bad :rolleyes: you dont have to be rude just bc i dont agree

thank you mam, i'm not an expert but my major was poli sci, so it's safe to say that i'm fascinated with the system. i know exactly why i believe what i believe. i also agree with you in that, i don't freaking care if you're a democrat as long as you know WHY. Good for you, you believe what you do as much as I believe what I do. Seriously!:D

If you think that You're right!! those are the exact reasons why I think he's a creep and hope he loses!!! is an intelligent contribution to this discussion, then go ahead and call me rude -- but I'd ask you to point out where I've been "rude" to anyone who expressed herself maturely and with proper grammar, whether she agrees with me or not. Your statement sounded to me like something somebody in second grade would say. Oh well, I guess that's why the "ignore" button exists.

Actually, a great deal of the time it's Democrats as well; maybe about 50/50. I've seen just as many unintelligent posts from both sides of the debate.

this is good enough for me...

(this is from an email i got from NARAL)

Please forgive me for not using proper grammar and taking time to write more intelligent statements. I was simply replying to YOUR statement that there are probably those out there who do not like him for the same reasons that you do like him. Next time I will write something along the lines of, "Why yes Ms. Valkyrie, you are correct in your assumption that there are many out there who would not vote for John Kerry for the same reasons that you would, myself included." IS THAT BETTER? And excuse me but telling someone that their post is not part of an intelligent discussion is pretty much calling then STUPID. What you said in your last post is quite possibly the dumbest thing anyone has ever said to me. You need to grow up and not get mad when people don't agree with you. THAT to me is pretty second grade, right up there along with the IGNORE button thing.
Warning to all other GCers out there: If you are going to disagree with this woman, please make sure you use proper grammar and make completely intelligent statements at all times. Otherwise, you're an idiot and have no clue what you're talking about! :rolleyes:

Maybe it's the use of hot button words like "creep" that cause the problem. I have to agree that they lower the tone and expectations of the conversation.

Your theories are wrong but I won't tear them apart :)

Nah Economics isn't this hard thing that you make it out to be. It is a simple social science that helps explain how the world works. Adam Smith and Marx were 2 of the greatest. You add in a little math and it becomes really quite beautiful.

Nobody has secret info. Yes the president might know (if he even understands, which I doubt) certain things earlier than others, but everyone ends up finding out. But the delay is a couple hours to a day at the most at the highest level and the accuracy would probably be better outside the public sector even.

The 4 year cycle...no but no president controls the economy. Additionally the markets are different from the economy although the neo guys might try and tie it in a bit more.

There is however one issue that matters in America - the economy. The war is nothing. You're wasting your time talking about it unless there is a massive draft and we're all dying. AIDS? Who cares. Space walks? Teachers? Who cares? The economy is what people vote on. Bob Dole will be the first one to tell Kerry exactly how difficult it is to challenge the succesful economic policies of a president.

-Rudey
--Bob Dole did not win

You've listed the very reasons why I will NOT vote for Kerry, give or take a few.

I admit that I'm very iffy about organized prayer in schools; I'm more for the moment of silence during which each may pray (or not pray) to their God/Creator/Cosmic Muffin.

As for guns, we need to enforce the laws we have, rather than make new ones that mean nothing to criminals.

If we don't expand our own oil resources, we will only grow more dependent on other countries.

And I heard properly, Kerry received an "F" from the Pope - the head of the religion he purports to be a member of.

A little while ago he was claiming to be Jewish so really, it's OK.

-Rudey

I no doubt would recieve an F from the Pope too, or maybe even an incomplete. :p Kerry is just like the rest of the Catholics in America, and the Pope can't do crap about it because we're the financial backbone of the Church.

And unless he was speaking with Papal Infallibility, it was just a statement from John Paul the Polish dude, not John Paul, leader of the Church.

I'm voting for Kerry because I don't believe my religion needs to be imposed on anybody else, be it in their body, their classroom, or their marriage.

As for the First Lady issue, I'd rather have an "unAmerican" first lady then one who killed somebody (OOPS DID I SAY THAT?) and one who claims she's just "a middle-class girl from SMU." Last I heard SMU on it's own was expensive, not to mention her Theta dues.

IF i hear anything else about John Kerry i'm gonna puke.
Yeah lets give free health care to all the people that sit on their asses and make the people that bust their asses pay for it. Thats basically one of the things he wants to do. F*cking Democrats!!!

I'm sorry but it's survival of the fittest and I have no compassion for lazy people.

If I were lazy and didn't wanna work I would vote for Kerry too.

Who killed someody? I have no idea what you are talking about.

Laura Bush went to SMU and was a Theta. An ex of mine, her older sister went to SMU and was a Theta as well....thats how I know. And yes, SMU is very expensive....in my view its the best buisness school in the nation. I have a couple of friends who graduated from there.

Laura Bush did in a car accident when she was a senior in high school, I believe. I read about it in Reader's Digest, which was surprising since that's usually a conservative rag.

I think the word 'creep' is the problem in this statement. I disagree with President Bush on many issues, but I don't think that it is appropriate for people to call him derogatory names. It's just about respect and civility for me.


Regarding drilling for oil in the Arctic refuge: I think that we should be looking for ways to reduce our dependency on foreign oil, as well as look for alternative sources of energy. I think energy conservation is very important, but really hasn't been a part of the discussion.

Oh a car accident. That's sad. Thanks.

An automobile accident involving the Mrs. Bush when she was in high school, as tragic as it may be, has absolutely no relevance whatsoever to the Presidential Campaign.

As for health care, and I'll add Social Security, when you a lot closer to it, it becomes a much bigger issue. If for no other reason, when you have paid into the system for 40 years, and are told blandly that it's going to run out of money before you are eligible, the becomes a VERY big issue. At least to me. Of course Members of Congress and some other Federal employees don't have to worry about it.

And, Cash, go ahead and puke. A lot of folks would say the same thing about the President.

Politics would be a whole lot easier to deal with if looked at intellectually as opposed to emotionally.

I think it has about as much relevance as Mrs. Kerry's birthplace, which is why I brought it up.

DA-

Most people with common sense know not to rely on the government or social security. The baby boomer parents sent social security down the shitter. Ever heard of financial planning? I took the class a while back and since then I've been putting money into stocks, bonds and mutual funds. A great aunt of mine died when I was 19 and left me some money. It was right after I had taken classes such as financial planning...and I must say, that might have been one of the smartest moves I've made yet. Even though I'm still young, its refreshing to know the odds of me being broke on my ass when I'm old are dead against it. And to know I wont have to rely on social security, if it's even still around in some shape or form, is just as sweet.