Dem. Presidential ticket Kerry/Edwards

[ribbon]

Yay. That's who I was hoping he'd pick. I think that strengthens the democratic ticket. For once the pick wasn't a surprise.
Other thoughts?

[Vicks]

I just heard, and I am glad. I was worried for a minute he would pick Gephert. I think he needed to pick someone with some energy, vigor, good smile, and from the south, so he can carry some of the southern states.

Deffinitely, Edwards in a dabate with Chenny will I think really show him up.

vicks

[gone]

You know, I'm kind of concerned about Kerry.

So far, the only part of his platform that I've heard is that he's "not bush."

Which, while true, doesn't tell me anything about his politics/dreams for the nation/plans for renewal.

I know in Upstate NY, Lazio tried to run against Hillary Clinton with that same slogan ("I'm not Hillary") and while he had a pretty good percentage of the vote (something around forty-four percent), he didn't win.

I don't know much about Edwards, either.

I really hope that Kerry starts getting his platform out asap. Because saying that he's the NOT candidate can only get so far. I think he's banking on the fact that a lot of people are upset with Bush, and maybe some are, but I don't know if people are upset enough to vote for a candidate with an unclear platform.

Also, I've seen a lot of ads lately about Kerry's "flip-flopping" between issues.

I think he needs to get his platform firm, and start emphasizing it immediately.

Just my two cents :winky

[ribbon]

Vicks said: I just heard, and I am glad. I was worried for a minute he would pick Gephert.

I had the same fears that it would be the boring ticket :ohboy.

Here's the email I got ( and a million others who signed up to the website) from Kerry:
Dear Friend,

In just a few minutes, I will announce that Senator John Edwards will join me as my running-mate on the Democratic ticket as a candidate for vice president of the United States. Teresa and I could not be more excited that John and Elizabeth Edwards will be our partners in our journey to make America stronger at home and respected in the world.

You are the heart and soul of our campaign. You've shattered records and expectations every step of the way. Every time someone said you couldn't do it, you proved them wrong. Because of your incredible grassroots energy and commitment, I wanted to make the first official announcement of my decision to you -- more than one million online supporters at johnkerry.com.

I want you to know why I'm excited about running for president with John Edwards by my side. John understands and defends the values of America. He has shown courage and conviction as a champion for middle class Americans and those struggling to reach the middle class. In the Senate, he worked to reform our intelligence, to combat bioterrorism, and keep our military strong. John reaches across party lines and speaks to the heart of America -- hope and optimism. Throughout his own campaign for President, John spoke about the great divide in this country -- the "Two Americas" -- that exist between those who are doing well today and those that are struggling to make it from day to day. And I am so proud that we're going to build one America together.

In the next ************ days and in the administration that follows, John Edwards and I will be fighting for the America we love. We'll be fighting to give the middle class a voice by providing good paying jobs and affordable health care. We'll be fighting to make America energy independent. We'll be fighting to build a strong military and lead strong alliances, so young Americans are never put in harm's way because we insisted on going it alone.

I can't tell you how proud I am to have John Edwards on my team, or how eager I am for the day this fall when he stands up for our vision and goes toe-to-toe with Dick Cheney.

This is the most important election of our lifetime, and a defining moment in our history. With you by our side every day of this campaign, John and I will lead the most spirited presidential campaign America has ever seen and fight to lead our nation in a new and better direction.

Thank you,


John Kerry


My biggest gripe about Kerry is that he's against gay marriage and for civil unions instead. I wouldn't not vote for him because of that, but I wonder if he's catering to the center or the ticket or if that is truly his belief. Hard to tell with a candidate, any candidate.

[battgyrll]

I'm glad he picked Edwards too. I remember Edwards had a great education plan, with actual numbers and figures.

I agree with what :hugon Vicks :hugoff said about him being southern. And he does have a great smile. Very genuine.

The thing that makes me the most happy? That he picked someone who was also, at one point, a serious contender for the dem. presidential nomination. I always thought that VP should be something like a consolation prize. It just seemed more fair that way, if you don't get the nomination you should still get something. It also shows unity within the party.

:hugon ribbon :hugoff Not to turn this into a debate or anything (and this is just what I have heard and somewhat assume), but Kerry opposed gay marriage becuase of his stance on the word marriage. He's Roman Catholic and thinks the word should be reserved for the religious ceremony and sacrament that it is. However, he doesn't see any need for homosexuals not to have the same rights as married heterosexuals, hence he supports civil unions.

:bat battgyrll :bat
Sara

[ribbon]

Also not wanting to start a debate, I don't really buy the religious reason because he is pro choice and that is against what the catholic church and vatican says. In NJ, Governor Jim McGreevy was denied communion because of his pro-choice stance. I don't agree with their religion to justify one thing and ignoring it on a different topic. Just my opionion on that. If you ask many gays, they'll tell you they do not consider civil union to be having the same rights as marriage.

[battgyrll]

:hugon ribbon :hugoff

:mad I'm not even going to talk about the no-communion thing. I've been following that one for a while. But here's something you might find interesting: http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=#####
(numbers are two four five four nine)

ANYWAY

Since this isn't what this post is about...yay. I'm happy with Edwards. His emphasis on the middle class is what makes me the most happy.

:bat battgyrll :bat
Sara

[Vicks]

The way I tend to vote, is based upon issues that affect me on a daily basis issues such as:

:bullet Healthcare
:bullet Education
:bullet Taxes

also, I tend to vote for people who have a platform encouraging:

:bullet National Service
:bullet More Gun Control
:bullet Welfare Reform

Far to often, I feel that the most controversial issues out there, affect the least amount of people. Now, when I say this, I do not mean that issues such as "Gay Marriage" aren't important but on a day to day basis, the issues that affect people are:

:bullet Their Kids Schools
:bullet Taxes
:bullet Economics

I sometimes, wish people would really evaluate why they vote for who they do.

My brother, who is very unpolitical will vote for Kerry because he is against "outsourcing". The "hot button" issues, really in my OPINION are not the issues, that DIRECTLY affect most people.

So I truely do hope that Kerry starts talking about "health care", "gun control", "education" and some of those "hot button issues" fade some.

Vicks

[ribbon]

Vicks, I think this would be a great topic for a new thread.
I vote for a candidate that espouses the same social values that I do, for issues that effect me and those I care about. Because GWBII is trying to take away so many civil rights, the so called hot button issues are important to me. In reality, if Kerry/Edwards are elected and if the congress remains republican controlled, there might not be a lot that can be done to change.
My list includes (in no particular order):

:bullet Pro choice including late term termination
:bullet Pro stem cell reseach
:bullet Anti gun rights
:bullet Pro gay marriage
:bullet Pro health care and medical research
:bullet Tax reform targetting middle and lower income brackets
:bullet Social Security and medicare solvency
:bullet Welfare to work programs
:bullet Pro working WITH the rest of the world on international issues
:bullet Prison reformed geared at treatment and rehabilitation
:bullet Nominating liberals to the supreme court

If I was happier with the current administration, the hot button issues would be less important to me.

[ksara]

First, I'm thrilled with most of what Kerry stands for and happy he selected Edwards as his running mate! I'm beginning to think we actually have a chance.

However, I take exception to the: "Kerry opposed gay marriage because of his stance on the word marriage. He's Roman Catholic and thinks the word should be reserved for the religious ceremony and sacrament that it is. However, he doesn't see any need for homosexuals not to have the same rights as married heterosexuals, hence he supports civil unions."

If that is true, it is a little disappointing. Does that mean non-religious people, atheists, etc. are not entitled to the word "marriage" and will settle for "civil union" as well? I stongly believe ALL people who are willing to commit themselves to another should be recognized as "married" if that is what they want.

My husband and I are atheists and have been married for over twenty years now. If one wishes to now deam it a civil union because we are not religious, well, I don't suppose it takes anything away from us personally, but it doesn't seem right.

Anyway, this is not something that will prevent me from voting for Kerry, I had just hoped (and believed) he had more respect and tolerance for people who are homosexual or not religious or different than he is in any way.


Respectfully, Ksara

[battgyrll]

I'm sorry for bringing up the marriage thing. It is now detracting from ribbon's original post. I didn't mean to do that and I apologize. I am only working on assumptions and things I kind of remember reading. You would have to ask John Kerry himself for clarification. Once again, I didn't mean to start this discussion and I apologize.

:bat battgyrll :bat
Sara

[ksara]

No worries, just a little overly sensitive today, I expect. Plus I was disappointed to hear that because I want Kerry to win so badly! I know I'm never going to find a candidate that I totally agree with on EVERYTHING.

[Marigold]

Ksara,
Very true. No one candidate will be *totally* great on everything -

We live in very conservative times. Kerry *can't* be what is considered an *extreme* liberal - of course, I wouldn't think that if he supported gay marriage - but if he did, he might not win the Presidency.

I don't expect any of them (candidates) to be perfect.

I just want them to be very intelligent and have compassion and leadership skills. And be as liberal as they possibly can while still being able to get elected.

-Marigold:sun

[Rosey]

So far, the only part of his platform that I've heard is that he's "not bush."

That's very much the message that I'm getting in the UK. I'm none to sure what Kerry does stand for at all.

We had big local elections in the UK recently, and I'm sick of hearing people say 'oh, Blair took us to war, that was bad'. I want to hear what they would have done under all that pressure - what was the alternative then?

Personnaly, I agree the war was wrong. I'm just sick of the oposing parties saying the other's are crap, without saying what they would have done instead. Instead, all we get are (empty?) promises about what they'll do in the future.

Ahem. :shy A bit off thread there! :grin

:love Rosey

[battgyrll]

I've been hearing some things in the media lately, and I want to express one more thing about this Kerry/Edwards ticket that I think is important.

I really like Elizabeth Edwards. She's witty and friendly and all around "good people". I think it's really imporetant to also like the women married to the men in the white house. Teresa Heinz Kery is a really intersting and educated person as well.Unfortunately, I like Laura Bush, but not her husband. Same with Barbara.

:bat battgyrll :bat
Sara

[ribbon]

I agree :hugon:bat:hugoff. I never liked Hillary much as a person, but liked her ideals. I really liked Tipper Gore because of her views on mental health parity. I thought she could do a lot for the country in terms of education as someone who suffer(ed) from depression. I remember when John Heinz died in that awful crash. I hadn't realized until this year she is now married to Kerry. I think the whole Edwards family seems down to earth.