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StumblePublished Thursday, Jan. 10, 2008 | 3:08 p.m.
Updated Friday, Dec. 5, 2008 | 6:25 p.m.
Sun columnist Jon Ralston breaks some news about Obama coming back Sunday and Monday. Also, Sen. John Kerry, who endorsed Obama today, cold-called Ralston today. J.R. summarized the conversation to readers of his e-mail newsletter:
So why Obama instead of his former running mate and the former first lady?
"The times are different," Kerry said. "The times demand different things."
He said Obama's race will not be an impediment to "most
Americans....This is 2008...I think most Americans are way beyond that."
But what about Clinton's argument that talking change is different than producing change? Listen to this, dear Flashees:
"He produced one of the most significant ethics reform bills we passed. He has been a legislator longer than Hillary Clinton." And then this zinger: "Health care didn't pass in 1994 if I recall."
I would love to be on the Senate floor when they all get back.
Ira Glass had a really funny bit about John Kerry on his radio show "This American Life."
"And then this zinger: "Health care didn't pass in 1994 if I recall."
And if I recall, Kerry didn't win.
I cast my vote for John Kerry. I went to see John Kerry and John Edwards.
I will say say something that may be controversial, and I will say this with no disrespect to the man, his service to our country and his honest desire to do good things, but during the election, I knew VERY few people who were voting FOR John Kerry, but knew MANY who were voting AGAINST George Bush. So I am not sure what this endorsement does.
I just hope the union folks, from all the unions, and for all the candidates, vote THEIR OWN CONVICTIONS, philosophy and belief, and not be "directed" to vote a particular way. That is not democracy.
Good luck in Nevada! Do America Proud.
This endorsement really stands as a powerful rebuttal to the Clinton strategy of propogating fear, uncertainty, and doubt. Not only does Kerry point out that Sen. Obama has *more* experience as a lawmaker, but he highlights what voters have been thinking all along. That is, Hillary Clinton is the agent of status quo. Her trademark polarization and the failures of her and her husband's administration simply do not affirm the Clinton mantra that America needs a continuation of the Bush/Clinton dynasty.
In the bipartisan battle of "experience" vs. "change," one thing seems clear: There is no shortage of experience in Washington. If Washington experience came in dozens, it would be a dime a dozen. Washington experience is what led us into the foreign and domestic mess we're in today. What we are short of in Washington is fresh ideas and unifying vision. Put a president with these in the White House, and all that Washington experience can be put to work taking America in a new direction. This is why I support Barack Obama for president.