I am asking that only Kerry supporters post in this thread. Not that I can do anything to stop others from posting, but I want Democrats to give honest answers to two questions. And I'd like them to feel free to give it without fear that the conservatives posting on BOL will go on the offensive. Here are the questions:

What uniquely qualifies Kerry for President?

Tell me one thing Kerry accomplished in 20 years in the Senate?

OK, conservatives, restrain yourself. If you feel you must answer, please start a new thread.

I am not logging in so as to avoid being hammered, but I think John Kerry has been consistent as a U.S. Senator in his support for and promotion of progressive causes. You don't have to like those particular causes, but I think he at least has always been a supporter of issues that are of interest to progressives. A woman's right to choose whether to give birth, gaining a broader international consensus on a war that has an effect on the entire world, having sensitivity toward alternative lifestyles, supporting all people regardless of their sexual orientation, being sensitive toward environmental issues that will impact the world for years to come, and working to reduce the growing anti-Americanism (which can actually encourage terrorism) throughout the world through better listening and understanding ... these are all of the progressive actions and issues that John Kerry has stood for in the past 20 years.

The election comes down to moving ahead progressively with a flexible leader that is sensitive and caring to many people and issues, or staying with a leader that is too one-dimensional, inflexible, and too unwilling to compromise on issues of morality, defense policy, and who is unaccepting of changing social mores (being more tolerant of same-sex marriage, for example).

When John Kerry was on MTV, he fit in. He looked like he belonged. I don't think George Bush would fit in. The election comes down to supporting a progressive who is sensitive and flexible, or supporting a conservative who pushes outdated conservative values and international inflexibility. We will know in November what the majority wants.

OK, conservatives, please resist the temptation to take to the offensive. Anon: You articulated very well your answer to the first question.

Anon--do you mind answering the second question. I am looking for something to make a 20 year Senator stand out other than his voting record for other's legislation. I am looking for legislation he himself carried or some committee he chaired--and an issue he handled well while chairing it. Something specific!

Republicans---Shhhhh!

This will be my last post in this thread.

I honestly do not know the exact things, only because I'm too young to have followed politics 20 years ago (because I was in grammar school then) and also I'm not from Massachusetts and quite frankly I did not follow him closely. I went to college in Holyoke, MA, so I first learned of him when he ran against Gov. Weld. I was on a womens issues conference committee that Senator Kerry spoke at and I knew then that Sen. Kerry was progressive, but I am too. If you are progressive you support a progressive. I can not say exactly what the laws are that he passed or the legislation he may have introduced, but I feel that his 20 year record was supportive of the progressive causes that concern me, while the president would not be in support of the causes I support.

DAWNIE ARE YOU OUT THERE? BOL DEMOCRATS! WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT THIS THREAD GOES ON TO PAGE TWO DUE TO INACTIVITY, THEN IT DIES OFF.

KEEP IT ALIVE!!

Z, I think you are hitting on why a Senator has not been elected President since Kennedy, and his election was certain an aberration, due to family name, money, etc.

Over the years, state Governors have been elected the most because their records as state executive are more easily translated to the Presidency than a legislators.

Some of the highlights of his Senate career include fighting and voting against funding the building of war machinery like the B-1 and B-2 bombers, Patriot missle, F-14 and F-16 fighter planes, etc. His record also shows he will nominate progressive justices to the Supreme Court and lower courts. I could add lots more.

I agree with the comments of the second poster....I'm supporting Kerry because he seems at least closer to being in tune with social issues that are of increasing importance. I cannot see how anyone would support a president who wants to amend the constitution to make it more restrictive and discriminatory. I realize that a person's moral upbringing and religious beliefs are going to impact their views, but they CANNOT let them interfere with moving this country forward.

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he seems at least closer to being in tune with social issues that are of increasing importance

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Don't mean this as a negative, but can you list what these social issues are that are of increasing importance?

Accomplishments

2002
1. Massachusetts Telecommunications Council "Policy Maker of the Year"
2. NAM Vets of Cape Cod and Islands Award For Significant and Exemplary Support Rendered To Veterans of This Country and of the Cape and Islands
3. John W. McCormick Award for Public Service

2001
1. June 21, 2002
Parents for Residential Reform, Mass Families Organizing for Change and the Federation for Children with Special Needs presented The Powerful Friend Recognition Award to Senator Kerry "for his outstanding leadership and national voice on behalf of children with disabilities and their families".
2. Visiting Nurse Association of America's "Legislator of the Year"
3. Gerry Studds Stewardship Award from the Boston Harbor Island Alliance for his work to preserve the Boston Harbor Islands
4. Institute of International Education's "Steven P. Duggan Award for International Understanding" for lifetime achievement in public service and leadership in the U.S. Senate

2000
1. Massachusetts Association of Home Health Care's "Legislator of the Year"
2. American Jewish Committee's "Congressional Leadership Award" for efforts on religious freedom in the workplace

1999
1. Friends of the Public Garden's "Henry Lee Award" for efforts to preserve Boston's green spaces

1998
1. "Zero to Three" Association's "Achievement Award" for work on early childhood development issues
2. Association for Enterprise's "Leadership Award" for leadership on the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
3. Assumption College's "Presidential Medal"


1997
1. National Health Association's "Legislator of the Year Award" for support of expanded child care and attention for at-risk children. Sponsored 1997 Early Childhood Development Act

1996
1. Armenian Assembly of America's Award for service and commitment to the Armenian people. John Kerry was co-sponsor of Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act, providing aid to Armenia and other nations
2. Time Magazine's "Honest Man in Politics Award" f or being only Senator up for reelection in 1996 to vote against Defense of Marriage Act

1995
1. Environmental Business Council Paul Keogh Award June 9, 1995 for distinguished commitment to environmental industries

1993
1. Tri-Community Chamber of Commerce George B. Wells Award December 7, 1993 for leadership in tourism

1990
1. Minority Business Enterprise Legal Defense Fund "Minority Business Development Trendsetter of the Year" June 17, 1990
2. SMU Labor Education Center Arnold M. Dubin Award November 15, 1990 for outstanding contributions to the causes of labor and social justice

Maybe I should have qualified my response by saying of importance to me - but two big ones are same sex marriages and abortion rights.

I know I'm not supposed to post here, but Beth, your candidate has said he is opposed to same sex marriage. Why would you support him on that basis? (Unless you think he is being something less than sincere on that point.)

True - but at least he doesn't want to change the Constitution to ban it completely. Kerry is open to other forms of union to recognize same sex marriage....call it what you want, just make the same rights available and I'm happy.

I'm just taking a wild stab here...but I'm guessing he did something to earn the rewards. I personally wish I had a list this impressive behind my name.

Post deleted by Michael_P

Hey Michael???? Did you read this?

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OK, conservatives, please resist the temptation to take to the offensive

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I'm all for alternatives, but I still don't think you amend the Consitution for something of this nature. Talk about setting a bad precedent.

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Maybe I should have qualified my response by saying of importance to me - but two big ones are same sex marriages and abortion rights

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Thank you for clarifying your first response.

Other things are forced on us even though we don't support it - do we all really enjoy paying taxes? In my world, more people seem to support than not. If the world worked where things never changed, I wouldn't have to worry about who to vote for because I wouldn't have that right. Things change.

I'm for Kerry because he is my idol. He left his first wife and married a rich broad, every man's dream. Also, he looks like my favorite TV star, Herman Munster. And that is why I'm voting for Kerry.

Bills Sponsored by Kerry (just a few of the many):

S.CON.RES.84 : A concurrent resolution recognizing the sacrifices made by members of the regular and reserve components of the Armed Forces, expressing concern about their safety and security, and urging the Secretary of Defense to take immediate steps to ensure that the reserve components are provided with the same equipment as regular components.

S.305 : A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to include in the criteria for selecting any project for the low-income housing credit whether such project has high-speed Internet infrastructure.

S.318 : A bill to provide emergency assistance to nonfarm-related small business concerns that have suffered substantial economic harm from drought.

S.530 : A bill to amend title 5, United States Code, to create a presumption that a disability or death of a Federal employee in fire protection activities caused by any of certain diseases is the result of the performance of such employee's duty.

S.822 : A bill to create a 3-year pilot program that makes small, non-profit child care businesses eligible for SBA 504 loans

S.842 : A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax relief for small businesses, and for other purposes

S.875 : A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow an income tax credit for the provision of homeownership and community development, and for other purposes.

S.1112 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to permit Department of Veterans Affairs pharmacies to dispense medications on prescriptions written by private practitioners to veterans who are currently awaiting their first appointment with the Department for medical care, and for other purposes.

S.1254 : A bill to amend the Small Business Act to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to establish a vocational and technical entrepreneurship development program

S.1255 : A bill to amend the Small Business Act to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to establish a pilot program to provide regulatory compliance assistance to small business concerns, and for other purposes.

S.1411 : A bill to establish a National Housing Trust Fund in the Treasury of the United States to provide for the development of decent, safe, and affordable housing for low-income families, and for other purposes.

S.1595 : A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow small business employers a credit against income tax with respect to employees who participate in the military reserve components and are called to active duty and with respect to replacement employees and to allow a comparable credit for activated military reservists who are self-employed individuals, and for other purposes.

S.1838 : A bill to require payments to State and local governments for infrastructure and social services needs in the same amount as the amount of relief and reconstruction funds provided to Iraq.

S.1885 : A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax incentives for manufacturing businesses in the United States.

S.1886 : A bill to amend the Small Business Act and the Small Business Act of 1958 to establish the National Office for the Development of Small Manufacturers, to increase the level of assistance available for small manufacturers, and for other purposes.

S.1991 : A bill to require the reimbursement of members of the Armed Forces or their family members for the costs of protective body armor purchased by or on behalf of members of the Armed Forces.

S.2266 : A bill to amend the Small Business Act to provide adequate funding for Women's Business Centers.

S.AMDT.129 to H.J.RES.2 To authorize the use of certain funds previously appropriated to the Small Business Administration for loan guarantee subsidies under section 7(a) of the Small Business Act.

S.AMDT.828 to S.1050 To authorize the transportation of dependents to the presence of members of the Armed Forces who are retired for illness or injury as a result of active duty.

S.RES.26 : A resolution stating the sense of the Senate regarding funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

S.RES.264 : A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that small business participation is vital to the defense of our Nation, and that Federal, State, and local governments should aggressively seek out and purchase innovative technologies and services from American small businesses to help in homeland defense and the fight against terrorism.

S.150 : A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide an incentive to ensure that all Americans gain timely and equitable access to the Internet over current and future generations of broadband capability

S.295 : A bill to provide emergency relief to small businesses affected by significant increases in the prices of heating oil, natural gas, propane, and kerosene, and for other purposes.

S.398 : A bill to combat international money laundering and to protect the United States financial system, and for other purposes.

S.416 : A bill to amend the Consumer Product Safety Act to confirm the Consumer Product Safety Commission's jurisdiction over child safety devices for handguns, and for other purposes.

S.477 : A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude national service educational awards from the recipient's gross income.

S.522 : A bill to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to conduct a pilot program to raise awareness about telecommuting among small business employers, and to encourage such employers to offer telecommuting options to employees.

S.706 : A bill to amend the Social Security Act to establish programs to alleviate the nursing profession shortage, and for other purposes.

S.895 : A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a credit against income tax for research related to developing vaccines against widespread diseases and ensure that such vaccines are affordable and widely distributed.

S.1248 : A bill to establish a National Housing Trust Fund in the Treasury of the United States to provide for the development of decent, safe, and affordable, housing for low-income families, and for other purposes.

S.1303 : A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for payment under the medicare program for more frequent hemodialysis treatments.

S.1304 : A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage under the medicare program of oral drugs to reduce serum phosphate levels in dialysis patients with end-stage renal disease.

S.1464 : a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the definition of rural airports for purposes of the air transportation tax.

S.1472 : A bill to amend the Small Business Act to promote the involvement of small business concerns and small business joint ventures in certain types of procurement contracts, to establish the Small Business Procurement Competition Program, and for other purposes.

S.1499 : A bill to provide assistance to small business concerns adversely impacted by the terrorist attacks perpetrated against the United States on September 11, 2001, and for other purposes.

S.1597 : A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish programs to alleviate the nursing profession shortage, and for other purposes.

S.2116 : A bill to reform the program of block grants to States for temporary assistance for needy families to help States address the importance of adequate, affordable housing in promoting family progress towards self-sufficiency, and for other purposes.

I can't enforce anything. I am sitting back and biting my tongue though. I would encourage those conservatives who entered to delete their posts here and continue the discussion elsewhere. I really wanted to know the answers and they have given me a pretty good idea. I'd gladly discuss it with you somewhere else.