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Politics : WHO IS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT IN 2004 -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Glenn Petersen who wrote (8837)	1/12/2004 9:12:48 AM
From: American Spirit	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 10965

Kerry's lighter side rolls on By Patrick Healy, Globe Staff, 1/11/2004 ABOARD THE REAL DEAL EXPRESS, Iowa -- The folk singer Peter Yarrow was serenading his old pal John Kerry and the presidential candidate's traveling press when the Peter, Paul, and Mary legend leaned across the aisle of the campaign bus and planted a major smooch on the cheek of a comely television reporter. ADVERTISEMENT The bus, reporter included, erupted in laughter. A chuckling Kerry also chided his friend, the godfather of his daughter Alex, to keep it tame on the Real Deal Express. But a few minutes later, Yarrow was back strumming on his guitar and inching toward the newswoman. Kerry's hands then shot up in between her face and Yarrow's, leaving no doubt that the senator's perfect manners include gallantry. "Peter, enough!" Kerry bellowed. The lighthearted personality of John Forbes Kerry has perhaps never been on such public display than on his luxury caravan -- which borrows his campaign's slogan for a name -- or in quieter moments, especially late at night when he tends to relax the most. Longtime friends watching him on the road in Iowa and New Hampshire say the same things as reporters who have been around him for just a few months: There's a lot to Kerry that many voters don't see. To wit: The man loves -- loves -- Hostess chocolate cupcakes. Although he insists wife Teresa has ruled them off-limits, his sweet tooth sometimes overrules her. He laughs at himself easily, like at the gentle ribbing he gets for his unofficial uniform -- brown cords, plain blue blazer, and L.L. Bean duck boots. He relaxes by practicing his guitar, as much a staple of the bus as the one or two cellphones each rider is carrying. Kerry lulls some of his aides to sleep with the dulcet tunes of "Don't Cry for Me Argentina." A late-night lark last month -- a stop at a bowling alley -- proved Kerry to be a master of the lane, scoring strikes with ease. Despite the sniping among the nine contenders for the Democratic nomination, Kerry acts and speaks with fondness for nearly all his rivals, listening keenly and respectfully to Dennis Kucinich's 10-minute speech Friday night at an education forum, for instance, and sticking up for Joe Lieberman, John Edwards, and some others in private moments. Proving the exception to the rule that candidates gain weight on the trail, Kerry's reedlike frame actually has shed pounds, a testament to his go-go-go work ethic and his willingness to obey his wife's health advice (cupcakes aside). While Teresa Heinz Kerry is known for speaking her mind, sometimes to the anxiety of campaign advisers, Kerry beams as she defends "opinionated women" and blasts President Bush -- and relishes private moments just sitting beside her. Despite the bumpy road his candidacy has traveled, he relaxes easily with the media in a small enclave at the back of the bus and delights in their references to it as "the champagne room" and "the Merv Griffin suite." Kerry is in the fight for his political life. He is climbing in the polls behind Howard Dean in Iowa but is far behind Dean in New Hampshire. But as the Real Deal Express rolls along, Kerry seems at home with himself, and happy.

To: Glenn Petersen who wrote (8837)	1/12/2004 4:23:11 PM
From: Mephisto	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 10965

I agree the Iowa race is too close to call, but I wouldn't underestimate Dean's staff. They are a determined lot and they can ring up people or drive them to the caucuses as well as a Gephardt supporter. Also, Dean has two huge unions who will work for him in Iowa. Edwards is a pretty poster boy. The NY Times shows him off today and has been writing flattering articles for the past week or so. Edwards still voted for the Iraq War and the Patriot Act but it is interesting although unpleasant to watch the way the NYTimes manipulates the news. They put a pretty colored picture of Edwards on one page and an unflattering picture of Dean on the next. Bill Keller, their top editor, must read the National Inquirer as well as those other ridiculous papers that are sold at the supermarket check-out stands. I saw a re-run of the Iowa debate that took place a week or so ago on PBS Friday night. Edwards sounded just like Gephardt, Kerry or Lieberman. He offers promises, promises and more promises if "you vote for him." Vote for me. Vote for me. They said it over and over again. They turn my stomach with their self-serving messages and their constant rambling. Consider the amount of time they waste on self-serving speeches when Congress is in session. The wasted time cost tax payers a bundle. At least, Edwards plans to resign from Congress. The others should be booted out. And so should Bush.