Would John Kerry report for duty … as running mate?
posted at 2:22 pm on August 15, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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The closer we get to the Magic Text Message from The One, the more frenzied the Democratic running-mate speculation gets. Today’s humorous suggestion comes from Massachusetts television station WBZ, where Jon Keller thinks that John Kerry might have an inside track. Oh, sorry … Keller’s actually serious:
Kerry brings more money and name recognition to the table than any other name on the Obama list so far. Americans do tend to love a comeback kid and this would be the most amazing political comeback since Richard Nixon came back from the dead forty years ago. …
Polls show many voters question Obama’s foreign policy credentials to be a wartime president. As a decorated veteran and longtime member of the senate foreign relations committee, Kerry could fill that gap.
Obama suffers from being a new face on the political scene, but Kerry – warts and all – is well known to the voters, and in 2004, he did draw more votes than any democrat ever has.
And judging from a new anti-smear web site funded by Kerry’s political action committee, Kerry would eagerly assume the role of attack dog… Allowing a nominee who prefers to float above the fray to minimize the amount of political hardball he has to play.
Keller says not to laugh, and that “some political insiders” tell him an Obama-Kerry ticket may well happen. If so, Republicans across the country can rejoice. The only Democrat who could possibly have lost to George W. Bush in 2004 will bring his special mediocrity to the 2008 ticket.
Let’s take his supporting assumptions one at a time. Kerry’s actual work in the Senate by 2004 became a subject of much derision. In 20 years, he authored a grand total of six bills. His work on the Foreign Relations Committee was similarly non-descript. He was seen, rather accurately, as little more than a dilettante — a conclusion one can reach about Obama as well.
Keller notes that Kerry is a combat veteran, which has its own long history of controversy. What isn’t in doubt was Kerry’s smear of Vietnam veterans after his own service ended. He took part in the Winter Soldier smear job, and told Congress that his fellow veterans resembled the army of Genghis Khan rather than honorable men. The entire Winter Soldier project has been long debunked, but Kerry stands by his smear campaign, intentionally undertaken to start his political career.
And as an attack dog, even Democrats found Kerry sadly wanting in 2004. Not only couldn’t he effectively rebut the testimony of 250 fellow Swift Boat veterans, he failed at painting Bush as a coward. In this, Kerry even had the brief assistance of CBS News and 60 Minutes II, until the blogosphere exposed them as liars peddling obvious forgeries.
Besides, what would Kerry bring to the ticket? Latté liberals and Massachusetts. If Obama needs to shore up those constituencies, then nothing will save him.
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Don’t forget that he served in Vietnam.
Weebork on August 15, 2008 at 2:25 PM
Oh. Oh, that would be TOO good.
Land. Slide.
MadisonConservative on August 15, 2008 at 2:26 PM
I would love to see this if only for the Obama/Kerry b-ball photo opp. How big of a dork would John Kerry look like trying, struggling to have a little rhythm on the court.
The Race Card on August 15, 2008 at 2:27 PM
I don’t think it will be Kerry, but wouldn’t that be evidence that no other dem politician with brains and ambition was willing to accept the nomination? I mean, a ticket with two dopey, elitist, condescending guys with angry, coddled wives?
funky chicken on August 15, 2008 at 2:27 PM
Two Waffles with maple syrup, please. Hold the hopechange, please.
Frozen Tex on August 15, 2008 at 2:28 PM
Communist fist bump
The Race Card on August 15, 2008 at 2:28 PM
Get out the popcorn and beer. That race will be entertaining to watch!
pullingmyhairout on August 15, 2008 at 2:29 PM
“Not only could he effectively rebut the testimony of 250 fellow Swift Boat veterans”
Don’t you mean “not effectively rebut”?
exhelodrvr on August 15, 2008 at 2:29 PM
Corsi will sell 100 million books by November.
marklmail on August 15, 2008 at 2:30 PM
“Don’t forget that he served in Vietnam.”
Yes, who can forget him winning the Medal of Honor from the North Vietnamese government.
I get all misty eyed when I recall the ceremony where they honored John Kerry and Jane Fonda together.
NoDonkey on August 15, 2008 at 2:30 PM
They would do that just so they could neutralize the potential of Pawlenty getting the “yawn” vote.
LevStrauss on August 15, 2008 at 2:32 PM
Maybe Obama will let Kerry take the top spot, just to “get it right” this time.
Attila (Pillage Idiot) on August 15, 2008 at 2:32 PM
I was gonna say the dead will rise to vote for someone who looks an awful lot like a corpse but then it occured to me that Obama could just raise them in the flesh without him.
Darth Executor on August 15, 2008 at 2:32 PM
From 100 unique buyers.
LevStrauss on August 15, 2008 at 2:33 PM
I’m starting to think that Obama will announce that he will not have a VP, saying that he is unable to find anyone that could adequately replace him.
rw on August 15, 2008 at 2:33 PM
Ding..ding.
“Now hear this, now hear this”. The swift boat veterans and their supporters will report to their battle stations. John Kerry, show us your DD214’s! The full version.
Sergei on August 15, 2008 at 2:33 PM
“Would John Kerry report for duty … as running mate?”
From your lips to God’s ear.
coldwarrior on August 15, 2008 at 2:33 PM
There is no way on Gods green earth they would be able to stay on the same page flip-flopping all over the place. They would look like a couple of Mexican jumping beans.
Please sweet baby Jesus, make this happen, Pleeease.
Geronimo on August 15, 2008 at 2:34 PM
This is the first I’ve heard of it. One would think that he would have mentioned it many, many, many times during his 2004 presidential campaign. Maybe he could have come up with some catchy phrase at his convention, like “Reporting for duty,” or something. If he had, he might be president today.
Vic on August 15, 2008 at 2:34 PM
What, he’s not under the bus already?
- The Cat
MirCat on August 15, 2008 at 2:36 PM
Bho has to get this past wifeee. Does she like the ketchup gal?
L
letget on August 15, 2008 at 2:36 PM
Maybe he thinks that if he ever dies, he’ll just resurrect in a couple of days, like a true Messiah would.
Vic on August 15, 2008 at 2:36 PM
Nahhhhhh…. we can’t get this lucky.
wise_man on August 15, 2008 at 2:36 PM
That pronounced “Jen-jis”, don’tcha know…
The person who wants this to happen most is Jerome Corsi. He could have two books on the NY Times Bestseller List at the same time!
gridlock2 on August 15, 2008 at 2:36 PM
from what i can see obama has already selected a running mate…
http://www.thepeoplescube.com/red/viewtopic.php?t=2174
moseby on August 15, 2008 at 2:37 PM
lol! Talk about cooking your own goose.
Connie on August 15, 2008 at 2:38 PM
Whatever happened to that Form 180?
gridlock2 on August 15, 2008 at 2:38 PM
How could Kerry rebut the truth? If anything, Kerry could not effectively refute the charges laid down by Kerry’s contemporaries during the few months of combat duty that was supposed to be his passport to the White House.
highhopes on August 15, 2008 at 2:38 PM
That would be insane.
freevillage on August 15, 2008 at 2:39 PM
So did this guy.
Connie on August 15, 2008 at 2:40 PM
Of course he had the most votes ever, he had the highest population of all election years and smegloads of Bush hatred going for him – I daresay most other Democrats probably would have done better.
Oh I am dreaming for this to happen, but there is no chance. Dems know he is a loser.
Grafted on August 15, 2008 at 2:41 PM
That be a pair of flip flops
iam7545 on August 15, 2008 at 2:41 PM
Obama is obviously courting the windsurfer and Teletubby-fan vote.
Act fast McCain, don’t lose these important constituencies to Baracky.
Bishop on August 15, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Oh, you mean John Kerry, who served in Vietnam? Ahh, yes, I know of the man.
malan89 on August 15, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Perhaps McCain & Obama should pledge to install each other as VP once elected Prez.
Go back to the original adversarial system….
LimeyGeek on August 15, 2008 at 2:44 PM
FIFY
Akzed on August 15, 2008 at 2:45 PM
Obama suffers from being a new face on the political scene, but Kerry – warts and all – is well known to the voters
And by putting Kerry on the ticket, Obama immediately voids any of his previous attacks against McCain for being a senate lifer.
I can only hope that Baracky is dumb enough to do this.
Bishop on August 15, 2008 at 2:46 PM
That would be hilarious. I think it might just fill me with HOPE!
CP on August 15, 2008 at 2:47 PM
Would all those people who purchased a major ration of HOPE get any CHANGE back, or would it just be super market coupons for Hines products?
Yoop on August 15, 2008 at 2:49 PM
Swiftboating was not the cause of Kerry’s demise. His elitist, out-of-touch attitude and disdain for American exceptionalism is what did him in – just as it will do to Obama.
Connie on August 15, 2008 at 2:49 PM
Is there anyone who has not been suggested as either a possible McCain or an Obama running mate, other than Barry Goldwater and me?
MB4 on August 15, 2008 at 2:49 PM
No way, won’t happen — I’d say Webb would be the best choice if you want a veep with military experience. But I believe he took himself out of the running.
I don’t think there’s a good choice out there — so it may very well be someone like Sen. Biden.
Richard Romano on August 15, 2008 at 2:51 PM
I can only hope that he is desperate enough to have to do this. It would mean that even elected dogcatchers in Ohio and Pennsylvania turned down the offer.
funky chicken on August 15, 2008 at 2:51 PM
And Cambodia!
MB4 on August 15, 2008 at 2:52 PM
Great… “did I mention I’m black” meets “jenjis did I mention I served in Vietnam”
elduende on August 15, 2008 at 2:52 PM
Michelle and Tereza – Meow!
Blake on August 15, 2008 at 2:54 PM
Will they drink together from penis shaped straws in toast to their campaign?
Tim Burton on August 15, 2008 at 2:54 PM
I seem to recall that Keller was the guy who, back during the 2000 campaign, asked candidate Bush who the President of Pakistan was. Being a tool of some renown, he must feel a special kinship with Kerry.
Infidoll on August 15, 2008 at 2:55 PM
Well, then McCain would obviously have to counter with…wait for it…Dick Cheney!!
Who wouldn’t want to watch THAT VP debate??
Darksean on August 15, 2008 at 2:56 PM
Let us welcome Kerry!! It’s a sure loss for Obama!! As for Michelle and Terry Kerry–they are good friends. I wouldn’t be surprised if Michelle has some input into Kerry as VP because of that.
jeanie on August 15, 2008 at 2:57 PM
Not true – - he said “Jengis” Khan. Big difference.
Rick on August 15, 2008 at 2:59 PM
Don’t be so sure about Kerry bringing MA – McCain is gaining ground, and we are really really really really sick of Kerry.
Jane on August 15, 2008 at 3:00 PM
Obamamessiah wants jon kerri to help him lean to wind surf
Mojack420 on August 15, 2008 at 3:00 PM
John Kerry’s potential 2004 running mate John McCain sure had Kerry’s back on that one.
I think the ad is dishonest and dishonorable. As none of these individuals served on the boat he commanded. Many of his crewmates have testified to his courage under fire. I think John Kerry served honorably in Vietnam.
- John McCain (referring to the ad by Swift Boat Veterans, and by implication to all of them)
MB4 on August 15, 2008 at 3:01 PM
I can’t see this happening. Kerry is up for re-election for senate. Jenjis Khan could get 40% running against him.
fluffy on August 15, 2008 at 3:01 PM
Maybe John McCain will pick Kerry as his running mate.
MB4 on August 15, 2008 at 3:02 PM
More like: Yeow!
Rick on August 15, 2008 at 3:02 PM
Frankly, I think there are fewer and fewer who want to run with him. He’s become a laughing stock.
Connie on August 15, 2008 at 3:04 PM
Put up an ad of Kerry windsurfing and Obama body surfing.
These things pretty much write themselves.
MarkTheGreat on August 15, 2008 at 3:05 PM
“Can I get arugula on that cheese steak sandwich?”
fluffy on August 15, 2008 at 3:07 PM
I still want to know why it was Jimmy Carter’s signature on Kerry’s discharge form.
MarkTheGreat on August 15, 2008 at 3:08 PM
At one time, maybe; but Kerry has been throwing feces at McCain of late. I think there’s a better chance of seeing the other Mass Senator on the McCain ticket right now…
Rick on August 15, 2008 at 3:09 PM
Lurch! Perfect choice. Please Obama, please!
Reporting for duty~!
carbon_footprint on August 15, 2008 at 3:16 PM
So if Obama were elected and then died in office or something, would Kerry be the third black POTUS or just the two and a half black POTUS or what?
Bishop on August 15, 2008 at 3:17 PM
And maybe people will constantly parrot the democrat’s version of events over the truth and keep doing this repeatedly after all the times it’s been denied and debunked.
wise_man on August 15, 2008 at 3:18 PM
Well, neither one asked me either so I guess they can both kiss the monotreme vote goodbye.
platypus on August 15, 2008 at 3:18 PM
Be still my heart!!!
sabbott on August 15, 2008 at 3:21 PM
Actually, he served in both countries at the same time, with Dick Nixon as his commanding officer.
Keller’s station, WBZ, has been running Jean-Claude Kerri campaign ads all this week on their 6 PM news. I’ve never seen him do that in the past. His internal polling must not be too good.
What’s so funny about the ads is they show Kerri as helping out military guys who have just returned from Iraq and Afghanistan. Which is a lot more than he did for his fellow comrades in arms in his war.
Del Dolemonte on August 15, 2008 at 3:24 PM
obama/kerry – “OK” in 08
rbb on August 15, 2008 at 3:24 PM
Swift boat roosters have come home to rooooosssssttttteeee
Kini on August 15, 2008 at 3:28 PM
What do you mean? Bush had an approval rating near 50% on election day in 2004.
Big S on August 15, 2008 at 3:28 PM
Jeromi Corsi needs more money. Start “Unfit For Command” v2.0.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 15, 2008 at 3:29 PM
The first wives club would be enough to kill any chance of a win for Barry and Kerry.
TroubledMonkey on August 15, 2008 at 3:30 PM
You’re thinking of the tool Andy Hiller from WHDH. Keller’s not a bad sort. Authored The Bluest State, describing how liberals have wrecked Massachusetts.
http://www.amazon.com/Bluest-State-Democrats-Massachusetts-Blueprint/dp/0312384904/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1218828284&sr=1-1
Still, the thought of our junior senator as The One’s running mate is enough to make me start hoarding popcorn. Lurch has a primary challenge from a moonbat even further to his left, and a Republican challenger for the general. This could get interesting….
RedMindBlueState on August 15, 2008 at 3:30 PM
John Kerry’s not so secret any longer MySpace entry:
Hi there fellow bloggers. My name is United States Senator John Forbes Kerry from the great state of Massachusetts. You can call me JFK if you want. I was born on December 11, 1943, although people tell me that I look at least 20 years younger. It’s probably my great hair and rugged good looks.
I graduated from Yale in June 1966 in the top 1% of my class. To earn extra money during the summers, I loaded trucks in a grocery warehouse and sold encyclopedias door to door. That is probably one of the reasons that I am so humble. Over my four years at Yale, I maintained a 96 grade average and received a 101 average in my senior year.
I am one of the most senior members of that grand and much loved and respected institution known as the U.S. Senate. Probably the only living Senator even a little bit greater than me is my dear friend Ted Moore Kennedy. I also have a very high IQ. Very high. At least 250 on a bad day. Much higher than that creep who stole the election from me. I know that he stole it because exit polls are never ever wrong.
I am also a great war hero. I set all kinds of records for heroism when I was in Vietnam. I was grievously wounded at least three times yet continued to insist on staying in the fight when lesser men would have given up. I won the bronze star with extra V’s for extra valor and the Silver Star for defeating a whole battalion of NVA with my bare hands.
Sometimes I feel like a had to carry all the water for those other ungrateful swiftboaters.
I sometimes like to chill out after a long day of serving the American people by having a double martini with my good friend Ted. We usually have a servant bring 21 double martinis. I get one and Ted gets one for each of his fingers and each of his toes. Contrary to what some of my very few enemies say I never marry women for just their money. They must also have a pulse. BTW, did I mention that I was in Vietnam? I was also in Cambodia, so don’t forget that!
I would like to think that I am open minded, honest, polite, heroic and trustworthy. And I appreciate the same qualities in others although I am realistic enough to know that no one else could come close to me.
Turn offs: other politicians who spend more on haircuts than I do. That is just not right.
Who I’d like to meet:
…other progressive bloggers. Other great war heroes who hate that damn S-T-U-P-I-D Texan in the White House and those lying sons of #itcher swiftboat bastardos whose pants are on fire, just as my good buddy John McCain has said. He really wanted to be on my ticket but my money bags wife Therese didn’t much like him so I had to turn him down. Cool people who live close to Washington D.C. so that we can get together, talk about you for about 30 seconds and then spend about 9 hours talking about me. BTW, did I mention that I was in Vietnam and Cambodia? Just one more BTW, if anyone has found my magic hat please return to me.
MB4 on August 15, 2008 at 3:33 PM
Santa must have got my letter!
drunyan8315 on August 15, 2008 at 3:36 PM
FIFY. Hey, did you know he served in ‘Nam?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 15, 2008 at 3:36 PM
Don’t be so sure about Kerry bringing MA – McCain is gaining ground, and we are really really really really sick of Kerry.
Jane on August 15, 2008 at 3:00 PM
I love an optimist!
Cindy Munford on August 15, 2008 at 3:37 PM
Is there room on the Dem ticket for two JFK wannabes?
redrock on August 15, 2008 at 3:38 PM
Denied? Absolutely. Vehemently. Debunked? Not so much.
Why would it need to be debunked? After all, John McCain isn’t cozy with Democrats. He’s not contemplating naming a Democrat as his running mate. He hasn’t sponsored some of the stupidest, costliest, and unconstitutional bills with Democrats. He never attacks his own party.
Nobody in their right mind would think that John McCain would change party affiliation or consider being the running mate of a Democrat.
No need to debunk.
misterpeasea on August 15, 2008 at 3:40 PM
Yup. Kerry’s people approached McCains people three times. And were rejected three times.
OMG MCCAIN WAS ALMOST KERRY’S VP! U CAN’T DEE BUNK THAT! I KNOWES IT!!!! HURRRR!/
wise_man on August 15, 2008 at 3:45 PM
You make a very good case. Much better than the one made by McCain’s
lackeybarrister.MB4 on August 15, 2008 at 3:56 PM
And you are going to be making this same unproven and debumked claim in the future, repeatedly – right
MB4sycophant?wise_man on August 15, 2008 at 3:59 PM
More waffles?
Dusty on August 15, 2008 at 4:03 PM
Just think. If he picked Michael Dukakis, he could throw’em under a tank, instead of a bus.
My collie says:
CyberCipher on August 15, 2008 at 4:03 PM
Maybe we’ll see them dance together on Ellen’s show.
And, CyberCipher, I’ve gotta get me one of them collies.
KelliD on August 15, 2008 at 4:07 PM
Ah, yes the Haughty one, recipient of multiple purple hearts for multiple wounds incurred in “battle”! But then the Haughty One, threw these away after returning from Vietnam where he served as a decorated war hero and then trashed the US military and the United States in front of the very same body, using his Haughty voice, where he would one day become the Junior Senator from the fine state of MA and a darling of the press…until he lost to the evil Bush and then he was banished forever to a life of shame!!!
sabbott on August 15, 2008 at 4:07 PM
One of my life’s goals is living long enough to piss on Kerry’s grave.
irongrampa on August 15, 2008 at 4:11 PM
Mrs. Heinz would have to let him out of the doggie house first.
Entelechy on August 15, 2008 at 4:17 PM
It has not been debunked. Do you have all the audio tapes of their meetings? And there were quite a few between McCain/staff and Kerry/staff. Do you think they were discussing varieties of ketchup rather than the possibility of McCain being Kerry’s running mate? Yup, that was probably what they were talking about – ketchup.
MB4 on August 15, 2008 at 4:23 PM
Not necessary, irongrampa. Being right is it’s own reward.
wise_man on August 15, 2008 at 4:24 PM
Please. Present your evidence. Since it is you and the democrats who are making this charge. It’s up to you to prove it.
As I said. They offered it three times. He rejected it three times. You said it Almost happened. Your and the democrats version of events are false. Continue to repeat these lies, and don’t be surprised when someone calls you out for repeating the claims that are not true. All in your hopes of slandering McCain. Keep it up. Till election day, I’ll be here.
wise_man on August 15, 2008 at 4:26 PM
It can’t possibly happen, but a New England girl can hope – please let Christmas come early!
The 2 of them would be a dream – stuck in Iraq after all their promises.
KrisinNE on August 15, 2008 at 4:27 PM
Bambi/Lurch ‘08!
Kafir on August 15, 2008 at 4:30 PM
And ever onward. Real trolls never die. They just get ignored enough.
MadisonConservative on August 15, 2008 at 4:31 PM
Yeah, my initial thought:
New ‘JFK’ (The One) meet JFK v.2!
Sir Napsalot on August 15, 2008 at 4:33 PM
So do you also believe the democrats version of events over the truth, as McCain as explained it? please don’t answer that question, so I know that you would rather trust the demcorats.
Again.
wise_man on August 15, 2008 at 4:34 PM
So how does it feel to be a troll who would rather believe the democrat’s story over a republican, Madison Conservative. Don’t answer that question, that way I will know I’m right. And you are a troll who takes the democrat’s side. I wonder what other democrat stories you believe. Ah, don’t answer that as well. I don’t want to know.
wise_man on August 15, 2008 at 4:37 PM
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