John Kerry – The Obama Factor

John Kerry, Junior Senator from Massachusetts is facing a challenger from within his own party for the first time since he took his seat 24 years ago. Gloucester attorney, Ed O’Reilly, who garnered more than enough votes at the Lowell Democrat convention, despite alleged efforts by Kerry’s camp to derail him, has challenged the Senator to a series of debates (AP). To date, no definitive answer has come from the Kerry campaign. Perhaps the Senator is far too busy campaigning for Barack Obama - Kerry, who has become a mentor to Obama, chose the young Illinois Senator to be the Keynote Speaker at the 2004 convention . With that in mind, is it any wonder he also was among the first to endorse Barrack Obama over the wishes of Kerry’s Massachusetts Constituents? Alternately the Senator may not wish to engage O’Reilly on the issues in a public forum, specifically if that forum may be televised. Kerry has an interesting style of debate – one that seems to resonate with his core group of supporters.

Why the Clinton Factor? Between Kerry and his 2004 running mate, John Edwards, the stage was set to replace the acknowledged front runner with an inexperienced two term senator from Illinois, through whatever means necessary. Clinton faced a barrage of attacks on everything but that what was relevant – policy. She was also advised, by these same men who had prior ties to Obama, to “give up the race”. Kerry, ever the opportunist, perhaps fancied himself as a “king-maker”. All well and good for the Democrat Party, should it be a party of exclusion. However, some Democrats are taking exception to that particular line of reasoning.

DNC Reform a group that has formed in opposition to those who would exclude the “majority minority” (otherwise known as women), is taking the Senator (as well as others who endorsed against the will of the voters) to task. Maureen Dowd, an avowed “Obamafile”, in her op-ed today, has implied that the Clintons are doing everything in their power to undermine Obama. Maureen could not be further off-base. Obama’s problems do not stem from Clinton supporters (the same cannot be said of sitting Senators, Congressmen and the like who ignored the will of their constituents), rather, his problem stem from exposure – to the American public. The more people get to know him, the more his poll numbers stay the same. Obama is becoming as charming as John Kerry and everyone knows what happened in 2004. Not only did John Kerry not win the presidency, Tom Daschle did not win re-election to the senate. Those at DNC Reform, along with 51% of the voters (Suffolk University Poll, June), in Massachusetts feel it is time for Kerry to seek employment elsewhere. Perhaps he can become an MSNBC commentator.

You tube videos from DNC Reform shown below.