I am a loyal supporter of the good doctor but will grant the following positives to Kerry.
- Although he is an empty suit, he is a tough, dirty SOB of a pol and will push poll, oppo research and do anything to beat Bush. Given that the other side is sure to do the same, I think it will be good to have a nominee who fights back. The Dean's campaign's inability to play dirty and fight off Kerry's dirty tricks was admirable but problematic. Kerry's folks are relatively boy scouts compared to the Rove/Bush machine. Just look what they did with the Felon list in Florida, unbelievable stuff. Gore also was too stand-up a fellow and really suffered in FL as a result (and had surrounded himself with disloyal SOBs like Lieberman).
- He stold Dean's message. I think this was highly unethical and reflects poorly on his and his campaign's character (particularly given what a joke it is for him to fight against the "special instrests" when he has Bob Shrum telling him what to say). But, Dean's message is a good tough message and that is a nice complement to a good tough campaigner.
- He is truly strong on Veterans issues. I think the Vietnam Veterans thing really resonates right now given what is happening in Iraq. This, in my mind, is the one policy area where Kerry has had an impact. He was a prime mover behind the POW MIA effort and in renewing relations with Vietnam. He is not a phony (as he is with most other topics) when he gets into this stuff and this stuff will play big in the general (as it has in the primary -- I think it is what popped him up and enabled him to beath Dean in Iowa).
- He is tight with big money Dems. They like him and will give to him hard. Hopefully, in the general, us Deaniacs will lose some of the bitterness of the mistreatment of the good doctor and start giving him some small cash as well. The net effect could be bigger than what DFA could have raised (if the Deaniacs start giving in any significant fashion).
- His relationship with his wife is cool. Kerry let's Theresa be Theresa. There was a great Sunday Washington Post profile of the two of them last year which was hilarious. She disses him left and right and he doesn't seem to mind (must really love her). I think this may mean that there might be a person somewhere inside the robo candidate.
- Although many colleagues in the Senate hate him because he is a lightweight granstander, Mass pols seem to genuinely like him and his organization. Kennedy, Barney Frank and others have really gone to bat for him. This is unusual for a long time pol. Usually, they wear out their welcome at home long before they do in DC. Slight indication that he treats his allies well.