BUSH-FATIGUE VERSES KERRY-HUNGER

Found a link to this April 22nd, 2004, Wall Street Journal op-ed piece by Peggy Noonan on one of my daily reads, Cindra's Red & Purple Haze blog. There are a lot of things that Cindra and I agree on, but presidential politics is not one of them. That having been said, I did find one thing from this right-winged editorial which I actually did identify with:

We all know a presidential campaign involving an incumbent is in good part a referendum on that incumbent. Which sounds like a one-part process, but it's a two-part process.

If you want to fire the incumbent, you have to have someone to hire in his place. The guy who opposes the incumbent has to seem like a credible president. He has to be a real alternative, a possible president. So far, roughly four months into his national fame, John Kerry has not made the sale. There are people who have Bush-fatigue, but they do not have Kerry-hunger.

So far he [sic: Kerry] doesn't seem like a possible president. He seems somewhat shifty, somewhat cold, an operator. He has a good voice but he seems to use it most to slither out of this former statement or that erstwhile position. It's OK that he looks like a sad tree, but you can't look like a sad, hollow tree.

As much as I hate to admit it, I couldn't have said it better myself!

Sorry, I have been known to cross party lines if I liked the candidate, but Kerry is a "stinker." I truly look for the candidate and their character and intelligence. I don't see it in him. I am so pleased that knowing that we don't agree on this, you took the time to read the article anyway, so many people wouldn't. I admire that.

Well, I have to disagree with the other comment. In fact, we non-Americans are frequently amazed at the difference in perceptions we have with Americans. I think Kerry was the most electable of the lot of contenders. Dean was too loud, and the only other guy I liked, Edwards, was probably to milquetoast to be a wartime president. Of these Kerry had the best record, the best voice, and yes, the best hair!:) I frankly do not know why Kerry is a 'stinker'. The only thing I can see that goes against him is his inability to emote or appear to show emotion in front of the cameras. Surely, that's not reason enough to not elect him?