Massachusetts politics is opening up! (0.00 / 0)

Ed O'Reilly's progressive challenge to John Kerry excites people looking for something other than politics as usual and 'go along to get along' behavior from the Democratic Party.

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by: derrico @ Fri Aug 03, 2007 at 16:23:59 PM CDT

I agree (0.00 / 0)

I agree, finally some hope!!!

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by: bradford @ Fri Aug 03, 2007 at 17:34:37 PM CDT

Seniority (0.00 / 0)

As an ex-Mass resident, I sympathize with feeling like Kerry is a schlub compared to Kennedy. That said, he really is pretty far to the left in the Senate when not running for president and I wouldn't shake a fist at his seniority. The question that needs to be considered is whether the difference between Kerry and O'Reilly's politics make up for the difference in efficacy.

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by: CT Student @ Fri Aug 03, 2007 at 18:41:29 PM CDT

My Candidacy and Leadership (0.00 / 0)

My candidacy is all about having a core set of beliefs and carrying these convictions into the political arena.  Although a campaign needs to be all about dialogue, it is the core set of beliefs that processes information and, ultimately, results in solutions through leadership.

As a long time supporter of John Kerry, my entire image of him changed when he voted to authorize military action in Iraq.  If Senator Kerry's vote was a mistake, I would have questioned his ability to process information, but would have found it morally acceptable. 

However, as Robert Shrum's book has confirmed, Senator Kerry balanced his own personal political ambition in becoming President when deciding whether to vote for military authorization in Iraq.  How does one vote to send people to war based upon his/her own political career?

In addition, it was not just the vote to authorize military action in Iraq, but the way in which Mr. Kerry voted.  Senator Kerry voted to cut off debate after Senator Byrd made an impassioned speech on the Senate floor.  Senator Byrd basically said that voting in favor military action would, essentially, be like putting a closed for business sign on the U.S. Senate.  Senator Byrd was correct and this vote gave the Executive Branch unbridled power which has left Congress impotent in carrying out the will of the American people.

When we are talking about seniority, we must look at the most important vote of this generation and the most important vote of Senator Kerry's  23 year career.  He failed to follow a core set of beliefs. 

As a former Howard Dean supporter, it is clear that Senator Kerry and I disagreed on the use of military force in Iraq.  Since Matt suggested Senator Kerry has now moved to the Left, let us look at where he really is on the left and where I stand.

Iraq--I am for the complete and immediate withdrawal of our troops from Iraq.  Mr. Kerry is for a timeline and favors keeping troops in "enclaves" in Iraq, according to an article published in June, 2007.

Energy--I am for a bold new concept of using the model of the 2,000 municipal power companies in the United States to bring 100% renewable electric energy to our country.  This model would be controlled on the local level, produced not for profit, and sited with local control.  Mr. Kerry is looking at energy production from within the same old box.

Health Care--I am for universal health care with a single payer system.  Senator Kerry's position is unclear, but seems to favor some sort of health care plan based upon the insurance industry being involved.

Marriage Equality--I am a firm believer in gay marriage and Senator Kerry favors the separate, but equal, position of civil unions.

Although the world of blogging opened to me less than three months ago, Netroots Democracy really means entering a dialogue on the issues.  I welcome this opportunity as we move our country boldly forward.

As someone with the heart and soul of a firefighter and the skills of a trial attorney, I will never compromise my core beliefs.

Ed O'Reilly
Democratic Candidate for the U.S. Senate from Massachusetts 

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by: Ed O'Reilly @ Sat Aug 04, 2007 at 09:46:16 AM CDT