Aussie E
11-09-2004, 03:31 PM
from www.theaustralian.news.com.au
Kerry hints at White House run
From correspondents in Washington
November 10, 2004
DEFEATED Democrat John Kerry has dropped hints he may run for president in 2008, as glum party officials today debated the way forward after last week's Republican sweep of elections for the White House and US Congress.
"Sometimes God tests you," an aide to the Massachusetts senator quoted him as telling friends and supporters, the Washington Post reported. "I'm a fighter and I've come back before."
Senator Kerry's younger brother Cameron told the Boston Globe newspaper the senator was "profoundly disappointed" about narrowly losing last week's election to President George W. Bush, and deems another attempt fully possible.
"That's conceivable," the paper quoted the brother as saying. "I don't know why that should necessarily be it.
"I think it's too early to assess. But I think that he is going to continue to fight on for the values, ideals and issues this campaign is about," Cameron Kerry said.
Mr Kerry's role in the party became the subject of intense speculation, as Democrats try to chart their future following last week's demoralising losses at the polls.
A Kerry aide said that the nearly two-year-long presidential campaign made the Massachusetts senator the de facto leader of Democrats, and he would play an active role in opposing the Republican-led Congress and White House.
"He is not he is not going to go away quietly," said Josh Gottheimer, a speech writer for the campaign.
The debate about Senator Kerry's future comes as Democrats planned meetings around the US capital today to deliberate about the future of the party.
Senator Kerry seemed to make the case for continuing his role as de facto party chieftain, issuing a statement last week touting the inroads made by his campaign.
"Kerry's popular vote total in aggregate numbers not only exceeds (2000 Democratic presidential candidate) Al Gore's popular vote victory in the last election, but also (ex-President) Bill Clinton's in the 90's", the statement said.
"John Kerry has built a solid foundation for the Democratic party to build on - in voters, in resources and in substance. The party would be well advised to build on the foundation and not turn our back on it."
According to press reports, Senator Kerry has mostly remained at his Boston, Massachusetts home since his defeat. The Globe reported that he was spotted in Washington on Monday, but kept a low profile.
According to news reports, Senator Kerry is considering creating a political action committee and think tank to keep his policy initiatives, and himself, in the spotlight.
"He's in a position of national leadership," Cameron Kerry told the Boston Globe.
"He's going to exercise that role and be a voice for the 55 million people who voted for him. The position he's in gives him a bully pulpit."
Some Democrats however seemed less inclined to consider Sentor Kerry the head of their party, or at the top of the 2008 presidential ticket.
Louisiana's US Senator John Breaux told US television this week that top Democratic White House contenders appear to be party luminaries like Senator Hillary Clinton and Indiana Senator Evan Bayh.
"Either one of those who can articulate a moderate, mainstream message can be successful," he said.
Kerry hints at White House run
From correspondents in Washington
November 10, 2004
DEFEATED Democrat John Kerry has dropped hints he may run for president in 2008, as glum party officials today debated the way forward after last week's Republican sweep of elections for the White House and US Congress.
"Sometimes God tests you," an aide to the Massachusetts senator quoted him as telling friends and supporters, the Washington Post reported. "I'm a fighter and I've come back before."
Senator Kerry's younger brother Cameron told the Boston Globe newspaper the senator was "profoundly disappointed" about narrowly losing last week's election to President George W. Bush, and deems another attempt fully possible.
"That's conceivable," the paper quoted the brother as saying. "I don't know why that should necessarily be it.
"I think it's too early to assess. But I think that he is going to continue to fight on for the values, ideals and issues this campaign is about," Cameron Kerry said.
Mr Kerry's role in the party became the subject of intense speculation, as Democrats try to chart their future following last week's demoralising losses at the polls.
A Kerry aide said that the nearly two-year-long presidential campaign made the Massachusetts senator the de facto leader of Democrats, and he would play an active role in opposing the Republican-led Congress and White House.
"He is not he is not going to go away quietly," said Josh Gottheimer, a speech writer for the campaign.
The debate about Senator Kerry's future comes as Democrats planned meetings around the US capital today to deliberate about the future of the party.
Senator Kerry seemed to make the case for continuing his role as de facto party chieftain, issuing a statement last week touting the inroads made by his campaign.
"Kerry's popular vote total in aggregate numbers not only exceeds (2000 Democratic presidential candidate) Al Gore's popular vote victory in the last election, but also (ex-President) Bill Clinton's in the 90's", the statement said.
"John Kerry has built a solid foundation for the Democratic party to build on - in voters, in resources and in substance. The party would be well advised to build on the foundation and not turn our back on it."
According to press reports, Senator Kerry has mostly remained at his Boston, Massachusetts home since his defeat. The Globe reported that he was spotted in Washington on Monday, but kept a low profile.
According to news reports, Senator Kerry is considering creating a political action committee and think tank to keep his policy initiatives, and himself, in the spotlight.
"He's in a position of national leadership," Cameron Kerry told the Boston Globe.
"He's going to exercise that role and be a voice for the 55 million people who voted for him. The position he's in gives him a bully pulpit."
Some Democrats however seemed less inclined to consider Sentor Kerry the head of their party, or at the top of the 2008 presidential ticket.
Louisiana's US Senator John Breaux told US television this week that top Democratic White House contenders appear to be party luminaries like Senator Hillary Clinton and Indiana Senator Evan Bayh.
"Either one of those who can articulate a moderate, mainstream message can be successful," he said.