I gained a lot of respect for him when I saw his testimony before congress as a young man who had just returned from Vietnam.  What he did that day may not have been very popular, but it was very courageous.  He will make an important contribution in the Obama cabinet.

Did a pretty godawful job in 2004, which is why we're stuck with the mess we have now.

Let's hope Barack doesn't repeat Kerry's mistake of being on the defensive too much an not fighting back against the republicans.

just was too over confident,i guess

I voted for Kerry in 2004--but only for a lack of a better candidate: seriously, when you are faced with a choice between a Mr. Foot-in-the-mouth and a retarded chimpazee you pick the latter (providing, of course, you have a triple-digit IQ)! 3 years later, umpteen troops killed, and trillion dollars wasted in a useless war, I am still furious at Kerry for losing the election. The Dems had a good stab at the election (probably even better than in 1992 when Clinton ran against a passably intelligent Bush) but seriously blew it when they chose someone they thought was more electable than Howard Dean. First off, Kerry lost it when he apologized for calling Bush a liar. Why did he feel compelled to apologize when the GOP was levying far worse attacks on him, calling him "flip-flopper" (as if Chimpy never flip-flopped, LOL). Secondly, Kerry could have dug in his heels on the 9/11 investigation of Chimp and Cheney, inc.: he criticized it but not enough to make it register in the minds of our largely 30-second soundbyte audience. Same goes for his general lack of criticism of the abuse at Abu Ghraib. Thirdly, the fact that Kerry was even willing to consider John McCain for running mate was depressing: what does that say about you when you are willing to support people of the very party that is running you down? Or someone who doesn't really share your views on important issues (e.g., abortion)? All of this was made worse by the fact that he was willing to distance himself from the left; this is presumably why he didn't want to have anything to do with folks like Michael Moore or Margaret Cho. Most troubling of all was his decision to take the high moral road. Now, I generally believe that in all other circumstances, taking the high road is the best. And hence, he was reluctant to censure Bush and other Republicans--or take swift enough action on the Swift boat ads. I mean c'mon, a 20-year-tenure in the Senate should have provided him with enough common sense to know the political field is just a playground for overgrown bullies wearing Depends rather than Pampers. He rendered himself helpless in the face of the GOP bullies--and there is nothing that bullies (usually cowardly themselves) enjoy doing more than pummeling passive victims who willingly take punch after punch after punch. Finally, why was it that as a former debater he was so exceptionally poor at answering the question about his voting for the war in Iraq? He could have simply stated from the very beginning that he, like many others, but was misled about Bush. I'm not especially articulate myself, but even I could have said that at the first go! (I thought it was quite striking that John Edwards was much faster at answering for Kerry here.) This was all a pity for Kerry because he really did have good ideas and presented himself well at the 2004 debates. But it was already too late. By then, the American public had already decided in favor of our resident chimp. I was upset when he lost but I wasn't surprised. It's kind of like seeing a poorly prepared student getting a C or D. My overall marks for Kerry: He gets a 4/5 for ideas, 2/5 for presentation, and 2/5 for preparation. My advice for Dems in 2008: READ THIS AND DON'T FUCK IT OVER AGAIN! ACTING PUSSY DOESN'T GET YOU ANYWHERE! UNDERSTAND?

What more is there to say? To add to the carnage is just piling on. The Democratss must learn that a perception that a candidate can beat the opposition is not enough. A scintilla of character is also necessary.

I wonder if the Dems learned a lesson nominating a mope like Kerry.

John Kerry as the only option to GW Bush was sickening.  I will always vote, but almost became ill with the selection.

I've supported him with time and resources--he should work to be the best senator he can

I once liked the Senator but am now upset about the offensive comments about the patriotic and well-educated troops. Kerry, get in touch with the Democratic party and with America.

MATTHEW: I AM RATING YOU ONE STAR. If you like Lurch, that's your business. Perhaps my post for John Kerry under US Senators sums it up best (be careful, I call him a name): this guy is the biggest douche and I voted for him too. ugggh I hate politics. the guy spent 99% of his time campaigning in states Gore won; how can you win an election??? I am totally 100% against the Iraq war and this guy in my mind has absoulutely no right to criticize it simply for the fact that he voted for it and ultimately shares some responsibility. Kerry is a complete hypocrite. cya in hell ;) He's a D- at best original gosh, i really don't want to write anything further but let's just first say that everyone is entitled to their opinion but i guess i'll go ahead and debate a bit. first of all in regard to the war. KERRY DID VOTE FOR GIVING BUSH THE AUTHORITY TO ATTACK IRAQ (it's in the senate record vote), which is essentially voting to invade iraq. why would bush ask the senate to vote for this if it wasn't imminent that we would in fact attack iraq????????? i relate it to a baseball game. if one contributes a run for the winning team then one is not responsible for part of the result?????????? kerry voted for the war and that equals responsibilty, which has to do w/everything from soldiers' deaths to the debacle we are in now...........had kerry not been running for office, you know darn well he wouldn't have voted for the war, which makes him a douche in my book; also, he voted against body armor for the troops,which is like saying: hey i'll send you guys over there but i'm not going to equip you. HIS MOVES WERE PURELY POLITICAL. As far as senate rules, i do beleive that he was a yea on giving bush authority to invade iraq so i think your points are useless...........I do agree w/you on North Korea and I do think Kerry was admirable on serving in our armed forces. As far as approval by foreign governments, any person who would go up against bush would have this because bush alienated a lot of our allies....Kerry gained one state in the election...NH got his butt kicked against bush, whom had pretty low approval ratings.......a trained hamster could've done a comprable job to kerry....he also has the personality of a cement wall but hey, he still has cool hair but I WOULD STILL RATHER PARTY WITH THE BUSH TWINS THEN DEBATE YOU ANY FURTHER. So have fun supporting a guy who voted for the war before he voted against it!! :) screw my original post.....i hate republicans and democrats but i especially hate this scumbag. hey Kerry, you voted for that war, that makes you responsible even though it's to a lesser extent, the fact remains that Kerry has a lot to do w/soldiers dying-----so don't think for one moment that Kerry even has the right to criticize that equally obnoxious scumbag Bush........good job campaigning, someone sleepwalking could've done a better job. oh and you're boring and look like a douche but at least you have cool hair. cya in hell update: I give him 1 star. he sucks, ran a horrible campaign, spent 99% of his time campaigning in states gore won in 2000. votes for the war before he voted against it. associated himself w/liberals, big mistake (I'm a moderate). He's a scumbag who never had a chance. even though i voted for him, i really can't say w/any certainty that America would be better off w/him and his snobby elitist family; i'd rather party w/the bush girls. I was an Edwards supporter in the primaries so i'm really hesitant to give this guy more than 3 stars....he seems to know his facts yet at the same time doesn't seem to understand the lives and problems of everyday americans much like the current administration but he's better than bush so what can ya do???

Matthew, Kerry was tagged for flip-flopping not because of how he voted on any issue before congress. I'm not sure if this is the exact number, but the last time I compared his voting record, he was the MOST liberal voter in congress, voting with the conservative position (or the ACU position) on 2 of I think 98 issues. That doesn't sound like flip-flopping to me, and it certainly doesn't sound much like he is considering "add-ons" when he votes, just the party line. He was tagged for flip-flopping during the election, because he tried to be everything to everybody, and everything Bush was not. He tried to say things here and there that made him seem moderate, without loosing his base in hard-line liberals (which, with his voting record, would be virtually impossible). Republicans just capitalized on his doing what every far left (or right) candidate does. Your logic dealing with abortion is a little shaky too. For some reason no one considers murder statues "big government". I can't imagine why having them apply to abortions would be considered big government. Your argument regarding gay marriage holds up. But I have a big problem with the gay agenda's tendency to advocate for a change in the interpretation of laws to include gay marriage as if it was here all along (which, incidentally is the same thing liberals have done with abortion). Since the constitution says nothing specifically about gay marriage, it MUST be left up for the states to decide. I'm not a huge fan of Bush. He's not perfect by a long shot, but Kerry scares the heck out of me. The liberal agenda these days seems bent on usurping the integrity of the Constitution I can't stand it. John Kerry IS the poster child for the Democratic Party because his is THE most liberal voter in congress. Put these two together and you get a candidate that I can't give more than a one. I'm sure he's a nice guy, but he stands for everything I'm against.

This country is so lucky this guy lost. A terrible disgrace to America, a traitor who gave aid and comfort to the enemy during Vietnam. Aside from all that, an inept politician. I actually did vote for the $87 billion, before I voted against it. And to hear his excuses for his flip-flops...lol. It's hard to believe that people actually voted for this guy. If anyone deserves 0 stars, he does.

A sad disgrace to American Catholics.

Poster child of what's wrong with the modern Dem party. Voted for him before I voted against him!

MISTER FLIP-FLOP himself ==UPDATE~~~He Flopped all right. Since he lost the election, when ever he speaks it's that Me Too Bandwagon never an original thought. Put he's finding out no one cares to listen.

The statistics that all you liberals despise so much DO NOT LIE!No matter what he says or the front he put on during the convention he will raise taxes, he is for abortion, he is for gun control and he is for gay marriage. He voted AGAINST the Laci Petterson bill.He is bad for the economy, bad for small business, and bad for families.America has no room for the 1# tax and spend liberal!Mr. Kerry needs to quit blaming Bush for sending jobs oversees and take a look at his lovely wife's business ventures!Update:This man won't even stand up and defend our flag!He voted to not allow a vote on the banning of burning our beloved flag!Update:Now Kerry is blaming Bush for the lack of flu vaccinations.There is one person that started this mess!Her name is Hillary Clinton.Her government plan for child vaccines failed.It tought US companies that there was no money in them so they went overseas.Kerry needs to tell the truth on this one.Bottom line thanks to Hillary the vaccines are now done overseas!Nice try Hanoi John!!Update:DOES ANYONE KNOW WHO KERRY WILL HAVE IN HIS CABINET???****Sen. John F. Kerry's grade average at Yale University was virtually identical to President Bush's record there, despite repeated portrayals of Kerry as the more intellectual candidate during the 2004 presidential campaign.Kerry had a cumulative average of 76 and got four D's his freshman year in geology, two history courses and political science. The Boston Globe

I voted for him because it was either him or Bush, didn't do much good though. He would have been better than Bush, which isn't saying much. I wish he had been elected now, but i am not crazy about him running again in 2008, we need a better democrat.

A good mix of intelligence and pragmatism. Glad he is still in Congress fighting the good fight. Not nearly as bad as Bush and the right wing haters made him out to be.

Should have a negative rating. Possibly the worst presidential candidate in U.S. History. He flip-flops on every topic, blasts Bush without giving any solutions, extremely liberal, and his attedance record in Senate meetings is worse than a Michael Moore made-up version of Bush's attendance record. The only positive about this guy is that he served in Vietnam, and many said he ran away from battle. Where did the Democrats come up with this guy? If you voted for him, you have major issues.

I hate Jonh Kerry I'm glad that he didn't become president

This man is the biggest piece of crap to come down the pike since Ted Kennedy. I guess Kerry's strategy of trying to pretend to be a war hero to hide his liberal political record from the rest of the country outside New England didn't work. If Kerry is such a friggin war hero why do most active troops and most vets hate him so much? He's now suggesting he will run again in 2008. PLEEEEEEAAASSSE! Neither he or Hillary will ever get anywhere near the White House. and thank god for that!

What a loser! He looked so petty and insignificant when he appeared on Meet the Press recently, telling Americans not to overhype the Iraqi election. I love how he keeps telling us if only 66,000 people in Ohio had changed their votes, he would be President. Yeah, Lurch, and if my uncle was a woman, he'd be my aunt!

How do ya give a big fatt ZERO on this thing? John Kerry for President? HAHAHAHA it is to laugh. What a major DOINK!

What can I say? In more ways than one, he's a big LOSER!!!!!!!! John! John! John! Thought you'd use the Hollyweird influence to get the vote. Well, it backfired, didn't it, Sad Sack? You should be ashamed of yourself. You ran a dirty, unfair, foul playing campaign and you know it. And hey! I guess Nice Guys don't ALWAYS finish last now do they, because hallelujah, we have President Bush for four more years!!! To sum it all up, thank God we were spared of the travesty of having this joker as President. I can sleep in peace knowing that W is watching out for all of us. Even you.

Roger: You may be aware that none of the European countries wanted to get involved in a war they saw as senseless, not even Britain. Blair held talks with Bush in September (fully six months before the pair of them gave notice of the invasion) in an attempt to talk him into going through the UN because he knew Bush would invade anyway and wanted it to appear an international decision. Certainly your concerns are valid ones, though Kerry would have placed emphasis on those over why 9/11 had happened and addressed the causes. There are many parts to this world crisis and it is not to play cowboys and Indians. I suspect the reason he didn't get elected by the rednecks is because he isn't a country bumpkin. If Bush continues (and I hope not) to pro-actively or aggressively pre-empt action overseas, for example Iran or Syria, ignoring genuinely considered and well-intentioned advice, he will continue to ellicit an international backlash, not because we want to ignore the Islamic threat, but wish to prevent if possible an uprising war of the faiths! This certainly would not have happened with Kerry and America would be relatively safer since everyone would be working together, the Europeans were already preparing to do that with Kerry if he was chosen. They'll do the same with Bush, of course, but he has to work multilaterally in the same way Kerry would have done with them, not alone. All this at a time when we western democracies need to be aware of the huge Muslim influx, which is ever more of a problem to Europe and is even more likely to be attacked. Update: I said that Kerry wasn't a country bumpkin (but if you see Bush that way, that's fine by me) Many innocent people of many nationalities were lost in 9/11 but the way to solve this is NOT pre-emptive war in a country that had nothing to do with this. I have lost count of the number of times Republicans need to be reminded of this. You must know that the British public do not like or trust Tony Blair on this issue...that has got nothing to do with being aware the problem of terrorism and Islam exists. There is no value in an aggressive response of invasion...this produces nothing at all but more hatred, anger and bitterness and the increase of terrorist activity. Why is it so difficult for you to see that? Certainly, the international effort to route out terrorists would be the right course and Bush actually galvanised people when he spoke about his war against the terrorists - and alienated them when he spoke about invading Iraq. There are times when an aggressive response is justifiable, but this action had nothing to do with avenging the deaths of the innocent, and everything to do with deposing Saddam and securing oil.

UPDATE: Bush a country bumpkin? Elected by the rednecks? Playing cowboys & indians? America would be safer with Kerry? But it's the rednecks who are incapable of rational, thoughtful discourse. A fine representation of our friends across the big pond. Heaven help Tony Blair and the sliver of people who understand real danger. Why is it so difficult to see a value, any value, in an aggressive response to a vicious attack against innocent Americans? 3,000 died, but 50,000 could have that day, but for the grace of God and the bravery of our first responders. Bush didn't invent the idea, Kennedy used it, Reagan used it, Bush, Sr. used it, FDR used it. Americans got their ass kicked when they approached an enemy with a pen instead of an M-16. We do better when we make the enemy go get the pen. ORIGINAL COMMENT (of which I'm quite proud) 7/23/04: This guy is the democrat party presidential nominee and he's not even in the top ten on this list? OK it's unscientific but wouldn't you think that he would be among the most popular DEMOCRATS? GWB appears poised for a Reagan-like surprise landslide after which rank & file democrats will be walking around saying, Nobody voted for the guy but somehow he got elected.

The American People have spoken! Bye Bye Mr. Kerry.

Human debris. How can you support a billionaire who only pays 12% income tax, his daughters go to Britain on scholarships and his family drives monsterous gas-guzzling SUVs. This is the mentality that will drive a stronger America? I'll buy his wife's ketchup, but I'll vote for Bush.

I must admit, he makes a good case on some points, but only half of the time, the other half of the time he has a different opinion altogether. He may not be half bad for America, but we need a president who is better than that, President Bush comes to mind immediately...

They should have a office for all the jokes who wanted to be or once was in office. Then we can all point and laugh. We can put Kerry, Clinton , Hillary and, Gore in there. New Reality Show What Went Wrong With America

He's alright. Nice job in the debate last night, he should have a 2 minute timer for all his stump speeches.

wow

I find it interesting that John Kerry is trying to make it sound like he knows the woes of the middle class and poor. How would he know??? He married Theresa Heinz for her money and is now a millionaire!! What a joke.... If this idiot gets into office this whole country is going to go to hell in a handbasket!!!

Ultra-Liberal Monkey Boy...........Voted against the Lacy Peterson bill, need I say more?

John Kerry can claim he believes life begins at conception but support partial birth abortion. John Kerry can say he owns a lot of SUV's in Detroit and say theybelong to his family not him on Earth Day. John Kerry can even vote for war and then vote against money to fund it. But one thing John Kerry can not do, is expect to be elected president. And no matter how many lies he tries to convince America is true, his record is always going to be there.

I cannot believe that he put Vietnam troops in danger just so he could tape an ego boosting tape for his political use. I shake my head.

i respect john kerry's service to his country in vietnam, but i am more than a bit uncomfortable that his service is playing such a large part in his campaign. his political career and the traits of his character are more influenced than his opposition to the war when he returned home than the short time he was in vietnam. his 20 years in the u.s. senate reflect more the ideals of an anti-war protester than of a decorated veteran.

Swift Boat Vets For Truth will eventually bury Kerry. Democrat followers do not care if Kerry is lying about his past...hell, Slick Willie was a convicted liar and they still loved him. Listening to JFK speak is like listening to.....choose one.

Im rating Kerry as a Senator from my state, not his Presidential run. So far, he has missed 66% of my state's votes. He is spending more time campagining than actually trying to lead my state. He has the highest liberal voting record in history. Supported the Iraq war, now against it. Has voted for higher taxes over 350 times. Has voted against defense over 50 times. Supports higher taxes all of the time. Votes against tax breaks all the time. A horrid Senator. Resign NOW!

If you would be in a fox hole with John Kerry, you would be dead because this guy is a coward!

i quess i would rather be in a fox hole with him rather than GW bush. a honerable veteran who protested the war but i think he earnd that right

Not bad, but also not my first choice.(That honor went to Wesley Clark)Showed leadership and heroism in Vietnam, seems very intelligent, and is also refreshing to see that he can voice his peronal opinions against things like abortion and gay marriage but would not force those opinions on anyone else... On the bad side however: He is somewhat boring and a little on the un-electable side. He also seems like he wouldn't understand the needs of the average man... You're not my first pick John Forbes Kerry, but our country needs a face lift and you're a better man for the job than Dubya...

He seems to have some good issue stances, and I like some of his promises. I don't know if I trust him, but he is definitely better then Bush... I don't care about war records, or if he is boring or not, I just want a President that is a respectable, smart guy... he definitely seems more commited with helping in the most important issues (health care, taxes), while Bush's whole campaign seems to be Stick with me and you won't get blown up... which I don't believe for a second.

Well, Fullopoop, your name certainly suits you. Your comments about Kerry being a fudge packer...and a sodomite are so ridiculous I wonder what you're smoking. You are just completely off your rocker.

Whats wrong with John Kerry, So he is a gold digger, a baby killer, an ammendment breaker, A fudge packer, a fudge packer supporter, a traitor of his own war buddies, A flip flopper, Votes for war and denies troups of funds for armor, a sodomite, a sodomite, a sodomite, a sodomite, did I say sodomite? Hell, we might as well put in Hillary. Who is dumb enough to vote for him. I think that John Kerry BLow, he could suck a watermelon through a garden hose, suck the chrome of a trailer hitch, suck start a leaf blower. All you John lovers should move to France, then you will get an idea of what life with john would be like

Kerry, so very scary. This man is running [only] on his war record (of more than 30 years ago), yet shortly after the war ended, he condemned that very same war. What has he been doing for the last 20+ years (besides gold-digging and marrying heiresses)? And why are the taxpayers of Massachussetts paying him for not showing up to work 76% of the time??? If I missed work that often, I think I'd be canned! And one more thing: like his running mate, John Edwards, he claims to be the candidate for the lower and middle class -- I think neither really knows what it's like to be lower or middle class American. I think none of us (even the devoted liberals and Democrats) knows the real John Kerry. He's all about $$$ and his own ego and fantasy.

He is certainly not my favorite politician by any means, but he is one step above George W. Bush and he obviously has good taste because he chose Edwards as his partner in the presidential race. I was so excited when I heard that Edwards joined the Kerry campaign. There may be hope after all...

Creepy. Wants to run on his 4 months in Vietnam and not on his political record. Extremely dull speaker.

Anyone seen John Kerry since he got the Botox injections? I always thought the mortician did a great job with John Kerry, I don't know that botox could mix with embalming fluid. Frankly, I like just the embalming fluid. It gives a nicer look. He used to look like Keith Richard's square brother who went to business school.

He is a phony who maligned all Vietnam veterans by making unsubstantiated cliams against a few individuals. He also appears to be a gold digger by marrying the ketchup lady.