Talk Elections

Presidential Elections - Analysis and Discussion => Past Election What-ifs (US) => Topic started by: LBJer on July 26, 2011, 02:23:04 PM



Title: Would Kerry have won if he had voted against the Iraq War resolution?
Post by: LBJer on July 26, 2011, 02:23:04 PM
I say yes.  If he had opposed the war from the beginning, the Bush campaign wouldn't have been able to say: "How can you criticize Bush?  After all, you voted to give him the authority to do what he did."  Given that the election was so close as it was, I think this would have made the difference.


Title: Re: Would Kerry have won if he had voted against the Iraq War resolution?
Post by: Paul Kemp on July 26, 2011, 06:48:27 PM
That was not the reason he lost.


Title: Re: Would Kerry have won if he had voted against the Iraq War resolution?
Post by: phk on July 26, 2011, 07:51:19 PM
No. Kerry loses both ways.


Title: Re: Would Kerry have won if he had voted against the Iraq War resolution?
Post by: ○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└ on August 11, 2011, 12:47:47 AM
Kerry in 2004, not sure.
Hillary in 2008, yes, although it should be noted that she was more pro-war than Kerry.


Title: Re: Would Kerry have won if he had voted against the Iraq War resolution?
Post by: © tweed on September 10, 2011, 11:37:48 AM
would he even have been nominated?  remember, one of the key themes Kerry used in the 04 primaries (particularly when he was counterposed with Dean) was that he was 'electable' (a laughable notion for people on this board, who correctly saw him as a MA liberal with a long and exploitable roll call record).  without the war vote this shtick may have been harder to pull off, and he'd have started to look a lot like Dean except older and less exciting.


Title: Re: Would Kerry have won if he had voted against the Iraq War resolution?
Post by: MASHED POTATOES. VOTE! on September 10, 2011, 12:55:53 PM
would he even have been nominated?  remember, one of the key themes Kerry used in the 04 primaries (particularly when he was counterposed with Dean) was that he was 'electable' (a laughable notion for people on this board, who correctly saw him as a MA liberal with a long and exploitable roll call record).  without the war vote this shtick may have been harder to pull off, and he'd have started to look a lot like Dean except older and less exciting.

Ironically, when we compare Kerry's record as U.S. Senator and Dean's record as Governor of Vermont, Dean was certainly more moderate candidate.

But, yes, there was a common misconception that "Kerry's war hero and experienced Senator, so he's better candidate".


Title: Re: Would Kerry have won if he had voted against the Iraq War resolution?
Post by: phk on September 10, 2011, 04:09:39 PM
Somebody said a long time ago on this forum. Kerry is a liberal who comes off as a moderate. Dean is a moderate who comes off as a liberal.