One week ago Kerry was not supposed to win Iowa. Pundits were saying he should drop out of the race. But Senator Kerry ignored the pundits and the conventional wisdom, and went on to score an upset win in Iowa. He won for three simple reasons: he understands terrorism, he understands the economy, and he maintained personal integrity. Iowan’s like myself have the privilege of meeting every single presidential candidate, some even multiple times. Iowans chose Kerry because he has the qualities all Americans look for in a president, and the qualities Democrats look for in a candidate to face George Bush’s fear machine.
The Republican strategy against Democrats is quite clear. The Republican National Convention, however disgusting and exploitative it may seem, will be held on Sept. 11 in New York City this year. This is an outrageous example of the exploitation of fear president Bush plans to throw against the Democrats. With $200 million in his campaign war chest, the first $100 million will be spent trying to convince Americans that a Democrat doesn’t understand terrorism or patriotism. But John Kerry’s 19 years on the foreign relations committee and two tours in Vietnam prove that he has had more experience in foreign relations than George W. Bush.
The next $100 million will be spent convincing the country that only Bush knows how to strengthen the economy or that Democrats will raise taxes. But as the former Chairman of the Senate Small Business Committee and creator of a tax plan that does NOT raise taxes on middle class Americans (including students), only Kerry can credibly promise plans to replace the 3 million jobs lost under George Bush.
But the reason I believe Kerry surpassed all expectations in Iowa is his character. He has a loving family and a strong and independent wife (who would likely surpass Hilary’s prowess as first lady). He has a genuine respect and concern for others, something which Iowa caucus goers are known for detecting if faked by a political candidate. John Kerry truly is “the Real Deal.”
Beyond electability is his vision. His groundbreaking “service plan” levels the higher education economic playing field. Any student who graduates high school and is willing to volunteer for two years (e.g. Americorp, Peacecorp, Teach for America) can go to their state university tuition free for 4 years. His health care plan was declared “the best new idea of this campaign” by Time Magazine because it will give everyone the same insurance that Congressmen and Presidents give themselves but without a government mandate or large bureaucracy to inflame Republican opposition.
He also plans to remove our dependence on foreign oil not by drilling in the arctic wildlife refuge (a plan which he co-sponsored the bill to stop) but through investing research into fuel cells, wind, solar, hydro-electric, and many other sources of power which oil lobby groups have fought to suppress for years.
Another aspect of his electability is his appeal to a wide range of Americans. He certainly upholds democratic ideals: He is the only four term senator to have never taken PAC money, he has the highest rated healthcare plan, he was the only senator up for re-election to vote against the Defense of Marriage act, and his environmental record is unsurpassed according to the League of Conservation Voters.
But the power of Kerry’s campaign stems from his ability to unite people with answers rather than divide them with anger. This summer I spoke with countless Iowans who had always voted Republican but now plan to support Kerry because of his leadership and integrity; his respect for the men and women who risk their lives in war but return home to under-funded veteran hospitals; his respect of civil rights for people of all races or economic backgrounds.
This man is a true leader. He has answers for the problems we face, not just anger. More importantly, he has a true vision of what America can, should, and will be, not simply complaints about what it is. Students of Madison, I ask you not to vote to make a point, vote to make a difference.
If you would like to learn more about Students for Kerry, email [email protected].
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Mike Pfohl ([email protected]) is a senior majoring in political science. He is the Students for Kerry Co-Chair on campus.
