What's the difference b/w Obama & Kerry?

Although, I voted for Kerry, it's obvious he was an "alternative to Bush" candidate. Obama is no different than Kerry on the issues and on philosophy, except that he has an awsome delivery and an amazing ability to deliver a speach that is captivating and totally the bomb!

So the two are totally the same on political ideology, philosophy, and the issues, and as equals, howcome Obama has had all this massive amount of bird doo doo (no pun...my avatar lol ) dumped all over him whereby they call him every name in the book including communist and socialist and terrorist and on and on! Give me a break. The guy is totally the same thing as Kerry, and yet you didn't here the repuplicans go after him the same way that they have for Obama. So why is this? What exactly is the difference here?

reply to post by skyshow


There is no difference, except that the media has picked up on it in the last few weeks due to Obama's own comments during the whole Joe the Plumber episode. John Kerry is also considered a borderline socialist or communist by many conservatives and it was discussed extensively in conservative circles. You just didn't hear about it on the nightly news because there was never a catalyst allowing it to become a national story. Obama's 'spread the wealth' statement made the charge stick.

Do a google search for 'John Kerry socialist.' You'll find that there's no shortage of results.

Originally posted by skyshow
So why is this? What exactly is the difference here?

Totally my opinion, but that is the difference is:

"John Kerry" - nice familiar American name, with a conventional white face behind it.

"Barack Obama" or even worse "Barack Hussein Obama" - scary foreign-sounding name, with a black face behind it.


Obama is by no stretch of coherent imagination a Socialist. His proposed tax structure is targeted at a different demographic than the current tax structure targets. That's about it.

Right off the bat, without even looking at the rest of your question and just based on the title of your thread I will have to say this. Obama doesn't have a weird shaped head that makes him look like a horse.

The only difference for me is that I held my nose and voted for Kerry but I won't be making the same mistake this time.

Kerry is a putz. He was a terrible candidate and no wonder Bush beat him. Obama is an inexperienced candidate with dubious associations whom the media adore -- just as they once adored George W. Bush.
If that isn't enough to make one vote for McCain I don't know what is!

reply to post by Seeker Mom


hmmm? I wouldn't vote for McCain/Palin if my life was on it period. Kerry was an amazing speaker. By the way, in terms of philosophy there is no difference between Kerry and Oboma...none! Kerry and Obama are the same politically as green eggs are to ham. So what is different this year? When Kerry ran, I don't remember folks calling him a communist and a terrorist? It's very odd indeed. Make no mistake, Obama could run circles around Kerry any day in terms of deliverance of a good speach or campaigning, and yet even so, Kerry was 20 bazillion times a way better speaker than Bushy yet, Bushy won, and now and Cheney...they both have the worst ratings of any executive team in the history of the nation.

Scratch your head, it's ok. Something isn't right. What is it?

OMG, I have seen about oh..two posts on here for the whole five years I have been on ATS. and the best one was one I posted about the cross being an illuminati symbol...no need to bring that up now...and the other one is this thread.

I think often the most profound threads are the ones most ignored by the massive sheeple...baaaahhh bahhhh ATS....Baaaahhhhh

oh for shame!

Here's a hint: "open_minded skeptic". Not that I would try and bump up my own thread or anything...ha haaa....but his post has to be one of the most intelligent posts I have ver seen on here. The wise folks, and those who want to learn more, will read what he said and from there, move forward.

Peace in 2009! We are so lucky to have Obama for President!

reply to post by Open_Minded Skeptic


I was clearly wrong on this... Anti-African-American race issues did not make as much difference as I had feared they might.

Bad me. Good US.

reply to post by Open_Minded Skeptic


I don't know about that, especially if you look at how much the difference in the vote was in some states. 60%+ in a lot of southern states. Hell I lived in mississippi 11 years ago and, it wasn't said, but the McDonalds was segragated. The town was pretty much segragated, and how they treated our brothers was segragation. Even at the age of 13 when I heard people went 'coon' hunting I was worried they meant the "Greatest Game" kind and not racoons.

If you look at the county by county election results I think race was the major factor in the election. But I don't mean whites, I mean in black people voting for Obama. Black people did not "get out to vote" for Kerry. But they did for Obama? Why do you think that is?

Originally posted by jjkenobi
If you look at the county by county election results I think race was the major factor in the election. But I don't mean whites, I mean in black people voting for Obama. Black people did not "get out to vote" for Kerry. But they did for Obama? Why do you think that is?

Good point. Anybody know how much money Kerry raised? I'm sure it's not even close to the money Obama had - no candidate has ever raised as much money as he did.

reply to post by jjkenobi

If you look at the county by county election results I think race was the major factor in the election. But I don't mean whites, I mean in black people voting for Obama. Black people did not "get out to vote" for Kerry. But they did for Obama? Why do you think that is?

I would have to say that it is a far too long repressed and historically disenfranchised culture and race who has been kept at bay and put down, but now finally has a role model and a very intelligent progressive leader who offers up some incredibly appealing ideology, philosophy and policy that is very appealing to this group.

I had on am talk (conservative) radio, and they were going on and on about "race"...clearly not getting it. It's not "race" per se'....it's the policy, the ideology, the man's brilliant stand on issues, and his incredible personality that pushes him over the top..oh and yeah, he happens to be black and that combined with everything else makes him a model for not just African Americans, but all Americans to look up to. I happen to be white, so other than being an ally to my black fellow Americans, I can't speak for the culture entirely, but I can say that President Elect Barack Obama is an amazing man, and truly charismatic...So far my favorite President, and my hero.

I can't wait to see the new First Puppy...and the First Lady, and the two children are absolutely beautiful. As an American I could not be happier nor prouder. On election night, when it was announced that Obama was the new President Elect, all of the sudden I had goose bumps on my arms, and tears started running down my cheeks. I wished I had been in one of the major Amrican cities at that moment, so I could run out and dance in the streets with my other elated American brothers and sisters…truly what a day Tuesday was…I will never forget that moment for the rest of my life.



[edit on 8-11-2008 by skyshow]