Kerry: I'm nothing like Romney

[Mass]

It should be obvious, of course, but unfortunately, it is not only the DC media who are pushing this.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/burns-haberman/2012/03/kerry-im-nothing-like-romney-116218.html

John Kerry weighed in today, via BuzzFeed's Rosie Gray, on the oft-repeated suggestion that he and Mitt Romney have a lot in common:

Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts rejected the comparison that some in the press have made between him and current Republican candidate Mitt Romney: that they're both aloof, cut from the same patrician Massachusetts cloth, unable to connect with working class voters.

At a lunch at New York Law School in New York City today where he's giving a speech, Kerry told BuzzFeed that he totally rejects the premise.

"Well, I didn't have trouble connecting with [voters]," he said. "I almost won the presidency. I just don't agree with that. I completely reject that. It's not even similar in any way remotely. I won more votes up until that vote that any Democrat ever won ,particularly against a president in wartime. But for 59,000 votes, I would have won the presidency."

Kerry doesn't think Romney will come as close in the general election as he did.

"I think Romney's positions are out of touch with the needs of America," he said. "The difficulty I had in my campaign came about in the primaries because of the war, and it took me time to break through and be able to explain the position I had. But nobody doubted I connected with voters in Iowa, connected with them in New Hampshire, which I won."

Kerry added that "I've won five Senate races. I just don't buy that."

From the same event, but different reporting
http://www.politicker.com/2012/03/02/john-kerry-says-mitt-romney-is-running-against-himself/

Law School today and The Politicker asked his thoughts on whether the former governor of his state, Mitt Romney, has moved to the right now that he’s seeking the Republican nomination. Mr. Kerry said it’s clear Mr. Romney has substantially changed his approach.

“Well,” Senator Kerry said with a laugh, “It’s like 180 degrees night and day difference. It’s just a different Mitt Romney. It’s Mitt Romney versus Mitt Romney.”

Mr. Romney’s Massachusetts health plan, commonly dubbed “Romneycare” by conservatives, has frequently been used as an example of his liberal past by those who say it served as the model for President Barack Obama’s health care reform plan. Mr. Kerry said Mr. Romney’s plan is “completely similar to the president’s.
...
Mr. Kerry is currently accompanied by a Republican, Scott Brown, in the Massachusetts Senate delegation. Mr. Brown is up for re-election this year and we asked Mr. Kerry whether he thinks Elizabeth Warren, Mr. Brown’s Democratic opponent, will win. He was loathe to make a prediction about the race.

“I can’t prognosticate. I mean, obviously, I want a Democrat and I’m supportive of a Dem, but the voters of Massachusetts are going to make up their minds,” Mr. Kerry said. “I’m not going to get into likelihoods or not. I think she’s a terrific candidate.”

[ProSense]

1. I'll say it

for Kerry on the comparison.

WTF?

[MBS]

2. " " "

Glad to see JK answering this. . but, of course, he shouldn't HAVE to explain the obvious!!

[karynnj]

7. I'm glad that he is answerring it because there really is NOTHING similar in their primary runs

In fact, one irony is that yesterday was the anniversary of SuperTuesday in 2004. Leading up to SuperTuesday, Kerry had won 14 of 16 contests and was ahead by double digits in polls for SuperTuesday in all states except Vermont, where there was a movement to honor their favorite son, who was already out of the race.

There was NO looking for a non-Kerry. No view that he was outside the political mainstream in his party. In addition, he won those early states by retail politics. He was not the media favorite - even up to SuperTuesday. He obviously connected with voters. In addition, in the debates after Iowa, he was very Presidential batting off the attacks (normal because he was the front runner) easily and with humor and grace. It was quickly obvious that he was the best man on the stage. He had none of the thin skinned, barely hidden anger of Mitt Romney and none of the pettiness. In addition, Kerry did not spend close to $30 million on ads to destroy the rest of the field.

In fact, no open seat - in either party - was won as easily as Kerry won that nomination. It should also be noted that the meme that Kerry could not connect was mostly pushed by Democrats really preferring a 2008 reinstatement of their wing of the party. The fact though is that the 1992 nomination was a drawn out affair where Clinton was not the defacto nominee until June. Even that nomination run was not as convoluted, nasty and splintered as Romney's run. Romney's likely eventual win - fueled by millions in ads and the fact that he really has some pretty pathetic opponents - is as different as can be.

As to how they act toward people, I can imagine Romney calculating what would be in it for him before jumping in to save another person - something Kerry did several times. Better yet, the difference can be encapsulated in the stories of their kids. Kerry saved a poor drowning hamster (saving his little daughters from heartbreak), Mitt left the dog on the roof after it got sick and he had to clean the dog and the car to continue a 12 hour drive. Both are likely off the edge of a typical, normal response - to one's credit and the other's shame.

[YvonneCa]

3. I love this...

...part:

At a lunch at New York Law School in New York City today where he's giving a speech, Kerry told BuzzFeed that he totally rejects the premise.

"Well, I didn't have trouble connecting with ," he said. "I almost won the presidency. I just don't agree with that. I completely reject that. It's not even similar in any way remotely. I won more votes up until that vote that any Democrat ever won ,particularly against a president in wartime. But for 59,000 votes, I would have won the presidency."

Maybe he knows a lot of us think that 59,000 votes were there...

[wisteria]

6. +++++++n/t

[YvonneCa]

10. Hi wisteria! Nice to...

...see you.

[karynnj]

8. I suspect he does - and I suspect that at least one person very close to him thinks that

[YvonneCa]

9. So do I. Probably more than...

...one. But who's counting... Recount???

[Robbins]

4. Kerry

He hasn't changed who he Is like Romney has.Kerry has actual Convictions.

Romney won just one election.Kerry was elected LT Governor of MA and has been Elected to the senate 5 times.

The right wing hated Kerry from the time he came back from vietnam.while the MSM always called Mccain a war hero they were always
silent on his service

Kerry won Iowa and NH for real.Unlike Romney democrats responded to him and laregly fell In line.Edwards and Dean won their
home states but besides that the only primary Kerry lost was against Clark In OK.

Kerry has been called flipflopper because of his comments of voting for 87 Billion for Iraq In committie and voting against It In the full senate.Bush and his team used that comment to paint him as flip flopper and got to work with the swift boat liars.

Romney always goes on and on about his time with Olympics.Kerry once ran a DA'S office.

Kerry won MA Romney will Lose MA by double digets.He didn't won for reelection In 2006 since he knew he would lose.

Romney went for Liberal Republican In 1994 to Moderate Republican In 2002 to conservative Republican In 2004.Kerry has never
changed who he Is.

Kerry opposes death Pentality except for acts of Terrorism.And reportly back In 2004 he ignored Clinton's advice to come up In favor
of antigay laws.Romney meanwhile won't even condeme Limbough.Romney when he ran against Ted Kennedy claimed he would be
more prochoice and proGay Rights.Yet Romney today supports Personhood laws and blunt Amendent(after Immedetly flipflopping)
and has given money to momon church which takes huge role against gay Marrage.

[wisteria]

5. I am happy Sen. Kerry responded to these comparisons.

He shouldn't have to do this, but the DC idiots don't bother to do their homework.

[politicasista]

11. Say it loud,

if not, louder over and over so people outside of DC and non pol junkies can hear you Senator.

[ObamaKerryDem]

12. Yes, yes, YES!

I've been waiting for this! Good for him! I am SOOO sick of the Kerry-Romney comparisons! It's especially disappointing when fellow Dems/progressives make them, as I've seen all too much of on Twitter, for example. They especially ought to know better! Plus comparing this cycle to 04 also greatly insults the POTUS, who in turn is NOTHING like W!

"Mitt Romney versus Mitt Romney"..love it!

Can't wait to see JK stump for Elizabeth, who I feel will be the first Female Senator from Massachusetts and, even more importantly,Scott Brown's replacement! ;D *knock on wood*

[Mass]

13. Totally agree with you on this.

Not sure I am as optimistic as you concerning the coming election, though. Brown's numbers stay desperately high and he continues to have an image of moderate. It is early, but I hope she moves quickly.

[JI7]

14. Kerry did most well among lower income voters

and less well among higher income groups. i'm not just tlakinga bout the General Election i'm talking about the Primary also.

Mitt Romney is everything the right wing and media whores lied and said Kerry was.

[Inuca]

15. "tlakinga"? :-)

I know, I know, it happens to me too. Often