@intro2 = As the battle for the Democrat presidential nomination heated up, US Socialist Worker took a closer look at the most likely candidates. Profiles of all candidates are available at .
John Kerry
"When I voted for the war, I voted for what I thought was best for the country...Did I expect George Bush to fuck it up as badly as he did? I don't think anybody did." — Rolling Stone, December 2, 2003.
Let's call him the great pretender. When he wants to appeal to an anti-war audience, Massachusetts Senator John Kerry likes to pull out his activist credentials as a soldier who took part in protests after returning from Vietnam. At a 1971 demonstration, he threw soldiers' medals — not his own, incidentally, he kept his — over the fence in front of the Capital.
But that was a very long time ago. In October 2002, Kerry voted for Bush's Iraq war resolution — and against an alternative that would have made United Nations authorisation a precondition for war. Only when it became obvious that the US occupation was facing problems did Kerry discover that he really opposed the war after all.
Kerry also likes to pretend that he is just a "regular guy", aping what he considers to be a working-class persona at several campaign stops. Let's get real. While he's not the only millionaire in the race for the Democratic nomination, Kerry is the multimillionaire-iest.
His mother is from Boston's prominent Forbes family. He spent his childhood in Swiss schools before attending Yale. And if you include the assets of Kerry's wife — Teresa Heinz Kerry, who inherited money from her late husband, heir to the Heinz food company fortune — the couple is worth about $840 million.
John Edwards
"I believe in American strength and believe it strongly. And I don't take a back seat to George Bush or anybody else on that issue." — Slate, July 8, 2003.
Look beneath North Carolina Senator John Edwards' blow-dry, and you'll find a head full of frightening ideas. Among the contenders for the presidential nomination, Edwards is second only to Joe Lieberman in hawkishness.
He voted for Bush's pre-emptive war on Iraq. He also voted for the USAPATRIOT Act — and even has ideas for stronger homeland security. On social issues, Edwards likes to play it down the middle — in other words, leaning to the right.
A member of the Democratic Leadership Council, Edwards supports the death penalty, but says it should be administered fairly. He skirted taking a stand on the question of gay marriage by arguing that it was for "states to decide". And he avoided the issue of abortion rights by skipping last year's Senate votes on the ban on late-term abortions.
Howard Dean
"I think it's pathetic that I'm considered the left-wing liberal. It shows just how far to the right this country has lurched." — Washington Post, July 6, 2003
Vermont Governor Howard Dean is fondly remembered by supporters for signing legislation that legalised civil unions for gays and lesbians. But before Dean signed the legislation, which fell short of legalising gay marriage, Dean said that same-sex marriage "makes me uncomfortable, the same as anybody else". After he signed the bill — behind closed doors, away from the media — he made a speech that made sure to reach out to opponents of gay rights as well.
Dean is thought of as an environmentalist, but many Vermont activists remember him for helping to gut environmental protections at the request of corporations doing business in the state. If he wins the party nomination, hold on to your seats. You can bet on more political somersaults from Dean.
From 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly, February 4, 2004.
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