CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Sen. John Kerry did a q-and-a with Coping, a magazine for cancer survivors, and the 2004 Democratic presidential candidate said he was floored by his loss to President George W. Bush. Kerry beat prostate cancer, and said picking himself up after the presidential loss was his toughest challenge since being diagnosed. The cancer was discovered while he was seeking the nomination.
"You know, there are a lot of challenges at my age. You lose friends and family to illness and death. And, in my case, I lost a pretty close election. The learning gained from getting knocked on my ass in defeat is not my favorite way to gain insight and knowledge, but it is an event that sticks with you, I'll tell you that much. I was forced to confront my shortcomings, figure what I did wrong, listen, and in defeat I also was reminded what really mattered to me."
Kerry said his father was lost to prostate cancer, and that African-American men are 80% more likely to die of prostate cancer than white men. He said his daughter, Vanessa, is in her final year of medical school.
Kerry said he was an advocate in the war against cancer, just like he became an advocate for ending the Vietnam War.
"Thirty-five years ago, I used those extra days to stop that war. I realized I had a responsibility to stop others from getting killed. I have extra days after cancer as well, and I use my anger about the disease to do what I do: be an advocate, keep fighting."
I for one was NOT surprised at his defeat. He ran a piss-poor campaign led by complete schmucks as political consultants.
ReplyDeleteTime and time again when Kerry spoke, he would build up and build up, only to peter out at the end without delivering the knockout blow
The entire country was crying out for Kerry to publicly call Bush a liar, but Kerry did not have the guts to do it. And we all see the result of that.
Kerry lost because he was asking to lose.