RINGLEADER
11-04-2004, 02:44 PM
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6406877/site/newsweek/
This is probably the most comprehensive behind-the-scenes report of what happened in the Kerry campaign from a bunch of reporters who were given access from the very beginning. It's a long read, but very fascinating. Among the highlights:
* Kerry has problems making decisions and would vascillate incessently according to his campaign manager.
* Kerry initially didn't want to bring up the fact that he served in Vietnam, but ultimately couldn't help himself in making it the cornerstone of his campaign.
* Teresa was widely viewed as a liability by those working on the campaign, Kerry was basically afraid of her and at one point she demanded that Kerry's campaign manager set up a debate between herself and Howard Dean(!).
* Democrats behind the scenes were despondant when Saddam Hussein was captured.
* Kerry called Al Gore on his cell phone when it was rumored the former vice-president would endorse Howard Dean and Gore hung up on Kerry after the senator told the veep who it was calling(!).
* At a fund-raiser in summer 2002 Howard Dean screamed out "If Bill Clinton can be the first black president, then I can be the first gay president!" The event, unfortunately, was not recorded.
Lots of other fun stuff...when you get a chance give it a read.
This is probably the most comprehensive behind-the-scenes report of what happened in the Kerry campaign from a bunch of reporters who were given access from the very beginning. It's a long read, but very fascinating. Among the highlights:
* Kerry has problems making decisions and would vascillate incessently according to his campaign manager.
* Kerry initially didn't want to bring up the fact that he served in Vietnam, but ultimately couldn't help himself in making it the cornerstone of his campaign.
* Teresa was widely viewed as a liability by those working on the campaign, Kerry was basically afraid of her and at one point she demanded that Kerry's campaign manager set up a debate between herself and Howard Dean(!).
* Democrats behind the scenes were despondant when Saddam Hussein was captured.
* Kerry called Al Gore on his cell phone when it was rumored the former vice-president would endorse Howard Dean and Gore hung up on Kerry after the senator told the veep who it was calling(!).
* At a fund-raiser in summer 2002 Howard Dean screamed out "If Bill Clinton can be the first black president, then I can be the first gay president!" The event, unfortunately, was not recorded.
Lots of other fun stuff...when you get a chance give it a read.