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PrintThe Hiller Instinct: Race for the White House
Senator John Kerry is in the race for the White House. We've known about his intentions for months. Now, Kerry's making it official. The Vietnam veteran has chosen an aircraft carrier in South Carolina as the backdrop for the announcement. 7's Political Editor Andy Hiller is with the Kerry campaign in Charleston.
Kerry plays guitar the same way he’s campaigned – he’s intent, but he struggles. And he’s no natural. While Howard Dean has the presence of a rock star and he’s played his politics so well, he’s replaced Kerry as the Democrat’s frontrunner.
Andy Hiller
"Tell me three words to describe Howard Dean."John Kerry, (D) Presidential Candidate
"Oh, Andy. I don’t describe any of my opponents at this point."
Kerry used to say this, but Dean’s surge has forced him to speak up.
John Kerry, (D) Presidential Candidate
"Howard Dean has done a good job. I give him great credit."
But Kerry gives Dean no credit when it comes to foreign policy.
John Kerry, (D) Presidential Candidate
"Howard Dean has zero experience in international affairs."
As the war in Iraq bogs down, Kerry thinks his own military experience in the Vietnam War makes him the most electable of all the Democrats running and the most trouble for George Bush and the Republicans.
John Kerry, (D) Presidential Candidate
"I’m going to go right after him on national security, Andy, because I believe their arrogant, unilateral, blustering foreign policy is not making America safer."
But he dismisses the suggestion that he’s floundering.
John Kerry, (D) Presidential Candidate
"Right now, people are having a good time with the last of summer vacation, kids are getting ready to go back to school, people aren’t paying that much attention and the polls just don’t mean that much."
John Kerry is no stranger to shadows. He spent years in the United States Senate in the shadow of Ted Kennedy. And before that, he spent years at the State House in the shadow of Governor Michael Dukakis. Now, to have any chance to win the Presidency, he must get out of the shadow of Howard Dean.