Kerry Pays Nostalgic Visit to Iowa

MIKE GLOVER

Associated Press


DES MOINES, Iowa - John Kerry paid an emotional return visit Friday to the state that launched him toward his party's nomination for president, saying he felt "an unbelievable wave of nostalgia."

"This was my home, right here in this hotel," said Kerry, who stopped off in Iowa on his way to a family vacation in Sun Valley, Idaho.

It was Kerry's first visit to the state since he lost the White House Nov. 2.

Kerry noted that it was one year ago that his campaign for the Democratic nomination began to rise from the ashes. He was discounted by many toward the end of 2003, with his campaign sharply divided and lagging badly in the polls.

He managed to turn that around in the final two months before Iowa's caucuses. And a surprising win in January gave his campaign huge momentum. It also knocked Missouri Rep. Dick Gephardt from the race and badly dented then-front runner Howard Dean.

Kerry said it was last December he began to feel the momentum growing.

"People were beginning to get cooking and you were starting to pay attention," he said.

Kerry warned that Democrats must not let Republicans label themselves the party of values.

"If they want to talk about values, let's talk about them," Kerry said. He said the real values are good-paying jobs and offering health care.

"Does it hurt to lose?" Kerry asked. "You bet it does.

Kerry mingled with activists from the largest state worker union and greeted prominent supporters at a private reception at a Des Moines hotel. He made a similar trip to New Hampshire to thank supporters in that state.

Kerry insisted the only reason for his return to Iowa was to thank supporters, but the focus at one point turned to the future when his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, made a reference to "whoever is up in '08." The crowd then began chanting Kerry's name.

"Whoever's up in '08 will not be running against the president, which is a blessing," she said.

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews...ld/10389767.htm

just like i thought: kerry will end up a broken man and will start reproaching himself for not having spoken up on nov. 3.

first he visits new hampshire, now iowa, in search of something he lost...

if only he'd spoken up nov. 3!

It's not too late for him to speak up!

BS!

This is part of the strategy.

Last week he was in New Hampshire. Now this.

Paine prediction....Kerry will have a major announcement Sunday on the Boston Common.

Nostalgic ???? Maybe.

Ulterior motives... definitely. The first campaign event of the 2008 primaries has happened.

That will be logistically difficult, since he is on vacation in Idaho.

no predictions for me. all i'm seeing is a man who's hurting...

Well his supporters fighting this election fraud and recount are hurting too. Why isn't he speaking up? Does he really think he lost? I don't.......

don't know!