John Kerry

Even in 2004, I noticed that Kerry.s gentlemanly demeanor coupled with the intelligence and specificity of his comments allowed him to make far more devastating attacks than others - many of whom enchanted those wanting attack dogs.

The first I noticed was the 2003 when he spoke of outsourcing the effort to get OBL to Afghan warlords allied with the Taliban only weeks before. I saw this criticized as wordy, but every word is needed and at a later point, the media adopted (the not obvious) use of the word "outsourcing".

That sentence defined accurately what Bush did on what should have been the top Bush goal - getting OBL. The comment on the previous alliance was needed to let people reach their own conclusion that they do n0ot seem to be the most reliable allies.

On an even playing field, this comment would have been a concise condemnation of Bush policy - not by saying it was "bad" but by defining it as a pretty foolhardy endeavor

I am sure the WH knows the value of having Kerry as a surrogate - and I doubt they would trade this credible, articulate, knowledgeable man for someone who would call Romney "stupid", when he isn't and no one really thinks he is. He has many weaknesses, that's not one of them. .