Why I'm Not Running Again for the US Senate

I have decided I will not leave The New School to become a candidate for the United States Senate in Nebraska. The reason is simple enough: For my family and me now is not the time for me to re-enter politics as a candidate.

We have made a lot of progress at The New School in the past 7 years increasing our enrollments and the quality of our student body, strengthening our financial condition, expanding and improving our facilities, and increasing the numbers of full-time faculty. And we have great plans for our future. The New School is an exciting and talented community of men and women. I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to lead them.

At the same time I nearly said yes to leaving. Again the reason is simple enough: I am deeply troubled about the direction of our country. And the idea of returning home to Nebraska to lead a political campaign based on a promise to do my part to change the direction was very appealing. I love Nebraska and believe in public service. I have not given up on politics or democracy simply because both have been debased in recent years by money, corruption, and personal weakness.

All of us need to resist the temptation of surrendering our interest in the outcome of elections or the work of our Congress. Too much is at stake. For my part I will continue to engage in the public issues of the day and to serve in ways that contribute to the solution of public problems. Some argue that university presidents should avoid public debates and controversy. I believe differently and, fortunately for me, so do the trustees of The New School.

How could we do otherwise when our foreign policies are so terribly off course and our domestic policies are widening income and wealth inequalities, ignoring terrible environmental problems, and pretending that the baby boom generation will somehow not demand the health and retirement benefits that have been promised to them. We cannot remain silent just because the American people are bitterly polarized on such issues as Iraq, terrorism, immigration, affirmative action, abortion, and homosexuality. All the more reason to engage constructively, respectfully, and determinedly.

So, the fact that I will remain as President of The New School does not mean I am retiring from the political debates. Quite the opposite. It simply means that for personal reasons now is not the time for me to re-enter politics as a candidate.

Comments

[Horst]

Kerrey is a class act....no wonder he doesn't want to re-enter the cesspool of American politics.

[BinBaldwin]

Another Dem Hope bites the DUSTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

[definitelyNOTmisterRIGHT]

GO AWAY!!!

[bobh]

There was a time when my first pick for President was Bob Kerrey. But your Lieberman-style centrism just seems to ignore the realities of dealing with a ruthless, anti-democratic opposition.

[Kontessa]

"Lieberman-style centrism" ? With all due respect, I think Lieberman is a far to the right neo-con warmonger, to the right of the Bush regime if that is at all possible, Lieberman will be voting for any invasion Bush wants and so would Kerrey. Kerrey is a right-wing, Republican pandering toady, visibly desperate to keep his prestigous, elite job at the New School only.
A job he doesn't deserve, he isn't serving the interests of the students, not one iota.
Bob Kerrey is nothing if not an unprincipled man, the Democratic party is better off without the likes of him and Lieberman too, I might add.

[GWBushIsANitwit]

Agreed, Kontessa. Liebushman is a complete disgrace, a man who approves of any war crime that Bush and Cheney can think up. Kerrey's time has passed if he would align himself with a revolting creature like Abu Joe.

[OldKnute]

On your points, I will have to agree.

Lieberman so far right, he would gladly march our young men and women HELL and turn to Bush to receive an approving nod, as he slammed the gates behind them.

But are any of us here speaking of what can REALLY bring our children home??? How about bringing a Diplomatic end to this war, that even BUSH says is needed? What happened to rebuilding Iraq? What happened to restorations of public and civil services? Sewer, water, electricity, basic health services and schools?

Damn it all.

The lies fears festered in all our hearts, the sorrows of 9/11, the pains of our people RAW. And PLEASE, I really don`t care if 9/11 was planed in the basement of the White House or not, it happened, it was REAL, and it still dictates much of what we see today as far as American sentiments toward war.

My feelings remain that this horror, this violation of our nation was NOT dealt with properly. I mean, be real here, we have the people whole planed and perpetrated this attack on the American people IN PRISON. They have been under the direct control of the Republican Administration for 6 LONG years and we couldn`t find a way to place them on trial and seek JUSTICE for Americans?

NOW, when the Dems explore ways, WITHIN THE LAW, to bring these murders to COURT, their efforts to penetrate the Cheney/Bush clouds of secrecy are thwarted at every turn.

Lieberman right there out front too.

I just wish Mr. Kerrey would reconsider.

I believe his experience in government and in times of war, would serve the people WELL.

Right of Center considerations?????

I think we too quickly forget that 85% of all America wanted to kick bin Ladens butt, just 6 years ago.

I disagreed then, I still disagree with war, but I need face the reality of those days.

I just feel we need to see ALL sides, and find a careful, cautious, AND expedient way out of this mess.

All the best

Knute (Neo-LIB)

[themodernleader]

In our time of decline and ideational gobbledegook, competent--even wise--citizens forsake the rigors and terrible sacrifice of public office. The advantage is for comfort of retiring positions where criticism can be leveled without consequence and where life is laid back.
In previous periods of our history, when a man was called for public service, he obliged without thought to his personal situation or comfort.
The personal needs and objectives of our contemporary leadership outweigh allegiance to the Republic. Such self-centeredness and selfishness of otherwise courageous patriots invite the incompetent, opportunistic, demigogic and corrupted to come center stage.

[joeneri]

As a Democrat, you can always count on Bob Kerrey to disappoint.

[Ilvfredum]

Kerry is a hero. Who would want to run these days. It doesn't pay enough to take the s**t.

[Ranta]

http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110002252

Does this article sound like someone worthy of the Democratic party?

[mingusman]

Your point is well taken but I think the question could have been worded better. The notion that someone might "worthy" to be a Democrat these days is rather curious. They have proven themselves to no longer be a grand organization that one might aspire to be part of.

[ADVOCATE4ZPG]

Yes, since when did the Democratic Party become a champion of predatory LAISSEZ-FAIRE, unlimited importation of cheap labour, and jingoistic adventurism abetted by fabric of half-truths? Since when was the Democratic Party so mesmerized by the apocryphal needs of the Third World as represented by a 15 million member invasion cohort which they relabel from what they are DE FACTO: ILLEGAL ALIENS....

[swift goat pet for truth]

"Someone WORTHY if the Democratic party?"

Lessee, that might be someone of the moral and ethical value structure of, say Daffy Duck.

[definitelyNOTmisterRIGHT]

swift_goat_pet_for_truth, what are you trying to say?

[brantl]

Whatever problems the Democratic Party has (and they are currently legion) the moral stature of the Democratic Party as compared to the Republicans is as Goliath's height, compared to a dwarf.

[Dem02020]

Thanks for that link, it was an interesting opinion written back then, on September 12, 2002.

Since the attacks of September 11, 2001, as an "opposition party" to the ruling Bush administration and the ruling Republican majority in Congress, Congressional Democrats were an absolute spectacle of ineffectiveness and incompetence.

And not only did they persist in that lame spectacle of "opposition" right up until the elections of last year November 7 2006 (when the American People by default had little option but to reward that lame "opposition" with the majority status in Congress), but they seem still to be a lame "opposition", despite having a majority in both Chambers of Congress.


Thanks again for the link.
I consider it to be a "keynote speech" of sorts, to the spectacle of lame "opposition" we have seen for more than six years now.

[researcher]

worthy of the demo party? a snail could not hide better under a rock than the demos.

forget bush and cheney impeachment should be on the table for nancy and reid.

the grand old party is no longer grand unless you consider spineless grand.

emmanul was on air america today and said the demos won in 2006 not because of the war in iraq but for economic reasons.

thinks they have lost touch with middle america while hiding out in wash dc.

never again will votes demo. my state now has almost as many independent voters as demos.

third party anyone?

[Fotografen]

I'm only a year and half older than you and I can barely walk, let alone run for anything. Might be now or never.
www.stilbild.nu

[GladysKnightsPIP]

Mr. Kerry,

I shook hands with you once at Rhein Main AB in Germany when you were passing thru. I am a former American who lives happily and freely in Holland.

You disappointed me when you supported the Neo Nazi agenda in the Middle East.

America will never be the same. Its truly turning into a fascist state.

Actually I saw the writing on the wall years ago after Vietnam.

The big problem is the military industrial complex and the constant need for more war.

Thats the bottom line.

Too bad Americans are too brainwashed to see it.

[researcher]

puppets of the industrial military complex is more like it.



"A nation that spends more year after year on military offense (and I mean offense) than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death". (Gunnels)


brainwashed and dumb and naive. as i am retired i spend some time talking to the folks i meet in the market and on the street about this war. scary very scary how little they know worst how little they care.

while nam war was on 80% of americans did not know who the viet cong were. and they were killing hundreds of our soldiers a week not just a few like now.

we are one dumb country. this dumbing down phase in america has worked very well.

got to go britney is on cable news. bye.

[Yukon Jack]

Mr. Kerrey, thank you for your stellar service to your country.

The only way you can top that is by sticking to your decision outlined in your own words.

[1question]

Is this the same Bob Kerry of the New School '06 commencement...defending his buddy John McCain...?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bob-kerrey/my-perspective-on-the-new_b_21515.html#comments

[PigLipstick]

The real problem with Congress is all those members of the Good-O'l-Boys Clubs and secret societies, that drive all these hidden agendas. The $168,000 + we pay them is chump change compared to the million dollar deals they cut with their fellow members every day before noon. Something smells and it appears to be our Democracy that has become a steaming pile of corrupt excrement. But why should the politicians really care, only a third of the American public even care enough to go to the polls every two years and vote. It's an organized crime free-for-all, with no enforcement, and the voters keep electing the same candidates and expecting a different outcome!

[Dalicious]

Mr. Kerrey, thank you for thinking of us. My own thought is that we as country need to look forward, not backward. We need new candidates and fresh faces. I have nothing negative to say about you, but I think we should move on down the road, with a new crowd.

I just read an interesting biography of Grover Cleveland, the only Democratic president in the 52-year span from 1861 to 1913. When Cleveland went for his first inaugural he had never been to Washington DC! And in spite of that, he had more experience than Hillary! He was a governor, mayor, and sheriff who accomplished more reform than all of this year's Democratic candidates combined BEFORE he became president.

[lotusflowersusan]

Bob Kerrey, I have long followed your career and been a supporter, back when I was a student in the Lincoln High School band and you came to speak, when I worked at Runza and you would bring your kids through the drive-through. I was thrilled to help vote you into the senate after your gubernatorial career and even worked on your reelection campaign and yes, I was there on the mall when you announced your candidacy for president. I know folks in these parts have been trying to recruit you to run for the senate again and the constituents do care about your decision. While I can't say that I agree with your every political position (who can really say that about any politician), I still think you would be a far superior candidate than anyone currently in the race and am sorry that you have decided not to run. I wish you the best and hope to see you back in Nebraska in the not too distant future.

[Ilvfredum]

Maybe he'll come to a Husker game somebody needs to rescue them.

[cj124]

can someone help me out? is this the same person who during the vietnam war massacred a village of women and children with his company? anyone

[iswearington]

when will people finally get it. killing innocent men ...women and children is the entire point of war.what...do you reall think a bomb or bullet is a sentient thinking discerning being?the bomb or the bullet cares not a whit who it kills. thats why war is insanity.thats why those of us who have been there like john kerry{our real current elected president told this nation shortly after returning from vietnam...at the Winter Soldier H earings that it happened every day. he was shouted down.the my lai massacre...there must have been 20 my lai's happening every day. john murtha told us our soldiers were kicking doors in and murdering people...he is being called a liar who supports alqueda. when will the rest of you get it? when my assault helicopter company shot down through roofs at duc hoa...the bullets killed whoever was in those hootches. we vets...those of us not in denial get it...when will the rest of you get it? the war in iraq has been nothing more than a technologically advanced drive by shooting to see who controlls the remaining finite supply of oil reserves in the middle east and former soviet satelite nations.

[armadillious2002]

The old timers have told me similar stories about WWII. War is just war - when you give children rifles and weapons and put them in a war situation terrible things are going to happen. March for days on end with no sleep in searing heat, or nonstop rain or freezing cold - death and suffering all around - and then people can't believe it when massacres occur. Give me a frikin' break America - grow up.

[cj124]

we get it, it doesn't take a fucking rocket scientist. Why is it so accepted in our society.

[mikeyfil]

We at the New School don't need him either. I was looking forward to having a new President. Just like Bush takes over an office and thinks it is his right to ignore history and use the office as his personal sandbox, doing as he likes without regard for others (those who pay his salary), so too Kerrey decided on his own to force McCain as commencement speaker a couple of years ago, over the protests of many faculty, admin and students. He completely ignored the history of the New School as a very leftist school as well as the real purpose of the ceremony to give his friend a political platform. Talk about fascist! We pay your salary Mr. Kereey as well as for the tonwhouse you and your family live in and all I see are stupid attempts to make the New School into a "university" and tuition raises every single year.

[Dalicious]

Free your mind, son. Grow up.

"You tell me it's the institution, well, you know, you better free your mind instead." - John Lennon

[Kontessa]

Thank you for speaking truth to power. Bravo!

[Tubby]

Senator Kerrey, you have earned the right to be proud of whatever your choice is. A winner of the Congressional Medal of Honor can, in the eyes of the People, do no wrong to this country.

Good luck and God Bless!

[mingusman]

Speak for yourself, friend. That's the same mentality as those stand steadfastly alongside the president and his criminal activites and defend him by saying "Well, he is still OUR president and we must support him."

Give me a break.