He may be "dour, too serious, inflexible at times, un-inspiring" but he might be a really caring and genuine person. Never heard of this until today..

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/st.../516309920.htm

It may not make you VOTE for him (God forbid, JP5) but I hope you and Therese can remove the "evil eye".

You will probably have trouble opening the link..Its a story in the LAS VEGAS SUN..

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February 06, 2004

Former GOP Sen. Hecht owes life to Democratic candidate Kerry
By Kirsten Searer
<searer@lasvegassun.com>
LAS VEGAS SUN

Former U.S. Sen. Chic Hecht of Nevada is a staunch Republican, but he thanks his lucky stars for Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts.

On July 12, 1988, Hecht was attending a weekly Republican luncheon when a piece of apple lodged firmly in his throat.

Hecht stumbled out of the room, thinking he might vomit but not wanting to do it in front of his colleagues. Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., thumped his back, but Hecht quickly passed out in the hallway.

Just then, Kerry stepped off an elevator, rushed to Hecht's side and gave him the Heimlich maneuver -- four times.

The lifesaving incident made international news, and Dr. Henry Heimlich, who invented the maneuver in 1974, called Hecht to say that had Kerry intervened just 30 seconds later Hecht might have been in a vegetative state for life.

"This man gave me my life," the 75-year-old Hecht said Thursday.

Hecht said he was amazed that Kerry acted so quickly -- some people were assuming that he was having a heart attack.

"He knew exactly what to do," he said. "But a lot of people know what to do. They just don't size up the situation immediately."

The story has a twist of irony: Hecht was up for re-election that year, and Kerry, who was serving as the chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, had pegged Hecht as one of the most vulnerable Republican seats.

Indeed, the Democratic nominee for Hecht's seat, then-Gov. Richard Bryan, beat Hecht, who served just one term in office.

"Only in America can this happen, where he's working against me to get me defeated and then saves my life," Hecht said.

Hecht, who prides himself on having one of the most conservative records on the books during his six years in the Senate, said he and his wife, Gail, see politics as "a secondary issue" when it comes to Kerry.

"We've had a wonderful life, and it would have all been down the tubes," said Hecht, who is about to celebrate his 45th wedding anniversary with his wife.

Every year the Hechts call Kerry's longtime personal secretary, who tracks down Kerry wherever he is.

Then they recount some of their experiences in the last year. Hecht and his wife thank Kerry for thinking so quickly in the Senate halls that day. And Kerry tells them that their phone call is one of his favorites of the year.

"He's so nice and appreciative," Hecht said.

This year Kerry was taking a day's vacation from campaigning, and he told them that he thought his campaign was finally gaining momentum.

Some of the Hechts hope so. Both of Hecht's daughters have attended Kerry events, and Gail Hecht hopes to travel to California the next time Kerry is there to voice her support, Hecht said.

Still, Hecht points out that he and Gail have given the maximum possible contribution to President Bush's campaign ($2,000 each). Hecht, a longtime businessman and banker, served as President George H.W. Bush's ambassador to the Bahamas.

Soon after the Iowa caucuses, a former Los Angeles county deputy sheriff and Republican Jim Rassmann stood with Kerry at an event to tell the story of when Kerry saved his life in the jungles of Vietnam.

Rassmann, a Green Beret, was ambushed along Bay Hap river, but Kerry, who also had been injured in the attack, grabbed Rassmann's arm and pulled him to safety, according to Kerry's website.

On Wednesday, Roll Call wrote a story about Hecht's incident. So far, Kerry hasn't asked Hecht to appear at a campaign event, but Hecht said he would if he were asked.

Hecht won't, however, say who he would vote for in November if Kerry wins the Democratic nomination.

"Only the Good Lord and myself will know how I'm going to vote," he said.


Anyone who would give "mouth to mouth" to a HAMSTER is a winner in MY BOOK!! (eeewwwww..GROSS!! )

So is Bill Frist!! Do not agree with his politics at times but he is also a good guy.

http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/01/02/frist.aid/

Such nice people when they leave Wash DC..

So are a lot of politicians.

And there are a lot of war heroes, I am sure they are all good guys too. But are they all capable of being President of the United States? That is a completely different, and much more important question.

That is the million dollar question!! And that is where individuals like you and I can agree to disagree on. Because it comes down to opinions and beliefs and instinct..

Or to some people, a flip of a quarter will do for them..

There are also lots of people who can give the Heimlich and mouth-to-mouth to a hamster. Doesn't necessarily mean they would make a good president.
There are also lots of people who served in Vietnam and got some ribbons and medals. Doesn't necessarily mean they would make a good president.

I don't know if Kerry is a "good guy" or not. But from what I've seen so far, he just may not be. Anyone who lied about being on a "secret miission" in Cambodia to smear his president and his country, And anyone who lied before a Senate Committee about his fellow Vietnam brothers committing atrocities and while the war was still in progress........... I'm sorry.......I don't think he's a good guy.

I do not question Kerry's service to our country, both as a military officer serving in Vietnam, and as a senator who has served my state for longer than I have been alive. I think John Kerry is a great man, and I am very grateful for what he has done for this country. But that doesn't mean I will vote for him. That doesn't mean that I hate him, I just disagree for what he stands for, and that is my right. I highly doubt that I will ever be convinced to vote him into office, barring some major unforseen incident like a radical paradigm shift in my political views between now and November.

That was a long time ago. People change. Certainly George W Bush changed since his early days. We can't chastize people for what they did during their youth, if we did, there would be no one good enough to serve us, and frankly, I am a believer that we learn from our mistakes. Whether or not KErry has learned from his mistakes is another question entirely.

Careful JP5..You are flip-flopping!!

and you might "convince" me that BUSH needs another 4 years. JP5, spend some more time with Hans.. The man is learned and wise...