John Kerry's Values

John Kerry is emphasizing his values on the campaign trail, according to a New York Times story. "Senator Kerry is increasingly adopting a traditionally Republican refrain to give his campaign — and himself — grounding and context in broad moral terms." His positions remain the same, but the language is different. "Democrats...more typically [speak] of "rights" while Republicans invoke values."

A de-emphasize on rights is welcome, as Democrats are want to invent rights to everything from the internet to self-esteem. At least the language of values implies some measure of citizen responsibility and involvement in living up to them.

But what exactly are Kerry's values, and how do they effect his public policy? Values "fill in the texture of him," said [a] consultant..."O.K., you're for health care - why are you for health care? 'It's the right thing to do. It's a value I've learned.'"

Kerry is simply repackaging his already-established platform as a package of values. His deep convictions conveniently give a moral aura to the Democratic platform, and apparently demand little in the way of reexamination or change from a party famously troubled by values talk. At least Bush's talk of compassion in 2000 challenged Republicans, and his conversion to the moral imperative of development and nation-building after 9/11 seems sincere, if badly implemented.

Which doesn't mean that Kerry is insincere. Values talk might be more plausible if it wasn't partisan, but let's give him the benefit of the doubt that his morals just happen to line up exactly with Democratic policy. The more troubling aspect of Kerry's values remains: how out of step some of his values are with most of America. Kerry was one of very few Senators to vote against the partial-birth abortion ban, a measure something like %85 of Americans supported.

What does that say about how a President Kerry would govern? He will govern as a solid liberal and push for any and all aspects of the Left's agenda. When that agenda is popular, he'll say he's in touch with the people. When it is unpopular, he'll say he must stand firm on principle. Either way, we'll have the most liberal man in the White House since LBJ.

Thank goodness for the GOP Congress.