FactCheck.Org: "Kerry Exaggerates Role in Some Key Legislative Battles"

[JaneQPublic]

http://www.factcheck.org/article.aspx?docid=134

--He says he "led the fight" on several fronts, but few bills bear his name

Summary

John Kerry is fond of saying "I led the fight" on a lot of things -- against Arctic drilling, against Bush's Medicare prescription drug legislation, for federal grants for 100,000 new police officers, against Newt Gingrich's attempts to lessen environmental regulations.

But reporters who cover Congress often gave others credit for the leading roles in some of those fights -- with scant mention of Kerry.

And The Associated Press last July found that only eight laws had Kerry as their lead sponsor, five of them "ceremonial," two relating to the fishing industry, and one providing federal grants to support small businesses owned by women.

Analysis

A sampler of the many fights Kerry says he's led:

MORE...

[BeatleBoot]

1. This just in...

Kerry wins Iowa and New Hampshire!

[papau]

42. why is a reporters opinion/memory of what is unknown to the reporter

of such validity that it brings into question Kerry's statements.

Was the reporter in the room for all discussions?

Or is this 3rd and 4th hand gossip?

[Joseph Thule]

2. Fact check - Kerry BEATS Bush in latest national polls.

[krkaufman]

17. Kerry beats Bush in national polls....

... but loses in the Electoral Pollage.

[killbotfactory]

20. A lobotomized monkey could beat Bush in the polls

Oh wait, Bush IS a lobotomized monkey...

Nevermind, bad analogy.

[Mobius]

28. HEY NOW!

Don't say that about monkeys. At least some monkeys EARNED thier flight suits :hi:

[library_max]

29. Bad analogy

and very insulting to the other candidates, since none of them is beating Bush in the polls.

[WiseMen]

3. Thank Goodness! The Repub would nail him to the cross if he had

given his 93% liberal score and radical past.

If any of Kerry's proposals got past they would probably be
so "out of line" with middle america he would not be able to
run for President.

Oh, maybe that was the plan.

[killbotfactory]

4. He also led the fight against Bush rushing into an unjust war

NOT

[ibegurpard]

5. He's already tried to innoculate himself against that attack

with his statement saying something to the effect of "sometimes it's better to not have your name on bills." Several Kerry supporters have informed me that means he wants others to have credit. I have no idea whether I buy that or not.

[killbotfactory]

6. It means he hasn't led the fight on much

And he'll take credit for bills that other people fought to get passed.

[ibegurpard]

10. I was trying to be as diplomatic as possible

but I tend to agree with your assessment.

[krkaufman]

21. Tag bills onto others

No, I think he said something like, "if you know what you're doing, you get your bills added onto other legislation."

weak.

[sandnsea]

23. Not what he said

All do respect to my fellow Kerry supporters, that isn't remotely what he meant. He meant it's easier to stick your stuff on somebody else's bill to get it passed. Plain and simple. Like Youthbuild, a program where inner city kids continue their education and work on housing projects. He wrote it in when he chaired some committee or other. Doesn't have his name on it, he doesn't care, it's just there. I don't even think he remembers most of what he's done. He just does it and moves on.

[digno dave]

35. bacon

You mean stuck in other bills, as in PORK.

[sandnsea]

38. Youthbuild???

A program to help inner city kids finish school and learn a trade?? PORK?? No. Try again.

[JohnKleeb]

45. I saw that on a video

That awful man ;).

[NashVegas]

33. Isn't That Kind of Like Saying

"Sometimes it's better not to stick your neck out and lead?"

[JaneQPublic]

7. Balanced-budget Puffery

http://www.factcheck.org/article.aspx?docid=134

For example, in the 1985 balanced-budget fight Kerry can justly claim credit for being an early supporter of what became the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings amendment. The amendment sought to cut then-chronic federal deficits to zero by setting targets for spending levels enforced by mandatory across-the-board cuts if necessary.

However, claiming to have "led the fight" for the balanced-budget measure is political puffery.

The measure was actually drafted by two Republicans, Sens. Warren B. Rudman of New Hampshire and Phil Gramm of Texas. Kerry became one of about 40 co-sponsors.

[killbotfactory]

8. Seems like Kerry has a history of letting others lead the way

And then knocking them over to claim credit for doing so.

[JaneQPublic]

12. Kerry's nickname in the Senate is "Live Shot" (i.e., publicity hound) (nt)

[krkaufman]

22. Serious? That's funny.

I'll still vote for Kerry as the candidate.

Sounds a bit derisive, but "Live Shot" is just plain funny.

[Lobo_13]

41. What's the most dangerous place in Washington

Between John Kerry and a camera.

He's just another self-aggrandizing, insincere politician. He'll probably lose the vast majority of new people in the process. After all, they got out because they can spot bullshit a mile off.

[sandnsea]

26. Gore's was "Prime Time Al"

Look what they said about why he voted for Gulf War 1.

"In an interview with WorldNetDaily, former Republican Sen. Alan Simpson of Wyoming brushed aside denials from the Gore campaign and repeated charges that the vice president bargained his vote in support of the Gulf War to the political party that would give him the most time to speak during "prime-time" television news coverage."

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=15547

[bigtree]

40. The folks at fact check also claim that Chimp wasn't AWOL

And you are letting their crap divide the party. Mission accomplished.

[JaneQPublic]

43. FactCheck also shows errors by Chimpy and RNC Head Gillespie

http://www.factcheck.org/default.aspx

And regarding your claim of "letting their crap divide the party," I said the same about charges against Dean when he was the frontrunner.

But the Kerry supporter who made them responded I better get practice now defending my candidate, because the GOP already knows about it and will use it if my guy is the nominee.

So, does the same still hold true now that Kerry is the frontrunner, or have the Kerry supporters changed the rules and now decided it's more important to play nice and not say anything about our party's frontrunner?

[bigtree]

37. Left out something from that same paragraph

". . . in the 1985 balanced-budget fight Kerry can justly claim credit for being an early supporter of what became the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings amendment. The amendment sought to cut then-chronic federal deficits to zero by setting targets for spending levels enforced by mandatory across-the-board cuts if necessary."

[library_max]

9. Paging Al Gore.

Somebody's trying to steal your "exaggerator" label and paste it on John Kerry, with equal justice (that is, none at all).

[Cocoa]

11. I barely had heard of Kerry before this election

I was reading Skull and Bones rumors before I knew what he looked like.

But I've come to see he has a solid liberal voting record, despite some disagreements I have with him, esp. trade.

On a tangent... FactCheck seems fishy to me. I'm expecting them to make it seem that the dems and republicans lie equally, thus distorting reality in Bush's favor.

[molly]

13. But-but-but - did he seal those records before he ran?

c'mon - fight fair!

"Kerry voted for abortion rights, for funding of the National Endowment of the Arts, increased government regulation of the insurance industry, against an amendment banning flag desecration (ie for freedom of speech), against banning gay marriage, against workplace discrimination against gays, in favor of affirmative action, against destroying government regulation of mining practices, against oil drilling in alaska, in favor of cutting bush's tax cut and useing the money for increased spending on education and debt reduction, against the confirmation of John Ashcroft, against another tax cut so the money could be used for social programs, in favor of raising the minimum wage, in favor of allowing seniors to receive social security while still working, to increase corporate taxes to fund veteran's health benefits, in favor of allowing the children of immigrants to be eligible for food stamps (welfare) and finally against drug testing welfare recipients."

Sounds impressive to me.

[ibegurpard]

16. Fight fair?

I assume with that sentiment that you were leading the forefront in condemnation of some of the shit that was dredged up against Dean?

[library_max]

18. How 'bout we just agree that all these cheap smears are horsesh*t

no matter which candidate they're against?

I can't speak for molly, but I've said the same thing dozens of times when the target was Dean.

[Democrats unite]

14. Kerry is a perfect example of a Washington insider.

[killbotfactory]

15. And a perfect example of why people don't like politics

[MMT]

44. No, an example of why people don't like politics would be snarky little

substanceless shots by supporters of opponents. They sound a lot like whining, and nobody likes whining.

[sandnsea]

19. I need to apply for a job

In the 1980's he was doing Iran/Contra, etc. This isn't even a near complete list:

1990- Cosponsor Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act

1990 – Clean Air Act Amendments

1991 – Chairs newly established POW/MIA Affairs Committee to locate missing Vietnam remains.

1994 Violence Against Women Act providing funding for shelters, hotlines, increased law enforcement and more.

1995 – Along with John McCain push for Normalization of Vietnam relations

1996 Women’s Health Equity Act

Time Magazine's "Honest Man in Politics Award" for being only Senator up for reelection in 1996 to vote against Defense of Marriage Act

Sponsored 1997 Early Childhood Development Act,

1998 "Zero to Three" Association's "Achievement Award" for work on early childhood development issues

1999 Women’s Small Business Center Program

2000 Early Learning Opportunity Act

2002 Nurse Reinvestment Act

U.S. Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malaria Act
led to the unanimous passage in May 2003 the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malaria Act of 2003

original cosponsor of the Hate Crimes Prevention

presented a "Two Strikes and You're Out" bill, which would stipulate mandatory life sentences for two-time child predators who engage in the rape or sexual assault of children

flood insurance laws

marine mammal protection act

fisheries act

Awarded Legislator of the Year by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the Massachusetts Home Health Care Association in 2000 and 2001, respectively.

[zulchzulu]

24. Ah...the grapes of sour remorse and soon of final doom

"Upon the wings of his follies whose weight hath rendered thus the inevitable loss, so he hath to drop out of thy race for which his path lay asunder and his followers will thus be in peril and dismay from invested pence and pull down thy signs of his fettered campaign. His followers will flail and squeal until the bitter inevitable end and be run away into thy dark night."

Anonymous

[Cha]

25. Of course kerry "exaggerates"

You don't think he would feel confident relying on reality.

All I have to know about kerry is that he voted for "No Child Left Behind", "The Patriot Act", and the Clincher, "The IWR"!

[Cocoa]

27. three votes?

really? I think that's pretty unusual, to let three recent votes define a Senator with a twenty-year record, as well as previous offices.

[library_max]

30. "All I have to know about Kerry . . ."

Yup. Sure beats thinkin', don't it?

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

31. Good then it's resolved that Bush wasn't AWOL

YOur reference site says that too!

http://www.factcheck.org/article.aspx?docID=131

It must be so!

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

32. BTW..all Annenberg does is read other articles and quote them

and claim them as facts. Given the lies we have seen in the NYT, the POST and other publications, one would expect a school known for journalism to go to the source rather than read another paper!

[bigtree]

39. So these are the same people that some would align with against John Kerry

Slippery politics

[digno dave]

34. kerry the modest one

Maybe he's just a selfless kind of fellow. :grouphug:

[bigtree]

36. This is a weak pout that uses old news stories and hearsay

from his collegues to make some weak points about John Kerry's record.

Voters can see for themselves at http://kerry.senate.gov/bandwidth/issues/legislation.html which bills he sponsored and co-sponsored.


As for effectiveness I fail to see why a Democrat blame other Democrats for republican fillibusters and obstinance. The point is that John was there to stand against the worst instincts of the republicans. He has a long record of achievement no matter if the egos involved wanted center stage and won't acknowlege his contribution. With Ted Kennedy as Senior Senator he would always take a back seat in legislative battles, but he was there and stood up when it counted.


Here's a senator who will vouch for his effectiveness:

Dianne Feinstein Endorsement
http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2003_0916.html

“John Kerry has shown courage throughout his lifetime – taking on the tough issues, making the hard decisions, telling the truth, and making a difference. Now he is ready to take the fight to George Bush and put our country back on the right track,” said Feinstein. “John Kerry will roll back the Bush tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans so we can invest in education, health care, and the skills of our workers. And he wants to give the middle class a tax cut, not a tax increase.”

Feinstein also said Kerry’s support for banning assault weapons was another reason for her support.

“The Assault Weapon ban will expire next year. We need a President who will actively urge Congress to extend it,” said Feinstein. “And John Kerry will do just that. It is the kind of leadership and courage we need in a President.”

I know he has the strength, experience, leadership, and judgment to be an excellent President.

Because I have worked with him and know him so well, I know that he has the courage to do what’s right for America. And he will fight for legislation to get America back on the right track. He is fighting to provide affordable health care, roll back tax cuts for the wealthy while creating jobs and invest in education.

Now he is ready to take the fight to George Bush and put our country back on the right track. John has stood up to special interests, fighting against drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, protecting a woman’s right to choose, and leading the way on national security issues.

He rejects George Bush’s vision of a government that comforts the comfortable at the expense of ordinary Americans, that lets corporations do as they please, that turns its back on the very alliances we helped create and the very principles that have made our nation a model to the world.

He has provided a specific plan to get the American economy moving forward and to create the nearly 3 million jobs lost under President Bush. John Kerry will roll back the Bush tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans so we can invest in education, health care, and the skills of our workers. And he wants to give the middle class a tax cut, not a tax increase. Under George Bush, too many middle class people are getting pummeled everywhere they turn – more bills to pay, a higher cost of living.

Let me talk about one issue that has always been very important to me – gun control. In John Kerry’s announcement speech he had the courage to say what too many politicians are afraid to acknowledge: He said,

“... courage means standing up for gun safety, not retreating from the issue out of political fear or trying to have it both ways. I’m a hunter and I believe in the Second Amendment but I’ve never gone hunting with an AK-47. Our party will never be the choice of the NRA -- and I’m not looking to be the candidate of the NRA.”

In short, John Kerry has the right stuff. He will be an excellent President of the United States


And another endorsement:


Robert F. Kennedy Endorses John Kerry for President
http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2003_0917a.html

Calling John Kerry’s environmental agenda “bold and visionary,” Robert F. Kennedy Jr. endorsed John Kerry for President today in New York City. Kerry also announced his call for an investigation on whether environmental health was compromised by White House interference into air quality issues following the September 11th tragedy.

“ I am proud to endorse one of America’s great environmental leaders, John Kerry for President of the United States,” said Robert F Kennedy, Jr. “And I hope that every American who cares about the environment will unite behind John Kerry. He is the candidate with the best environmental record. He is the candidate with the best ability to beat George Bush. And he will be a President who will give us the environmental leadership we so clearly need.”


South Carolina:

Senator Hollings Endorses John Kerry for President
Endorsement Provides Major Boost to Kerry South Carolina Campaign
http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2004_0122d.html

In South Carolina, Senator Hollings said, “I’ve been elected seven times to the Senate by South Carolinians and I owe it to them to tell them what I think. I believe John Kerry has the experience, judgment, and character to lead this nation. In fact, I tried to get John Kerry to run four years ago. You can’t agree one hundred percent with anybody but I know John Kerry is the right man.”

“John Kerry’s record of fighting for working families, his commitment to fiscal discipline, his plan to restore manufacturing jobs, and his commitment to expand healthcare and make it more affordable, are some of the reasons I’m standing here today to announce I will stand by John Kerry,” continued Hollings. “John
Kerry is a former prosecutor and he led the charge in the Senate to put one hundred thousand cops on the beat, establishing our first line of defense for homeland security. Kerry has a strong military background and he understands how to keep America safe and strong. As a former lieutenant, I’m heading Lieutenants for Kerry. John Kerry has been a veteran’s veteran in the Senate and he will be a veteran’s veteran in the White House.”

[Duder]

46. Kerry Exaggerates...

Like "I'm going to fight tooth and nail" and then leaving without putting his vote on record.

[Name removed]

47. Deleted message

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