Can somebody let me know when the ugliness stops?

[beachmom]

http://www.memeorandum.com/081204/p81#a081204p81

It seems the Right Wing has gotten hold of the "Kerry out in the cold/crushed/pissed off/thrown under the bus" meme, and won't let go. It is ridiculous. It is even on GDP and DailyKos. There was not only the ugly Vennochi op-ed but a gossipy screed in the BoHe, too. So they say both the Globe AND the Herald are reporting ....

I don't mean to be a whiner but this is beyond unfair. It makes no sense. Kerry is going to be chairman of the SFRC. The idea that that is a big nothing is laughable. They make it seem like he is stuck in a dungeon on Capitol Hill with no windows. I just don't get why Kerry is always being trashed ... for doing nothing wrong. He is a good man, brilliant, decent, and tirelessly works for the common good. Why isn't the High Speed Rail bill on Memeorandum? That got lots of buzz on the blogs.

Anyway, rant over. It's just it's December, and John Kerry is being attacked for no reason again.

[Luftmensch067]

1. I don't suppose it would help to say

that living well is the best revenge? John Kerry as a Senator, a husband, a father, and a human being continues to live incredibly well, a happy, honorable, useful life, and the people who are spewing venom -- I tend to think, not so much!

[karynnj]

5. All true - and having spent some time clicking

on videos that come up as "related videos" and seeing especially the videos where he is with Teresa was an antidote to the ugliness.

Looking at the source of at least some of the ugliness - the people around the Clintons, I think what you say is true. Even getting what they presumably wanted, they look less enthusiastic and happy than he does. It is not just fitness that makes the Kerrys even look younger than the Clintons - the anger shows on them - though Bill is less angry than he was in spring.

[Mass]

2. I think there is no question that Kerry haters among RWers and Clinton supporters

(and I do not mean all Clinton supporters, just a small fraction that already hated Kerry before the endorsement), have allied their efforts on this one.

No surprise that Joan and the Herald are reporting: both are in the business of reporting unsubstantiated rumors.

For the other ones, it is the satisfaction that Kerry alledgedly did not get what he wanted (not that they know what he wanted, but it does not change anything for them).

What I find interesting, though, is that somebody who used to be very negative against Kerry started a thread to counter this idea that Kerry was left out cold.

[karynnj]

4. I think she started the thread to say that Kerry was left out in the cold - it was the responses

to her that countered the idea.

[Mass]

6. No, it is a different one stating that Kerry may have been asked and say he was not interested.

(it is a he, anyway).

[karynnj]

9. Sorry, I thought you were speaking of a different "cold" one

[Mass]

12. No worry. DU has become unreadable right now, with some people

protesting at every mild nuance that another poster will have a vague nuance or criticism perceived to be vaguely to Obama.

For god's sake, millions of people more could be literally without job at the end of the month throughout the country and people are concerned because Barney Frank showed frustration and asked Obama to be MORE active about this issue. Not sure what Obama can do at this point, but for sure, the situation is worrisome and hearing people like Corker on TV clearly NOT carrying about anything else than destroying UAW should worry everybody. Sigh. Du may become as bad as fr, but it sure will not be the fault of the left, but of those who cannot discuss an idea without thinking THEIR guy is attacked.

[karynnj]

3. I am with you

In December 2004, I adamantly disagreed with people who blamed Kerry for losing as I think he did better than could be expected given the unlevel playing field.

In 2006, Kerry deserved gratitude for the leadership that he showed and the unstinting work - and even before teh "joke", there was the "Hey, John" nonsense. I hated seeing the smug Emmanuel and Schumer taking all the credit - when without Dean and Kerry pushing candidates in less promising areas - they would not have been there to win. It also helped that people heard of Kerry/Feingold - because the Republicans spoke of it. That was not the Clinton/Schumer/Emmanuel victory but they claimed it - and oh yeah - Kerry nearly ruined it - when in fact they KNEW it didn't hurt. (skipping a 2 letter word on a card is nothing compared to speaking 4 times of sniper fire where it didn't exist.)

This year there was NOTHING they could blame Kerry for - he gave the best speech at the convention (yes I include Obama's), he gave the media the word "transformational", nearly half the words Obama used on foreign policy were near copies of things Kerry has said for years. Kerry masterfully created the frame to why McCain was totally wrong - in spite of half the Democratic party having highly praised him in the past. He dodged every biased MTP that he was on - winning decisively. He was good enough on FOX on the financial crisis that teh Obama team used the clip of his explanation. Kerry was an enormous asset to Obama and the party.

I think some of this is coming from the still angry Clinton people, who still likely mean the angry things they said in January. They still resent that HRC is not President-elect, even though she could have lost to McCain. They don't get that HRC ran a completely terrible campaign and was given many breaks. But, what bothers me is the feeling that Obama takes him completely for granted.

His endorsement did come at a cost to Kerry. It angered some people who had really respected him - and we all know the response in Massachusetts. He did it wholeheartedly. Yet when Obama gave his convention speech - Kerry was not one of the people thanked. It bothered me at little then - as did the fact that his speaking role was one of the very last announced. I know that Kerry was on many of Obama's calls and that he was there at the foreign policy debate and I know those things aren't big - but they do tend to send a signal. I had thought then that the reason was that there was more concern with getting other people's supporters, but the election is over.

What I don't get is why when Biden and Obama both spoke of rail, why they didn't mention that Kerry had written legislation - even if they felt changes were needed - any bill changes in markup. This would have taken nothing away from either of them and it would have shown that they thought highly of him on something. Given the fact that Obama used nearly the exact case Kerry made on rail and knowing that this is NOT something that Obama worked on, why not credit it. (Rail was not in Obama's original description of infa-structure - I suspect that there was enthusiasm for it among the governors) It is especially annoying when Kerry and Durbin are publicly named as the people who pushed the caucus to keep Lieberman - which Obama wanted.

[beachmom]

7. Do you have a link to Obama & Biden speaking about rail?

I must have missed that.

When it comes to John Kerry getting credit for anything, let's face it: it comes down to us. WE won't forget, and with the blogs, we can put the message out. And once in a while a journalist will surprise us, but that is rare. I also think the Boston media deep down know what he's done. One day they'll spill the beans, like whoops, the junior Senator from Mass. actually has done a thing or two in his Senate career, after all.

[karynnj]

8. Here they are

Biden - this link includes some video - http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/archives/2008/12/biden_makes_the_case_for_rail.php

It was in a DKos diary - http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/12/2/203824/762

Obama's was in the OP of the thread where you, Prosense and I all put the link to your fantastic diary. (Going back to get the link http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x7951167 - I notice that the article is from June - which I hadn't noticed - so I take back my Obama comments. (and Biden is no surprise.)

[TayTay]

10. Ahm, did you read the endorsements JK got in the Boston media

This was from the Quincy Patriot Ledger, which has been critical at times:

The Patriot Ledger

OUR OPINION: Kerry for Senate: Focused on the now

Posted Oct 31, 2008

Like many others through the years, we’ve watched and waited while John Kerry searched for the next best thing that would raise him higher in the political hierarchy.

Whether it was eyeing a seat in the House while an anti-war activist, the U.S. Senate after just two years as lieutenant governor or the vice presidency and then the White House while serving as senator, there was always the understanding that Kerry’s pursuit of the future would trump his current office.

But as when his colleague Sen. Edward M. Kennedy lost his presidential bid in 1980 and settled in for the long haul in Congress’ upper chamber, Kerry, a national lightning rod much like Kennedy, also appears to be free of the bonds of ambition that have marked his career since his defeat in 2004.

He appears more focused on his opportunity to contribute and lead on foreign and national issues and his ability to use his longevity to benefit the state that has supported him in nearly all his electoral endeavors.

With several meetings with Kerry over the past year, we’ve seen a changed public official, one very much at ease with his record and his place and we think he has earned the right to return to the Senate and carry on the promise many voters in the state believe they have seen through his career.

While Kerry has, at times, made votes that appear to be weighted by how it will play to the public – his initial vote on authorizing the Iraq war being the most recognizable – we believe he has taken unfair hits by Republicans and given little credit for much that he has accomplished and stood for.

Kerry’s Republican opponent this year, Jeff Beatty, takes a back seat to no one in his understanding of terrorist threats and homeland security. But Beatty has displayed an alarming lack of understanding, knowledge or interest in nearly every other issue from education to energy to the needs of the fishing industry.

Beatty has also, sadly, picked up on the GOP smear campaign to denigrate Kerry’s record by challenging supporters to name any legislation that bears his name.

How about a measure to require electronic prescriptions to cut down on medical errors? Assistance to extend foreclosure proceedings against veterans to a year? Housing trust fund? Opening up the Transportation Security Administration to bidding for local companies? AIDS legislation? And that just names a handful.

Kerry has been instrumental in securing additional funds – about $250 million for Massachusetts – for low-income heating assistance, $13 million for fishermen hurt by federal restrictions, Pell grant increases and pending legislation to expand the ability of the Small Business Administration, investing in student loans, safeguarding natural resources and increasing elder health options.

He has a sterling record on veterans’ issues, especially MIA's, and his knowledge and involvement in foreign affairs will make him a leader in the next Senate.

To say he has not accomplished anything in his 24 years on Capitol Hill is just absurd. Kerry has done much for the country and for Massachusetts. We can ill afford to lose his voice or presence now.

More of these at:http://www.johnkerryforsenate.com/news/entry/endorsements_for_the_re_election_of_senator_john_kerry/

We do know that we have extraordinary US Senators. However, it's not like we are going to tell them that. It would spoil them. (well, ah, it's a MA thing, I guess.)

[beachmom]

11. Not as flashy/gossipy/soap opera-y as Joan's column, though, was it?

Those endorsements don't make the cable or the Memeorandum. Not that I don't greatly appreciate those ringing endorsements, but I would have loved to see a defense of him NOW, when he is being pummeled by DC insiders. Instead the Boston media piled on, in concern troll fashion. But hey, I am very relieved to hear your Senator will never be spoiled.

[TayTay]

13. Flashy/gosspiy/sopa operaish stuff goes with the job

People who can't take the heat should get out of the kitchen. The types of issues that are going to confront this new Congress will involve billions of dollars and affect nearly every industry in America and around the world. I want time-tested people who are tough enough to understand a petty personal attack is not cause to quit or whine. I want people who get up after being knocked down and start to fight again. Those people are my heroes. They understand when a fight is bigger than themselves, bigger than any snarky comments being thrown around and focus in on the problems and how to solve them.

This country is in real trouble. Untold numbers of Americans are going to lose their jobs and homes in the next year. The suffering is going to be horrible. State and local governments are going to be forced to cut funds for medical services, seniors, education, public housing assistance and so forth. There are already unprecedented lines at phone pantries and local unemployment offices are swamped with new applicants. People need help and they need it now. So pardon me for taking the opportunity to not care about the petty little gossipy crap that goes on on cable TV and among those "in the know." If they spent 1/4 of the time they spend on gossip on explaining the real problems being faced by real people in this country, we would all be better off.

Eyes on the prize here. We don't elect public officials so that we can obsess over their personal and public relations problems. We elect them so that they can obsess on our problems, America's problems. The people who have their eyes on the solutions and on the bigger picture are going to have detractors. That goes with the job. God bless the folks who can put this all into perspective and remain focused on what really matters. They are the pearls of our system.

BTW, there was a great article in the http://bostonherald.com/news/opinion/op_ed/view.bg?articleid=1136894">Boston Herald today that is very positive. It is so because it orients on the problems and how to solve them. Bravo for that:

In new post, Kerry can be comeback kid

By Wayne Woodlief
Friday, December 5, 2008

...

Sure, Kerry will have some critics yelling at him about where their taxpayer bucks are going. But Long Jawn’s hide has grown tougher. Those Swift Boaters threw their toughest torpedoes at him, but he’s still standing, still moving.

Kerry’s ambitious agenda for the Foreign Relations Committee includes holding confirmation hearings quickly on President-elect Obama’s national security team - including Hillary Clinton for secretary of state, the job Kerry coveted. And Kerry should seek a partnership with Hillary, not a potential one-up rivalry.

He also will demand ongoing oversight on “ending the war in Iraq responsibly.” (How’s that for diplomatic wording - no timetable set, but urgency clearly implied.) Arms control and nuclear nonproliferation (see Pakistan and India) and keeping close watch on Iran are also high on Kerry’s to-do list.

[beachmom]

14. Thanks, Tay. The truth is I know what you mean.

Shall we say, home life is getting downright frightening. Georgia is sinking like a rock. It literally went from one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country (4.4%) to the highest (7%) and climbing. I drove in my neighborhood the other day and saw yet another foreclosed house. My husband just survived a wave of layoffs at his company. Who says there won't be another wave in the near future?

All I can say is thank God the Democrats are going to be in charge. They are the party that got us out of the Great Depression in the '30s. They can do so again. And in Barack Obama, we will have a great President. The truth is he has no choice: he is just going to have to be great. And behind that greatness will be leaders like John Kerry in the Congress to make sure that the people are taken care of. And yes, we are at a place where the government needs to help us.

Even before reading your post today, I woke up this morning feeling differently. I suddenly can no longer watch cable anymore. What they discuss seems so far away, distant, and irrelevant. A lot of media people are losing their jobs as we speak. A lot of newspapers are going to go under. McClatchy's debt has now been junk rated. The media is in denial, so maybe the Clintons and the gossip are what is getting them through it. I for one suddenly do not care. And it happened in a flash, when my husband described the scene yesterday of the people who had been summarily dismissed.

[karynnj]

17. Wow, something like that does put things in perspective

You are right. Things are far worse than we ever imagined they would be. I think many are just stunned that the world as they knew it can change so quickly - because of things that they had nothing to do with.

You are right that Obama has to be great because the alternative is too dreadful.

[Mass]

15. I missed it - It is indeed a great article.

[sandnsea]

16. I think he's got the biggest shoulders

of anybody in the world. I would never choose Hillary over Kerry for anything. All I can do is trust there's a method to the madness and that Kerry has big enough shoulders to take the hits so that he can take the lead in the Senate on just about every issue facing us. Who else is there in the Senate that can lead on kids, health care, climate change, oceans, energy, global AIDS, terrorism, weapons proliferation, international relations - oh, and small business jobs. Nobody. It just seems to me Obama might just really need JK in the Senate, and that JK has got big enough shoulders to take the shit that is slung at him in order to do that job.

[Mass]

18. The nastiness continues, now concerning Caroline Kennedy.

I am agnostic on whether she is a good choice for US Senate or not, but unfortunately, DU Hillary Clinton supporters seem to somehow find offensive that she is considered and are there with their nastiest arguments (some even comparing her to Sara Palin). Sigh. The war continues.

[sandnsea]

19. I don't think she should be

I love her, but I don't think she should just jump right into the Senate. Other people have devoted their lives to government and they don't deserve to be dismissed because Carolina decided she might like politics. So it isn't just Hillary supporters.

[karynnj]

20. It is amazing that even when they get what they want, they are nasty

I was shocked that they could even think to compare her with Palin - and even in some cases prefer Palin.

The fact is that if there were an election, Caroline Kennedy, like Hillary Clinton would win. Hillary Clinton did not win her first election for good work done for NY, she won because she was the First Lady and had the reputation for being very capable. The fact is that over the last decades, Caroline Kennedy has been a graceful and powerful voice when she has spoken at the various conventions. (Unlike HRC, there has never been a single scandal or impropiety.) Also, unlike HRC, she has been a NY resident for decades.

The fact is NO ONE appointed to the Senate "earned it" by running. The height of their hypocrisy is that they had welcomed the selection of Robert Kennedy, jr. It is true that he has been more of an activist (not a typical path to the Senate) than she, but he has considerable baggage - this shows that the concern was never dynasty.

[beachmom]

21. Okay, this is MUCH better:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2008/12/out_of_the_cabinet_--_where_do.html?nav=rss_blog

John Kerry: It's no secret that Kerry, the party's 2004 presidential nominee, would have liked to be secretary of State. With that post going to Hillary Rodham Clinton, however, it appears that Kerry will spend the rest of his political life in the Senate. Those familiar with his thinking insist Kerry is perfectly happy in the Senate particularly given that he will assume the chairmanship of the Foreign Relations Committee at the start of the 111th Congress -- a lifelong dream. (Kerry famously testified before the committee in April 1971.)

Also here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x7964195