Cam Kerry heading to Commerce Dept

[rox63]

babylonsister posted the details here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8273806

[karynnj]

1. He and the Senator's sisters are very impressive in their values and commitment

Does JK get to vote on the confirmation - or does he have to abstain from voting. It will be cool if he is at the confirmation hearing.

[beachmom]

2. A nice little item in the JTA:

http://jta.org/news/article/2009/03/22/1003884/kerrys-jewish-brother-at-commerce

President Obama named Cam Kerry, a vice chairman of the National Jewish Democratic Council, as general counsel of the Commerce Department. Kerry is a partner in the Boston office of the Mintz Levin law firm and has taught telecommunications law as an adjunct professor at Suffolk University Law School.

National Jewish Democratic Council chairman Marc Stanley commended the selection.

"Cam has been an indispensable part of our leadership team at NJDC, where we have come to rely on his sage advice and strong leadership," Stanley said. "Cam has a strong presence in the Jewish community; he played a principal role in 2004 by rallying the Jewish vote on behalf of the Democratic ticket" that featured John Kerry at the top.

[beachmom]

3. Sen. Kerry won't vote on his brother, but will accompany Cameron at hearings next week:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/federal-eye/2009/04/kerry_will_next_week.html

Kerry Will Not Vote On Brother's Nomination

Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) will attend next week's confirmation hearing for his brother Cameron, nominated by President Obama to serve as general counsel at the Commerce Department, but he will recuse himself when it comes time for the committee to vote, according to a spokeswoman. (No word yet on whether Kerry will vote on the nomination if it comes to the floor.)


The senator's younger brother is one of eight nominations that the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee will consider next Tuesday. Cameron Kerry is a Boston-area lawyer who served as a political consultant to his brother's failed presidential campaign and to the Obama campaign. He is also an active Jewish Democratic activist.

[karynnj]

4. That should be fun to watch

He, of course, shouldn't vote on this confirmation. Given that Kennedy often can't vote, it will be strange that this exceent MA nominee may not get any votes from MA Senators. I doubt he will be controversial.

[karynnj]

5. At the same hearing, another Kerry person being vetted is April Boyd

http://commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Hearings.Hearing&Hearing_ID=3e7fc585-7e8c-45d6-b21a-32d52ff77ee8

• Ms. April S. Boyd to be Assistant Secretary for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs at the U.S. Department of Commerce

[karynnj]

6. Here is the link for today's hearing

Senator Inouye is presiding. Others are speaking of wishing Senator Rockefeller well in his recovery - his statement speaks of him injuring his knee.

Kerry up now. Kerry is saying that although he would recuse himself on the vote, he wasn't recusing himself on the introduction. He said that it is a great pleasure to introduce to someone he has known all his life. He introduced Cam's wife, and daughter. He then spoke of how highly qualified he is. He also spoke of how he has supported others, including JK, in running for public office. He spoke of his job teaching. Strong sense of internet and technology. He will uphold the best standards of teh country and the Constitution. Senator Inouye then asked both to stand up and commented that he was a nice looking guy (!) Kerry laughed.

Kerry then spoke of April Boyd, who was on his staff. He agreed with Obama's confidence in her.

(Kerry then left for another committee hearing)

[karynnj]

7. Appel the Administrator- Designate of Transportation, Research and Innovative Technology

Administration sounds good.

Tay, there's a MA connection!

One of RITA’s mandates is to foster top-notch transportation education through its University Transportation Centers, and another is to bring together some of the country’s best engineers and scientists to do multi-modal research at the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center. I am a product of one of those University Transportation Centers – the MIT transportation program. My studies there 22 years ago, just a few hundred yards from what is now called the Volpe Center, allowed me to see firsthand the kind of advanced thinking that this department produces. In these challenging times for our nation, we must ensure that all this great thinking is brought to bear in tackling the issues we face.

[karynnj]

8. KBH asked how they would allocate money for HSR

Answer: they would come up with a merit based process to put money where it has the best return.

[karynnj]

9. April Boyd is first one in second panel

Says she will be responsive to Congress. Thanked Kerry for teaching her about this committee. (Very nervous)

[karynnj]

10. Cam Kerry

Thanked his brother for his comments -Says that he will be responsive to the committee because if he isn't his big brother will beat him up. Then said that he has always looked up to his big brother because of the way he has lived his life in public service. Nice comments.

In his goals, he sounds like that big brother. It is funny because he has some mannerisms and words in common - though he is very different.