AFghanistan hearing Wednesday

[Inuca]

http://foreign.senate.gov/hearings/hearing/20091209/

Tomorrow, ambassador + general will be in front of Levin the in the armed service committee.

So I guess JK is not in Copenhagen? Or coming back very soon?

[karynnj]

1. There were Senate votes Saturday and Sunday

I doubt Kerry can leave until there are no votes he is needed for - which is awful as he is a good force there. Markey actually "remotely" had a presence at Bali, maybe Kerry could do you that if this drags on.

[Inuca]

2. That was exactly my point

in a message in another thread here. There are votes all the time and for most of them each vote counts. I've been following what's going on in the Senate to the extent possible.

[karynnj]

3. This is one instance where I regret a certain Obama decision

but that is done. But to compensate for that, Kerry has been really really useful on healthcare, even if his contributions are quiet and his name (rightly) will not be on it. Between his getting the ability of exchanges to negotiate, the Cadillac tax, the provision against discrimination towards women, and the work he did Saturday completely turning back the Republicans was important. I seriously doubt that SFRC would be as important to the process without Kerry. But still, it would be incredible if he had the time and the position to be our lead representative there.

[YvonneCa]

4. I think he said he was going next week...

...toward the end on Charlie Rose. Rose had asked when Obama was going (early) and if JK was going with him. JK sid no...next week. I think I heard (since the Rose show) that Obama's plans had changed to next week also.

[wisteria]

6. Yes, that is what I read also. n/t

[wisteria]

5. I believe he is going later on. n/t