I just heard Andra Mitchell say that Senator Kerry was going to be on her show today. n/t

[wisteria]

[Mass]

1. I imagine this is about START. The treaty was supposed to be voted out of committee today.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iwGbzbS9cELaiIfmBjxLP1o4G8-QD9I94G7G0

Though it seems it did not go without sparks(including Webb siding with DeMint).

http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/09/16/kerry_and_demint_spar_over_missile_defense

Kerry and DeMint spar over missile defense
Posted By Josh Rogin Thursday, September 16, 2010 - 12:01 PM Share
At today's Senate Foreign Relations committee business meeting on New START, chairman John Kerry (D-MA) and Republican Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) got into an open argument about whether the United States should build a giant missile defense system to protect every American citizen around the world.

That's the idea put forth by DeMint in an amendment to the resolution of ratification that the committee is considering, in advance of a full senate debate and vote on the nuclear reductions treaty after the November elections. DeMint said at the meeting that if the United States is going to draw down its nuclear arsenal, it should commit to building missile defense such that every U.S. citizen and all U.S. troops abroad are protected.

...

But then, Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) also came out in support of DeMint's amendment, which meant that it might pass, forcing Kerry to take it seriously. When the committee broke for a short break, Kerry huddled with Assistant Secretary Rose Gottemeoller, who was waiting in an adjoining room. He then scrambled to meet with DeMint and Corker, presumably to work out a compromise.
...

[wisteria]

3. Personally, I think a huge missile defense system would never keep us safe.

It will become obsolete before it is even completed,become a huge cash elephant, and just encourage other countries to do the same. Drawing down weapons does not mean you create more, but of different kind.
From what I read, DeMint didn't vote, so I suppose he didn't like the compromise.DeMint is trying to make a name for himself in the Tea Party. As for Webb, sometimes I think his manhood gets in the way.

[Mass]

4. I agree about Webb. Thanks for the laugh. I needed that.

(Not a good day. I just learned my sister had been diagnosed with breast cancer. it was taken early, so she should be fine, but this is not what I wanted to hear).

[karynnj]

7. Best wishes to your sister nt

[Mass]

8. Thanks

[wisteria]

9. I am sorry to hear this. It is good they caught it early. Best wishes to you all. n/t

[Luftmensch067]

11. Sorry about your news

And sending good wishes for a complete recovery.

[karynnj]

5. DeMint is nuts

That would mean having the capability to protect every single country, excepting the very few that Americans are not allowed to go to - unless DeMint wants them protected too, in the world 100% of the the time. Where is Webb's brain?

[Mass]

2. Committee approves new START treaty

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/119243-committee-approves-new-start-treaty

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved the new START arms-control treaty with Russia early Thursday afternoon.

The vote was 14-4, with three Republicans siding with Democrats.

In an interview with MSNBC, committee chairman Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) called the a vote "very significant" and said it indicated a "strong prospect of passage on the floor of the Senate."

Asked whether the vote would come before or after the midterm elections, Kerry responded that he didn't know.
...

[Mass]

6. The Globe thought it was worth reporting

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2010/09/kerrys_panel_se.html

Kerry's panel sends arms pact to full Senate
By Bryan Bender, Globe Staff

WASHINGTON _ After months of haggling, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today voted to send the New START treaty to the full Senate, a key victory for the Obama Administration's arms control efforts and for the panel's chairman, Sen. John F. Kerry of Massachusetts.

Three Republicans joined 11 Democrats, passing the treaty with the level of bipartisan support that will be crucial as the full Senate takes up the treaty.

The treaty, which would require the United States and Russia to reduce their deloyed long-range nuclear weapons to 1,500 each, needs two-thirds of senators, or 67 votes, to be enacted, a tall order in today's rancorous environment on Capitol Hill.

“This is an historic vote that renews the bipartisan tradition that’s vital in tackling the grave threat posed by nuclear weapons," Kerry said in a statement. "This bipartisan vote sends an important signal that even in the most partisan, polarized season, ratifying this treaty is not a matter of politics, it’s a national security imperative.

...

Kerry aides reported that the Massachusetts Democrat received congratulatory phone calls after the vote from President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.

...
Kerry also called on the rest of the Senate to swiftly follow suit.

“The full Senate must quickly pass the resolution because the stakes are enormous.," he said. "When we ratify this treaty, we limit Russia’s nuclear arsenal, regain the ability to inspect their nuclear forces, and redouble international support for our nonproliferation efforts to counter the spread of nuclear weapons to rogue nations like Iran and North Korea."

[wisteria]

10. Once in a while they get back to serious reporting which is good.

I don't know how you all put up with Hollywood Scott Brown stories all the time.

[karynnj]

12. Biden is leading administration effort on the Start treaty

Here is some interesting information that I don't think was in the other articles.

Republican Senator James Risch of Idaho sought to derail the vote by announcing that intelligence officials had briefed some lawmakers in recent days with “some very serious information” that directly affects whether ratification should proceed. He and other panel members didn’t specify the content of the classified briefings.

“I find the information particularly troubling,” Risch said.

Kerry said he had attended a briefing on the information and discussed the issue with Vice President Joe Biden, who is leading the administration’s push for treaty ratification.

“The conclusion of the intelligence community is that it in no way alters their judgment” on the impact of the treaty that had been submitted to the committee as part of the panel’s deliberations, Kerry said.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-16/u-s-nuclear-arms-treaty-with-russia-backed-by-senate-panel-in-14-4-vote.html

Interesting that on this complex issue, Biden, with his decades of experience and Senate information (and contacts) is taking the lead.

[wisteria]

13. You know, Biden does not get enough credit for what he knows and what he does.

He may mispeak once in a while, but so does everyone else. He is actually, IMO, a very important part of this administration.

[karynnj]

14. He was absolutely fantastic on Maddow yesterday

Down to earth, with clear strong responses to anything. The idea that anyone would be an improvement running with Obama in 2012 is just crazy.

[wisteria]

15. I agree. n/t

[MBS]

16. I agree

I hope that there's a video archive of the Maddow interview . would love to see that

[Inuca]

17. I am sure you can find it

on the MSNBC site. Missed last night,saw the 1st part the night before, very good. In spite of her (lovable IMHO) goofiness, Maddow is developing into a serious, important journalist.

[Luftmensch067]

18. Maddow video podcast

Not sure if this is the right night, but:
http://podcast.msnbc.com/audio/podcast/MSNBC-MADDOW-NETCAST-M4V.xml

It says audio in that link, but there's a video link on the page.

This is the actual page talking about podcasts: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8132577/#ei5

[ObamaKerryDem]

19. Thanks for the video! I still have to get the cable hooked up in my new place..

..so I have been really behind on Rachel's show (which I usually watch regularly) and everything else TVwise lately lol :) Can't wait to watch this!