This Sunday - on This Week - Kerry and Lugar

[karynnj]

This should be fantastic. My favorite Democrat with my favorite Republican!

http://abcnews.go.com/ThisWeek/coming-week-sen-john-kerry-sen-richard-lugar/story?id=12423338

[YvonneCa]

1. Fantastic is right. I've been watching most of the....

...debate on the floor and Kerry has been EXCELLENT. Knowledgeable, patient and unflappable. I don't know how he does it...I've wanted to throw things at the TV several times. :7

[karynnj]

4. He was incredibly impressive

It is SO amazing that he patiently debunking the same points as they are made by Republican after Republican. Kyl is at least knowledgeable - and annoying. Inhoffe and DeMint are merely disgusting. I had hoped Kerry would point out that both of their faces were rarely seen at the hearings - and maybe that is why they don't think it was discussed enough - sort of like cutting class and complaining the stuff on the final was never covered.

[wisteria]

5. Good analogy. n/t

[YvonneCa]

6. Perfect analogy...

... :) It would serve them right if JK said that, but he is much too considerate and civil to ever do that. As a teacher, I would add that...even if these guys showed up to get the 'stuff on the final', it probably was over their heads anyway. ;)

[karynnj]

10. Considerate, civil, and very self disciplined

The latter would not be said because it could cost him a vote he needs - not from them, they are unreachable - but from some random Republican.

[ProSense]

2. Speaking of START

Steve Benen has a post about Kerry, the Senate and GOP delays

<...>

Kerry, who'd been patient all day, just about lost it after waiting for five hours for Republicans to use their time the way they said they intended to use it. Kerry, perhaps assuming his GOP colleagues were acting in good faith before, and were sincere in their concerns about the time allotted, was just exasperated upon realizing that Republicans didn't even take their own complaints seriously.

"We've reached a new stage in America where you just say something; it doesn't matter if it's based on the truth " Kerry said, speaking without a prepared text. "Just say it. Put it out there -- somebody's going to believe it, someone will pick it up."

I don't know Kerry personally, but watching him, it seemed as if he's just a little sad about what's become of the institution. Senator, if you're reading, you're not the only one.

There is a clip there showing the five hours in which he kept trying to move the process along. Congressional Republicans are acting like kids, playing games instead of trying to address issues.

[karynnj]

3. I had the tv on for much of it - while doing stuff I needed to do

and he was awesome. It was a real marathon - and he was answering point after point - referring to notes just for quotes. He debated Kyl on one point.

There were several points where Kerry asked where the Republican were - and Lugar did the same. The quote from Kerry actually sounds much the same as many he made slightly before the election. It has to be utterly frustrating when he has always acted in good faith - and so many of the Republicans really really don't.

The concern now is that some of the talking bobbleheads on MSNBC are saying that Republicans are saying if there is a vote for DADT, they won't let START pass. This is asinine and I really think it is designed to cause divisions among the Democrats. It really says little for the Republicans that would flip - after they told the incredibly decent Lugar they were for it.

[wisteria]

7. The American people deserve more than just game playing from Republicans.

Both issues are important, perhaps, for me personally, the START Treaty, this issue should not be used as leverage to defeat the efforts of thoses who want to vote on DADT.

[YvonneCa]

8. Remember GWB's comment about...

...catapulting the propaganda? See what sticks? Some things don't change. The GOP really has been given enough chances, IMO. Enough already. :)

[wisteria]

9. That video of Kerry needs to be shown by the news media, John Stewart and Colbert.

People really need to see who in Cogress is playing games and who is trying to get things done.

Republicans just disguest me anymore.

[ObamaKerryDem]

11. Yay--can't wait to watch!

:bounce:

And the way you summed it up--your favorite Democrat and your favorite Republican, lol-- speaks for me as well, karynnj! :) Lugar is just too good for that party..I mean he may still disagree with us on most things, but at least he's dignified and seems a heck of a lot more thoughtful than most of his GOP counterparts. I respect him for that.

Does anyone know what time this show comes on here on the East Coast? *will look it up*

[MBS]

12. I won't be able to watch tomorrow. .

hopefully video will be archived on ABC News. In the meantime, can't wait to see everyone's reports!

[wisteria]

13. I was able to watch half of the interview.

But, now it seems the republican leader is not going to support the treaty.
I suppose this has to do with DADT being passed.Just another example of republicans playing games and in this case with the security of our country. Yesterday, McConnell had very little to say about the treaty, today he is not supporting it. Could it be because Kyle and McCain are being a**holes and claiming to be concerned about something in the preamble that really amounts to nothing? They just don't want to give Obama a win on this and they do not want him to appear to be a strong negotiator,-defense is supposed to be their territory, and they are willing to try and run the clock out until next year to feign concern over the wording in the preamble. Lets hope it passes without these jokers voting for it.

[karynnj]

14. McConnell was never expected to be for it - he voted against cloture

McConnell is the lead roadblock Republican.

I think the McCain/Barasso change was a poison bill and designed to be such. Kyl, who was the most capable of those supporting it was owned by Kerry in the debate. Kyl had retreated to saying that the line in the preamble gave the Russians a legal excuse for leaving the treaty - Kerry read the treaty's words on exiting the agreement - no justification is needed. Obama's letter, which Kerry obtained really did cover this.

The other excuses - and that's what they are include:
- it does not deal with tactical weapons - which is true and that can be done after the treaty is signed.
- it will stop missile defense, which it won't per the military guy running the program. (Not to mention missile defense does not yet come close to working to the degree that the Republican NON_SCIENTIST Senators say - they just failed a major test which was far below the phrase they object to which is missile defense is against limited attacks. It failed against an "attack" where the source and timing were known and there was just one "missile". )
- it doesn't deal with NK or Iran (True the treaty with Russia doesn't, but the impact of not passing it could mean they don't help us on NK and Iran)

There goal is to have the CW:
- that Obama was naive and too experienced to negotiate with the Russians - and is weak on defense

This is ALL political - with no concern from country.

[wisteria]

15. Agree! n/t

[karynnj]

16. Video and transcript

video: http://abcnews.go.com/ThisWeek/video/senator-kerry-lugar-start-12434005

transcript: http://abcnews.go.com/ThisWeek/week-transcript-sen-john-kerry-sen-richard-lugar/story?id=12433728

[MBS]

17. this was fantastic -- thanks so much for the link!! n/t