JK on Radio Boston on WBUR, today at 3 pm EST

[Luftmensch067]

http://radioboston.wbur.org/2011/01/24/john-kerry

In an increasingly bitter political environment, the U.S. House and Senate will begin work this week facing tough challenges in a world still reeling from the brink of economic collapse. Sen. John Kerry, the senior senator from Massachusetts and the tenth most senior senator in the chamber, will look to jump-start the economy in this, his 26th year in office.

We speak with Kerry for a comprehensive discussion about the economy, President Obama’s State of the Union address, infrastructure investments and the atmosphere in Washington, D.C., now that the GOP has taken control of the House.

Guest:

Sen. John Kerry, senior senator from Massachusetts

Verrry nice photo of JK in the studio at the link!

Edited to add: Note, also, at the link that there is a call-in number and that you can also add comments via Facebook and Twitter. I've heard Radio Boston callers when JK was only talked about who are the equivalent of Boston Herald creeps. Imagine the kinds of awful calls when he's in studio! It would be nice to hear voices of support as well.

[karynnj]

1. It is a very nice photo - at that

I don't think I've seen a picture with him wearing a sweater unless the one circa 1972 counts. This does sound like it will be an interesting interview.

What I really like is the synergy of Kerry speaking details to some of the broader brush things Obama is saying. (There is no way it is coincidental that Kerry, Obama and administration people are all talking "sputnik moment". It is interesting that Obama is willing to take the fight to the public. We face two seriously different policy options - The Republicans sharply cutting spending - or the Democrats realizing that we need to invest to grow the economy. These are opposite ideologies and which we take (or where the compromise lands) will determine our countries future.

[karynnj]

2. Listening now

She is doing general news first. She is speaking of the Pittsfield jobs - and now she went to a taped interview with Kerry.

Asked about the Pittsfield job - points out it is a $5 billion contract and military spending needs to be cut. Is it needed - yes, the ships will save money over time as they are more modern, need fewer people to run, less fuels - and we will continue to be needed. It is approved by Gates. Kerry says that some military cuts are needed.

Asked if another part of the state could have benefited more - says that you need to take advantage of where an area can benefit. He said that many MA colleges get major research grants. Grants for high speed rail and transportation. Kerry said that he is proud that MA was competitive in getting that grant.

Spoke of green jobs. Mentioned Evergreen where the jobs went to China - very frustrating (Kerry) Kerry said this is a major need for the country, not just MA. Spoke of having worked hard to do this last year - he will push Obama hard to do major work on this. Worse than a tragedy. Need leadership to say "we will go to the moon" - same kind of committment needed. Speaks of this being where they are losing market share over the decades.

Kerry says that he will push a major infrastructure funding. Long term investments in infrastructure is investment - not spending.
Her - how do you counter that this will balloon the deficit. Kerry says this spending has not been done for decades and we are using infrastructure built by our parents and grandparents. Says deficit was caused by "credit card" tax cut that no one asked for and 2 credit card wars - one we should never have been in. Speaks of how infrastructure (tolls) would pay for itself. Speaks of companies having a capital budget.

She asked about his "infrastructure bank". He gave a nice description of how it loans money to companies that will build tings. She asked if education and green technology could be handled the same way. He said it doesn't fit education and he spoke of how we need to provide top grade education everywhere. He agreed it was the best investment in the future. Biggest single ingredient is leadership - need strong principles.

She spoke of hearing the passion in his vote speaking of the need for a sputnik moment, yet this is a tough time. He spoke of being an optimist or he wouldn't go at it this way. If they are just ideological we are in trouble. He will fight for this - and hopes that they will find common ground. Otherwise 2012 will be a major referendum.

Asked if 2010 was a referendum - no it was an emotional fear driven reaction. The economy has improved every day since the election. Kerry spoke of how the Democrats in 2008 ran for cover when Paulson spoke of the need to take the tough vote to bail out the Financial system. Said that health care had to be done. Kerry says that he welcomes the fight. He welcomes the debate. China putting 8 billion into clean energy, should we put none? Do we want to take away healthcare from kids.

Asked if he would sit with a Republican - said sure if all the "dates" aren't taken, but the real thing is how we vote. Then spoke of the filibuster use and spoke of McConnell's stated goal of "make Obama fail"

Asked about Brown, who connected with people - with his truck. Should Kerry connect too - pointed out he had a barn coat before Brown and spoke of having met with people in Iowa and NH. (WHAT A DUMB OBNOXIOUS QUESTION)

Said Kerry will be on a morning show tomorrow - didn't catch name (obviously also taped)

[karynnj]

3. Little side comment -

It seems pretty strange that she questions whether they can fight when the Republicans have the House and the Democrats have a smaller majority in the Senate. NO ONE questioned that it was reasonable for the Republicans to fight tooth and nail when we had the Presidency, 60 in the Senate and a majority in the House. Also no one argued that Bush needed to alter his clearly rejected path in Iraq after the Democrats took the House AND the Senate. We still have the majority in the Senate and the Presidency why is there ANY push back on Kerry suggesting we needed to find common ground.

His comments on the infrastructure bank actually are in what should be common ground. It essentially is a market solution that helps with raising capital for communities or companies wanting to work on these necessary projects. When I was young - I think such a suggestion might have been more likely to come from the Republicans. (Even though it is as progressive an idea as anyone could have.)

[Inuca]

11. Thanks for another great summary n/t

[Mass]

4. Where did they find this interviewer?

My husband listened in his car and told me he was mad at her. I am listening now, and frankly, her questions make no sense.

At least, she lets him speak, so the interview makes sense, despite her poor skills.

[karynnj]

5. I hated the last question as it was beyond insulting

Kerry handled it politely, but pushed back on the idea that Brown did anything that was at all new in politics. ( I suspect that Kerry's barn jacket might actually have been LESS "elitist" than Brown's very expensive one.

From a 2004 US Newsreport:
"Kerry snagged his coat last winter at a Timberland factory store in New Hampshire, home of the firm. "With sales of barn coats skyrocketing," says his aide David Wade, still in campaign mode, "John Kerry has already created more jobs in New Hampshire than George Bush."

I think Kerry was able to say the things he wanted to - and as you said she did let him speak.

[Inuca]

8. Timberland?

I was hoping it is an LL Bean, like mine :-).

[karynnj]

13. Yeah - and he got it at a factory outlet

Brown's supposedly $900 jacket was said to be a gift from his two then college student daughters.

There are lots of funny DU 2004 threads on the coat - they tried to find the exact coat. It doesn't look like they were successful - I assume that might be because Kerry had bought it a year earlier. At any rate, he got his money's worth out of it. http://www.democraticunderground.org/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x1869052

[Inuca]

21. I came aboard

after the election, and missed all that fun :-)

[Mass]

6. I agree with Kerry (and Tsongas) that this sitting together thing is a gimmick.

But guess what the media are all about this morning.

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2011/01/25/brown_to_cross_aisle_for_presidential_address/

Yes, our junior senator is going to seat next to Carper, and he apparently made a press release about it and it is worth a mention in the news and an article in the Globe.

[karynnj]

7. That is actually predictable, however, Brown is not the only Republican that Carper is sitting with

http://www.lvrj.com/blogs/politics/Ensign_mystery_solved.html?ref=949

I think Tsongus and Kerry are right - and the real thing is not sitting together for a couple of hours. I remember that there was an article written near when Kerry got the SFRC chair. One of the first things he did was to host a dinner with all the committee members and their spouses in an effort to create some level of bipartisanship.

What is more noteworthy is that Kerry is 100% in sync with the President on competitiveness, infrastructure etc. (Kerry's has pushed these ideas for a long time, but it is not clear that he influenced the administration on this.)

[Inuca]

10. Of course it's a gimmick

but it will be fun to watch to confusion :evilgrin:

[karynnj]

14. An Arizona paper is quoting McCain saying he wil sit with Kerry, Lieberman and Udall (NM)

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., intends to sit with Sens. Tom Udall, D-N.M.; John Kerry, D-Mass.; and Joe Lieberman, I-Conn.

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2011/01/25/20110125gabrielle-giffords-shooting-grips-the-nation.html#ixzz1C3UWRRpt

How he sits next to three people is hard to fathom.

[Mass]

18. A couple years ago, Kerry was seated with Lindsay Graham.

They were probably seated at the limit berween Dems and Reps, but they did not have a PR to tell us that.

[karynnj]

19. Interesting and more important is that they did reach out to each other

to do real work - even if not enough others followed.

I also think that Kerry's demeanor in leading the New START floor fight had to win him REAL credit as someone working seriously to hear what the other side's issues were.

[Inuca]

22. YOu made me laugh loud

and I am at work. fortuntely alone in the office at this point.

One possible answer: maybe he will sit in Kerry's lap, thus making it much more difficult for JK to stand up and applaud the juicy parts. It can happen, no?

[Luftmensch067]

23. I think you've found the answer to the riddle! n/t

[karynnj]

24. We'll never know what he intended because there is now a story that the

entire Arizona delegation will sit together with one empty seat. (They might be meaning just the House, but the articles say the delegation.)

[Luftmensch067]

25. JK and McCain do seem to be sitting together!

What's more, they walked over to the House together, with JK talking away to McCain and McCain looking sour, as usual.

[karynnj]

26. That is interesting -

Maybe JK can get him to be a bit less sour.

[politicasista]

27. Interesting tweet

He might want to find another GOPer to sit with next time.


From blacksnob (and retweeted elsewhere):

Aw. McCain and Kerry are sitting in the "I coulda beena a contenda" Bob Dole section. #sotu
about 3 hours ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®

Overall, Obama gave a really good speech. Saw where he and Kerry shook hands at the beginning. First Lady looked really nice also.

[MBS]

28. WaPo had same stupid seating chart analysis

. . on Jan 24 or 25 . . Dowd/Collins -esque in cattiness.. . won't give link.

[politicasista]

35. Not surprising n/t

[Mass]

29. Thanks to remind me why I dont follow tweets

Shallowness and stupidity.

Now, I kind of liked the speech, but I certainly did not like the part of speech about education (nothing new. One of my most important problems with Obama's policies is education, not because it does not need an overhaul, but because we continue with the same idea that we can educate all of our kids with simple cookie-cutting techniques. All our kids will not become scientists and mathematicians. And, even more importantly, all of our kids do not learn well seated at a desk and reading and listening to lectures. It is time to rehabilitate different types of education, while making absolutely sure that one type is not seen as superior (so what if a teenager learns better hands-on. It does not make him/her stupid, and I know very bright people who could not learn at Yale/Harvard. It does not fit their learning style) and that some types are not limited to some economical-racial profiles. Our kids are not all the same. A good vocational school is as good as a classical highschool, for example, and we need more colleges that prepare to real trade, not empty diplomas.

I disliked the strengthening of Social Security as well, not because we cannot strengthen it, but because it will be see by the "catfood" policy people as a sign they can cut it.

In general, it was a good speech, but nothing exceptional, which is the case of nearly all SOTU I have heard in the past.

[politicasista]

34. For the record,

I am not a tweeter or have a Twitter account, but it is the source for a lot of breaking news, and unfortunately, also celebrity death hoaxes, and trash talking of anyone. So, a lurker of what my favorite artists are up to.

About the speech, still trying to find where he stands on Education because of having heard of him speak of longer school days, and accountability for bad teachers and rewarding good ones. IMO, NCLB needs to be repealed.

There was a teacher in my state that believes that children learn better sitting on those big, exercise balls (it keeps them focused, and their grades/behavior improved as opposed to sitting in a chair/desk all day). It's a good idea, but since this was private school and donated by parents and other groups, it is unlikely that this would go well in a public school. We can only hope. I liked that he spoke right at the camera and encouraged people to become a teacher (late grandmother and cousin were ones) and make a difference in a child's life.

Though agree that not all kids will become scientists and/or mathematicians, do not learn the same (i.e. Gardner's Multiple Intelligences), and come from diverse backgrounds, it sounds like Obama was speaking more as an optimistic person, with a hopeful vision for children in America. Do also agree about the need for colleges that prepare to real trade.

As for SS, not up on the issue as others are here, so thanks for that fair, civil assessment.

[karynnj]

30. I thoroughly disagree - I think McCain an excellent choice

Sure, there will be thoughtless people who make that comment - many of them. But, how many of them ever got to the point of being their party's nominee? What I saw were two party elders, respectfully sitting together. Not to mention - between them they got more mention (from what I saw) than any other pair. (Look who the NYT interactive tool chose to spotlight - http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/26/us/politics/26scene.html?partner=rss&emc=rss )

The comments are so junior high (or middle school) - and as all our parents told us - especially those of us who were thin skinned - we need to consider the source. The fact is that JK's position in the party was enhanced by his run and his actions since then. McCain is a different situation. He was a super media favorite and he ran a miserable campaign. But, from the moment he lost, the media was still there for him arguing that he could be the leader of bipartisanship with Obama. This was two party elders, with a long mixed history between them, sitting together. JK designated as such because of his steady important work gives him grudging credit and McCain because the media sees a spark of potential greatness. Not to mention - they were the nominees of opposite parties during the last contentious decade. There is some symbolism there.

As to pick another Republican - who would you suggest? I had though Dick Lugar, but I think that could have potentially hurt Lugar - who is up for re-election. In addition, Kerry and Lugar sitting together speaking bipartisanship reflects what their relationship always was - nothing new. Scott Brown? Why wish that on Kerry? - and you know that would generate negative tweets - and comments praising Brown at Kerry's expense. (Not to mention - you might notice that Brown has been almost not mentioned and at least on MSNBC rarely seen as they scanned the audience - and he was squirming each time. Kerry was - especially for a longish time when Obama spoke of Sudan. Why get Brown more TV time?) Inhofe? Rand? No way. The only one I could think of that would come close to McCain in symbolism is Kyl - and that would be lost on the TV viewers. Why Kyl? If you watched the healthcare debates or the New START debates, Kyl is one of the sharpest of the Republicans in the Senate - as Kerry is on our side. But, I think of Kyl more as a Republican Schumer - because although both are as sharp as Kerry, neither can inspire their side with their eloquence or vision.

[Luftmensch067]

31. Amen re Kyl being equivalent to Schumer!

You put it much more gracefully than I would have -- I just think they're both slimy! :-)

I think the Kerry McCain seat pairing was eminently apt. They have long been a symbol of what is possible in terms of bipartisan cooperation. McCain, alas, has often fallen from that standard in his relationship with Kerry, and Kerry never has, but they can both still point to that story of the plane ride in which they first discovered that even though they had taken different points of view regarding the war after coming home, they were able to talk and find common ground. As some of us have observed, it sometimes seems like Kerry doesn't give up on McCain and tries to help him find his better self; maybe it's the kind of Senate "friendship" that Teddy Kennedy was able to have with Republicans over the years.

Just from a practical standpoint, I was happy that Kerry was sitting with McCain because it meant the stupid press was sure to take pictures of them because of McCain!

[karynnj]

32. Thanks

I agree that both are unprincipled in going after their goals. That stood out in the New START debates. I would bet that Kyl was among those Kerry spoke of has having "no shame". In one debate, Kyl argued that the Russians would use the preface of the treaty as an excuse to get out of it - Kerry read from the clauses on how the treaty could end showing that NO REASON was needed. It was a real "gotcha moment" - but that reason remained through the following days as a Kyl talking point. He also was one of the main people arguing that it was "rushed". BUT, Kyl was the only Republican able to actually debate Kerry - man to man - on the Senate floor.

What I didn't like was the giddy, high school talk of "prom dates". It was somehow really yucky. Couric's description of Gilibrand and Thune as the "best hair" couple was pretty sick - and it reminded me of 2005 when Thune's supporters were voting him up as the (I think) most trusted Senator and we freeped it for weeks putting Kerry and others up top. It is telling that whenever he is mentioned in the 2012 list, the only comment is that he is photogenic.

[Mass]

33. +1

THe media coverage is so junior high.

Talking about Schumer, something tells me the energy bill will be important this year: http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/677-e2-wire/140271-schumer-promises-energy-bill-as-dems-warm-to-clean-standard

Brown and Kerry will work together for keeping military bases .Actually the meeting is today.

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2011/01/kerry_brown_str.html?rss_id=Top+Stories

[politicasista]

36. Sometimes,

perception equals reality even if it doesn't or shouldn't. Being a party's nominee is one thing, but actually winning the race is another.

Not excusing the tweet, but that's just the perception that people have of both Kerry and McCain; and why they are linked to Dole and others that lost, even though McCain lost in a landslide and Kerry by a thousand? votes in one state. Nobody cares whether or not they worked together or what work they did, and there is nothing statesman-like about McCain.

While agree, that McCain is heavily favored by the MSM for working bipartisan with Obama, that is all nothing but hype. Since the 2008 election ended, McCain has been exposed as a bitter old racist man who will never get over losing to an AA man/politician in Obama. (The Senator probably knows that better than anyone cause he did a good job dissing McCain at the 08 DNC).

McCain is determined to be the new "Senator No" at all cost. He and Kyl both showed their true jealousy at the Tucson Memorial Service when Obama spoke. They know that wherever Obama goes, he is going to blow everyone out of the water, just like he did with that speech. They were there because it was the politically smart thing to do, Obama was there for the community and the victims families.

As for what other GOPers to pick, Lugar, Snowe may have been risky, and certainly not Brown. Maybe Collins? Corker would not have worked because he is up for re-election also, so guess McCain was the only option. Kyl is a snake like Schumer, so that would not have worked, but you do an excellent job of explaining Kyl.



I understand everyone's take on all of this is different, but this is just from where I sit.

[karynnj]

37. Respectfully,

I think you give far too much concern to the one line snark in twitters.

I would suggest that JK knows McCain a lot better than any of us do. I also think that if you look at the list of Republican Senators, he is one of the people that JK is likely to try to "get" on energy - now that it won't have a cap and trade part.

I also do not think it fair to say that McCain's lack of respect to Obama is race based - you could argue it is based on a McCain perception that Obama did not "put in his dues" - that he was too young and inexperienced. Not to mention, look at the things where McCain DID work with Democrats in the past - they did NOT include social spending. He is a very extreme economic conservative - almost to being a libertarian.

I DON'T think it fair to say that Kerry "dissed" McCain. What Kerry did was argued that candidate McCain was against all the things that had led Democrats to work with him. Kerry's speech was needed - as nearly every prominent Democrat - including VP Joe Biden had given McCain effusive praise in the past. Kerry's elegant candidate McCain vs Senator McCain gave Democrats a frame to square past praise with current concern that he would take the country in the wrong direction. Kerry did this while saying McCain had been a friend and he liked him. Remember Kerry absolutely refused to give Wes Clark (who JK likes) any cover when Clark went too far in questioning McCain's claim to being a hero.

As to nothing statesman like about McCain - I would agree that there were few instances since 2003 - but, he has the ability to be a statesman and if you watch him he will often speak as one. If on any issue, McCain can be brought to see that something the Democrats propose is right and they can enlist him to support it, he has the potential - that few Republicans do - of being someone who can really pull in an extra chunk of Senators and regular people.

I also think who they sat by is pretty meaningless.

[politicasista]

38. It goes beyond snark and tweets

it is a POV that a lot of people of all races that support this President have.

The level of disrespect for the Obamas and the office of the Presidency has reached a new level and McCain is part of the problem. He may be known for his bipartisan work, but it still does not excuse him from his behavior towards Obama. It may not be fair to pin this on McCain, but there have been a lot of people from the right, left and center, that are undermining his Administration at every turn. Biden is excused because, he is Obama's partner and is an attack dog with a smile. They are already going after Rachel Maddow for allowing B. Maher to call Obama a "golden retriever" (animals and AA comparisons are insensitive, if not offensive towards AA) for not speaking about gun control at the TMS. Too much other stuff to name.

As to Senator Kerry, ok, he knows McCain better than we do, but how many Americans know about the energy bill and its benefits? I did go back and hear the interview he did on Climate Change, and it was good, and agree that more people should take interest in this issue, especially after Katrina.

Dis was not a good word, more like a good kick behind speech (that few noticed) about Senator McCain vs Candidate McCain. However, many have seen McCain in action on the Senate floor and in the media and see a man refusing to let go of losing to a historical candidate in an historical election (in a landslide). He may have been right to question his experience, but the more Obama does well, the more angrier McCain seems. And Kerry got a lot of flack for going against General Clark and supporting McCain on that issue. Plus, people remember the rumored Kerry/McCain ticket of 04.

Even if Obama Democrats don't appreciate Senator Kerry (cause they are watching which Democrats really have the President's back), he does have the President's ear when it comes to Foreign Policy, Energy, and other issues. :) People are just very protective of the President and First Family (since we are not living in a post-racial era) and that is just the way they roll.


If this comes across as taking swipes at Kerry, it was not the intent, if so apologies.

[Mass]

39. Respectfully, if some people do not see that Kerry is among the Dems

who have Obama's back, they are just blind. Actually, I dont think there are a lot who have his back more (who do they like among the Democratic elected officials?). Too bad for them, but why should I care. Kerry is not running outside of MA anymore.

What I resent, however, is the implication that we MUST support Obama whatever he does. Yes, some people dont want a African American president, but, by large, many people (including some Republicans) are fighting for ideas they believe in. IT IS NOT ABOUT OBAMA, it is ABOUT OUR FUTURE. Some of these ideas are bad, but we should fight them because they are bad, not because they oppose Obama. It is time to restart a robust debate of ideas. This is what Obama said yesterday, and this is the part I am totally on board with, but it starts differentiating racist opposition and oppostion based on ideas.
.

I am also confused with your point that Obama Democrats dont appreciate Kerry. This is a very sweeping statement that, IMHO, has no basis. Certain Obama Democrats dont appreciate Obama, for sure, just as some Obama Democrats dont appreciate other people. The world is diverse. But. with all due respect, I think you overdramatize. There are people who dont like him as there are people who dont like others. It is not a big deal.

[politicasista]

40. You both are right

And agree with you and your post.

The reason why I said that is because DUers (thankfully, DU and blogs aren't the real world, and I will not use them as examples here anymore) that support Obama will still have some resentment towards Kerry for beating Dean, Clark, even Edwards. Some (not all) staunch O supporters still believe that had Dean not been destroyed by the media, he would have been the nominee and won and Kerry would have been out of the picture. They appreciate the Senator, but they will never let 04 go, many haven't even let 08 go.


Again, it's not a big deal, but that's the way it is. Will just leave it at that, but it's been good having this dialogue. Peace.

[karynnj]

42. At this point, Kerry is pretty well accepted as a good Democrat by the majority of DU

There is a fringe - a very small fringe _ who attack him when he is mentioned. The vast majority of them are not Democrats - or at least not mainstream Democrats. Their current heores are Assange and Grayson. Over time, I have seen some Dean people conceded that Kerry was (and is) as liberal as Dean and admit that Dean would have been torn apart. Some are as you say people who wish that Dean had had a chance to run. This is completely understandable. Even with Obama winning there are Clinton people who really wish she could have been the nominee and the President. It is hard to abandon dreams that sustained you for a long time. I admit that there are STILL times I wish the Democrats had not undercut Kerry in 2005 and 2006. I think he would have been a wonderful President. But, that is not reality. What is is a President Obama. I support him when - as is mostly the case - I agree with the direction he is going in.

One very big thing not said here is that many of the big, new parts of this speech were things Kerry spoke of on Meet the Press and in his wonderful speech earlier this month. That means one of three things - all very good for Kerry. 1) The administration has adopted many of his ideas as theirs 2) Kerry was very involved with the administration on developing a 2011 plan and frame and the administration asked him to trial balloon some of it or 3) Kerry and the administration simply came to the same conclusions as to the problems and the ways to solve them. Any of these put Kerry in a position of being a Senate leader pushing the Obama agenda - which the public reacted favorably to. (There is little chance that we will know the behind the scenes story in the near future - or possibly ever. )

Also, as to supporting Obama - both Lugar and Kerry were essential to giving Obama his biggest victory in the lame duck session. Both the RW and Obama had made ratification of New START an issue they wanted to in - giving it a visibility that it otherwise would not have had. Kerry's work was absolutely solid on that. Durbin's food safety bill was another gain. Look at the lame duck session where CW now says that Obama had a lot of victories. The big issue on DU, DADT,is an important civil rights step, but had it been the only win, it would have been trivialized - and the extension of tax cuts for all for 2 years would have been seen as a win for the right. Kerry's and Durbin's outstanding work was needed.

[politicasista]

43. Makes sense

Excellent post. Will have to remember all of the above when logging on or visiting other places in the near future.

[Inuca]

41. I think of Kyl as a scorpion

I think he oozes nastiness. But I agree, he is sharp (unfortunately), as is his miserable boss McConell.

[Inuca]

9. Related Hill article

here http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/139753-kerry-obama-to-embrace-major-initiatives-on-climate-in-sotu?utm_campaign=E2Wire&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter (and please, don't read the comments, they are vile, and to call them idiotic is to pay them a compliment)

[karynnj]

12. Here's a link to another WLBR interview that played this morning

http://www.wbur.org/2011/01/25/kerry-3

[whometense]

15. I heard this!

Flipped on the radio this morning, and the first voice I heard was JK's - nice way to start the day.

Good interview - JK was pressed a bit on his relationship with Scott Brown. He answered very diplomatically, I thought, but it wasn't hard to read between the lines.

[karynnj]

17. He was diplomatic, but his strongest comment was that he would support

whoever the Democratic nominee is - duh! I did appreciate that the question reflected their relative positions and spoke of Kerry advising Brown. Kerry was great converting it to working with the delegation for MA. (Yet yesterday, Kerry almost praised everyone and their grandmother for getting the Pittsfield contract - but did not mention Brown. Most stories also did not mention Brown - only the General Dynamics' thank you did. As it seems that Kerry was the key person, this is fair - and there are plenty of press releases that credit both for everything that the state gets. Then Brown argues that he is against earmarks.)

The odd think is that the Boston Globe apparently did not cover that they got this contract - just an article in December that Kerry was making a late minute effort to get it. You would think 500 jobs beats where any Senator sits for the SOTU.

[MBS]

16. great interview

thanks for transcript.

[karynnj]

20. I wonder if this is the type of "connecting" that the interviewer supports

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/25/scott-brown-2012-campaign-book_n_813616.html?ir=Books

Brown wants to buy his own book with campaign funds (not paying the author's royalty) to give to people who give large contributions ... and put him higher on the best sellers' list.