Kerry town hall this Saturday in Northampton (1:30 - 3:00 PM)

[karynnj]

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=147227642005342

It would be interesting to see what will be asked and what he has to say. He really seems to be making a concerted effort to be out in MA. Although all Senators should do periodic town halls, few do - and it is great that he is doing this now when there is no near term election for him. It also might make him more helpful in 2012 in MA - for two reasons - it should make him more popular and it sets a bar for other Senators of being willing to answer to the public.

[Luftmensch067]

1. If anyone is going to this

And has access to a video camera of any sort and wants to film all or part of it, PM me. We'd love to archive it at http://www.jkmediasource.org/

I hate that events like this vanish without any record!

[karynnj]

2. I wonder if posting this and the info in the MA group (or even GDP )

might find someone - I agree with you it would be great to get these - especially this one after his role in Pakistan and Egypt.

[Luftmensch067]

3. Good idea!

I'll think about it! Thanks!

[Mass]

4. reportings on the meeting

http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/local/hampshire/john-kerry-hosts-an-emotional-meeting

John Kerry hosts an emotional meeting
Updated: Saturday, 19 Feb 2011, 4:34 PM EST
Published : Saturday, 19 Feb 2011, 4:34 PM EST

Sy Becker
NORTHAMPTON, Mass (WWLP) - Senator John Kerry hosted a lively, emotion filled town hall style meeting in Northampton Saturday afternoon.

It was standing room only for a town hall meeting that was to focus on jobs, the economy and other key issues of interest to the Pioneer Valley but emotions ran high among war protesters.

Senator John Kerry told 22News “What about the war? I will get to the war in a moment. It's a big, big deal, It's not the only issue my friend.”
Claudia Letko of Northampton was the anti war protester who walked out on Senator Kerry.

There was strong concern about the need for continuing social programs such as affordable housing here in Western Massachusetts.

Robin Sherman of Montague told 22News “The economic recovery is well underway, these are not only important to safety and quality of life, they're also important for jobs.”

The Senator told the crowd that If America doesn't create jobs; we're not going to do anything in the world

http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2011/02/dissastisfaction_voiced_at_tow.html

NORTHAMPTON – Dissatisfaction was evident during a Saturday town hall style meeting in which U.S. Sen. John F. Kerry, D-Mass., addressed a standing-room only crowd at the Center for the Arts.

People voiced concerns about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the lack and jobs and the poor state of the economy. Comments were heated at time, and some members of the crowd shouted at each other.

Kerry advised people to do what he did – get involved in politics in the hopes of making a difference. He also said people should hold elected officials accountable.

Seems to have been a hot meeting, which is not exactly surprising given the hard times ahead.

[Mass]

5. More here

http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2011/02/us_senator_john_kerry_talks_wa.html

The tone of the meeting is not surprising, considering it is Northampton, which is very liberal. I have to differ with Senator Kerry about the notion oil is not one reason we are in the Middle East. As for the war. it is a difficult stance to hold in Northampton. I really would like to see a video of this meeting.

[Luftmensch067]

6. Tiny bit of video...

http://www.cbs3springfield.com/news/local/John-Kerry-Feels-the-Heat-in-Northampton-116549008.html

[Mass]

7. More here

http://www.gazettenet.com/2011/02/21/kerry-feels-the-heat

It is great to see how much Kerry was respectful of the people who disagreed.

Kerry tried to answer everyone who questioned him, and stayed after the meeting to talk with people who did not get a chance to speak.

In an interview, Kerry said of the public anger, "You see it everywhere. That's why I come out ... I respect it. I have complete sympathy and understanding for it.

"People are ripped. I'm ripped," he continued. "We've got to respond, we've got to make something happen."

[Luftmensch067]

8. I think as a general rule

when people stop screaming so loud they can't hear anything but their own voices, they discover that Senator Kerry is actually talking sense.

[karynnj]

9. More detail here

http://dailycollegian.com/2011/02/21/kerry-addresses-economy-foreign-policy-in-noho/

[Mass]

10. Why did this college paper do a better job reporting than the established media?

This is very telling of what our media has become.

[karynnj]

11. It really is- the established media's coverage was awful

and focused totally on the fact that many of the people were angry about the state of the country, rather than the fact that a senior politician spent 2 hours interacting with them - listening and answering every question asked. From the college report, the intensity of the people's concerns is covered, but so are some of the issues discussed. Kerry is doing his job listening to them.

[karynnj]

12. Here's a very nice op-ed on it from the Daily Hampshire Gazette

Praising Kerry for his patience and willingness to put up with it.

Kerry told the Gazette's Ben Storrow after the meeting that he understands people are upset and said he is angry too about what's happening in the halls of government. That is not only the politic thing for the former presidential candidate to say, it shows the depth of his character. We saw Kerry be willing to absorb criticism and invective without taking it personally. That's something few people are capable of, in or out of public life.
<snip>
Despite the onslaught he weathered Saturday, Kerry kept listening and tried gamely to answer questions. One man was heard to say that he is glad to have as his senator someone with such patience and fortitude.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/notes/roger-lau/daily-hampshire-gazette-in-our-opinion-the-senators-saturday/10150102131640825