Any word from JK/his reps regarding "The Deal"?

[ObamaKerryDem]

So far, nothing on the Senate site that I can see. Curious to hear his take on all this. Wonder how he's really feeling about it..

[Mass]

1. I' ve not seen anything, but given the feeling of the entire caucus that this is not

a good deal, I don't see how he can be different. However, I imagine he will vote for it to avoid default and by loyalty to the president.

[ObamaKerryDem]

2. You are probably right. I have yet to see a Dem--or a Progressive

one like JK, at least--who is thrilled about this.

The President should've demanded that the two be separate--that the debt ceiling be raised first before any of the budget agreements. Easier said than done, of course..but this feels like, as Barney Frank put it, extortion.

:thumbsdown:

[karynnj]

3. Sherrod Brown was on CNN recently and he said he would vote for it

They asked him about liberal House comments - and he to some degree agreed with them, but the cost of default as an alternative was too great. The Clinton sycophant, Paul Begala, took the time on CNN to dump on Obama and his negotiation skills, contrasting him to Clinton, who got a 50/50 split that independents thought fair. Prosense posted Senator Leahy's comments - http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x731038

I think that it is traditionally the responsibility of the party in power in a House to get things that their leader (and their President) want through. I would guess that had it been Kerry, the comments would have been similar.

Whether this deal was merely bad (vs atrocious) won't be seen until the committee is formed and finally when they make their recommendations.

Thinking back on Kerry's speeches on this, I would assume he is very unhappy that their were no revenue increases, especially as the definition of a revenue increase follows the Republican definition. It really is unconscionable that they can't close a sweetheart loophole that never had any good reason to exist at a point they are cutting vital programs. In addition, ALL the reporting is accepting the Republican view that their was imminent danger in the level of the debt itself. This actually is not true. The amount of debt that can be borne is a function of the interest rate, which is currently extremely low. So low that the % of current income to pay the interest is lower than it was in most of the last 3 decades.

So, while the absolute level of the debt is so high it does require that deficits be reduced, it was NEVER the plan that the deficits in the last few years would continue forever. The recession itself lowers revenue and raises costs - even with no legislation. Recovery does the opposite and if they continued what they were doing and even added stimulus, the economy would pay them back for it.

I know there were some bad economic reports, but it should say something that the market does not appear to be rewarding these votes. These are people betting real money. Now, it may change tomorrow or it may be the markets never bought the idea that there was any chance of default.

[Mass]

4. Of the MA delegation, only 3 voted AYe

tsongas,lynch, and Keating.

Frank, who was said to be a AYE vote, voted NO

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h2011-690

[Mass]

5. According to a GDP poster, he said he would vote AYE on a morning show this morning

No link though,

[Mass]

6. Here, from the BG

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2011/08/02/house_oks_debt_package/?page=2

Kerry said in an interview that he would support the plan, but said the proposal disappointed many Democrats - including himself - because it did not include any guarantee of new revenues.

“It’s not the deal that a lot of us would have made, and it’s not the deal we wanted, but I think avoiding default is critical, paramount to the country,’’ he said.

“We just have to move on,’’ Kerry added. “We need to use this time more effectively than it’s been used to help the country understand what the choices are.’’


Too nice, IMHO, even if I did not expect him to lash out at the WH. I wished he would consider to join the House MA delegation (or at least its overwhelming majority), but I know it is not in his nature.

[Luftmensch067]

7. Nice, maybe, but don't count him out -- he doesn't give up!

I agree that it's not his way to make a big dramatic gesture like voting no in this case or "lashing out at the WH", but my feeling is that although he definitely gets mad, he mostly gets even. I believe JK will be walking the talk in terms of helping "the country understand what the choices are" when the time comes to put pressure on the to-be-formed bicameral committee and I'm sure he'll find other ways to fight the effects of this before that. I only wish he had Teddy there to work with him...it must be hard not to have that presence around when you're fighting the good fight.

[karynnj]

8. My guess is the main thing he can do to help - is to work hard to get Republicans

for the infrastructure bank. Though it way too small to provide the needed level of stimulation needed, it's costs are lower than alternatives that could accomplish the same thing. It has bipartisan support, but likely needs more.

I bet he does miss Teddy, for his friendship and as one of the few Senators he likely could speak to without any filter - knowing that Kennedy knew him well enough that nothing he said would impair Kennedy's respect for him. He also is likely not happy how far down MA traded when they elected Brown.