Letter to the editor - BH: Kerry’s effort lauded

[Mass]

http://bostonherald.com/news/opinion/letters/view/20111201kerrys_effort_lauded

Kerry’s effort lauded

Thursday, December 1, 2011
While the Select Committee on Deficit Reduction as a whole failed, there were a few members such as Sens. John Kerry, Rob Portman and Patty Murray and Rep. Jeb Hensarling who made a sincere effort to find a principled compromise (“Kerry facing ‘super’ fix,” Nov. 21). Unfortunately their efforts and those of other legislators in both parties who tried to find an agreement, simply could not overcome the rigid opposition from the zealous advocates on the left insisting on no realistic changes in entitlements and those on the right objecting to any discussion of even minimum revenues.

Kerry understood that he needed to be willing to accept “tough medicine” in areas important to him in order to reach a principled compromise where other members would do the same.

— Retired U.S. Sen. Alan Simpson, (R-Wyoming)

I am not exactly sure this letter helps Kerry.

[karynnj]

1. It is a mixed blessing!

But I do think it is fair and it does reflect the role he played. I doubt it will either hurt or help him - even if it were widely seen. I doubt that even praise from Simpson would change the RW animosity or their picture of Kerry as a socialist. I don't think it will change how he is viewed by the left - either for the better or worse.