Reply #1: Washington Post coverage on this - great Kerry quotes

[karynnj]

Sen. John Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Ford’s presence “in Damascus applies far more pressure than his symbolic withdrawal would have” and he praised him for continuing to visit cities under siege and “speak truth to power.”
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Kerry, D-Mass., said Ford has been steadfast “despite even being physically attacked and assaulted by the regime’s goons.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/national-security/kerry-senate-approval-of-us-ambassador-to-syria-sends-tough-message-to-assad-government/2011/10/04/gIQAroeFLL_story.html