http://blog.oregonlive.com/mapesonpolitics/2008/04/the_smithkerry_connection_the.htmlThe Smith-Kerry connection: the French brothers
Posted by Jeff Mapes, The Oregonian April 11, 2008 07:21AM
Sens. Gordon Smith, R-Ore., and John Kerry, D-Mass., collaborated on a key part of a foreclosure prevention bill that passed the Senate on Thursday. Their provision calls for the government to float $10.9 billion in bonds - costing taxpayers $1.7 billion - to refinance subprime loans that threaten to throw homeowners into foreclosure.
Sen. John Kerry
It's the kind of bipartisan collaboration that - despite all of the political divisions in Congress - happen every day in Washington. This one is a little notable, however, because Smith had attracted national attention back in 2004 for his over-the-top slams on Kerry when the latter was the Democratic nominee for president.
"It's not John Kerry's fault that he looks French," Smith said at the time. "But it is his fault that he wants to pursue policies that have us act like the French. He advocates all kinds of additional socialism at home, appeasement abroad, and what that means is weakness for the future."
Well, I suppose some conservatives - who don't think it is the government's role to be bailing out homeowners who made bad loans - are now thinking that Smith has joined Kerry in pursuing socialism at home.
Too funny!
Oh, and here is the press release on the bill:
http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/48745967_senate-passes-kerry-housing-legislation-protect-veSo, um, where is the Globe on this? They did do an article on when the bill was proposed:
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2008/04/04/kerry_seeks_10b_to_help_homeowners_refinance/But what about the fact that it passed and will help Mass. homeowners?