Kerry's Importance

[Dr Ron]

Mark Halperin lists The Five Most Important People in American Politics Right Now Who Aren't Barack Obama. John Kerry makes the list:

http://thepage.time.com/halperins-take-the-five-most-important-people-in-american-politics-right-now-who-arent-barack-obama-4/

Of course he could be important as either Secretary of State of Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Post at Liberal Values on this list:

http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=5820

[karynnj]

1. Fascinating list

With Kerry this is a major shift for Halpern - In his book, he praised Drudge as 2004"s Murrow. He really trashed Kerry's campaign - though many examples showed media irresponsibility rather than anything Kerry did wrong. He started the book with a several page account of a Drudge made up story down to false quotes about a $1000 hair styling by a fussy Kerry - speaking of coloring and highlighting. The truth, which the Kerry campaign and the salon got out the same day, was that he had a $75 hair cut.

I would think the true source of Kerry's power is not just his Senate or cabinet position, but the fact that he clearly has the President's confidence. He did the closing MTP and he was allowed to give an unvetted speech at the convention. (I do think Kerry will have increased power in the Senate - especially if he wants to become like Ted Kennedy.)

The list is weird - in that I doubt McCain is really in the top five and I seriously doubt the future head of the RNC is. (I also never saw Democrats on similar lists in 2000 - 2006.) What is interesting is that neither Clinton is there.

[ProSense]

3. The list looks like Halperin using Dem names to

hype McCain. He's full of it.

[beachmom]

2. Interesting, except Halperin tends to be wrong. Remember when

he kept saying "A McCain Win for the week"! Josh Marshall snarkily wrote on Election Night: Halperin's take: Obama wins the election. McCain takes the day. LOL.

Still, what is important is perception of the inside DC elite crowd, which Halperin is a proud member. John Kerry is perceived as powerful. Okay, I can live with that.

Thanks for posting, Ron.

[Dr Ron]

4. Often wrong

Sure he is often wrong, but I'll also go along with him in this case re Kerry.

[Mass]

5. Correct or not, it shows that the perception of DC has changed. They perceived

Kerry as powerful (Halperin is the gossip reporter of the Inside The Beltway crowd).