Nice article in Slate

[TayTay]

http://slate.msn.com/id/2112386/

Yeah, pay attention to this paragraph:

One remark in particular raised the possibility that Kerry might emerge, in Bush's second term, as an insistent critic of the president's war policy. "Our troops are stunning, superb," Kerry said, but "they're going on missions that are questionable in terms of what they're going to achieve." Was it by chance or intention that this statement—more than anything Kerry has uttered publicly in the last 30 years—stirred memories of the famous line during his testimony before this same committee in 1971, as a protesting Vietnam veteran: "How do you ask someone to be the last man to die for a mistake?"


TayTay is reading tea leaves again.

[TayTay]

1. Seriously, pay attention

Read the tea leaves for yourself.

[ginnyinWI]

2. nice article, taytay. thanks! n/t

[paulk]

3. thanks for the link.

Personally, I was surprised that Kerry voted no, I really thought he would do the diplomatic thing, express strong reservations, and vote yes. The reason being - since the SoS is our number one diplomat, he wouldn't want to damage her ability to conduct diplomacy by giving a vote of no confidence. He would put the country (since the SoS speaks for the country) ahead of partisan politics.

So - he voted against Rice for two reasons? Her answers truly showed that the Bush admin. has no intention of changing the partisan way it has conducted it's diplomacy and foreign policy; and Rice herself is not qualified for the job, or - this was truly a shot across the bow of the Bush junta - the opening salvo and signal that Kerry intends to become the number one critic and opposition to BushCo.

Or maybe both!

[TayTay]

4. I posted this yesterday

And got kudos for it today

Kerry will not vote for Rice:

and maybe not for Gonzales either. After all, what are the Rethugs going to do, question his patriotism? Spread lies about his service record? Demean his wife? Been there, done that, still here.

Seriously, he's got nothing to lose by not endorsing the The Idiot King's nominees. The Dems have to show * that they are not going to rubber stamp approval for him. I think they are paying some attention to the base and the fact that the Dem base hates these people.

Why not vote your conscience? I think Kerry dislikes these people a great deal.

[LittleClarkie]

10. I like that

"Been there, done that, still here."

Like a weeble wobble. Weeble's wobble, but they don't fall down. Like one of those punching bag things that just keeps popping back up.

Still here. Sorry. You'll have to try harder, BushCo.

[ginnyinWI]

6. I think they all agreed as to what the vote would be

I think they were concerned with the vote of confidence, but also wanted just the right amount of protest from the Dem side. People (outside of this group) are rushing to judgement about the Dems who voted "yes" but I say it was calculated that Boxer and Kerry could vote "no" without harming anything, and that it would be good for the overall strategy. I see them as becoming more and more unfied as time goes on, and are really rallying to the cause more than before. Everyone knows how serious this is--how dangerous the administration is--and are working together as never before.

[whometense]

19. I say, both. n/t

[Pirate Smile]

5. It seems so similar to the stupid missions they sent the Swift Boats on -

go up the river to be sitting ducks and when they shoot at you, shoot back but they don't hold the territory so the next day you can float by and be a sitting target again.

Our troops in Iraq are doing the same thing. They go out and travel through areas to be sitting ducks and get blown up but they don't hold the territory - they can do the same thing again the next day.

[whometense]

7. Here's another one

that's really good too:

Confirmation Fever: Hooked on the Rice hearings on C-SPAN.
Dana Stevens
http://www.slate.com/id/2112350/


Kerry: I wonder, Mr. Chairman, I know I heard Dr. Rice say she's willing to stay and stay and stay, but I wonder if there's sort of a limit of decency in how long we wanna …

Rice: I'm perfectly happy to stay, Senator. I look forward to further exchange.

Kerry: You want that job, don't you? …

Rice: (Laughs) I look forward to further exchange.

Kerry: Fair enough.

Somehow, that brief, ever-so-slightly terse interaction crystallized everything that was at stake in these largely symbolic hearings. There was the irony of John Kerry, the ultimate unsuccessful job-seeker, needling Rice about "wanting a job"; the subtle stonewalling of Rice's rigidly repeated reply, and the invocation of a "limit of decency" that went ignored, as it has in a couple of elections and wars I could name.

[TayTay]

8. Thanks!

That was great. These subtle interchanges communicate a lot. Yesterday Condi wouldn't shake Sen. Boxer's hand. Today, JK was very cordial to her and he shook her hand and then took out the knife. I loved it.

I really do think that he has just decided that his first instinct was right, that these people truly do suck, and that he can just be free to raise some hell and call them on their lies and bullshit. He has nothing to lose and everything to gain. Massachusetts loves both our Senators now and they have wide and deep support back home.

What say you, my fellow Masshole?

[whometense]

9. I agree completely.

I was thinking about that column recently - was it Lehigh?? About how Kerry finally has earned the love of - at least most of - us Massholes.

Watching him over the past two days I see something new in him. Almost like walking through the flames of hell and coming out the other side even more whole. Like the campaign was a learning experience, and 2 1/2 short months later he's digested all his lessons. Not to use too much hyperbole - but we long-time Kerry observers can pick up some pretty subtle stuff.

The hearings were fascinating - like grand Kabuki theater. All symbols and allusions.

Ok, I'll stop waxing weird now. But I think he's figured out exactly what we're dealing with. He seems incredibly focused and calm. If I'm right about this, it's not good news for *. Kerry angry is one thing, but Kerry in full avenging angel mode will be a beautiful sight. I always believed Kerry will have the last word, but I was waiting to see him in action to confirm. After today, I know it.

[LittleClarkie]

11. Oh that will be pretty to watch

So you do find that the article was correct? Is there a new appreciation of our John in Massachusetts. That would make me happy, that his constituents give him their love as well as support. I know someone here (Tay Tay, maybe) said they learned to appreciate him anew in the campaign.

I can't believe Corsi and the SBVT think they can affect anything in Massachusetts. I guess they've threatened. But it seems like Massachusetts would just chew them up and spit them out. Surely they're not serious about running against him and or running smear ads during his next Senatorial campaign. Nutjobs.

[whometense]

12. I do think that article was right.

Of course some of us (like ME) have always loved and appreciated John, but you know how people tend to take you for granted when you're around all the time.

One thing about this state - people here can be really hard on each other - but there is zero tolerance for an outsider who comes in and does the same. So you could find any number of people around here with less-than-flattering Kerry stories, but if those Swiftie assholes come here, just let them try. Everyone would close ranks.

The only way he loses his senate seat is if he chooses to give it up. Which I hope he will be forced to do. In 2008.

[GRLMGC]

13. but wouldn't he lose it anyway if he ran for Pres?

Can he run for both?

[whometense]

14. I was just being flippant -

I meant him being prez.

I don't know yet if he can run for both - I believe research is being done into the subject as we speak.

[GRLMGC]

15. nice nt

[elshiva]

21. Actually, yes he could, I think

In 2000 Lieberman ran for both VP and Senator at the same time. Of course he couldn't have been both Senator and VP at the same time, but it was good planning on his part. Very sad thing is that Edwards could have done the same thing in 2004 and he didn't and he isn't Senator or VP. Boo Hoo! I miss Edwards...

[TayTay]

24. I'm tending to think no

The MA Constitution is really old (sniff, oldest working Constitution in the world, written by John Adams, sniff) It's not very clear, but there are provisions against running concurrently for lower offices in the Great and General Court (MA Legislature.) This would probably have to be adjudicated.

Right now MA has a Rethug Governor. (Can't stand him.) But the legislature is overwhelmingly Dem (over 66% needed to override vetoes) so it is conceivable that a bill could pass to allow Kerry to run concurrently. Too early to tell. I'm not sure that would be a very popular thing in MA. Sounds like cheating.

[TayTay]

16. Yeah, he's family

Family looks after each other.

Yeah, there was a change. JK grew. He changed in ways overt and subtle. I saw it. I think my fellow Massholes saw it. 'Twas nice. He did us proud and I think he feels freer to pursue his own instincts, knowing that he has a large constiuency at home that has been wanting to see this for a while. (Go, live up to your potential, not to what some friggin' focus group says you should do. You have a great heart and a great and very ennobling sense of compassion. Don't hide it, celebrate it.)

This was one of the most gratifying parts of the run last year. He was more himself at the end than at the beginning. I really, really appreciate that.

[whometense]

18. Me too.

You could really see it in the hearings the past few days. He was more himself. Nicely put.

[TheDonkey]

17. He's still got my back, I'm grateful for JK (nt)

[whometense]

20. He does.

This is the thing the lefty freepers refuse to get - Kerry really cares. It's unfashionably hokey to say so, but it's true.

What TayTay said about about his great heart. It's what shows in his eyes in all those pictures, and makes a lot of the Kerrycrats swoon (myself excepted, of course ;-). Ok, I am such a liar.)

The Boston Herald will never change - it's still the schizoid right-wing rag (but BOSTON right-wing, not Texas right-wing), but I've even sensed a softening in tone in the Globe. We'll see if that holds up.

I'm vividly remembering the scene in front of the Union Oyster House election day. All those Massholes standing vigil silently outside while JK and Teresa ate lunch. Just waiting for a glimpse, a nod, a handshake. It was tremendously moving, and even more so in retrospect. I can only imagine how it felt to him.

[ginnyinWI]

22. good thread

I appreciate you Mass. gals and your insights. I'd guess he's gotten refocused on what's important, and why he went into public service in the first place. He got out there and met so many hurting people all over the country.
He said this was the most important election of our lifetimes, and meant it. He knows we've all got to do whatever we can to mitigate the damage of the evildoers in the WH for the sake of America's future. He also knows he's got political capital to make good use of. And incidentally, all of this will only help him politically, although I know it isn't the primary motivation.

So he's doing his homework (talking face to face with Mid-East and European leaders) and will be ready to take on the neo-cons.

[TayTay]

23. People grow and change

It's not just JK, but the Dems have become so wonky in how they go about presenting themselves to the electorate. Those damn focus groups drive me crazy, as people lie in them. I don't think the lying is intentional, but the focus groups tend to report out nicey-nicey stuff, when they actually respond to the deep hitting stuff. Too many focus group seesions resulted in not answering fast enough to the SBVT liars last summer. That was a huge mistake. JK wanted to respond and got 'restrained' by his senior staff. Big, big mistake.

Sen. Kerry this week seemed more at peace with himself and more assured. I didn't detect a whole lot of sour grapes or whininess. (I only know what I see on TV.) Great. Screw all this over-processed crap about tayloring everything you do to some constiutency or another and just vote your smarts and your conscience. That'll do. It's enough. If people like ya, they will follow, if not, then at least you spoke your mind and people know where you stand and why. Works for me.

[GRLMGC]

25. Focus groups do lie

I've been to some for products and stuff. I don't lie. If something sucks, I say it sucks but it either others don't think so or they're lying because I see those products later. It's probably the same thing with political focus groups.

[bunny planet]

26. I accidently caught a few minutes of Scarborough the other day while

on my tv and he had some woman on saying that Democrats like Hillary Clinton wouldn't dare oppose *'s Supreme court nominees (at least one coming up soon with Renquist looking like death warmed over at the inaugural) because they would risk looking obstructionist and ruin their chances for a run in 2008. I think the Republicans would like to believe this.

I think that some Dems, Kerry for one, Boxer of course, but a growing number of others, Hillary hopefully included, realize that NOT opposing *'s extremist cabinet and SCOTUS appointees would be the mistake, and would rule out a successful run at any position in 2006 or 2008. Kerry, I believe, will be the major thorn in *'s side, and I can't wait to watch him smoke. I don't think he'll be doing it for 2008 however, but just because he is an honorable man and he has nothing to lose by acting out of his conscience as always. He will be awesome. Bushco thinks they've beat him, but they only sidelined him temporarily, he's back stronger than ever.

[TayTay]

27. I agree, for both noble and baser reasons

I truly thinks that Kerry took part of the smears against him personally last year. How could he not. They smeared him, his honorable and noble military service record, smeared his wife and tried very hard to destroy him utterly as a pol. I would frickin take that personally as well. I think he believes that these people are ruthless and without any consideration for anyone who isn't exactly as they are. We saw glimpses of that in the last campaign.

Okay, election is over, now what. I think Kerry is going to stop the dickering over whether or not what he does is 'political' in the sense that it pleases some focus group or not. I think he is going to listen more to his gut and go with how he genuinely feels about an issue, not what advisors tell him will garner more votes somewhere. Good for him. Go after these jerks and try and bring in the light of truth. Show what an immoral, bastardly bunch they are. (For chrissakes, Rumsfeld doesn't even sign letters of condolence to families of KIAs. What a heartless, self-important, bastard.) I think our Senator is through being overtly political in every move and is just disgusted with these people. If there is anything he can do to expose the Bushies, then I think he will do it. (Within the Senate rules and with showing genuine respect to the families of people in the military, of course.) Good. Go get 'em. I got your back, big guy.

[bunny planet]

28. Also, I took great comfort in JK's meetings with European leaders.

I think they were all waiting to see which way this election was going to go obviously, and now that the lunatics are running the asylum for another 4 years (hopefully less), they are talking to Kerry as if he was actually in charge.

This speaks volumes to me, I'll bet he has information from his meetings with these leaders that will empower him in his efforts to undermine *'s agenda. The European nations, and more notably China and Japan are in a position to break the back of the US economically while the dollar is in free-fall, due to the Neo-cons seemingly deliberate destructive policies.

Kerry is so smart, he has to be aware of everything going on geo-politically and economically. Perhaps he has assured European leaders that he will do his best to oppose the Cons (and the Fundies) and convinced them to be patient and not act too hastily against the US as retaliation for *'s agenda. In other words, Kerry is already trying to achieve changes through diplomacy and cooperation with other nations without the official title of President. He's just doing it.

I hope I'm correct, it sure would be in keeping with his character to be doing this.