Jan 24, 2005 CNN article on John Kerry "The John Kerry I never knew"

[merh]

Monday, January 24, 2005 Posted: 4:35 PM EST (2135 GMT)

Sen. John Kerry, left, flicks the hat of Sen. Max Baucus, D-Montana, at the presidential inauguration.

The John Kerry I never knew

WASHINGTON (Creators Syndicate) -- A couple of years ago, after the program had already begun at a political dinner honoring the beloved and then fatally ill Joe Moakley, a Boston Democratic congressman, Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry made a late and highly visible entrance, walking to his table at the front of the room. The evening's master of ceremonies refused to ignore the interruption. With perfect mock sympathy, he "explained": "You'll have to excuse the junior senator's tardiness; he got caught in front of a mirror." The crowd erupted in knowing laughter.

(snip)

Let me tell you about a John Kerry much different from that glib stereotype. Seven years ago, Kerry personally recruited Brendan O'Donnell, then 19, to become an intern in his Senate office in Washington. Senate internships are coveted positions, often reserved for the children of well-connected or deep-pocketed campaign donors. Brendan O'Donnell's mother, Kathryn, was an honored elementary teacher and a widow. Her husband and Brendan's father, Kirk, was an enormously talented lawyer-politician had died unexpectedly the previous September. In the cold calculus of power, neither Brendan O'Donnell nor his family could do anything politically for John Kerry or anybody else.

What I forgot to mention is that Brendan is learning disabled. In 1999, he explained his condition this way in a statement John Kerry later quoted on the Senate floor: "I think there should be a different name for learning disabilities ... to me, it's not a disability -- it's just that I have something which causes a storm in my mind. When I look at something, I have to take my time and take it all in." But take it in he does, performing all his assigned tasks in the Senate office with enthusiasm and dispatch.

(snip)

Don't try to tell Brendan O' Donnell that his boss, Sen. John Kerry, is aloof, self-absorbed or emotionally detached. He knows better. Brendan once spoke about individuals with learning disabilities: "We are the same as everyone else, and if someone takes the time to teach us, to work with us, and to help us understand, we can do whatever we want." He is right, and Sen. John Kerry has cared enough personally to take that time. Sorry if that shatters your stereotype like it shattered mine.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/01/24/shields.kerry/

Inside Politics
Mark Shields, nationally known columnist and commentator, is the moderator of CNN's "The Capital Gang."

[JohnKleeb]

1. I just read that

as a learnind disabled person it made me :). I tried to get a job at Kerry's office too but someone had already gotten an internship so it couldn't happen sadly but I know now when I will try to work for him if I bring up my disablity and my Aspergers, they will respect it. What a nice story.

[merh]

2. Its a terrific story and a side of the man

that he doesn't have to show or flaunt because it is so genuine.

Good luck to you Mr. Kleeb!

[JohnKleeb]

3. Thanks

Yeah it is. Ive been classified as learning disabled since I was 5 and was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome at 15-16.

[blm]

4. Why don't you send a note to Chris?

Hopefully he could pass it on or heck, I'm hoping HE'LL need an intern soon, himself.

[JohnKleeb]

5. ahh I can't

This internsrhip is done through ths school, and we already tried Kerry's office, and someone else got it. However, I plan to work for Kerry hopefully like a friend of mine works for Hiliary Clinton, like in college and that may finally make me fullfill my dream of going to Massachuetts.

[GRLMGC]

6. Must you mention that name? It's like a dagger in my heart

haha, j/k

[JohnKleeb]

7. hah I remember now

You likeeeeeeeeee him. :D I bet he does get politically involved, I wuold say in Pennsylvania tho.

[GRLMGC]

8. Yeah, he's hot

His girlfriend is pretty too. Now, if he got involved in politics, that would be all too cool.

[JohnKleeb]

9. I bet you he does

eh I'll check out his girlfriend. she's pretty.

[LittleClarkie]

10. That's so sweet

Too bad stories like this didn't come out, but then Kerry was to big a man to exploit his relationship with Brendan. He's so private.

I do wish there were more of us who understood what a good man this was.

As for Shields, shattered ILLUSIONS is right. People only think they know who this person is. Many, including several on our side, never looked at him properly. That's a damn, damn shame.

[angrydemocrat]

11. Kerry has done alot for kids with learning disabilities.

There are many things about him that so many don't know. He is a good man with a big heart but he just don't get the credit for that. Instead people would rather say he is aloof, self centered, and elite.

[JohnKleeb]

12. I gotta love that

I am LD and I am proud! :bounce:
heh sorry y'all.

[angrydemocrat]

13. My Son Is As Well

But it sure don't keep him from doing what he wants. As I can see you have never let it get the best of you either. You should be proud of yourself for that. Unfortunately have have seen some though they just get aggravated and give up so easy. Because it is hard on them but you can't give up and let it stop you.

[JohnKleeb]

14. How old is your kid?

Yeah, hell, most people in class have no idea I am, hell Ive got the same people who are like whoa dude you're smart, knocing poeple with LD, and Ive said to the same people who are LD and use it as an excuse but are impressed by what I do good with, hey man I am LD too.

[angrydemocrat]

16. He is soon to be 15

He also ADD so it is hard on him sometimes but he does good still. He don't try to use it as an excuse but like you said many do and then you have those that really try and they get aggravated easy and they just need that extra push to help keep them going. But like I told my son it is nothing to be ashamed about that is something you can't help. So he does good.

[TayTay]

18. I have that, as does my son.

Actually, ADHD, the more fun version. It is difficult on my husband more than it is me. I like having brain cells collide into each other at 200 mph, the results are often interesting.

My son gets a lot of state help for his condition. There are federal rules and procedures as well to help mitigate the effects of the condition. (It's not a disease, it's a condition.) Let me know if I can be of help.

[angrydemocrat]

23. I agree it is not a disease

And I don't know about you but I have seen people act as if it was a disease and that shit pisses you off when they do. Some people really are foolish when it comes to this believe I have met some.

[whometense]

15. That is a very sweet story.

My only quibble would be this: STORIES LIKE THIS ABOUT KERRY ARE COMMON. Ask absolutely anyone who knows him. He does things like this all the time.

Not yelling at you, merh. Thanks for posting it.

I'm just asking, where the hell was this article last October, Mark Shields?????

[TayTay]

19. Ahm, Not to interrupt a sweet moment,

but read the tea leaves. If this is coming out now, it's because someone figured that maybe stuff like this should come out and got permission for same. It's never too late.....

[ginnyinWI]

21. a phoenix rising from the ashes...... n/t

[angrydemocrat]

20. You are right!

I said in a earlier post that Kerry has done alot for kids with learning disabilities. He is just never given credit for all the good he does the find it more impressing to call him aloof and self centered.

BTW did I ever say hate how much I hate the damn word aloof. Because I do it drives me nuts.

[TayTay]

22. I'm telling ya, aloof sound like ...

some kind of animal you gotta watch out you don't hit in a snowstorm. "Sorry hon, that dent in the Toyota, I hit a damn aloof. I couldn't see it in the dark." Just one of those words that I don't like as well.

[TayTay]

17. It is too bad this hasn't come out

He is a complicated guy. (And, btw, he gives as good as he gets at the politico dinners. If he didn't, he wouldn't be on his 4th term in the Senate.)

When Paul Sullivan, a columnist for the (evil) Lowell Sun was diagnosed with a brain tumor last November, he got a phone call from one, John Kerry. Now, anybody who knows Kerry's history in MA knows that he and the Lowell Sun are not exactly on the best of terms. The Lowell Sun endorsed Bush for Pres, dissing it's homestate Senator in the process. Still, after the election, Kerry called longtime columnist Sullivan to wish him well. Sullivan joked with the Senator about his mental state and that he counted on friends to tell him if he started doing anything crazy, like voting for a Democrat. He's that kind of guy.

Kerry is very demanding of his staffers. But they also know that he has a large heart. He is simply not the kind of guy to call a press conference when he does something nice. There are a lot of staffers or campaign workers who can tell you about hospital visits from the Senator to sick relatives and such. Ask Ray Flynn, former Mayor of Boston about Kerry. They were very close and Flynn's endorsement helped Kerry get his seat in '84. Then they had a falling out, but when Flynn's son was in the hospital with severe Bi-polar disorder, Kerry would show up and sit by the son's bed for hours, bringing him things to read and so forth. He is a good guy. This side does have to come out. Perhaps, this is the beginning of an intiative to do this and still maintain that 'don't toot your own horn' thing as well.

[merh]

24. If you don't toot it, who will.

Which of course means nothing if you are just an average joe, but if you want to win votes and influence voters, you have to show them that you are a good person.

I love this man, I am sickened that the weed stole the office. I want John Kerry and all the dems that slam him to realize HE WON THE DAMNED OFFICE. He is liked, he has nothing to be ashamed of!

:loveya: John Kerry is a hero and my president! :loveya:

[angrydemocrat]

25. The Lowell Sun

Has always been nasty towards Kerry so it came as no shock to me when they endorsed Bush like they did. And it comes to no shock to me about him calling Sullivan either. That is just the kind of man Kerry is. He truly is a man with a big heart and thinks of others before himself. I guess that is why people like myself that really have come to learn, love, and understand him get so damn mad when other asswipes spew nothing but pure garbage and lies about him.

[TayTay]

26. Thanks!

You truly do have his back, sweetie. So nice.