Kerry appears with Brown

[ProSense]

Kerry, Alongside Brown: 'I Would Think' Scott Wouldn't Want People Denied Insurance For Preexisting Conditions

Eric Kleefeld

Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) appeared today alongside his new junior Senator-elect, Republican Scott Brown. The fifth-term Democratic senator said he could work constructively with Brown on health care and other issues -- and appeared to be putting Brown on the spot in that regard, with Brown standing right next to him.

"Look, I think a lot of people objected to the process of the, you know, sort of last-minute deals and the way things were put together," said Kerry. "I understand that. It wasn't pretty. That doesn't mean that everything in the bill is bad. I would think Scott would not want people to be denied health insurance for a preexisting condition. I would think that he would not want somebody who paid their premiums and bought insurance to be told when they get sick that they don't have insurance anymore. There have to be some basic things here, that we can all agree on. And I certainly look forward to trying to do that with him. "

Brown did not directly respond, but was asked shortly afterward by a reporter whether he felt like he was being courted by Democrats as a swing voter.

"I've always had great respect for Sen. Kerry, always. We have worked together on other issues and we'll work together on issues on the future," said Brown. "I have a great relationship with the delegation because of my years at the statehouse.

"If I see a bill that is good for my state, I'm gonna vote for it. And that's my first priority. Other senators represent other states. My initial job is to protect the state of Massachusetts, and I don't owe anybody anything. In the legislature in Massachusetts, I look at the bills first, determine what -- how much they cost, and if they'll benefit my district and the state, and you know, I'll take it that way and continue to be the same type of voter I always have been."

[gateley]

1. Good one, Kerry! Let's see Brown try to squirm out of that one! nt

[BeFree]

2. Well, hell

Hope was that Kerry would stand up against the voting machines especially since he was ripped off in 2004.

This shows me he is part of the corruption and theft of our votes.
And I read here that he has millions invested in defense industries?

Gawd, Kerry has sold us down the river.

[Jennicut]

3. By putting Brown on the spot?

The people of Mass put Brown in legally last time I looked. We screwed up.

[ObamaKerryDem]

4. So now it's Kerry's fault? Even though he campaigned like hell..

..for Coakley, probably more than she did herself and stood up for her against the slimeball tactics of her opponents. Beyond that, what else could he--from his position-- have done? He pretty much has to meet with Brown now that it's a done deal, but what has he really said or done here, beyond basic courtesies? And it's not like he gave Brown a free pass; far from it. He's backing him into a corner here, when it comes to health care. I thought it was brilliant.

But then again, it seems the knee jerk reaction Kerry bashing on here still goes on, even 6 years later. *sigh*

[politicasista]

5. Yep. Everything is always Kerry or Obama's fault here at DU n/t

[ObamaKerryDem]

6. Sure seems that way sometimes. *sigh* n/t

[politicasista]

7. Yep.

Usually the poster is complementary of the Senator, but 04 memories must have brought it all back. Sigh.

[karynnj]

13. Kerry was incredible to do three rallies less than 2 weeks after a hip replacement

and to stick around to be at her concession speech even though he had to fly back to DC to be in the Senate the next day. ( If the campaign itself would not have shown her poor people skills and sense of entitlement, her completely leaving him out of the speech in which she thanked Obama, Clinton, and Vicki Kennedy would.)

Kerry was very good here - far more constructive than many others would be. Not to mention, the fact is that MA elected him. What kind of respect would Kerry be showing the state that he very clearly loves if did not respect their decision to send Brown to the Senate. People here expecting Kerry to be a spoiled brat need to realize that he is a far better person than that.

[babylonsister]

8. What a dumb thing to say. FAIL. nt

[politicasista]

9. Bingo

Looks like memories of 04 brought this knee-jerk reaction out. Shame.

[Cali_Democrat]

10. LOL....what in the world?

:crazy:

[karynnj]

12. Kerry DOES NOT have millions invested in defense industries

There was an idiotic article that listed Senators by the money they had in companies that had more than a certain number of dollars in contracts. Those companies included Pepsi, Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft and IBM. By law, Teresa's holdings, which are separate from Kerry's, are included in his Senate declarations. She has large holdings in many American companies, including Microsoft and IBM. That article was posted repeatedly by a few jerks many of whom were Edwards' supporters angered by Kerry's endorsement.

As to Kerry standing up against the voting machines, no one spoke more against the problems than Boxer and Kerry when the Rosa Parks bill was debated. They and others introduced legislation, but it never gained enough support. Even in 2005, Teresa Kerry was one of the few people connected to anyone powerful, to speak of the problem of there even being a potential that fraud could happen with the machines - and said that was the case. Both She and John were ridiculed for their comments on this. Later Edwards lied that he wanted to fight it, but he was completely silent 2005 into 2006, until he decided it would help him on the left.

Kerry is NOT on any committee that has jurisdiction over this.

[politicasista]

14. Good post. The crickets will chirp because

we all know that facts never get in the way of Kerry/Obama bashing around here.

Well said.

[JI7]

11. i wonder if the teabaggers expect him to bash Kerry on things like military service

and all the other things they attack Kerry for.