Kerry to Wage Kennedy's Health Care Fight

Source: CBS News/AP

Long-Time Senate Ally of "Liberal Lion" Pledges to Fight for Reform, "The Way that Teddy Would"

(CBS/AP) Sen. John Kerry said Wednesday he would take up one of Sen. Edward Kennedy's key political fights, pledging to the thousands who attended his town hall meeting to push for the health care overhaul championed by his longtime Democratic colleague.

More than 2,000 people turned up for Kerry's first public meeting since Kennedy's Aug. 25 death from brain cancer at age 77. A line of supporters and opponents of health care reforms snaked out of the Somerville high school and down two blocks.

Kerry quickly invoked Kennedy's memory and promised to push for the best health care reform package possible.

"That means taking on these battles in the way that Teddy would and I pledge to you that I will," he said.

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/09/03/politics/main5284408.shtml?tag=cbsContent;cbsCarousel

.

more allies?

Kerry picking up the cause. Kerry was not heavily involved in health care issue because that was Ted's issue. Now he is. That is a good thing.

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Kerry has no ability to get rid of Rahm.

.............Congressmen and Senators. You only see the loud mouthed corporate sponsored ass holes on TV. I'll grant you there are a lot fewer for and a lot more against a "good" healthcare bill.

n/t

John Kerry has been fighting for health care for all Americans. On the first day of the 110th Congress, Kerry introduced legislation in the Senate, the “Kids First Act”, to provide health care coverage to the 11 million American children who currently go without. Kerry’s legislation also helps Governors and states save on health care costs by reducing the burden on state's Medicaid rolls.

More than 500,000 people have signed on as "citizen cosponsors" in support of Kids First at johnkerry.com and nearly 20,000 people across the country have called into Kerry’s “Give Voices to Our Values” phone hotline to record their powerful, personal stories.

He also introduced legislation that would help businesses afford to cover their employees, by making a new deal between employers, health insurers, families and the federal government. Today, the high costs of treating the sickest patients are driving up the price tag for everyone's care and taking a huge toll on businesses. Just one percent of the population pays for nearly a quarter of health care spending. To help businesses get out from under the weight of the most expensive cases, he recently introduced legislation - The Healthy Businesses, Healthy Workers Reinsurance Act - which would reimburse businesses for a percentage of the highest cost cases. It includes cost containment benefits for preventative care, which lowers costs and premiums for employers and employees.

He continues to lead the fight for health care relief for our nation's small businesses. Some small businesses have reported having their premiums increase by more than 70 percent in one year. And less than half of our smallest firms are offering coverage to their workers today. As Chairman of the Senate Small Business Committee, he is pursuing legislation that will give more small businesses access to quality, affordable insurance options for their workers and families.

You put it out there without anger (unlike me) I get so damn mad I can't think straight! May calmer heads and "just the facts ma'm" prevail!

In fact, from a friend's account who was there, in response to a question of picking up Kennedy's mantle, Kerry responded that he was fighting for heath care - but specifically said:

But I can tell you that JK when asked specifically about "picking up Teddy's mantle" SPECIFICALLY said that he was still raw from the loss of his friend and that he was going to fight but he wasn't "picking anything up" -- not his exact words, but he refuted that frame quite clearly.

Kerry and others were clearly heart broken by Teddy's death. You either missed Kerry's appearances and speech or are completely heartless in your idiotic "Cashing in" statement. The fact is that NO ONE will be the liberal lion. Someone may grow into it, but that is a title that must be earned. Kerry has real potential to be the leader of the liberal wing in the Senate. Look over the last 3 years - and see who was there more often than anyone other than Kennedy. Kerry's committees differ from Kennedy's. If he became the leader, it would be different than Kennedy. He has been doing a very good job on foreign policy, where he is to the left of Obama and his team, and on the environment.

On healthcare, he has made a big contribution on the questionof financing - where he has won considerable support for taxing high end policies.

WWWD?

name.

Kerry supports Kennedy's HELP bill.

Coward

responses in this thread.

Something a coward does. Deal with it. You have a lot of nerve to play those games.

That bill isn't congruent with the answer in his questionnaire.

Obviously, Kerry is smarter than you are. As for courage, I think he's demostrated more courage than you ever will. He also doesn't use a screen name when he states his opinions.

OR you are dumber than us both

No, you're not smart, you're not even honest.

You attack Kerry for mentioning his dear friend because he backs that friend's bill? Insane!

As to coward, it is not cowardly for either MA Senator to support a bill that has the ability to pass vs something that does not have a snowball's chance in hell.

It is an innapropriate response to the current health care crisis, and not at all in the spirit of the bulk of Kennedy's work on health care

In 1997, Kennedy determined that SCHIP was worth passing. It was not a big single payer system.

In 2008, Kennedy started work on this bill and its outlines are those of what he thought was the best that could pass.

I know YOU hate it, but it is what Kennedy supported. Stand on your own saying only single payer is worth passing. Kennedy was never there with you on that. It is YOU, not his friend and ally, Kerry, who is misusing his name.

Starting back in 1971. Kennedy has a fine name. These "compromises" being attached to him, which give up half the goal coming out of the starting gate, do nothing but tarnish it.

That was this bill. The fact is that he spoke extensively to Senator Kerry and probably not to you. Unless someone like Vicki comes out saying that the bill is not something he would want, I would assume that the bill he supported and congratulated Dodd on - and voted for in committee, where proxies can be used is what he supported.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0407/3676.html

The time is now: Medicare for all
By: Senator Edward M. Kennedy
April 24, 2007 05:19 PM EST

The 20th century was shaped by advances in engineering, physics, computer science and chemistry, but our current century will be the time of life sciences. We are entering an era when patients will receive personalized medicine tailored to match their genetic profiles, when new stem cell therapies can regenerate damaged organs, and when molecular diagnosis of cancer and other diseases will revolutionize their treatment.

...

Today, House Committee on Energy and Commerce Chairman John Dingell (D-Mich.) and I are introducing legislation to extend Medicare to all Americans, from birth to the end of life. In addition, our plan will reduce costs and improve quality, including more effective use of health information technology. It also puts a new emphasis on preventive care, because preventing illness before it occurs is always better and less expensive than treating patients after they become ill.

Your problem in this exchange is that you smear Kerry for his part in accepting small changes that Kennedy agreed to from his committee.

Just as Kennedy would accept whatever bill Kerry led on for the climate change battle.

invited Kerry to visit in the last week. I think the only politician who did.

Friends of mine saw Kerry and Kennedy together the day Kerry was sworn in again and the men clearly shared a very deep friendship and many shared battles.

Replace the name "Kerry" with someone else or another favorite liberal and you wouldn't see half the snark and attacks like the ones in this thread.

On edit, considering the negativity in this thread, 46 recs isn't bad. :)

He spoke of the fact that we were going to pass it. Here is a link to exerpts of a speech the night before the election. http://www.johnkerry.com/multimedia/entry/barnstable_democratic_town_committee_election_eve_rally_video/

Kerry ran on a plan that approached universal health insurance in 2004 - as KENNEDY mentioned when he campaigned for him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2LECEpB37o

Kerry has said that single payer was dead on arrival.

Do you? If you don't then you better stay clear of using Kennedy's name.

Kennedy negotiated what he COULD for that HELP bill. He and his committee could not GET Medicare for all.

The single-payer ones, that is, that which he spent decades working for since the early 1970s

along the way in hopes of eventually getting there. I support Kerry on those efforts just as I support Kennedy's efforts. Sometimes it takes steps smaller, but, that is entirely the fault of their opposition, including too many from their own party.



>>>>>
John Kerry has been fighting for health care for all Americans. On the first day of the 110th Congress, Kerry introduced legislation in the Senate, the “Kids First Act”, to provide health care coverage to the 11 million American children who currently go without. Kerry’s legislation also helps Governors and states save on health care costs by reducing the burden on state's Medicaid rolls.

More than 500,000 people have signed on as "citizen cosponsors" in support of Kids First at johnkerry.com and nearly 20,000 people across the country have called into Kerry’s “Give Voices to Our Values” phone hotline to record their powerful, personal stories.

He also introduced legislation that would help businesses afford to cover their employees, by making a new deal between employers, health insurers, families and the federal government. Today, the high costs of treating the sickest patients are driving up the price tag for everyone's care and taking a huge toll on businesses. Just one percent of the population pays for nearly a quarter of health care spending. To help businesses get out from under the weight of the most expensive cases, he recently introduced legislation - The Healthy Businesses, Healthy Workers Reinsurance Act - which would reimburse businesses for a percentage of the highest cost cases. It includes cost containment benefits for preventative care, which lowers costs and premiums for employers and employees.

He continues to lead the fight for health care relief for our nation's small businesses. Some small businesses have reported having their premiums increase by more than 70 percent in one year. And less than half of our smallest firms are offering coverage to their workers today. As Chairman of the Senate Small Business Committee, he is pursuing legislation that will give more small businesses access to quality, affordable insurance options for their workers and families.

"Incremental measures won't suffice anymore. We need to succeed where Teddy Roosevelt and all others since have failed. The conditions now are better than ever. In Barack Obama, we have a president who's announced that he's determined to sign a bill into law this fall."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/207406

One indication as to my intelligence: I'm not buying this "reform" hook, line, and sinker.


I guess its easier to baselessly just attack the messenger though. More tit-for-tat.

lifelong goal.

The point is that you are wrong about Kerry and demean him and his efforts, and you use Kennedy falsely to attack Kerry.

Its a bit disgusting

Regardless of its originating committee, its not quite comparable to the single-payer legislation Kennedy pushed for almost 4 decades (starting back when Nixon introduced mandated, subsidized private insurance)

Alright. Im done with the pointless quips with you. Ill fall back to a much more engrossing conversation with my dining table.

Kennedy congratulated Dodd on the passage.

Kennedy has also said that he regretted not accepting the Nixon bill. It is very clear that reason for Kennedy's change is that he knew we COULD get something that helped passed now, but we can't get single payer passed.

the fact is Kerry was a dear friend and ally of Kennedy's - and you weren't.

"a partnership between the administration and the private health insurance industry."

Even Kennedy knew then that "For the private industry, the administration plan offers a windfall of billions of dollars annually. The windfall is not entirely a surplus, since elements of Administration's proposal appear to have originated in the insurance industry itself"

Sad how people change. I stand to remember the man who Kennedy was for decades, instead of the man he became. Anyone who regrets not passing something they characterize in this manner has clearly forgotten their ideals & principles.

which started as a bill called Kerry/Kennedy. Kennedy then COMPROMISED that bill, retaining the basic goal and much of the language, to create SCHIP with Hatch. Without it millions of kids who have insurance, wouldn't.

nowhere enough votes. Kerry said there are too many who are ideologically against it.

Medicare for all is not doable. Like Kennedy, he will fight for the best bill that can pass.

We're doomed.

More like, "Oh, shit... James Carville fucked me over and now I can't be President."

If I weren't laughing, I'd be crying.

I really respect him a lot.

Don't find too many others like him in this Congress.


John McCain was a "friend" of Kennedy's and to my knowledge he has not lifted a finger to change his mind on Health CAre.

I'm not sure why Kennedy's passing would change his mind.

Somehow, I'm not reassured.

I guess he'll be going on a lot of vacations when it's time to fight...

Aside from the family, the best one of the night IMO. :)

been the way it has been for a long time.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8615684&mesg_id=8615684

(His speech is wonderful) Dodd was the 4th Senator who spoke.

Kerry also visited him in that final week and he and Teresa were there with the family the day after his death - as friends.

K&R :kick:

We really need a strong liberal leader in the Senate now that Kennedy is gone. Now that Kerry has lost his shot at the WH, perhaps like Kennedy after '80, he can take on that role now that he no longer has to censor himself under the delusion that conservatives will vote for a moderate Democrat (that's a myth that not of these folks should ever fall spell to, but so damn many do). Kerry has the advantage that he can go far left and not lost his seat. Not sure he is dynamic or passionate enough about the issues.

Me, I want Tom Harkin (IA) to step up. He definitely has the passion and personna to be that leader. Sadly, Welstone is gone, as he would have already been pushing this hard with Kennedy.

RIP, Senator Kennedy. We owe it to your life's work to win this and other important causes for America.

owned and operated. He speaks out strongly on everything and like Kucinich in the House, is seldom wrong on any issue. He's conducted a live TH for one hr. every Friday morn on the Thom Hartmann radio show where he takes calls from the public and has for years. He's and independent who caucuses with the dems. He is for a not for profit single payer system of national HC ins like Medicare for all. Smart as hell and knows what he's talking about...which is why the TV circus won't touch him...too much truth and honesty for them to handle. Kennedy had his name working for him as well as his record...Sanders only has his record and reputation...and it's one you can count on.

Silly me, I was thinking of a liberal from the party which is supposed to include liberals (that'd be the Dems). Sad when we have to go outside the party for real liberal leadership in the U.S. Senate.

Certainly Sanders is correct on the issues. And he has a new service this month, teaming with Robert Greenwald on "Bernie Sanders Unfiltered":

http://sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/events/event/?id=78cfbd87-0513-43b3-8167-fa92ddb52da7

I suggest everyone take a look, especially those who don't get to listen to Bernie on Hartmann's show every Friday.

and before all the votes were even counted?

Maybe the best thing is to let his actions speak louder than his words.

I can't remember the last time I was more disappointed with a politician. Actually, I can -- every time Maria Cantwell opens her mouth, for instance.

:eyes:

Thanks to McAuliffe's failure for FOUR YEARS to secure the election process in crucial states like Ohio.

A very vital one. A campaign can raise all the money in the world, but if it's not applied in the right places, it won't have the desired or needed effect, like McAuliffe's DNC putting a lot of it into blue states we were probably going to win anyway but not in places like North Carolina, for example. Not to mention the failure to secure the election process as you mentioned. That alone probably tilted the scale..

Howard Dean was a MUCH better chairman. Imagine if he had been in charge at the time? Of course there were other factors (like all the scare tactics, the swiftboating, etc) that made it an unleveled playing field from the start. I think Kerry did amazingly well for the circumstances. A lesser candidate might have been routed..

12 Hours was the second latest concession in modern times - the latest if you count Gore's first concession. They ALWAYS concede before 100% of the votes are counted. In addition, as Kerry said in his speech, the votes would all be counted - and they were.

The fact is there were not enough uncounted provisional ballots to make the difference. That was true then and is true now. No one has yet proved that Kerry really got more votes in Ohio. You can't count votes not cast as RFKjr did in his excellent analysis - votes stolen because the lines were too long can't be redeemed.

No charisma, no charm, no presence, no concise effectiveness.

Probably throwing in something about someone "taking their eye off the ball," which is all that anyone can retain from it.

Why do we always trash-talk our Dems? Did I take a wrong turn on my way to Democratic Underground?

Especially since they can't and would never say it to his face. So, they hide behind the anonymity of their keyboard in the parents basement.

But he would just nod and then avoid me. He doesn't answer to me. What difference would it make?

Democrats should absolutely believe every word that issues from every Democrats mouth
and blindly follow, without question, everyone with a D after their name.
Even those Dems who have previously misled us, chickened out, sold out, etc.

Heck, Trash-Talk is just the verbal spew of Thought Crimes!

Nooo, then we wouldn't be like Free Republicans at all...

:sarcasm:

I will ask again, how was this criticism constructive?

Never mind. Bash away. You are good at it.

Sen. Kerry doesn't have a lot of charisma, but he might just need to have a better speech writer. Pres. Reagan couldn't put together more than two or three words together without help of a speech writer (remember that his previous vocation was as an actor, where he read scripts), but with a well-written speech and a convincing delivery, he could be very persuasive. Many other political leaders are equally incompetent at extemporaneous speaking (remember Kerry's own "I voted for the $87 billion before I voted against it" comment). If Kerry could get writers who could write for him, he might be able to put together a message that would resonate on the Senate floor.

I don't know how well he works behind-the-scenes, however. I don't think we really know how anyone works in the smoke-filled rooms (or whatever they're filled with) where a lot of legislation actually gets done. Obviously, if he's ineffective there, no speech writer alive will be able to help him.

You can please some of the people some of the time, and some of the people none of the time.

personally, whether it be at a rally or one on one that say, he is very charismatic, likeable, warm, funny, and caring. The media just didn't want to show that side.

I understand some in this thread have bought the GOP media spin on Kerry. I know a few real world types that believe the same thing some of these posters have posted what this poster and others in this thread have said. Unfortunate, but that's the way it is, I guess.

Every politician, including Obama has flaws. No one is perfect and you can't or will not please everyone most of the time.

Go figure.

than you give him credit for. I must say.......you don't KNOW THE MAN! Charisma...feh! Very few have it, but he and Obama have it, and some wouldn't know it if it bit them in the ass. (They also have brains to back up that there charisma!!)

Listen to him once, on a high stake speech,and then come back.

The fact is that the NYT called Kerry's 2008 speech the best non-acceptance speech at a Democratic convention in 2 decades - and Kerry wrote it himself. Other than Obama, what line from any current Democrat's speech will be remembered in 35 years - as Kerry's self written 1971 speech was. Kerry's Senate speeches are excellent. In addition, he has been extremely successful giving very short speeches arguing against the anti - Iran, NK , Palestine resolutions that have in the past passed - causing Democratic Presidents foreign policy trouble.

As to the $87 billion, it was one of very few things he said in 2004 that created problems - The problem was that he had just answered in detail about the two bills, explaining he wanted to avoid adding it to the debt and he wanted oversight. When asked again, he said he just answered that and then gave that unfortunate shorthand. There is no politicians - not even Obama - who did not make similar misstatements. the difference was the media pretented they didn't understand.

As to effective behind the scenes, Kerry was the one who brokered the rise in CAFE standards - in addition to many other successes.

It's resentment and anger and frustration.

As far as others reading it and taking it to Rightist web sites, I guess I really don't give a shit because I wouldn't log on there if my life depended on it. Let them read it. What do we care.

:eyes:

Kerry has plenty of charisma and charm and he has enormous presence. He was very effective in winning the nomination over media and party favorites. I have attended Kerry rallies and speeches and had more been shown on regular TV in 2004, he would have won.

Al Franklin spoke up first and vowed to carry Kennedy's fight on.
Wow, that makes two :) at least thats a start.

Except for the war vote, I mean.

He's got a lot of nerve saying that. I don't even think he's fooling himself, he's just trying to position himself as 'the new Kennedy' without ever doing the work or holding the principles.

I'm not saying he's totally bad, he's not, but he's NO Ted Kennedy and never will be.

Kerry was not heavily involved in the health care issue because that was Teds issue. Now he is joining the effort. He has already been picking up a lot of the constituent services and advocacy for MA re TARP funds. I have heard Kerry note Ted's uniqueness--so I think it is a leap to say that he is claiming to be able to fill his shoes. I dont get the negativity.

These are the same buffoons spouting off, acting like they think they know something. The same one's who knocked Obama when he was beating Hillary in the primaries; the same one's who wrote Kerry off 10 min. after the election in '04; the same one's who think that Washington should be run ONLY as THEY see fit, or else you're useless. These are the same one's who know JACK SHIT about how laws even get to a vote. The same one's that cheered when Obama was elected, and when he didn't undo 8 yrs. of Bush crime, in 6 mo., have already given up on him!! These are the same one's who will NEVER BE SATISFIED unless they put their stamp of approval on anything that does get done!! These are the talking heads that the Repukes love so much, because they will be the UNDOING of our Democratic majority. Teddy and John were BEST FRIENDS!!! Who better to finish Ted's work, than the man who worked at his side all these many years. It would have been Ted's wish that Sen. Kerry and Pres. Obama work side by side, and go toe to toe, and head to head with these bastards.....for the good of us all. Keep it up all you naysayers, and gripers out there in DU land, you might just end up destroying America like you are destroying (Democratic??) Underground!!! You all make me want to :puke: This place is beginning to have a very FOUL ODOR!

Kerry's endorsement would cause Obama to lose.

Forever idiots.

Yep. This place has stunk to high heaven since the primaries, election, and inaguration ended. :hi:

Many likely do not want Kerry as a strong leader in the party. The fact is that Kerry is likely the strongest leader remaining in the Kennedy wing. I see many still angry that he endorsed Obama over their favorite - Hillary or Edwards.

If they bothered to see even one Kerry comment on Kennedy before commenting, they would know that Kerry loved and respected Kennedy and was there for him ad Vicki till the end. Kennedy returned that love and respect.

No one could fill Ted's shoes, but we are GRATEFUL for John Kerry. Sometimes it takes a loss of a really close mentor and friend to turn someone into another lion we so desperately need in the senate. I am glad Kerry is stepping forward and I will support him vigorously if he fights for us.

And Kerry's career has been no slouch.

If not courage.

Try having Cracker (oops, I mean Corker) and Alexander as your senators in a red state, GOP controlled State House, Senate that spends more time drafting bills about guns in parks, resturants instead of keeping guns out of the hands of people who have no business with them in the first place. And a state that ranks near the bottom in education and almost near the top with Obama hatred.

Not to mention, Blue Dog Dem reps who are holding up progress on health care.

Don't get me wrong, I practice Southern Hospitality, soul food, and trip off the people in this state, but there are some minuses to living in a red state.

Especially, after the way they treated Gore in 2000. And seeing a "Resist Socialism" a few miles from my house (it's a conservative area of Nashville) and one nasty racist compliaing about Michelle's shorts in a LTTE. :puke:

As for Senator Kerry, apreciate him. :) He isn't perfect. And Ted wasn't either, but they are/were good senators. :)









edit for spelling

I lived in FL for 5 years, tho I think TN may be worse. At least FL has some influence from the north with all the Snow Birds who moved there.

I am hoping that it does with the new state Dem party Chairman because he is supposed to be a grassroots person (i.e. Obama, etc.) but we shall see.

I do agree about Florida. Only time I went there was Disneyworld back in the late 80s. Snow Birds best describes Floridians too.

:hi:



edit for optimism. :)

Things will get better...eventually.

:hi: :patriot:

that is accountable to the people.

Without Kerry's work uncovering IranContra, S&L crimes, Iraqgate, CIA drugrunning and BCCI, what would this nation's historic record look like? This nation would be well into its second decade of full-on fascism by now without Kerry's pursuit of those illegal operations, and the citizenry would be pretty darn ignorant of the machinations that brought us down that fascist path.

People forget that there very few Democratic lawmakers who would even side with Kerry's work to uncover those crimes. He did it with all of OFFICIAL DC against him, including the powerful of his own party.

and, in fact, this nation is better off because both men pursued different issues important to this nation and its historic record.

The media said it. But my guess is that you are ready to blast any Democrat you can. Because otherwise, your post is nonsense. Kerry is a good senator and there is no reason to attack him this way.

In fact, from someone there, he explicitly rejected calling himself that. The fact is that Kerry has done work and he has held principles similar to Kennedy's.

No one will be the New Ted Kennedy. He is unique. John Kerry never said said such a thing. The fact though is that the reason Kennedy supported Kerry in 2004 and for 2008 until he dropped out, is that he saw Kerry as sharing many values he had.

runs in contested primaries. He endorsed Kerry very early and worked very hard for him in 2004. In 2005, he was the first to publicly encourage Kerry to run again - several times - always strongly praising him. There were very few people, that Kennedy has ever endorsed in the primaries. Other than his brothers and Kerry, I think the only other one was Obama - and part of his motivation for that was his disgust with the actions of his opponent. (Many have tried to minimize Kennedy's support of Kerry saying it was just because he was from MA, but I don't think he endorsed Tsongus, who was also his junior Senator, or Dukakis in their primaries.

:rofl:

:rofl:

Those that still hold a grudge and those that just know for a fact that "their candidate" would have won in 2004, need to just get over it and get on board.

Ya made me cry, and I hope all of the others posting here watched it too! Hurts to see how much we've lost in the past four years.

Is it still DU or FR?

He's a fighter alright, like he fought on Press the Meat?

Teddy had A SPINE. You best get one, too.

He has taken on more real battles than you ever will. Standing up to Nixon on Vietnam, came with a huge cost and risk - As did standing up to Reagan on the Contras did as well - as did standing up against BCCI. Any of these things could have precluded or ended his career.

response below.

lily-livered Dems in recent years. My health and perhaps my life are at stake here. I am 52, have NO medical insurance, and haven't been able to see a doctor for 4 years because I am afraid of finding something that will be labelled a preexisting condition and never be covered.

...cloud your judgment....maybe? I am sorry for your health issues.

But, wouldn't you be better off with a plan that at least has provisions forbiding the use of pre-existing conditions, subsidies, and the ability to buy into a large plan rather than the status quo? Those seem to be things already agreed to. If the public option is added to drive down cost, this would be a major improvement. As to Kerry, he has already contributed on what may be part of the financing part of the package, getting the unions to agree not to fight his proposal of taxing (or really eliminating the tax break) on the above $25,000 amount on high premium plans. For the conservative Democrats, one major issue is cost - and identifying ways to compensate for the cost might be what is needed to win some of them over. So, he has been working on this issue.

Not to mention, Kerry has NEVER voted against an expansion of healthcare. He and Kennedy wrote the precursor bill to SCHIP, which he was a co-sponsor of.

I understand your disappointment, but it is a fact that it was Kerry, more than many of his peers, who has stood up against many of the worst things that the RW has done. As to 2004, the deck was stacked against him and the media condoned a character assassination of a man with few real skeletons in his college - for a politician, he is very clean. I know you were disappointed, but I assume that Kerry, who worked as much as 16 hours a day for more than a year - even as he recovered from cancer surgery at the beginning cared far more. He spoke many times, when speaking of things like windows of opportunity in the West Bank being squandered by an administration allergic to diplomacy, of the frustration that he could have made a difference as President.

I love that man. :)

:loveya:

on HCR. I believe in Sen Franken.

And thank you Senator Kerry. I love politicians with integrity.

:kick:

the same fuckers who complain about Dems not doing something complaining because they don't like the Dem in this case.

stupid fucking assholes. and then they wonder why we can't pass something.

:toast:

...who fight for us. Wow is SOMEBODY lost... ;)


As to Senator Kerry...EXCELLENT news, and not unexpected. It's just the way he is...loyal and full of integrity. I'd expect nothing less. The people who are so negative are VERY out of touch. :patriot: